It was a bright and beautiful morning as Legolas went to acquire Enguina from her house. The snow was melting a bit in the sun even though it was cold outside. Most of the people he had greeted already this morning were wearing cloaks and heavy boots to protect from the wind and snow, but Legolas had on a light tunic and his soft boots. There was no need for him to have any serious protection. He knocked once upon her door and then waited.
And waited. It was the right time and so he could not imagine a reason for her not to appear. He knocked again, even twice more, and waited. She did not answer, and then he grew worried. He would not, though, open the door to her home and check on her. Perhaps she had forgotten and had gone to the King's House for breakfast in spite of their plans? He was to check with Arwen; she, at least, might know where she was.
He hurried to the King's House, unwilling to allow much time to pass if indeed Enguina was…well, in trouble. Climbing the front steps, he noticed that Aragorn had already gone this morning as his boot prints led away from the House. He reached the door and knocked gently; he did not wish to alarm Arwen if she was still resting.
The door opened within a few seconds, and it was definitely Arwen; she did not block the doorway but Legolas only had eyes for her. "Good morning, Arwen," he said.
She rested her head against the doorframe and smiled tiredly at him. "Good morning, Legolas. How are you?"
"You look tired," he asked, startled. "Is everything…" He drifted off as he noticed Enguina sitting at the table, her hand wrapped around a mug of tea. Upon seeing her, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I came here to see if you knew where Enguina was. We were supposed to meet this morning, but I am very relieved to see that she is with you."
Arwen glanced behind her. "Would you care to join us, Legolas? If even for a few moments." She opened the door and stood back to let him enter. He came inside and felt that the atmosphere was heavy. Enguina lifted her head to look at him, but clearly, something was troubling her.
"You are unwell, Enguina?" he asked worriedly, taking a seat at the end of the table near her. Arwen turned to pour him some tea as well.
"Forgive me, Legolas," she said, clearing her throat and taking another sip of her tea. She sounded a bit hoarse to him. "I completely forgot all about our meeting this morning."
He shook his head. "Do not worry about it. If you are ill, we can go any other time. Please, take some rest, if that is what you need."
"No, I am…quite well," she replied, and though Legolas did not want to contradict her, she seemed pale and drawn…as did Arwen.
"Are you both all right?" he asked softly, and he laid a hand over Enguina's arm as he looked between her and Arwen. "Is there nothing I can do?"
Arwen laughed, leaning her hip against the edge of the table. "Can you finish breakfast please? I need to sit down." Legolas stood immediately and took her arm, guiding her to a chair; she sat down heavily and rested her head on the table. "Thank you, Legolas," she said softly, "you are wonderful." She closed her eyes and Enguina frowned as Legolas turned the browning sausages.
"Enguina, are you sure you are well?" he asked softly and she met his eyes.
"I…will be. It was a long night." He read so much in her gaze, it made him want to rush to her side and hold her. He barely restrained himself from doing so, but he somehow managed.
"This is not the first time," he said softly and though her frown deepened, she nodded. "You are haunted, Enguina…is there anything I can do that can bring you comfort?" He glanced down, removing the sausages from the heat and finishing up the eggs. He placed everything on the table and then poured them all water while he waited out Enguina's silence. Arwen made no effort to fill the empty space with words.
Enguina attempted to smile at him as he took his seat again. "Distract me, Legolas. That is the best cure at the moment. Where had you intended to take me this morning? I am sorry that we did not get to go."
"There will be other mornings," he said, and he reached over and laid a hand on Arwen's shoulder, shaking her gently. "Hey there, breakfast is on the table."
She lifted her head and then slowly shook it. "Not for me," she said, hauling herself to her feet. "If it is all the same to the both of you, I am going to lie down."
"Should I send for the Healers?" he asked worriedly and Enguina even reacted enough to stare at her.
"No, no," she laughed, "I know what I am about, Legolas. I have been feeling ill since last evening, but if I do not lie down now I know where this will end." She leaned over, cupping Enguina's cheek in her hand and kissing the top of her head. "Enjoy breakfast, and then enjoy the day. Feel free to stay as long as you like." She rubbed a hand on Legolas's arm and then turned to go.
"Arwen," Enguina said suddenly as she moved out of the room, "shall I cook tonight?"
Arwen smiled at her. "If you so desire."
"It is only that I heard Faramir say when he stopped by this morning that Éowyn was not feeling well either, and…well, I would be willing if you could use a break."
"You are very kind, love," she replied, and then she left the room.
Legolas watched her go and waited until Enguina turned back before he gave her a sly little smile. "See? I knew that eventually you would have to take over!" he laughed aloud and she reached out and smacked him in the arm.
"Perhaps I should just force you to do it instead."
"I would be more than happy to help you."
She sighed. "I really meant it when I said I know next to nothing about cooking."
