Surprises

The journey west took the caravan several weeks to complete. Fortunately, their large numbers and the sudden lack of warlords in the plains made the trip relatively uneventful. The pace was more relaxed and comfortable as the Avari traveled with tents. Each family shared a tent, and tents had been provided for Thelyn and Jamie, and Alcon and his family. For Lyneya, the Elvish culture took some getting used to, but Jamie and Nyére helped her adjust and the trio became good friends on the journey.

Cilmo also warmed up to the Easterlings in their company, taking a shine to Godwin. He found the boy respectful, well behaved and eager to learn. He and the Rangers often asked Alcon if they could bring him on their scouting sweeps. Alcon was proud of Godwin and afforded him every opportunity to learn from the skilled Rangers.

Nyére and Polodrin talked often of what plans they had for their return to Gondor. He wanted to remain in Emyn Arnen, but knew she would want to be close to her people as well. But first they would defer to Legolas, for the settlement of the Avari fell under the jurisdiction of his realm in the Northern Ithilien Wood. But debates like this meant little in the wilderness of Rhûn. All would follow the will of the King when they arrived. Nyére was nervous for her people. The King Elessar had suffered much at the hand of her father and his patience was wearing thin. Despite how fair minded he was she would not relax until the business was settled.

Then there was the matter of the evil that had been visited upon Lyneya and her brother at the hands of Atanvardo. He obviously had the sanction of her father in the matter, and it was too disturbing. The trade in slaves had been done in secret, but she suspected her father had been in the center of it. She had not spoken to Polodrin about the matter yet, but it would surface eventually. She was ashamed of the Avari for this evil, and needed to make things right, for her own good conscience.

As the last week of January approached, they neared the borders of Gondor. Polodrin took several riders and rode on ahead to inform his father that they were coming with just about one hundred Avari. He wanted to be sure they were made to feel welcome. While the Avari caravan camped about a day's journey from Emyn Arnen, Polodrin, Legolas, Cilmo and Anwaner rode up to the gates.

"Open for Lord Polodrin!" a guard on the battlements shouted.

The gate swung open and they rode straight up to the great hall. Polodrin was off his horse and dashing up the stairs in an instant with the elves right on his heels. He strolled into the hall during the evening meal and was greeted by his mother.

"Son! You've returned," Ẻowyn said with a smile, almost relieved. "Welcome Legolas," she added when she saw him and then gave a welcoming nod to the Avari rangers with him.

Faramir joined them and hugged Polodrin. "Where's your lady wife?"

"With her people, camped but a day east of here," Polodrin said. "They have accepted Legolas' invitation to settle in the wood."

Faramir cocked a brow, "Indeed? I would not have anticipated that, but I'm pleased to hear it. Word must be sent to Minas Tirith immediately. Aragorn will want to be here to greet them."

Cilmo smiled, "I will go."

Polodrin smirked, "I'll bet."

Anwaner elbowed him and Legolas just smiled. Faramir just looked at the Ranger with scrutiny and furrowed a brow.

"You are most anxious to leave again after what was surely a hard ride," Faramir observed.

"I promised a lady I would return to her," Cilmo said.

Ẻowyn smiled, "Allassante will come with her father to greet your people. Stay and rest, we'll send a messenger on the evening ship."

Cilmo cared nothing for rest, he wished to see his fairest again, but knew he could not insult his host. He smiled and gave Ẻowyn a bow. "Gracious Lady, I thank you for your hospitality," he said.

Faramir smiled and put a hand on Cilmo's shoulder. "It is good to see you have returned. Come, eat your fill and tell us of your adventures in the east."

The evening flew by and the events of the journey were relayed with much embellishment and drama. They took turns speaking as they added details, and Cilmo chimed in when Polodrin spoke of their rescue of the children.

"Yes, children, two boys, or so we thought at first," Cilmo said.

Ẻowyn's eyes widened in surprise and she looked at Polodrin and said, "Explain."

"The survivors, a five year old boy and a teenager were taken in by Alcon. He found them both hiding and he firmly claimed them as his charges."

"He always did have a soft heart," Faramir said with a grin.

"But it turns out, the older boy was a maid in disguise," Anwaner said. "They were in hiding."

Ẻowyn put a hand over her mouth in shock and said, "What did Alcon do then?"

Polodrin just smiled, "He married her."

