I've failed, Aragorn thought, his heart breaking. I've failed as a husband, and now he has come to take her, this time forever. He blames me for what happened. I will never see my wife and child again...what matters...is that...they be safe…he's going to take her away from me... Aragorn's sword slid from his hand and he dropped on bended knee, still hyperventilating. "F-forgive me..." He panted. "Forgive me!"
Thranduil stared at him, amused but bewildered. It was a marvel to see the king of Gondor, the mighty king of men groveling before him. Yet, something was really off, even Thranduil wasn't that conceited. Aragorn was trembling and his breath sounded shaky. "Oh, for-do stand up, Aragorn." He grumbled. "I'm not that terrifying, am I?" Aragorn slowly lifted his head, unable to speak. Thranduil frowned at how shaken he looked. Had he really scared him that badly?
"The king is having a heart attack!" Fynn yelled as he came running into the courtyard with Legolas and Gimli at his heels. The two friends raced to Aragorn.
"Aragorn? Are you alright, mellon?" Legolas asked, touching his shoulder. Aragorn looked up, so relieved to see a friendly face.
"Legolas...I thought..." He swallowed.
"On your feet, laddie." Gimli helped Legolas pull him up. "Ye alright?"
"I...yes..." Aragorn nodded, trying calm his breathing.
"Adar, what did you do to him?" Legolas glared at Thranduil.
"Apparently, too much." Thranduil said stubbornly, having dismounted. but he was rather concerned with Aragorn's unusual frantic behavior. "Aragorn, I did not intend to send you to an early grave! Calm yourself, man." He said more softly.
"Oh, for pity's sake, Ada! You scared him to death!" Legolas scolded coldly.
"Wood elves, puh." Gimli huffed.
"That's not..." Aragorn cleared his throat, his breathing a little less manic.
"Well, get him inside. You don't want the entire kingdom to think that I came all this way to take twenty years off the king's life, now do you?" Thranduil retorted. They all shuffled inside the palace to the great hall.
"Thranduil," Aragorn finally regained his own voice but could barely meet the eyes of his scary father-in-law, "we...were not expecting you."
"Oh, naturally." Thranduil said haughtily.
"You..." Aragorn bit his tongue down hard, fighting tears, "you really mean to take her away, don't you?" He asked.
"What?!" Legolas gasped. "Ada!"
"Just calm down, Legolas." Thranduil rolled his eyes. "You all always tend to think of me as some kind of a monster when I make a proposal."
"Well?"
"You are right, Aragorn. That is exactly what I intend to do." Thranduil answered boldly. Aragorn hung his head meekly, his eyes beginning to well up. Legolas glowered dangerously at Thranduil. How dare he! "It is the safest thing to do for her and the baby, until this threat is over." Thranduil added. Aragorn's head whipped up, his eyes alight with hope. They all blinked in astonishment. "What?" Thranduil growled. "Did you think I was going to keep her in my halls permanently?"
"Yes!" The trio answered at once.
"I find your empty-headed lack of faith in me most disturbing." Thranduil narrowed his eyes. "I am disappointed that all of you, that you could possibly think…that I would stoop so low as to...especially you, Legolas!"
"Forgive me, Ada. It's just that..." Legolas said solemnly.
"Never mind." Thranduil interrupted him. "Aragorn, I have seen the spidery hand of Vincent Merlyn and the webs he is able to tangle just as much as you have. I will not subject my daughter or future grandchild to that kind of pain again! I believe it is best for all concerned if she comes with me back to the Greenwood, until you have vanquished over the maggot once and for all."
"I cannot argue with you, my lord." Aragorn nodded.
"You do not think me selfish and unreasonable?" Thranduil asked in surprise.
"Of course not! On the contrary, I am most grateful! What matters to me more than anything is that Alasse and the baby are safe, away from Merlyn's clutches and foul ways." Aragorn declared. "They couldn't be safer than with you!"
"Very true." Thranduil smirked.
"But I shall have to break the news to her myself. She does not know the full story about who we are dealing with. I am sure she will understand."
"She will." Legolas agreed.
"You have not told her?" Thranduil grunted.
"She was so petrified, afraid for our child after the accident! I could not burden her with an even larger, more real fright!" Aragorn answered defensively.
"No indeed." Thranduil sighed. "Well, where is my daughter? I am looking forward to seeing her carrying my grandchild with her motherly glow."
"I shall fetch her." Aragorn promised. Thranduil caught him on the shoulder.
"Are you truly that frightened of me, Estel?" He asked lowly.
"No, Thranduil. Well...a little...no..." Aragorn stammered. He explained what Elrond had said and then Fynn's freaking out when the elves showed up. "We both know how devious Merlyn is. In my fright, I thought he might have been here, with his army posing as elves! Until I saw you. I was greatly relieved, to say the least!"
"But then you assumed I was going to steal Alasse from you."
