Boromir smiled as he rested his head against his mother's round belly. Finduilas smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair combing his hair back. It had been five months since she told Boromir she was with child. She was now seven months along and her belly was large and round.

"Mama, I can feel the baby moving", he giggled.

"It's saying hello", she smiled. "The baby's saying 'Hello, Boromir. You will be my big brother.' Can you hear it?"

Boromir pressed his ear against her belly to listen. Finduilas ran her hand over her belly as the baby kicked.

"Mama, I do not hear the baby talking", he said with a frown.

She chuckled as she held Boromir in her lap. He ran his hands up and down Finduilas' belly.

"When will I see the baby?" he asked.

"You will see it after it's born", she answered. "The baby will be happy to see its big brother."

"I want a little brother", Boromir said.

"When it is time, we will see what the baby is."

Finduilas shivered as the wind blew through the window. Winter had begun and the weather had grown cold with the first snow of the season beginning to fall.

"Boromir, dear can you please close the shutters?" Finduilas asked. "Cold is not good for me."

"Why, Mama?" Boromir asked.

"The cold can hurt me and the baby. We need to be kept warm."

He got up to close the shutters for the window. Boromir smiled as he saw the snow falling in the night.

"Mama, look. It's snowing again."

Finduilas got up and walked to the window to see the light specks of snow falling from the dark sky. Boromir stuck his hand out of the window trying to catch the snow in his hand.

"It's cold, Mama", he said.

"I know", Finduilas said kissing the top of his head. "Let's close the shutters now. Your father's waiting for us. We should join him for supper."

Boromir opened the door and ran down the hall to the throne room where Denethor was standing by the window.

"Papa!" he said as he hugged him. "It's snowing!"

"I see", Denethor said with a smile. "Did you accompany your mother today?"

He nodded as Finduilas came to the throne room. Boromir took her hand and led her to the table.

"How are you feeling?" Denethor asked.

"Perfectly fine, my love", she answered. "The baby is healthy and kicking or so it is what the midwife told me."

"Perfect", he said. "As our daughter should be."

"Or son. You do not know everything."

"Of course I know everything", Denethor said. "You know what I keep in my care that shows me everything."

Finduilas frowned as she looked at him. She knew of the Palantir Denethor kept with him. She did not like that magical stone. It showed her things she wished to forget. The worst thing she ever saw in that thing was Denethor's screaming face as his body was engulfed in flames.

"I do not wish to discuss it", she softly said.

"You are the one you started this conversation", Denethor said. "It is you who brought it to my attention."

"Denethor, maybe we can discuss it another time."

"Why is now a bad time to discuss it?" he asked.

"Boromir is present", Finduilas answered.

"He is old enough to know about my items."

"He's five!"

"Exactly! And he is old enough to train to become a warrior."

"Enough!" Finduilas yelled.

Boromir backed away from her frightened. His mother never raised her voice to his father. Never. Finduilas put her hands on her belly and moaned.

"Denethor…it's time…"