Boromir fretted over her more so than the healers and midwife. He would bring her breakfast every morning on a tray and was always eager to romp about the kitchens procuring whatever delicacies she was craving. It was most amusing, though there had been moments when she berated him for his attentiveness.

Though perhaps the most annoying thing was his instance that she not partake in any activity that he deemed dangerous for the baby, including taking a horse to the markets of the lower cities to deliver receipts and payments. When her feet began to swell, he was quick to lift her into his arms. She would laugh, maybe even roll her eyes and insist on remaining independent. It was not in her nature to rely so much on others. "I'm pregnant Boromir, not crippled."

This night was no exception in Boromir's pursuit of gallant attentiveness. With the midsummer festivities coming to a close, the Steward hefted her up into his arms and together they returned to their chambers. Aeardis lay back on the bed, exhausted and aching, but still glowing.

After seeing her interact with the children of Minas Tirith for years, Boromir thought motherhood was becoming of her. He leaned forward and pressed his ear against her stomach. "What are you doing, my love?" she asked of him and though he did not respond at first she could see the smile on his lips. He was listening for a tiny heartbeat.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It still seemed odd to think that Faramir was married. Boromir had wept on the day his little brother wed a shield maiden of Rohan. Now, though Éowyn sat in Aeardis's solar, having just revealed to her marriage-sister that she was with child as well, turning down the offered glass of watered wine.

"That is wonderful news!" Aeardis exclaimed. Éowyn nodded, her smile wide and contagious. "Our family continues to grow," she noted. Soon the halls of the Citadel would be filled with the laughter of children. It had been decades since that type of innocence could be found within the White City, for even the young had lived in the Shadow of Mordor.

Éowyn reached for one of the sweet pastries that had been brought to their luncheon and took a small bite. "Yes, and the healer informed me that Queen Arwen is with child as well." Aeardis could only imagine the trouble that their children would get into if they took after their parents, but nonetheless, she stood and embraced Éowyn.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The days now slowly turned into weeks and soon specially made dresses were delivered to her chambers. It had been seven months since she had learned of her pregnancy and throughout her meetings with Ioreth and the Midwives they consoled her worries and continually said that she and the baby were healthy, and with the way she carried they believed it would be a boy.

Though now, after a long day of resting in the library with a tome in hand, Aeardis turned in her sleep, trying to alleviate the piercing waves of pain that swelled in her stomach and moved over her entire body. "Boromir," she shook his shoulder and with heavy eyes, he sat up. "Boromir, something's wrong," the words were mere pants as another wave of pain washed over her, this time it was near paralyzing and a strange ache welled in her heart. She knew something was not right. "It's the baby."

He held her face in his hands for a moment before realization dawned on him, "I'll get Ioreth." Boromir rushed from their chambers bare-chested and bare-footed into the winter night.

The light of the moon painted the room in silvery colors. When a wave a pain crashed over her that was stronger than all the others, Aeardis screamed and swore that the whole of Minas Tirith must have heard her cry out in the night. Yet in that instant, she knew that something had gone terribly wrong. Aeardis tossed the covers away and lifted the hem of her nightgown with shaking hands. Blood had pooled between her thighs, warm and sticky. She held onto her swollen belly and began to sob.

Ioreth and Nethril raced into the room but halted in their tracks upon seeing the sight. There was nothing they could do to remedy the grief that she felt. Boromir's heart fell when he returned to the sight. Understanding fell upon him. He knelt at her side and took her trembling hands into his own. "Shhh, my love," he tried to stall her tears.

Nethril bade the chambermaids to draw a hot bath and returned to the Houses of Healing to fetch an herbal tea to promote recovery. Ioreth tended to her, attempting to console both she and her husband. Treatment could be discussed at a later time, for now, she left them to mourn.

Boromir lifted her into his arms. Their night clothes clung to them as they both sank down into the stone tub. The ache in her chest was of a magnitude that she had never felt before, that she didn't realize was possible. Boromir took her into his arms and could feel the shaking of her shoulders.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, eyes downcast. He kissed her temple and pushed back his own tears, for now, he needed to be strong. "You have nothing to apologize for, Aeardis."