"I beg your forgiveness on that." Aragorn gulped.
"Well, do not think I haven't been tempted." Thranduil grinned. Aragorn shrugged nervously. "Enough grim talk. I wish to see my daughter." He commanded, then he lowered his voice. "Perhaps I shall be able to help prepare her for the dark revelation you need to speak of."
"I would appreciate that." Aragorn sighed.
Alasse's hair had been dried after her bath, and she was in a fresh silk nightgown, reclining on one of the sofas in her royal chambers, reading a book. She smiled when she heard Aragorn's footsteps and greeted him as he opened the door. "Hello, my love." She crooned.
"Alasse? I have a surprise for you, love!" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Well, I can't imagine what that could be."
"Your father has come! He's here. He'd like to see you." Aragorn tried to sound as excited and innocent as possible.
Alasse blinked, nearly speechless. "Ada? He is here?" She sputtered.
"Ai. And very anxious to visit with you."
Alasse flinched as the baby kicked her in the ribs. "Ohff. I suppose the baby is excited. But
what is he doing here?"
"You know Thranduil. He doesn't trust me to look after you properly." Aragorn said casually.
"Well, then..." Alasse grunted as Aragorn helped her to her feet, "I suppose we'll have to set him straight on that. Again! Mph!"Another jab to her lower stomach made her grimace. "Will you help me down the stairs?"
"Of course." Aragorn said softly, taking her by the hand and wrapping his other arm around her waist. "Don't worry, I've got you."
"When are you two elflings going to bless me?" Thranduil asked suspiciously to Arwen and Legolas after Arwen greeted him.
"All in good time, Ada. "Legolas rolled his eyes.
"Do not fret, Thranduil." Arwen assured him.
"Ada!" Alasse called across the room. Thranduil beamed proudly when he saw her. She was eight and a half months full with child, but still beautiful, and her face sparkling.
"Ahh, there she is." Thranduil murmured, gripping her hands and kissing her face.
"Ohh, I've missed you."
"The feeling is mutual. You look wonderful, Iell nin. How are you?" He asked seriously.
"Oh, that. I am alright now. I'm just glad the baby is okay." Alasse said, holding her stomach.
"And how is my grandchild?" Thranduil asked, eyeing her protruding middle.
"Excited at your unexpected visit, I believe." Alasse grinned then winced from another emphatic kick. "You and Leg-ahh. You two get this little one riled up when you're around."
Thranduil smiled and placed his large palm on her stomach, feeling the energetic movement inside her.
"Ai, I am glad to be here too, little one." He said gently. "But you must settle down now. I have not seen your mother for some time, and wish to speak with her without any disorientation." Alasse breathed through another sharp kick, then the child calmed.
"Can we sit in the drawing room, please?" She begged. Thranduil nodded and offered his strong arm which she gladly accepted.
Aragorn was grateful for Thranduil's presence. It kept Alasse happily distracted from the ugly business at hand, and while she was visiting with her father, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli called a council with Aragorn's advisor, Captain Bellethiel of the Woodland Army, and his highest lords and army officials that he could trust. He cautiously informed them on what they were up against, and debated on what must be done.
Aragorn felt some of the stress lifted from his shoulders after he discussed their strategy with Thranduil. At least now they had a mental diagram to face whatever Merlyn's next moves were! Now the hard part was breaking the news to Alasse.
"Do you know how you came to stumble so?" Thranduil asked her.
"I was hoping it was merely because one of the gardeners had been careless, and that it was a harmless accident." Alasse answered.
"No, Iell nin. I'm afraid it was much more sinister than that!" Thranduil said indignantly. Alasse watched him sadly.
"I have suspected as much." She answered lowly.
"Have you?"
"Ai. Legolas was behaving so very urgently after the accident, and Aragorn has not told me everything. But I know. He has that look, Ada."
"What look, my love?"
"That expression of helplessness and fear that I see in his eyes every time he has a flashback or a nightmare from his time in captivity." Alasse said somberly. "I know it is more than the accident doing this to him." Alasse began to cry. "Aragorn promised he would tell me the truth once I had recovered. Something is very wrong, Ada. I just know it. What is it?"
Thranduil touched her shoulder. "Alasse, my dearest child, I believe that it is time for Aragorn to answer that question." He said soothingly.
After dinner, Arwen told Aragorn that Alasse was waiting for him in the nursery. He squared his shoulders and made his way to his future child's room. Alasse was standing out on the balcony, stroking her tummy. Aragorn's heart sank as he halted in his tracks. He didn't want to scare Alasse to death like he had when he'd been kidnapped. And even worse, he didn't want this foreboding news to cause distressing complications with her pregnancy! But...he'd made a promise, and King Aragorn, son of Arathorn, was not one to make idle oaths. Give me the right words, he prayed. "Alasse? You wanted to speak with me?" He cleared his throat, approaching her.
