Hello my lovelies. This is just a quick word from the author: if something is canonically incorrect, feel free to let me know (though I may have a reason for it!). Otherwise, I'm really not looking for much constructive criticism because this is just a hobby and a channel for my own creativity :) That being said, please leave reviews/PM me about anything!

I wish you all happy reading!

Eomer Eadig: before the War of the Ring

A recounting by Anarwyn

Chapter I: Pre-birth

Theodwyn stoked the flames burning under the pot of water she was attempting to boil. She dropped in her diced potatoes, along with the herbs she had gathered for the stew. All she needed now was whatever meat her husband had caught. Cooking her own meals had taken some getting used to, after the privilege of growing up with servants, but she enjoyed the challenge of a humble life. The young wife heard hoofs trotting outside and wondered if that was him coming home.

Eomund stabled his gelding and began the short journey home to his wife. The tired man slung a brace of coneys over his shoulder and carefully packed several bunches of berries into his leather pouch. Strands of wheat-colored hair blew across his face, sticking to his sweaty forehead. He brushed them away, determining that he would need to rebraid the tresses that evening. The soft breeze continued blowing through the little village of Banwyrte, as if to hurry his coming home.

Her water had just begun bubbling, so she decided to pull out bread and peach jam- her husband's favorite. Then she ran her fingers over her hair, feeling for anything out of place. When she was satisfied, she replaced her usual overdress with one she had brought with her into the marriage, back when she had had access to some of the finest cloth in the Mark. As she finished up the laces, she heard footsteps outside. She pinched her cheeks and tossed the old dress aside.

'Blostma?' a deep voice echoed through the two-room house.

'Aye, Eomund!' she returned, rushing to the door. It was time.

'I saw this as I walked along the road,' he said, holding up a light pink flower. 'It reminded me of the day we wed, when you had these through your hair.'

'Thank you,' she said distractedly as she took it, fixing the bloom into her flaxen braid.

'You are just as beautiful today,' he smiled, taking in her full appearance. The pink blossom stood out visibly from her extremely light hair. She grinned and led the way back to the boiling pot of water.

'I see you were successful,' she replied, gesturing to his shoulder.

'Aye, though my traps did the work for me,' he sighed, resting the rabbits on the table. He ceased his movements as he noticed the food there.

'Blostma, is this the peach jam?'

'It is indeed,' she responded smoothly, turning to watch his face.

'Have I mistaken the day?' he asked in confusion.

'Nay, my love. I have important news to share with you,' she said. Eomund pulled a chair closer to himself and sat gingerly.

'What is it?'

Theodwyn joined him, perching herself upon his knee. She looked into his deep blue eyes and hoped their bairn would inherit them.

'I am with child,' she whispered gleefully. The man's breath caught in his throat and he coughed. His wife threw her golden head back in laughter.

'What wonderful news,' he spurted, still working through the shock to his body.

'This cannot have come as a surprise, husband,' she chuckled.

He grinned in return, rubbing a hand over his head. She kissed his cheek.

'Thank you for the jam,' he said in a low voice, wrapping an arm around her waist.

She twisted herself to see him better. ''Thank you for the babe,' she replied.

He smirked, traced her face with his thumb, and responded in her ear: 'Anytime.'

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'Eomund! Come, quick!'

'Theodwyn!' he called, running from the bedroom to where his wife was making sausages. 'What happened?' he felt obliged to ask, considering that he saw nothing unusual.

'The babe!' his wife exclaimed.

'What is wrong?' he said in urgency, temper rising as ever.

'Nay, naught is wrong, my dear,' she said as she shook her head, still grinning.

'Theodwyn, speak your mind plainly or-,' he started angrily, but was interrupted.

'It happened again!' she was holding her rounded abdomen with delight. 'He leaped!'

The man sighed, finally understanding. 'You frightened me half dead, blostma. It is a wonder that- oh, never mind. May I?' he asked, holding out his hand to her stomach.

She positioned him in the proper spot. When he felt it, his hand jerked in surprise, for it seemed like a strong kick for such a small being.

'Does it hurt?' he asked in amazement.

'Not much,' she replied with a wave of her hand. 'I spoke with Meomyn last night. She says he will be a boy-child, Eomund.' Her eyes sparkled as she looked up into her husband's face. He did not know how the midwife could tell this early, but he also did not question her judgment.

'How wonderful,' he smiled down at her. 'We are certain to be blessed with a strong child, male or female' he said, referring to the kick.

'Indeed,' Theodwyn grinned, rubbing her belly again. 'Oh, the sausages!'

Eomund chuckled and seated himself at their table, wiping the sleep from his eyes and contemplating being father to a son. If Meomyn was correct, of course. He trusted his wife's mother-sister as a competent midwife, but he knew any guess could be faulty.

Theodwyn flipped the burnt meat onto a plate and brought it to her husband. While she started the next ones, she took in the stunning view from their small window. The sun was just peeking over the stable on the great hill. She rejoiced in the soft colors of orange, pink, and yellow permeating the young morning. Theodwyn loved the sun at all times of day and year, appreciating its life-giving warmth. She looked back at the man who was almost finished with his breakfast and remembered the first time she saw him.

The sun had been setting as he came over a small hill from the western town of Aldburg. His mother had died of a plague that ran through the village when he was very young. His father, Eomar, had taken care of him for many years and Eomund loved his father dearly. Therefore, when he was slain in battle (being over 50 years old), Eomund was so grieved that he left his steady life behind to hunt down the Dunlendings who had killed his father.

After months of pursuit, he and several good men caught up to the evil doers and slew them all. However, he had lost sight of his company, having pursued the last foe into the unfamiliar Firien Wood. With nowhere to go and many wounds, Eomund rode north until he came to Banwyrte. Here is where they met, for she was visiting her mother's sister that spring. She had been watching the sun descend when she saw a man on a horse riding toward her. She could see that he was wounded and rode her own steed out to meet him.

They had decided to stay in this hamlet when they married, both ready for new beginnings. They were happy here, far from the bustling cities. Unfortunately, they were also far from the only work her fiery husband was suited to: soldiering. In his youth, Eomund had served under the commander at Aldburg, but the king had specifically given him leave to start his family elsewhere. Funds were not an issue, yet Theodwyn worried that her husband was becoming restless. He performed odd tasks for neighbors and the like, but she knew he longed to live by the sword again. Sighing, she served herself the sausages and struck the matter from her mind. There were more important activities which needed doing.

...

'Eomund! Eomund, it is time!' Theodwyn was screaming for her husband, but there was no need. Eomund was at her side within seconds of her first call. He had been waiting for this moment for nine months, and he was prepared to help however he may.

'I have had your mother-sister on the watch for days, she will be ready at my call,' he said hurriedly. The new father cried across the winding path: 'Meomyn!'

A thick woman with long dusty-brown hair came hurrying across the way. She ran inside the house and came to Theodwyn's bed. Eomund watched nervously as the midwife attended to his wife and child. He could only hope they both survived.

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Blostma- flower/blossom

Thanks for making it this far! Next chapter is a bit longer...