Sorry it took so long to update, with the holiday everything is in overdrive around here. I'll do my best to update tomorrow, I know I won't be able to update on Saturday, but maybe late on Sunday if not then, then I'll try for Monday. I hope you guys like this chapter and PLEASE read the author's note at the end! Thank you so very much for your reviews, as you know by now they mean the world!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 38

With one final scream from the room Éomer stood and looked at the heavy wooden door. Legolas frowned and put his hand on Éomer's shoulder as he looked at the doorway. He could tell something was wrong. He could hear Avelina's heavy breathing and the worried whispers of the healers. Éomer looked at Legolas and frowned. The elf's face was neutral but his eyes showed slight concern, and he knew that could not be good. The man's heart began to race as his eyes turned back to the door. No cries of a baby filled the air and the minutes that passed by seemed to take an eternity.

Twenty minutes after Avelina's final cry was heard the door was slowly opened. Madar looked at his king with sad eyes. The blood that graced his clothes, made Éomer's racing heart stop. Legolas' hand left his shoulder and the elf swallowed hard. Madar stepped forward and sighed heavily.

"My lord," his voice was choked but before he could continue Cynwise rushed out and put her hand on his forearm. She whispered to him, and Éomer looked at her face the woman's eyes were red from tears. Madar took a deep breath and nodded. She then turned to her king and motioned for him to follow her. He did so, and he knew the news that would meet his ears would not be good.

Avelina laid on the bed, her skin pale and her hair damp from the ordeal she had just gone through. She looked at him and he saw her eyes fill with tears. She reached a trembling hand out to him and he quickly took her small hand into his much larger one.

"Éomer," she said hoarsely and she cleared her throat. She took a deep breath and tilted her head up before she closed her eyes tightly. After a moment she looked at him and the tears rolled from her eyes. "We . . . we had a son, Éomer, but . . . he was too small," she said before a sob escaped her lips. Éomer's eyes filled with tears as he watched the pain that graced her face. "He could not breathe on his own," she managed before she struggled to pull herself up. Éomer realized she was trying to flee from him but he pulled her up to him and held her firmly in his arms. She sobbed opening against his shoulder as she tired to push away. "I am sorry. It is my fault he is dead," she said quietly through her tears. He shook his head and closed his eyes tightly letting his own tears fall.

"It is not your fault," he told her firmly his own pain heavy in his voice. He would not let her blame herself. She cried and shook her head against his shoulder before he pulled back and looked up at him.

"Madar said . . . he told me that I . . . I," she choked slightly with emotion and closed her eyes tightly as she shook her head once more. "I won't be able to carry another child. The labor was too hard," she whispered and opened her eyes. Éomer sighed and cupped her damp cheek. "I am no longer fit to be your wife, Éomer, I cannot bare you an heir." He pulled her flush to him, only being as gentle as he could be because she looked so frail he was frightened he would break her.

"Nothing will ever make you unfit to be my wife," he whispered. "We can still have a family. You'll see." She sighed and wrapped her weak limbs around him and held onto him with all the strength she could manage. She wanted to believe him and she silently prayed that that he was right.

Three weeks passed and Avelina was set up in her and Éomer's bed chamber. They had laid their sun to rest near his great uncle's tomb just two days after he had come into the world and passed. She was only able to attend because Éomer carried her and held her during the ceremony. Most of the village had been surprised that she had even left the golden hall, and when Cynwise had asked her if she thought it wise Avelina simply told her that she would not let her son pass into the heavens without saying a final good bye to the little boy she barely knew. They had named him Egric, and somehow she knew that Theoden would watch over him for her.

There was a soft knock on the door and Avelina looked up from the book she read and smiled at Legolas. "It is good to see you finally sitting up," he said gently as he walked over to the side of her bed. She closed the book and sighed.

"Madar said my strength is slowly returning and I should be able to move about on my own within the next week," she said. She had lost so much blood and her body had been so drained it was taking a great deal of time for her to heal. The elf nodded and Avelina looked at him closely. "I know you and Gimli are anxious to return to your travels, you do not have to stay. I am doing much better, your talks have soothed my heart as well as Éomer's and I know we will be fine." She gave him a small smile and he took her hand and squeezed it gently. He knew she would be fine, but he would always worry for her and Éomer.

"She's right you know," a deep voice said from the doorway and the two turned to the door and both grinned when they saw Éomer. He stepped into the room and Legolas stepped away from Avelina. Éomer sat down on the bed. She raised her hand and laced her fingers with his.

"I'll will talk with Gimli and see when he would like to set off again," Legolas said and the pair nodded. "I'll leave you two alone." Avelina laughed quietly when Legolas quickly left and she looked at Éomer. He sighed when her eyes met his and he freed his hand from hers. He raised his hand to her face and held her gently.

"It is good to see you smile again, little one," he said softly. She raised her hand and covered his hand with her own.

"My heart is lighter, but sometimes I cannot help but wish we did not lose him," she said as she pulled his hand from her face and held it firmly in her hands. He nodded understandably; he felt the same many times.

Time passed quickly for Avelina. Once she was able to get out of bed, she kept herself busy and did her best to ignore the sad expressions of the women of Edoras, but as the dawn of the second year since the loss of her child approached the saddened expressions left the women's faces and life in Edoras returned to normal.

However, one night as Avelina and Éomer sat in their sitting room talking quietly as the sun had long set and the night was well underway a soft knock echoed in their chamber. Éomer stood and walked over to the door to see Cynwise looking flustered but a slight joy in her eyes.

"My lord, my lady," she said quickly as Avelina joined Éomer at the door. "I know it is late, but do come quickly. I myself cannot believe my eyes. Quickly, please," she said before she rushed down the corridor. Avelina frowned as she watched the woman rush down the hall.

"What is going on?" she asked Éomer as she put her hand on his forearm. He shook his head.

"I do not know, but I do not think we should tarry," he said. Avelina met his eyes and nodded as she laced her fingers with his and the pair made their way down the corridors.

A/N: Okay, don't be angry with me, I promise there is a reason for my madness. I teared up a little writing this portion because this actually happened to someone close to me, she lost her baby and the doctor told her becauseof complicationsshe wouldn't be able to have any more children. So, this is my little tribute to her because I promise a happy ending like she and her husband ended up having.

Now, so far, Haldir is in the lead for my next story. He's got six votes while Boromir has one and Glorfindel has two. Voting is open until Monday, just FYI if any readers haven't shared their opinions.