"I would honestly be more than happy to help you gather some ingredients while we are out today. I also would like to stop by Ecthelion—"
"And tell Aragorn to drop by and check on her? A wise idea."
"Yes," he said with a smile, "though I am sure he already knows, it appears we had the same idea."
"You never did answer my question."
He sighed. "There is a little café four levels down that simply makes the best breads and muffins. Arwen told me she brought you muffins a few mornings ago, but those were not these. I promise, you have never put another bread product in your mouth that is more delicious than these muffins. But, perhaps another morning."
"Yes," she said. Then, before she continued, she looked at him steadily. "Legolas, I have to be honest with you." Her eyes filled, but no tears fell as she continued. "I know this is overstepping something, and I should not even bring it up but I…do not want to lead you on. I…I do not know if I can ever be what you are looking for," her voice was soft, but she was serious. "I do not know if I can ever overcome my past, my dreams, I cannot outrun them. I…do not know if I can be…if I can…"
He reached out and laid a hand over hers on the table. "Enguina, please, you do not have to be anything right now. You do not have to explain if you do not want to."
"But I…I need you to know," she said, frowning. "I need you to know because I do not know if I can…if I can fall in love, Legolas." She stuttered over the words, but they were out now. Legolas stared at her; last night had hurt her, whatever haunted her dreams was still with her today. "I may not ever be able to be what you want," she whispered, "and the last thing I want is to hurt you, or…lead you to a place that I dare not ever go."
"Enguina," he said gently, "agree to spend time with me, and then agree to spend more. Let me show you the rest of Minas Tirith. Let us cook dinner together tonight. Let us go to Sunday service tomorrow. We…" he said, squeezing her hand and smiling at her, "do not need a plan for the whole future."
"I do not know if there will be one," she said.
"We have the next two days planned," he said with a laugh, "let us start there." She thought of Aragorn's words last night: forget the future, and enjoy the company of a good man.
She stared at him a moment. "You do not intend to give up…do you?"
He gave her a smile. "I intend to continue to pursue you…and wait if I must. But I do not toy with you; this is no game, Enguina. I am as sincere in my purpose and intent as I told you yesterday." He took a bite of a sausage and she smiled back at him.
"I guess we should be getting to Ecthelion and then to that wall, hmm?"
"I do have a promise to keep to the dwarf." He nodded at her, laughing. "But first, finish your breakfast and then we will go." She looked back towards her plate, and he could not help but think at the little smile on her face that at some point he was going to win her heart.
After visiting briefly with Aragorn, who as Legolas had suspected, already had plans to lunch at the King's House, Legolas and Enguina made their way to the wall that Gimli was working on repairing. He held her hand as he led her up the narrow walkway to the area where the dwarves were working. They had not been there a few seconds when Gimli arrived at their sides.
"Pointy-ears finally come to help, eh?"
Legolas laughed at him, and clasped his shoulder. "We were delayed this morning, friend! But I believe you have not yet formally met Enguina," he said, bowing towards her and placing her hand in Gimli's. "Gimli, son of Gloín, Lord of the Glittering Caves, meet the Lady Enguina of Lothlórien."
He bowed low over her hand and then smiled at her. "Greetings, Lady, you're most welcome to the wall my kinsmen and me are working on. We've quite a bit of work to do yet," he said laughing, "but you're more than welcome to hang about."
She laughed softly. "'Hang about?' I thought we were going to help you."
"Well," Gimli hesitated, "I don't think lifting stone is a Lady's job, but let me look around. I'm sure I can find something that you can do." He shot a look at Legolas and hurried away. Legolas laughed.
"I did not expect you to have a desire for heavy labor this morning," Legolas teased. "I would have given Gimli advance notice."
She gave him a sad smile. "Labor tends to keep one's mind occupied," she replied, looking down at the other dwarves. "I need distraction today."
"I understand."
The dwarf came back within another moment. "I've found you a job, my Lady."
"Please, Enguina," she said.
"Enguina," he amended, "you can help spread the mortar compound. Does that sound good?"
She smiled. "Yes." He began taking her over to show her where she would be working, and as they walked she decided that it was time she made conversation with this dwarf. Legolas gave her an encouraging look. "Gimli, Legolas said that you are the Lord of the Glittering Caves. Where are they located?"
"In Rohan, my Lady," he said, "within the White Mountains near Helm's Deep. It's in the most unremarkable place, but when you go into the mountain, the caves shine like the stars."
"It is quite beautiful," admitted Legolas. "He does not exaggerate."
"They are not dark and closed in?" Enguina asked softly, thinking of being in such a dark, frightening place. "I thought a cave was—"
"Not these!" laughed Gimli. "They shimmer and are displayed with beautiful colors. Now, I know you're an elf, but even you'd appreciate these colors! And they're very open with glorious natural light pouring into them in many places."
