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Deliveries and Secrets

It had been five years since Boromir and I had been married and Ithilien was finally thriving. I say finally because to me it had seemed as though it had taken forever, even though, comparatively, it had become an actual Realm in a very short time.

The center of the capital was swarming every day with men of all kinds. Everything you could possibly imagine was sold in the marketplace. It seemed there was no corner of Arda that Gondor and its Realms could not reach. I had become spoiled. I bathed every day using scented sandalwood oil from Harad, dressed myself in the finest silks brought to me by the Easterlings, put a dab of elanor perfume on my wrists and neck from the forests of Lorien, and adorned myself with jewels from the Glittering Caves. Boromir spoiled me rotten because the land over which he ruled was so profitable.

We still spent all time possible with each other and surprisingly after the strenuous five years that we had endured rearing a Realm we were still as in love with each other as the day we wed. Even though Boromir had to spend much time away from me, as ruling was a very time consuming task, I had one companion who I could not be more thankful for.

My sister Edi and her small family had moved to Ithilien after Boromir had offered her husband a position overseeing the marketplace. It was not just nepotism because my brother-in-law proved very capable at his job. Though some theft and other small problems occurred, my brother-in-law kept Ithilien's losses to the absolute minimum. I spent many days with Edi and my niece, who had grown quite a bit.

One morning late in the spring I woke in Boromir's arms, the sheet tangled around our waists. I knew he was awake as well. I could just tell such things without even having to look at his eyes.

"What are you going to do today, Lady Lindy?" He whispered huskily in my ear.

"Well, my lord, the kitchens are running low on several of your favorite things so I thought I would go into the market and take care of that," I responded, bringing my shoulder to my cheek as his chin stubble tickled my neck.

"But my favorite thing, the one thing that really stimulates my appetite is right here lying next to me," he growled in my ear.

"Oh Boromir, stop," I laughed, prying his arms off of me and slipping out of bed. When I looked back at him, he was frowning at me.

"Lindy, is everything all right?" He asked.

"Of course it is," I shrugged his question off. "Why would it not be?"

"You have been denying my advances for several days now. It just is not you. Are you ill?" He seemed genuinely concerned for my health and I felt bad for a moment.

"No, Boromir. I am fine, I assure you, but today I really must get a few things done." I shut the bathroom door and proceeded to get ready for the day. When I emerged, Boromir was no longer in our room and I assumed that he had gone to begin his day as well.

I met Edi in the dining room and we proceeded out into the marketplace together, baskets slung over our arms. We said hello to almost everyone as the pair of us were frequent visitors to the marketplace and had dealings with almost all of the merchants.

"We shall be travelling to Dol Amroth next week," I informed Edi. She nodded. The trip had been planned for a while. We would be going there for the betrothal ceremony of Boromir's cousin, Lothiriel, to Eomer, King of Rohan. We would be staying for a while after the ceremony as Boromir said we deserved to get away for a while.

"I believe you both need to get away. Ithilien is practically running on its own and there has never been a better time to get away."

Before she could say more, Pippin came flying by. I blinked a few times to make sure it was him and it was. "Pippin!" I called.

The Hobbit skidded to a halt and turned to see who was calling his name. "Lindy!" He exclaimed, hustling back to us. "I was just on my way to find you! Boromir said you would be in the market."

"Is everything alright?" Edi asked quickly.

"Diamond has gone into labor!" He gave us a huge smile. The Tooks, I knew, were expecting their first child.

"Shall I send a Healer to assist her?" I asked Pippin. There was quite the selection of Healers then in Ithilien.

"Actually I was hoping you would deliver the baby, Lindy, since you are a Healer." Pippin looked at me pleadingly.

"I was a Healer," I corrected him. "It has been quite some time since I have delivered any babies."

"It would be mean the world to me. And I know that you still have the knowledge to do so," Pippin urged me.

I sighed. "Alright. If it is what you wish."

Pippin beamed and took my hand, dragging me back to my own home where Diamond and Pippin were staying. Edi had come with me and Pippin showed us into one of my guest rooms. I could hear the grunts and moans of a woman in labor and we made our way to the bedroom.

The young Hobbit was lying on the humongous bed, sheets clenched in her fists, and sweat drenching her light hair and dripping down her face.

"Diamond," Pippin said, rushing to his wife's side. "This is Lady Lindy. She's a Healer."

