4. Elven Perception

Together Arwen and Aragorn managed to get through several weeks with their treasured secret still hidden. As time passed Aragorn found himself admiring Arwen's gradually changing body, yet he noticed her becoming more and more self-conscious of the little bump, which saddened him. He could see the disappointment in her eyes when she dressed each morning and looked down, finding that she no longer had her perfect elven figure and that her tummy was starting to show through the beautiful velvets she wore, whether she wanted it to or not.

Arwen was at ease when he was beside her, but when he had to leave to do his duties as the ruler of Gondor an inexplicable dread took hold of her. She grew incredibly anxious, believing that people would start to suspect that she was pregnant and that something bad would come of it. Her deep sense of foreboding was so intense that she pleaded for Aragorn to not yet make an announcement to the people. Not only was she afraid of what might happen when the news was let out, but also she was uncomfortable with the knowledge that from that point onwards everyone would be staring at her, and whispering about her and the evidence she bore of her love life with the King. It was all too daunting. For now she desperately wanted to keep her pregnancy private – something just between her and Aragorn – and she clung to secrecy as if her life depended on it.

But when Arwen escaped the company of others and reflected on the new life of her half-elven child now growing within her, she found a warm happiness spreading through her heart. She was truly overjoyed that she was expecting her firstborn baby. She could not suppress her excitement any longer; her face lit up with happiness and as she danced through the sunlit gardens she sang, losing herself in happy fantasies of the wonderful life that was to come. At that time, life was good, life was glorious, and life was perfectly undisturbed.

It was to be the calm before the storm.

Trouble began for Arwen one summer's day, a month after she had revealed her pregnancy to Aragorn. The morning started as normal, with Arwen saying a regrettably early goodbye to her husband by the Fountain before he commenced a long day of negotiations, organising, and difficult decision-making. Aragorn had kissed her gently and lingeringly, for as long as possible without drawing the guards' attention, before wrapping a shawl over her shoulders and wishing her a good day. Then she mounted her white horse Ninniach and rode down to the second level from the citadel, still savouring the memory of his kiss and the faint touch of his hands skimming over her shoulders. She cantered along the roads, which were quiet as most people were only now rising, and the hoof-steps echoed off the stone houses and shops and rang down the sleepy alleyways, unbuffered.

Near the southern gate Arwen came to an orchard, where she dismounted and allowed her horse to wander off and bask under the shade of the laden apple trees. After slipping off her shoes, she walked barefoot through the grass under the boughs of the trees, heading for a special garden bestowed upon her by the townsfolk of Minas Tirith. For, even though she and Aragorn shared a garden of their own up in the citadel, she had fallen in love with this place the moment she had chanced upon it during her first month as Queen, and the townsfolk had given it to her in a gesture of goodwill as they welcomed her into their city. The garden may not have been very large, or properly kept, but it was reminiscent of the elven gardens of Lorien and Rivendell that Arwen had once walked in long ago, and it filled her heart with peace.

The trees ended and Arwen stepped out into the bright sunshine, and she closed her eyes and lifted up her head, smiling and basking for a moment in its glorious warmth. Sighing with pleasure, she headed across the lawn, scattered pink clover and white daisies passing beneath her feet and tall yellow buttercups brushing against her ankles. The dazzling sunlight fell down onto a pool that reflected the cloudless blue sky and glittered as ripples raced across its surface. Tall reeds encircled the water, whispering familiarly in the gentle breeze, while tall irises, both orange and yellow, waved cheerfully at their intense reflections. As she neared it, she saw dragonflies flitting about over the clear water, flashing their gleaming turquoise and jade wings, while the air vibrated around her with the humming of grasshoppers and crickets. It was wonderful.

But the July sun was proving to be the hottest Gondor had ever known and it was with much gratitude that Arwen entered the shade of a great willow tree that stood at the southern bank of the pool. She lifted aside one of its trailing branches and slipped inside, letting the silvery curtain of leaves fall back behind her. The leaves fluttered in the gentle wind but the overlapping branches concealed her from the rest of the garden and sheltered her from the suffocating heat in a cool cocoon. She shrugged off her shawl and sat down between two twisted roots that stretched out into the long grass, leaning back against the ridged, dusty grey bark with a contented sigh.

