Notes: OH THE MIRACLE OF IT ALL!

Yes, I am back. I am so sorry for all the delay. Thank you so much for the constant love and support I've received while writing this story.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 15

Imrahil looked from his daughter to the King of Rohan. "You wish to marry?"

"Yes, father." Lothíriel confirmed, while Éomer fought hard not to squirm.

The prince once again looked from one to the other. "Do not misunderstand me, Lothíriel." He scratched his chin. "I did ask you to consider courting the King, but… I didn't think you would decide to marry so soon." He frowned then.

"I know, father." Lothíriel agreed softly. "And I assure you, we both know this might seem sudden."

"It does."

"However, we aren't doing this recklessly." She told him. "Éomer and I have discussed this, and we decided we don't need a long courting period before a betrothal."

"We'd like to go ahead with the betrothal now, so we can marry soon." Éomer finally spoke up.

Imrahil's frown got even deeper. "Did something improper happen between you too?" He demanded.

"Father!" Lothíril blushed furiously.

"Imrahil." Éomer chided the other man. "I would never treat your daughter in such a careless manner. Nothing improper happened between us."

Imrahil seemed chagrined by the King. "Of course. I don't think you'd ever…" He cleared his throat. "Well, if you two…" He looked at his daughter. "Are you certain, Lothíriel? The only thing I want for you is happiness."

She gave him a small smile. "I know, father. Éomer will make me happy." She assured him.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Lothíriel looked at Éomer. "This was… Well, I did think it'd be easier."

"It was not that hard." Éomer shrugged. "Your father wanted us to get married."

"I suppose…" She looked at him from under her lashes. "Nothing improper happened between us?"

Éomer pretended to think about it. "I can't remember a single improper thing between us." He hummed. "From where I stand, it was all very proper."

"Éomer!"

"YOU ARE MARRYING? WHEN?"

Imrahil frowned. "Amrothos."

"FATHER!" The man protested, before realizing he was still yelling. He cleared his throat. "Isn't this all too fast?" He glared at Éomer. "Did you do something to my sister?"

"Amrothos!" Helga slapped the back of his head. "That is rude."

"I think he has a point." Echirion protested. "This is too fast."

"It's not too fast if they are certain." Helga glared at her other brother-in-law. "I do not want to hear any of you…" Even her husband got a glare, "questioning Lothíriel's judgment."

"But, Helga…" Elphir started.

"No!" The woman cut him. "She has earned a thousand times over the right to make her own choices, and even her own mistakes. You three will be quiet, unless you wish to congratulate the couple."

The three brothers shared looks and grumbles, but eventually they all congratulated the couple.

"It will be a -very- long engagement, right?" Amrothos pressed.

"Not at all." Éomer's grin was full of teeth. "We will marry by Spring."

"That's less than a year away!" Echirion snapped.

"Brothers…" Lothíriel sighed.

But her brothers ignored her and continued arguing over each other. They thought it was too fast, maybe they could have a longer engagement, Éomer was stealing her from them…

"That is enough!" Lothíriel snapped. It wasn't in a loud voice, but it was so uncharacteristic that it was more than enough to make even her brothers become quiet.

"I want this." She finally spoke up, her voice still low, but louder than she'd ever dared before. "My whole life, I was sent from person to person, from place to place. I have done all that was asked of me, and I've never complained, never demanded a thing." She took a deep breath in. "Well, now I'm telling you: I want to marry Éomer."

Her voice wobbled a bit in the end, but Éomer grabbed her hand, making her feel stronger. "I'm not asking for your permission, because our father has already agreed. I'm asking for your support."

Éomer squeezed her hand, proud of her for saying what she wanted to say.

"Damn, Lotty." Amrothos grumbled, earning another slap from Helga.

Elphir cleared his throat, looking like a chastised little boy. "You are right." He said. "We have taken you for granted for a good while now, and we're sorry for it. We love you, Lotty and we want you to be happy. We'll miss you terribly, but if your happiness is with Éomer, you have our love and support."

Her other brothers nodded their agreement.

"Thank you."

Much later, Lothíriel was in her chambers, readying herself for bed, when there was a knock on her door.

"Come in."

"Lothíriel." Her father entered the room, then closed the door after himself.

"Yes, father?"

He sat down on the end of her bed. "I am proud of you, Lothíriel."

The statement seemed so sudden, that Lothíriel didn't even know how to react to it. Yes, she wanted her father to be proud of her, but this seemed random. "What for?"

"Many things." He told her. "You have always been kind, hard-working and way more patient than we all deserved." He stared at his own hands. "I could have done more for you. I'm sorry I didn't."

She frowned. "Father."

"It's the truth, child." He gave her a sad smile. "I was lost after your mother's passing, and I didn't know how to care for a little girl, but that's no excuse." He sighed. "I should have paid more attention."

Lothíriel sat close to her father, and put her hand on top of his. "It's in the past now, father."

"Yes, and I can't change it." He agreed. "But I do want to say it again: I'm proud of you, daughter." He turned his hand, so he could hold hers. "Not because you're marrying a king, mind you. Because you finally told us what you wanted. Because you have helped Lady Éowyn. Because you cared for your uncle more generously than he'd deserved. I'm proud of the woman you became, Lothíriel." He put his free hand on her shoulder. "Even if I can't claim that as my success."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, father."

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow." Lothíriel sighed.

"I know, love." Éomer tucked her even closer to his side. "I wish I could just throw you on my saddle and take you with me."

She chuckled softly. "Like a bag of potatoes?"

"A very pretty bag of potatoes." He corrected teasingly.

She laughed again, and he felt extremely pleased that she could joke with him now. He liked when she looked directly into his eyes while smiling, how she didn't protest when he called her beautiful, how she'd ask for kisses instead of waiting for them.

He liked that she trusted him enough to talk to him about the things she wanted for them.

"I'll write to you." He promised. "There are many things that need to be done in Meduseld before it's ready for a new Queen."

"Do not worry for me." Lothíriel told him. "I can do that once I am there. I enjoy taking care of places."

"Well, you already promised me to tend to our tapestries." He joked. "Let's focus on one thing at the time."

"Yes." She agreed. "The one you have in the council room is grand."

Éomer frowned. "How do you know about that tapestry?"

"I've seen it." She said, already blushing, because he knew where she'd seen it.

"The council room?" He frowned, then suddenly grinned. "I've never had a dream about us in the council room."

Lothíriel's eyes rounded in shock. "No?"

"No." He drawled. "But I like the sound of it. Tell me more."

"No." She protested.

"All this time, I thought we were having the exact same dreams." Éomer looked positively delighted. "But we were not. You have seen some things I have not. Share them." He advanced towards her.

"No!" Lothíriel kept herself firm, even as her back met a wall.

Éomer let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine. You can just show me once we are there."

A charming blush spread across her face, but she smiled at him. "I just might."