The horn sounded distant, but Lothíriel felt her gaze snap to the main gate. Movement caught her eye; the guards were making an opening. One figure smaller than the others quickly descended from the wall. Cúben changed her path slightly as she noticed Lothíriel.

"Twenty armed men on horseback. They bear a standard: a white horse on a green field." Cúben told her in a direct manner. Lothíriel nodded as Cúben called orders to the guards at the gate and the servants who peered out to see the commotion. "I guess you won't have to wait much longer for a decision," Cúben added with a smirk before she moved along.

A white horse on a green field, Lothíriel tried not to let her thoughts fly away without her. Instead she focused on watching the events before her. Cúben had moved off to the stables. She would then probably check with the housing staff. Guests would give her additional duties. Lothíriel wondered how her father would handle it. Then she chuckled to herself. Her father was a great man and a great leader, but he had no idea what it took to run a household.

It wasn't Éomer who lead the riders through the walls. Lothíriel knew she shouldn't have thought. He was a king; he would send an envoy if anything. The Marshal looked familiar. As he dismounted she noted that he was tall, though not as tall as Éomer. His dark hair and stern demeanor reminded her of Boromir. Her chest tightened as she remembered her cousin.

"Welcome, Marshal of the Mark," Imrahil stepped forward and greeted the envoy. The Marshal inclined his head in respect, before meeting the Prince. Lothíriel watched her father hold out his hand. "Greetings, Elfhelm. Friends are always welcome here."

Elfhelm grasped her father's outstretched arm. "We appreciate the warm welcome." His dark features and stern expression broke for a moment as he smiled slightly as he spoke with her father. Lothíriel tried to keep her attention on them, but she gaze shifted as Cúben appeared around the far side of the buildings.

But Cúben wasn't looking at them. She was looking over at the gate again. Lothíriel followed her gaze and heard hoof beats. She smiled as her brothers returned. Her father turned toward the gate as well. "It seems my sons are as eager to greet you as I am. Come we'll get your men settled and fed."

Lothíriel smiled at how easy and friendly her father was with the marshal. But when she glanced at Elfhelm he was looking passed Imrahil. Following his gaze Lothíriel saw Cúben headed back toward the stable. As she passed the stable hands she spoke to them. They divided into two groups. The larger of which headed for riders.

Returning her gaze to her father and Elfhelm, Lothíriel found the marshal frowning slightly. Her brothers and Elfhelm greeted each other warmly as the hands lead the horses to the stables and gazing ground beyond. Lothíriel noted that the hands let the horses loose to graze and rest. Oats, hay and apples were happily enjoyed by the rider's steeds.

"Come," Imrahil commanded as he swept an arm out before. "Let us show you the comforts of Dol Amroth."

Worrying her lip slightly Lothíriel searched in the direction of the stables for Cúben. She wasn't certain her father's guard had enough time. But upon entering the entrance hall, Lothíriel knew she should not have bothered. Servants were available for each of the riders. They would be shown to their rooms, offered every comfort the prince could offer and be invited to dinner.

Lothíriel was tempted to ask the servants what was on the menu, but she reined in the urge. Cúben would have already seen to the details. Instead Amrothos approached her. "It seems we are to present our best selves at dinner." Her youngest brother smiled down at her.

"That'll be quite a challenge for you," she responded pointedly. Part of her was still on edge concerning the arrivals.

"Regardless, father asked Cúben to push dinner. We'll be showing the Rohirrim our best side." Her brother though often comic wasn't completely obtuse. He peered down at her. "Are you bothered by the riders? Is it the marshal?"

"Cúben," Amrothos called out as the guard entered the hall. The heads of the riders and the family of Dol Amroth turned toward Cúben. She shared a look with one of the servants and made an impatient gesture with her hand. Turning to Amrothos she raised an eyebrow. "My lord," she inclined her head slight, "did you require assistance?"

"I think my sister is too affected to join us for dinner this evening." Amrothos truly sounded concerned. So much so that Lothíriel was tempted to tell him something, anything to lessen his concern.

Cúben's sharp gaze swept from shooting suspicion at her brother to evaluating Lothíriel. Lothíriel felt herself stand slightly taller as she met Cúben's gaze. "Your sister is fine." Cúben told Amrothos dismissively. She turned slightly in the direction of the riders as the last of them were lead away.