At last, she felt at ease. Finally she could absorb herself in the joyous new life that was springing within her, without any fear of being read. She dreamed of a time when Aragorn was no longer chained to his duties as King, and they could spend long hours here in the garden, rejoicing in their hope for the future by once more expressing their love… Slowly laying kisses over every inch of his skin while his skilful hands roamed her body, intent on eliciting moans of pleasure…

A distant shout stirred Arwen from her arousing thoughts. The powerful visions and sensations that had been crawling over her skin only seconds ago faded away. She tried to recall them but it was like clutching at straws. Dismayed she opened her eyes, once more becoming aware of the unbearable heat. She tried to distract herself by admiring the beauty around her – how mystical the morning sunlight appeared as it threw down yellow shafts of light between the topmost leaves of the old tree, right into her hiding place. They lingered in the air, sparkling mystically and turning her pale skin to gold.

She shifted uncomfortably. It was no good. She looked out to the west, towards the pool, but between the screen of leaves she could only descry rare sparkles from the water and flashes of bold colour from the butterflies and dragonflies. There was nothing absorbing to watch.

Even in the shade of the willow, she was too hot. And the tightness of her dress was extremely frustrating. Unfortunately it was one that had been made to fit her stunning figure exactly. Now that it was four months since the passionate night on which Arwen suspected their child had been conceived, her swelling tummy protruded irrevocably through the rich magenta velvet. There was an obvious curve on her stomach and only a complete fool would not realise that elves were not fat unless they were with child.

Arwen did not mind that her rounded tummy was not in the slightest bit concealed if she was alone with Aragorn, for if she dared admit it she felt even more aroused and she yearned for Aragorn to run his fingers all over her bare skin, over her tummy and… below. It did not help that she could see the desire in his eyes every time he raked his gaze appreciatively over her form when they were alone. She knew he found her even more attractive and that made it even more difficult to part with him each day, when the longing was pulsating between them so fiercely. Arwen shook her head and smiled, reminding herself that though she was now mortal she and Aragorn still had many years ahead of them in which they could delight in each other's company.

She clutched the rough bark and pulled herself to her feet, gasping as her dress seemed to constrict around her waist. She winced and was overcome with a wild desire to tear the whole garment off – or even better to persuade Aragorn to do it. For of course she knew that after that he would not turn away without worshipping her body, and how she ached for him.

Struggling to dispel all discomfort from her senses, Arwen emerged from under the tree and the crisp leaves trailed back over her face and shoulders. Assaulted by the direct heat of the sun, she hastened to the bank and among the reeds so that she could dip her feet into the cool water. The wonderful release made her moan and she closed her eyes in bliss. The only thing that was stopping her from sliding completely into the water was that she had no change of clothes or blanket to conceal herself in afterwards.

She was just imagining what fun she could indulge in if she persuaded Aragorn to join her in the water some other day when the tranquillity of the garden was disturbed by two voices. Arwen was perplexed. The townsfolk rarely entered the garden, not wishing to disturb her. Was something wrong?

She stood and shook the water off her gleaming wet feet before slowly drifting back through the long grass towards the trees, from whence the voices came. One was rapidly drawing closer, while the other, who had a much lower voice, seemed further away. But who were they?

Arwen came to a standstill, apprehensively watching the shadows under the trees for any sign of movement. Without any warning a tall figure ran out into the open, but he was looking over his shoulder at something behind. He wore a pale green tunic, and after he had turned back to face her his long blonde hair streamed behind him as he ran.

"Legolas!" Arwen exclaimed, and upon hearing her greeting his eyes sought her out. A smile crept up his face and he rushed to embrace her.

"Arwen, mae govannen! How are you?" he asked, releasing her and seeking out her eyes. Arwen smiled at him warmly, but before she could answer she realised that the elf was looking at her very curiously. She faltered under his piercing gaze and suddenly felt very vulnerable.

"Arwen…!" he murmured, his tone one of astonished delight. He began to smirk.

"What is it?" she asked, feeling very bewildered. "Legolas-?"