The Hobbit lass stopped fighting the pain to look between her husband and me in shock. "Milady," she said uncertainly.

"I will not have any of that. I am simply Lindy and I am here to help you bring this child into the world." I looked at Pippin. "She is in good hands, Master Hobbit." I smiled encouragingly at him and turned away as they shared a last private moment together before their lives would change forever.

"Edi, fetch some towels and a basin of the hottest water you can get." I then looked up at Diamond as I crawled atop the huge bed so I could get into position. "Don't worry. You shall have a babe in your arms in no time."

Four hours later I was wiping my hands on a towel and smiling at the new family. Pippin had crawled onto the bed and had Diamond, who was cradling their son, snuggled into his side.

"What shall you call your son?" Diamond asked him.

Pippin thought for a moment. "What do you think about Faramir? He was the best man I have ever known."

I smiled. Boromir's brother was a truly incredible man whom I was quite fond of. "He will be honored," I said quietly.

"Please bring Boromir by to meet our son when you have some time," Pippin said.

"Of course. I shall let you all get settled."

As Edi and I walked down the hall toward a common room, she nudged me. "So has today's events made you want to share your own news with your husband? You're showing for the love of Bema!"

I sighed, but ignored the comment.

ooooOoooo

Most of our journey to Dol Amroth consisted of Boromir talking about little Faramir. We had gone to visit the Tooks that very night after everyone was cleaned and rested and it had been very difficult to pry to the baby Hobbit from my husband's arms.

While Boromir rambled on and on I thought of my own condition. Edi had been right. I was beginning to show the usual little bump of an early pregnancy and she and I had worked hard to make dresses that did not show it. We did the sewing because I did not want even the servants to know that I was expecting. I had not wanted Boromir to find out until I was absolutely positive. Everything in Ithilien was going so well and I knew that the only thing that was needed was an heir. However, I did not want to diminish Boromir's current success by having a failed pregnancy so I had waited almost four months to tell him.

We arrived in Dol Amroth and were greeted by the royal family. I had met them briefly at our wedding, but none had been able to stay long.

The bride-to-be was simply radiant. Lothiriel with her long, flowing black hair stood next to her giant betrothed, Eomer-King.

"Lindy, it is so good to see you again! I have so been looking forward to getting to spend more time with you!" Lothiriel was beaming and I could not help but to join her.

Our time in Dol Amroth was blissful. Everyone was in jovial spirits. The day that Lothiriel was to be taken to Rohan she woke me very early and asked if I would walk down by the water with her. Before visiting her Realm, I had never seen the sea before and every day I got in it. It was mesmerizing in its beautiful power.

"Lindy, might I ask you some advice?" Lothiriel asked nervously.

"Of course. Anything."

She hesitated. "I am nervous."

"Whatever for?" I asked. "Certainly not to be married. You love Eomer and he you. I can see it plain as day on both of your faces."

"No of course not. I cannot wait to be his wife in name," she murmured.

"In name? What do you mean?"

"What about the duties required of me?"

I looked at her for a moment until I understood. I had to laugh. "You mean the wedding night?"

Lothiriel blushed furiously, but nodded. "I do not know a thing about it."

"And you are not supposed to. That part of a wedding is a journey of discovery for you and Eomer to go on together. You love each other so much there is no way you cannot enjoy that facet of your marriage. There is nothing to be afraid of. Eomer cares deeply for you, he could not hurt you."

Lothiriel hugged me. "Thank you, Lindy!" She began to head back to the palace to pack. "Oh and congratulations!"

Boromir were taking a stroll on the evening before we were to leave. He found a nice secluded spot and laid the blanket that he had brought down. He then sat and pulled me between his legs.

"This used to be my favorite spot." Boromir said quietly. "We would visit every summer because my mother, as you know, was a Princess of Dol Amroth, and she would bring us on picnics to this exact spot." His voice became somber speaking of his mother.

"She would be so proud of you, Boromir, I know it." I said, turning to look at it.

"I can only hope so," he said quietly. I let him drift into a thoughtful silence for a while. Finally I got the courage to do what I had been planning since we had left.

"Boromir," I said tentatively.

"Yes Lindy?"

"I have something I want to tell you." My mouth went dry and my hand got clammy.

"And what is that?" He asked curiously.

I took his hands and placed them on the small bump that was his child. "I am expecting."


I hope you liked it. I would love to hear from you. No hate comments or flames please!

Happy reading,

Avonmora