Elfhelm had insisted his men be treated before himself. Thus he was the last of the riders in the hall. He inclined his head to Lothíriel and Amrothos, who acknowledged the gesture with one of their own as Cúben bowed slightly excusing herself. Though she wanted to leave before she took her mood out on the visiting marshal, Lothíriel paused.

Approaching her brother Elfhelm held out his hand. "We appreciate the welcome." Amrothos took Elfhelm's forearm in his hand. Elfhelm repeated the gesture in greeting.

"It is no less than our allies deserve," Amrothos replied surprisingly genial. "You remember my sister, Lothíriel."

"Princess," Elfhelm bowed again and held out a hand to her. She supplied hers and he took her fingers in his before bowing his head over her hand. "It is a pleasure to see you again. I understand my lord king Éomer has extended an invitation to your nephew. I believe our white lady would be pleased if you joined the party and visit Edoras."

Lothíriel could see Amrothos turn in surprise at the marshal's words. "Thank you and your lord king for the invitation. If my nephew journeys to Edoras, I will chaperon him." When she began the sentence she didn't know how she would end it. But as she spoke she reasoned that Cúben would not go unless she went.

It was for Cúben truly. Lothíriel felt the guard should leave Dol Amroth at least for a moment. The stunned silence on Amrothos part was a happy bonus. Before her brother could regain his faculties the marshal nodded his head again and followed the rest of his men out of the entry hall.

Holding up her hand to silence her brother Lothíriel took her leave of him. She followed in the direction Cúben had headed, but the guard had long since moved on. Instead Lothíriel closed the door behind her and leaned her back against it. Closing her eyes she mentally argued with Cúben to convince her to come with them to Rohan.

The evening meal was truly impressive for a family dinner turned welcome for guests. Lothíriel reminded herself to thank the staff for creating such a feast on such short notice. She wasn't surprised that they could manage. In fact with the recent turmoil, she imagined they were eager to service guests again.

Imrahil dedicated the food in honor of the guests and encouraged everyone to eat their fill. He took the first drink of wine and proclaimed it fit before it was served to the party guests first. Since this was not a formal occasion the family was seated amongst the guests with the exception of Alohros, who was seated next to his mother and Cúben's sisters.

Lothíriel was pleased to be seated next to the only rider she knew beyond Elfhelm. She asked after his wife to which he responded that "his lady was well and happily awaiting his return."

"She doesn't mind my leaving, she says as long as I return." The rider smiled and Lothíriel laughed.

She enjoyed the meal and the company, but a part of her was distracted. A seat near the foot of the table was empty, next to Honbria and Nellwyn—Cúben's sisters. Her brothers Elphir and Erchirion were is deep discussion with the riders nearest them. It took a moment but she caught Amrothos attention and glanced over at the empty space.

Seeming to understand Amrothos nodded and excused himself. He glanced at their father before speaking with the elder of Cúben's sisters. He left. Moments later Amrothos returned with Cúben. She raised an eyebrow in Lothiriel's direction before sitting down between her sisters.

"How do you find your quarters?" she asked the rider.

"Excellent. It is a blessing to us to be welcomed to your home. Though we do enjoy sleeping in our tents as well." He paused in his eating. "There is a rumor that you may be joining us on our return to Edoras."

"I may. We'll see," she replied. Though she had promised Elfhelm that she would accompany her nephew it was up to her brother and her father to decide. Perhaps she should not have responded so hastily. But her plotting had gotten the best of her in that moment.

.-x-.

"A message? From Faramir?" Éowyn asked, a smile slipping across her features.

Éomer shook his head. "Not today. No." He held up this missive. "This is from Elfhelm. They've arrived safely in Dol Amroth, were well received and plan on leaving by the next morrow."

"Which means they left two days ago?" Éowyn read into what her brother didn't say. "When will they arrive?"

"Soon, depends on travelling conditions. It may take a bit longer with the women and children." Éomer made a point of not looking over at his sister.

"She's coming then and the young prince."

Éomer nodded once. "The boys teacher as well and her young sisters." In a serious tone Éomer turned back to his sister. "Is there anything else I can do?"

She smiled in return. "I thank you for what you have done for Faramir and I already. Now it is up to Elfhelm. I certainly hope he isn't dawdling."

"You can be assured of that." Éomer took the letter with him. Though most of the good news he had shared with Éowyn, he held back from mentioning Elfhelm's notes on the orcs still raiding the area. Éomer knew Elfhelm would see the royals of Dol Amroth safely to Edoras, but there were plenty of unprotected villages out there without a marshal to protect them.