"Arwen, I cannot tell just how glad I am to have you here." Alasse said as they wandered through the halls.

"I have missed you as well." Arwen nodded.

"I hope Ada will join us when the baby arrives. I would be so disappointed if he were to miss the birth of his first grandchild!"

"Ai."

Alasse finally had to take a rest off her feet and sat down on the couch in the nursery. Arwen sat on the other end of it. "What is it?" Arwen asked in a sober tone.

"What?" Alasse furrowed her brows.

"Alasse, something is lingering in your worry chambers that you keep in that head of yours." Arwen said directly. "I can sense it."

"How do you know?" Alasse gaped at her.

"Seems I have inherited my father's keenness for reading minds." Arwen smiled. "But truly, tell me what is making you uneasy." She scooted closer. "Are you afraid for the baby?"

"Of course!" Alasse replied quickly. "But, it's not just the baby I'm afraid for." Alasse rubbed her large, ball-shaped middle. "It's Aragorn." She looked sadly at Arwen.

"I have seen him, Alasse. I know he is madly in love with you and your little one. You can't possibly doubt that!" Arwen gripped her hands.

"No, no, Arwen. It isn't that. I...oh, I know you're probably going to think I am being silly and overreacting."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" Arwen replied firmly.

"Well, several months ago, we had an incident with horses that were given to us as a token of peace by the South." Alasse tried to explain. "They were in pristine condition when they arrived, then they became lethargic and ill. It was too timely and too convenient for it to have been the wear and tear of travel, for them all to fall so weak so fast.

'While that was quite some time ago, their have been stirrings on the coast, with rumors that Harad may want war against us!'"

"But, you have been at peace with them for some time."

"I know. And especially when we have done nothing to provoke them! I cannot imagine that they would want trouble any more than we would. But even that is not the largest worry I have for Aragorn!" Alasse hugged her tummy, trying to calm her breathing. She didn't want their child to become anxious like she was.

"Then tell me what is." Arwen said, gripping her hand.

"I feel that Aragorn is keeping something from me, a deep worry that he does not want to share with me."

"I am sure he does not wish to worry you." Arwen said reassuringly. "You have enough to worry about, and carry about." She lightly patted Alasse's bump.

"I know, but he should not bear it alone. Whatever it is! If he will be honest with me, we can shoulder it together. He acts calm, and determined, which has made me feel safe for so long. But I can feel it, Arwen. I can feel how uneasy his spirit is. Something more than the rumors is pressing on his mind. I can see it in his eyes. And it isn't regret I see, it is fear.

'Arwen, it is the same look I have seen in his face when wakes from his nightmares of being kidnapped. I can sense the same restlessness and chaotic panic clawing at his heart. But he does not express what is truly troubling him.'"

"Alasse, mellon nin, I am sure he will when he feels the time is right." Arwen squeezed her hand. "If I had a crystal for every time I have had to drag a truth out of Legolas, your stubborn, proud brother, I could adorn an entire new garment with them! And Legolas can be even more closed off than Aragorn!"

"Yes, he learned that from Ada. And Ada still hasn't entirely grown out of it! Though to be fair, he is more open with us than he used to be!"

"Most of the time when Legolas won't share with me the burdens on his mind, it is because he does not want me to feel that heavy care too. He wants to carry it for me. While that is altogether sweet and endearing..."

"Husbands." Alasse shook her head. "They are very noble. But they cannot truly expect to carry everything alone!"

"That is what I have told Legolas over and over again. I don't believe it has thoroughly sunk into his head quite yet, though he is trying to be as honest as possible with me." Arwen sighed.

"I just want to see Aragorn at peace. And he isn't. How can I rest if he pressed down? I do hope my being pregnant doesn't cause him to think my judgement is clouded! I know that I forget things, and become overly emotional about the most ridiculous things..." Tears began to gather in Alasse's eyes as the words left her mouth.

"Alasse! Never! Aragorn trusts you with his entire being. You will see, dear one, he will open up to you, when he feels he has enough strength to do so."

"There I go again!" Alasse blubbered, wiping vigorously at her eyes. Arwen sat beside her and wrapped her arm around her.

"It is alright, Muinthel nin." Arwen smiled, kissing her cheek. "It can't be easy sharing your body with someone else, much less trying to develop emotions for them from part of your own!" Alasse laughed, sniffing, and trying to regain her composure.

"See what I mean?" She asked. She felt a jolt inside her body. "And I did that again!" She scolded herself. "I woke the baby. Gets pretty active when I am an emotional washtub."

"Nay. The little one knows you need to be focusing on other things than your misty problems." Arwen grinned, patting Alasse's tummy. "Such as providing nourishment?" Arwen eyed her coyly. Alasse giggled and shook her head again.

"This is why I need you here more often!" She joked tearfully. "While you have not experienced it yourself yet, you can bring me to my senses, Arwen. But in a sympathetic way that Aragorn cannot truly understand!"

"That is what sisters are for." Arwen agreed.

"Estel," Legolas addressed his brother-in-law in a hushed tone, gripping his arm.

"Legolas." Aragorn barely bowed his head.

"Have you told Alasse any of this, about your suspicions?" Legolas asked seriously. Aragorn sighed.

"Not yet. I don't wish to burden her with that! Especially right now. And, I wouldn't until I know undoubtedly who we are dealing with." Aragorn answered.

"While I can understand that, you may end up discussing it sooner than you would prefer." Legolas warned him.

"That wouldn't be good for her or the baby." Aragorn said firmly.

"Aragorn, I know Alasse. She's going to sense something, that something more is burdening your heart. You cannot hide it from her forever."

"I don't intend to, Legolas! When I have a solid answer, I will tell her."

"Just be sure that you do." Legolas gave him his best protective, big brother look.