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From:

withoutswords

Having Faramir to lean against is a help, not least as he can support her arms, for Eowyn is wearied to the bone. If his breath tickles her bare shoulders, that is a small price to pay. She snorts a little at his comment, for she does not feel a natural at this at all, though it seems to go well so far. And it is...not unpleasant, despite the hard suction. The softness of Elboron's skin is a wonder to her.

The healer's assistant is watching with a critical eye. "After this, you are to feed yourself and sleep further, my lady," she says, in a voice that strives to match Elana's brisk, not-to-be-gainsaid tones, and does not quite manage. "You can't hope to feed your little one unless you care for yourself as well, and you have healing to do!"

She looks at Faramir as she says this, her eyes pleading a little. Eowyn is notorious for working until she drops, and she lost no small amount of blood. Truthfully the apprentice suspects Mistress Elana would not permit this at all, not until Eowyn is in better shape herself.

From:

theywhowait

Faramir smiles reassuringly at the assistant.

"We will abide by the healer's restrictions." He assures her. "We both have some practice in doing so!"

Not necessarily well, or willingly, of course.

"And I will support her in whate'er she needs."

From:

withoutswords

Truthfully, Eowyn does not hear much of this exchange. She is still looking down at Elboron, leaning her head back against Faramir's shoulder as she does, her eyes heavy-lidded. After a few minutes she feels someone--the wet nurse?--try to take the babe from her arms, and protests, pulling him back.

But they only wish to switch sides, and that seems to make sense to her, so she settles and permits it. She strokes Elboron's head as he latches on once more. Dimly, she's aware of people speaking, but she cares little for it. All is well, even though she is so tired...for the second time that morning, Eowyn falls asleep while leaning on her husband, so deeply that she does not wake when eventually Elboron is returned to the wet nurse's care, nor when Faramir himself moves.

From:

theywhowait

Faramir watches as she falls asleep in his arms, as Elboron also settles, belly full and comforted. He thanks the wet nurse in a low voice and shifts them both to lie down, Eowyn cradled still in his arms so that he can be here when she wakes.

From:

withoutswords

When she does wake it is slow, far slower than her usual wont, and she feels awful. Her limbs are weak and her head pounding. She licks chapped lips and tries to speak, but it comes out as more of a groan.

From:

theywhowait

"Eowyn?" He stirs himself awake at the sound. "What do you need, my love?"

From:

withoutswords

She swallows a few times. "Water." It's still more a croak than a word.

He must help her drink it, and she is clearly annoyed by her own inability. She cannot even sit on her own. "This will not do," she mutters, glowering at her hands. "What happened, to weaken me so? I know childbirth is difficult, but this seems extreme."

From:

theywhowait

"Give me a moment." He nods and wriggles free, padding over to the nearby table where someone has kindly left them a jug and cups.

"I was told you bled heavily, which is doubtless the cause for your weariness." He brings her the cup. "But that you are out of danger, and I should not worry." he says the last with a wry acknowledgement of his tendency to do exactly that.

From:

withoutswords

She frowns, considering this as she drinks further. "I do not remember," she finally admits. "I have heard of such things happening, though I have not seen it myself."

For of course she has assisted at several births by now, as part of her training. And in the interests of research.

She looks up at Faramir, seeing him clearly for the first time since their interrupted dinner of...how long ago? Was it only the previous day? It seems far longer. And he looks exhausted, with careworn lines on his face despite his words of comfort. She can only imagine how she herself must look. The labour went on until dawn, she remembers. And what happened after the point where she no longer remembers?

"I frightened thee," Eowyn murmurs, only now realizing that he has had real reason for his fear this time, instead of the overweening hovering he has done for the past several months. She has heard more than one tale of a new mother bleeding herself out after a birth. Slowly--too slowly, for moving is so difficult!--she reaches for his hand, stroking the side of it with her thumb. "I am sorry, mðdleóf."

From:

theywhowait

"You were a little occupied." He nods, holding her close.

"You did." He murmurs. "I feared, but you are stronger than I."

From:

withoutswords

She sighs and closes her eyes, relaxing in the embrace, both giving and taking comfort from it. They lie together in silence for a time, grounding themselves in each other's presence.

"Well, is the result worth the effort?" Eowyn says finally, moving back a little so she may see his face. She wears a small smile. "Are you pleased with your son? Where is he?"

From:

theywhowait

He smiles back, moving to get up.

"Well, you certainly thought so last night! But then, you were half asleep, at the time. The wet-nurse took him so that you could get some actual rest - I will fetch him, so that you can look at him in the light of day."

From:

withoutswords

She grimaces just a little, for she remembers holding their son, remembers the name Faramir has given him, but beyond that she remembers little. It is a blur of exhaustion and pain and wonder all mixed. There is still pain, in truth, though she has not mentioned it.

But at that moment there is a light knock on the door, who proves to be one of the healers checking on them--not an apprentice this time, but an older woman, and behind her are servants bearing water and food and cloth. She reminds Eowyn and Faramir both that the lady has not eaten anything since the long hours of waiting before Elboron was born, and she will not heal if she does not eat as well as rest. Elboron sleeps for the moment, and she will do better to tend to her own needs before having him brought.

