Gnah! Another week before I updated! I'm sorry it took me so long to update. It was my sister's birthday, then my grandpa's and I've been way too busy. Anyway, I really hope you like this chapter and before I forget thank you for reading and as always thank you for your reviews! Let me know what you think!

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

Chapter 36: Time

Boromir pushed Ellethwen's damp hair from her face as he watched her fall asleep. "You said with her labor there was one complication," Boromir said when he knew that Ellethwen was asleep and looked to Aragorn before he walked over to him. "What was the complication?"

"Like I had said, the labor itself was hard. She lost a great deal of blood and a heavy strain was once again put on her body," Aragorn said. "She'll be weak for much longer than any other woman would be after labor. When she is strong enough, we'll move her to your chamber. I'll ensure the maids are able to help her all they can until she regains her strength." Boromir nodded and Aragorn put his hand on Boromir's shoulder. "She'll be fine, my friend. Your wife is a lot stronger than you give her credit for." Boromir smiled and Aragorn returned it.

"That she is, she is very strong," Boromir said.

"My lord," Iroeth said and Boromir turned to her. "Would you like to hold her?" she asked as she gestured to the small bundle in her arms. Boromir's smile grew and he moved away from Aragorn and to the older woman. He took the tiny girl in his arms and she cooed quietly. Iroeth smiled and walked away with Aragorn following behind. Boromir raised his free hand to the sleeping baby's face and felt his heart melt as he held his little girl. He ran his finger down her cheek and then looked at Ellethwen who was still sound asleep. He turned his grey eyes back to his daughter.

She was smaller than Dallin had been when he was born, however, her hair was dark like Dallin's and Boromir felt his smile only grow. She was lovely and he couldn't wait to see the beautiful girl she would grow to be, but he didn't know that when the time came if he would be able to let her go. He rocked her gently and then just as he was getting ready to lay her down, when she started to cry. He heard a startled breath and looked over his shoulder and saw Ellethwen slowly pushing herself up.

"She's probably hungry," Ellethwen said. "Bring her to me, please," she said and Boromir sighed as he carried Melda to Ellethwen. "What time is it?" she asked as she took Melda and positioned herself so she could feed her daughter.

"You've only been a sleep for an hour at the most," Boromir said as he tucked her hair from her face. "How are you feeling?" Ellethwen looked up at him while Melda ate and she gave him a small smile.

"I'm tired, but I shall be fine." Boromir smiled and nodded his head. "Dallin is well?"

"You asked that before, and he is fine." Ellethwen laughed and nodded. "Safria probably already has him tucked into bed. I'm afraid he'll have to wait to see his sister in the morning."

"Yes," Ellethwen said softly and she paused for a moment before she held out her left hand to him. Boromir looked down at her hand and the ring he had given her all those years ago sparkled. He took her hand into his and he met her eyes. "I was so frightened, I thought I was going to lose Dallin and then when . . . when I started labor I didn't think our child was going to make it, I didn't think Melda would live and here she is," she said keeping her grip on his hand and turned her eyes to their child who still ate happily.

"Ellethwen, both of our children are safe, loved, and well," he told her and she turned her blue-grey eyes back to his grey ones. The moonlight filtered into the room and the firelight filled it with a warm glow. "You, however, my love," he said as he sat down on the bed, "are still weak." Ellethwen gave him a teary eyed smile.

"I'm fine, honestly, and she is full," Ellethwen said as she let go of her hand and moved Melda away from her and covered herself before she rocked her. Boromir chuckled and kissed Ellethwen's temple while she rocked Melda back to sleep. When the baby was asleep Boromir took her and laid her in the cradle that had been brought in. Ellethwen sighed and Boromir sat down again on the bed.

"Sleep, Ellethwen, I will be here if she wakes." Ellethwen sighed again and closed her eyes. She was so tired and yet again, she lulled to sleep all the while Boromir's thumb made small circles on the back of her hand.

Two weeks later, Ellethwen was still bed ridden, but she was now staying in Boromir and her chamber. Safria was dressing Dallin for the day while Ellethwen sat up and was nursing Melda with a blanket draped over her shoulder. "Mommy!" came Dallin's voice as he ran into the bedroom and climbed up onto the bed. Ellethwen laughed and looked at her son as he bounced on the bed next to her. "Daddy's coming!"

"Your father has council with King Elessar today," Ellethwen said and heavy footfalls met her ears and she looked up.

"The council finished early, and I've been given leave for the day," Boromir said and Ellethwen smiled brightly as she looked at her husband. "Dallin, come with me while your mother finishes with your sister." Dallin nodded and smiled brightly before he climbed from the bed and ran over to his father. Boromir took Dallin's hand and looked to Ellethwen. "We'll be just out here, my love, if you need anything, call for me." She smiled and nodded as her husband and son left the room. Melda was nearly finished and when Melda was, Ellethwen shifted her and covered herself before she patted the baby's back. Melda burped quietly and Ellethwen smiled.

"There, Melda. Do you feel better?" Melda looked up at Ellethwen and cooed happily her dark blue eyes sparkling. "You have my mother's eyes, you know that?" she asked. Ellethwen rocked Melda and looked to the window. Summer had come quickly and it was beautiful outside and she wanted nothing more than to take Melda for a walk in the garden with Dallin and maybe even Boromir. When Melda had dozed, Ellethwen laid the baby down on the bed, ensuring that Melda wouldn't be bothered by the big and soft blankets Ellethwen and Boromir had on their bed.

Ellethwen glanced out into the sitting room, she could hear Boromir and Dallin laughing but she didn't see them. As quietly as she could manage she climbed from the bed and looked at Melda who was settled comfortably. On wobbly legs she stood on the fur rug. She grabbed her robe and wrapped it around her form. She took a tentative step and when her leg held her weight, she took several more steps to the balcony. As she pulled back the curtain and stepped outside, a cool early summer breeze danced across her. She suppressed a shiver and took four more steps to the stone banister. She sighed as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face.

