A/N: WARNING! Despite this being posted for the characters of Eomer/Lothiriel, that is only because Amrothos isn't an option! E/L are in this story, but not the main focus. If you don't mind that, continue reading.

SECOND: This is a spin-off to By The Book (and the second half of No Mistake: Redux). If you have NOT read No Mistake, By The Book and No Mistake: Redux, this story may confuse you. It assumes you are familiar with events that took place in those stories. However, if you want to read this but don't want to have to go and read 3 other stories first, I suggest reading No Mistake and By the Book, plus ch. 7 of No Mistake: Redux. That will give you enough information to go on. No Mistake PLUS By the Book EQUALS No Mistake: Redux. (The first two comprise a story from Lothiriel's POV; the latter is the SAME story, but told from Eomer's POV.)

When I solicited story ideas after By The Book, more than one person mentioned a story involving Amrothos and Danwen. Discussions with Jazzcat helped me work out how it might be possible that she would not realize his "close" connection to Lothiriel.

Sorry about all that longwindedness! My usual following won't have a problem with it, but I thought I better explain things for any newcomers. Guess writing Footsteps helped break through my writer's block and I finished this story the same night. Hopefully, this means my other E/L story will soon be ready also, and maybe another Elfwine Chronicle.

Secrets

(March, 3020 III)

Chapter 1

With Lothiriel unwilling to go riding with him, Amrothos was left at loose ends. He had thought she would be pleased to have an excuse to get away for a while, but now that he considered the matter, he seemed to recall seeing her with a book and Faramir. That was never a good sign. They were the only two people he knew who could get so thoroughly engrossed in reading a book. And once lost, it was hard to get their attention.

Sighing, he turned in the direction of the main exit from Meduseld. He had never taken the time to explore the town to any extent. It seemed the only course open to him if he wished to be amused for a few hours.

He walked along, looking in shop windows for a while, getting more bored by the minute. With any luck, he would stumble across an inn and find something to drink.

He turned down a side street. Ahead of him, a woman was struggling to manage the packages she carried. As he watched, she finally lost her grip on two of them, and the rest scattered around her as she tried to grab for them. Quickly he moved forward to assist her.

"Let me help," he offered, reaching for several of the packages and stacking them in a pile. Only as the last was added to the collection did he look up and catch a glimpse of her face. Recognition dawned immediately; it was Danwen. It was clear that she did not connect him with Lothiriel, for her manner was mostly cordial as she thanked him.

She began trying to gather the parcels into her arms once more, but Amrothos stopped her. "Allow me to carry them for you, my lady." She hesitated, but finally nodded and gave him a tentative smile.

"You are from Gondor." It was a statement rather than a question.

"Yes. How can you tell?" he asked, handing her two small packages and picking up the remainder himself.

"The hair. No one in Edoras has the dark hair. Well, they didn't until..." She broke off and a frown marred her features.

"Until Lady Lothiriel came?" he asked.

She nodded, and looked at him curiously. "You are here for the wedding?"

"Yes. I take it you do not approve of the bride your king has chosen. Why not?"

Before she could censor her words, Danwen blurted out, "Because he should have married one of his own people. He should have..." Quickly she stopped herself and looked away.

Amrothos suppressed a smile, suspecting what she had just barely managed not to admit – that she had wanted Eomer for herself.

"Well, Lady Lothiriel is an impressive woman to be sure, but I cannot say I agree with the man's taste. I have seen many fair ladies in Rohan worthy of male attention." He gave her an engaging grin, and she blushed at the implied compliment.

Changing the subject, she asked, "You know something of Lady Lothiriel then?"

"A bit," he shrugged. "I live in Dol Amroth so we are familiar with the royal family. They all are pleasant enough, and Lady Lothiriel can be most charming. Perhaps in time you will come to like her better, when you have had more opportunity to be acquainted."

Her posture stiffened. "I rather doubt that." Suddenly she realized they were standing in the street and he was laden with her bundles. "Oh, I am sorry! I should not detain you." She reached for the packages, but he drew back.

"Please, allow me. I am happy to carry them for you."

She smiled, pleased, and gestured down the street. "I do not live far. Thank you."

They strolled in silence for a time before Danwen attempted further conversation. "What is Dol Amroth like? It is by the sea, is it not?"

"Yes. The town is largely centered around commerce connected with the sea. Fishing, trade, that sort of thing."

"I should like to see the sea sometime. I hear it is quite amazing."

"That it is, though I suppose I am somewhat accustomed to it and likely do not take so much notice of it as you would."

"What do you do there?" she queried.

Thinking quickly, Amrothos told her, "Other than being a noble? Occasionally they have need of me in the army, though I am not the best soldier they could find."

She smiled at that, apparently diverted by his humor not to press further for details. But her mood changed and she sighed. "Why could she not have stayed in Dol Amroth, where she belongs!"

Again Amrothos was forced to conceal a grin, and asked innocently, "Lady Lothiriel, you mean?" When Danwen nodded, he commented, "I almost get the feeling you have a personal interest in the king."