Eowyn wants to see her son, and her stubbornness is proverbial, but she has learned the perils of ignoring a healer's orders, not least because she expects obedience herself when it is she who gives such orders. So with a grimace, she submits, both to food and to an examination, and to a modicrum of cleaning such as can be accomplished while she is bedbound. And she does feel better for the last, and for a clean nightgown.

Faramir once more helps her to a sitting position, and she answers questions, including admitting to her pain and how drained she is. She and Faramir are both given strict orders as to her tending, what to eat, how long she is to wait before she tries moving, various activities she is absolutely not to attempt for some weeks (including, to Eowyn's utmost annoyance, riding a horse).

It takes more than a little time, and she looks more and more annoyed as the time goes on, for it all drains what energy she has. She only brightens when a soft cry from outside indicates that Elboron is awake, and being brought. Eowyn at once sets aside what is left of her broth and bread, her eyes fixed on the doorway.

From:

theywhowait

Faramir spends most of this time quiet, listening to what he can do to help her and agreeing with the midwives, deflecting when he can to prevent Eowyn's temper being pushed too far. It's information they need to know, and he quietly vows to take as much of the burden on himself as he can, but there are parts to motherhood that only a mother knows.

He smiles as Eowyn sits up, eyes fond as he moves to get up and fetch their son from the wet nurse to bring him to her.

"Good morning, Elboron." He offers his son a gentle finger, but is rejected with a wail.

"Ai! I think someone wants his mother." He adds wryly, returning to her side.

From:

withoutswords

Eowyn is by now impatient and tired almost to the point of petulance, despite Faramir's gentle maneuverings. Fortunately the healers give each other a glance, and then another pointed glance at Faramir, a silent Make sure your lady wife finishes that meal and does not push herself too hard!, before taking themselves away again for a time to leave the new family in peace.

Eowyn smiles a little. "I think someone wants his milk, and does not yet know who I am," she says instead, unlacing the front of her gown before reaching to take the babe. It takes a few attempts before he latches on properly, and she winces a little when he does. "Ai, yes, I fear I was too right!"

From:

theywhowait

He settles back behind her so she can lean against him and he can watch them.

"Well, he will learn soon enough who he needs for that! Are you still hungry, my love? I can help you if you are."

From:

withoutswords

"No," she says. It sounds more irritable than she intended, and she sighs, leaning her head back in a silent apology. "I am not. But I know I should be. Still, I would rather not be spoon-fed like an invalid. Let it wait until Elboron has his fill."

She stares at their baby's face. His eyes are scrunched shut in concentration, and it is hard to see much of his features. Still, she runs a light finger along his forehead, around his earlobe. There is a dark dusting of hair on his head, showing his father's heritage. "This is very strange," she says quietly, after a long time. "To have waited so long for this moment, and finally to have arrived at it."

From:

theywhowait

He kisses her shoulder fondly.

"I am not upset." He assures her. "You are tired and you patience sorely taxed. There is no rush."

He settles to watch, quietly content, and makes a soft sound of understanding.

"It is, aye. I can scarce believe tis real! But you are warm in my arms now, as he was last night."

From:

withoutswords

She sighs, relaxing a little further against him. "I am fortunate, to have so understanding a husband." She turns her head and kisses his chin, which is the point nearest to her. "I am...very weary, I admit it, and my stomach is churning. I need more rest. But let me tend our son first, as I may."

One other thing the healers pointed out was that she will likely not have much milk of her own, not after such a difficult birth and with much healing of her own to do. Eowyn knows most noblewomen of Gondor would not attempt this at all even without those difficulties, but would rely on a wet nurse. It only makes her all the more determined. What she can do, she will do, even if it is difficult.

She shivers, however. "I do not feel warm," she admits, for she is chilled. "Though you do, and I am glad of it."

From:

theywhowait

He smiles at her, arms tightening comfortingly.

"I could do little enough during the birth! Tis my honor to support you now, little as I can do here, either."

He nods, reminding her, "Tis probably the blood loss. Time will mend that, I am sure. Time, rest, and good food, as we have both been reminded multiple times today."

From:

withoutswords

"I know it. I have treated it often enough, by now." She sounds a little rueful now, at least, instead of only irritated; Eowyn is aware she is still a poor patient. Greater knowledge has improved her understanding but done only a little for her patience in such matters.

There is a pause as Elboron suddenly protests, and with some effort (and some assistance) she manages to shift so he may change sides, and within a few moments he is latched on to the other side, and she sighs and relaxes again against her husband's arm. "Will this be one of your official duties now, then?" she says, her mind wandering a little from exhaustion. "To be my support as I feed our son? You are more comfortable to lie against than most other furniture, it is true." She turns her head and smiles up at him.

From:

theywhowait

He grins back at her.

"I would like it to be. We should make it official! That the lord and lady of Ithilien are to spend this time together and not be disturbed."

From:

withoutswords

She snorts, but smiles. "You are unaware of how disruptive babies are, my lord, and how often they must be fed, if you think that a wise course. It is appealing but I fear will not be practical."

From:

theywhowait

"It would save us a good deal of bother!" He points out merrily, but she's right and he knows it. "I suppose we could compromise on only part of the time."

From:

withoutswords

She chuckles, turning her head a little further to kiss him. "Any time you wish to aid me in this, my lord, your assistance will be most welcome. Though you may not thank me if it is before dawn, and the third time that night, or worse."