"Yes, Estel." Alasse replied firmly, still with her back to him.
"What is it, melleth? I am listening." Aragorn whispered. Alasse finally turned to face him and Aragorn felt heartbroken. She looked at him sorrowfully, her blue-green eyes cutting him to the core, glimmering her facial expression of sad anxiety.
"You have not told me what has had you so distressed, Estel. You said you would." Alasse began.
"I did say so." Aragorn nodded.
"You can't keep it from me forever. Won't you please tell me?"
"Yes." Aragorn hung his head. "I only wished to spare you of considerable worry and pain."
"Is Vincent Merlyn involved in this?!" Alasse blurted. Aragorn's jaw dropped, mortified. "Aragorn, please say something! Is he?"
"Alasse, how did you know?" Aragorn's breath hitched.
"Estel, you have barely eaten since the accident. No, even before then! And just look at yourself! You have not had proper sleep, and you look exhausted, just the same as during the War of the Ring, when we traveled and fought together to protect the hobbits." Alasse answered hurtfully. "Estel, I see it in your eyes. I have grown to hate that look, because it heavily burdens your heart when the memories are upon you, tormenting you. Normally, you have only had that look during the nightmares and sudden flashbacks. But of late, you have worn that painful expression every day, every moment.
'I am your wife, Aragorn! Did you really think I would not notice?'"
"Alasse, dear one. Forgive me. I am so sorry!" Aragorn apologized passionately.
"It's true then? It is Merlyn?" Alasse's lip trembled.
Aragorn pursed his lips painfully. "Every indication points to that, Alasse." He said as evenly as he could muster.
"Ohh, Aragorn!" Alasse's shuddered, her face pained with dismay. She remembered that evil man. His wicked laugh sometimes still haunted her in her Elven dreams. He had nearly taken all of this away from them! He'd oppressed several of the free peoples in Aragorn's name! He'd tormented Aragorn for weeks while holding him deeply in a dark, dank cave, starving him, beating him, shamelessly taunting him. When Alasse would not return his egotistical whim by giving into him, he'd hurt her. He'd tried to seize the throne of Gondor while Aragorn was left for dead: thankfully, Legolas and his force had stopped that!
And now he was back, with a vengeance! Alasse protectively hugged her very round stomach. Aragorn couldn't bear to see her looking so afraid. And Merlyn was the cause of it, just like he'd been the cause of both their turmoils during that time. Aragorn wouldn't let that punk make Alasse miserable again! He tenderly massaged her shoulders. "Alasse, he will not destroy us, not again." Aragorn said soothingly.
"He nearly did."
"But he didn't, remember?" Aragorn tilted her chin to face him. "He didn't. And I am not about to let him come back and try again! This time, we will be ready for him."
"How can you be sure?" Alasse asked, small tears slipping from her eyes.
"We must have faith, my love. Legolas, your father, Eomer...we have a plan. We believe it will work. I have strong confidence it will." Alasse rested her nose on his chest.
"Aragorn, I'm so afraid!" She sniffled, tightly clenching the collar of his tunic.
"I know." Aragorn tenderly kissed her head. "It's alright."
"I almost lost you to that wicked man!"
"This time, he will be the one walking into a trap, Alasse."
"The baby...our baby. He wants to hurt our child!" Alasse shivered. "Aragorn! Our baby!"
"Alasse, melleth nin," Aragorn murmured sadly, gripping her shoulders firmly, "that fiend will never harm our child. I will not let him." Alasse was sobbing, overcome with this new reality. She was deeply scared for her baby, and her husband. She couldn't lose them! "Alasse, you trust me, don't you?" Aragorn spoke quietly.
"Yes. It's him I don't trust! He's very shrewd, Aragorn. You must not forget that!"
"Ai. I recall his devious side very well." Aragorn nodded grimly, nuzzling her forehead with his nose. Alasse clung to his arms, her breath shaky. Aragorn soothingly stroked her belly, sending his protection and confidence to their child. He would not allow Merlyn to snatch away from him what he cared about most, not again! His wife and child would be safe, whatever he had to do to insure that!
Alasse flinched with tears as she lay her head on his bosom, and Aragorn had felt movement under his hand. Their baby was roiling around, probably as anxious as his/her mother, the nervous energy brought on by Alasse's roiling emotions. Aragorn gently continued to rub Alasse's stomach, and murmured comforting words in Elvish, both to her and the baby. Alasse continued to cry, but the child's activity slowed down calmly. "We'll be alright, Alasse." Aragorn whispered.
"Just hold me. Please!" Alasse cried. Aragorn led her to the bed, helped lie on her side, then he crawled on next to her and gently gathered her in his arms, holding her close. She cried on his chest, and while he crooned soothing words to her, he caressed her pregnant stomach, sending love and devotion to the little one inside her.