A/N: Hey guys just wanted to say thanks for all the comments and reviews and sorry it has been so long so here is just a little chapter to keep you going and move the story on let me know what you think and any suggestions you may have! :)
Two months have passed and things have… developed, shall we say! A week after Aragorn left I fell ill, for the first few days I hid it from everyone, believing it to be worry for Aragorn and not wanting to appear weak in front of them but as the days went on I did not seem to be getting any better and eventually Annabeth convinced me to call for Marrianna to check me over. I really didn't want to as I had given her some time off, I think she deserved to spend some time with her family and with Eowyn too, seeing as she had cared for Boromir and Faramir when they were young it seemed right that she would care for Faramir and Eowyn now.
When she finally was called and came she examined me and told me in no uncertain terms that I was pregnant. I think I spent at least a week in shock, I was excited, I was pleased but mostly I was terrified. What if I made a mistake again and lost her? What if I had an accident? What if Aragorn… no I couldn't even think about it. Eventually, I confided in Eowyn who was over the moon and proceeded to spend the next few weeks successfully keeping my mind off of Aragorn, during the day at least, with various preparations. The only problem is that as soon as I am alone I am left with my guilt. I should have ridden out and I agreed far too easily to stay behind and be safe, I cannot even claim that it is because I knew I was with child again, I was just afraid and it terrified me that despite everything, despite how long it had been and how well I pretended to be, I wasn't okay. Not even a little bit really, I was still too scared of everything, I was plagued by nightmares even now and the thought of going out to battle again no longer filled me with excitement and adrenaline it made me sick because all I could think about was being taken away again. Of being trapped and helpless of being tortured for a gift I had no control over and most of all of losing another child. I think the worst thing right now though was that I was glad I had stayed because I really am with child and that makes me feel guilty because it meant Aragorn was out there instead and the thought of anything happening to him made sickness wash through me so strongly my legs nearly buckle.
By the time the five month has passed by I am growing despondent and Marriana and Eowyn are becoming increasingly worried for my health. I know he is alive, I can feel it somehow and that gives me a tiny amount of comfort but I can't work out why he has not returned and it feels me with conflicting emotions. I am very obviously pregnant now and gifts are regularly left for me by well wishers and people of Gondor and I have been doing my best to rule the city in Aragorn's stead but the strain is showing. The baby is healthy but my heart is hurting. That sounds ridiculous I know but the pain in my chest is constant and aching, the pain that I feel whenever I am separated from him, I am beginning to lose weight far too rapidly and often feel faint and dizzy.
"My friend you must rest," Eowyn says quietly from beside me as I stand gazing out at the horizon, waiting vainly for him to return.
"I feel as if I am torn in two being parted from him," I reply listlessly barely having the energy to turn, stumbling as my legs wobble slightly, dizziness overwhelming me.
"Annabeth, wuickly fetch Marriana," I hear Eowyn say as she supports me firmly and leads me back to my rooms.
"What is going on?" I ask weakly as she bustles around the room,
"You are ill Peyson, you are weak and I am concerned for your child," she replies and fear washes over me.
"I cannot lose her Eowyn, I cannot," I whimper and her fingers find mine quickly,
"I shall help you my friend, you shall not lose her, not if I can help it," she says sincerely and I try to nod although everything is so hazy still.
Opening my eyes I am aware of the fact that I am in bed, that today is like any other day except the weakness is still there, the pain in my chest is still there and it is getting harder to fight it.
"Peyson, child look at me," I turn my head as I hear the voice and smile weakly as I see Gandalf there,
"Hello Gandalf what are you doing here?" I ask and he smiles although it is tight and strained a little and there is pity in his eyes, "what is wrong? What has happened?" I ask as watch him, thoughts of Aragorn lying dead somewhere suddenly flying unbidden into my head and I scream out at the pain that pulses through me.
"Stop in Peyson, breathe, he is well, it is you I am concerned for, you and the little one," he says seriously and I gaze at him in confusion once more.
"I don't understand," I say eventually and he sighs heavily even as I feel Mariana and Eowyn settling down close beside me.
"Your sight Peyson," he begins and I tense slightly, "you have been told before that it has made your connection to Aragorn stronger I had not realised until now how strong it was," Eowyn's fingers are tight around mine and I squeeze hers back not really comprehended what is being said to me.
"I still… what are you saying?" I ask and his eyes grow even more sorrowful which terrifies me.
"You are dying Peyson," me virtually whispers and I whimper audibly, sickness washing through me.
"But I've been doing everything right, I've been eating and sleeping and looking after myself to keep her safe and well," I cry, tears pouring down my cheeks at the thought of leaving him of taking another child from him.
"I know, calm yourself child, it is the bond, your sight has created such a bond that being away from him is causing you physical harm, it is the reason for the pain you feel, for the weight loss for the nightmares," he continues and whilst I can see Eowyn trying to hold my hands and Mariana fretting about my blankets I cannot feel it, I feel completely numb.
"What do I do?" I ask eventually and his expression completely terrifies me,
"There is nothing you can do child," he replies in a heavy voice, "I have sent out the guard to look for him, I believe that the troubles have been resolved but the King was forced to stay on to mediate between races, hopefully they will return with him in time," he doesn't say anymore, there isn't any more he can say and soon after he leaves to prepare a potion of some kind to try and keep the baby safe from the effects of the bond.
"Peyson," Eowyn's voice is timid and I see that her own eyes are red rimmed as she gazes down at me.
"I always ruin everything," I murmur after a while and she lets out a sob as she buries her head in my side and cries.
"All will be well my friend, I will not let anything happen to you, Aragorn will be home," she says vehemently and I smile weakly at her. I have not the heart to tell her that I think it may already be too late.
Hours later I can no longer keep my eyes open and I feel myself drift away into the darkness that pressed in upon me.
"Hello my friend," the voice is familiar and yet strange to and it takes a while for me to work out who it is or where I am but when I do I let out an immediate sob and fall to my knees. "Why do you weep so?" the figure asks as it kneels before me and gently peels my hands from their place over my face.
"Because if I am here then I have failed and I surely dead," I hiccough my body convulsing with the strength of my sobs and his arms quickly wrap themselves around me and hold me tightly.
"Oh my friend, do not grieve so, you are not dead,"
"But then how am I here?" I ask, my breathing stuttering slightly as I stare up at him.
"Oh my friend," he sighs as he takes in my face and pulls me up slightly to sit beside him on a stone bench that seems to have appeared.
"Boromir…" I trail off not knowing what to say, not knowing what to ask really. I don't understand any of this and it is more than a little frustrating.
"What is on your mind?" he asks after a moment and I let out an annoyed sigh,
"I'm angry," I say suddenly and he raises an eyebrow at me, "I'm angry at Aragorn, all my life I have been taught to fend for myself, to be a fighter to be a warrior and ever since I met him I have become this pathetic damsel in distress," I say and he grins a little at me.
"So maybe it would be for the best if you stayed," he says quietly and I gasp out loud feeling suddenly sick.
"No!" I yell jumping to my feet, "I could not leave him," I finish slightly more quietly as my fight leaves me.
"Calm down Peyson, I will help you get back to your husband but we have some time yet to catch up and talk," he says calmly tugging me back down to sit beside him and with a sigh I do.