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Title: A Mother's Woe (#1977)
Author: Saoirse
Chapters: 1

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: Esmeralda bears a terrible pain.
Published: 14 Jun 2005
Updated: 14 Jun 2005
Warnings:
Type: General
Characters: Esmeralda; Merry


Chapter 1 - A Mother's Woe

A/N: Hobbits give each other presents on their birthdays.

.


Esmeralda sat; the parlor was dim and empty and she gazed idly at the shadows that stretched across the walls. The tea in the cup she held was sourchingly hot, and she let it burn her hands.

Thirteen months.

Her breathing was steady, even; her heartbeat slow, and the window spilled in grey-light.

It was his birthday today. And she'd kept hope that he'd again burst through the great door and fill the Hall with his happy voice.

But the dread was there, and at hours like this -- lonely, solitary hours, the doubt would creep and swallow her heart.

Where was he? Was he safe? Was he hurt? Was he...

If only he'd come home; the greatest gift of all.
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