Chapter 17

Edoras, 19th August, 3019

After the funeral, Edoras resumed its normal rhythm. It was time to think ahead. Time to celebrate and start rebuilding. The bulk of the guests left after the official funerary ceremony but Éomer's closest friends remained for a few days.

He was glad for it... Too much time for himself was something he didn't need right now. And it was a good thing to have the opportunity to take them through all the beauty Rohan had to offer.

The next few days went by slowly. Meeting after meeting for Éomer in order to start a Council. Hours upon hours behind closed doors discussing affairs of state. He longed for a good ride under the hot sun and the gushing wind. And most of all he longed for Lothíriel's company. They had so much to talk about and mostly he had something to ask her... he knew it was long overdue but he wanted to be perfect.

So one day, early in the morning, Éomer sat at the large table in the kitchen, breaking his fast as his sister entered.

"Good morning, brother! Up already?" she said as she placed a kiss on his cheek." And so pensive..."

She sat near by and grabed a piece of fresh bread.

"I was thinking about Aldburg."

"Oh?" she asked. "Something wrong?"

"No, I was just thinking that maybe our guests would like to see it. I wanted to show them a little bit of the coountry outside of Edoras... What do you think?"

"That would be great!" she filled her cup with fresh coffee and refilled Éomer's. "We could take them early in the morning and spend the day. We could take food with us and make a picnic on the way or we could send someone ahead and prepare a meal for us."

He smiled at her entusiasm. Even thought Meduseld had been their home for many years, Aldburg had seen them both born. It held memories of their parents and of happier family times.

"That settles then. A trip to Aldburg it is."

Éowyn jumped from her seat and hugged him.

"Excelent idea, brother. I'll go and tell Faramir!"

"Not a chance, little sister." He said as he held on to her, tightly. "He's still asleep and I'll be damned if I'm about to let you go into his room. Alone!"

She smiled at his protective words and kissed him once more.

"Alright, I'll wake Thíri then!"

She was leaving as Erchirion walked in the kitchen. She greeted him with a big smile and a cheerful good morning.

"What is she so happy about?" The elder prince of Dol Amroth asked as he sat at the sat by Éomer's side and quickly reached for the coffee pot.

"Good morning to you too." Éomer replied. "My sister is just pleased with a plan of mine. I was thinking of us all going to Aldburg for a visit. What do you think?"

"Aldburg? Great! I would like to see it very much!"

"Well, I guess we are all in accord, them. I will make the arrangements so we can leave for tomorrow at the break of dawn." he stood as he head for the door.

"Break of dawn...?" Erchirion's excitement was quickly dissapearing.

"It's a long way..." The King said before leaving.

In the afternoon, after another endless meeting, he talked to Aragorn for the King's aproval and set things in motion for the next morning.

When Éowyn told Lothíriel about the trip Éomer was planning, she could all but leap with joy. She longed to get a little bit of fresh air and it would be wonderful to get to know Alburg.

"But please, keep it to your self..." Éowyn whispered. They were in a room with all the other ladies that remained, some sewing, some reading. "I would hate it if certain people were to join us!"

They laughed quietly.

"What are you so secretive about? Come, you must tell us."

"Oh, Lady Lillith it is nothing really. Just something insignificant about my brother." Éowyn replied.

"Uh, I bet you must be plotting to find your dear husband a wife." Lillith said, forgetting her book in her hands. "You should know that many a woman from every corner of Middle Earth would love to share his...life."

Some of the ladies giggled.

"In fact, I think I can include all the women in this room!"

The giggles increase. Lothíriel remained quiet. This wasn't something she was willing to discuss.

"Well, I'm afraid all of them would be disapointed."

"Really? How so?" Lillith feign a gasp. "Oh, pray don't tell us your brother has no love for our fair sex... Now that would be a disapointment."

Laughter spread. Éowyn's face turned red.

"I will have you know that my brother could make any woman in here satisfied."

"That's for sure..." someone said in a corner.

"But what I meant to say," Éowyn continued, dismissing the last remark. "was that my brother will take a wife from Rohan."

Lothíriel felt her heart turn to ice inside her chest. She looked down to her hands and tried to calm down.

Breathe.

"Uh, are you sure of that?" Lillith continued. "You think none of us would be abble to persuade him otherwise?"

"I'm sure, my lady. This country has suffered to much and the people will not take it kindly to have an...outsider by the King's side. So, we can all rest assure of that. Now," she said as she got up. "if you will all excuse me, I shall see to our lunch."

Éowyn crossed the room with external calm but inside she was fumming. Lothíriel knew it well.

"What say you, Lady Lothíriel?"

"I beg your pardon?" Lothíriel was startled by her question.

"You are a friend of the king... Do you think he will choose a Rohan wife just to appease the people? Or do you think he is the kind of man that could face the wrath and anger of his own to have the woman he loves?"

