Finally there were only two couples left on the dance floor as the music whirled faster and faster.
Queen Arwen of Gondor looked at ease as her feet flew in sync with the accelerating music. The elf woman's waist length black hair formed a smoothly flowing cape about her shoulders. Her partner, the tall blond Eomer King of Rohan, kept time but only just and sweat dripped from his brow.
Lothiriel, Princess of Dol Amroth and Prince Imrahil's youngest, was a frazzled version of the lovely queen. Her legs felt like stone, her breath labored as she tripped through the steps. Her own partner, the tall blond elven Prince of Mirkwood Legolas, urged her to greater speeds with a relaxed smile.
As a defense, the princess gasped out, "My Queen, please!"
The two elves laughed melodiously.
Legolas called out easily, "My dear Arwen, shall we?"
The queen lightly replied, "Why certainly, my dear Legolas."
The Rider king heaved a heartfelt, "O thank Bema!" as the graceful queen spun away from him into the now-empty elf prince's arms. Let loose, Gondor's young princess staggered into the other human, her legs no longer under her control.
The two collapsed in a heap. The blond man slumped over splayed legs, hands on knees to keep his torso from collapsing onto the black-haired maiden in his lap. Her legs were tucked ungainly underneath her as she leaned her face into his shoulder.
The elves danced on, no signs of strain on either face.
When the dance concluded to the cheering of the crowded hall, the musicians were as red-faced and sweating as the still recovering human dancers. The elf queen and prince strolled over to their former partners.
"Eomer, you dance excellently well," Arwen complimented him with a gentle smile.
He just groaned in reply.
"Lothiriel, thank you for the dance. Perhaps you will honor me as a partner again soon," the elf prince requested smoothly.
Still panting, the princess rolled her head to uncover one eye and glared at him. "Thank you, my friend. Perhaps later. In the meantime, I will be outside for the next few dances. In the garden. The cool garden."
Eomer King interjected quickly, also gulping for air, "Me too. Uh, it would be my honor. If you would partner me. In the garden. At least five dances. Maybe ten. With ale. Or wine."
The princess smiled up at him gratefully as the king added detail to their escape plan.
The elf queen exchanged an arch glance with her new escort. "Of course, my dears. Why don't you go out there now. I will send someone with refreshments."
The two young royals clutched at each other for balance as they levered themselves from the ground. The glittering throngs watched their tottering progress to the doors with amusement and no little sympathy. Even as the couple's steps grew more sure, they continued to lean heavily upon one another.
The queen waved at a servant to follow them with drinks. Then she and her companion moved to where the dwarf Gimli, her husband King Elessar, and Prince Imrahil stood, avidly assessing the exiting pair.
Arwen kissed her husband on the cheek in greeting while Legolas smirked triumphantly at Gimli.
The dwarf raised his mug of ale in salute. "You were right, my dear elf! Nothing like a shared battle to bring two people closer together."
A/N: There are at least two fics out there which directly inspired parts of this one. 1. Amrothos normally dances in contests with Lothiriel, but she partners Legolas instead. "Rivalry" by Medea Smyke 2. Gimli and Legolas chortling over their machinations for throwing a couple together. Please forgive my vagueness – I have read almost all of the Eomer/Lothiriel stories on this site and although I have not marked them sometimes the plots or scenes percolate in my head for later.
Another recommendation for y'all: author Deandra. Start with "No Mistake."