Enguina smiled. "They are sounding better all the time." She looked around and watched many of the dwarves hard at work; they smiled at her, but they continued to complete their tasks. She was awed by the amount of work they were doing. Again, she found herself humbled by the discovery of how little she knew of the world.
"You know," Gimli said suddenly, turning to her, "I'm sorry we haven't spent time talking before. There used to be too much animosity between our races. I mean, the last time I met an elf I didn't know, I said something awful to him in my language!" He laughed. "Luckily, Haldir didn't know what it meant or he might have cut my head—"
"You knew Haldir as well?" Enguina asked, incredulously, and Legolas looked at her with surprise at the tone of her voice.
"Uh, well…yes," Gimli replied, looking up at her and leaning on the wall. "We knew each other a bit. We didn't become great friends, but we got along all right, and we fought together at Helm's Deep." He noticed something in her face. "You—"
"He was my brother," she said softly.
He clapped his hands and took hers and kissed them both. "Any family of that elf's is a friend of mine!" he laughed, even in her surprise. "Though, I already hoped we would be good friends, as you're a friend of that one over there," he said, nodding towards Legolas.
"I should have noticed the resemblance," Legolas murmured, shocked. "Forgive me, Enguina; I knew Haldir as well. He came often to Mirkwood and he and I would hunt in the woods together." He shook his head. "I cannot believe he never spoke of you. He was always so secretive!"
"Yes," she said, sighing, "he kept me hidden. You know, the shameful sister no one likes to speak about."
Gimli laughed. "That sounds like him! No, I'm just teasing! But he never offered more information than what you asked."
"That was certainly Haldir," she replied.
"Ah, he was a good man," Gimli said, sighing. "I'm sorry about his death there on the wall, but Aragorn gave him a good and proper memorial at Helm's Deep where they laid him to rest along with his guard. Even sang a song in his honor."
"He did?"
"The lad's a good man," he said, "and he and Haldir were like brothers on the wall that night." He leaned against the wall and looked at her. "We were hewing a lot of Uruk-necks that night—"
"Gimli," chided Legolas, rolling his eyes, "I am sure she does not need all the details."
"Aragorn said Haldir fought bravely. He did not say both of you were there as well." She looked between Legolas and Gimli. "You, all three of you, fought beside him?"
"Yes," Gimli said, "there were over ten thousand Uruks there that night and we, with the help of the Rohirrim, the guard of Lórien, and the Hurons, slaughtered every last one."
"Yes," Legolas agreed, "Haldir's bow killed many."
"Thank you," she said to them both. "I am glad he will be remembered well."
"That he will, lass; that he will," Gimli said. "Now, can I show you what you'll be working on here?"
"Of course," she said, and watched as Legolas grinned at her. She cocked her head. "What?"
"Stop distracting her, elf!" Gimli said, shooing him away. "Go over there and get your own work done! You can blabber on later!"
"All right, Gimli! Calm down!" he laughed, and he turned away to the hard-working dwarves. He glanced back though and watched her for a moment as he walked and Gimli talked, and she looked up to meet his gaze and gave him a little smile. He could not help but smile back…and caught his toe on a block of stone, tripping and nearly falling flat on his face.
Catching himself on the edge of the wall, he glanced back to catch her laughing at him. Laughing with her at himself, he blushed and shook his head. This woman…she was going to be the death of him yet! He would probably never hear the end of it if Gimli had seen him trip. As he turned back to the other dwarves, a few of them were laughing at him. No, there was no way out of it; Gimli would certainly hear about it by the end of the day. He was doomed.
"Hello, love," Arwen heard, and felt Aragorn's familiar weight on the bed beside her. She stretched, spreading her arms above her head as he leaned an arm over her and pressed against her side. She turned her head towards him, laying a hand alongside his face, leaving her other arm stretched above her head.
"Can I always wake up like this," she asked softly, "with you beside me?" He chuckled, rubbing his thumb along her ribs. "What time is it?"
"How do you feel?" he asked and she raised one eyebrow at him.
"Answer my question first."
"Mm-mm," he disagreed, leaning down close enough to her to brush his nose and lips against hers. "Mine first." She gave in.
"Very good just now," she whispered low and brought up her hand behind his neck to hold his mouth to hers. She curled her fingers into his hair and scratched her nails tenderly across the back of his neck.
"It is about one in the afternoon," he mumbled into her mouth as she kissed him again. She felt his hand leave her ribs as he reached up above her head, dragging his fingers along the sensitive underside of her arm until he met her body, and then rested it against her throat.
"Please do that again," she whispered, and he smiled against her mouth, lifting his hand to stroke her arm. He watched her eyes close. "Lunch…perfect timing." She moved her hand down his neck and began undoing his tunic.
