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Chapter 31: Returning Home
Ellethwen cradled Dallin in the cart she rode in. The cart was being led by a Gondorian rider that had come with Boromir, and three other guards rode with them. Boromir rode his horse ahead of the cart and she watched him absently. They were very near Minas Tirith and Ellethwen was grateful because Dallin was truly not enjoying the crisp early spring air. It seemed he preferred the warmth of a room heated by a burning fire. He started to fuss once again. "Shh," Ellethwen said softly. "Don't worry, my son, we're almost home." She kissed his forehead and pulled his blanket over his face and he quieted.
Boromir looked ahead and smiled when the city came into view. Although the damage was still visible, the bright blue sky shined above and the darkness to the east was nothing but very faint dark clouds that lingered. No threat came from the east and he would take his wife and son home and know that they would be safe once again within the walls. He turned his horse around and moved to ride next to the cart.
"We are almost home, Ellethwen," he said with a bright smile, one she easily returned as she looked at him.
"Good, I have longed to the city," she said and Boromir nodded and looked ahead. Ellethwen followed his eyes and around the horse and rider that led the cart. She smiled, but it was a small when she saw the damage to the city. However, it was easy to see even from the distance they were at, that the people were working to repair the city. Ellethwen took a deep breath and looked at Boromir whose eyes were glued to the city and she sighed softly. She was almost home, and with her was the two most important people in her life and she was so happy.
Their party came to a stop in front of the Citadel, and Ellethwen was a little flustered from the shouts and cheers that met her and the others as they arrived. Many of the women of the city smiled and threw flowers into her cart and she was surprised because she did not know the city already knew of her and Boromir's union. Also, the major part of her surprise was the fact that they welcomed her as Boromir's wife.
Boromir quickly dismounted from his horse and went over to her cart. He took Dallin from her and one rider helped her from the cart. Ellethwen smiled at him and he bowed his head. She blushed lightly and let go of his hand. She took Dallin from Boromir and received a kiss to her right temple. She was dressed in her simple brown dress and carried her son as she walked past the White Tree and her smile grew as she saw the blossoms forming on the tree that had stood dead for so long.
"The White Tree blossoms," she said quietly and Boromir smiled his arm wrapped around her waist.
"It does," he said as he reached his free hand over and pulled the blanket away from Dallin's face. His light gray eyes opened and squinted from the light, but Boromir smile down at him. "Welcome home, my son," he said softly and Ellethwen laughed as they walked up the steps and into the Citadel.
"Ellethwen!" a voice echoed off the high ceiling and stone walls. Ellethwen looked up from Dallin and smiled as Éowyn moved quickly to her and Boromir.
"Éowyn," Ellethwen said happily and the woman stopped short and looked down at Dallin.
"He's grown so big already," Éowyn said as she looked down at him. Ellethwen smiled as she looked down at Dallin and as Éowyn put her hand on Dallin's head. The baby looked up at her and gurgled happily. Éowyn laughed softly and Ellethwen joined her.
"It seems you have been busy, brother," a deep and familiar voice said. Ellethwen looked up and her eyes widened. Faramir stood behind Éowyn and lowered his hand on Boromir's shoulder as he looked at her. "It seems he kept his promise, Ellethwen."
"Yes, and you are an uncle," she said and Faramir nodded with a chuckle.
"As much as we would like to chat," Boromir said and all three looked to him. "I have a surprise I wish to show Ellethwen, before she gets some much needed rest." Éowyn gave Ellethwen a knowing smile and nodded her head.
"Then we shall see you at the evening meal," Éowyn said and Ellethwen smiled.
"Alright, then we shall see you then," Ellethwen said as Boromir led her away. However, when she felt eyes on her she looked to the head of the hall and saw Gandalf standing there with Aragorn. The man and the wizard smiled at her and she returned it before she and Boromir made their way through the corridor. "What is it you wish to show me?" she asked Boromir and he smiled as he glanced down at her.
"My old chamber, but there was one thing about my old room you didn't know," he said softly. Ellethwen looked down at Dallin and then up at Boromir.
"What is that?" she asked curiously and Boromir chuckled.
"You shall see. We are nearly there." Ellethwen laughed.
"I know that. My memory has not left me. I walked these corridors for so long, my love, I could never forget them," she said and Boromir smiled.
"How could I forget? I fell in love with you in these corridors." Ellethwen blushed slightly and looked down at their son once again as Boromir brought them to a stop. He opened the large door and led Ellethwen and Dallin inside.
The afternoon light filled the room from the opened midnight blue curtains. The room was the same except there was an ornate cradle that sat near the fireplace. Ellethwen moved to the cradle and ran the fingers of her right hand over the rich dark wood.
"The cradle was mine and then my brothers when he was born," Boromir said from close behind her. Dallin was asleep so she carefully unbound his travel blanket and checked to make sure he was dry and clean. Upon seeing that he was, she laid him carefully down in the cradle on top the soft mattress inside. She pulled the soft silver and blue blanket up and Dallin seemed to let out a contented noise before he settled in and went sound asleep.
