Chapter Three
Arwen moved softly through the corridors of Minas Tirith. Rueing the way her growing belly was beginning to rob her of her elven light footsteps. But it would all be worth it. She came up to Aragorn's office and quietly slid the door open. The first thing she saw was her husband's dark head bent over his work. To avoid interruptions, she carefully closed the door behind her and slid the bolt to lock it.
Smiling mischievously, she stepped up behind him and slid her arms around his shoulders, pressing her lips to his neck. With a slight start, he laid aside his quill pen and turned to face her. "Meleth nin, you startled me!"
He quickly tugged her into his lap. "What are you doing? You come to see me here so seldom!"
"The baby was just kicking a lot, and I decided that I need to be with you!"
Aragorn moved his hand to her stomach, savoring the feeling of the movement within. Arwen placed her hand over his and continued, "Sometimes I wonder if this baby is coming sooner than I thought."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure. I just feel that something isn't normal! And I feel like I'm larger than I should be." Then tears came into her eyes. "It's times like this that I miss my amya terribly! I wish I could ask her what is normal about being pregnant!"
Aragorn pulled her even closer, holding her as she cried. He didn't try to make her stop, and she was grateful for that. Finally, he spoke gently in her ear, "Is there anything I can do for you, Meleth nin?"
"Just hold me! Remind me that I'm never alone!"
He nodded and pulled her even closer, continuing to cuddle her. "What was your amya like, Arwen? Dan and Ro told me some things about her, but I'd love to hear from you. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to!"
His wife's smile became whistful as she stroked her own stomach. "Oh, Aragorn, she was the most loving amya there ever was! She loved all of us so much. I remember the lullabies she used to sing to us. Whenever I thought about having children, I couldn't wait to sing those same songs to them. And sometimes I've even sung them to myself to make sure I never forget!" Then she unconsciously reached up and touched her own face. "And while she was singing, she would stroke my cheeks and nose. And play with my hair."
Aragorn reached out and stroked back her hair. "Is that why you always touch your own cheeks when you're upset? It reminds you of your amya?"
Arwen realized what she was doing and smiled softly. "Perhaps, I do! And when I was contemplating whether or not to go to Valinor, I saw the vision of our child. And I realized I could choose to stay and have a family with you or to go and see her again. It was the hardest choice I have ever made. But also the most rewarding! I don't regret it for a moment, Aragorn! But sometimes I wish I could have had both! Or even just a day to ask her questions about how to be an amya like her!"
Aragorn was silent for a moment before speaking thoughtfully. "Arwen, do you doubt that you can raise our child?"
Arwen sighed and simply nodded. Then Aragorn smiled softly as his hands continued to play with her dark hair, his knuckles brushing against her soft cheek. "Arwen, you need not fear the past!" She started at the use of the same words she'd said to him in Imladris shortly before the Council of the Ring. "I can tell simply in the way you speak of your amya that you learned much from her. And, please, continue to tell me more about her! I want to know more of the ones who made you who you are. And by sharing memories, you will remember more of all you learned! And I have never been a parent before either, Meleth nin, we will learn together."
Arwen nodded and finally gave a bright smile as their baby gave another firm kick. Aragorn also beamed as he felt the movement under his fingers. "Tithen pen, I think we can take that as your agreement?" The firm kick that followed made them both laugh.
Then he shifted slightly and glanced toward the door. "We shouldn't be here."
"Why not? This is your office!"
"Exactly! Sometimes our people come with business. And I'd prefer they don't see what I have in mind!"
Arwen laughed, the last of the tears drying on her cheeks. Slipping out the door, they managed to make it to their room without being seen, much to the relief of both of them.
Sometimes I feel like my writing is a little rambly. But I just like to have fun.
What do you think of the face stroking? That's what my mom did when she'd tuck me in at night. And I would literally stroke my own face when I would get agitated. But she's still alive so that part isn't true to my life.
Anywho, please leave a review.