"I think we should all take care of our own lives and leave the lives of others at peace."

When the sun was only starting to rise, Éomer was already up and about. He grabbed something for the still quiet kitchen and headed for the stables were he began saddling Firefoot.

He had sent Éothain ahead to Aldburg to make sure all was ready for the guests. Food had to be prepared and the rooms had to be ready in the eventuality of a nightstay.

"Ready for a ride, old boy?" he asked Firefoot.

The horse nudged him on the chest in a playful manner.

"I know." Éomer said as he scratched his nose. "You're always ready to get out of these walls."

Lothíriel came into the stables carefully. She watched him as he brushed Firefoot's mane with all the care you would give an old friend. She had decided to wake earlier to see to Galad and had found him there. It was no cause for surprise... She should've known he would be the one to see to his horse. She knew of the special relationship they shared.

"He loves it... I can tell." she said softly.

He smiled as he heard her voice but he didn't turn towards her.

"He has his soft spots. As do we all."

Lothíriel let a grin spread over her face as she picked another brush from the bucket and approached them. She offered Firefoot her hand and he came to her willingly, urging her to play. Her grin turned in to a smile as she caressed his neck.

Éomer couldn't believe his eyes. This was his warhorse, the single most feared creature in the Riddermark. And he was actually melting in Lothíriel's hands.

"You're not so bad when a beautiful lady scratches you behind the ears, are you?" Éomer said to him.

Firefoot neighed and nudged her to continue, ignoring his master's remarks completly.

"I don't blame, old friend." He continued. His hand met hers on Firefoot's back. He held it and let his thumb caress the back of her hand as he caught her attention and looked into her eyes. "I can't seem to resist as well..."

He lowered his head towards hers and just as his lips would meet hers, voices nearing, from the outside, reached them. They parted swiftly and Lothíriel went to Galad's stall to prepare him.

"Éomer said it is a smooth ride, so maybe I'll take Melian." They heard Elphir say as a group came into the stable.

"My daughter, there you are." Her father said. "I was looking for you."

She gave her father her cheek for him to place his good morning kiss.

"I thought Galad deserved a nice rub before we got on the road again."

"You treat that horse better that your favorite brother!" She heard Amrothros say. "When was the last time you gave me a nice rub!"

"And since when are you my favorite brother?" she asked teasing him.

Amrothos hit his chest with his fist in a dramtic gesture.

"You pierce my heart with such words, little sister. I don't think I can take the pain..."

Lothíriel hit him on the shoulder and shook her head at him.

"You're incorrigible, did you know that?"

"Well, perhaps but the ladies love me..." he said proudly.

"Says who?"

"Me, for once."

Lothíriel felt as if a bucket of ice water was dropped on her.

Not possible...

Lillith walked into the stables, dressed in the most beautiful ridding outfit that Lothíriel had ever seen. Her dress was so simple in comparation... It made her feel...ordinary. The bright red was a perfect match to her pale and perfect complexion. She walked across the small space like she owned the place and came into the group, smilling, her maid in tow.

"Well, good morning to everyone! Isn't this a beautiful day?" She asked, heading towards the stall of her horse. "Is my horse ready? My sidesaddle set?"

Lothíriel couldn't believe that her perfect day was about to be ruined by some annoying Queen wannabe.

"Who invited her...?" Lothíriel heard Éowyn whisper to Éomer.

"I had to invite everyone... She's a guest, what would you have me do?"

"Forget to mention this to her?" Éowyn sugested, shuddering her shoulders.

"Sister..." he admonished.

Éowyn hissed between her teeth and walked near Faramir, as if trying to make a statement. Faramir was hers and if someone as much as glanced towards his way, there would be blood... Literally!

"It is a long and tiresome journey, Lady Lillith. Are you sure you want to come?" she said, taking Faramir's arm. "In this unpredicatable weather? With such a beautiful dress? It would be a pitty if you were to ruin it, would it not?"

"Oh, I have others. And to miss out a chance to ride in such formidable company..." she took a meanful look at Éomer, who was completly oblivious of her gaze as he continued to tend to Firefoot. "Now that I couldn't do!"

Lothíriel was an ameable woman, she always thought so. To harm another human being was something she could not conceive, nor understand as a healer. Up until now... For she couldn't bear the sight of that idiotic airheaded girl and she could almost see herself wrapping her hands around her perfect little neck and squeeze...

Sweet Valar, I'm turning into a barbarian...

"Well, if we are all set to go..." Faramir said. "Let's get going, shall we?"

He motioned towards Éowyn and helped her on to Windfola. Not that she actually needed any assistance but they we glad for those little moments.

Éomer was about to do the same and help Lothíriel but his actions were cut short.

"My Lord, would you be so kind and help a maiden in distress?" Lilith asked in the sweetest tone.

Maiden? You wish! Lothíriel thougth.

Éomer knew he could not refuse.

"Yes, of course, my lady."

