A/N: Alas!!
Here it starts, the beginning of the end (this isn't the last post), read, review, and enjoy.
Samantha.
Part 80.
Their journey back to Gondor lasted little more than a week, for they traveled at a steady pace, directly South.
Once the King and his Queen and their Company were spotted by the watchmen a great cry went up all over the city. As they rode towards the White City Aragorn's banner flew in the wind proclaiming his coming, while silver trumpets issued the cry, that the King was indeed returned to them.
On the High Walls of the city people called out his name, along with the name of his Queen, just as Arwen had foretold so long ago.
Faramir and Imrahil met them in the main courtyard of the city. "Welcome back to the White City, I trust that you had a safe journey?" Faramir called.
"Yes, we had a fairly safe journey." Aragorn told him, dismounting and turning to help Arwen.
"Welcome home Queen Arwen." Imrahil bowed to her.
"Thank you." Arwen told him. "Elessar, I think I will retire now. It has been a long road."
Aragorn nodded to her. "Rest then, A'melamin. You deserve it." He told her, moving to kiss her before she entered the palace.
***********
Early the next morning Arwen began work on her garden, clipping away dead wood, and pulling weeds from the neglected garden beds.
When Aragorn went there to see her in early afternoon, the garden was changed already.
With the help of her hand-maidens the garden beds could be discerned from the paths, and even they looked to be more tame.
The leaves had been fished from the fountain, and clear, clean water added, so that the fountain bubbled to life once more. Leaves had also been raked from the grass, and piled so that the palace gardeners could take them away.
Leaving the plants of her choosing in the soil, Arwen had many removed and relocated to some of the other gardens in Minas Tirith.
Aragorn stood and watched her happy, flushed face. "How is your day, my Lady?" He asked her.
"I am enjoying myself immensely." Arwen told him.
"This place looks better already, the fountain clean, leaves raked, all of the leaves raked up, and weeds pulled."
"Not all of the weeds." Arwen corrected him, leading him to one of the garden beds, where athelas and other weeds that bore medicinal properties grew unhindered. "There the athelas and others shall stay if ever they are needed in this fair city." She told him.
Aragorn smiled. "I think this place is going to be beautiful."
"I think so too." The Lady Evenstar answered her husband.
Then Arwen turned back to work, scattering the soil she had brought with her from Rivendell, and adding the water she had brought to the fountain. For the rest of the afternoon Arwen busied herself planting the seeds and cuttings she had brought, until Aragorn came to collect her in the evening and she fell into bed, sleeping as soon as her head hit the pillow, unmoving as one exhausted.
Part 81.
In the months that passed Arwen tended to her garden everyday, and turned the room that lead to the courtyard into a private sitting room for herself, where she would take guests, read or sew when the weather was foul.
The garden flourished under her care, flowering brilliantly, filling with every color imaginable.
Even the mallorn trees she had planted there grew from seeds into saplings, and then trees in the presence of the Elven Queen.
************
Not long before Arwen was due to give birth she sat in the garden reading from one of the Ancient Books of Lore she had favored since childhood.
She looked up when she heard footsteps in the garden, then smiled. Aragorn stood with her father in the gateway.
Arwen laid her book down on the grass and struggled to her feet, the size of her belly hindering her movement.
"Ada! You didn't tell me you were coming." She reached her arms out to him, and Elrond caught his daughter up in a warm embrace.
"Are you well, my little one?" He asked.
"Yes, Ada. I am well. I missed you." Arwen told him.
"This place is beautiful. You have done well my daughter." Elrond told her, looking around.
"You have timed your journey well Ada, my children will be born soon." Arwen told her father.
"I know, my littlest one. Many others journey to speak with you as well Arwen, people of all races. They come to see you, and your children when they are born." Elrond told her.
Arwen leaned against Aragorn. "I'm sorry that I am not more hospitable at the moment, Ada. I've been restless all day, and the twins haven't stopped kicking."
