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Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Aria and her family.

Chapter 44

Aria brushed out her hair as the morning light began to fill the room. She had not slept that night due to Legolas, but she did not need the rest. Legolas, however, fell asleep just before the dawn with his arms wrapped securely around her. She smiled as she remembered how his arms tightened around her as she made to move from the bed, and she had to reassure him that she was only going to wash up and ready for the coronation that morning. He reluctantly let her go and remained in bed.

She had dressed in the other gown she had carried with her. It was a cream color with dark green pieces of fabric adding splashes of color here and there. She suddenly felt hands on her shoulders and the hair being moved from the right side of her neck. There a set of lips gently kissed her and she smiled as they lifted from her skin. Aria turned her head and looked at Legolas. He stood there dressed only in his leggings that loosely tied around his waist. Legolas smiled at her and cupped her cheek. "You look beautiful this morning, Aria," he said gently. Aria just smiled at him and stood from her seat after she had placed the brush on the vanity. She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him as she laid her head on his shoulders.

"Thank you Legolas," she whispered and closed her eyes as his hands rested on her lower back. "Today will be a joyous day." She pulled her head up and looked at him. Legolas smiled and kissed the tip of her nose causing Aria to laugh quietly. "You should dress. We must meet out party soon." Legolas sighed and nodded his head. With a partying kiss he left her and walked into the restroom. Aria smiled and shook her head as she turned and picked up her circlet from the vanity. She secured it and looked at her reflection, in the looking glass. She sighed when her eyes landed on the pendant that rested on her neck. And a wistful smile found its way across her lips as she thought of their wedding several months ago. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Soon Aragorn would be king and life will take a course all its own.

Aria did not know how long she stood there, but Legolas brought her out of her reverie when he cleared his throat and she looked at him. She blushed at the smile he was giving her and he held out his arm to her. "We must meet our party," he said gently. Aria nodded her head and linked her arm with his. The pair made their way through the bustling corridors. They walked down to the camps and smiled at the people they passed. They soon joined their camp and after speaking with them for a time, the party of elves of Mirkwood and Imladris began to make their way up to the courtyard.

Aria felt tears come to her eyes as Gandalf placed the crown upon Aragorn's head. She didn't know why she felt like crying. Her emotions seemed so much stronger the last few days and she knew Legolas felt them as well. He looked at her and turned her head to face him. "What is it Aria? Why do you weep?" he asked through their link and her teary light green eyes met his concerned sliver-blue ones.

"I don't know. I am just happy, very happy," she responded and Legolas smiled and wiped away a few tears from her cheeks. Aragorn's voice filled the air and the pair looked ahead once again. Aria stole a glance in Arwen's direction and she smiled at her when she saw she was holding a banner to keep herself from view just yet.

Aragorn began to make his way down the courtyard and smiled and bowed his head at his people, as well as Éowyn, Faramir, and Éomer. Aragorn smiled at Legolas and Aria before he kissed Aria's hand and she bowed her head to him before she looked at him with tears once again in her eyes. Aragorn smiled at her once more and raised his hand to wipe away the lone tear that had rolled down her cheek. She laughed slightly and smiled at him. He turned to Legolas who was smiling proudly at his friend. Aragorn put his hand on his shoulder and Legolas did the same. However, Legolas motioned his head to his right, where Elrond, Glorfindel, and the elves of Imladris. Aragorn furrowed his brow and looked at Aria briefly who only smiled at him. He turned his attention to where Legolas had motioned and Aria moved her eyes there as well.

Arwen slowly came into view as she moved the banner to the side. A look of amazement and shock formed on Aragorn's face as he lowered his hand. Elrond gently urged Arwen forward and Aragorn made his own way to her and as she handed the banner to another elleth, Aragorn pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. Aria and everyone broke into cheers and applause. In the midst, Legolas turned to Aria and pulled her to him and kissed her as well. Surprised, Aria stiffened until she realized that he was just as caught up in the moment as she and wanted to share his happiness with her. Legolas pulled his lips from hers and smiled down at her and wiped another tear from her cheek.

