3. Secrets and Joy

Six months later a baby was born, the child was a girl and was as beautiful as her mother. The King and Queen named her Legessa.

A few weeks after she was born the King and Queen were in their chamber and Legessa was sleeping peacefully in the room across the way. Arwen was already enveloped in the thick furs and Aragorn slipped quickly in beside her.

"Elessar, do you recall that time before our daughter was born and I informed you of her coming?" the elven maiden whispered into her lover's ear.

"Yes, I will never forget that eve as long as I live." he murmured sleepily in reply.

"You promised me then that you would be willing to listen to anything I wished to tell you. I feel now that I have something eating away at my heart which will truly kill me if I don't release it. Will you promise to hear me unburden that weight before you pass judgement?"

Knowing now that she was troubled, Aragorn sat upright and took her soft, elegant hand.

"Whatever you have to tell me, I will listen. I will listen until the world's end if you will only wipe that pain from your face. I cannot bear to see your beautiful face twisted so."

"I will bear this pain until you can take it in your heart to forgive me and you must promise me now that if you cannot forgive me you will let me depart. I will leave you our child and you can spend your life as you wish; with or without me."

"I could never live without you, whatever you have done. Just promise me that you will never leave my existence entirely, if you feel you have to go, go. I will never keep you against your will. Now, please tell me what it is that you have taken so many words to say, I am listening, enraptured to your voice."

Suddenly a cry sounded from the other side of the stone wall, Arwen moved as if to leave. She moved her body across the bed and place her feet on the hard floor. Aragorn grasped her wrist,

"Let me go, Estel, it is our child and she needs her mother."

"Surely tell me before you go!"

"You can wait, you waited forty years for me, you can wait while I comfort our daughter!"

"So be it, but go quickly. I now wish to know what weighs so heavily on your fair heart."

And with that she walked lightly and soundlessly to the door. She crossed the hall and paused at the oaken door to the infant's chamber the baby was still crying. Sighing she turned the delicate handle and stepped into the room. Instantly she was aware of another's presence.

"Who is there? Identify yourself at once! The King is only the other side of that door, I only have to cry out." she spoke, loudly and clearly, all worry for herself forgotten, only the safety of her child played on her mind.

Swiftly she moved to the crib, Legessa was still crying but apparently un- harmed.

"Leave her, she will soothe herself in time." a low, deep voice hissed from the darkness.

"How dare you! You promised, you promised, you prom…" the Queen's voice trailed off as she sank to the floor, deep sobs wracking her twisted body, as painful memories came flooding back. She was no longer the calm, composed elf-queen, she was now a vulnerable child.

"So, you remember my voice. I thought you might not forget, you always were a snivelling child. And I promised nothing!" the voice sounded faintly amused.

Bad grammar, writing etc. I know! But if you wanna know more about the Queen's secrets, PLEASE REVIEW!