It had been only two months ago since Lords Fyn and Aragorn left to battle in the west. True to his word, Fyn continued to send messages to Elvulia to tell of their progress. The latest letter he had written had most lifted Elvulia's heart. It said that the battle was settling down and after they had rested a bit, all the warriors would be able to come home. Not only would Elvulia be joyful of his return but she would also be relieved. She was now nine months pregnant and the babe could be born any minute now, even though both Lady Arwen and the midwives had said it would be several days more.
"Lady Arwen," Elvulia beckoned her to come, "We must have a festivity for the soldiers' return. They have battled long and hard and we will all be thankful to see them once again." Arwen smiled and knew it was her friend was right. Not only would Elvulia be calm again, she would see Estel.
"You are absolutely right, Elvulia," Arwen agreed, "Come, we must tell our cooks to make something special and the aides to make the dining hall more lively for their return." She stood up and helped Elvulia to her feet. These days, Elvulia couldn't stand up on her own feet after sitting down for more than a minute. Her stomach was bulging and Elvulia seemed like a delicacy, two things that did not quite match.
They walked to the kitchens, discussing what foods could be planned. Elvulia was rubbing her belly all the way, licking her lips. "Perhaps we can try them out now and see if the men would enjoy it." Arwen laughed, knowing well enough that Elvulia was having her daily cravings for things that she normally did not have or eat.
"Very well," Arwen said, "We shall have a party of our own before they get back. Then perhaps we can make sure that the cook did not poison our foods." She smirked at her own joke, just to make sure that Elvulia didn't think it might be the truth. She was extra paranoid lately, it must have been the hormones.
It was nightfall already and no one had heard from the troops yet. "What happened to them?" Elvulia kept asking Arwen, who answered with a simple "Nothing, they are just delayed." The food was running cold and everyone was restless, walking around the halls with nothing to do except worry about what might have happened. Arwen had told everyone to talk quietly so not to distress Elvulia, who was already almost to tears, thinking the worst thoughts.
Just before Elvulia was going to bed, clammy with fear, Arwen spotted them. They were all ragged, bloody and dirty, but they were alive and here! "Elvulia!" Arwen cried, "They've arrived! Everyone! Prepare the tables, they're finally here!" Elvulia walked over to the windows at where Arwen was seated and surely enough, she saw them. Her Fyn and Arwen's Estel. She ran out to greet them with Arwen close behind.
"Fyn, dear!" Elvulia said, stopping in front of him. He was all bloody and tired but his eyes seemed to grin down at her.
"Elvulia!" he kissed her and gently rubbed her stomach, "I am pleased to see that the babe is not born yet and that I was here in time. Did I tell you I would be?" Elvulia laughed and hugged him before helped everyone settle down and kissing Legolas, Gimli and many others on the cheek. She was glowing with happiness as she walked the horses to the stables and washed her hands and face to celebrate.
Already indoors, Arwen and Aragorn was hugging each other. "Estel, why were you so tardy?"
"We ran into a group of orcs on our way here and battled them. Luckily, no one was killed in this short war…well, except for the orcs." He grinned, lively from seeing her again.
"We have made a lovely banquet for all of you so wash up and hurry so that we may enjoy it soon." She playfully pushed him to the bathing chambers to wash. In just a few minutes time, everyone was cleaned up and ready to enjoy the meal.
Once everyone was seated, Lord Elrond stood up and proposed a toast. "Now I know that we are all anxious to finish this feast and talk to our loved ones once again," he nodded mostly towards Elvulia and Arwen, "But I think we should drink to our comrades first. They have battled for us because we could not and because of that, we are eternally grateful. To our warriors." All sitting at the table drank to that before there were bursts of conversations.
"I missed you so much."
"What happened, eh?"
"Did you receive my letters?"
"You won't be going off again soon, will you?"
After about an hour plus, there were some departs at the table. Elvulia, who was tired already from waiting by the window, was the first to leave. She brought Fyn along to catch him up on what happened during the two months. In their room, Elvulia sat on their bed and told him to sit by her.
"I was so worried when you did not return on time," Elvulia admitted.
"We were battling…" Fyn explained.
"Orcs, I know," she smiled, "The baby is kicking." She took his hand and placed it on her belly. He cried out with happiness, feeling the feisty legs kicking.
"She's strong."
"Like her father," Elvulia said, taking his hand away and holding it. She rested her head on his shoulder and tears started sliding down her face. One landed on Fyn's hand and he wiped it off.
"What's wrong, melamin (my love)?"
"I thought you would miss the birth. I thought you would break your promise. I thought…you wouldn't return because you were…dead," she sniffed.
"Now now…" he said soothingly, "That is not the case, so let's not cry about it." He lifted her head and wiped her tears with his thumb. "You looking strained, you should go to bed."
Elvulia admitted she was sleepy but said she wanted to stay up with him, it had been too long since they last were together. Fyn frowned but agreed, complaining that it was unhealthy. "It is also unhealthy for me to dwell in my sleep, worrying over you," she smirked." Fyn laughed, picking her up and twirled her.
"Do you remember the last time I did that to you?" Fyn asked, referring to the twirling.
"Yes, it was when I told you we were to have our own child."
"That's right…" Fyn muttered and seemingly shaking his himself out of it, he said cheerfully, "Come, there must be more celebrating in the halls."