Chapter 6
17th March, 3019
"What ever possessed you to say such a thing!?" Imrahil paced the room in front of her.
Lothíriel kept her eyes on the floor, speechless. She had dark circles around her eyes, a sign of a sleepless night.
She knew she had been unjust and mean but at the time she was so furious that words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. Now she didn't had the courage to look at her father and explain.
"Ada..."
"You are not like that! You are a intelligent, gentle, caring and loving woman and I know you understand how important the intervention of the Rohirrim was in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. They came to our aid!"
"I know!" she almost shouted.
"Then why daughter!? Why? Why those awful cruel words to a man we own so much!?"
"I... I just... I don't know..."
"Ninniach nín, this is irrational!" Then, a thought came to him. He stopped in his track and looked at her. "Did he said anything to you? Was he improper?"
Lothíriel took a deep breath. She really didn't want to have this conversation with her father. She didn't want to discuss... Somehow it felt too personal. Besides, she didn't want to tell her father that the man he admire so much at tried to kiss his daughter! Well, more them tried actually... And it was just a kiss! Right...?
"Ada... It was a senseless thing... We were merely talking and it happened that we had different opinions on several matters and you know how I am stubborn in my convictions. So we kind of started an argument and I was too mad and said something I shouldn't."
"But, Lothíriel..." he tried.
"I know, I know!" she got up and drew her hands to her head in a frustrated gesture. "It was too much! And I'm sorry, I really am! But at the time I just wasn't thinking rationally! He drives me insane!"
Imrahiltook a deep breath. After all this years, his daughter was still a box of surprises.
"Ada, I know you are mad at me. Worst, you're disappointed!! I know and I'm sorry for that too..."
"Come here, child." he said as he opened his arms to her. Lothíriel was wrapped in his embraced after two strides. "Well, the wrong is done and know it's up to you to undo it."
She knew that... She had to go to him and apologize.
"Yes... I'll go to the Rohirrim encampment this afternoon."
Imrahilbroke the embrace and look at her. "You won't find him there today, we have a meeting with Lord Aragorn. But if you like I can invite him to dinner."
"Will that not be awkward...?" she pondered.
"Well, I'll invite everyone them. What do you think?"
She smiled despite the situation she was in.
"That would be perfect."
*****
"What is wrong with you today, for Béma's sake?!! You look like a wild horse in a small box!! Stop pacing!" Éothain was trying to report to Éomer the state of the army of Rohan and falling completely. "Have you even listen to a word I've said!?"
"Éothain, I apologize but today I'm just not in a good mood!"
Éothain chuckled.
"Are you ever?!"
A single look from Éomer was enough. "Sorry..."
"I could just kill her, I swear on Eorl the young had her father not appeared..."he muttered.
"What? What are you talking about!?"
"That Dol Amroth brat!!"
Éothain rolled his eyes and sat on the chair.
"Here we go..."
"She call me a lesser king in a lesser line!! Can you believe that?"
"Well, you..."
"And she insulted our people!!! After everything we did for herpeople!" he looked like a caged beast. "Argh..." he roared.
"Éomer..."
"Such a spoiled brat! And you know, she almost had me fool! For a moment, I thought..."
"What...?"
"I thought she was different..."
"Different?" Éothain's curiosity was stinged. He was all ears now. There was something more here than met the eye. "Like what?" he asked casually.
"I don't know... But she looked... different! From all those wealthy and so called nobles on the court. After all, she is Imrahil's daughter and he is a good man. And the way he talked about her..."
A pause. Éothain saw the opportunity.
"Maybe you said something to upset her. Or maybe she heard us talk... I don't know 'cause she looks like a great gal. Everyone says so in the Houses. She has been good to our men. Is that not an acknowledgement on her part?"
Éomer shrugged. "Perhaps..."
"Well, think about it... When you talked on the balcony what did you say?"
"I tried to apologize but she wouldn't even listen! She was all about how I had mistreated her and..."
"Wait, wait, wait. Mistreated her? How so?"
Éomer averted his eyes and looked at several letters on the desk.
"'Tis nothing really..."
"Éomer... I know you, you couldn't lie even if your life depended on it! What did you do?"
"Nothing.. You know... I just... I kissed her..."
"Aha!! See? I knew this was about something along that line! But there's something else, isn't? I bet you kissed her and she pushed you away!" his question was answered with silence but it was good enough. "She did, didn't she? Not something you are very used to, hum?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, let's face it, you have always been quite popular with the ladies, though the reason still escapes me, and I think no woman as ever said no to you before, right?"
Again, no reply.
"So, pretty Lothíriel from Dol Amroth was the first to refuse the mighty warrior from the North... And that, my friend, is killing you! Brilliant!!!"
"Shut up!"
"It's called hurt pride, you know?!"
"Éothain!" he threaten.
"I'm sorry, it's just to good to be true!" Éothain leaned back on his chair. "Now, seriously you have to apologize to her."
"What!? Have you not heard what I said? I tried!"
"Yes, well try harder!"
Éomer got up and gathered the papers on his desk again.
"Look, no more talk about this! I have to go to Minas Tirith for the council. There are more important things on my mind at the moment."
With that, he left the tent leaving Éothain to himself.
"Oh, I think not my friend..."