Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 for full disclaimers.

Diola lle, my friends!

Evenstar Elanor... EGADS! What a horrific typo for me to miss. Thanks for pointing it out; I'll have to get back to fix that.

Mercury Gray... Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it.

Utsuri... Nay, you're not babbling! As for the "honey mead" idea... It was a combination of things. Ancient Scandinavian custom held that for the first month of married life, newlyweds drank a daily cup of honeyed wine/mead (honey, and by association mead have been attributed with such powers as that of an aphrodisiac, and it has been said in times gone by that it imbues the drinker with attributes such as life, wisdom, courage and strength). Another persistent legend is: in ancient Babylon the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink for the month after the wedding. Because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month or what we know today as the honeymoon.

Chapter 5: Breaking Fast

Eowyn paused and took a deep drink of water. She and Carly had made good progress in preparing the Hall. It would be suitable for the King by tomorrow night, and based on what the returning men had said, the King was two days away. Carly's story of her courtship and wedding helped pass the time.

"It seems you were very lucky," said Eowyn.

"I was," said Carly. "In my heart, I didn't think Gamling would mistreat me, but I was still afraid. The next morning I finally understood what the older women meant when they said they'd been impaled on their husband's spear." Carly blushed. "When I was a girl, I couldn't figure out what they were talking about."

Eowyn nodded. While she, herself, was still a maiden, she understood the spear reference, and she also understood the fear. Often she would wonder what her own honey-mead would be like. Her thoughts flew to Lord Aragorn and she wondered how he might treat her.

"I think the next morning was the hardest for me," said Carly.

"The morning? Why?"

The morning sun crept through the windows and Carly's eyes fluttered open. She blinked and looked around as the night before came back to her. She was a married woman now. She shifted slightly to look at Gamling; his face looked a little younger when he was sleeping, but he did not stay asleep long. He felt her shift and his eyes opened immediately.

"Good morning," he said.

"Hello," she said as he slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Gamling kissed his new wife and savored the feel of her skin against his. He'd had numerous lovers over the years, but there was something different today. Maybe it was because this was permanent, not some transient liaison of convenience. While still hesitant, Carly was not as reluctant to be in his arms as she had been the night before. She gingerly ran her fingers across his chest and then kissed where they'd just passed over.

Outside a voice called out. "Gamling!"

Carly froze and Gamling sighed. It was tradition. The morning after a wedding had a breakfast where everyone was welcome. The bridal couple had been sealed in their house for the honey-mead night and now they would emerge together and walk through a corridor of people to get to the morning feast. Gamling looked at the window; judging from the light, it was fairly late in the morning.

"Gamling," another voice called. "Bring your bride out and break your fast with us."

"We'd best go," he said. "They'll only get louder if we delay."

Carly nodded. She waited until Gamling got out of bed to get his clothes and she quickly slid out from under the covers and pulled on a new chemise that was waiting for her. She pulled her outer gown on and draped her belt around her waist. She braided her hair up; she had gone to her bridal bed with her hair fully loose. Now, as a wife, it was more appropriate tied back in a braid.

There was a bang on the door. "Gamling! What keeps you locked up so long?" Laughter followed.

"Come," said Gamling, putting his arm around Carly. He opened the door and a cheer went up.

"At last," someone shouted.

Men and women lined each side of the street that brought Carly and Gamling to the small central square of Edoras. In the square were several tables, all laden with fruits, breads and other dishes. It was tradition for everyone to bring some food to share. Last night Carly and Gamling were two individuals. Now, the morning after their wedding, they returned to the community as a fully joined couple, and that is what the breakfast celebrated. Carly smiled at some of her friends, but she couldn't help but hear the men near Gamling.

"I can't tell if you look younger or older today, Gamling," said one.

"She's got a fine figure," said another, and Carly could feel his appraising glance on her back. "No more cold bedrolls in the winter for you."

"How was she, Gamling? Was she a docile filly or does she have some spunk?"

There were a few more comments and Carly could feel the color coming to her cheeks. Then she heard Gamling tell the men to silence their rowdy comments. A few minutes later she felt Gamling's hand on the small of her back.

"Have you had anything to eat yet?" he asked. She shook her head and was grateful when he excused them both and brought her over to one of the tables. As people started to eat, Carly felt less out of place.

"Carly?" asked Eowyn. "Why was it hard?"

Carly flinched, realizing she'd been frowning, lost in her memory. "I felt as if everyone was staring."

"But you were the center of attention the day before," said Eowyn.

"That was different. The day before I was a bride; I was a young girl in her beautiful dress. But after the honey-mead night, some of them looked at me differently. I know some of them were simply teasing for that's the way men are... but knowing that some of them were wondering about how I was, what I'd done... when Gamling bedded me." Her frown deepened. "And I found that very hard."

The idea of being thought of like that did not sit well with Eowyn and after a moment she stood up from her seat.

"Well," said the Lady of Rohan, "it is late and I've kept you far past when you should be resting. Thank you for your help and your companionship, Carly."

"It was my pleasure, My Lady. Tomorrow I am preparing herb mixes and compresses in the morning. More and more injured are returning, but if you have need of me, I will come right away."

"Thank you, Carly. Good night."

"Good night, Lady Eowyn."

One of the soldiers who served under Gamling escorted Carly home. It was a courtesy more than anything else; there was no true danger to her in Edoras, but these were unusual times. Once she was home, Carly took her dress off and stood for a moment in her chemise. She would sleep in this one and find a clean one to wear in the morning. She stoked the embers in the fire and put some more wood on. No matter what the season, nights were always cool in the mountain city.

Carly looked out of the window at the stars. She was exhausted. Since returning from Helm's Deep she'd either been helping the healers – her knowledge of herbs and herb lore was becoming more and more well-known – or she was helping Lady Eowyn prepare the Golden Hall for the King's return.

The King's return. Gamling's return.

Climbing into bed she pulled the covers up and lay looking at the ceiling. She ran her hands over her middle as the baby moved. Despite how tired she was, Carly found she wasn't ready to sleep. She moved her hand over to the side of the bed where Gamling would lie if he were there.

"How much I miss you when you aren't here," she whispered out loud. "Before I was wed, I never understood why my mother said the bed was cold when my father wasn't there."

Well, that's all for this chapter. Hopefully, I can get one more up before I leave for my Thanksgiving trip to Arizona. Please read/review and let me know what you thought of this chapter!