Faramir chuckled, and then laughed, and then roared with full hearted belly laughs. Ẻowyn looked at his mirth with disdain.

"What is so humorous? It is a romantic story," Ẻowyn said.

"Indeed," Faramir agreed. "But Alcon bragged about remaining a bachelor just before he left. Oh, how the wild have fallen."

Legolas frowned. There was nothing so great about being a bachelor while all your friends have found happiness. He saw less humor in it than Ẻowyn, and there was much more to the tale than a marriage.

"Tell your father who she is," Legolas said.

Faramir wiped a tear from his cheek and sobered, "What? Who is she?"

Polodrin looked at his father with a flat expression, "Silverhelm's daughter."

Faramir's face went from surprise to shock to worry. "Silverhelm's heirs live?"

"The boy is rightful Overlord of Rhûn," Cilmo said.

"Aragorn will want to meet them," Faramir said seriously. "This is a most unexpected development."

Polodrin nodded.

"What are they like?" Faramir asked.

"I like them," Cilmo said. "I do not even mind that they are Easterlings. The woman is sweet and obviously loves her husband and the boy is most respectful."

"Well, high praise indeed," Faramir said. "I must think on this and prepare a message to send. Rest well."

Faramir excused himself and retreated to his study leaving Ẻowyn to get their guests settled. They were given rooms and their needs were seen to. Later, she caught up with Faramir on the front steps of the courtyard as he was handing a letter to his messenger. The rider bowed and rode off down to the docks.

"I ordered him to have the King waked as soon as he arrives. This is most important news," Faramir said.

"What do you think he will do?" Ẻowyn asked.

"I do not know, but whatever it is, it will be in the interest of peace," Faramir said. "If it were me, I would see this as an opportunity for the future."

"I hope all is well, they are Alcon's family now," Ẻowyn said.

Faramir shook his head, "What was he thinking?"

"Of all of Miranda's children, you should know that Alcon follows his heart," Ẻowyn said. "And for once her sight was clouded. She never expected the Wild ones to settle down, but they are both married."

Faramir pulled her into his arms and kissed her, "That doesn't mean they have settled down. I never did."

Ẻowyn laughed as they returned to the hall and went to their room. He was every bit as strong, handsome and formidable a man as he was when she met him. But he had settled down quite a bit. He still traveled, but never very far and not for long if he could help it. He admitted to missing her even for short trips. She loved him, wild or tame.

The Avari gathered around the campfires and talked late into the evening. It was their usual custom, but tonight there was excitement in the camp. They were very near their new home and no one seemed anxious to go to bed. Thelyn and Jamie sat with Nyére and Serétur by one of the fires and Thelyn put his arm around his wife.

"How about a song?" he asked as he kissed her forehead.

Jamie smiled and tried to think of one. She leaned a little closer to him and started to sing softly, "It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart, without saying a word you can light up the dark. Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don't say a thing..." Allison Krause could sing a ballad. Jaimie hoped she could do it justice. "The smile on your face lets me know that you need me; there's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all..."

Nyére smiled and thought of Polodrin. She would miss him tonight, but he needed to prepare for their arrival. She looked across the camp to where Alcon and Lyneya sat by the fire in front of their tent. Godwin was already asleep and Lyneya was very protective of him. They had little privacy during the journey, sharing their tent with a child, but had refused to allow anyone else to keep him at night. Nyére knew that there was nothing false about the marriage anymore; it was obvious to anyone who saw them together. It would do them good to get home and settled into their house. If anyone deserved a safe and stable home, it was those two.

Jamie moved to get up, but her face turned deathly pale and she seemed to lose her balance. Thelyn caught her as she wobbled and just lifted her into his arms.

"Jamie?" he asked with panic on his face. "Jamie, sweet, are you alright?"

"I just felt a little light headed for a moment," she said. "I think I just got up too fast."

Nyére stood and went to her and Alcon and Lyneya joined them as well.

"Jamie, how do you feel?" Nyére asked.

"I'm fine now," Jamie protested. "Thelyn put me down."

"Oh, no," Thelyn said firmly. "I'll put you down in bed." He carried her to their tent and gently laid her on the blankets. Her complexion still didn't look right and he covered her up and gave her a warning glare. "I'll be right back, don't move."

Jamie frowned but nodded, and Thelyn left. He found Alcon, Lyneya and Nyére waiting right outside.

"Well?" Nyére asked.