"Ellethwen?" Boromir's alarmed voice sounded from the room and her eyes snapped open and she looked over her shoulder. Boromir quickly walked out onto the balcony and scooped her up from the floor. "What are you doing out here? Are you trying to hurt yourself?" he asked as he carried her back into the room. Dallin walked in from the sitting room.

"I'm not trying to hurt myself Boromir," she said tiredly as he settled her back into the bed and took Melda and laid her in the cradle. "I'm just tired of being stuck in this bed."

"Yeah, Safria doesn't like to walk in the garden. She says the flowers make her sneeze, and I like the walks we take with mommy," Dallin said. Ellethwen smiled and Boromir sighed as he straightened.

"I know you do, Dallin," Boromir said before his eyes turned to Ellethwen. "However, your mother is still not well, and shouldn't be out of bed until Iroeth or King Elessar say it is alright."

"Boromir, please I want to go outside. I want to take our children through the gardens," Ellethwen said and Boromir sighed as he sat down.

"Ellethwen, I will have Iroeth come and check on you and I'll let her judge if you are fit enough to walk the citadel," Boromir said as he took her hand. Dallin climbed up onto the bed and laid his head in Ellethwen's lap and Ellethwen put her free hand on her son's head.

"Call on her later," Ellethwen said softly. "I think this day would be better spent in the company of my family," she said and Dallin lifted his head and looked at her before he sat up and embraced her. Ellethwen laughed softly and hugged her son tightly while she looked to Boromir. "I concede only this once, Boromir, but come tomorrow I will be walking from this room." Boromir smiled and shook his head.

"We shall see, Ellethwen, we shall see." His grip tightened on her hand and he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles softly.

Just as she had told him, Ellethwen was in deed walking around the citadel granted on shaky legs, but she was walking nonetheless. As the days, weeks, and months passed and Melda grew strong and was waddling about the rooms she was put down in. Ellethwen sighed as she picked up one year old Melda and took Dallin's hand. "Come on, we're going to visit the Queen again today," she told them as they walked down the corridors towards the gardens.

"We're going outside mommy," Dallin said and Ellethwen smiled.

"We are because we are joining the Queen and her son in the garden," Ellethwen said and Dallin nodded as they walked and soon, the trio joined Arwen who sat on a bench while she watched Eldarion, her and Aragorn's son, play on a blanket she had brought out for him. "Good afternoon, your majesty," Ellethwen said with a bow of her head and Arwen smiled.

"Good afternoon, Ellethwen," Arwen said. "Please, do come and join me."

"I'll take Melda, mommy," Dallin said as he let go of Ellethwen's hand and held up his arms. Ellethwen smiled and handed Melda to Dallin who, with some difficulty carried Melda over to the blanket. He sat down with the two toddlers and played happily with them. One of the many things that made Dallin special was his ability to remain calm and collected. He was five and Ellethwen expected him to be running around getting into things he shouldn't be, but he never did.

"How are you this afternoon, my lady?" Ellethwen asked as she sat down and Arwen smiled.

"I am very well, your husband and mine, however, have not even broken their council for a mid-day meal," Arwen said but there seemed to be a secret in the elleth's eyes.

"We were to have the meal together, but he sent word that he would be unable to join our children and me," Ellethwen said. "So, how is Eldarion doing?" The woman and the elleth looked to their children with smiles on their faces. All three played happily totally ignoring them as they watched them.

"It seems as though he is growing so quickly," Arwen said.

"They do grow quickly, all too quickly. One minute you're holding them in your arms and the next you're sending them off on their own." Arwen laughed and nodded her head. Suddenly, their quiet afternoon was interrupted by Safria running into the courtyard.

"Lady Ellethwen, I'll tend to the children," she said quickly. "Lord Boromir is looking for you. He is in his study." Ellethwen stood and nodded her head as she looked to Arwen.

"I'm sorry our afternoon was cut short," Ellethwen said and Arwen smiled.

"Do not worry, I'll enjoy the Safria's company and the children," Arwen said. Ellethwen smiled and curtseyed before she moved over to her children. She kissed Dallin and Melda's head before she left the garden. As she was walking away she heard a soft sneeze and she knew that Safria would be suffering as she sat in the garden.

Boromir smoothed out the white linen that was placed on the table he had set up in his study. It was their fifth year as husband and wife and he had spent most of the morning ensuring that they would not be disturbed. A beautiful arrangement of flowers sat on the table and a selection of dried meats, breads, and cheeses were on each plate, but he didn't think Ellethwen would eat. She would probably enjoy the peace and quiet with him while she could. There was a soft knock and he quickly picked up the soft blue flower he had picked for her and turned to the door. "Come in!" he called and the door opened.

"Boromir, Safria told me that-," she stopped when she saw the set table and Boromir standing there holding a small pale blue flower. "What's this?" she asked softly and she closed the door behind her as she walked over to him. He held out the flower and she took it with a smile. Boromir leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"Today is the fifth year of our union, my love," he whispered and his breath danced across her cheek. Ellethwen smiled and as he pulled back she smiled up at him.

"So, this is what you've been up to this morning? Everyone knew of this?" she asked thinking of everyone telling her how long the council was taking.

"Yes," he said softly and Ellethwen laughed before she threw her arms around him.

"It is wonderful, you are wonderful, and I love you," she said before she leaned her head back from his neck and claimed his lips. Boromir sighed against his lips and ran his hands up her back. That day was spent lost to the world of the Citadel, and well into the night thanks to Safria tending to their children, the pair knew of nothing else besides each other.