A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this one up. My mother had a mastectomy this week due to aggressive breast cancer, so I've been otherwise occupied. She's home and resting now, though, and I've already started on the next chapter, so it shouldn't be too long a wait for the next update!

The next several days passed like lightning. Preparations began in earnest for our journey, which meant I spent most of my time with Rose, taking charge of the household as best I could while she was wrapped up in finalizing other arrangements for the city.

The poor woman was so buried in paperwork that she was practically cloistered in her office now with Ungoliant. We had also managed to wrap up our designs for the printing press, and sent them to the blacksmiths in the area, hoping that the parts would be ready for us when we returned to the city.

When we weren't doing that, I was escorting her to the Houses of Healing. I think the prospect of pregnancy and childbirth in a world without modern medicine terrified her, and she seemed to take comfort in my presence.

I didn't know much about pregnancy, but many of the things that were common sense in our own time had not yet been discovered here. The healer named Ioreth, a kind but stern older woman, seemed horrified when she found out her charge had been completely abstaining from alcohol, but Rose and I chose to politely ignore her well-meaning advice.

Eomer and I had also slipped into an easy friendship now that we had reached an understanding. Every night, I would find the Horse Lord on my balcony, and I had chairs brought in so that we could sit beside the fire in my room and speak in private, away from prying ears.

Eomer was an incredibly intelligent man with a wicked sense of humor, though I soon realized he had absolutely no head for math. He was a good listener and problem solver, however, and I was grateful for his advice on medieval life. In return, when he vented about problems with Rohan's technical problems (I was absolutely no help when it came to politics), I offered solutions I remembered from history classes, such as crop rotation. At one point, I even designed a new form of irrigation system for him, though I didn't know much about farming.

I found myself looking forward to those evenings with him more than anything else during my day, and was sad to think that, when I left for the tour and he went on his own way, that we might never see each other again. Even if we did, visits would be few and far between. Still, we worked so well together that, the night before I left, we decided to write each other. We would have to guard our words, however; I would have to have someone read and write for me until I learned myself.

The morning we were to depart dawned bright and early, with a cloudless blue sky promising an easy and quick journey. Rose and I were to be escorted by the host of Prince Imrahil and his Swan Knights to their home of Dol Amroth, located along Gondor's coast.

Dressed and ready, we (along with Rose's ever-present guards – Boromir was a rather over-protective father-to-be) met the large party before the giant Mithril gates of Minas Tirith.

"Boromir!" I turned my head to see Rose's face light up like a Christmas Tree when she saw her husband approaching, before launching herself into his arms.

"Newlyweds," I muttered with a roll of my eyes, but I couldn't suppress a smile as I turned away to give them privacy. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself face-to-face with Eomer.

"Fancy seeing you here, Al CaPony," I greeted cheerfully. He rolled his eyes as I chuckled at my own joke and nudged him. "Al CaPony. Oh, dear, I'm funny."

"Never before have I encountered a woman who could make herself laugh the way you do," he commented, smiling and shaking his head. "I came to bid you and Lady Rose farewell." I followed his gaze to see the Steward and his wife coming to join us.

"Ah, Eomer," Boromir hailed. The two men grasped each other's forearms in traditional greeting. "I heard a funny story recently, and wanted to share it with you. It involves an impudent horse lord pestering a Lady in her protector's own household without the man's leave," he said, looking innocent and friendly, not letting go of Eomer's arm. "Have you heard it?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rose discreetly pinch her husband, as I simultaneously shot Eomer a look that clearly said Play nice.

"Indeed, I am familiar with the tale," Eomer returned cheerfully, ignoring me. They still hadn't released each other, and I doubted the Jaws of Life could undo their grasp. "I remember the rogue was dashing and lordly, and the lady's protector was feeble and no match for the younger, much stronger man."

"On the contrary," Boromir said, happily clapping the other man on the arm hard enough to bruise. "The lady's protector effortlessly bested the insolent youngster in a fight with his great strength and even greater experience."

Rose sent me a raised eyebrow look that said We should do something, right?

I shrugged pointedly and then rolled my eyes. I got nothing. Men are stupid.

She gave a wide-eyed nod of agreement. You got that right.

The two men seemed to be having a silent conversation of their own, for the each nodded and released each other.

"My uncle and cousins will ride with you," Boromir said as he addressed Rose and I. "No harm shall befall you whilst you are in the care of family."

