Steward's Drabbles

Sons and Daughters

A delighted squeak reaches us in our parlor. Faramir looks at me and grins.

“The boy is enjoying it properly,” he says. “It is so good you thought of it.”

I grin back, turning away from the window. Elboron, stark naked, is splashing happily in a big wooden tub filled with water.

Well, it was filled with water a very short while ago. Now, only half of what was poured to warm in the sun for him to play in remains.

The boy…

“Éowyn?”

There is concern in my husband’s voice. I keep forgetting how easily he sees into my very heart.

I come closer and sit down at his feet, resting my head in his lap.

“I am so glad the war is over…” I blurt out suddenly.

Faramir slides down from his chair to sit on the floor beside me.

“Why, love?”

“Because mothers can have sons and not live dreading the day when they ride off to battle,” I answer.

“It is good indeed,” I hear, and catch a slight amused quiver in his voice. I have learned to read him too.

He winks conspiratorially and whispers in my ear, “Because it is no better with daughters.”