Eldarion

Outside the window a rare winter snow was falling in Minas Tirith, huge, soft flakes that piled up swiftly, rounding off corners and softening sharp angles. The fluffy white flakes had been falling since midnight and now, in the dark stretches of the wee hours, two men were waiting in the king's chambers.

Aragorn stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the snow drifting onto the ledge outside the ancient glass panel, his thoughts far away and yet only in the next room down the hall. Faramir slumped drowsily in the large armchair in front of the glowing fireplace, alternately dozing and waking, each time shifting position in an attempt to stay awake.

They had been there since noon and while they had spent time in the beginning with excited conversation, as the hours had passed and lengthened they had long ago given up talking and were now reduced to merely waiting through the interminable hours of the night.

Faramir's head bobbed up again and he shook himself lightly and stretched his legs out before him, laying his head back against the chair. "Still snowing?" he asked, the disinterest in his voice making it clear he was merely making conversation.

"Hard as ever." Aragorn's soft answer came in a voice rough with worry and tiredness. He clasped his hands behind him and sighed. Silence descended again and Faramir's eyes began to droop once more.

The large wooden door leading off to the right of the room suddenly opened and Aragorn whirled around as Faramir clambered to his feet. Eowyn came into the room, looking slightly disheveled but with her eyes shining and she beamed a smile at Aragorn as she crossed the room to take his hands in hers. Her smile lit up her face as she looked up into his eyes. "A boy, my lord."

The king's grip tightened around hers and grey eyes searched her green ones for a moment. "A boy?" His voice was hushed. She nodded. "And Arwen?"

"She is fine. Tired, but fine." Eowyn smiled again and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Congratulations." She shrieked as Aragorn suddenly caught her up in a hug and spun her around. Setting her back down on her feet he turned and found Faramir beside him.

"Congratulations, my friend." They embraced each other and then stepped back, each still holding the other's shoulders. With a laugh Faramir gave Aragorn another rough hug and a thumping pat on the back. He saw Aragorn swipe a hand across his eyes but remained silent as the king stood there a moment looking at them in relief and happiness.

"Don't you want to see them?" Eowyn indicated the door as if she thought there might be the possibility he was not interested and Aragorn grinned and rushed past her towards the bedchamber. Behind him Faramir hugged Eowyn and kissed her forehead. "This is nearly as good as having our own," he said and she laughed at him. "Spoken like a man. This birth was certainly easier for me than any of ours!" He laughed with her and pulled her close again.

In the large poster bed in the king and queen's bedchamber, Arwen lay propped up against several pillows, her dark hair pulled back from her face, the sweat-dampened tendrils curled against her forehead. Her face was drawn and she had dark circles under her eyes but when she saw Aragorn standing hesitantly at the door she gave him a welcoming smile and held out her arms.

In an instant he was beside her and had her enfolded in his arms, pressing his face against her cheek and kissing her tenderly. "I love you," he said and she gave a soft laugh and kissed him back. "And I love you."

"Are you all right?" Aragorn held her face between his hands and searched her eyes. "Really? Was it terrible?" She pulled one hand down and kissed his palm. "I'm fine." She sat back against the pillows again and looked over at Mellanar, who grinned as he reached down into the elaborate cradle beside the bed and handed the king his son.

Aragorn took the baby into his arms and cuddled him close, just as he had all of Faramir's children, and Eomer's and the countless other babies he had held in his long life. But this time when he looked down into those dark, innocent eyes, the wave of love and protection and pride that swept over him nearly left him breathless. He reached down and ran his hand over the baby's face, feeling his bud of a nose, his soft cheeks, the silky black hair on his head, the faint point on the end of his slightly tapered ear. A drop of water splashed onto a round cheek and the baby screwed up his face in displeasure, and Aragorn realized the tears that he had been able to keep in check until now had escaped. Clearing his throat in embarrassment he put up a hand and quickly rubbed his eyes. "He's beautiful," he said in a hoarse whisper. The smile that Arwen gave him when he met her eyes made his heart swell and he sat down beside her and leaned over to kiss her again. "Perfect," he said softly. "Both of you."

When he looked up he saw that Eowyn and Faramir had followed him and were standing in the doorway. He motioned with his head for them to enter and they came to stand beside him, Faramir bending down to inspect the baby.

"He is quite handsome, my lord." The baby suddenly yawned and squeaked and the three other adults laughed but Aragorn sat as though entranced, oblivious, not even noticing Arwen and Eowyn's shared look, and finally Faramir put his hand on his shoulder. When he looked up, Faramir gave him a smile. "Today you are blessed, Aragorn." The king found his eyes were blurry again and he had to swallow before he spoke.

"Thank you, my good friends." He knew the time spent with Eowyn last year had made the difference in Arwen's willingness to try once more for a child and that once she was expecting Eowyn and Faramir had both had agreed with him in insisting Arwen have Mellanar as her personal healer the entire time. He knew Faramir had done everything in his power to free up Aragorn's time so he could be with his wife during her pregnancy, and when Eowyn had forsaken the comforts of Ithilien and left her own family to spend the last month in the city during winter just so she could be close by when Arwen was delivered, Aragorn had been overwhelmed by their love.

Eowyn kissed him on the cheek once more, then pressed her lips to the baby's head. She moved around the bed so that she could hold Arwen close before she turned to go. "I am so happy for you," she said, brushing a strand of dark hair back from the pale face. Arwen returned her hug.

"Thank you, for everything," she said. Her blue eyes were bright with tears. "For everything, Eowyn."

Eowyn smiled. "As I told you last year, Arwen, we are each other's family, now. I want you think of us that way." Arwen's mouth trembled and she could only rest her head against Eowyn's shoulder as they embraced once more. Eowyn stroked her hair gently. "I knew you could do it," she spoke quietly in Arwen's ear. "I'm proud of you."

"Is there a name for this child?" Faramir watched as Aragorn peered into the baby's eyes once again. "The Steward of Gondor would like to send out criers announcing the birth of the king's son." Aragorn looked up at him.

"Eldarion," he said faintly, looking at Arwen for confirmation on the name they had chosen. She nodded. "Eldarion."

Faramir nodded and with a last gentle squeeze of Aragorn's shoulder, and one of his slow, shy smiles bestowed upon Arwen as he leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek, he turned to leave and begin informing the people of Gondor of the arrival of the king's heir. Eowyn joined him, promising to return in the morning while Mellanar quietly gathered up his things and with a bow, left the king and queen alone together.

After he had gone, Aragorn stood up, still holding the baby and walked over to the bedchamber window. Arwen watched as Aragorn held Eldarion close to him and leaned down to press his lips against the silky hair. He placed his finger next to the small fist and smiled with delight when the baby wrapped his tiny fingers around his father's and held on tightly. "I've been waiting for you," Aragorn whispered. "For a long, long time."

TO BE CONTINUED