A/N: For a while I had thought to add a new chapter in-between here but and the last but...shrug It's not getting written so I'm going with the way I originally wrote it.

Gondor, S.R. 1430

'Mother! Mama!' a voiced called, disrupting the comforting silence of the sunned out room.

Turning in response to the call Kiearâ was tackled by a small form, clinging to her waist as she sat stunned in a wooden chair near the opened window. She always liked to spend her time that way. She could work on a new travel manuscript or something else perhaps and still enjoy the fresh air. Smiling after a moment, she patted his head as he stared up at her, his eyes bright with annoyance. Resting his small chin on her knee he peered up at her.

'Whatcha working on Mother?' he asked, as though forgetting his previous question.

Grinning she leaned down to him, rubbing noses with him saying nothing other than, 'Work. Just work Kellehgêr, dear.'

Sighing, he climbed into her lap.

'Don't mind if I do?' she heard him mutter. She laughed. No she didn't mind. And he knew so. Putting aside her writing she held him more securely and asked, 'What was it that brought you here in such a hurry?'

He shrugged seeming unsure of the response he would get from her. She shrugged back in response. Amused by his silent approach, she hugged him a moment as he struggled faintly in annoyance.

'Come now, you didn't just come here to torment your mother now did you?' She raised an eyebrow as though suspicious suddenly. 'Did you?'

When he didn't answer, she tickled him gently under the chin, watching him laugh the way Pippin had when she had last seen him. Grinning warily at her, he said, 'Oh don't be silly mother, I didn't come to see you!'

Slightly engaged by that response Kiearâ murmured under her breath.

'I'm so flattered dear…'

Kelleghêr just giggled, jumping up and down on her lap. Steadying him a bit more she continued to wait. After taking a couple deep breaths, which she was sure was to prepare himself, for the telling of his shocking or intense news that he had either discovered or learned today while out playing.

She sighed. She often wished that things would come easier for him. He was much more…mature in some ways than the other children his age. He was much better mannered, but at the same time, more likely to ask what most children might consider improper questions at perhaps improper times. He was never afraid to say what he thought. Though he was always a treat to be around, judging by his many friends, he had little in common with them, in terms of similar mind set. He was stubborn for a five-year-old! It amazed her sometimes, though no matter what he did, she always thought it was a marvel. Her mother had warned her not to be too lenient to a boy as rambunctious as Kellehgêr was, but she couldn't help it really, he was just being himself after all. How could she restrain that? How absurd…

After composing himself properly, he finally opened his mouth, then shut it. He looked thoughtful a moment, his blue eyes pondering. He tugged on her sleeve.

'Mama? Is it all right if I ask you something?'

Smiling, she hugged him again.

'Of course it is, dear. That's why you're here isn't it?'

He nodded slowly.

She continued to wait. As she waited, she watched him weigh the question carefully in his mind, sizing it up so to speak. Vërtainir had taught Kelleghêr that words were power and had to be used just right. He seemed to take Vërtainir very seriously much to Kiearâ's surprise sometimes. Finally, he blurted it out, apparently deciding that now was the right time to ask this particular question.

'Mother who…I mean I did have a father didn't I?'

Taken off guard by the question, Kiearâ just blinked and nodded rather numbly.

'Well…you see we were playing this game you see…'

Even his words were mature for the average five-year-old, she mused to herself as her son continued on.

'I suppose what I'm asking is really…well who is he? Is he dead? Is that it? Why don't you ever talk about it? Whatever happened?'

His questions washed over her, hitting her like a cold, icy wave making her shiver inside and out. She had…tried not to think of it. She was better for it. For her lack of remembering. It was better not to remember sometimes, though sometimes it was all she had to keep on smiling. She tilted her head slightly remembering it all.

'Mother?'

Kelleghêr's worried voice echoed in her mind. Turning her attention back to him, she saw him looking up at her with an expression between worried and bemusement on his face.

'What is it Mother? Is it bad? Is that it? Was he a bad man?'

Kiearâ blinked.

'No. No, he wasn't. He was wonderful.'

Kelleghêr looked puzzled. Watching her curiously he asked, 'Then why isn't he here?'

Kiearâ sighed.

'He couldn't come. He wasn't allowed.'