Please don't kill me for how long this took to update. I'm so sorry. I do hope you enjoy it. The next couple of chapters will be about the wedding.

Chapter Nine (Eomer)

The week of the wedding approached and I had not said more than a few pleasantries to Lothiriel and only then when we were among other people. I did not feel that I had been in the wrong. Of course, as usual my temper had gotten the best of me, but the sentiment was not out of line. Like she had said, it had gone back to one giant business arrangement and we were only play acting when we had to. Her family had arrived and so had Faramir and Eowyn. I spent most of my free time that week before the wedding with my sister. I had missed her quite a bit since she had been married and living in Gondor.

"How are things with your bride-to-be?" She asked, one afternoon as we walked among the rose bushes that had begun to bloom. I knew that she wanted to hear bad things about Lothiriel and at that time I did not have many good things to say about her.

Since her husband was not with us I thought that I might speak freely with my sister.

"Not well," I admitted.

"And why is that? You were quite optimistic the last time I saw you." I could hear the sarcasm in her voice, but I ignored it. I needed someone to talk with about how I was feeling.

"We had an argument recently. I fear that that is all we will do for the rest of our lives. Argue."

"I tried to warn you, brother. She is stubborn and spoiled and not at all prepared for life in Rohan, especially in a Rohan that is rebuilding."

I nodded. "There is still nothing I can do, Eowyn. Do not act as though I have not heard you out."

"Of course there is!" She exclaimed. "Imrahil is here. Speak to him about it. Call it off. Free yourself before it is too late!"

"That would be a horrible to thing to do considering everything he has given us already. One day I must repay that."

Eowyn looked up at me. "You can repay it. Why does there have to be a marriage to solidify this alliance?"

"It is not so simple, Eowyn. I do not think that Imrahil would be open to the idea. From what I have heard he has had many people go back on their word and I believe that he feels that if there is a marriage involved, the alliance cannot go bad." I sighed. "And besides, before this most recent argument, we were getting along quite well. I believe that we were both enjoying each other's company."

It was Eowyn's turn to sigh. "I just want you to be happy is all. It seems as though you weren't given a very good chance of that with this marriage."

I shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps it will just be rough in the beginning. It could all work out yet. Do not worry for me, sister."

I realized then that Eowyn was not the person I should air my feelings out to. There was something about Lothiriel that my just innately did not care for. I would only be encouraging those feelings if I were to speak ill of my future wife. I hoped that one day we might all have a better relationship with one another.

I changed the subject and for the rest of our walk we spoke of her imminent move to Ithilien where Faramir would be the Prince, a position and honor granted to him by Aragorn.

ooooOoooo

Another day passed and more guests arrived. The entire Fellowship was in attendance as well as many other dignitaries and leaders I had met over the years. My schedule had been cleared leading up to the wedding and so I was able to spend time with my friends and relax a little before the daunting day was upon me.

One day, Hama met me at the steps to Meduseld as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, the Hobbits and myself came back from a ride.

"You are wanted in the council room," he said discreetly.

I pulled him aside a smile still on my face. "Whatever for? I have no appointments."

"Prince Imrahil would like to speak with you," Hama whispered. The smile and my stomach fell at the same time. I could only imagine that Amrothos had told his father about the scene from dinner the night I had raised my voice to Lothiriel.

"What does he want?"

"I am not sure, but his sons are with him."

"Will you come with me?" I asked Hama in a moment of weakness. I had no desire to be ganged up on by the four men from Dol Amroth.

"If you wish."

I nodded and turned to my friends. "Excuse me, but it appears I have some wedding business to attend to."

"Your dress fitting, I presume?" Gimli called after me. I could hear the laughs as I went into the Golden Hall and down the corridor to my council chambers. I pushed open the door after taking a deep breath.

"Well met Prince Imrahil," I said with a smile. "I hope you have settled in comfortably," I said as I grasped his forearm in the customary greeting between men.

"I have. Your hospitality is commendable, though this is not the time for pleasantries, I am afraid." Imrahil looked at me evenly. "With the wedding approaching in less than a week, I thought we should have one final discussion. I have heard some things that do not make me entirely comfortable with leaving my daughter in your care, Eomer-King."

Before I could speak, he continued, gesturing to his eldest son. "Elphir relayed his account of what happened at Faramir's wedding."

I nodded. "As he should have. My behavior was vulgar and quite uncharacteristic. I rarely drink and could not be more embarrassed that I let it get out so out of hand, especially since letting it get that far hurt your daughter."

"Elphir said you said the same to him in your apology. I understand what is like to be a soldier, to have seen terrible things. I too have lapsed in judgment once or twice and had a bit too much wine. I do not blame you for that." He paused. "However, to act in a manner so very disrespectful to my daughter is not acceptable."

"It absolutely is not," I agreed. "I have made a promise to both Lothiriel and myself that that will never happen again."

Imrahil nodded. "I am glad to hear it. However, Amrothos also gave me another disturbing account."

I swallowed hard, but thought to ask one crucial question. "And did Amrothos also tell you why your daughter and I got into an argument?" I looked at Amrothos pointedly, but he averted his eyes.