"You know…" he teased, "I did not actually come here to—"
"I am…" she hesitated as she thought about what she wanted to say, but he could feel the heat from her body even though she had not finished. "You know how they say pregnant women have strange desires at strange moments of the day?" She said, running her hands down and then back up his arm as he kept his face very close to hers.
"Yes, I had heard that rumor," he replied with a chuckle.
"I think I am having one of those strange desires just now," she whispered.
"Oh yes? And what is your desire for, my love."
"You," she replied. "I have a strong desire for you…right now," she whispered, and she met his eyes as she gave him a little grin. "And look? You happen to be right here. So convenient."
"I suppose the fact that I brought food for you matters very little."
"Very little," she murmured into his mouth, sliding her hand inside his now open tunic and around his back. He leaned down into her and wrapped his own hand around the back of her neck. She paused a moment, and met his eyes. "You do not seem very—"
"Oh, I am," he whispered back, raising his eyebrows. "You have been ill the last several days, Arwen. I wanted to be sure that you were feeling well before I made any sudden moves."
"Perfect," she said, her voice lowering as he pressed a kiss to the center of her chest, his eyes still on hers. "There are some days, when you touch me, that it feels as though my whole world is centered right here…with you, and I can forget the world, our responsibilities, that nothing else matters except you, and our love."
He kissed against her chest again, and the hand that had been on her arm stroked down the side of her body to her womb. "Everything else can wait but you," he said softly and she smiled. "I am the King…I can do whatever I want."
"They do not expect you to return?" she whispered, dragging her figures lazily through his hair, feeling his lips pressed against her skin.
"Does it matter?" he muttered. "I am here, and I am yours for the rest of the afternoon."
"Mmm…we can take our time then," she whispered, gently scratching the back of his neck again.
"I love to take my time with you," he whispered, his eyes closing, enjoying her touch.
"Legolas and Enguina are cooking tonight," she added softly, "so perhaps we cannot take too much time."
He smiled, lifting his head to look into her disappointed face, as he leaned onto his elbows, his hands resting on her ribs. "I know…they are not cooking here tonight. We are eating tonight at Faramir and Éowyn's house…so we have unlimited amounts of time."
"You…planned…" She was surprised; she made no attempt to hide it.
He gave her that smile, the one that made her heart somersault in joy, the one that was only ever for her. "When Legolas came to me this morning, I told him to speak to Éowyn. The days have been too long, Arwen, and I…we have not had much time for each other." He bent his head down to kiss her chest again. "And I love you…and there are times when I wish to use more than words."
"Even an entire afternoon of loving you will never be enough," she whispered in return.
"This is the best stew I've ever tasted!" roared Gimli, and everyone laughed at the table. "Whose fabulous hands made this? I've got to know!"
"Enguina was the one who put it together," Aragorn pointed out.
"It is excellent," said Éowyn, putting some more in her mouth.
"I had help," a blushing Enguina admitted, but Legolas shook his head in denial.
"No, no, I simply provided the ingredients! Enguina put them into the pot and—"
"I was not referring to that sort ofhelp," laughed Enguina as she rolled her eyes and most of the rest of the table laughed as well. "I was referring to Annî, who actually did help me!" Legolas, amused, raised his eyebrows at her, as she continued, "Annî was the perfect helper." The little girl at the end of the table grinned hugely.
"That was not very nice to say I did not help at all," Legolas said, leaning towards her.
"Not really," she replied flippantly. "Annî was a much greater help."
Arwen leaned her elbows on the table and smiled. "For someone who has cooked only a few times, you did very well."
"Yes, she did," added Legolas, laughing. "She kept telling me all day that she could not handle it, but she did just fine, even though she will not thank me for my help."
Enguina blushed darker. "Please stop talking about the stew."
"It's delicious!" roared Gimli again.
Annî screamed, waving her fork around in the air. "Watch out!" called Faramir, as a potato flung off the end onto the table. Gimli laughed, plucking it up between his fingers and, shoving it into his mouth, made a silly face at Annî before turning toward Enguina.
"See? Delicious! My compliments to the cook!"
"Annî," cried Éowyn, startled by her daughter's action, "do not let me see you do that again!"
Enguina rolled her eyes. "Oh, you are all much too gracious! The broth is not very thick and the meat is a bit chewy and the potatoes, do not even make me go there—"
"We are all enjoying it," Aragorn said, watching her. "Do not be so critical, and let us give praise where it is due, please."
She sighed. "All right. I will simply leave it, but—"
"No," laughed Legolas, "just leave it." She opened her mouth, and then shut it again with a smile before popping another spoonful of stew into her mouth. He was right, of course; she was only going to complain again. Legolas turned away from her and looked down the table towards Arwen. "How are you feeling, Arwen? I know you were ill this morning."
She nodded. "I am better, and I thank you for encouraging Aragorn to come with lunch. It made my day…" she said, looking over at Aragorn, "so much better." He chuckled and covered her hand with his. The look that she gave him was enough to make Enguina's face heat up.