"It is beautiful, and it seems that your son enjoys it," she said quietly as she turned and looked at Boromir. He stood right behind her and took the blanket from her hand and tossed it upon the table. He took her hand and laced her fingers with his and led her into the bedroom.
"Come," he said as he led her past the wardrobe and stopped behind a tapestry. He let go of her hand and pulled down the tapestry to revealed a door.
"What is this?" she asked and Boromir looked at her with a smile. He opened the door and led her into a brightly lit room. Ellethwen followed him and her eyes widened. A nursery, was what she had stepped into and she looked around in surprise.
A large window filled the room with light, but she noticed the thick wooden shutters and then the thick velvet like cream colored curtains that would keep any chill at all away. A crib sat on the wall directly in front of her and it was of the same dark wood the cradle was made of and the blankets inside were cream and dark blue. The floor was covered with a thick light fur rug, and a rocking chair sat near the fireplace. Upon the mantle sat old books, that she remembered. They were the books her mother had given her when she left for the Citadel.
"You loved these as a girl," her mother said. "Keep them with you always, for if you ever have a child they will love them too." She slowly walked over to the mantle and touched the books gently before she turned and looked at Boromir with tears in her eyes.
"How did I not know of this?" she asked her voice slightly scratchy and filled with emotion. Boromir smiled and walked over to her.
"I used to keep my weapons here, from when I was sparing and when I wanted to escape when I was younger I would come in and read." Ellethwen sniffed and shook her head before she wrapped her arms around him. He stiffened a bit from the force of her hug, but recovered quickly and returned her embrace.
"I dreamed of a place for him, a place where he could be close, but that we could have moments to ourselves while he was still small." She pulled her face from his neck and he raised his hand to her face and wiped away her tears. "And you brought my mother's books, how did you know of them?" Boromir smiled at her.
"When your things were taken from your room, I supervised it and found the books tucked away with great care. I knew they were important to you, so I took your things and hid them. When I had the room readied for you, I ensured that they were brought out so you could read them to Dallin." She sniffed again, trying to stop her tears of happiness, but she couldn't help it.
"I love you," she whispered and Boromir laughed softly before he pulled her lips to his and kissed her tenderly and slowly. When he pulled away she smiled up at him, still with teary eyes.
"I love you," he whispered back and she smiled. She was about to kiss him again when a cry broke them apart. Boromir sighed as he rested his forehead against hers.
"He must be hungry. He hasn't eaten since late this morning," she whispered and Boromir lifted his head and nodded. She raised up and pecked his lips before she slipped away. Boromir smiled as she disappeared from the room and then through the bedroom. He had not seen her that happy since they were wed, and then when she gave birth to Dallin. Soon, the cries of his son quieted and he could hear Ellethwen's soft singing echo of the stone walls. He was home, his wife was at his side and his son would grow within the halls that he had; however, he would ensure that Dallin's childhood would be a much happier and safer one than his own.
"Are you sure you are alright to tend to him?" Ellethwen asked Trassa. The older woman smiled and nodded her head.
"Aye, I am certain. I raised four of my own and now tend to two grandchildren. I do not think that one little boy will get the better of me," Trassa said. Ellethwen smiled at the woman who was like a mother to her and nodded. Ellethwen nervously straightened out the dark red dress she wore. "You look lovely," Trassa said. "You're mother would be surprised, but very proud." Ellethwen turned and looked at Trassa with a smile.
"Thank you," Ellethwen whispered and Trassa smiled as she held Dallin. Ellethwen cleared her throat and ran the brush through her hair once more. "He has been fed and should be fine until I return. Thank you for watching him for me Trassa." The woman smiled and nodded her head.
"You can't very well take your son to the feast with the intended King, and besides, I do believe you need to have some time with your husband." Ellethwen smiled and kissed her son's head.
"He rarely cries, he's very well tempered so he shouldn't give you any problems."
"Yes, I know, child, now go before your husband wears a whole in the rug." Ellethwen laughed and nodded and left her and Boromir's bed chamber. Boromir stopped his pacing and smiled as his eyes turned to her.
"You're wearing your hair down," he said as she walked over to him. He ran his fingers through her freshly washed but dry locks and she smiled.
"I promised you that I would wear it down as much as often as I can," she said and Boromir smiled.
"Aye, you did. Now come, I would like to show my wife off to the newly formed court," he said and Ellethwen laughed before she nodded and laced her arm with his. Before he led her from the room he stole a kiss and Ellethwen sighed. "If Dallin's mood tells anything, I am certain he may sleep through the night and we shall have the night to ourselves." Ellethwen blushed and nodded.
"And I look forward to it," she whispered. Boromir smiled and kissed her again and led her from the room.