"Have you a healer?" Thelyn said. "She denies it, but she looks ill."

Nyére nodded and went in search of Eruanna, their healer. Alcon looked at Thelyn with sympathy, "She's probably just caught a little chill, she'll be fine."

Lyneya frowned. Elves knew nothing of illness, Elves don't get sick. "Out of my way," she said, nudging Thelyn aside. She went into the tent and sat down by Jamie.

"Will you tell him I feel fine?" Jamie said, trying to sit up. She got into a sitting position and the room started to spin. She slowly lay back down and Lyneya just crossed her arms and looked at her sternly.

"You are green," Lyneya said. "Do you feel nauseous?"

Jamie's cheeks flushed and she just said, "Oh, yeah, now I do."

Lyneya slowly started to smile. "When was your last… um," Lyneya tried to ask delicately.

Jamie's eyes doubled in size, "Not since before I got married. Oh, no way! Not already."

"I'll let the healer confirm it, but if I had to guess, I'd say you were with child. It was like this for Merewyn the first couple of months, and then it got better."

The tent flap opened and Nyére and Eruanna entered. Eruanna took one look at Jamie and smiled. "Oh, morning sickness."

"See, I told you," Lyneya said triumphantly as she stood to leave. "Congratulations."

Nyére smiled brightly, "Oh, this is wonderful news!"

Jamie just paled, "I don't feel wonderful."

Eruanna smiled, "You'll be fine in a few minutes. I have a tea that will settle that stomach. Just rest, I'll send in your husband." Eruanna left and dragged Nyére with her. She looked at the princess with a frown, "I know she is your friend and you're excited for her, but leave them some privacy. It's an important moment."

They emerged from the tent and Eruanna just looked at Thelyn and said, "Go to her."

Thelyn's face suddenly paled. The healer looked serious and he ran to the tent and practically dove inside.

"Jamie? Are you well? What is wrong?" he asked.

Jamie just gave him a silly smile and blushed, "I'm perfectly fine, I'm…" she paused shyly and looked away, "Pregnant."

Thelyn heard the word, but it took a moment to register in his mind. First he felt relief to know she wasn't dying or something, and then he realized what she said. "You're… you're…" he dropped to his knees beside her and looked at her with eyes swimming in tears. "You carry our child?" he gently laid his hand on her belly and smiled. "I'm going to be a father."

Jamie put her hand on his and smiled. "Looks that way."

Thelyn bent down and hugged her. "Oh, I love you, Jamie."

"Knock, knock," Eruanna called from outside. "I brought you some tea."

"Oh, please let her in quick, I feel horrible," Jamie said.

Thelyn sat up and looked at her with concern, "You really are sick."

Eruanna entered and laughed, "Humans suffer with their children, Thelyn. The tea will help."

Thelyn helped Jamie sit up and drink. Suffer? What did she mean suffer? He didn't want Jamie to suffer. He looked at the healer with concern.

"How much suffering are we talking about here?" Thelyn asked seriously.

"She just means this, a little nausea once in a while," Jamie said. "No big deal."

Eruanna smiled, "Yes, this is what I meant." She got up and headed for the exit. "Rest, we have one more day of travel, and you will probably not feel well for a couple of weeks at the least." She left and so did her smile. There was more to it than a little nausea. The women of the plains had a high mortality rate. Childbirth was the second greatest cause of death among human women.

Back in the tent, Jamie finished her tea and her color returned.

"Feel better?" Thelyn asked.

"Much," she admitted.

Thelyn lay beside her and wrapped her in his arms. "Rest then, I'll be here."

Jamie smiled and kissed him, "Goodnight, then, father."

Thelyn smiled, "I like that."

"Me too," she said and then they both drifted off to sleep.

Alcon walked Lyneya back to their tent and hugged her. "I'll be an uncle again."

"Yes, he'll be a good father, if he's at all like you," Lyneya said.

"You know, I don't want to take your father's place for Godwin," Alcon said seriously.

"I know that," she said. "But you are a good father to him. He loves you."

"I call him son, and he answers, but he still calls me Alcon," he said with a sigh.

"Reynor was the father he knew, and Colwin is the father he idolized. Give him a little time," Lyneya said.

