Disclaimer: don't own lotr
"You're what!?" Maranwe shrieked.
Arwen smiled at her friend, "I am with a child."
Maranwe screamed joyously and jumped into Arwen's embrace, "You're going to have a baby!! I don't believe it!!"
Arwen laughed and returned the hug. Maranwe pulled back and held Arwen's shoulders, "How long have you known?" she asked excited.
"Only two days. You, Aragorn and the nurse are the only ones who know." There was a silence as the two friends stared at each other. Maranwe shrieking again broke it.
"Ahhh! I am so happy for you! Congratulations!" Maranwe's laughter was contagious and Arwen found herself joining in. Once it died off Maranwe sat on the couch pulling Arwen to sit next to her.
"Tell me everything."
Arwen stared at her blankly, "What do you mean?"
"How much longer until the birth?" Maranwe pressed.
"Approximately six months." She informed. She looked at Maranwe questionably, "Are you all right?"
"I am thinking." She answered.
Arwen grinned, "Well I know that. That's why I asked, you never just "think"."
Maranwe gave her and eyeing stare as a triumphant grin appeared on her face, "Six more months you say?" Arwen nodded, "Interesting." Maranwe stood and walked across the royal chambers.
"Why do you say that?" Arwen asked, beginning to get worried by that all too familiar gleam in Maranwe's eyes that only appeared when she had an evil plan up her tunic sleeve.
"Because, didn't you and Estel go on that camping trip three months ago?" she said smiling. "So you put two and two together, or in this case- three months and six months getting?" she grinned in amusement as realization dawned on Arwen's face, along with the dark shade of red that now adorned her cheeks and ears.
"MARANWE!" Arwen screeched.
The Captain of Gondor just kept going, "That was the trip with the waterfall and the lake, with that really pretty willow tree you told me about. Am I correct? The tree that gave LOTS of shade?" Arwen went even redder in embarrassment. Bowing to the ground Maranwe spoke, "My work here is done."
She quickly dove to the floor as Arwen shrieked and threw a chair cushion at her, completely missing her to sail towards the door and be caught by a rough, callused hand.
"Am I intruding on anything?" Aragorn spoke coming through the door, "I heard screaming so I thought I would drop by." He said in an amused tone. He then looked at the sight before him puzzled.
Maranwe laid on the floor in a fit of giggles, while his wife sat on the couch her face flushing madly, lips pursed and eyes crossed down at her friend and Captain of Gondor.
" I obviously missed something. Anyone care to inform me?" he questioned. He strolled over to the bench and sat beside his wife. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pressed a sensual greeting kiss to her scowling lips. When he pulled back, he gazed into Arwen's eyes and smiled at her quickly changed expression. She smiled back at him yet the blush remained on her cheeks as Aragorn held her face in his palms, kissing her once more.
From her sitting spot on the floor, Maranwe smiled at the love the royal couple shared. She knew the love between the two of her closest friends could not be more. Their love was greater than that of Luthien and Beren and Maranwe felt blessed to witness the love they shared for one another.
Once they separated, they smile at one another and Aragorn turned to Maranwe and spoke, "My guess is that Arwen told you of the new addition that will be joining us?"
Maranwe grinned, "She has. I am so happy for the both of you."
The future parents smiled in gratitude, "We know." Arwen spoke.
Maranwe ran up and gave them both a hug, "You two are going to parents, I cant believe it!"
Aragorn grinned, "Well we had enough practice raising you, so another child shouldn't be too hard." He laughed as the half elf scowled at him.
"I will let that comment slide Estel. The hour is late and I am very tired. I bid the royal couple goodnight." She bowed respectively and headed towards the door.
"Maranwe." Aragorn called out.
She turned, "Yes?"
"I have told you multiple times you only have to bow to us if it's a formal council or something else of the sort. We treat you, dear friend as an equal."
Maranwe felt her cheeks flush a little; which only Arwen noticed and nodded. She then left the room, shutting the heavy doors behind her.
Aragorn squeezed his wife's hand and looked at her affectionately, "You, my Queen, should get some rest."
Arwen smiled softly, "Estel, its not like the baby is due any-" her words were cut off as Aragorn picked her up under the knees and carried her across the room.
"Yes, I'm aware of that, but can't a husband spoil his wife once in a while?" he spoke with a boyish grin.
Arwen draped one arm around his neck and stroked his cheek with her free hand, "You always spoil me love." They approached the bed and Aragorn gently laid her body down on the soft mattress and pulled the covers up around her.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he spoke softly, "I'll be right back." He went into his closet and a few minutes later returned in a pair of loose, fitting breeches meant for night wear. He lay beside his wife and pulled her close as he rested back on the multiple feather pillows.
"Estel?" Arwen murmured from the crook in his shoulder.
"Yes?"
