A/N - I have made a GRAVE error. I have placed Gamling's age as being 15 years older than Eomer and 19 years older then Wudurose. At this time, he is 57, not 59. I will correct the first chapter.

Ours: To learn to dream.

Úreu. Æt áscian æt mæting

Chapter 02

Note: Ithilian hens are Cornish hens and Westfold Taynors are Gypsy Vanners.

Many times over the years, Wudurose would invite me to dinner and I would always decline. It was not that I did not wish to share a meal; more I feared my feelings and wanting more than the uneasy friendship we seemed to have developed. As Edric bragged many times, (and unbeknownst to her, Éomer as well) she was a fine cook, the small game hens roasted and seasoned with a pleasing bite. Both vegetables were covered in a honey glaze and I ate too much warm bread. I feared I would become too wide to sit my horse if this kept up.

Edric was sent to feed the animals in the lower barn; Áblysian had passed away the previous winter and it was obvious Wudurose still grieved the loss of her cow. Fléotigu, the Westfold Taynor Éomer had given her so many years ago, was getting older as well and I smiled when Edric palmed an apple from the fruit bowl for the horse. As he headed for the door, he turned to his mother. "Tondhere's mare was showing signs of labor and said if you were willing, I could come sit the night in the barn to help." He eyed me with concern. "However, if you wish me to stay…" his voice trailed off.

"No. You go on." Edric narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Gamling is a dear friend. I will be safe. He will make sure."

I waited until the back door slammed. "He has always been distrustful of me."

Wudurose was clearing the table and I got up to help her. One of the few things my mother drummed into my head before I joined Théoden King's service was how to be a gracious guest. "He remembers well your first visit." She looked at me over her shoulder. "You made me cry."

"I am sorry for that. It was not my intent."

There was a pail of water on her cupboard and she poured it into a large kettle, which she had me set on the hook in the fireplace to boil. "You should not be sorry." She stepped back from the fireplace. "What is your request?"

I was always told that watching a pot would cause it to never boil, so I observed it closely. "I have decided to settle my property and breed horses for the King's cavalry, as well as for Gondor and the Western Principalities. I would not," I dared stop looking at the kettle and instead gazed at her, "go into competition against you." My stare went back to the pot. "The land here is good for raising horses and livestock. It is quiet."

"What do you want, Gamling?"

I tilted my head in thought. "I need a place to stay while building a home and barn and fencing. I would like to know who to trust, who would be willing to help, how much I need to pay them. I am familiar with barns, but not with a house; I have…" I faltered here for a moment, "always had a room in the barracks and ate my meals either in the Hall or camping."

"Ah, Captain Gamling," she laid her hand on my arm and it sent tingles into my spine, "finally growing up and moving out after all these years." She used a hook to lift the large kettle and brought it carefully to her sideboard. Setting it down, she put our trenchers and eating utensils into the hot water. She opened a canister on the back of the sideboard and put in a ladle of powder, stirring it with a long tong. Putting things away, she wiped her hands on a cloth. "Come. We will go outside and talk while these things soak and the water cools a bit."

Since my first visit, she had built a porch with a large overhang; at least no one would be left standing in the elements if they came knocking. On the far end was a long swing and she motioned for me to join her. "You will need plenty of logs and lumber. Most of the farmers around here have finished with their planting or soon will be. As long as you provide the celebration and food, most will aid in the building of your barn and it will be done in a day. Your home and fencing will be another matter." She named off those who were reputable and suggested several hard-working young men, who were looking for extra coin. "Sighere is getting married in the summer. He has property, but needs money and help to build his home, purchase livestock. Chances are he will help you in exchange for your aid in a few months." She tapped her lip thoughtfully. "A wedding gift of a pig or a few hens would be appreciated as well." She continued to stare into the setting afternoon; unaware that the closeness of her was setting off a tingling I had not felt in ages.

I drummed my fingers against my knees while she rattled on, anything to keep my mind off my stiffening member. "It is just you? You are not planning to bring a woman here or start a family?"

