I know it's been a long time since I've updated this. I am not making excuses, so here is Chapter Two. I hope everyone likes it!


Chapter Two

I had shocked the people of Rohan and perhaps even my husband when Eoman was born. I had refused the services of a wet nurse or any nurse at all, instead taking on the responsibilities of motherhood whole-heartedly. I had wanted my children to know me as their mother, not some nurse. I knew that if I relinquished my children to another's care there would never be a chance for such a bond to be formed.

By the time Eohere was nearly two months old I had figured out how to handle both of my children and the responsibilities of being Queen of Rohan. It was frustrating sometimes and exhausting all of the time, but at the end of each day I knew there was nothing that I could love more than being a mother to my two sons.

One morning as I was scooping my youngest son out of his cradle Eoman came in behind me in his rumpled sleeping smock. His shoulder length blond hair was a dreadful mess, some bits stuck to his sleep dampened face, and I was not looking forward to dealing with that.

"Mama, could we go to the garden today?" He asked hopefully, stifling a yawn.

I sat down in the rocking chair, preparing to nurse Eohere, who had already began to make a sucking motion with his mouth.

"I suppose we can fit that into our schedule, Eoman. You must get dressed first and have some breakfast and then we will see about the garden."

Eoman nodded, a happy smile playing on his lips as he sat down near a pile of blocks in the corner.

I finished nursing the baby and headed for Eoman's room.

"What shall you wear today, Eoman?" I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. If there was nothing important going on I usually let Eoman pick what he wanted to wear for the day. Many times Eomer had asked me not to when his son has shown up at the stables looking ridiculous.

Eoman went about his room picking a pair of dark green breeches and a dark blue tunic. "Does this match, Mama?"

"It matches very well, son." I smiled and watched Eoman attempt to dress himself. He had been doing good until he tried to put both feet into one legging hole.

He fell to the floor with a loud bang and looked up at me uncertainly, assessing the damage done and if it was enough to make him cry. He finally decided that he would be alright and got his legs in the right holes.

If he hadn't cried from the fall we would see how he would like the daily hair brushing. It was probably both of our least favorite parts of the day as it was very painful for him and generally unpleasant for me as well.

I laid Eohere on the bed and surrounded him with pillows. Eoman took his usually seat on the edge of the bed and I grabbed the brush and crawled behind him. I started gingerly at the bottom and slowly worked my way up, fighting my way through the fine, tangled, blond hair.

"Ouch Mama!" Eoman exclaimed rubbing his head.

"I am sorry, son." I picked apart some snarls with my fingers.

"Ow!" Eoman whined.

"Almost done," I promised. Finally, I could run the brush through his hair with no tangles.

"All done brushing." I kissed the top of his head.

"How did you do father's today?" Eoman asked. It was a daily question and part of his quest to be exactly like his father.

"I believe I tied part of it back," I responded, smiling at my precious son, ready to be every bit the man his father was.

"Are you sure?" Eoman turned to look up at me.

"Almost positive. Fetch me a leather cord from your dresser." I pointed to the stack of cord on his counter that I used on his hair.

He returned and held it out eagerly, resuming his spot facing away from me. I brushed his hair once more and gathered the top half, tying the cord tight around his silky hair.

"How do I look?" He asked, jumping from the bed.

"Just like your father." It was true and very startling sometimes just how much Eoman resembled his father with his honest face and soft brown eyes.

After everyone was dressed for the day and had eaten a rushed breakfast, Eoman bolted outside to the gardens, Eohere and myself slowly following him. When I emerged into the sunlight a rush of pride came over me. When I had arrived in Rohan the gardens had been extremely sad, it had seemed that the plants had taken over the garden and then died leaving an ugly brown mess. Now the garden was full of neat color and besides my sons it was my pride and joy.

With one hand I picked up a ceramic vase and dipped it in the murmuring fountain.

"Our tulips are looking a little dry, Eoman," I said, pointing to the tulips and putting the vase into his arms. I took a seat on a stone bench and watched my eldest trot around the garden, inspecting it like an expert. The murmuring of the fountain soon put Eohere to sleep and it seemed all of Rohan was at peace.

After a while I felt a hand on my shoulder and stubbly chin on the top of my head. One large hand reached around me and stroked Eohere's plump cheek.

"Father! Come see mother's roses!" Eoman exclaimed. Eomer pressed a rough kiss to my cheek and then was led by the hand to the area of blood red roses.

Eomer knelt so he was level with his son and surveyed the flowers.

"Aren't they beautiful, father?" Eoman asked eagerly.

"Very beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as your mother, do you think?" Eomer looked at his son and they both looked in my direction.

"Not even close," Eoman said earnestly.

"My two charmers," I said with a smile.

Eomer rose from his kneeling position and sat next to me on the bunch, gently taking his sleeping youngest son from my arms. There was nothing more endearing than a warrior king cooing over an infant.

"Father, can we ride after lunch?" Eoman asked, settling himself on my lap.

I wiped the dirt from his hands and cheeks.

"I suppose that can be arranged. Perhaps your mother would like to go?" Eomer looked at me hopefully.

"Not today, I don't think. You two should have a boys ride."

Eoman looked disappointed for the briefest of moments.

"Perhaps we can go on a little adventure," Eomer said quietly, almost conspiratorially

I gave my husband a look over Eoman's head. He tried to look innocent, so I let it go, knowing he would not put our son in any sort of danger.

"You'll need some lunch before your adventure." And with that we went back into the palace for lunch. Afterwards, Eomer and Eoman went riding and I put Eohere down for a nap.

While my youngest was sleeping I took care of a few of my correspondences and just really enjoyed the quiet. It wasn't often that I was alone.

Later that night after dinner, baths, and bed Eomer and I fell back onto our bed thoroughly exhausted. It had become our routine to change into our sleeping clothes, crawl under the covers, and give each other a chaste peck on the lips before falling asleep. We were just too tired to even think about doing anything else.


There you have it! I hope you loved it. I would love to know what you thought. No hate comments or flames please!

Happy reading,

Avonmora