"Then it may be that your time is very close. Rest and don't do anymore than you have too." Elrond advised.
Once he finished speaking, one of Arwen's hand-maidens, Lihra, approached her mistress. "My Lady. Visitors have arrived in the White City. I am told they seek an audience with you and the King."
"Who are they?" Aragorn asked her.
"Hobbits from the Shire, my Lord. And other friends of the crown." Lihra answered.
"Show them here Lihra, and then tell the others to help you and bring some afternoon tea." Arwen told the handmaiden, her voice and tone gentle as always.
While they waited for the others to arrive, Arwen busied herself tending to one of the newer plants in her garden, her touch bringing the swollen buds into blossoms of lilac and pink, trimmed with white.
In the pond, fish bubbled at the surface of the water, while Elessar the falcon, the same faithful friend who had journeyed with Arwen from Rivendell in the very beginning, when she had set out to help save the hobbit Frodo Baggins from the wound he had received at the hands of the Ring Wraiths, perched calmly on a stand beside the double doors that led inside.
When Lihra returned with the guests, the King's and Queen's dearest friends and companions, Aragorn helped Arwen to her feet.
"Welcome once more to the White City. I hope you all had a safe and uneventful journey." Arwen called to them.
The four hobbits rushed to her and hugged her, for they had dearly missed Arwen upon their parting. In the time of their journey as the Fellowship of the Ring she had become as much a mother to them as a friend.
Gimli the Dwarf, accompanied by several of his kin kissed her hand and bowed deeply, offering the service of his family to them, while both Arwen and Aragorn replied correctly to the greeting.
Legolas embraced her gently, mindful of her belly, as did several other Elves. Gandalf however, contented himself with a low bow.
"It is good to see you all, old friends, for Arwen and I have missed your company on many occasions." Aragorn told them warmly.
"Sit now." Arwen said to them. "Afternoon tea will be ready soon."
"This place is beautiful Queen Arwen." Sam told her, gazing about the colorful garden she had created. "I'm glad I remembered to bring you this." He held a phial of seeds out to her.
Arwen was surprised at the thoughtfulness of the gift. "Thank you Sam. This is a wonderful gift. Come and help me plant them. There is a place near the gates which I think would benefit from these." She told him.
Arwen struggled to rise to her feet, although her footsteps were still graceful. Sam followed her to the main gates where they crouched and scattered the seeds over the soil, pressing them into the ground with their bare hands.
"Perhaps they will have sprouted in several days time." Arwen said to Sam as they walked back to the others.
"Aragorn is right." Arwen told them as she moved to stand beside her husband. "It is wonderful to see you again and we have missed you. Minas Tirith has changed since you were last here."
"With our arrival we hope it will change a little more, dear Lady." Gimli told her. "Stone masons we have coming, and Elves and other fair folk who wish to give gifts to their King and Queen, and help repair some of the damage done to the White City during the War of the Ring."
She smiled and placed her arm around Aragorn's neck, smiling affectionately at him. Aragorn slipped his arm around her waist, resting his hand on her belly.
As they spoke together, having much to tell of all the times they had been apart, Arwen began to feel strange.
Not allowing worry to show on her face she called to one of her hand- maidens. "Carayl, find Ioreth for me. I wish to speak with her."
"How long until the new prince and princess of Gondor are born?" Legolas asked.
Arwen winced and placed her free hand on her belly. "Not long I think. Perhaps before this day is over." She told him, noticing the startled looks upon everyone's faces.
"Are you sure?" Elrond asked, rising from his seat, and guiding Arwen to sit down.
"I think so." Arwen shook her head. "Aragorn, boe imi dulu lin." *Aragorn, I need you help.*
Carefully Aragorn helped her to her feet, then picked her up.
She looked at the others. "I am sorry."
"There is no need Arwen. This cannot be helped." Elrond told her.
As Aragorn carried his wife indoors he heard Legolas say. "It looks like we got here just in time."