Her eyes darted quickly to his, but found only an impassive look on his face. Then, not even sure why she was telling this stranger something so personal, she admitted, "I was very fond of Eomer. I have long fancied him and hoped one day he might feel the same. That will never happen now that she is here."

Feeling sorry for her, Amrothos assured her, "No, but I cannot think that you do not have many other admirers. Perhaps one day you will find their attention to your liking."

She blushed again at the compliment. "Thank you. I suppose I have little choice but to look elsewhere."

Impulsively, Amrothos suggested, "Perhaps you might even be willing to spend time with someone with dark hair, despite his birthplace."

Her head jerked round as she caught his meaning, and found his twinkling eyes and dimpled smile confronting her. At that moment, his overture seemed rather appealing. Certainly, he was a handsome man, and she could not bear that anyone who knew of her efforts in pursuing the king might look on her with pity. If they saw her with this man, they could not help but be impressed. Besides, perhaps it would annoy the would-be queen to have Danwen turn the tables and dally with one of her kinsmen.

Smiling demurely in response, she told him, "Perhaps. But if I were going to do that, I think I should at least know your name. I am Danwen."

With a chuckle and as much of a bow as he could manage with his arms full, he replied, "I am Amrothos. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Danwen."

They stood in front of a large house, and suddenly Danwen looked nervous as she glanced toward it. Reaching for her packages, she told him, "Thank you again for carrying my bundles."

"I could carry them inside for you, if you like," he offered.

But she quickly answered, "No, that would not be a good idea. I can manage from here."

Amrothos studied her curiously, wondering at her reticent behavior, then asked, "May I call on you tomorrow?"

She hesitated, then suggested, "Perhaps we could meet in town. Mid-morning?"

He nodded agreeably. "Where?"

"There is a shop along the main street that runs from the gate up to Meduseld. It sells various household and personal items. The owner is Fromgast. I will meet you there."

Amrothos smiled at her and nodded again. "I will see you there at mid-morning tomorrow then. I look forward to it." He bowed politely and held open the gate for her to enter, then watched as she walked to the house.

She turned and smiled at him once before going inside, and he finally turned and walked down the street, whistling a tune. Getting to know his sister's nemesis ought to be interesting. So far, from what he had learned, he could not fully understand what her motive might have been. She said she was fond of Eomer and hoped he might one day return her attention, but that hardly seemed substantial enough for her actions heretofore. And her reluctance to have him carry her packages inside for her seemed odd also. She had given no indication of distrusting him, so he could only assume there was something inside she did not want him to see, or someone she did not want him to meet. This should be an intriguing puzzle to solve.

xxxxx

"Danwen? Is that you?" a gruff voice called, as soon as she entered the house.

"Yes, Father."

He strode into the room and eyed her. "Did you get everything I sent you for?" He made no move to help her with the bundles, and she set them down on a table before she lost her grip on them again.

"Yes, Father. It is all here. Shall I put the packages in your room?"

"Of course. I have no use for them here in the parlor. Such a foolish question!" he muttered.

Danwen winced and moved quickly to remove the bundles to his bedchamber, but before she made it out of the room, his voice caught her again. "I want to speak with you. Return here as soon as you put those away."

She stiffened, but merely answered, "Yes, Father."

"And be quick about it!" he snapped.

She hurried to the task and was soon back in the parlor, dreading what he might have to say to her.

Her father sat stiffly in a chair, and since he gave no indication she could sit, she stood rigidly in front of him.

He stared her up and down a moment, then asked, "So, since you have failed to win the heart of the king as I instructed you, what do you plan to do now? Do not expect me to support you the rest of your days. If you cannot find a nobleman that will have you, you'd best start using your wiles on any man who might marry you."

Danwen fought back the tears that threatened. "Father…"

"I do not wish to hear any of your excuses! If you had done as I instructed, you would soon be sitting on the throne as queen of Rohan, and I would be named Chief Adviser. Instead, you let that trollop from Gondor steal him from under your nose! Ever you are a disappointment to me!"

Danwen swallowed hard and remained silent, while her father glared at her. Finally, he snapped, "Go get the midday meal taken care of. Perhaps there is another nobleman's son whose position will prove useful to us, if you can manage to secure him."

Quickly turning, Danwen hurried from the room before the first tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away in annoyance. She had promised herself she wouldn't let him do this to her anymore, but still she could not help feeling a failure.

Unbidden, she saw the face of the young man – Amrothos – that she had met earlier. For a moment, she considered mentioning him to her father. He was a noble – of Gondor, true, but a noble all the same. Perhaps her father would be pleased with her that she was able to catch his attention. But even as she thought it, her heart rebelled at the idea. He would only disapprove of Amrothos, and force her to stay away from him. And she did not want to do that. Something about him had…appealed to her. Too many men in Edoras knew of her father, and did not wish to come near her because of him. Amrothos had looked at her non-judgementally. He had seen only her and liked what he saw. She did not wish her father to taint that. In all probability, once the royal wedding was over, he would return to Dol Amroth and she would never see him again. What was the harm in enjoying a man's company, and being appreciated for a change? She had thought it would be nice to have others see her with Amrothos, but now that she considered the matter, it would be best to keep their association private. That would be tricky, but not impossible…