He was startled out of a sound sleep as his wife leapt out of bed and dashed into the small refreshing room adjoining it. She grabbed a nearby basin and was noisily sick into it.

"Wha..." He mumbled as battle trained instincts brought him fully awake an instant later.

He scrambled out of bed and raced to her side, crouching down next to her worriedly as she sank to the floor wearily.

"My love, what is the matter?" He asked anxiously as he drew her long hair back from her face, then felt her forehead, "You are not warm..."

"Just an upset stomach, nothing to worry about." She murmured in reply, laying her head on her husband's shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around her and ran his other hand gently through her hair, "But what could have caused it?"

"Does it matter? It has passed."

"Of course it matters." He replied, not voicing his fear that she could be poisoned. He could be losing the love of his life. Making a quick decision he lifted her into his arms, "Let us get you back to bed, then I will ride for Minis Tirith."

"Faramir," Eowyn scolded, "There is no need to bother Aragorn with this. I am fine, summon the healer of Emyn Arnen if you feel the need."

"I will not risk it, beloved." Faramir replied, shaking his head as he tucked her back into bed. "Promise me you will stay and rest until I return."

Eowyn sighed but acquiesced, seeing the fear in Faramir's eyes that he was trying hard to hide.

Satisfied that she would stay and rest Faramir quickly dressed and left the room. Passing the maid's quarter's he paused briefly to wake the girl and ask her to sit with Eowyn before moving quickly to the stables.

In Minis Tirith the day was just beginning as Faramir arrived. Recognising the Steward, a messenger was sent to alert Aragorn to his arrival, finding him in the garden with Arwen in the manner they liked to begin the day.

"What is the matter?" Aragorn asked, turning towards the messenger as he entered. They weren't usually disturbed during this time and it usually indicated a problem if they were.

"Faramir has entered the city, sire." The messenger replied, bowing despite Aragorn's dislike of formality. "He was riding fast before he reached the outer wall."

Aragorn frowned, then turned to Arwen, "I need to go see what has happened, meleth nín..." He began only to be interrupted by Arwen.

"I expect no less." She stated softly before kissing him gently on the lips, "Go see what has brought him here so hastily."

Aragorn cupped her head tenderly, rubbing his thumb along her cheek gently, before turning and leaving the garden to find Faramir.

He found him pacing in the entrance hall and paused a moment to observe him while he was still unaware of his presence. Aragorn frowned in concern. Few things could agitate Faramir to this extent.

"What agitates you, my friend?" He asked softly, alerting Faramir to his presence.

"Elessar!" Faramir replied, startled by his appearance and still highly agitated, "I do not know truly. Eowyn did not want me to bother you with it, but I trust no one else with it, yet..."

Faramir stopped himself and took a breath, realising he was babbling. Aragorn studied him for a moment with eyes that seemed to see strait through him.

"Come, sit with me." Aragorn stated gently, steering him towards a nearby sitting room. Glancing at a hovering servant he asked softly, "Could you prepare some tea for us?"

"Of course, sire." The servant bowed and quickly withdrew.

Once they reached the room Faramir looked at Aragorn a little warily as he sat down, causing the former Ranger to chuckle lightly.

"Have no fear, Faramir, it shall not send you to sleep. I merely wish to calm you so you can tell me what has so upset you."

"Oh..." Faramir sat quietly for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts but had to concede that Aragorn's decision was correct, as he no sooner had one thought then he lost control of it again.

Shortly the servant reappeared with the requested tea. At Aragorn's insistence Faramir drank half the cup before they tried to speak of the problem again.

"What is the problem?" Aragorn probed gently when it seemed that Faramir was calm enough.

"Eowyn..." Faramir replied, then seemed to not know what more to say.

"I thought you were happy." Aragorn said when it seemed the other man wouldn't continue

"We are, that is not the problem."

"Then what is?"

Faramir was silent for a moment before he began to speak, haltingly as if he could not find the words. Indeed he probably couldn't, as he had not slowed down enough to truly think about it in his rush to reach Aragorn. Aragorn for his part let him speak at his own pace

"She...she woke me up this morning. She...she was violently ill." He looked up and Aragorn could see the fear in his eyes, "She said it was nothing more then an upset stomach, that there was no need to bother you with it...but..."

"But you fear for her." Aragorn finished when it appeared Faramir couldn't voice it. Faramir nodded, dropping his eyes to his cup.

"Finish your tea." Aragorn encouraged softly, "Then I shall come take a look at her. Perhaps I shall see what the cause is."

Faramir looked relieved at the pronouncement and noticeably relaxed as he finished off his cup.

While Faramir was finishing his drink Aragorn quietly summoned a servant and asked that their horses be made ready. By the time the liquid was gone things were well underway for their departure.

Aragorn went first to inform Arwen of the situation then met Faramir at the stables, along with a small escort that even the fact that he had fought many battles alone against high odds could not negate.

The return trip was made at a much slower pace then the one Faramir had set on his way to the city and it was afternoon when they arrived.

Declining to dawdle Aragorn went immediately to the room where Eowyn was.

"I told Faramir that there was no need to bother you about this." Eowyn said when she spotted him.

"I would have come once I heard regardless, for both of you are my friends." Aragorn replied, studying her and the room. Noting the basin placed near at hand he continued, "Have you been ill again, my lady?"

"Not since this morning when I awoke and disturbed Faramir. The girl he asked to sit with me has been most thorough." Eowyn replied, looking mildly annoyed.

Aragorn moved over and placed his hand on her forehead, turning his discerning gaze on her. After a moment he smiled and moved back.

"What is it?" Faramir asked anxiously from where he was hovering in the doorway.

"She will be fine." Aragorn answered.

"Then the illness from this morning will not reoccur?" Faramir pressed, still anxious.

"I would be surprised if it did not." Aragorn returned with a mysterious smile.

"What? But...but you just said..." Faramir didn't know what to say to that and stumbled to a halt, looking lost.

Aragorn moved over to him and put his hand on his shoulder. His next words caused both Faramir's and Eowyn's eyes to widen in surprise.

"You have my congratulations, Faramir. You are going to be a father."