-A Forbidden Love-

Scene 8

"My Lady." Lothìriel turned away from the rampart as Hilda spoke.

"Yes, Hilda?" Idly, she rubbed a slow circle over her stomach as it tensed, only a couple more months to go, little one.

"My lady, a rider has come with news from the Fords."

"Yes, I saw the rider coming through. Is there news of a battle?"

Hilda flinched, and Lothìriel's eyes narrowed, "What news from Thèodred?"

"Come into the hall, my Lady. Lady Heredis wants to speak to you." Lothìriel's heart plummeted as she slowly followed the maid down the steps still slick with the rain from that morning. By the time they reached the stairs to the hall her hands were shaking and her breathing was becoming labored.

Lady Heredis, Lord Erkenbrand's wife, met them at the top of the steps, her eyes concerned.

"Lothìriel, my dear, you look so pale. You should be careful not to catch a chill. Come. Come into my sitting room, we will warm you up directly." She wrapped her arm around Lothìriel's shoulders, shushing her every time she tried to speak and leading her through the great hall and up the stairs.

Lothìriel stopped as soon as they were alone inside the door of the room. "Hilda said that you wanted to speak to me. Tell me Thèodred is ok and I will sit and be warmed."

Lady Heredis wrung her hands nervously, "Please, Lothìriel-"

"Tell me. What news of the battle."

Lady Heredis reached out to grasp Lothìriel's hand, "I would make this easier for you to hear."

"My heart misgives me already! Please! Is he injured or…" her voice trailed off as Lady Heredis looked at her with pity.

"The Prince lost his life in battle at the Fords of Isen, there was nothing anyone could have done."

Lothìriel backed up a step. Pain ripped through her. A silent scream filled her mind and she staggered. Lady Heredis grabbed her quickly, helping her to a chair.

"I am so sorry, Lothìriel. I know how he loved you, and how excited he was for the little one."

Lothìriel stared as the room swam in front of her eyes, would the pain never end? Gasping for a breath she clutched at her stomach.

"Lothìriel?" Heredis's voice seemed to be coming from a distance. And then there was only blackness.

She woke in her room, Lady Heredis and the midwife hovering near. The pain was consuming her.

"Breathe, my dear. In and out. In and out." As the pain ebbed a knock sounded at the door and she faintly heard a servant call that he had more of the tea that Éowyn had sent ready for her. She moaned and waved her hand, wanting nothing more than for him to go away. She heard the midwife move away and open the door as Lady Heredis grabbed her hand.

"What-" she began to say just as the sound of pottery smashing echoed through the room. Startled, she jerked up before falling back with a moan.

"Guards! Guards!" The midwife's shrill cry pounded through her head and she put her hands up to block the noise. The muffled sounds of booted feet and a hoarse yell seeped through before the pain overwhelmed her senses again. She felt a scream building within her and fought it down. Fought to remember to breathe.

"-Cohosh. I would know the smell anywhere." The pain ebbed again and she tried to make sense of the jumble of noise in the room. The low rumble of guards voices, punctured by the forceful one of the midwife's. "Wild Rue as well. You must find the herbs so I can determine more, I am afraid it is too late for the babe, but for the princess..." The voices faded out and she faintly heard the door close, heard the steps of the midwife approaching.

Lothìriel curled back up as the pain began again, too much, this is too much! She let out a choked cry as Lady Heredis squeezed her hand and the midwife wiped her forehead free of sweat, "My Lady, it looks like your little one will be coming tonight."

Lothìriel looked at her without comprehension as the pain ebbed, "No. It's not time."

"Sometimes we get years with our loved ones. Sometimes only moments, my Lady."

Lothìriel's eyes filled, "No. Please. Stop it, there has to be some way to stop it!" She looked at Lady Heredis who was using the back of her free hand to wipe tears from her own eyes. She began tensing again, pain and pressure ripped through her and she let out a low cry, involuntarily leaning forward to curl around her stomach.

Time faded as the hours passed, and she was lost in the world between life and death. And at the end she had one hazy moment to look into the eyes of her little girl before the child's brief sojourn ended.