A/N- Alright, so this is the last actual chapter. Only two more epilogues to go. Thank you to everyone who's been reading this story!
Elphie89- Ah, I understand! Ya, this is a big vacation time too so that makes a lot of sense.
It had been a few weeks after Lord Malik's and Cowlin's sentencing and life was slowly falling back to being quiet. Lord Rowlins was made head of the council. His first action was to limit the council's meetings to three times a week unless it was an emergency. Theodred was relieved and spent the time he had to himself with Aletha.
"Rowlins wants to have a coronation soon." Theodred said. Today he had walked with Aletha to the stables so she could see her pregnant mare.
"At least I do not need to try and fit into my wedding dress." Aletha said. "Tell him we'll have it in three days at the next meeting."
"Why are you so anxious to have the coronation? You usually hate these formal and public events."
"I want to have the coronation before I become fat and have to hobble everywhere." Aletha said.
"You won't be fat, you'll be pregnant." Theodred reassured. "I will tell Rowlin and the council tonight when we meet."
Theodred indeed told Rowlin the news that night and the next day Edoras was in a buzz. Everyone was helping with preparations and soon the golden hall was ready for the coronation of their queen. The morning of the coronation some of the maids who had helped Aletha get ready for her wedding ushered her out of the room and into the one she occupied after her secret wedding. Calista was among the women helping Aletha prepare, but she was supervising more than actually helping. The maids helped Aletha into a soft yellow dress.
Theodred stood next to Lord Rowlin awaiting Aletha's arrival. Every few seconds Theodred would glance at the door hoping they would open for Aletha. Eventually the doors did open and everyone gasped at the woman in fold who made her way down the isle. Rowlin smiled as Theodred left to meet Aletha halfway and walk her the rest of the way. As Rowlin gave his speech, Aletha's mind drifted off. Would she be a good queen? How would she run a civilized place when she grew up alone in the wilderness for the most part? She might not show it to everyone, but Malik's words about her had planted seeds of doubt in her head.
"You will do fine." Theodred's voice broke Aletha out of the haze of doubt that had clouded her mind. She looked at Theodred out of the corner of her eye and gave him a soft smile. He was dressed in robes of brown and gold, like the plains of Rohan. His old smaller crown had been set aside for their son, whenever he would come, and Theodred wore a crown identical to his father's.
Aletha's gaze traveled back to Rowlin as he picked up a smaller, more delicate and feminine version of Theodred's crown. "May your rule be long and prosperous." Rowlin finished. He placed the crown on Aletha's head and held his hand out to her so he could join her hand with Theodred's. "I present to you King Theodred and Queen Aletha!" The crowd cheered as the couple walked down the isle and into the dining room.
oOoOoOo
The King and Queen of Rohan slept quietly in their chambers on night after a long day of council meetings. Well, Theodred went to council as Aletha stayed in the room fussing about how fat she was. She was due within a week and couldn't wait to have the baby. She wanted to ride in the fields of Rohan, visit Fanghorn and Gondor, she even wouldn't mind going to council meetings if it meant getting out of the room. Theodred would often come in the evening to help her to dinner and find his wife gazing out over the golden fields. Aletha was abruptly shaken from her dreams of riding by pains in her stomach and moisture between her legs.
"Aletha? What's wrong?" Theodred asked as he slowly woke up. His arms had been wrapped right above Aletha's pregnant stomach, but was now falling over her stomach and into her lap.
"Baby…" Aletha gasped. Theo's eyes widened and he quickly got out of bed to find the midwife who had been overseeing the pregnancy. Aletha was in the middle of a contraction when Mia, the midwife and Theo came back. Aletha's knuckles were white as she gripped the sheet and her face was contorted in pain. "Theo!" she gasped as the pain released her.
"My lord, say goodbye for you need to leave for this. Send Calista in and she will get you when the babe is born." Mia instructed. Theo nodded, though the pain of separation was in his eyes already.
"I don't want you to go." Aletha whimpered, clinging onto her husband for dear life.
"And I do not want to, but I must. I will return to you as soon as I am allowed." Theo reassured. He kissed Aletha's head before leaving the room, Aletha whimpering the whole time.
Theo had quickly fetched Calista and on his journey back woke up Eothain or Gamling. It was either him waking them up or Aletha's screams each time a contraction hit. Soon Theodred was pacing in the hall waiting for news. His two friends were with him, waiting for news and making sure Theodred didn't do anything stupid. When Calista had come in she passed all three men and walked directly into the room.
"How long does it take?" Theodred groaned after only a few minutes.
"Sit down Theodred. You'll wear a hole into the floor and Aletha won't be happy." Theodred glared at Gamling, but took his friend's advice. After a close to an hour minutes there seemed to be more commotion in the bedroom. With one more scream from Aletha the room went silent. Within a few seconds a baby's screams carried through the door, making Theodred shoot up. Before he reached the door, Calista stepped out with a large smile.
"Your wife wishes you to meet your son." She said. Calista stepped aside as Theodred rushed pass her.
Aletha was holding a small bundle close to her chest. She didn't realize Theodred had come in until he sat down beside her. "Theo, I'd like you to meet your son." Aletha said.
"You gave me a son!" Theo exclaimed quietly. "What should we name him?"
"I do not know, but I was thinking about naming him after your father." Aletha suggested.
"I am sure my father would have been honored. Baby Theoden looks tired and so does his mother."
"I'm sure we are, as well as hungry." Aletha pulled her son to a free breast and let baby Theoden latch on and suckle. When the baby was done, Aletha burped him as Mia had instructed her to do. Theo picked up his son for the first time and walked him to his crib. Theoden was already asleep as his father lowered him to the blankets.
"You need a bath and then more rest." Theodred said as he turned to Aletha. "Come, I will help you." Theo picked his wife up and helped her bathe. When they reentered their chambers they found their bed freshly made with new sheets. The couple fell asleep with their son a few feet away sleeping peacefully.