Alcon nodded and pulled the tent flap aside for her. He smiled at the sleeping child in the corner and then pulled the curtain closed. It afforded them a bit of privacy. Lyneya undressed and he hugged her close. Then he laid out a blanket and had her lay down. Lyneya lay on her stomach and he took a small jar from his saddlebag and opened it. He could already tell that the scars were fading and he was grateful for the salve that Nyére had given him. He rubbed some in his hands to warm it and then massaged it into her back. It had taken time for her to not feel embarrassed when he saw her, but now she was at peace with her scars.

It was a restful time for them as he administered the salve for her. He not only treated the scars, but loosened her tight muscles after a long day's ride. He liked to see her relaxed, and once the salve was rubbed in, she was most anxious for him to join her in bed.

"Hmmm," she whispered softly. "That's nice."

Alcon smiled wickedly and rubbed his hands over the small of her back and then her buttocks.

"I don't remember any scars there," she said as she lifted her head and glanced back at him.

"Shhh," he said. "I was just checking."

"Oh," she said and rested her head on her arms again. She felt him gently massaging the backs of her thighs and then move down to her calves. It was wonderful.

"Alcon?" she asked softly.

"Yes, Sparrow?" he asked.

"Come to bed," she said softly.

He didn't need to be told twice. He put the salve away and quickly undressed and joined her under the covers. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him until he was breathless.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"Everything," she said softly.

Aragorn and Arwen lay close together, his strong arms engulfing her in his embrace. It was the quiet hours of early morning before the sunrise. All was still and dark and he wandered in and out of sleep. Something had been keeping him from his rest, but he didn't know what it was. Perhaps some change in the weather, or worries of state that he could not name. He nuzzled a little closer to his wife and closed his eyes when there was a quiet knock at his door. It was unusual for any to disturb his sleep unless it was urgent, so he quietly got up, careful to not disturb Arwen. He put on his robe and paused when he heard her voice.

"Come back when you find out what the trouble is," she said. "I'll wait."

Aragorn smiled, "I'll return in a moment."

He went to the door and was greeted by a very tired looking Bergo.

"Forgive me, Sire, but an urgent message has come from Emyn Arnen," he said and placed the letter in Aragorn's hand.

"Thank you Bergo," Aragorn said. "Wait a moment please."

"Of course," Bergo said as Aragorn closed the door to read his letter. He turned and Arwen had already lit the lamp on the table and sat waiting. Aragorn gave her a smile as he took the seat beside her and he broke the seal.

My Lord and Liege,

The ambassadors to the east have returned with one hundred surviving Avari with them. They are camped one day's journey east of the city and will arrive tomorrow. I am pleased to tell you that they have accepted an invitation to settle in the wood. It is my hope that you will be able to come and greet them with me tomorrow evening.

But there is another important matter that was brought to my attention this night. Alcon has taken an Easterling wife and adopted her young brother. Despite my joy for his happiness, I am concerned. His wife and new son are in fact Colwin Silverhelm's heirs. The land to the east of us has been in turmoil for many years. The children were in danger there, and it may follow them. I fear I need your counsel in this matter. Alcon is, after all, your nephew, and the boy may be our future ally. Please come as soon as you can.

Yours in service,

Faramir

"I must leave for Emyn Arnen on the earliest ship," Aragorn said. "The Avari have decided to settle here after all."

"That is good news, so why do you look worried?" Arwen asked.

"Alcon has brought home a new wife and son, the heirs of the Overlord of Rhûn."

"What do you intend to do?" Arwen asked.

Aragorn sighed, "I will not know until I meet them, but I cannot ignore who they are. I never would have thought Alcon would be so impulsive."

Arwen frowned, "I'm going with you."

"There is not need," Aragorn said.

"Indeed, there is. You have already formed an opinion with but a few lines in a letter. Has Faramir met them?"

"No, they arrive on the morrow," Aragorn said and then sighed, understanding her point. "Come then, but I promise to be…"

"Accepting," Arwen said firmly.

Aragorn smiled, "Of course." He went back to the door and gave Bergo the order. "I want a ship prepared to leave at first light. Jamie has returned and brought the Avari with her."

Bergo smiled, "Then it is good news that woke you?"

"Indeed," Aragorn said, "I would say that it is very good."

Bergo bowed and left to make preparations and Aragorn turned back to his wife. "There really is no need to worry. He is but a child after all."

Arwen smiled, "Perhaps this will be an end to the wars," Arwen said.

Aragorn sighed, "I hope so."