"To be fair to him," she murmured, "he was already coming to you." She turned, trying to shake the feeling that she had just interrupted a private moment, and looked to Éowyn. "And I know you are feeling better, as we have been in your home all afternoon."
"It was wonderful to have you hear," Éowyn said, smiling, "and Annî was delighted as well."
"Faramir was complaining he had to amuse Annî all by himself this morning," Arwen added, raising her brow at Faramir. He gaped at her.
"You were not supposed to tell her that, Arwen."
"Forgive me…my mind was not all there this morning."
"Mmm," he snorted. "Traitor."
Éowyn smiled again, cutting up some more potatoes for Annî. "Faramir, darling, should you tell them, or should I?"
He leaned over in front of Annî and took Éowyn's chin in his hand, drawing her in for a quick kiss as Enguina laughed at their open display of affection. "Let me, please?"
"Tell us what?" asked Gimli, miffed they were still fooling around and had information they were not sharing. "What?"
"News?" asked Arwen.
"Have you heard from Éomer?" guessed Aragorn.
"Well, yes," laughed Éowyn, "but that is not what we wished to tell you."
"What is it?" asked Legolas.
"Shh!" cried Faramir with a laugh. "You are all worse than me when I used to ask Boromir a hundred and fifty questions when we were children! Give me a chance to share, please!" He paused a moment in the silence and then grinned to himself. "Éowyn is with child."
"What!?"
"What?"
"When?!"
"How wonderful!"
There were so many choruses, and no one could stay in their seats as they rose to hug and congratulate the happy couple. Finally, after the spilling of a cup by Eru-only-knew, and Annî flinging a carrot across the room, Aragorn poured ale all around for the bunch of them who could actually have a drink. He held up his glass.
"A toast!" he called out, "to Éowyn and Faramir's happy—"
"And fruitful!" hollered Gimli.
"—marriage," continued Aragorn, "and may their child be as blessed as they have been. May Ilúvatar guide his steps and take care of Éowyn as she bears the babe for the next few months."
"Hear, hear!" called Legolas, and they all drank to their health.
"Oh Éowyn," said Enguina, looking at her, "when is the child due to be born?"
"We are fairly sure it will be sometime in May," she replied with a grin. "Annî is going to have a little brother or sister. We are so excited!"
"That means," said Faramir, punching Aragorn lightly in the shoulder, "we shall have young ones together!"
"Two more little ones running about the place," laughed Gimli, raising his mug again. He winked over at Legolas. "We could use a few more around here!" He took a swig and Legolas made sure Enguina was not looking before he shot him a terribly filthy look. Gimli just smirked at him.
"This is wonderful," Enguina said with a sigh, looking at their happy family. "Another child to love."
"Well," Éowyn laughed, "since Faramir seems to think we are having—"
"Twenty," Faramir said, "definitely twenty!"
"—I suppose that means I have to have one a year for the rest of my life in order to have that many children."
Enguina stared at Faramir. "Twenty? Whatever will you do with so many children?"
"Love them," he laughed.
"He is not serious," interrupted Arwen, rolling her eyes. "Éowyn is not going to have twenty children."
"Whyever not?" laughed Éowyn. "It would be difficult, without a doubt, but I am willing." Faramir leaned over and kissed her again, and Legolas turned to Enguina while the others began talking about all of the excitement.
"I have a question to ask you that I have been meaning to ask all day."
"All day? And you have not asked it yet?" she teased him.
"I…continue to be distracted."
"Mmm," she muttered dryly at his smile, "well, then ask away I suppose."
"Will you be coming to service with us tomorrow?"
"Well, that depends."
He tilted his head, his eyes getting a bit wider in confusion. "On what?"
"How early I must rise."
He laughed out loud. "You amuse me so, Guin!" She blinked…and he immediately realized what had come out of his mouth and blushed profusely. "Enguina, forgive me, I—"
"No," she said, and even though she blushed even more than him, she continued shyly, "I really like it."
Embarrassed, he seemed a bit apprehensive, but asked anyway, "You do?"
"Yes," she said, beginning to eat her stew again. "Say it again."
"Guin," he asked, and the way he said it nearly made her shiver with pleasure, "you are most assuredly coming to service with us tomorrow, then?" It must have been the way his voice dipped when he spoke the word or it might have been the pleasure in his eyes as he said the nickname aloud. But something about it made her feel. She wanted him to keep saying it, but she did not know how she could ask without sounding ridiculously foolish. No one had ever…she had never felt that way about someone calling her anything.
"I would love to, Legolas," she agreed.
"And perhaps afterwards, an outing in the snow?"
"If there is any snow left!" she laughed.
"Ah, Guin, never fear, I will find us some snow," he told her with a bit of a glimmer in his eye. She looked at him with a gentle smile.
