Thank you for your reviews! This chapter is a little bit shorter than my last few chapters, but I wanted to update. In case I don't get to update before Tuesday, Happy Fourth of July to my fellow Americans! This chapter may be a bit boring, but let me know what you think!

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

Chapter 32: A Mother's Scare

Ellethwen woke to the feel of a strong arm wrapped around her waist. She didn't open her eyes just yet and just enjoyed the feel of her husband. However, she couldn't help the contended sigh that escaped her lips when she felt his lips kiss her bare shoulder. His lips then trailed across her shoulder and then up her neck before his lips hovered right above her ear. "Are you awake my love?" he asked with a slight chuckle.

"I am," she said softly with another sigh before she turned around in his arms but kept in mind to keep the linen sheet that covered them pressed close to her chest. "Dallin is still asleep?" He smiled and nodded his head.

"Aye, still sound asleep. I just checked him and he seems to be enjoying his new surroundings." Ellethwen laughed as he raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair.

"Yes, well, his father is spoiling him." Boromir grinned and leaned into her. He kissed her softly and Ellethwen sighed before she pressed herself close to his broad form. When he pulled back he let his hand trail from her hair and down her back.

"I plan on spoiling both of you, Ellethwen." Ellethwen shook her head and opened her mouth to speak only to be silenced by Boromir's kiss. He was a wicked man, but she loved him all the same. She eagerly returned his kiss, but as his hand moved to under the coverings and across her bare form, a cry broke her away from his lips. Boromir sighed when Ellethwen pulled away. She smiled at him and kissed his nose.

"I will return," she whispered before she climbed from the bed and hastily found her robe. She pulled it on quickly and moved to Dallin's room. She picked him up and sighed. "You sleep all through the night, my son, and it is barely the dawn and you wake to spoil your father's fun." At her words, Dallin seemed to giggle and she smiled.

"And yours too, Ellethwen," Boromir said and Ellethwen turned and looked at him as he leaned on the doorway. He wore his own robe, but the top was loose and his chest was exposed. She smiled and shook her head before she looked back down at Dallin. Boromir stepped over to the fireplace and stoked the small embers before he moved behind Ellethwen and looked down at Dallin. He put her hands on her hips and kissed the back of her head. "I have meetings with Aragorn, my brother, and the others this morning, but I will join the two of you again before the evening meal." Ellethwen looked over her shoulder at him and shook her head.

"We shall be fine. Éowyn and I planned last night to spend time together in the garden. There are a few things I noticed last night that I have many questions for her." Boromir smiled and nodded. Dallin had settled and Ellethwen laid him back down. Once he was back in his bed, Ellethwen gasped when Boromir pulled her flush against him.

"You said yourself it is not yet dawn, and," he paused as his hand slid down her hips, "I would like to continue where we left off." Ellethwen blushed but sighed as she turned around in his arms once again. She ran her hands down his chest and smiled up at him as she slid away taking his hand and leading him back to their bed.

Éowyn laughed and made faces at Dallin as she sat with him on one of the many stone benches in the garden. Ellethwen stood off to the side and looked out over the city. "He is amazing, Ellethwen," Éowyn said and the dark haired woman looked at her. "I cannot wait to have one of my own." Ellethwen smiled and moved over to where they sat and took the seat next to Éowyn.

"From what I observed last night, that may be sooner than one would think," Ellethwen said and Éowyn looked up at her quickly. Éowyn's cheeks blushed a light pink and her blue eyes widened. "Do not think I am blind, my friend, I saw the exchanges between you and Faramir last night." Éowyn took a shaky breath before she smiled. "Faramir is a good man, and is loved by all in this land and there is no doubt in my mind that the two of you would not make a good match. You are stubborn and he is very calm. I'm sure you both would do wonders for the other." Éowyn laughed and Ellethwen smiled.

"Indeed. Indeed, my friend. Oh, Ellethwen, I did not know how to tell you. During my time in the House of Healing, we kept each other company, and he . . . well he is an enchanting man. I never thought to meet someone gentle, yet he is such a strong captain." Ellethwen nodded.

"Aye, Faramir is special. You're uncle would approve wholeheartedly," she added and Éowyn looked back at Ellethwen with teary eyes.

"I know," she whispered and Dallin fussed in Éowyn's arms.

"Now, now," Ellethwen said as she took Dallin from Éowyn. However, instead of calming as he usually did when Ellethwen took him into his arms, he cried louder and louder. "No need to cry, love. You've been fed and you are dry and clean, what is the matter?" she asked and then she noticed the rash on his cheeks. She kissed his forehead and panic filled her when his forehead was burning with fever. She stood quickly and looked to Éowyn.