Imrahil paused before answering. "He did not," he said slowly.

"I sent guards on an outing with your daughter. She went inside one of my citizen's homes and requested that the guards remain outside. All of them." It was my turn to fix Imrahil with a stare. "I know that you kept your daughter protected and given the situation and my feelings for her I wanted to do the same. Her safety is of my utmost concern. If I cannot be with her I want those whom I trust to be around her so that her safety is as close to guaranteed as can be. Surely you can understand that?"

"Of course I do. I had no idea what the argument was about." The Prince sighed. "Lothiriel is strong willed. She always has been, but she knows better than to go somewhere unguarded, especially in a new setting."

I nodded. "I appreciate your understanding. That was no reason for me to lose my temper with her. As I said before I am concerned with her safety. She is my responsibility now and I would hate to have any ill befall her under my protection."

"I will speak to her," Imrahil said. "I am sorry for the misunderstanding, Eomer. I know that this has been a huge adjustment for you, for both of you. I trust that you two will find your way before long."

"I hope so," I said. I clasped his arm once more and left with Hama on my heels.

"Very well played, Eomer," Hama said when the door had closed and we were a ways away.

I nodded and said nothing. I did not want to tell him that I had not been playacting. Everything I had said was honest and it made me a little sad. I had begun to care for Lothiriel, but I feared that it was not a reciprocated feeling.

ooooOoooo

I was in the stables by myself after the sun had set the next evening. We were three days away from the wedding and I missed having every hour of my schedule full. The days drug on and on without anything to do.

"Eomer," a quiet voice said behind me.

Turning around, I saw Lothiriel approaching, Adela behind her lingering in the doorway of the stables.

"Lothiriel," I greeted her. "I am surprised to see you here at this hour."

"Yes well, Hama told me you were here."

"It was supposed to be a secret," I said with a small smile. "I only asked for an hour of peace."

"I can speak to you later if you wish," she said uncertainly.

I laughed lightly. "No now is fine. I do not find you nearly as bothersome as the courtiers and councilors."

She finally gave me a nervous smile of her own. "I will take that as a compliment, I suppose."

"As you should." I turned my back to her again, running a brush over Firefoot's coat. "I am not ignoring you, but Firefoot does not like my attention to appear to be divided."

"I understand. You do not get as much time with him as you probably wish."

"I do not."

There was a silence between us for a moment and the only thing to be heard was Firefoot's satisfied nickering.

"I wanted to apologize," she began. "For flouting your authority and disobeying your orders."

I had to laugh again. "I could not be so lucky to find an obedient wife in you," I said with a chuckle. "I would not want such a thing anyways. It might bore me."

When I turned back around to face her she was right behind me, learning against the stall with her arms folded on the door.

"I would hate for you to be bored." She sighed. "I came to apologize though, not to banter."

"You? Apologize? Does it hurt terribly?" I asked with a smirk.

"Oh hush," she laughed lightly and swatted my shoulder. "Be serious."

"Always, I am a King," I said continuing to grin as I went back to brushing Firefoot.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I should not have gone against your orders. I know that you were only looking out for my safety and I should be more aware of what I am dealing with. I also should not have said what I did at dinner. It was inappropriate and hurtful."

Her apology was stiff and I could tell she was not used to saying such things.

"Well I will forgive your words if you forgive mine." I turned back to her. "We are to be marred the day after next. I would hate to be on bad terms for that." I smiled gently at her and rested my hand on hers.

Sunlight filtered through the windows of the stable and reflected off of her raven hair, bringing out streaks of auburn in it.

"As would I," she said quietly, her fingers twining through mine.

I tore my gaze from her tanned face to her small hand in mine

"I am sorry for how terrible I have been to you this whole time and you have been trying so hard to be at least friends. I have been stubborn, foolish, and rude."

I put my free forefinger over her soft lips and glanced toward the doorway where Adela discreetly had her back turned.

"May I kiss you?" I whispered.

She paused before finally nodding and I moved my finger to replace it with my lips. My eyes closed and I felt myself sink into the feeling of her. It was what I had longed to do since I had first seen her and I had gone about it the wrong way the first time.

I could hardly remember the first time I had kissed her at Eowyn's wedding. In that moment in the stables I was glad that I could feel what was happening.

Lothiriel tasted sweet and her soft, pliable lips gave under mine. I lost track of time as her lips moved as well. Surprisingly I felt her hand touch my cheek and in my mind I cursed the door that stood between her and I. I wanted to feel her small, lithe body against me. Her raven hair was begging me to twine my fingers in it, but I did not dare dishevel her appearance.

Adela gave a discreet cough and I forced myself to pull away from Lothiriel who was smiling and flushed. Firefoot nudged against me rather forcefully.

"Your steed is feeling neglected, it would seem," Lothiriel jested as she turned to leave. "Perhaps you should kiss him."

"I will see you at dinner," I said as her and Adela left the stables.

I understand if you hate me, but if you could find it in the kindness of your heart to review, I would really appreciate it. I hope you loved it.

Happy reading,

Avonmora