"Indeed, not," said the tall, dark-haired Prince of Dol Amroth as he joined us, followed by three imposing knights. Was everyone in Middle Earth ridiculously tall? "My nephew would have my hide if I allowed one hair on your lovely head to be mussed. Tell me, sister-son, how you managed to have not one, but two breathtaking women in your household. I find myself green with envy at your good fortune."

Rose laughed as he bowed over her hand. "Imrahil, it is good to see you again, you old dog," she greeted, still laughing as she kissed the older man's cheek. I had met the man only once before, and shook his hand.

"Ladies, allow me to introduce my sons: Elphir, my heir," Imrahil gestured to the one on his right, "Erchirion, and Amrothos." The tall (and incredibly good-looking, I might add) knights bowed as they were introduced. They looked about my age, and each possessed the striking black hair and grey eyes associated with the Numenoreans, like their father.

The one called Amrothos grinned and winked at me as he caught my gaze, and I felt the silly urge to blush as I smiled back. Now, there's a ladies' man if I've ever seen one, I thought, amused.

"Alas, my lords and ladies, the sun is climbing high in the sky, and daylight burns. Our journey must soon commence," Elphir said. The men nodded, and we began to say goodbye. Boromir pulled his wife to the side, and I turned to Eomer, suddenly unsure of myself. We were fine when we were alone, but with all these people, was there a protocol I should follow or something? Luckily, he took the decision from me.

"Ride close to Imrahil and his sons, for they are accomplished horsemen, and…well, you could use the assistance," he said cheekily. I grinned at him and swatted his arm playfully, not caring if anyone was watching. He smiled down at me before pulling me into a tight hug. I was surprised, but pleased.

"I'll see you again when we return to Minas Tirith," I murmured against his shoulder.

He kissed my forehead before letting go."Try not to get yourself into trouble, Leigh. These Gondorians are not used to such headstrong women." I rolled my eyes at him before turning to say my goodbyes to Boromir. Rose came to speak with Eomer.

"Keep her safe, Leigh," the Steward said softly as he embraced me warmly. "She will not ask for aid, even when she requires it."

"I'll watch her like a hawk," I whispered reassuringly back at him.

He kissed my forehead as Eomer had done and released me before helping me mount the brown mare I had been loaned for the journey. "I am glad you have come to us, Leigh, though I know you would rather be at your own home," he said as I gathered the reins in my hands. I inclined my head, but said nothing. "I will see you in a week's time. Be safe."

After a few more minutes, our escort began its journey through the Great Gates. I frowned as I heard an ear-piercing horn blast behind us, but turned to see Rose smiling and shaking her head. She caught my startled look. "It's tradition," she said, chuckling. "The Horn of Gondor is sounded before journeys."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

As I had promised her husband, I stayed by Rose most of the journey, which meant that I was also with the Princes of Dol Amroth. They were great company, and were the funniest men I'd ever met.

It had been four days now since our departure from Gondor's capital, and we had since reached Pelargir. Imrahil's great ships had met us there, and were now bearing us swiftly down the Anduin. Amrothos, who had made a point of sticking by me, assured me that within the next day or so, we would reach the sea, and in no more than three days after that, Dol Amroth itself.

It was morning now, and I came up on the deck of the ship to find Rose at bow of the ship, holding her arms out widely as she leaned against the railings. Grinning, I snuck up behind her.

"I'M KING OF THE WORLD," I shouted. Rose screamed and jumped out of her skin, then turned around to see me doubled over in laughter. "You're…..face!" I gasped out, tears beginning to form behind my eyes.

"Don't do that," she said sternly, but mirth got the better of her and she started belly laughing as hard as I was. Having heard her scream, men came running over and found the two of us gasping with laughter and holding onto each other and the railing. Their confusion only sent us into further peals of laughter, but they began to disperse as they saw nothing was wrong. I saw Amrothos not far away roll his eyes and smile.

Eventually, our laughter quieted and the two of us leaned against the railing. "Oh, Lord, I didn't think I'd ever laugh like that again," I sighed, still smiling as I caught my breath.

"You'll get used to life here," she said kindly, her eyes still twinkling. She leaned her head back in the sunlight and closed her eyes, smiling. "Life is good. Though Lord I miss my husband."

