Éomer did his best to kick off the excess mud from his boots just outside of her home and hung his cloak on the wall next to Kiana's. He had briefly seen the inside of her home- at least where the loom sat- when he stumbled upon it weeks ago, but he had yet to step inside of it. It was a humble home, with a small hearth in the center of the main room, a small prep and storage area off to one side where Kiana kept her food and utensils when they weren't in use, and on the other side was where her loom sat next to shelves that stored all of her materials. There was a couch and an armchair on one side as well, and a small table with some chairs, then Éomer noticed a separate room off to the side where a curtain hung to divide the spaces and he assumed that must be where her bed was. Overall, it was a simple but good home that suited the needs of a single person.

"Do you have a preference for tea, my lord?" Kiana asked, smoothing out the front of her smock.

Éomer shook his head. "Anything will suffice." He watched as Kiana made her way over to the tea shelf, browsing her jars until she found the tea blend that she wanted, then watched as she spooned some loose leaves into a mesh strainer ball-looking thing before placing it in the kettle to steep.

"Would you like something to eat?" Kiana asked, gesturing to the pot over the fire. "I've had this soup simmering since dawn." She lifted the lid and inhaled the aroma coming out of the pot. "Mmm, smells like it's nearly done."

Éomer could smell chicken, potatoes, carrots, and onions simmering with various herbs, and if he were going to be honest, it made him drool a tad. He glanced out through the window, then nodded. "If it's not an imposition?"

Kiana offered him a smile. "It's no imposition, my lord. You and your sister were kind enough to let me join you for breakfast earlier, and you escorted me home through the rain. Some soup and tea to warm you up are the least I can do to thank you."

Éomer smiled at that and leaned against the wall, watching the rain while Kiana went about getting dishes set out for them. As he stood there, his thoughts turned to an old friend and his smile vanished. 'It was raining just like this that day...'

Kiana gave the soup a final stir and added a touch of salt to the broth, then looked up to let Éomer know that it would be ready in just a moment- only to find him lost deep in thought. She poured some tea into a mug for him, added in a touch of cream and some honey, then brought it over to him.

"My lord?" When he didn't answer right away, she reached up to touch his shoulder gently. "My lord, Éomer?"

Éomer was brought back from his thoughts at Kiana's touch and he looked down at her, seeing the worried look in her eyes. "Forgive me, I was lost in my thoughts."

Kiana offered him a sympathetic smile and presented him with the mug. "It's alright, my lord. Here, maybe this will help."

Éomer took the mug from her and smelled a sweet, rich, and earthy aroma mixed with that of cream. He took a sip and let the warm tea wash over his tongue, tasting the honey that gave it the sweetness. "What sort of tea is this?"

"I often get teas as payment from the merchants I trade fabrics with. Many of them come from the east and south, so they bring the more robust herbs and spices with them. This blend in particular has cinnamon, licorice root, and a few other ingredients that give it a wonderful spiced flavor. Adding some cream and honey helps to balance it out while still maintaining the flavor."

"It's delicious." Éomer took another sip, then gestured to the tea shelf. "What other blends do you have?"

Kiana looked at her tea jars and started listing them off. "There's one with mint, there's a green tea from the far eastern coastal regions, there's a black tea from the Shire, and there are a few fruity blends with berries, apples, and peaches. I try to mix it up every now and then, and if the climate were kinder here I'd grow my own tea garden."

"I knew someone once who liked to make medicinal teas," Éomer commented. "She was very good at choosing the right blends."

"Perhaps I could learn a thing or two from her," Kiana said, a smile present as she looked back at Éomer.

"If that were possible, I would have introduced you to her," Éomer replied, his face falling. "She died months ago, though."

Kiana's smile faded. "Oh... I'm so sorry, my lord..." She sighed, watching him for a moment. "Is she the reason you are always so sad?"

Éomer eyed her over the rim of his mug. "In large part, yes."

Kiana wondered if this woman was who she thought it was, but she did not want to press the young lord further. "Well, should you ever need to talk about it, my door is always open to you."

Éomer watched as Kiana set her mug on the table, then went to fetch the pot from the hearth.

"Soup is ready now, though, would you like to sit?"

Éomer nodded and took the seat across from hers, setting his mug down as she served him first. He waited patiently for her to serve herself next before returning the pot to the hearth and grabbing the basket of rolls from the shelf.

"The baker gave me these rolls yesterday, but they're still good." Kiana offered him the small basket before taking one herself and setting it to the side.

Thunder sounded outside as they sat for a moment in silence, taking a few bites before Éomer spoke next.

"This is delicious, Kiana."

Kiana beamed and swallowed her mouthful of food before answering. "I'm pleased to hear that, my lord." Her brow furrowed a moment when Éomer shook his head, but what he said next surprised her.

"Just 'Éomer' will suffice."

Kiana's smile returned and she nodded. "As you wish, Éomer."

They spent the rest of the evening together, talking over their meal and getting to know each other a bit while Éomer waited out the storm. By the time it had gotten dark out- well, darker than it was before- the rain had let up enough for Éomer to head on back to the Golden Hall. Kiana stood in the doorway of her home as Éomer stood just outside, under the eaves.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening, Kiana."

"Thank you, Éomer," Kiana replied. "It's been a long time since I've enjoyed company like this."

Éomer's brow raised and he smirked as he teased, "Are you saying that you do not enjoy the time spent with my sister?"

Kiana blushed and shook her head. "N-No, nothing like that, in fact, I rather enjoy spending time with your sister."

Éomer chuckled as she fiddled with her apron. "I only jest, Kiana. If anyone can bring a smile to my sister's face, they're welcome company indeed."

Kiana looked at him, her cheeks beginning to burn. "And what of you, Éomer? Do you not have anyone who can bring a smile to your face?"

Éomer smirked and reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. "I am beginning to realize that I might be wrong about that." He gave her hand a small squeeze, then stepped back and bowed slightly to her. "Have a good night, Kiana."

"And you as well, Éomer. Please be careful on the roads back."

Éomer nodded and turned from her home, making his way through the muddied road. He thought about his evening with Kiana and found that it was perhaps the first time in months that he had genuinely enjoyed the company of another. He realized that he was really looking forward to another evening with Kiana and wondered if she would mind him coming to visit with her again in the next day or two.

Back in her home, Kiana leaned against the now-closed door with a hand over her heart. She had never felt this way around anyone before and she really wasn't sure what it was, but she knew that Éomer had something to do with it and she was looking forward to seeing him again.