Disclaimer: I do not, unfortunately, own any part of the Lord of The Rings, movie or book. The new characters and the plot, however, are mine.

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And So They Lived

Aragorn sighed. It had been only 3 months since Frodo had gone westward, and the regret that he couldn't be there for him at his departure made the grief at the loss of his dear friend even more painful.

He sat in the throne room of his palace, glaring balefully at the wall opposite the throne he sat on, studying the heroic storyline etched into it as his mind wandered back to the day he had first met Frodo. He had, of course, heard of the hobbit through Gandalf, but meeting the ring-bearer was something entirely different. Aragorn chuckled, as he remembered the rather clumsy and unintentional, way in which the Ring slipped onto Frodo's finger that night at the prancing pony. Frodo seemed so very young then, his naïveté bordered on stupidity. At times Aragorn wished that he had been able to protect the young hobbits innocence

Frodo had to grow up far too quickly and take on burdens that should not have existed at all. The ring had been destroyed, yes, but it was more the fact that it had existed at all that bothered Aragorn. Isildur should have destroyed it when he had the chance. But the past was, after all, long gone, and he could not change what had happened millennia ago. He supposed, if he had, everything would have been different. He might not have met his dearest friends or his wife if it hadn't been for the betrayal of Isildur.

As he was contemplating the past and his future his wife walked in, clothed in a stunning dress of flame red and gold that set his heart on fire. Aragorn had never quite been able to get over the absolute beauty of the woman that had, for a reason he did not quite understand, chosen him. Arwen walked with the grace and power of a panther, her stunning looks a hereditary gift from heaven. Tangible confidence swirled around her like an invisible aura. Today, however, her beauty seemed changed. There was a fire burning in her eyes that had not been there that morning,

As she walked towards his throne he wondered what was disrupting her beauty, causing both her heart beat to quicken and her eyes to take on a strange brightness. He had never seen her like this before, and they had known each other for a long time.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

"Nothing is wrong, but I have some wonderful news for you just the same," The Queen said, with an emotion he couldn't identify…., "I…I am carrying our first child."

Aragorn stood dead still for a moment that stretched into an eternity, as he let what he had just heard sink into him. As he stood looking at his beautiful wife, an incredible joy built up inside him. It started from the very centre of his being, and exploded outwards into an enormous smile and a burst of delighted laughter escaping from his mouth.

"A child?" He said in amazement, whispered hoarsely, the joy of the moment overwhelming him. His wife ran forward and threw herself into his strong arms. He caught her, laughing and crying, and held her tight and they turned as he held her, Arwen's feet barely on the ground. He put her down, gently, and bent to kiss her stomach.

"Are you sure?" He asked smiling, still holding her, knowing what the answer would be, "when did you find out?"

"I found out this morning. I had suspected ever since we were first married, but I wasn't sure and didn't want to rush things. I went to the healer's hall and spoke with Mereniel. She was on duty at the time, and she told me I was definitely with child. I told her not to tell anyone, but I think we'd better announce it soon, before she breaks her promise." Arwen laughed, "I know her and she means no harm, but when it comes to good gossip she can only keep it bottled up for a few days before she can't take it any longer." Aragorn laughed again, too taken in his good mood to be annoyed with a gossipy woman at the healing hall.

"Then let her tell! It won't matter because we are going to announce our future child this very day!"

Arwen smiled and kissed him long and gentle. He relaxed and kissed her back, then softly broke away.

"I think we should get dressed for our announcement, after all, the public will want to know that their queen is expecting."

"You're right, I'll go and get dressed at once" Arwen beamed, and ran, half skipping, from the throne room as she headed to her chambers, skirts billowing out behind her, golden in the afternoon sun.

Aragorn sat on his throne staring at his hands, temporarily stunned, and considered this new revelation. He was both elated and amazed that they had together created new life, and a smile lit up his face. He was going to be a father!

"Your majesty!" A voice echoed through the hall.

Aragorn raised his head, and looked at the man in uniform who had entered the room. His dark, swarthy face was curious, and his wary eyes scrutinized him. A badly broken nose gave the solitary visitor a strangely lopsided look.

"Pilimor," the King said, annoyed, "What is it?"

The Chief of the Guard had plagued him even before he became king. With the conclusion to the quest of the ring, and his subsequent rule of the white city, it was not the first time he had been there. He had been to Minas Tirith several times before he became king, and he had, for the most part, enjoyed them. Before he rose to fill his rightful place as King, most people didn't know him as anyone but Strider. Those few who were close knew him as heir to the throne of Gondor.

Pilimor was one who knew, but he had never been a friend. A meddlesome old woman claiming to be a fortune teller had let the secret leak. The chief of the guards had arrested her, for no real reason but her fortune telling- a practice which he despised. The woman, to get herself out of prison, had offered the knowledge of one in the city who could claim the throne of Gondor. Pilimor was a steadfast supporter of Denethor, and hated change. Needless to say, he was very interested in the heir to the throne.

Pilimor had tracked down the city gossips and enquired after the mysterious heir, lining a few pockets here and there in order to attain his secret life as Strider. Pilimor had informed the Steward of his identity, and Aragorn was forced to flee the city. They had, however, met unfortunately, and Pilimor attacked him. Aragorn, being a master swordsman, had overcome him before running to escape the entire guard on his trail. Needless to say Aragorn wasn't very fond of the man, but he got some form of satisfaction by having him working underneath him. It was ironic how the tables had turned.

His attention was drawn back to the man as he spoke again in a contemptuous tone.

"Majesty, Gandalf the White is here to see you."

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Hey, please review if you're interested in this fic. I apologize if it's not 100 perfect, but this is the first fanfic I've written. Any reviews would be MUCH appreciated! (By the way, I decided to change the name of the Chief of the Guards from Falnar to Pilimor, which in Elvish means Dark Arrow)