Ch 4

For the next week, Gimli watched his friend carefully. There was something wrong and he could not put his finger on it. Aragorn brushed off the Dwarfs concern just saying that he was tired and that he would be fine. Gimli knew that Aragorn was lying because only once had he ever seen Aragorn tired and even then he had managed to carry on with what had to be done.

One morning he decided to visit Aragorn in his study. Without warning he crashed through the doors. What he saw he almost didn't believe. Aragorn was lying sprawled out on the floor, a book was lying open next to him, its pages fluttering in the breeze.

"Aragorn?" Gimli ran to the king and stood over him, "Aragorn get up this instant."

When he didn't reply, Gimli knelt down and shook him. His skin was ice cold.

"Aragorn. Please wake up, please."

He shook him hard and with great effort Aragorn opened his eyes. In that instant, warmth flooded his body again.

"Gimli?"

"Good Lord Aragorn. What happened?"

Aragorn looked around and noticed for the first time that he was on the floor.

"How did I get down here?" he mused.

Upon seeing Gimli's questioning gaze, he shook himself and tried to stand. He stumbled slightly and Gimli grabbed him, helping him to his desk.

"I have never seen you like this Aragorn. You were ice cold. What happened? What do you remember?"

"I was getting a book from the shelf." Aragorn pointed across the room shakily, "I opened it and read a little as I was walking back. What I read wasn't…well I have read happier things. Next thing I'm being shaken by a Dwarf."

"You fainted."

"I guess; I have only ever fainted once before in my entire life so I am not familiar with the experience."

***

Aragorn rushed into the Main hall of Edoras with Legolas right behind him. Upon seeing Pippin holding the Palantir, he hurried over and grabbed it from him. The power that the Eye had over Pippin transferred to him and being unprepared for the sudden invasion of his mind, Aragorn fell backwards, crashing to the ground. The next thing he knew, he was looking into the eyes of the one he loved. Legolas was holding him and was peering down on him in concern. Even in his state, Aragorn didn't fail to notice that one of the elves hands was stroking his hair and while he did relish the moment, he pushed it aside as nothing but care and concern. There was no way the beauty of Mirkwood would ever feel anything more than friendship for a Ranger of the North.

"I am fine now mellon-nin."

"Are you sure?"

"Uma. Amin naa eithel."

The Elvish words eased the worry on the Legolas' face and Aragorn stood on shaky legs. With Legolas' help, Aragorn made his way across the room to the table where everyone sat. Upon seeing that Aragorn was alright, Gandalf proceeded to tell the assembled group what Pippin had told Sauron. All thorough Gandalf talk, Aragorn's mind wandered to his position not moments earlier, and how good it felt to be held in Legolas' arms.

***

Gimli looked his friend over and grabbed the cup and jug on the desk and poured him some water.

As Aragorn began to drink, a maid of Arwen's rushed inside. She curtsied quickly and rushed up to the king.

"My Lord, the Lady Arwen has gone into labour."

"Oh Valar." Aragorn dropped his cup spilling water all over the desk. "Where is she? Galinna, take me to her."

Galinna nodded again and raced back out the door. Aragorn stood and reached for Gimli to maintain his balance. As soon as he was standing, he rushed off after the young maid.

Gimli sighed and bent to pick up the fallen cup. He decided to wait for a small time so as to give the king and queen some time to be alone.

After mopping up the water, Gimli turned to go and find the king and queen. He noticed the book that Aragorn had been reading was still on the floor. Curiosity got the better of him. He picked it up and began to read.

***

Aragorn followed Galinna down the hall to Arwen's rooms. Once outside, Aragorn could hear the screams.

"Is she alright?" he asked worriedly.

"I will go and look."

While Galinna hurried inside, Aragorn began to pace the hall. Servants began to arrive from all over the palace, all waiting to find out who the heir of Gondor would be.

Suddenly the screams were quiet. Aragorn rushed to the door and peeked inside. Galinna nodded and bade him to come in. He crept over to the bed where he could see Arwen holding a small pile of blankets. She looked up and smiled.

"Aragorn. You have a son."

Aragorn knelt by the bed and upon seeing the tiny baby, he wept.

"Hannon le a'melamin. Hannon le."

Arwen smiled and took his hand.

"Would you like to hold him?"

"I, I could?"

"Yes you can hold him."

Aragorn carefully lifted the baby into his arms and looked into his eyes.

"He is perfect. He will grow to be a fine man, the sword of Gondor and of the West. What do you wish his name to be?" He asked Arwen gently.

"Eldarion." She spoke the name carefully as if she was more asking permission that suggesting.

"Eldarion, son of Aragorn, King of Gondor. It is perfect, as is the one who gave him to me."

Arwen smiled and nodded in thanks.

"I wish to rest but you may stay with him if you wish." She told him.

"Hannon le.'

Aragorn took the child out of the room and into the hall. The servants and people of the court all came to look upon the prince. Aragorn looked around and noticed for the first time that Gimli was not among those present. He thanked those near him and he went off in search of his friend.

Aragorn found Gimli still in his study; the Dwarf was deep in thought. A small yet happy cry from the baby alerted Gimli to their presence. He leapt up and hurried over to the man and his son.

"Oh, congratulations my friend. And by what name shall I call the prince of Gondor?"

"His name is Eldarion."

"A fine name indeed. You have done well."

"Thank you."

"Aragorn, I wish to take leave of you. I will at once travel to Mirkwood and see how life fairs in the wood. With your permission I ask to take news of the birth of your son."

Aragorn laughed and the baby giggled with delight at the sound.

"Gimli my friend, you have no need to ask my permission to come and go. And as for asking permission to carry this wonderful news, I would be offended if you didn't carry this message. This is news only a friend can bring."

"Then I will pay my respects to the lady and head off after lunch. I should expect to arrive in Mirkwood in six days if the weather is with me."

"Six days! That's a hard ride, why the necessity to rush?"

"There are some things that I must see to that can not wait any longer. As well as this, the news of Eldarion's birth should be told as soon as can be."

"Very well. I shall arrange a farewell lunch in your honour as well as in honour of my son."

Gimli nodded and retired to his room. Aragorn smiled again at his son who had drifted off to sleep. He carried him back to Arwen's rooms and laid him down in her arms before going to the kitchens to organize the feast.

He was so caught up in everything that was going on that he didn't even realise his book had been taken from the room.

Mellon-nin – My friend

Uma. Amin naa eithel - Yes. I am well

Hannon le a'melamin. Hannon le. – Thank you my love. Thank you.

Thankyou to these people who reviewed Ch 3

- Avari Minuial: *joins in happy dance* you'll have 2 wait and see. Mwahahahaha :P

- Lady-Star3: That would b great :-)

- Silvertoekee: All is revealed :-) as for Gimli…

- Draconic Lupine Moon: Yeah, I've fixed that mistake now :) I'm hopeless when it comes 2 mistakes :P

- Legolas19: So do I :-)

- Jadesaber: You'll just have 2 wait and see :-)

- Forsaken^On3: Yes it is a rather amusing idea isn't it, but I personally wouldn't mind having him for a king :D

- Goldmund: Yea I do feel a little sorry for the baby, but if all goes to plan *wink wink* it may not be an issue.

- Silverhope2001: Well he did love Arwen, she couldn't just be pushed aside. I wasn't sure if I did handle it properly but now you've given me the confidence that I did so thankyou :-)