"If ever I believed someone's word, Legolas, it would be yours."
Even though it was December, Aragorn could still smell the scent of the fading roses. It filled the dark night, and even though all remained still covered with snow it was also beautiful. He sat among the last hanging blossoms of the White Tree, his eyes fixed and captivated by the beauty of his wife in the moonlight. It shone down upon her, bathing her form in a soft, white glow. Her face was tilted away from him and her beautiful eyes were closed. A smile was upon her face and one hand rested on her womb, almost as if she were touching the small life within her.
"Undómiel! Undómiel!" he said softly, just as he had called her in the days when he had first seen her, for she appeared once again with the beauty of Tinúviel. He felt his breath leave him as he took her hands gently within his own and kissed them gently. She smiled at the feeling of his kiss on her hands and she lifted one hand from his and ran it gently through his hair. She thought back to their love-making earlier that afternoon, the way his hands touched her so gently, the way his eyes were as full of love as they were now. She was glad they had come for this walk tonight; it was so peaceful.
"You are the most beautiful creature in this world, Arwen," he whispered. "When I looked upon you just now, I saw the glory of the moon and the stars and the sun shine forth from you as if they were part of you. Love radiates from your every feature, making you the glad mother that you are. You, beloved, are the greatest of Eru's treasures to me."
"Heaven smiles on us both, Aragorn, and may He forever," she whispered to him. "Your words embrace my heart," she replied, smiling as she played with his hair again and then ran a hand along his cheek. "I love you."
"You appear to be feeling much better," he teased her, pressing his lips to hers.
"I wonder who is responsible for my feeling better?" she queried. "Someone came to me at lunch and provided tender care."
"Will you walk with me?" he asked softly. "There is something I would like you to see if you are up to it."
"I would love to take a walk with you," she said as he tugged her to her feet.
She took his arm, and together they walked out of the garden and through the streets of Minas Tirith. They came near the wall that had been built and they spoke of its beauty and what Legolas' kin would do to make it even more so. Finally, they reached a small barn near a mason's workshop. The door was open, for the man did not worry that his heavy stone would be stolen. Aragorn led Arwen inside; though she had seen the old mason within numerous times, she had never met him, nor did she did not understand why Aragorn would bring her to such a place.
"Good evening, my Lord," said an older man who was seated at a worktable carving a small wooden pole. He rose when he saw Arwen. "My Lord, you did not tell me you would bring the Lady with you this evening!" He bowed to her and she smiled. "My Lady!"
"It is all right, friend," Aragorn said softly, and smiled at him as he turned to Arwen. "Arwen, this is Cirgon, the master stonemason of our city."
"You are too kind, my Lord," the old man said with a smile. "Welcome to my humble workshop, my Queen. I daresay the King has brought you to see what I have been working on? I will let him take you to see it." He turned to Aragorn. "It is magnificent…and I do not mean to praise my work, but I sincerely pray that the drawing you gave me was exact. You must let me know if anything must be changed…"
"Of course. Do not worry; knowing you, it is exact."
As Aragorn picked up a lantern and began to light it, Cirgon bowed again and flushed with pleasure. "The King is too kind."
"I give credit where it is due, Cirgon," he replied. As he was finishing with the lantern, Arwen studied the skill of the carvings in his shop.
"The craftsmanship on these is superb…" she gasped, touching the face of a carved horse. "Do you work them all yourself, Cirgon?"
"Yes, my Lady…well, most of them. My boy has done a few, but he likes his work as a blacksmith more. Perhaps I will teach someone else my craft one day, and they shall take my shop and continue my work."
"You are excellent at what you do," she said, somewhat awed. "The artistry is exquisite. These are almost alive!"
"Thank you, my Lady," Cirgon replied, blushing. "You are most kind."
"Do you wood-work as well?"
"My son does more of that than me," he stated, "but while you are outside, you might see a few pieces that I have worked on, too. Let me know what you think of them, then!"
Aragorn took her arm. "Come, Arwen. We will return in a few moments, Cirgon."
"Take your time, my Lord." Aragorn led Arwen out the back of the barn to another much larger stone building. He held up the lantern as he went inside, for it was not well lit.
"The building you were in is Cirgon's shop, but this is actually where he works. Everything you saw in his shop is made here and then moved out into the other building." As Aragorn led her, Arwen stared in awe at the many wonders that Cirgon was making. "He is an excellent carver and stone mason, and I could not be more pleased with what he has done for me." He drew her to the front of a tall, sheet-covered stone, and Aragorn turned to her.
"Cirgon told me today that it was nearly finished. It has been a project of his for some time by my asking, and I have wanted to show it to you many-a-night." He extended her the lantern and she took it, intrigued by his words of what this statue could be.