Here it starts, the beginning of the end (this isn't the last post), read, review, and enjoy.
Samantha.
Part 80.
Their journey back to Gondor lasted little more than a week, for they traveled at a steady pace, directly South.
Once the King and his Queen and their Company were spotted by the watchmen a great cry went up all over the city. As they rode towards the White City Aragorn's banner flew in the wind proclaiming his coming, while silver trumpets issued the cry, that the King was indeed returned to them.
On the High Walls of the city people called out his name, along with the name of his Queen, just as Arwen had foretold so long ago.
Faramir and Imrahil met them in the main courtyard of the city. "Welcome back to the White City, I trust that you had a safe journey?" Faramir called.
"Yes, we had a fairly safe journey." Aragorn told him, dismounting and turning to help Arwen.
"Welcome home Queen Arwen." Imrahil bowed to her.
"Thank you." Arwen told him. "Elessar, I think I will retire now. It has been a long road."
Aragorn nodded to her. "Rest then, A'melamin. You deserve it." He told her, moving to kiss her before she entered the palace.
***********
Early the next morning Arwen began work on her garden, clipping away dead wood, and pulling weeds from the neglected garden beds.
When Aragorn went there to see her in early afternoon, the garden was changed already.
With the help of her hand-maidens the garden beds could be discerned from the paths, and even they looked to be more tame.
The leaves had been fished from the fountain, and clear, clean water added, so that the fountain bubbled to life once more. Leaves had also been raked from the grass, and piled so that the palace gardeners could take them away.
Leaving the plants of her choosing in the soil, Arwen had many removed and relocated to some of the other gardens in Minas Tirith.
Aragorn stood and watched her happy, flushed face. "How is your day, my Lady?" He asked her.
"I am enjoying myself immensely." Arwen told him.
"This place looks better already, the fountain clean, leaves raked, all of the leaves raked up, and weeds pulled."
"Not all of the weeds." Arwen corrected him, leading him to one of the garden beds, where athelas and other weeds that bore medicinal properties grew unhindered. "There the athelas and others shall stay if ever they are needed in this fair city." She told him.
Aragorn smiled. "I think this place is going to be beautiful."
"I think so too." The Lady Evenstar answered her husband.
Then Arwen turned back to work, scattering the soil she had brought with her from Rivendell, and adding the water she had brought to the fountain. For the rest of the afternoon Arwen busied herself planting the seeds and cuttings she had brought, until Aragorn came to collect her in the evening and she fell into bed, sleeping as soon as her head hit the pillow, unmoving as one exhausted.
Part 81.
In the months that passed Arwen tended to her garden everyday, and turned the room that lead to the courtyard into a private sitting room for herself, where she would take guests, read or sew when the weather was foul.
The garden flourished under her care, flowering brilliantly, filling with every color imaginable.
Even the mallorn trees she had planted there grew from seeds into saplings, and then trees in the presence of the Elven Queen.
************
Not long before Arwen was due to give birth she sat in the garden reading from one of the Ancient Books of Lore she had favored since childhood.
She looked up when she heard footsteps in the garden, then smiled. Aragorn stood with her father in the gateway.
Arwen laid her book down on the grass and struggled to her feet, the size of her belly hindering her movement.
"Ada! You didn't tell me you were coming." She reached her arms out to him, and Elrond caught his daughter up in a warm embrace.
"Are you well, my little one?" He asked.
"Yes, Ada. I am well. I missed you." Arwen told him.
"This place is beautiful. You have done well my daughter." Elrond told her, looking around.
"You have timed your journey well Ada, my children will be born soon." Arwen told her father.
"I know, my littlest one. Many others journey to speak with you as well Arwen, people of all races. They come to see you, and your children when they are born." Elrond told her.
Arwen leaned against Aragorn. "I'm sorry that I am not more hospitable at the moment, Ada. I've been restless all day, and the twins haven't stopped kicking."
