Thank you for your reviews, I hope some of you like this chapter better. I have one chapter left in me so Chapter 40 will be the conclusion of "A Servant's Tale". I'll try and post that late Sunday or sometime Monday. Happy Holidays everyone!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings

Chapter 39

Avelina and Éomer walked into the main hall to see Madar standing with his back to them. He was holding something and looking down at whatever he was holding. Cynwise picked up a piece of parchment and carried it over to Avelina who took it. Madar kept his back to them and Avelina opened the parchment and began to read the words on the paper out loud.

"To my King and Queen:

I traveled many miles from my small village to bring you my gift to you. My husband died four months ago when he was trampled by a horse and cart, and at the time I was pregnant with our first child," Avelina paused and looked up at Éomer who just nodded at her to continue. She licked her lips and began to read once more. "Two months later, I gave birth to our son. However, I know that I will not be able to care for him as he should be on my own. With no family and my husband gone, I find that I do not have much to care for. I do not want my son to live a life of hardship and toil with a mother who will never fully regain the will to live.

"I wish for you to care for him and take him as you own. I know my heart will not last much longer and I do not wish to perish without knowing he will be loved. I have heard as many others have heard of your tragedy, and I find that I could think of no other that I would rather have care for him than my great King and Queen.

"He does not yet have a name, so you may call him as you wish, and I know that no harm will ever come to him as long as both of you shall live. All I ask is that you tell him I will always watch over him and that I did what was best for him.

"Acha of the Westfold" She finished with tears in her eyes. She looked up at Éomer whose own face showed confusion. The King and Queen looked to Madar to see him turn around with a small bundle and a soft pink arm reached from the blanket to grab at his beard. "How . . . why?" Avelina asked and Madar smiled.

"I spoke with the woman myself, my lady," Madar said. "She was indeed ill, and had come to Edoras to leave her son for you both." His expression changed slightly. "When I asked her if she was certain, she said she was and that she would travel back to her village where she would welcome the peace of death." Avelina walked over to him and was met with a pair of hazel blue eyes of the curious child. He squeeled and smiled as he held his hands out to her. Avelina smiled and took the child from Madar.

"I do not know why she would leave her child in the care of virtual strangers," she said quietly as the baby smiled up at her and grabbed a hold of one of her copper colored waves and held it firmly.

"You saved her husbands life," Madar said. Avelina looked up at the healer with a confused look on her face and Éomer walked over behind Avelina and looked down at the smiling baby before he too looked at Madar. "In Minas Tirith, her husband was one of those injured. They were not yet married at the time of the war, but promise to each other. When he returned home, they wed and he told him how they were in the Queen's debt because if it would not have been for her serum and skill he would have died from infection." Avelina held the child a littler tighter and a lone tear rolled down her cheek.

"What was his name? Did she tell you?" Éomer asked and Madar nodded.

"Osfrid, she said his name was Osfrid." Avelina gasped quietly and looked down at the baby.

"I remember him," she whispered. Avelina closed her eyes and felt Éomer squeeze her shoulder as she was brought back all those years and to the healing halls of Minas Tirith.

Flashback

"How long has he gone unattended?" she asked tiredly and the young healer woman shook his head.

"I do not know," she said quickly before rushing over to another patient. Avelina rolled her eyes and kneeled next to the young solider she could tell hailed from Rohan. He was shivering and she raised her hand to his forehead and cursed quietly.

"Open your eyes," she said quietly and he slowly did so. "Tell me your name." He took a shallow breath.

"Osfrid," he said breathlessly. Avelina nodded.

"My name is Avelina and I'm going to take care of you Osfrid." His eyes met hers and she gave him a small smile. "I promise Osfrid, I won't let you die."

"I know you won't . . . your ride with Lord Éomer . . . only the best ride with him," he said slowly before he lost consciousness.

End Flashback

"Avelina," Éomer said and she looked at him.

"He was a rider from the Westfold. He had gone unattended for too long and infection had spread, he would have died had I had not treated him. When I told him I wouldn't let him die, he said he knew I wouldn't because I rode with you and only the best ride with you. I never really knew what he meant, but . . .," she trailed off and looked down at the baby who had sometime fallen asleep.

"It is alright, Avelina, in a way he has repaid you," Éomer said as he raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair. Avelina looked up at him again and smiled and nodded.

"What shall you call him?" Cynwise asked with her own tears in her eyes.

"Euric," Avelina whispered and Éomer looked at her and smiled with a nod.

"He shall be called Euric," Éomer said Avelina laid her head on his shoulder. Everything seemed so surreal. Avelina held little Euric close to her chest and Éomer wrapped his arms around her. She said a silent prayer for Acha and thanked her for giving her something that she could no longer give herself. "We will make it official in the morning, but now I would suggest that we retire." Avelina looked up at him and nodded her head with a small smile playing her lips. However, Éomer could not help but notice the slight worry that laid deep within the depths of her eyes. He knew he would find little rest but he did not care, his wife needed him and she would keep him up with endless questions and concerns, but as usual he did not care.