Slowly, he pulled away the cover, revealing a tall figure with a noble face, carved completely from stone. Arwen gasped at the likeness and reached out to touch the cheek. Aragorn stared as well, for the mason had done such an expert job that the statue stood in every way an exact likeness to Haldir of Lothlórien. The face and the eyes were exactly right, the height perfect, and the Elvish armor intricately detailed.
"Oh, Ilúvatar…" she gasped, "it is as though Haldir himself were here in front of me. Oh Aragorn, he is…" tears came to her eyes and she blinked them away, "I do not believe I could find words to describe him. It is Haldir…exactly as I remember him, as you remembered him that night."
"He is to be a tribute," said Aragorn softly. "He will be placed on the wall in honor of those that fought and lost their lives at the Battle of Helm's Deep." He tore his eyes from Haldir's and turned to look at her. "I thought it would honor his sacrifice and all of those who defended the lives of the innocent in the deep. When he is complete, I shall have a ceremony in the courtyard to memorialize them. Thursday morning, as a matter of timing, with a celebration to follow in the evening. There, we shall remember those lives that were lost and those still with us. There are a few others that will join Haldir's on the wall," he said softly, "but this is the one that matters the most to me…especially knowing that he was Enguina's brother."
She looked at him, stunned. "How long have you been planning this with Cirgon that I have not known?" She gave a soft laugh. "You do so surprise me, Aragorn."
"For a year at least Cirgon has been working upon it," he replied. "He needed all that time to do it aside from his own business."
Arwen reached out and touched Haldir's face again. "How did he know…" she hesitated as she remembered what the mason had said before. "Did you give Cirgon a drawing of Haldir? Of each one of them?" She asked him and he gave her a humble smile.
"Yes…I sketched them from memory and gave the parchment to Cirgon; from that, he was able to carve them into stone."
"That is amazing, Aragorn. And he is…" she shook her head, "so real. It is honestly as though he is standing before me." She reached up and touched his face. "You are so talented. It has been so long since you sketched that I was not sure you even remembered how to do it."
He smiled at her. "I was going to sketch you before we left the House this afternoon, but…there was not time. And sketching you not particularly clothed…well, I would not want something like that lying about."
"Yes," she said raising her eyebrows and giving him a wry smile, "you did not have any opportunity to sketch me without clothes in Lothlórien…for propriety's sake."
"Someday soon," he whispered, wrapping an arm around her from behind and covering her womb with his hand. "I want to be able to look back someday at a drawing of you and remember exactly what your every feature looked like when you were with child." She blushed and kissed him gently. "You know…" he began.
"Hmm?" she said softly, turning her head to look into his eyes.
"Why did you never mention that Enguina was Haldir's sister? I knew Haldir quite well, and Erumar and I were good friends, yet you never mentioned her…not even in Lothlórien when I courted you."
Arwen frowned, thoughtful. "I suppose it simply never came up; you and I always found something else to speak of." She laughed softly. "I never spoke of Legolas to her either, or her to Legolas, and we all knew each other well and were good friends. But Haldir…he was an angel whom we all knew that we loved well. It will be wonderful to have this ceremony to honor him when she is with us."
Aragorn nodded, but then asked softly. "Do you think she would be too embarrassed to accept a gift from me in front of the City? Since I know she is Haldir's sister, I was thinking to give her his sword in memory of him, for though it is still kept in honor in our chambers it is only collecting dust."
Arwen looked at Haldir for a moment and then turned back to Aragorn. "She will be embarrassed," she admitted, "but she will be honored that you sought to include her and touched by the ceremony…that you loved him so much to do something like that for him." She stroked his face. "She will come to adore you, as all do when they come to know you."
He shook his head. "Not everyone adores me, Arwen," he said simply. "I can give you a list of individuals who would like me very dead indeed."
"Oh stop," she whispered, "I refuse to speak of them." She took his arm once again. "Come, let us cover Haldir once more and return to Cirgon's shop; would it be all right if I ask him to make something for the baby?"
He smiled at her. "I am certain he would be honored."
"And it is also late, and it will take some time to walk back to the House." She gave a soft sigh and laughed at herself. "I am only five months pregnant and my feet are already weary. I feel lazy." Aragorn gave her a tender smile.
"It will be six months on Tuesday," he said honestly, "and your body is different since the pregnancy. If you grow tired, I shall carry you in my arms. For what are the arms of a king but to bear his loved one to peaceful rest?"
"You are far too good to me." He leaned over and gently kissed her once more.
"No, I wish to do anything that will make your life easier and more comfortable."
She stood on her tiptoes as Aragorn covered Haldir and whispered in his ear, "Come visit me for lunch more often…that would definitely make me more comfortable."
He chuckled as he turned and she slipped her arm through his as they began to walk back out to Cirgon's shop, closing up the barn for the evening.
