Chapter Six

The next several hours crawled by as Arwen's contractions came closer together. "It hurts, Meleth nin!" She whimpered when her water broke after an extremely strong one.

"I know!" He soothed. "If I could take your pain, I would!"

"Don't worry! You just being with me is wonderful!"

Aragorn carefully wiped the sweat from her face as he continued to croon comfortingly. Arwen didn't miss the glances between the midwives. Maybe one of the reasons they had been so reluctant for him to stay was that they weren't used to such caring, calm husbands. She knew she was married to a unique man, but there were times she was particularly aware of it.

Then another contraction hit her, and she dug into his hands again.

Aragorn felt helpless. Even though she said he was helping, it didn't feel like it.

The sun was rising as the midwife spoke from where she knelt on the end of the bed. "Alright, your Majesty, push!"

Arwen took a deep breath and pushed as she screamed in pain. After so many hours, she was exhausted, and the pain was only getting worse. The thing that gave her strength was Aragorn's gentle arms around her shoulders and the whisper of his voice in her ear. She barely heard the midwife's voice as she repeated the instructions when another contraction hit her.

Aragorn fought tears. The one he loved most was hurting, and there was nothing he could do. "You're almost there, meleth nin! One more time!"

He had the thought as she squeezed his hand that she may have him beat in the strength department. Physical or otherwise. After minutes that felt like hours, the midwife said, "Just one more time, your Majesty!"

"One more time, Arwen!" He whispered. "Once more!"

Arwen took as deep a breath as she could and gave a final push before collapsing against her pillows. The following sounds were more beautiful than any she'd ever heard in her life. First, a squeaky cry of a newborn, and then... the words she'd waited for months to hear. "You have a son!"

Aragorn took their baby...THEIR SON in his hands and placed him gently on Arwen's chest before caressing the tiny cheek. Reaching out, she touched the dark hair, savoring the feeling of holding a child that was hers...Theirs!

Aragorn blinked back the tears that blurred his vision of wife and son. How could one so tiny have captured his heart so completely?

Then, Arwen gasped. "AHH!"

"What is it, Meleth nin?"

"It still hurts! AHH!"

"It can't be!" The midwife exclaimed.

"It can't be what?" Aragorn struggled to maintain his calm. Determined not to prove her point that men did not belong in birthing rooms.

"Well...It appears that the reason why your wife looked farther along than she was is that you're going to have twins!"

"What!" Both husband and wife exclaimed.

The midwife motioned for her helper to take the baby boy Arwen cradled. "You're going to have to push again, your Majesty! It won't be long!"

Arwen was still in shock but managed to follow the instructions, pushing as hard as she could, crying out again.

Aragorn had the presence of mind to whisper encouragingly to her as she gave one final stretch of pushes before collapsing again against her pillows. The following words from the midwife made him wonder if he was dreaming. "You have a daughter, your Majesties!"

Now, Aragorn didn't even try to hold back his sobs. Reaching out, he once again placed their baby on Arwen's chest. But this time, his arms were soon filled too. The younger midwife carefully placed their son in his arms. He cuddled the baby to his chest, still in disbelief.

A few minutes later, the midwives left them alone, and they were finally able to take in the beauty of their babies. Arwen, now holding their son, traced his jawline with her finger before touching the tip of his nose. "Oh, meleth nin, he looks like you!They are both so perfect!"

Aragorn's strong fingers tenderly stroked their daughter's cheek. "Yes, they are both beautiful, just like their amya!" His vivid eyes stared into her face before he shifted and kissed her. "I don't know what I could possibly have done to deserve the THREE of you, Arwen! I...I don't know if words can describe just how much I love you! And these incredible gifts we have been given!"

Arwen looked down at their children before staring up at Aragorn. "Oh, meleth nin, Hannon le for being with me. I will confess I nearly started laughing at the looks on the midwives' faces. I don't think many have seen that side of you!"

Aragorn laughed, "Perhaps I was a bit harsh, but I wasn't going to allow them to banish me from the room! I needed to be with you! I wanted us to share this moment together!"

Arwen beamed and kissed him again before turning back to their babies, pressing a kiss to both of their heads. Aragorn did the same, brushing his lips lightly against their hair.

Then they lapsed back into silence. Simply basking in their love for each other and the incredible gifts they'd been given.