I woke up the next morning feeling much better than I did the day before. The moon was still up, as it was at its highest peak. The air was cool flowing through the open crack of my stained glass window as my head rested against my pillow.

I felt exhausted from all the training I did yesterday but I could feel I was growing stronger day by day, so I knew it was worth it. What I worried was how much essence Théoden was utilizing but I knew he would never tell me if he was truly exhausted.

I peeked into his vision briefly but popped out instantly as I could see he was still sleeping. Despite being in his elven form he could choose the four hour rest or rest well past that given his true nature.

So, this morning, I let him sleep in for a while as I allowed the cool air to flow over my skin. I could sense it was going to be a stormy day today as the air felt heavier and as if it had an electrical charge to it.

It did storm about once a week here as those that monitored the climate made sure it rained at least once a week during the Summer months to aid in crop growth. Since this was the middle of the second week of Summer, this was the first storm of the Summer.

I for one always loved the weekly Summer storm. As it brought me a bit of peace as the rain always felt cool against my skin.

As I rested against my bed within thirty minutes I soon began to hear the pitter patter of rain against my window.

“First weeks of Summer…already coming to a close.” I murmured as I shook my head. Two weeks…not just one but two as I thought about it more and more. The first week was the Summer Crest Festival then the second week was almost complete. As it was half way through at this point.

“I guess time flies when you keep yourself busy…” I muttered as I decided after an hour of resting I needed to get out of bed.

With the storm brewing outside I slipped on a pair of black jeans and a sea green dress top. I grabbed a jacket from the back of my wardrobe and threw it in my bag of holding. Once I was dressed, I brushed my hair and wore it up today as I didn’t want the rain to ruin my hair.

I walked my way down to the kitchen where Roland was sitting stuff up for breakfast. “Is Théoden going to join us today?”

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“I don’t know. I felt his tiredness through the bond, so I was letting him sleep.”

“Letting me sleep?” I heard Théoden's voice as his I heard his footsteps approach me from behind and wrap me in a firm but gentle hug and fell beside me soon after.

I looked over at him with a soft smile, “I wanted to let you sleep. I could sense you were exhausted.”

He sighed, “I am fine Maria. I appreciate the rest but I do have a job to do as well.”

He took his seat at the table and poured him a cup of tea and added a few sugar cubes to it. “What?” He questioned as Roland and I both stared at him for this.

“Sugar in your tea?” I pointed to the cup of tea in his hand.

“Just an extra boost.” He shrugged, “I know I typically don’t consume sugar but I promise you I am fine.”

I narrowed my eyes at him and searched the bond for more answers. I could sense he was telling the truth but I could also sense he was at least tired not in the lack of essence but mentally tired.

“Do I need to condemn you to bedrest for a day?”

His eyes went wide, “Anything but….” he stopped and I could tell the more and more he thought about bed rest the more and more he liked the idea. “Will you be my nurse?”

Okay…I was wrong. He liked that idea more. I sighed, “If it means you get the proper rest you need.”

“Deal.” He said, “Let me stop by my office first…”

“Nope. Bed.” I ordered him as I pointed towards the door he entered through. “I’ll bring you your breakfast and I will get in touch with the elite guards and let them know you are resting for a day.”

“Should I just have them gather in my office?”

I thought about it, “Sure. But you will be in bed.” I looked over at Roland, “Make sure he stays there when I am out?”

Roland nodded, “Of course.”

“Great. I will meet with them all in six hours then let them know you are resting.”

Théoden let out a sigh and walked back to the door he just left, “I am fine you know. It is alright to be a bit exhausted.”

I rolled my eyes, “If it was me, you would be ordering me to my bed as well.”

“Fair point.” He walked back to his bedchambers without another word. I could tell he wasn’t exactly happy with this decision but I could tell his body needed it. He may be in Elf form and can tolerate the four hours of sleep every night but he is still a dragon and still needs a full eight hours every now and then. Especially with the amount of strain he was putting upon both his body and mind.

Within minutes of Théoden returning to his room, I felt him drift off to sleep. "Mhm, not exhausted at all are we?" I joked as I watched him sleep through the bond. He was adorable as he slept. His brown hair falling across his face. His slow breaths as his muscled chest rose and fell. The slight quiver of his lip as he dreamt about the world around him. He may be a several hundred years old but watching him sleep is something I will never get tired of.