Hidden within the shadow of the wall near Ecthelion, Belegore stood very still, his eyes on the King's House now. He had been watching Legolas walk Enguina home earlier, accompanied by the dwarf. They certainly seemed to be getting along much more easily than the first day that he had seen them together. Calendur had spoken with him only days before and asked him to keep a sharp eye out for them. He was not surprised when he found them growing closer; the Lady Enguina was a beautiful woman, and the Prince was well-known about the Citadel. There was no doubt that she would be falling head-over-heels for him. She seemed nice; kidnapping her would be a breeze and then they would draw away the protection around the Queen and—
As he turned, smiling at his own thoughts, his eyes fell upon the King and Queen passing by. Quickly, he bowed his head, his palms instantly beginning to sweat. It was said the King could read hearts…would he know what Belegore had been thinking, planning?
"Good evening," the King said softly to him as the two of them came upon him slowly. Belegore glanced up at them and caught Arwen watching him with a smile.
"It is a lovely evening for a walk, is it not, my Lord?" asked the Queen, and it surprised Belegore how gentle she sounded. He had never seen her this close before, and had never spoken with her. Being this close, he could see the child she was bearing beginning to show.
"Indeed, my Lady," he said, bowing forward. "I hope you are taking advantage of it."
"We have been, I assure you," said the King, turning back to him with a smile. "I do not believe I have met you before, son. What is your name? What is it that you do?" the King asked. Belegore hesitated.
"I am a blacksmith, like my father."
The King studied him a moment. "Is your grandfather Cirgon, the mason?"
Belegore looked surprised. "Indeed, he is. Do you know him, my Lord?"
"We were only just with him," replied Arwen with a smile.
"He is working on something for me for the coming week," the King said with a twinkle in his eye, and that twinkle surprised Belegore. "He is a good man, and the best stonemason Gondor has to offer…perhaps even Middle-Earth."
"Indeed," Belegore said, a flash of pride showing in him. "I would have to agree, my Lord; my grandfather is the best."
"Do you carve as well?" the King asked.
"A little, but I more so enjoy shoeing horses. We do not have as many as Rohan, but it is still a decent living when you are good at it and good with the horses."
"I take it you like to be around horses, then." The younger man nodded, and the King gave him a smile. "We have need of a new hand in the stables as one of the older hands passed on. Would you be interested in such a position?"
Belegore smiled. "I…I would be honored, my Lord. I have seen your horses; they are incredible."
The King laughed kindly, laying a hand on the young man's shoulder. "They are not mine save one, but I am sure with an attitude like that they would enjoy having you about very much. You seem like a hardy lad and would be well suited for such duties. If you are interested, the job is yours."
"My Lord, I thank you for your faith in me," Belegore said softly, thinking of the warmth of the hand on his shoulder and seeing the soft smile on the lips of the Queen.
"Go down to the stable tomorrow for nine in the morning and I shall make certain Ceorl, the master hand, is there to show you about. You may decide then if you would like to do such work, but I can tell you that the horses would greatly appreciate one with a sense for them."
"Thank you, my Lord," Belegore replied, and the King only smiled. Before he turned to go, the King caught his arm gently.
"You did not give me your name, lad."
"Belegore," he replied without hesitation. The King smiled.
"I shall see you some morning at the stables then, Belegore. Good evening. I pray you will enjoy your new duties."
"Good evening, my Lord, my Lady." He bowed to them and watched as the Queen took the King's offered arm and they moved away towards the King's House.
Belegore turned and began walking towards the sixth level, thinking of this chance encounter with the King. He had been kind enough to offer him an important position—and he did not even know him! The moment he was out of the Citadel and down through the gate towards the fifth level, a hooded figure stole out of the shadows. So lost in his thoughts, Belegore was startled before he realized it was Calendur.
He shook his head. "Forgive me; I did not realize it was you."
"Have you been watching the elves?"
"Yes," he said softly, following him back into the shadows. "They are definitely growing close. He is taken with her, and she is attracted to him. I saw them walking together just tonight."
"Excellent," Calendur said. "They were riding together just yesterday, Ahadil said. Keep your eyes open for anything useful; we will need to know of a good time to complete the snatching. My brother wants events in motion before January if possible."
Belegore winced. "That only gives us three weeks."
"We will have to step up the pace." He began to turn, and then Belegore remembered his new duties from the King.
"Calendur," he said, "I have some other good news. The King has given me a position in the stables." Calendur turned back to him, his eyes excited.
"Belegore…this is excellent news," he said with a laugh. "Indeed, better than I had hoped! It will be much easier to keep watch on the she-elf this way for they ride often. And you must find out from that wretched old mason what he is doing for the King; it may help with our plans. I leave you to make such discoveries alone. I will meet you in the usual. Stay on your guard."
"Of course," Belegore replied softly, and the elf disappeared, leaving him in the shadows alone.