I took a deep breath, and I could smell the sea. We must be close. "I can't wait to see the ocean again."

"I've never seen the sea," she commented, her eyes still closed. "And I'm not sure I want to, if it's much worse than this river. The combination of morning- and sea-sickness is going to be the death of me."

I looked over and smiled at her. It was true she'd been sick ever since we'd boarded the great ship. I saw she was grimacing and starting to turn green again even at the thought, and frantically searched my mind for something to take her mind off of it. I did the only thing that came to mind.

"Buddy you're a boy making big noise playing in the streets, gonna be a big man some day," I said. Rose opened her eyes and looked at me with surprise. I smiled, and she laughed as she joined me.

"You got mud on your face, big disgrace, kickin' your can all over the place," she sang.

"singin' WE WILL WE WILL ROCK YOU!" We belted out as loudly as we could, hamming it up just for the hell of it as we stomped and clapped to the beat. Everyone within ear shot looked at us smiling or frowning, not understanding the English words.

"I thought I'd forgotten the lyrics," Rose laughed when we had finished. "Queen, man."

"Know any Pat Benetar," I asked, winking.

Amrothos, who had been watching us from afar, finally joined us. After a few hours, the prince was singing right along with us, and just as badly.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

I stared at the Amrothos with narrowed eyes, biting my lip as I studied his handsome face in the sunlight.

What's going on behind those pretty eyes, I wondered.

His grey eyes were veiled, but his pupils were dilated. His breathing was shallow and quick. His face was emotionless as he regarded me, waiting for my decision, but I could just barely see the tension in the muscle between his eyebrows.

"Bluff," I decided confidently. "I'm calling." I dropped two copper coins into the small pile in the center of the table. Amrothos groaned.

"Show your cards," Erchirion, our dealer, said. Amrothos, the only one who had stayed in this round, threw his cards disgustedly on the table. I glanced at them and smiled when I saw that I had won again.

"At this rate, I could buy one of these pretty ships all by myself," I said smugly, as I swept the coins into my corner. The four other people at the table (Erchirion, Amrothos, and two knights named Gelion and Rochallor) had been losing to me for an hour now.

I had been delighted to learn that the Gondorian's knew poker. I had spent many boring nights in the lab playing with the other scientists, and had become excellent at telling when someone was bluffing.

"How do you do it," Gelion asked in expasperation.

I smiled at him. "A lady never reveals her secrets."

"Obviously, the lady has spent so much time gazing adoringly at me that she can read my face like a book," Amrothos said charmingly.

I fanned myself dramatically with my cards. "Oh, dear. Am I truly so transparent, my lord?"

"Only to me, my lovely lady. It is easy to see the longing in your emerald eyes, for it is reflected in my own," he simpered. I bat my lashes at him and blushed. Well, the blush was involuntary, but he didn't need to know that.

We'd been flirting flamboyantly with each other for days, much to the amusement of the others. While I was attracted to him (and there isn't a woman with a pulse who wouldn't be), I had no real interest in Amrothos. This was partly because the gorgeous man was so far out of my league that even my daydreams involved him shooting me down, but also because the man clearly tried to sleep with anything in a skirt.

If he had gone to high school, he would have been voted "Most Likely To Have An STD Named After Him", which made it hard to take him seriously, even if he hadn't been hilariously funny.

For all that, though, Amrothos had a good heart, and was a total ham. I found I really liked him, and I had loads of fun with our harmless flirting.

Suddenly, the men caught sight of something behind me, and all four men stood abruptly as the sailors took up the call "Dol Amroth! Dol Amroth!" From the corner of my eye, I saw Prince Imrahil turn Rose around to see something, and I stood and turned myself, curious.

A massive castle graced the top of a sheer cliff face like a magnificent crown of grey and pearl. White stone walls surrounded the great fortress on all sides but for a small gap guarded by imposing watch towers. The massive structures were regal and beautiful, and as our ships passed through into the protected harbor, I was struck by how magnificently ethereal the city seemed. A cry began to come from all around as the massive walls enveloped us: "The Princes! The Swan Knights have returned!"

We had reached Prince Imrahil's fortress by the sea.

A/N: Please let me know in a review if you could see this chapter, as I have had issues with it uploading incorrectly in the past. Also, for all those readers wondering why Rose doesn't want Leigh to be with Eomer, you'll just have to wait and see! =)