Aeardis tucked her head beneath his chin and squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to watch as the water was tainted with dark blood. Silence soon fell between them. Her cries faded into quiet disbelief and grief. For the first time in years, she remembered her own mother, who had died in the birthing bed. "My father always said that the women of my family had difficulties bearing children and then my mother," she fell quiet and Boromir tightened his arm around waist. "I had hoped."

In the following weeks, Aeardis was scarcely seen unless the occasion demanded her presence. Her once swollen belly had begun to return to its original state with the healers' treatments. And when she inquired about the future, they did not hide the truth that another pregnancy, if possible, would be difficult.

She distracted herself by working doubly on ledgers and receipts and found herself in the library for endless hours. But the whole of Minas Tirith mourned upon hearing of the loss. It was Aeardis and Boromir that they had known for years, that had stood up to the darkness of Mordor, and cared for them. Their loss was Gondor's loss.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Éowyn birthed a strong boy with wide green eyes and auburn tinged curls. Boromir adored him, as did Aeardis. Two months later Arwen had a son that was the spitting image of Aragorn. And so the years quickly passed. Elboron and Eldarion were co-conspirators, always up to mischief, though in truth Boromir supported their antics, recalling the days when he was a boy.

Today, Aeardis had charged Boromir with delivering receipts to the merchants while she planned the visit of King Éomer. Arms strengthened by war gathered the child up. Boromir held Elboron close. There was always a little flutter in his heart at hearing the word, "Tôrada!" The young boy cried, pointing toward the brightly colored blossoms within one of the greenswards.

"Shall we gather some to give to your mother?" Boromir asked and he nodded excitedly. "What about Tîrada? Should we pick some for her, too?" Regardless of whether Elboron would have agreed Boromir would not have returned to his sweet sea bride without a bouquet.

Elboron's face lit with delight and he nodded his answer- his mouth busy exploring his hands. Boromir kissed the boy's forehead before setting off to the courtyard.

The heat of summer had yet to wilt the bright spring flowers and an abundance of color lined the low stone walls. Elboron was set down near a patch of blooming red, yellow, and purple flowers. Under his nephew's supervision, Boromir picked a small bouquet of them, letting Elboron smell them, too. The boy took a deep inhale and sneezed. The suddenness surprised him and he lost his balance, toppling into his uncle's waiting arms. Lifting the child once more, Boromir gave him the flowers to hold in a tight, little grip.

He gave his nephew a broad grin. "Let's go find them."

The advisor of the king had managed to find a moment of peace after her letter to Rohan was sent by raven. "Aeardis?" She looked up from her book, having found time in a busy schedule for leisurely reading.

"Yes?" She inquired, surprised by Boromir's sudden appearance so early in the day. Though from behind his legs, Elboron ran forward with two bundles of wildflowers clenched tightly in his hand. " Tîrada!" he exclaimed, excitedly clambering up into her lap.

He held out one of the bouquets. "Why Elboron, are those for me?" He nodded. "And mama."

She took the flowers and pecked the young boy on his cheek. "Aren't you just the sweetest?" He grinned, showing that he was missing one of his front teeth. Aeardis guessed the other bouquet was for Éowyn. "Your mother is in her solar." Elboron slipped from her lap and raced out into the hall, tripping over his own feet.

Aeardis laid the flowers on her desk and moved to pick up a small vase. She filled it with water and placed the wildflowers within. "So that's what the two of you have been up to?" she teased, "picking flowers?"

There was a melancholy air that had fallen over her since they had both woke early that morn. Boromir frowned at the realization and took her into his arms. "You're not telling me something," he accused, knowing that he was right.

"I went Ioreth this morning," she admitted, suddenly looking frightened. Boromir sucked in a heavy breath when the words left her lips.

Translations:

Tôrada - uncle

Tîrada - aunt