"What's wrong?" Éowyn asked as she stood.

"Do you know where it is the men are meeting?" Ellethwen asked with a shaky voice.

"Aye, the study off the hall." Ellethwen nodded and took off in a run, carrying her child. With a shout, Éowyn followed. "Slow down Ellethwen! You're going to fall!" Ellethwen did not head Éowyn's words for she could only hear the cries of her son, and she continued to run. Ellethwen reached the study doors and opened the large wooden doors, not even bothering to knock.

"Ellethwen!" Gandalf said firmly as he stood from his seat. All the other men did the same and looked at her. "What is the meaning of this?" However, Ellethwen only moved to Boromir.

"Something's wrong with Dallin," she said quickly and her voice still shaking. Boromir looked down at her and Dallin. Aragorn quickly moved to them and looked down at the baby. Ellethwen looked up at him and he put a hand on her shoulder.

"Let me see him," Aragorn said and Ellethwen hesitated but handed her son to him. She had no cause to fear, she told herself, but she did all the same. Dallin continued to cry, as Aragorn let his right hand hover over Dallin's forehead. "I'm afraid our meeting will have to wait a moment. I need to take him to the house of healing. Boromir, you and Ellethwen follow me," he said and he carried Dallin from the room. Ellethwen stifled a sob as Boromir wrapped an arm around her and led her from the room. She said silent prayers as they walked, and hoped that Aragorn would be able to help has he had with Éowyn and Faramir. He had both of them out of the black fever.

Once in the healing wing, he laid Dallin on one of the beds. He told several healer women something quietly while Ellethwen and Boromir could only watch. The women bustled about and Aragorn unbound Dallin's blankets and removed the tiny gown Dallin wore. One woman brought hot water in a bowl and another brought several bushels of herbs Ellethwen recognized as ones for fevers. The third and final woman brought another plant; however, it was one she did not know. Ellethwen clung to Boromir and looked up at him.

"Do you think he can help him?" she asked and Boromir looked down at her and raised his free hand to her face. He wiped the tears from her face and nodded.

"I do, but do not worry too much, Ellethwen," Boromir said. "Perhaps it is just a slight cold and easily cured," he said trying to convince himself of the same. Ellethwen nodded and put her head on his shoulder, continuing to let her tears fall as Aragorn and the women bustled over the tiny baby.

Aragorn had Ellethwen and Boromir settle in the healing garden, and Ellethwen sat on the stone steps hear the edge of the garden. Hours had past and as the evening meal bell sounded Boromir sat next to her. She looked at him with tired and worried filled eyes. "I'm sure he's alright," Boromir said and she nodded as she quickly took his hands in hers. Quiet footsteps sounded and both of them looked up to see Aragorn walking over to them. Ellethwen stood quickly, pulling Boromir with her. However, she let go and walked over to where Aragorn stood.

"Aragorn," she said quickly and stopped just a foot before him, "how is my son? Is he well, what is wrong with him?" Aragorn sighed and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Calm yourself, Ellethwen," he told her gently and she sighed. "Dallin is fine. The fever is broken and his rash is being treated." Ellethwen smiled in relief and sunk against the other man. She embraced him tightly. After a moment, she pulled back and threw herself into Boromir's arms.

"What was wrong with him, Aragorn?" Boromir asked as he held onto his wife's trembling form.

"He has a strong cold, one that is usually easily treated, but his fever was too high. He will be alright now that it has broken. You noticed it just in time, Ellethwen, if it would have gone unattended he would not have faired so well." She raised her head and looked at Aragorn with tear stained eyes.

"Can I see him?" she asked and Aragorn nodded. Ellethwen let go of Boromir and moved away from the two men quickly and rushed into the house of healing. Aragorn looked to Boromir who took a deep breath, to keep his own emotions in check.

"Thank you, Aragorn, I owe you even more now," Boromir said and Aragorn shook his head.

"The panic that she was in when she came into the study was all the more reason for me to help. Her father was one of my dearest friends, Boromir, and you are one of mine now. I would not stand by and watch the panic consume both of you." Boromir cleared his throat and smiled at Aragorn before he put his hand on Aragorn's shoulder.

"I thank you all the same, and I am certain once Ellethwen is assured that Dallin is well, she will berate herself for not thanking you immediately." Aragorn smiled.

"I ask for nothing. Go, be with your family my friend. Our discussions shall wait till the dawn." Boromir nodded and quickly left the garden and went into the healing chamber. Aragorn smiled and sighed softly before he made his way through the garden and through the corridor. If only his love was at his side, then all would be right. However, peace was in the city and in all of Middle Earth. That was good enough for him, at least at that moment in time.