"When shall we tell your kingdom that you have an heir?"
Aragorn turned to her puzzled, "The kingdom already knows I have an heir, if something were to happen to me then the throne would go to Faramir and his kin." He brushed a lock of stray hair from Arwen's face and put it back behind her delicately pointed ear. "Do you mean, 'when shall we tell OUR kingdom that WE have a child?'" he placed his hand on the small swell of her belly and whispered, "The child is both of ours love, and it only a heir by title, not by heart."
Arwen felt her heart melt, "Do you know how much I love you?" she wrapped an arm around his middle and snuggled closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
He draped an arm around her shoulders, resuming their normal sleeping position. Aragorn pressed a kiss to the top of her head and said, "Not as much as I love you, I can assure you of that."
Arwen raised her head slightly to look at him with a cocked eyebrow, "Pardon? I believe that I continued to love you even when you would leave for months at a time as a ranger."
Aragorn protested, "Yes. That may be true but I have loved you from the moment I saw you in the woods, it took you a little persuading." He then gave a triumphant grin at her silence. However, it was slowly wiped off his face as the corners of Arwen's lips curled upward in a sly grin.
She sat up completely and stared him in the eye, "Tell me Estel. Do these words sound familiar? 'I would rather share one lifetime with you, then face all the ages of this world alone.'"
At that point, Aragorn sat up as well, he was defeated and he knew it but he showed no sign. He and Arwen just stared at each other. She felt her tight lip slowly turn into a grin again, unable to keep a straight face.
"Do you mock your king?" Aragorn asked. When Arwen nodded furiously, stifling a laugh he growled, "That transgression is punished by-" he voice trailed off as he lunged at her.
Arwen shrieked as her husband pinned her shoulder to the bed and sat on her thighs, placing his hands on her hips he bent down and whispered into her ear, "This ought to teach you."
"Aragorn-" Arwen spoke warningly.
He flashed her a smile before he began to tickle her. Arwen giggled uncontrollably as she jerked from underneath him.
Aragorn laughed along with his wife as she tried to twist out of his loving clutches, accidentally undoing the front of her gown as it fell from her shoulders. Arwen smiled in amusement as she watched the blush rise in Aragorn's cheeks as he seized his playful tortures instantly. She reached up and brushed her hand across his smooth face.
"Undomiel, are you suggesting-" Aragorn's voice trailed off as Arwen pulled his face down to her sharing an intimate kiss.
tbc
"You're what!?" Maranwe shrieked.
Arwen smiled at her friend, "I am with a child."
Maranwe screamed joyously and jumped into Arwen's embrace, "You're going to have a baby!! I don't believe it!!"
Arwen laughed and returned the hug. Maranwe pulled back and held Arwen's shoulders, "How long have you known?" she asked excited.
"Only two days. You, Aragorn and the nurse are the only ones who know." There was a silence as the two friends stared at each other. Maranwe shrieking again broke it.
"Ahhh! I am so happy for you! Congratulations!" Maranwe's laughter was contagious and Arwen found herself joining in. Once it died off Maranwe sat on the couch pulling Arwen to sit next to her.
"Tell me everything."
Arwen stared at her blankly, "What do you mean?"
"How much longer until the birth?" Maranwe pressed.
"Approximately six months." She informed. She looked at Maranwe questionably, "Are you all right?"
"I am thinking." She answered.
Arwen grinned, "Well I know that. That's why I asked, you never just "think"."
Maranwe gave her and eyeing stare as a triumphant grin appeared on her face, "Six more months you say?" Arwen nodded, "Interesting." Maranwe stood and walked across the royal chambers.
"Why do you say that?" Arwen asked, beginning to get worried by that all too familiar gleam in Maranwe's eyes that only appeared when she had an evil plan up her tunic sleeve.
"Because, didn't you and Estel go on that camping trip three months ago?" she said smiling. "So you put two and two together, or in this case- three months and six months getting?" she grinned in amusement as realization dawned on Arwen's face, along with the dark shade of red that now adorned her cheeks and ears.
"MARANWE!" Arwen screeched.
The Captain of Gondor just kept going, "That was the trip with the waterfall and the lake, with that really pretty willow tree you told me about. Am I correct? The tree that gave LOTS of shade?" Arwen went even redder in embarrassment. Bowing to the ground Maranwe spoke, "My work here is done."
She quickly dove to the floor as Arwen shrieked and threw a chair cushion at her, completely missing her to sail towards the door and be caught by a rough, callused hand.
"Am I intruding on anything?" Aragorn spoke coming through the door, "I heard screaming so I thought I would drop by." He said in an amused tone. He then looked at the sight before him puzzled.
Maranwe laid on the floor in a fit of giggles, while his wife sat on the couch her face flushing madly, lips pursed and eyes crossed down at her friend and Captain of Gondor.