Chuckling he flicked his eyes downwards and back up again, raising his eyebrows at her. Arwen followed his gaze and her heart skipped a beat as she realised that without her shawl it was very obvious to Legolas that she was pregnant. She took a step back and glanced up at him, filled with fear. Now it was time for confusion to cross Legolas' face, but before he could say anything Arwen had turned away from him, shielding her bump and feeling unbidden tears welling in her eyes.

"Arwen - " Legolas breathed, and she felt him gently lift her hair off her face so that he could see her. She tentatively looked up into his eyes as a tear slipped down her face. He gazed at her in concern. "Please, do not cry, Undómiel," he murmured, brushing his fingers over her cheek to wipe the tear away. He fetched her shawl from underneath the willow tree and carefully wrapped it around her so that it fell over the bump. With a sniffle Arwen gave him a grateful smile and leant upon his shoulder, feeling better as he wrapped a comforting arm around her.

"I am sorry to have upset you," Legolas whispered, "but I already knew. I could see it in your eyes."

It was then that Arwen remembered how elves were able to perceive if a maiden was pregnant and she berated herself for forgetting; she supposed it was a sign of spending most of her recent time around mortals. She sighed and nodded.

"Forgive me, Legolas," she apologised, blushing.

He was about to reply when there was another loud shout from the trees. Surprised, Arwen turned to see a short figure hurtling out, growling as he did so.

"Legolas, mark my words when I say I shall catch you one of these days! I can easily outrun you in a sprint! It's just this confounded heat!" It was Gimli.

Legolas laughed wholeheartedly. "Perhaps you would like to race me in the snow? Or on ice?" he jested, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

The dwarf grumbled but slowed to a jog anyway, clutching a stitch in his side. Even he was not wearing lots of clothes, only a thin dark red tunic and sandals, with his big hairy toes showing. His face matched the scarlet of his top and he was puffing like a whistling winter gale.

"Gimli!" Arwen smiled, knowing her secret would be safe from him at any rate, "it is lovely to see you." The dwarf graciously bowed low and looked up at her admiringly.

"My lady, you look more beautiful every time I see you." Arwen felt her cheeks grow hot and she quickly glanced away in modesty. Gimli chortled and wheezed. "Come on laddie, let's find some shade."

He and Legolas walked over to the lagoon, both admiring the beautiful place. Arwen hesitated, still unsettled by the fact that Legolas knew her secret. She fiddled with the fringe of her shawl, unsure of how to proceed.

"Arwen, are you joining us?"

She sighed and followed her friends over to a patch of shade by the pool. All three sat down among the reeds and irises on a high bank looking south towards the trees. Arwen was again struck by the vivid memory of once sitting here with Aragorn that fateful evening a few months ago. It had been an incredibly passionate night and the thought of it immediately set her pulse racing. She glanced down guiltily and tried to clear her thoughts lest Legolas read them.

"So what have you been doing recently Arwen?" Gimli asked, splashing his feet into the water.

"Usually I come to the gardens," she explained politely, "I love the wild flowers and the archways under the trees, for I feel as if I am back home in Lórien. I do not have much to do whilst Aragorn is working in the chambers with the other lords. We usually have only the evenings together." She could not hide the sadness from her voice.

"Yes, we also found it difficult to speak to him earlier," Gimli said, nodding grimly. Arwen looked up in surprise. She had not realised that they had already gone up to the citadel and come back down, so early in the day. "But actually, he seemed quite glad to see us," Gimli continued, unaware of having captured her interest.

Legolas suddenly started. "Forgive me for not telling you earlier, Arwen, but my thoughts were distracted! Aragorn would like to see you. He informed us that there is an important matter about which he would like to speak to you, and that you should be careful. We offered to bring you to him, and he assented. He knew where you would be." Arwen's eyes widened and she leapt to her feet. The elf and dwarf looked up at her in surprise.

"Thank you," she murmured. "I must take my leave now." She readjusted her shawl and began to walk away across the grass.

"We will see you later, I hope?" Legolas called after her, looking anxious.

She sent them both a fleeting smile. "Yes, do come to our evening meal, you will both be very welcome." Then she turned away and started to run back through the trees, the farewells of Gimli and Legolas left far behind.