"Then it may be that your time is very close. Rest and don't do anymore than you have too." Elrond advised.
Once he finished speaking, one of Arwen's hand-maidens, Lihra, approached her mistress. "My Lady. Visitors have arrived in the White City. I am told they seek an audience with you and the King."
"Who are they?" Aragorn asked her.
"Hobbits from the Shire, my Lord. And other friends of the crown." Lihra answered.
"Show them here Lihra, and then tell the others to help you and bring some afternoon tea." Arwen told the handmaiden, her voice and tone gentle as always.
While they waited for the others to arrive, Arwen busied herself tending to one of the newer plants in her garden, her touch bringing the swollen buds into blossoms of lilac and pink, trimmed with white.
In the pond, fish bubbled at the surface of the water, while Elessar the falcon, the same faithful friend who had journeyed with Arwen from Rivendell in the very beginning, when she had set out to help save the hobbit Frodo Baggins from the wound he had received at the hands of the Ring Wraiths, perched calmly on a stand beside the double doors that led inside.
When Lihra returned with the guests, the King's and Queen's dearest friends and companions, Aragorn helped Arwen to her feet.
"Welcome once more to the White City. I hope you all had a safe and uneventful journey." Arwen called to them.
The four hobbits rushed to her and hugged her, for they had dearly missed Arwen upon their parting. In the time of their journey as the Fellowship of the Ring she had become as much a mother to them as a friend.
Gimli the Dwarf, accompanied by several of his kin kissed her hand and bowed deeply, offering the service of his family to them, while both Arwen and Aragorn replied correctly to the greeting.
Legolas embraced her gently, mindful of her belly, as did several other Elves. Gandalf however, contented himself with a low bow.
"It is good to see you all, old friends, for Arwen and I have missed your company on many occasions." Aragorn told them warmly.
"Sit now." Arwen said to them. "Afternoon tea will be ready soon."
"This place is beautiful Queen Arwen." Sam told her, gazing about the colorful garden she had created. "I'm glad I remembered to bring you this." He held a phial of seeds out to her.
Arwen was surprised at the thoughtfulness of the gift. "Thank you Sam. This is a wonderful gift. Come and help me plant them. There is a place near the gates which I think would benefit from these." She told him.
Arwen struggled to rise to her feet, although her footsteps were still graceful. Sam followed her to the main gates where they crouched and scattered the seeds over the soil, pressing them into the ground with their bare hands.
"Perhaps they will have sprouted in several days time." Arwen said to Sam as they walked back to the others.
"Aragorn is right." Arwen told them as she moved to stand beside her husband. "It is wonderful to see you again and we have missed you. Minas Tirith has changed since you were last here."
"With our arrival we hope it will change a little more, dear Lady." Gimli told her. "Stone masons we have coming, and Elves and other fair folk who wish to give gifts to their King and Queen, and help repair some of the damage done to the White City during the War of the Ring."
She smiled and placed her arm around Aragorn's neck, smiling affectionately at him. Aragorn slipped his arm around her waist, resting his hand on her belly.
As they spoke together, having much to tell of all the times they had been apart, Arwen began to feel strange.
Not allowing worry to show on her face she called to one of her hand- maidens. "Carayl, find Ioreth for me. I wish to speak with her."
"How long until the new prince and princess of Gondor are born?" Legolas asked.
Arwen winced and placed her free hand on her belly. "Not long I think. Perhaps before this day is over." She told him, noticing the startled looks upon everyone's faces.
"Are you sure?" Elrond asked, rising from his seat, and guiding Arwen to sit down.
"I think so." Arwen shook her head. "Aragorn, boe imi dulu lin." *Aragorn, I need you help.*
Carefully Aragorn helped her to her feet, then picked her up.
She looked at the others. "I am sorry."
"There is no need Arwen. This cannot be helped." Elrond told her.
As Aragorn carried his wife indoors he heard Legolas say. "It looks like we got here just in time."