" I obviously missed something. Anyone care to inform me?" he questioned. He strolled over to the bench and sat beside his wife. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pressed a sensual greeting kiss to her scowling lips. When he pulled back, he gazed into Arwen's eyes and smiled at her quickly changed expression. She smiled back at him yet the blush remained on her cheeks as Aragorn held her face in his palms, kissing her once more.
From her sitting spot on the floor, Maranwe smiled at the love the royal couple shared. She knew the love between the two of her closest friends could not be more. Their love was greater than that of Luthien and Beren and Maranwe felt blessed to witness the love they shared for one another.
Once they separated, they smile at one another and Aragorn turned to Maranwe and spoke, "My guess is that Arwen told you of the new addition that will be joining us?"
Maranwe grinned, "She has. I am so happy for the both of you."
The future parents smiled in gratitude, "We know." Arwen spoke.
Maranwe ran up and gave them both a hug, "You two are going to parents, I cant believe it!"
Aragorn grinned, "Well we had enough practice raising you, so another child shouldn't be too hard." He laughed as the half elf scowled at him.
"I will let that comment slide Estel. The hour is late and I am very tired. I bid the royal couple goodnight." She bowed respectively and headed towards the door.
"Maranwe." Aragorn called out.
She turned, "Yes?"
"I have told you multiple times you only have to bow to us if it's a formal council or something else of the sort. We treat you, dear friend as an equal."
Maranwe felt her cheeks flush a little; which only Arwen noticed and nodded. She then left the room, shutting the heavy doors behind her.
Aragorn squeezed his wife's hand and looked at her affectionately, "You, my Queen, should get some rest."
Arwen smiled softly, "Estel, its not like the baby is due any-" her words were cut off as Aragorn picked her up under the knees and carried her across the room.
"Yes, I'm aware of that, but can't a husband spoil his wife once in a while?" he spoke with a boyish grin.
Arwen draped one arm around his neck and stroked his cheek with her free hand, "You always spoil me love." They approached the bed and Aragorn gently laid her body down on the soft mattress and pulled the covers up around her.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he spoke softly, "I'll be right back." He went into his closet and a few minutes later returned in a pair of loose, fitting breeches meant for night wear. He lay beside his wife and pulled her close as he rested back on the multiple feather pillows.
"Estel?" Arwen murmured from the crook in his shoulder.
"Yes?"
"When shall we tell your kingdom that you have an heir?"
Aragorn turned to her puzzled, "The kingdom already knows I have an heir, if something were to happen to me then the throne would go to Faramir and his kin." He brushed a lock of stray hair from Arwen's face and put it back behind her delicately pointed ear. "Do you mean, 'when shall we tell OUR kingdom that WE have a child?'" he placed his hand on the small swell of her belly and whispered, "The child is both of ours love, and it only a heir by title, not by heart."
Arwen felt her heart melt, "Do you know how much I love you?" she wrapped an arm around his middle and snuggled closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder.
He draped an arm around her shoulders, resuming their normal sleeping position. Aragorn pressed a kiss to the top of her head and said, "Not as much as I love you, I can assure you of that."
Arwen raised her head slightly to look at him with a cocked eyebrow, "Pardon? I believe that I continued to love you even when you would leave for months at a time as a ranger."
Aragorn protested, "Yes. That may be true but I have loved you from the moment I saw you in the woods, it took you a little persuading." He then gave a triumphant grin at her silence. However, it was slowly wiped off his face as the corners of Arwen's lips curled upward in a sly grin.
She sat up completely and stared him in the eye, "Tell me Estel. Do these words sound familiar? 'I would rather share one lifetime with you, then face all the ages of this world alone.'"
At that point, Aragorn sat up as well, he was defeated and he knew it but he showed no sign. He and Arwen just stared at each other. She felt her tight lip slowly turn into a grin again, unable to keep a straight face.
"Do you mock your king?" Aragorn asked. When Arwen nodded furiously, stifling a laugh he growled, "That transgression is punished by-" he voice trailed off as he lunged at her.
Arwen shrieked as her husband pinned her shoulder to the bed and sat on her thighs, placing his hands on her hips he bent down and whispered into her ear, "This ought to teach you."
"Aragorn-" Arwen spoke warningly.
He flashed her a smile before he began to tickle her. Arwen giggled uncontrollably as she jerked from underneath him.
Aragorn laughed along with his wife as she tried to twist out of his loving clutches, accidentally undoing the front of her gown as it fell from her shoulders. Arwen smiled in amusement as she watched the blush rise in Aragorn's cheeks as he seized his playful tortures instantly. She reached up and brushed her hand across his smooth face.
"Undomiel, are you suggesting-" Aragorn's voice trailed off as Arwen pulled his face down to her sharing an intimate kiss.
tbc