Chapter Six: The Disappointment

A/N: What?! Only TWO reviews? cries I actually spend time working on this, pour my heart and soul into this story, and I only get TWO reviews?! Meanwhile the story I spend zilch time working on to be a story worth reading gets more reviews than this? Ironic…. sigh Oh, well. I'm finally progressing in the story! Yeah! Elboron is about to be introduced into the story! About time, huh? I'll be quiet now and let you read.

Andúmîr rejoiced at the prospect of a younger sibling. It seemed as though everyone but her had a sibling. She hoped to be able to see Éowyn soon.

As if reading her thoughts, Elessar said, "This is joyous news indeed. But think on this mell nîn my dear, the new life that grows within Éowyn will bring changes, and not all will be to your liking."

Puzzled, Andúmîr took her leave and went to the gardens to think. She found Arwen there knitting a banner for the new training center for young soldiers. "Can I help you, sell nîn?" she asked sweetly.

"Amme, if Moth-I mean-Éowyn, couldn't have children before, how does she know now?"

Arwen smiled thoughtfully. She figured her daughter still had few years to spare before she was ready for "the talk", so she had to put some thought behind her answer. "Well, she can feel it. She can feel the baby growing inside her."

"Amme, Ada said the baby will bring changes. What kind of changes did he mean?" Andúmîr asked.

"All babies bring changes. They need a lot of care and attention. But perhaps Estel spoke of other changes. Let us wait and see what changes this laes baby brings."

The months went by and there was talk of visiting Rohan. Andúmîr itched with anticipation as Éowyn's due date grew closer. A month before her time, Éowyn sent a message to Andúmîr. It read:

My dearest Finduyn (here Finduyn was crossed out and replaced with Andúmîr),

If you saw me now, you would hardly recognize me. My belly has grown so much, I can't see my feet if I looked down. I'm anxiously waiting for you to visit me, if Lord Aragorn permits it.

Words cannot describe how empty Edoras has seemed since your departure. But in a way, your departure has blessing, for had you not left, I would not be writing this letter with such great joy.

Fare thee well.

Your mother in spirit,

Éowyn, Queen of Rohan

Tears formed in Andúmîr's eyes. She missed her foster parents so much. It seemed an eternity since she had last been called Finduyn. Although Gondor had become dear to her, her heart yearned for the plains of the Ridder Mark.

Three weeks later, Andúmîr found herself in Edoras. After hours of begging, pleading, and an intervention by Arwen, Elessar finally agreed to visit the soon-to-be parents.

Éowyn was overjoyed to see them. She was the first person to welcome them into the city, despite her husband's protests. "Words cannot describe the joy in my heart," she cried as she hugged her foster daughter. "The silence has been almost unbearable after you left Finduyn, so-" she stopped mid-sentence. "No, you are Andúmîr now. I need to accustom myself to that name."

Andúmîr almost replied that she'd rather be called Finduyn than any "Jewel of the West," she thought better of it. It would be wise not to anger her father at the moment.

Éowyn had prepared a great feast to welcome there presence. To Andúmîr, it felt like old times again. She managed to find her friend Beranna and soon the two were laughing away at each others latest antics.

"You still have the ring that I gave you," Beranna observed.

"I have never taken it off. And I never will," she declared.

After the feast, Andúmîr headed toward her room to get some sleep, when Faramir pulled her aside. "Andúmîr," he said quietly, "you realize that the child Éowyn is carrying will bring changes, do you not?"

"Ada said the same thing. But what changes does this mean." Andúmîr asked.

"It means that you no longer have to decide where you will rule. You will rule Gondor, and my child will rule Rohan."

Andúmîr was shocked. She didn't want to rule Gondor! "B-but, but I don't belong in Gondor!" she choked.

"Yes, you do," Faramir said. "That is your path. Even though you are not my child, in my heart you are my daughter. But things are no longer what they once were. My child will rule."

Andúmîr could stand it no more. She fled from the house and in to the fields. She ran till she could run no farther and collapsed on the ground. She desired to weep, but no tears would come. She began to reflect on the past events. Aragorn was right; the baby had brought changes.

"Perhaps-perhaps I will like to rule Gondor," she told herself. "I won't have to stay in the White City if I am always visiting my subjects." She knew she had no desire to rule Gondor. But had not Éowyn taught her that duty was more important than desire? She suddenly saw a boy, but he was in her mind. He looked like a blend of Arwen and Aragorn, and he wore the Evenstar around his neck. It was then that she knew that that Arwen would soon bear another son. She decided to keep that bit of news to herself.

Then she saw a man, who looked similar to Éowyn and yet not so. His hair was a dark brown and he was travel worn. He seemed to be looking for someone. Andúmîr did not know what she saw, except it had to do with her future.

The sound of hooves pounded behind her. Beranna had ridden out to find her. "Finduyn, quickly climb on! It's Queen Éowyn!"

"What has happened?!"

"It's her baby! It has come early!"

Without further persuasion, Andúmîr climbed on behind Beranna and the two raced back to Edoras. They returned to find the Golden Hall in an uproar. Servants were dashing here and there in every which way, and it was long before the girls found someone to direct them to the rulers. They found Arwen, Aragorn, and an extremely nervous Faramir waiting outside Éowyn's room.

Aragorn was the first to see them and grasped his daughter's shoulders gently, but firmly. "Where have you been?!" he demanded. "We were about to send out a search party."

"I have sought council within myself, Ada, and I have come to a decision: I will accept my duty as the King's heir," she announced, just as a midwife declared that Faramir was the father of a healthy son.

Jen: I'm glad you like it! I'll try to post more often. Have you read my other stories? Reviews good and bad are most welcome.

Sukarawin: Hey, when are you going to post any of your stories? I would very much like to read them.

A/N: Well, what did you think? Please review! At this point, I don't care if it's a flame or not, preferably constructive criticism. (I will warn you that any flames will be used to roast my mushroom lembas pizza) I will most likely have an answer to your arguments concerning the story, and just to let you know, I have read the Books! If I didn't I could not be writing this story. Thank you. Oh, and any questions you have, just ask (politely) and I will answer it. May an Evenstar shine upon you.