The question startled me. "Why?"

She smiled that half smile she would get when she thought no one was looking. "If you need one room or two." She shook her head. "You have been in the barracks too long." She leaned back to study me. "Are you sure Éomer did not send you to spy on me?"

I decided to be honest with her. "This was my decision. I am tired of patrolling and being in the saddle constantly. He offered me a position in the King's Personal Guard and I turned it down." Her look clearly stated she did not believe me. "I tell you true, Wudurose. I am still a Captain under the King's command and yes, I will have to report to him twice a year as I am raising horses for him. But I am not here to spy on you. No women. No family. Just me."

She continued to study me, making me very nervous. Finally, she got up, leaving the swing lurching with me still in it. "With Edric gone tonight, you may sleep in his bed up under the eaves. After that you can make yourself at home in the new barn until yours is built." She opened the door and entered her cottage, but not before I heard her say, "One room."

~~~...~~~

The next two moons were a blur. I worked muscles I did not know I had. True to Wudurose's word, once the planting was finished, farmers in the area chipped in to aid in the raising of my barn. I had no idea how many trees had to be felled and planked to build a barn, much less a house. The barn was raised in a day and I managed with Sighere's help, to fence in a full two acres. He was young and in love and I envied his energy.

Until the barn and fence went up, I slept in Wudurose's upper barn, taking one of the stalls for myself. It was bigger than any room I had ever called my own and I wondered how I would feel once I began to rattle around in an entire cottage that I would call my own. In the early evening, Edric would come find me, invite me to dinner and would tell me to bring a change of clothing. Not only would she have dinner waiting, but also a tub of hot water in her room, so at the least I could soak some of the soreness from my muscles. It was a comfort I was grateful for.

If the barn was easily built, the house was a different story. First, it rained. It rained for seven days straight. I would stand in the barn with my horses just staring amazed at the downpour. When it finally quit raining, it was still wet.

Sighere came with several others with carpenter skills. I was surprised to see Wudurose with Fléotigu along with a young girl that Sighere immediately began mooning over and another heavy Taynor horse hooked to a cart. Edric was leading the horse hooked to the cart.

"And to what do I owe this visit to my mudhole?"

Wudurose was looking around – stomping around, to be honest. She wore leggings and old mud incrusted work boots. "Where did you want to put your garden?"

"Garden? What garden?"

"The garden to grow your own food?" Edric had taken a slight disliking to me. He apparently still held a grudge from that first time I visited and I was at a loss to work around it.

I was perusing her impressive… equipment… "It is just me. I do not need such a huge garden-"

"Yes, you do. You forget," she poked me good-naturedly in the ribs, "that you have been eating at my home ever since you arrived."

"You eat a lot!" Edric chimed in. Disgust was written all over his face.

"You bragged about her cooking," I reminded him. Edric smirked.

"Did you bring any seed?"

I dug the bags from my satchels in the barn. Next thing I knew, Edric was heading back to their homestead grumbling, to bring up more. Surely, I do not eat that much.

Do I?

~~~...~~~

No sooner than my homestead was complete and a crude well dug, I was working Sighere's land. His little Acha had her nose in everything! What she wanted, here, there… there was green stuff growing in my garden and a pig, that was gifted to me by Sighere's aunt, got loose and ran amuck in it, much to the amusement of Edric. Two of my mares were expecting and I hoped to have something for the king the following summer.

Truthfully, I hoped for more.

Most evenings were spent at Wudurose's and on evenings they were not, were lonely. I learned quickly enough that bringing in a fresh hart or several rabbits softened her son's rather abrasive attitude, at least for a short time. Sometimes, I wondered who I was courting: Wudurose or Edric.

I wondered if I was courting at all. Truthfully, it was not anything I had done before. Wudurose seemed friendly enough, but other than that, I could not tell.

This went on for some moons. Too many moons, in my esteemed, over-bearing opinion, but I was at a loss at what to do about it.

Luckily for me, Edric apparently did know what to do about it.

~~~tbc~~~