Flawed Diamond 1: A long-kept secret
The Shire 1428 (summer)
The young wife of the Took heir tossed in her sleep and visions of events from the invasion years earlier tormented her sleeping mind.
"Diamond," Pippin whispered, "What is wrong, sweetheart? You are crying. Please wake up."
Her husband's gentle hand stroked her damp cheek. She snuggled closer to him and, although the night was warm, shivered in his arms. "It was just a nightmare, Pippin-love. I am sorry to have woken you."
Pippin kissed her on her forehead and said, "It is alight, sweeting. I have troubled you with enough of my own bad dreams."
Diamond relaxed slightly and waited until Pippin's breathing became deep and even before letting silent tears glide downs her cheeks. She did not sleep but gazed blankly at the moonlight and let old fears and new ones worry her brain like rats. "I can not tell him. He went through so much during his quest and now he has Paladin's failing health to concern him," she thought. A scolding inner voice admonished her further, "And you have neglected telling him this long, anyway. He would surely turn away from you in disgust if you told him now." Diamond had to struggle to swallow the sobs in her throat and it was a long time before sleep reclaimed her and the dreams returned.
When Diamond awoke, the sun was bright in the sky and, with great harshness, revealed the bruise-like purple hollows under her eyes and her slightly sunken cheeks. A cheerful-seeming but obviously worried Pippin came in bearing a tray of breakfast.
"I am sorry to cause you so much trouble and worry, dearest," she said.
Pippin smiled at her and said, "It is no trouble, my jewel." He looked at her face with barely concealed alarm, stifled a gasp, sat on the bed next to her, and said, "I think I really need to call the healer. I won't take any chances with your health, especially now."
Diamond unconsciously stroked her pregnant belly. This was their second attempt at a child. Her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. She almost told Pippin then but in the end, kept her secret. She was rather far along now but it was not going well. However, she was determined to hold onto this baby. "It is no wonder I have old wounds coming to the surface when I am in this state," she thought. She looked at her husband and said, "Yes. You are right as always, beloved. Please also send for my friend Rosemary. I need her company."
The young wife of the Took heir tossed in her sleep and visions of events from the invasion years earlier tormented her sleeping mind.
"Diamond," Pippin whispered, "What is wrong, sweetheart? You are crying. Please wake up."
Her husband's gentle hand stroked her damp cheek. She snuggled closer to him and, although the night was warm, shivered in his arms. "It was just a nightmare, Pippin-love. I am sorry to have woken you."
Pippin kissed her on her forehead and said, "It is alight, sweeting. I have troubled you with enough of my own bad dreams."
Diamond relaxed slightly and waited until Pippin's breathing became deep and even before letting silent tears glide downs her cheeks. She did not sleep but gazed blankly at the moonlight and let old fears and new ones worry her brain like rats. "I can not tell him. He went through so much during his quest and now he has Paladin's failing health to concern him," she thought. A scolding inner voice admonished her further, "And you have neglected telling him this long, anyway. He would surely turn away from you in disgust if you told him now." Diamond had to struggle to swallow the sobs in her throat and it was a long time before sleep reclaimed her and the dreams returned.
When Diamond awoke, the sun was bright in the sky and, with great harshness, revealed the bruise-like purple hollows under her eyes and her slightly sunken cheeks. A cheerful-seeming but obviously worried Pippin came in bearing a tray of breakfast.
"I am sorry to cause you so much trouble and worry, dearest," she said.
Pippin smiled at her and said, "It is no trouble, my jewel." He looked at her face with barely concealed alarm, stifled a gasp, sat on the bed next to her, and said, "I think I really need to call the healer. I won't take any chances with your health, especially now."
Diamond unconsciously stroked her pregnant belly. This was their second attempt at a child. Her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. She almost told Pippin then but in the end, kept her secret. She was rather far along now but it was not going well. However, she was determined to hold onto this baby. "It is no wonder I have old wounds coming to the surface when I am in this state," she thought. She looked at her husband and said, "Yes. You are right as always, beloved. Please also send for my friend Rosemary. I need her company."