This is a rare time when I'll post a note before the story, but I felt it wise to do so. This is a heavy chapter and may be a trigger for those who have lost a child due to a miscarriage. I'm pulling from my own emotions that I went through (scratching the surface more like) when my wife and I lost our first child several years ago. It is a common, yet a very painful thing, and I want you to know you're not alone in it.

The 'song' in this chapter is something my sister poem that my sister wrote for my wife and I after our loss, and I decided to use it here to share with you all.

Now, on with the story.

Fo.A 2, April 6th

The air seemed to have been sucked out of the Hall, replaced by the wails of Arwen as she lay on the floor. Cries reverberated and compounded upon each other until that was all that could be heard.

Faramir couldn't wrap his mind around it.

Aragorn felt as if he had gone deaf, the only thing ringing in his ears was the last words Arwen had uttered: "I have miscarried our child."

He felt as if he was a stone, unmoving and unfeeling; trapped in a void from which there was no escape. Until he heard it: the shattering cries of his wife.

Aragorn starred numbly down at his wife, rising from his throne, and walking as if in a dream towards her. How could he have thought for a moment she would have betrayed him? That she could have been with another man? How had he missed his wife's pain?

I have miscarried.

He sank to his knees beside Arwen, unaware of the tears flowing down his cheeks, and scooped up his crumpled wife into his arms, holding her close. As his mind began to clear, the full force of the pain came with it. I have miscarried.

Aragorn threw back his head and let out an agonizing yell, as only a father who has lost can do, before succumbing to the pain and weeping.

Faramir stood frozen in place, his heart breaking at the sight of his king and queen undone before him. He saw the guards bow their heads in respect, their tears landing on the marble floor with a soft 'plip-plop.'

Tachion was humming softly, then began to sing.

"I may not have been with you long,

So I'm sad to say farewell

But you'll be happy to know it's in Eru's presence I dwell.

Even though our time together was short,

I still know how much I was loved

and now I'm watching over you from above.

So look to the skies, feel the warmth of the sun,

dry your eyes, be still and know I am safe,

because I am surrounded by Eru's amazing grace.

Until we meet again, face to face."

With each word, it seemed the sorrow grew more profound, but at the end, it lifted the spirits of all who were there.

Aragorn and Arwen's tears subsided until they were merely holding each other, afraid that if they let go, they would fall apart all over again.

Tachion took and calming breath before speaking. "It was just over a year ago," he began," that I was relieved of duty for the night, and decided to check everything one last time.

"All was silent that night, until, just as I was about to pass into the night, I heard a scream."

Tachion glanced at Faramir. "I ran, trying to find where it had come from. Then I heard crashing coming from the queen's chambers."

He looked now at Arwen, who nodded. He looked at Aragorn. "I entered the room and found the queen on her knees, surrounded by a pool of blood, holding something small in her arms." Tachion's voice hitched, but he cleared his throat, determined to finish. "She had a small cotton rag in her mouth to muffle her screams. I rushed to her side, and that's when I realized what she was holding." Tachion stopped, too overwhelmed now to continue.

Arwen collected herself and gazed up at Aragorn. "I'm sorry I kept this from you, Estel," she whispered. "Elves do not lose children in such a way, and I was ashamed. I did not know that mortals dealt with such sorrows."

Aragorn's mind was swimming in a sea of anguish. Their first child was gone and he could have lost her, too. But year? How had this been kept from him for so long? Would she be able to have another child?

He felt a soft hand brush his cheek and he glanced down at Arwen. "There is a grave," she said, her voice hoarse.

Aragorn felt the reality of the loss hit him all over again, but he shoved it down. "Take me there," was all he could muster.

The pair stood, quickly remembering everyone who was there and the eyes that were trained on them. Faramir looked to be at a loss, and the guards still held Tachion.

Aragorn regarded the man for a long moment. "You have helped me greatly, but you have also betrayed my trust," said Aragorn, his anger having been burned away by grief. "I have to enforce my laws as the king, yet as a man, I would set you free."

Tachion nodded grimly. "I understand, my lord, I accept whatever fate you deem for me," he replied.

"Perhaps there is a way to compromise?" asked Arwen, her eyes darting between Tachion and her husband.

Aragorn regarded her and asked, "What do you suggest?"

Arwen turned her attention back to Tachion, pain in her eyes. "Exile from Gondor," she said.

Tachion recoiled as if he'd been struck. Exile! That was a fate worse than death. To roam the lands, no longer welcome in the one you once called home.

Then another thought struck him, harder than the first: Ninel. Roaming the wilds was no place for her. Tachion squeezed his eyes shut, and swallowed hard against the growing lump in his throat. If she knew he lived, she would come looking for him, stubborn girl that she was. He was left with only one choice.

Tachion opened he eyes, and look at Aragorn, steeling his resolve. "I accept. I have only one boon to ask of my king."

Aragorn gazed at him. "What would you ask of me?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"You must tell my sister I am dead, lest she attempts to come after me," replied Tachion, not bothering to hide the emotions any longer.

Aragorn nodded. "So be it."

-ll-

Faramir walked as if in a trance from the crowded hall, not wanting to hear anymore, he'd heard enough for today. His heart ached at the thought of Tachion in exile while his sister thought he was dead. It seemed cruel; and who would take care of her now?

Faramir paused before the door of his home. He didn't even remember walking this way, and he wasn't sure if he was ready to be back. He sighed. It didn't sit well with him that he had been sworn to keep Tachion's exile from Ninel, and Eowyn.

He resolved to do it, though. He'd bury the secret do deep within that it would never be seen again. Faramir's mind was made up, and he opened the door, unsure of what he'd find.

The first thing that struck him was how peaceful it felt; something it had not been for the past month. The second was that Eowyn and Ninel were sitting before a rekindled fire, and they were laughing. Something about Eomer being cover in horse dung when he was a boy.

Faramir watched a few seconds longer, then backed out of the house, closing the door behind him. He walked to the garden and sat slowly on the marble bench. This day was beginning to give him a headache.

The door opened, and Eowyn glanced around, seeing her husband in the garden. She stepped out and walked over to where he sat, standing quietly.

"I think I might have missed something," stated Faramir, staring at the flowers.

"I must ask your forgiveness," said Eowyn, voice tinged with regret, "what I said earlier today was rash and unfounded." She bowed her head slightly.

Faramir knew that such an apology was genuine; his wife may be hard-headed, stubborn, and ornery at times, but those were some of the reasons why he loved her the way he did.

He stood and plucked a rose from its stem, then walked over to his wife, presenting it to her. "All is forgiven," he said tenderly.

Eowyn smiled and kissed her him lovingly, deciding to wait on giving him the news later; the real reason why she'd been so upset.

-ll-

Arwen led Aragorn to a small grove nestled into the mountains where she had buried their child. There was no marker other than a gnarled old tree, blackened by what they thought must have been a lightning strike.

Aragorn shivered as the words came back to him. The Black Tree will rise again.

He quickly shook off the thoughts and allowed himself to mourn the child he'd never get to know. Why must there be such darkness in the world? He asked himself, frowning.

Arwen nuzzled against him. "I think we should tell everyone," she said quietly.

Aragorn nodded. "In time. First, we must take time to grieve."

"Of course," Arwen agreed.

Together, they whispered a sad goodbye before heading back down the mountain. As the pair had later discussed, they waited a week before finally announcing to the kingdom of the tragedy.

All the peoples mourned with their king and queen, and Aragorn and Arwen received many letters.

No matter how many letters he read, though, Aragorn could not get the image of the gnarled, blackened tree, and words, The Black Tree will rise again, out of his mind.