"Do not weep," he told her through their bond and Aria smiled with a shake of her head.

"I don't know what's wrong. I feel everything ten fold right now. It is as if my emotions are set on high," she responded as Aragorn and Arwen continued their way down the courtyard to stop before the four small hobbits. Legolas looked at Aria with a concerned expression on his face and her hands remained in his. Aria turned her attention to Aragorn and saw him kneel in front of the hobbits as well as Arwen. They bowed to the hobbits and everyone that stood in the courtyard did the same, including Aria and Legolas.

The people slowly began to make their way home or into the palace for the celebration. Aria walked along side Legolas and the other elves when she felt something strange. She faltered a bit and as they entered the hall where the celebration was to take place, she pulled Legolas aside. Legolas looked at her concerned and Aria looked up at him and swallowed hard before she put her hand on her lower stomach where the odd feeling came from. Legolas looked at her hand and then at her face. "What is it Aria?" he asked.

"I don't know," she whispered. "I feel strange. I do not know how to explain it." Legolas put his hand over hers and frowned.

"Perhaps we should speak to Lord Elrond about this. Maybe he will be able to help you." Aria nodded. They made their way through the crowd and stopped where Lord Elrond sat talking with Gandalf and Glorfindel. "Pardon our intrusion Lord Elrond, but may we speak with you for just a moment?" Aria's brow was furrowed in deep confusion. She truly didn't understand what was wrong with her. Lord Elrond looked at Aria and nodded.

"Is everything alright?" Gandalf asked before the three parted.

"I do not know," Aria said with great uncertainty in her voice. Gandalf frowned as did Glorfindel at her confession and she quickly joined Lord Elrond and Legolas that had stepped further ahead. The three made their way into an empty corridor and Legolas began to speak first. He spoke so quickly in Elvish to the Lord of Imladris and Aria was so preoccupied she didn't bother to pay attention. Lord Elrond stepped over to her and put his hand over the lower part of her stomach and said an incantation with his eyes closed. A tingling sensation went over her stomach. A feeling similar to what she would feel in the palms of her hands when she used her healing powers. Lord Elrond lowered his hand and his eyes met hers with a smile in their grey depths.

"This is the first, in over five centuries," he said gently. Aria furrowed her brow and looked at Legolas. He seemed just as confused as she was.

"The first of what?" she asked quietly.

"The first birth of an Elvin child," he said as a rare smile formed on the Elvin lord's lips. Aria's eyes widened and they instantly moved to Legolas' who looked as though he had just seen a ghost and his eyes were focused in the distance.

"H-how?" Aria blushed. "I mean I know how but I thought that . . . I did not think . . ." Aria had no clue what she was trying to say and Elrond just shook his head.

"Elvin children are conceived when both the elleth and the ellon wish to conceive, however, there are times when the bond is so strong that the desire to conceive is not necessary," he said slowly. Aria nodded and the Elrond patted Legolas' shoulder and kissed Aria's cheek before he once again joined the others. Aria looked at Legolas, her mouth slightly open in shock, but she was happy that she was to be a mother. There was also a deep sense of joy. An unbridled sense of pure happiness but it was not coming from her. She looked at Legolas and his eyes had turned to her and the sparkled with merriment.

"You are to bare me a child?" he asked in a whisper. Aria just smiled at him and he quickly pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. "A child," he whispered again when he pulled his lips from hers. Aria nodded and wrapped her arms around him and hugged him to her.

"We are to have a child. I cannot believe it," she whispered and he pulled away from her and placed his hand on her lower stomach.

"Our child grows inside of you. I will protect you with all of my power." Aria smiled and nodded. She did not have the heart to argue with him that she would be just fine. She just wanted to keep the moment as a happy one. Legolas raised his hand from his stomach and rested it on her cheek. He kissed her deeply. Aria pulled her lips from his and took a deep breath.

"Should we tell the others?" she asked. Legolas nodded.

"Aye, let's tell them." She smiled and Legolas laced his fingers with hers and led her back into the dance hall in search of their friends to share their joyous news.