Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 for full disclaimers.

Diola lle, my friends!

Utsuri… You'll have to read on to see how well (or how poorly) our good Carly fared in childbirth.

Mercury Gray… Was this update fast enough? I surely don't want the angry mob with torches and pitchforks chasing me! And, yes, breaking a chapter at impending birth is a little worn, but it is such a prime choice for a chapter hook!

Pasha ToH… Thanks! It is always pleasing to hear a reader thinks chapters keep getting better! But like Utsuri, you'll need to read on to learn more about the baby!

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Chapter 9: The King's Blessing

Two weeks later, as promised by the Rider, the Rohirrim returned to Edoras with Eomer-King at the head of the column. They passed through the gates to the cheers of the people. There was such a crowd. Gamling searched the walls for his wife. There was one place where she always stood to welcome his return and he would see her there, waving at him. She was not there this day, and an icy fear gripped his heart. She should have had the baby by now.

What if something had happened? What if he had come through these terrible battles only to find his wife dead from the birthing bed? He dismounted and looked around, absently handing the horse's reins to a stable boy. He did not hear the other people around him. It was hard to see through the milling crowd but finally he saw Sibley watching the reunions from a short distance away. Her brow was furrowed and her eyes, shiny; she had not lost Hama that long ago and the pain was still fresh in her heart.

"Sibley!" he shouted. She turned, surprised that someone would call her name in this throng. When she saw Gamling, her face softened. He felt his heart constrict in his chest. Was that a look of sympathy in her face? A look of sorrow?

Then a voice called out: "Gamling!"

It was Carly's voice. He turned to see his wife walking towards him, a tiny swaddled bundle. Relief washed over Gamling and he hurried over. Without saying a word, he leaned in as best he could and kissed his wife, the exhaustion from travel and battles disappearing for a moment.

"I'm sorry I wasn't outside to meet you. I wanted to see you ride in," she said. "Your son, however, was not finished eating. I had to wait for him."

Then he looked down, Gamling's face filled with wonderment. Carly smiled and handed the bundle to Gamling and he stood frozen with the infant in his arms. He'd held infants before; he was an uncle several times over and even a great-uncle now. But this was his child. His son. The tiny body barely took up the length of his forearm. Then the baby moved and with his free hand, Gamling moved the swaddling cloth back a little. He looked up at his wife and smiled. Then he turned and headed through the crowd with the baby. Carly followed, still smiling; she knew where he was going.

The crowd parted, letting him through until he reached the steps to the Golden Hall. Eomer was walking slowly up them to take his seat for the first time as King of Rohan. The new king heard his name and some commotion behind him. He turned and Gamling went to one knee before Eomer.

"My Lord," he said. "I would present you with my son and ask for your Blessing on him." Blessings were a happy duty for any king and after the sorrow that had befallen Eomer over the past weeks, he was glad to have a cause to smile. Eomer's stern face softened.

"Of course your child will have my Blessing, Gamling. What name do you choose for your son?"

"With your leave, Eomer-King, I would name him Theoden to remember your uncle."

"Theoden-King would be honored, Gamling, and so would I." Eomer reached out his hand and rested it on the baby. "Take the Blessing of the King through your life, Theoden, son of Gamling. May your days be long and happy upon the earth. May you inherit your namesake's bravery, your father's loyalty…" Eomer's eyes shifted to Carly's face. "… and your mother's wisdom."

Carly lowered her eyes and smiled. It was common for the King to wish a father's traits upon the son; it was much rarer for the mother to be so honored.

"Thank you, Eomer-King," said Gamling. Eomer nodded and headed into the Golden Hall. Carly retrieved the baby from Gamling's arms and they walked back to the house. As they did, Gamling's eyes stayed on his new son.

Later that night, Gamling lay awake in bed. His arms were around Carly and her head rested on his shoulder. Little Theoden had been up a few hours before, wailing because he was hungry. Now he slept soundly in his cradle at the foot of the bed. Gamling looked around the room, barely illuminated from the coals on the hearth, and then glanced at his sleeping wife. This was why he'd fought so hard outside the walls of Minas Tirith, and with the Ring destroyed he fervently hoped it would be a very long time before he heard war horns again.

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Okay, so the first-born being a son is a little predictable, but given the apparent culture of Rohan, I thought it was important for Gamling to have a boy. Hope you like this chapter… Please read/review!