We arrived in Minas Tirith after a few days. On the journey I had realised that Pippin and I had not chose a name for our baby girl. I had decided to confront him about it once we arrived. Pippin spotted the tree he seen in his vision. Gandalf told us it was the white tree of Gondor. The tree of the King. He also told us that Lord Denethor was not the king. He also told us that Lord Denethor was Boromir's father and that to give him news of his beloved sons death would be unwise. Then he told us not to speak at all.
The guards opened the door for us and we entered the halls. "Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor" said Gandalf. The steward looked awfully upset. Then he spoke, and we knew he knew his son was dead. Great. I had a sudden flashback of the horrible moment when Boromir was killed. I shuddered a little, then composed myself. "Boromir died to save us" announced Pippin "my kinsmen and me..he fell defending us from many foes". "Pippin!" Gandalf and I whispered in unison.
"I offer you my service..such as it is, in payment of this debt" he continued. What was he saying?! Did he care at all that I was going to have HIS baby soon?
"Get up!" said Gandalf, tapping Pippin with his staff, "my lord there will be a time to grieve for Boromir...but it is not now" Gandalf continued. I turned to Pippin "Pip what are you thinking?". "Lay I'm sorry..I'll still be there" He whispered with a smile, stroking my belly. I couldn't help but smile. "The role of Gondor is mine! And no others!" yelled the steward, startling me. We left then.
We stayed at an inn, and Gandalf told me to rest. Pippin and him stayed out on the balcony. I could hear them speaking from the bedroom. It was at that moment that I got a sharp pain in my stomach. I groaned, but decided to ignore it. About thirty minutes later though, I got another sharp pain and they became more frequent. It was then that I realised..the baby was coming! "Gandalf! Pippin!" I called. No reply. "Pippin! The baby!" I yelled loudly. I heard them running in, and Gandalf sat beside me on a stool. Pippin though..he stood in the doorway in shock. He ran his hand over my belly a few times, and told us that the baby was indeed coming. "Peregrin Took! Run and get me a basin of water!" He yelled to Pippin. pippin looked at me in concern, but done as he was told. He returned a few minutes later, and Gandalf told me it was nearly time to push. Pippin sat beside me and I squeezed his hand every time I got a bad pain. "Pip, I'm frightened" I told him, beginning to cry. "It is going to be okay..I'm here" he cooed, stroking my cheek with his free hand. "Okay Layla Baggins..I am going to need you to push now". I nodded and began to push whenever Gandalf told me to. "Oh it hurts so bad!" I yelled in agony. I felt like i was going to die. Pippin was crying and kept apologising to me. The hot tears were streaming down my face, but soon Gandalf told me he could see a head. It was nearly over! I kept on pushing until the head was out and then Gandalf told me to push really really hard. I done that and he gently pulled the baby out. I let out a sigh of relief, but heard nothing. Gandalf rushed Pippin out to get a knife to cut the cord. He done that once Pippin returned and then the afterbirth came out. I did not care though, I was still sore. Gandalf waved his hand and all the cuts were gone,,down there. Pippin and I forgot about everything for a moment. He kissed my lips, and told me how proud he was. I had forgotten what for..but then heard a little cry. Gandalf took a sheet and handed my clean baby to me. Pippins eyes met mine, and we looked at each other, totally clueless.
What were we going to do with this little baby? How would Frodo, Merry and Sam react? How would papa react if he ever came back? Were my real parents proud of me? All these questions circled inside my head. I felt an immediate bond with my new child..though she was nameless. " what are we going to call her?" Asked Pippin. I thought about it long and hard, then I thought of my best friend back home. "How about Rose?" I asked. He smiled " I like it" then kissed my cheek. He then looked at Rose and kissed her forehead. I handed her to Pippin, then fell into a blissful sleep. Before I went to sleep though, I heard Pippin whisper to her "welcome Rose".
