Héodis woke the following morning to find herself in bed- now the second time she did not recall returning to her chambers only to wake in bed- and stretched as she slid her legs out from beneath the covers.

It was still in the wee hours of the morn, but she was an early riser so she would be unable to fall back asleep no matter how hard she tried. She dressed in something warmer than she had the day before, feeling a chill in the early morning air, then made her way to the kitchens.

It was nice to be able to get back into a "normal" routine again, one that she was more familiar with. She had enjoyed her apprenticeship, but she missed the familiarities of home. She moved about the kitchens, gathering what she needed to start making bread dough and breakfast for the royal family- smiling as she felt the smoothed and worn surfaces that she had grown so fond of. As she worked, she began to hum softly to herself while kneading the dough.

An early riser himself, Éomer was already awake and preparing himself for the day. As he stepped out of his chambers, he could hear a woman's quiet tune coming from the kitchens and went to investigate. Surprised to find who the voice belonged to, the young lord leaned against the doorway to listen as Heodis continued to sing, watching as she moved from the bread dough to stirring the pot before taking the skillet to the fire and adding in its contents.

"Grêne disma ûteweard norðlic sîdan wîdan and. Sê gyrwefenn setnes frêosan ðær and côl nðh. Sê snîwan, regn, ðêah hwæðere hâlettan swilc morgen. Man grîpan bêga fæle grîn besettan âhildan wýscan for ðyldian. Hit hê was uncûð toward mægwlite of hlêg blôma unlæd spîr sôðlic ðýfel. Hê hê indicates Ceahhetung lêoð neowol ge unsôfte recan bêga lið, âhwettan man slâwlîce ðêana fremian hê cynegold sweotol."

Héodis had so lost in her thoughts and song that she had yet to notice Eomer standing there in the doorway, but when she finally had, she jumped and dropped the dishes she was carrying.

"My lord, you shouldn't sneak up on people like that," she said, her hand over her heart for a moment before she squatted down to gather the fallen dishes. She was grateful that they were made of polished wood, else they would have broken and caused an even bigger mess.

"I apologize, that was not my intention," Éomer started, reaching down to grab the few dishes that had fallen near him. Bringing them over to her, he offered her a hand to help her stand before giving the dishes back to her. "I was passing by when I heard you singing."

Héodis' cheeks erupted in sunset red with embarrassment and she quickly turned away, trying to busy herself with something- anything- else. "D-Did you need something, my lord? Breakfast perhaps?"

"Breakfast would be welcomed," Éomer replied, taking a seat nearby.

Héodis busied herself with cooking, bringing over some morning tea for the young lord while he waited.

Éomer noticed that tea brewing had become more frequent in Meduseld, something that only happened since Heodis had come to Edoras. He had no complaints and often found himself feeling more energized or invigorated after drinking tea that she had brewed. As he sipped the tea she had brought to him, he noted a fruity blend that he was unfamiliar with.

"This tea," Héodis heard him say and turned to look at him. "Is it not to your liking? I could make something else if you'd like instead."

Éomer shook his head. "No, no, it is good, I was just going to ask what blend it is."

"Oh, um, it's a blend of dried fruit leaves and other herbs from the eastern lands. My mentor, Theria, spent much time studying there before settling down in Ethring," Héodis explained, turning her attention back towards cooking. "She taught me how to mix blends for tea, using the herbs native to the lands here in the Riddemark as well as those that would come through trade."

"You seem to have learned much from this Theria," Éomer noted, taking another sip and feeling the honeyed liquid slide down his throat.

Héodis nodded. "It was well worth taking that apprenticeship and I am confident that I can apply my newfound knowledge to my duties here in Edoras." She brought over a bowl of porridge and a plate of sausages, some eggs, and fried tomato slices. "Here you go, my lord."

"Thank you."

Héodis gave him a small bow of the head, then turned back to her work- checking on the bread dough she had made earlier. She kneaded it a final time, shaping it into a loaf before placing it on the tray to bake in the oven.

"Good morning," a voice came from the door.

Héodis and Éomer looked to see who it was and found Éowyn making her way sleepily to where her brother sat.

"Good morning, my lady, you're up rather early."

Éowyn massaged her temples and sighed. "Indeed, though I was I could have slept a bit longer."

"Bad dream?"

Éowyn nodded. "Héodis, do you-"

Héodis smiled and nodded, showing her the jar of the tea blend she knew Éowyn was requesting. "Right here, my lady."

"Ah, good," Éowyn said with a smile. "Could I trouble you for a pot of it? It would seem that Uncle has been restless himself, so this should ease his mind."

"Of course, my lady. Would you like some breakfast as well?"

"Please, that would be wonderful."

"Coming right up."

As Héodis went about preparing another pot for the requested tea and a plate of food for her ladyship, Éowyn turned to her brother and greeted him as well.

"Have these dreams been troubling you long, sister?"

"They come and go," Éowyn replied, leaning against her brother's shoulder. "Though, they seem to be worse as of late as Uncle's condition grows more troublesome."

"It does not seem that he will be getting better any time soon."

"If I may be so bold, my lord, my lady, I do have an herbal remedy that we could try," Héodis offered. "I did not go into the finer details of the matter, but I did ask Theria if there were something that would help an addled mind."

Éomer looked at her. "Will this work?"

Héodis shrugged. "I honestly don't know, as we do not know the root cause of the king's condition. However, this would at least help to clear his mind enough to focus. Unless this illness is driven by magik, that is, at which point the medicine would do little to combat it."

"It is worth a try."

"It would also help to ease any physical complications brought on by His Majesty's condition. The body and mind work together, so if one is suffering then they both will."

"How is the medicine prepared?"

"I can mix it in with his daily drink, alongside his other medicine. It should not have any adverse effects, but if the king shows any sign that the medicines do not work well when taken together, we can spread them out throughout the day and do one when he wakes while the other can be taken at night before he sleeps." Héodis wiped her hands on her apron and looked at the siblings. "This should be discussed with Prince Théodred, too, though. It is his father after all that we speak of."

"I will speak with our cousin upon his return later this week," Éomer said.

"Please do," Héodis replied, "because the sooner we can start this medicine, the sooner the king should start to recover."