Chapter Five

Arwen shifted, struggling to get comfortable in bed. It was late, and she longed to sleep. She gasped as the pain hit her again. She'd felt what she thought were contractions for the past few hours, but she wasn't sure. She longed for Aragorn, but he'd been delayed at another council meeting. And it was supposed to be another few weeks before the birth. But it felt like the baby was coming now!

"AHH!" She cried out as another contraction hit her. They were still several minutes apart, but they hurt.

Aragorn quietly slipped into their bedroom, hoping he could manage not to wake his wife. Sleep had been alluding her lately, and he hated to rob her of it. She was curled up on her side and appeared to be sleeping. He never ceased to marvel at the way her soft skin shown in the moonlight and the way the dark hair framed her face. After he undressed, he slipped into his side of the bed and couldn't resist brushing the lightest of kisses across her lips.

Her eyes flew open, and she reached for his hand. He took it and placed his other hand on her stomach. "I'm sorry Meleth nin! I didn't mean to wake you!"

"You didn't! I haven't been able to sleep!"

Before he could comment, she gasped and gripped his hand so tightly, he couldn't feel his fingers. The blood drained from her face, and she gave a slight cry. He felt a strange sensation under the fingers that rested on her belly. His eyes widened as worry filled him. Then she relaxed, collapsing against him.

"Arwen?" He breathed as he touched her dark hair.

"Oh, Meleth nin, you're finally here! I think the baby is coming now!"

"But...I thought you had a few weeks left?"

"I did too! But maybe I was wrong!"

"What do you need me to do?"

"Just stay with me! Please! I felt so alone! It hurts!"

Aragorn reached out and pulled her close. He ran his fingers through her dark hair and gently stroked her face.

Arwen stared at her husband; oh, how she loved him. Ever since her revelation about her mother, he had taken to stroking her face whenever he could tell she was upset. She relaxed into his arms, savoring the touch for several minutes.

Another contraction hit her, and she stiffened. "Ahhh!" She cried out, grabbing Aragorn's hand and digging in. He returned the squeeze, keeping his other hand on her forehead, and never ceasing the rhythm of his stroking.

Aragorn tried not to show his worry. But it took longer for her to relax this time. When she finally went limp in his arms, he whispered, "Let me go find the midwives, Meleth nin."

But when he made to rise off the bed, she gripped his hand, "NO! Don't leave me!"

"But..."

"I don't need them right now! I just want you!"

Aragorn couldn't hold back a smile. "I may be a healer, Arwen, but I know nothing about delivering babies!"

"You can send someone for them later. Right now, I just want you!"

Aragorn nodded and continued to hold her close. The next time a contraction hit, her arms locked around his neck, her breath coming in gasps, he gently rubbed his palms up and down her back, trying to soothe the tension. When she finally relaxed, he continued to cuddle her.

This continued for the next few hours before Aragorn gently pulled away. "Arwen...I need to find the midwives. I can send someone for them. I won't be far."

Arwen nodded and let him go. Hurriedly dressing, he went into the hall and rang one of the bells for Arwen's personal attendant. A few moments later, the young, sleepy-eyed lady hurried down the corridor. "Your Majesty?"

Aragorn forced himself to smile, "Queen Arwen is in labor. Please find the midwives."

The young woman's eyes widened, "But...Did she not have a few weeks left?"

"We thought she did, but apparently, the baby has other ideas. Now please, no more questions. Just find the midwives."

"Yes, my king!"

Before she had disappeared down the hall, Aragorn had already stepped back into their bedroom. He was almost sure the reason Arwen had stalled in sending for the midwives was that they would try to insist that he leave. But over the last few hours, he had decided that they weren't going to be successful. He knew that her parents had gone through the births of their children together, as elves were above man's traditions. And while he was a man, he thought himself to be part elf in many ways. And his wife was an elf who had chosen the fate of humans. But this was one aspect of their way she wouldn't experience.

He sank onto the edge of the bed and took her hand in his. Stroking his thumb over her knuckles. Before either of them could speak, she gripped his hand tighter, lifting her head off of the pillow as a cry escaped her lips. "Shhhh..." He soothed. Moving his hand back to her face, stroking his fingers along her gentle jawline. He could feel the flush in her cheeks, and when she relaxed again, he picked up the bowl and cloth he'd found earlier and returned to wiping the sweat off her face. She smiled up at him gratefully.

"I'm not going to leave you, Arwen! Customs or not!"

Arwen reached out and cupped his cheek. "I hope the midwives don't try to argue with you! Your stubbornness can't be matched!"

At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, and the two midwives entered. They curtsied politely as they stepped forward, and, as Aragorn had expected, the head midwife looked at him, "Your Majesty, we can take over if you'd like to wait outside."

Arwen watched her husband's face, observing the way his jaw stiffened; his mind was made up, and the midwives were wasting their time trying to change it. When he spoke, his voice was calm. "I thank you for the offer, but my place is by my wife's side."

"Pardon me, my king, but it is not appropriate for you to..."

Aragon cut her off, his voice rising, "To what? See my child born? To be with my wife when she needs me? She wants me here."

Arwen bit back a smile as the women's mouths opened and closed as they tried to come up with a response. As a king and warrior, Aragorn was known for his calm nature. He rarely raised his voice.

But her husband wasn't finished. When he continued his speech, each syllable was distinct. "And I would like to remind you that in creating this child, I have seen everything I will see now."

Now Arwen was fighting laughter, even though she knew another contraction was coming. Both the women were spluttering, trying to come up with a response. "Now," Aragorn spoke firmly, "I suggest you stop trying to convince me to leave and care for my wife!" Another wave of love washed over Arwen. Even when he was firm, he still sounded kind. And he had no intention of leaving her.

Aragorn turned to Arwen, his hand going back to her hair. She smiled gratefully as she took his hand. Then another contraction hit her, and she dug into his hand as she cried out. He murmured soothingly.

Finally, the midwife shook herself out of her stupor and stepped forward. After a careful examination, she spoke gently, "It will still be some time, Queen Arwen. But you are doing well." Arwen nodded against Aragorn's chest.

TBC