Chapter Two

Aragorn quietly closed the door to their bedroom, then stood on the threshold, watching Arwen prepare for bed. She was oblivious to his presence, and he didn't mind. He loved to observe her from a distance sometimes. And when she was like this, her dark hair cascading around her face, the pale skin shining in the moonlight. She hummed to herself as she brushed the dark locks. A slight bump was appearing under her nightgown—a reminder of the child that was soon to come. She was so stunning, and it awed him that she was his.

Finally, he stepped forward and slid his arms around her waist in an embrace from behind. She leaned back against his chest. Neither of them spoke, and after a moment, he pulled away and began to undress for bed. Arwen continued to brush her hair. Suddenly, she gasped and whirled around. Pressing his hands up against her stomach, she gazed up at him.

"Meleth nin, feel!"

Wonder filled Aragorn as the baby inside her gave a firm kick. Arwen had felt kicks for the past few weeks, but it never seemed to happen when they were in the same room. Or the kicks weren't strong enough for him to feel. And now, as their little one moved under his hands, the reality that they were going to be parents washed over him in a fresh wave.

He gave a delighted smile as he leaned down to address her stomach, rubbing it gently as he did so. "Well, Tithen pen, I'm glad you finally decided to make your presence known when your ada is in the room for once!" He gave the bump a gentle kiss before straightening up and pulling his wife to his chest.

Arwen giggled as she leaned against her husband. "Meleth nin, are you going to call this child that forever? I seem to remember a certain someone who objected to our family and Legolas calling him that when he felt he'd outgrown it!"

"Well...Perhaps I've come to terms with it. I understand now why the habit was hard to break!"

Arwen gave another light laugh as she beamed up at him. "Oh, Estel! I don't think I can put into words how much I love you!"

Aragorn shook his head. Seating himself on the side of the bed, he tugged her down beside him. Inhaling the flowery scent of her hair as he wove the fingers of his right hand through it while keeping his other hand on her stomach where their child continued to kick. "You don't need to put it into words. You've shown me every day, Arwen! Since the day we first pledged ourselves to each other. Even in the decades, we spent apart. Do you know how many times the memory of your face would bring me out of whatever nightmare I was in? And when I fell into the river while we were fighting the wargs during the War against Sauron, you came to me! You saved my life, Meleth nin! You always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself! And you show me now. With the way you hold me, the way you love me, and the way you obviously already adore our baby! I am still in awe that you chose to stay with me, Arwen! And I never cease to be grateful for you and this life we share!"

After that passionate speech, he stroked her ears before kissing the pointed tip of the one closest to him. Arwen moved her hands so that they framed his face and pressed her lips against his.

Later that night, as they lay cuddled together, Aragorn stroked her pointed ears and laughed softly. "You know, Meleth nin, there was one time you didn't believe in me!"

"What do you mean?"

"The first time we met! I believe I immediately fell in love with you, but you couldn't be bothered with me!"

Arwen sat up indignantly, pulling from his grasp. "Well, Aragorn, I believe you were singing to yourself and acting a bit like a child. How was I to know what was underneath the surface?"

Aragorn laughed and tugged her back to his chest. "Peace, my lovely wife! I knew that! I just couldn't resist reminding you! I love to see you blush!"

Arwen rolled her eyes and finally relaxed against him. He almost automatically moved his hand back to her stomach, and their baby once again responded with a firm kick. Aragorn laughed. "Perhaps our subjects are wrong, and this baby is a girl. Who's as stubborn as her mother!"

Arwen became serious. "Would you mind, terribly, if it was a girl? I know you'd love a son!"

Aragorn's eyes widened. "Mind? Why would I mind? A girl would be an absolute delight! She will be completely beautiful! With a mother like you, how could she not be? And whatever we have, it will still be the most amazing gift! Because it is an expression of the love we share! And the hope we both held onto for all those decades we were apart!"

Arwen smiled gratefully and gave him another kiss. They were finally silent. Words weren't necessary. There were other ways to express their love.

Sorry, not sorry! I don't write sex scenes. So you'll just have to settle for tasteful implications.

Anywho, please leave a review!