Éowyn watched him for several more minutes after he had fallen asleep. He was fully relaxed now and looked rather peaceful despite the lingering evidences of his hardships. But those would fade with time, she reminded herself, especially now that he was surrounded by the people he loved and the comforts of home. Carefully, she reached over, tugged the blanket closer to his injured shoulder, and gently tucked it under his arm. Then, with a sigh, she snuggled close to him and soon found herself asleep as well.
Sometime later, Éowyn woke suddenly. The shadows had changed some, she saw, but she did not feel as though she had slept very long. Faramir had not moved a bit in his sleep, she noticed. It was a wonderful feeling to wake up and find him next to her again, she thought. She lay quietly for a few moments, trying to figure out what had woken her, when she heard one of her babies cooing in the other room. She knew that if the twins were awake, Elboron was likely awake as well elsewhere.
She felt a tug on the blanket that hung down the side of the bed, and a moment later the cat appeared over the edge. “Hello Berúthiel,†she said quietly as the cat climbed over her hip and settled into the little gap between her and Faramir. Purring contentedly, the cat immediately lifted her front leg and began washing herself. “It does not take you long to return to your ways,†Éowyn observed, reaching down to stroke the cat’s head lightly. The cat rolled onto her back and swatted at Éowyn’s hand. “Be nice,†she chided the animal, drawing her hand back.
In the nursery, the coos turned to cries for attention now that both boys were awake and done entertaining themselves. Éowyn slipped out of bed and dressed quickly. She debated whether to wake Faramir, but soon decided to let him sleep. He sorely needed this rest. She brushed a kiss over his lips before going to the nursery. “Did you two have a good nap?†she asked her little ones as they grinned when they saw her. “Your Dadi is still taking his, so we will have to be quiet for awhile,†she continued. “But once he is awake you can talk and play with him as much as you want to.†She smiled as Meriadoc caught her finger and gripped it tightly.
After seeing to their needs, she tossed a blanket over her shoulder and took them to a sitting room a few doors down the corridor. There she found Elboron and RÃan building towers with some of his wooden blocks. With help from Rian, Eowyn soon had her other two children playing on the floor as well. Elboron squealed when his block-tower fell over suddenly, then laughed and scooted around to collect the pieces. “How long has he been awake?†Eowyn asked.
“Not very long,†Rian replied. “He wanted to go see the horses immediately, but when he found out you and his father were still asleep, he agreed to play inside instead.â€
“Where Dadi?†Elboron asked suddenly, as if only now realizing that just his mother had entered.
“He is still taking his nap,†Éowyn told him. “He was very—â€
“Go horses,†Elboron interrupted with a concerned expression.
Éowyn smiled patiently. “You will get to see the horses,†she said. “But your Dadi is very tired and needs a long nap before he is ready to see them. I will make sure that he takes you to see them once he is awake, all right?â€
Elboron seemed to weigh her words in his mind and then decide that her answer was satisfactory, for he returned to playing with his blocks, this time making a paddock for Horsey to run around in.
“Would you like something for lunch?†RÃan asked.
Éowyn hesitated. “I am a little hungry,†she admitted, “but I do not know how much longer Faramir will sleep, and I would like him to eat again before supper.†She paused, thinking. “Go inform the kitchens anyway. If he does not wake in time, we can always save some for him.â€
Soon after RÃan left with her task, Túrin stuck his head around the doorframe. “Aha! We found them, Voro,†he said. From his perch in his father’s arms, Vorondil peered around the edge, grinned, and then hid his face in Túrin’s tunic.
“When did you become shy?†Éowyn asked as Túrin brought him in and set him down on the floor with the rest of them. Éowyn reached over and ruffled the boy’s hair. “With the parents you have, I think it may be impossible for you to be shy.†He giggled and started crawling toward where Elboron was playing. Meanwhile, Túrin had lowered himself to the floor as well.
“You look much happier now,†Túrin said quietly after a few moments.
Éowyn flushed slightly. “I am,†she replied just as quietly and with a smile. “Last night I could not even dream that he was home, and now here he is, asleep and recovering his strength only a few doors away.†She shook her head slightly. “Happy does not begin to describe how I feel.â€
Hearing footsteps in the corridor, they both looked up to see Visilya walk in. “I heard you were in here,†she said, moving a nearby chair to sit behind Túrin. She continued speaking while she began rubbing his shoulders lightly. “I take it Faramir is still sleeping?†she asked. At Éowyn’s nod, she said, “That is best for now, I suppose. He definitely looked like he could use some sleep when he was out on the terrace.â€
“Sleep sounds good,†Túrin murmured, his head rolled forward as he enjoyed his wife’s massage.
“You have done nothing today to make you tired,†Visilya accused.
Éowyn chuckled at the pair’s bickering, then lifted Meriadoc into her lap and smoothed some stray strands of his hair. Peregrin was busy playing with his feet and sneaking glances at Túrin. Meanwhile, Vorondil was helping Elboron build a fence, or rather, he was examining the building materials carefully. “I think Elboron will miss Voro once he goes home,†Éowyn commented, watching the boys play with the blocks.
“They have made great playmates,†Visilya agreed. “But it will not be long before the twins are old enough to play like that. Voro only has himself at home.â€
“Then we shall have to visit soon after you go back,†Éowyn said. “It has been a long time since we were all there. I doubt Elboron even remembers his last visit.â€