"Always," she agrees, a little rueful. She strokes her belly. Truthfully she is not very hungry at the moment, between an all-over ache, and tiredness, and the particular pain in her lower back. But she knows better than to miss a meal. There were one or two times early on in her pregnancy when she fainted from not taking her hunger pangs seriously enough. Which no doubt contributed to Faramir's tendency to hover. She has no desire to repeat the experience.

But her breathing is easier today, which helps, and she takes a long drink of cool, clear water. No more alcohol, not for the past months; it makes the baby kick too much, and she is uncomfortable enough as it is. Also, he kicks enough as it is, every few minutes. "The nausea, I do not miss at all. But I do wonder if I am carrying a bucking foal rather than a baby." Eowyn winces at another, stronger one.