Here is the second chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

"I refuse to discuss this issue with Lord Baugdȋr anymore!"

Lothíriel raised her arms as the chainmail was slipped over her head.

Captain Harrick rubbed his forehead as he shut his eyes. The stress was beginning to show on his face, despite his youth.

"I understand, my lady, but he asks to speak with you."

Lothíriel's eyes narrowed as she felt the heat rush to her face.

"Then you will ask him to wait."

A breast plate of deep blue was securely attached to her body. The swan ship of Dol Amroth was blazoned on the front. She fidgeted slightly as two men finished fastening her armour. She had worn it before, but it seemed ten times heavier. Captain Harrick sighed deeply and said, "I will tell him, but he may not listen."

Lothíriel chuckled and said, "I am sure of that."

Her quiver and bow were lashed to her back with a dark leather strap. Her sheath was pulled tight across her hip. After her blue cloak was firmly pinned at her neck, she politely dismissed the two men.

"Once you deliver my message to Lord Baugdȋr, return to the dining hall."

"Right away."

Captain Harrick bowed and left the room.

Lying on the bench beside her was her sword and helm. The helm was made in the shape of a swan with wings jutting out on either side.

She ran her hand over it, following the curve of the swan's head that made up the nose piece. She grasped the hilt of her sword, picked it up, and swung it around her body before finally clasping it in both hands. She placed one hand on the sheath and sharply slid in the sword.

A solider entered the room and informed her that King Éomer had arrived. She picked up her heavily armoured gloves from the bench and pulled them over her hands. Picking up her helm, she placed it under her left arm and walked briskly out of the room escorted by two knights.

….

Looking over the large map, Éomer stood discussing battle strategies with his captains. Having the Rohirrim certainly boosted the number of troops, but there was no way of telling if it would be enough. The scout reports were vague as to the size of the enemy.

At that very moment, a scout came rushing into the room. He had traveled very fast and far, the stress of the journey clearly showing on his face. The message he had was urgent and Princess Lothíriel had to be informed straightaway. Captain Harrick had just returned as the large wooden doors were slung open. Lothíriel entered with two knights and was greeted by salutes from the guards.

Captain Harrick approached with a bow, "My lady."

"I hope that a previous issue has been dealt with accordingly, Captain", she said.

He arose and said, "He still requests an audience."

Her eyes widened, "I will see him later."

Lothíriel's gaze fell on Éomer and her heart began thumping wildly. How could this be possible? She had only just laid eyes on him. Trying to regain her composure, she stepped before him and bowed. Éomer greeted her in the same manner.

As she rose, she noticed his intense blue eyes watching her. His golden hair was partially pulled back and ran down his back. He looked at her and immediately became lost in the rolling waves of her eyes. Lothíriel felt that her heart just might leap out of her chest. It took everything she had to break his gaze.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, my lord", her voice trembled as she spoke.

He followed her as she moved towards the table.

"My father took the majority of our forces to Minas Tirith, and left a small force here."

"How many are left defending?"

Lothíriel swallowed hard and turned to him once again looking into his eyes.

"Three hundred men."

She quickly turned away to hide the tear that was streaming down her face. Éomer reached out and grabbed her arm slightly pulling her to face him.

"Three hundred? How could you hold out with that few?"

She whispered, "There was no way for us to hold out on our own."

Éomer's grip on her arm softened and his gaze became more intense. It was then that he noticed the helm under her left arm. She disentangled herself from his grip and handed her helm to a knight standing nearby.

The scout that had walked in earlier had been speaking to Captain Harrick in hushed tones. His face had turned white and his left hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Éomer was about to say something when Captain Harrick approached with the scout. He did not need to say anything as she saw the look on the young captain's face.

Walking over to them she said, "What's the matter, Captain?"

The three of them began to talk quietly. All of the color drained from her face and the tremble had returned in her right hand. She slowly walked over to one end of the table with Éomer watching the entire time. She placed both hands on the end of the table, gripping it tightly. She held her head down and shut her eyes tightly. Lothíriel fought very hard to keep the tears back. She knew that she had to be strong.

Éomer waited impatiently to hear what she had to say. After what seemed like an eternity, Lothíriel finally opened her eyes and looked up.

"The enemy has disembarked and they are now setting up camp", she said.

Éomer looked at her and said, "How many troops do they have?"

She turned and looked into his eyes.

"Twelve hundred, maybe two thousand men."

Éomer stared at her in disbelief. She was right; there would have been no way to stand against those odds with only three hundred men.

Lothíriel continued, "It is unclear as to the exact number since they have sunk their own ships.

Éomer walked closer to her as he said, "Why would they do that? That leaves them no route for escape."

Captain Harrick answered, "So we can't set fire to them."

"That's not the only reason they did it", Lothíriel said.

She looked at Captain Harrick and nodded. He shook his head, not wanting to believe it.

"No! That's not possible", he said.

She did not want to believe it either, but there was only one plausible answer.

Éomer spoke up, "What's going on?"

The captain was about to answer when Lothíriel held up her hand.

She addressed the nearest knight saying, "Have my father's counsel sent here immediately."

"Yes, my lady."

He bowed and left the room.

She turned back to Éomer who was still confused as to what was happening.

"You're right, my lord. Sinking their ships leave them with no retreat, because they don't plan on retreating at all. They believe that their victory is assured, which means they know how many men were left defending the city."

Éomer bowed his head as he realized the truth.

"That means someone has told them, betraying you and your people."

Lothíriel nodded and said, "Yes. And I pretty sure I know who it is."