Thanks for your reviews, this chapter may be a little slow, but let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 22: Peaceful Night
Ellethwen sighed as she slowly opened her eyes. The sky was dark outside of her window, but an arm was wrapped around her and a strong hand rested protectively on her stomach. She turned her head and looked over her shoulder to see Boromir sleeping soundly behind her. Ellethwen couldn't stop the smile t hat slowly formed on her lips as she turned and looked away from him but stayed where she laid.
Boromir inhaled deeply and sighed when the soft scent of lavender filled his senses. He opened his eyes and the sight of Ellethwen's dark hair met his eyes. He smiled and kissed the back of her head only to have her head turn her head and look at him.
"Hello," she said softly and he sat up. He looked down at her as she smiled at him.
"Hello," he said before he leaned down and kissed her softly, keeping his hand on her stomach. He pulled back from their kiss and she sighed as she too sat up but she stood from the bed. Boromir stood and looked down at her with questioning eyes.
"He does not like me to lay in bed when I am awake, he always seems to be able to tell, and he likes to kick and move about until I do get up," she explained and Boromir smiled and laughed softly. He looked out the window and then at Ellethwen.
"It seems as if we've slept the afternoon away," Boromir said. Ellethwen nodded but embraced him as tightly as she could.
"Yes, but something tells me both of us needed the rest." Boromir raised his hands to the back of her head and nodded. She pulled back slightly and looked up at him with a smile. "Stay here, I'm going to get us something to eat." Boromir opened his mouth to speak but she pulled away and put her fingers to his lips. "No arguments, I need the walk." She raised up and kissed his lips softly before she waddled away from him and out into the dark corridors. Boromir sighed and sat down on the bed to wait for Ellethwen to return.
Ellethwen walked into the kitchen and halted when she saw Aragorn standing there with a plate of bread, cheese, and a goblet of water. "Oh," she said slightly startled. Aragorn smiled and bowed his head.
"Good evening, my lady," he said and Ellethwen blushed and shook her head.
"I'm not a lady, my lord, I am a maid in this house," she replied quickly and out of habit. Aragorn raised and eyebrow and sat down his plate and goblet.
"But you are, you are married to a Lord of Gondor, so you are a lady." Ellethwen sighed and looked down at her stomach. She ran a hand down the fabric and looked back up at him with a smile.
"Perhaps you are right," she said quietly as she walked further into the kitchen pulling out two pieces of dried meat, cheese, and bread. She looked at Aragorn and pulled another piece of dry meat. She held it out to him and he bowed his head in thanks as he took it. "Don't worry, it's good. I helped make it myself," she said as she put the extra items away. Aragorn chuckled and Ellethwen smiled as she arranged her and Boromir's plates.
"He never spoke of you," Aragorn said and Ellethwen looked at him.
"I had not expected him to. We were bound only a week before he set off for Rivendell," Ellethwen said. "Our time together was brief, and I assumed, knowing the man that he is, he would keep our union secret and share the knowledge of it with very few. He is a proud man, one that keeps the things he holds dear close at hand." Aragorn nodded, he knew what she spoke of for he often did it himself. "Our child was a pleasant surprise for me long after he left. He did not know."
"He knew before we arrived," Aragorn said and Ellethwen looked at him. "We met Éomer on our journey and he expressed his concerns for you." Ellethwen nodded.
"Éomer is much like his cousin was in that respect. The two of them took on the task of watching over me as well, when I was only a maid." Ellethwen gave him a small smile before she turned and grasped two tankards. She filled one with ale and the other with water. Aragorn smiled.
"Do you intend to keep him locked away?" Aragorn teased and Ellethwen blushed and shook her head.
"No, just until the morn." Aragorn laughed and nodded his head as he watched her move the plates and the tankards to the tray.
"He's a brave warrior, you should be proud of him."
"I've always been proud, even when he didn't even know I existed. He's a better man than I could have ever hoped for, and I love him very much." Aragorn nodded his head and took a drink from his tankard. She looked at the tray and then looked up at him. "Thank you," she said suddenly and he looked to her.
"For what?" he asked.
"For taking care of him and for telling me something of my father I never knew." Aragorn smiled and Ellethwen hesitated before she asked the question that had been bothering her. "Could I ask you something?" Aragorn leaned on the table and nodded.
"Of course," he said.
"As a Dúnedain, how long is one expected to live?" she asked worriedly. She did not think she could face many years without Boromir.
"I'm afraid I don't have a definite answer for you, but the average of the men that I have known is over two hundred and fifty." Ellethwen sighed. "Though it may be different in your case." Ellethwen looked up at him.
"Please do not think I do not wish to live," Ellethwen said. "It is just I did not think I would live longer than perhaps eighty, and now I know that I may just as well live twice that long. It's a little overwhelming." Aragorn smiled.
"I understand," he said softly, "but there is nothing fear." Ellethwen smiled and nodded her head.
"Thank you for our talk, Lord Aragorn," she said as she took the tray. "I'm afraid I may have tarried too long and Boromir may be searching for me." Aragorn bowed his head. Ellethwen did the same and smiled at him once more before she quickly moved down the corridor to her chamber where she found Boromir pacing the room.
"What took you so long?" Boromir asked as he took the tray from her and sat it on the table.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly as he turned back to her. "I was talking to Lord Aragorn." Boromir seemed to relax instantly and she smiled at him. "Were you worried as I walked in the same halls I have walked for almost thirteen years?" Boromir raised his hands to her face. They were warm as was the room. He had started a healthy fire while she was away.
"No, just anxious to have you to myself. We only have until the dawn," he said. Ellethwen smiled and raised up. She kissed his lips tenderly and smiled.
"Come on, you need to eat," she said as she pulled away. Boromir sighed and she smiled at him over her shoulder. "Instead of water, I've brought you some ale." Boromir chuckled and shook his head as he took the offered tankard.
"Thank you Ellethwen," he whispered. She took her own tankard and clanked it against his and drank deeply from the cool water that was in her cup. Boromir did the same and he sighed as he lowered the tankard from his lips.
"Here," she said as she sat down and held out a plate to him. He smiled and sat down on the warm rug at her feet. He took the plate and began to eat while she too ate. They stole glances at each other and looked into the fire while they ate in silence. They just enjoyed each other's presence while they had it, and when they were finished he laced his fingers with hers and kissed the back of her hand.
"I love you," he whispered and she looked down at him. She smiled and looked down at him.
"I love you, Boromir," she said softly in return. He shifted and sat his plate on the table and looked at her as he stood. He leaned in and kissed her softly and slowly. Ellethwen sighed and ran her fingers along his jaw line and the slightly scratchy beard. He pulled away and smiled down at her. She yawned and Boromir chuckled.
"Are you still sleepy Ellethwen?" he teased and she nodded.
"Yes, I'm afraid I haven't slept well in a little over a week." Boromir smiled and helped her stand.
"Then I will help you change into your night dress so you can sleep." Ellethwen blushed as she looked up at him.
"Boromir, I don't look like I used to with this," she said as she pointed down to her stomach. Boromir sighed and raised his hand to her face. He shook his head.
"It does not matter. I love you, now let me help you." Ellethwen's blush only deepened and she nodded her head as he loosened her lacings and helped her ready for bed.
Little did Ellethwen know that the peaceful and night would come to an end at the dawn and the darkness would hover over the sun once again.