He helped her on to her horse as quickly as possible and when he turned to Lothíriel to help her, he found her already on Galad's back. Her lips were shut tight and her eyes avoided meeting his.

"Such strength, my lord!" He heard Lillith say. "I could've guessed but had no idea of the immensity of it..." she leaning forward to place her hand on his chest before continuing. "I bet you are just a massive wall of solid muscle under this clothes."

Lothíriel urged Galad forward to get away from a conversation that was making her nauseated but she could still hear the sound of Lillith's laughter as she exited the stable.

I absolutely and positivily hate her! Impossible girl! Who on Mordor does she thing she is! Argh! Why won't a mumakil just trample her?

Éomer watched Lothíriel storm out of the stable. She was mad, he could tell. But what was he supose to do? He couldn't just ignore Lillith, she was a noble woman after all and that would've been unpolite.

He sighed and mounted Firefoot. Damn... It's going to be a long day...

The party left Edoras on the way to Aldburg with the young men in front, ridding as fast as their mounts could take them. Lothíriel wanted to joined them and try to ease her mind but her father and Lady Arwen lingered behind with a very pregnant Melian and she couldn't just galloped away. Her mood was getting worse by the minute.

Eventually, they stopped by a brook to water the horses and take some rest for awhile. Lothíriel was actually happy for the opportunity to get away of that horrid annoying voice of Lillith always bragging about "Daddy this..." and "Back home, we have that..." How could someone be like that?

She wondered a bit down the river, to a more seccluded area and she sat by a shallow part of the river. She took off her ridding boots and set her feet in the sun heated water.

Oh, so good...Sometimes, it really is all about the simple pleasures in life...

She leaned back on her elbows and turned her face upwards, closed her eyes and took in the bright sun.

It was thus that Éomer found her. He had followed her, trying to remain unnoticed to others, to take the opportunity to talk about the events of the morning.

"Tired already? We still have a couple of hours ahead of us."

She turned to look at him as she heard the sound of his voice but quickly faced the sun again.

"I do not tire easily, my lord. I'm not a fragile creature."

Éomer grimmaced at her formal tone. He sat by her side without knowing what to say. He could just sit there and watch her... Or he could do something.

He leaned towards her and took her face in his big hand. His touch made Lothíriel open her eyes. She parted her lips to speak but had no time. Éomer closed the gap between them as took her lips in his. He kissed her deeply and fiercely as if trying to show her all his feeling in a single touch. Lothíriel had no choice but to melt in his embrace even though her inner voice said to her that this was an impossible dream they had. Her arms lost strenght and she found herself laying back on the soft grass. Her hair lay spread around her head. Her hands, now free, found their way to his back and gently caressed him sent shivers down his spine.

Éomer could feel her chest pressed to his and he had to gather all his mental strenght to keep from covering the length of her body with his own.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, between kisses. "I'm sorry for what happened this morning..." Another kiss. "I'm sorry that I had to invite her..." And yet another kiss. "And most of all, I'm sorry we aren't alone..."

Lothíriel let a small moan escape her throat as he kissed her once more. She rolled him over, without breaking their kiss, and lay atop him.

"Lothíriel, you're killing me..." He groaned.

A wicked smile played in her lips. She spread her hands on his chest, making him groan deeper, and leaned forward.

"Good...You deserve a little punishment..." She uttered just before kissing him again.

They were so lost in each other that they baredly heard it. A soft call, from at far at first but growing closer.

"Thíri, are you around here?"

It was the voice of Imrahil.

Éomer brook the kiss at lightning speed.

"Was that...?"

"Father?" She whispered. "Sweet Valar, that is my father!Move!"

It took her a second to stand and rearrange her dress.

Éomer was right there behind her and tried to compose himself. Alas, somethings were not cooperating in the light of the situation...

Damn... I need a cold bath...

"Quickly! Hide!" Lothíriel said, sending him away.

He hid behind a large tree and Lothíriel sat once again by the river and sank her feet in the water, just in time to see her father appear in the line of a tall bush.

"Ada! I didn't hear you coming. Is everything ready to resume the journey? I must have dozed off and lost track of time..." she started to stand.

"There's time, no hurry. I was just worried... You know how fathers are... It is a time of peace but many orcs and wargs still roam this land. I had to make sure you are not attack by some beast."

Éomer had to bite back a laugh. Could he count as a beast?

"Come, let me join you on your way back."

Lothíriel dried her feet on the inside of her dress and put her boots on. Her father helped her up and offered his arm.

"Your hair... It has twigs and leafs all over it." Imrahil said, taking a leaf.

"Oh..." She felt herself blush."It must have been when I lay asleep in the sun."

They walked towards the journey group and made preparations to continued. From the corner of her eye, she saw Éomer stealthly nearing Firefoot and hid a smile. It had been close... but it had been worth it.

With a much lighter mood, she mounted Galad.