PLEASE READ: Very short update, but I wanted to update for you guys. I'm glad you liked the last chapter, let me know what you think of this one. I'll try and update soon, but with Christmas coming up I'm going to spend a lot of my time in the kitchen baking so I'll do my very best to update soon. Also, let me know who you'd like to read about next. So far, I've got one vote for Glorfindel, one vote for Boromir, and one vote for Haldir. Let me know! Thanks again!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 37

Avelina waddled down the corridor from her and Éomer's suite to the hall where the evening meal was readying to be served. She sighed as she put her hand on her round belly. She was due in a month and she couldn't wait for the day to come. As she stepped into the hall several of the people turned and looked at her. She gave them all a small smile that they returned before she walked to her table. She sat down without any of the grace she wished she had at the stage in her pregnancy. As she waited the hall doors opened. She looked towards the door and smiled when she saw two of the last beings she had expected to see.

Legolas and Gimli stood in the doorway of the Golden Hall and Legolas scanned the hall. His eyes stopped on one of the two people they had come to visit and saw her smiling brightly at them. He looked down at Gimli who laughed when he himself spotted the woman and they both made their way inside. They frowned when they watched her struggle to stand but as soon as she did it was obvious to both of them why it was difficult for her.

"When did this happen?" Gimli asked as they stopped in front of Avelina. She laughed quietly and put her hand on her stomach.

"About eight months ago," she said teasingly and the dwarf laughed. She looked at Legolas and smiled.

"I did not expect to find you in this state," he said and Avelina laughed softly.

"And I did not expect you both to come before the summer months," she said. Legolas nodded.

"May I?" he asked as he held out his hand. She furrowed her brow and nodded as she lowered her hand. Legolas put his hand on her stomach. He could feel the child's heartbeat, and it was steady and strong. He could also tell the baby's gender but he would not share that with her.

"Legolas, Gimli?" asked a deep voice from behind Avelina. Legolas lowered his hand and Avelina turned around to smile at her husband. Éomer looked at her and smiled before he stepped over to her. He wrapped his arm around her and held her closely to him, something he had been doing even more so since she told him she was with child. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he laughed. Legolas and Gimli laughed with him and shook their heads.

"We have gone off on another journey and are visiting our friends," Legolas said. Éomer nodded.

"You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, come, sit and eat with us. The evening meal was about to begin," Avelina said and the four sat and ate their meal discuss the events since the last time they had seen each other and enjoying each other's company.

The following day while Éomer was working away, Avelina walked around Edoras with Legolas and Gimli. "It is good to have some company these days. I've been locked up in the hall because Éomer does not like me to walk around alone and Cynwise is usually too busy to walk with me," she said as she pulled her cloak around her. Gimli laughed and Legolas nodded. Avelina stopped suddenly and put her hand on her stomach. A sharp pain rippled through her and she gasped as she hunched over. Legolas put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

"Avelina?" he asked gently and she shook her head.

"Something's wrong," she said quietly through the pain. Another pain rippled through her and she would have fallen to her knees if Legolas hadn't caught her. He held her with some difficultly but soon lifted from the ground. "I'm afraid," she whimpered and Legolas frowned as he looked at Gimli whose own alarm shined brightly in his eyes.

"We must get you to the hall immediately," Legolas said and they quickly ran up the path, Legolas carrying the Queen of Rohan and nearly all the villagers watched in alarm as they saw their queen being carried by a panicked elf and dwarf following behind.

Once they reached the hall Legolas carried her directly to the healing hall while Gimli went to retrieve Éomer. Upon entering, an elder man walked over to them. "What has happened?" Madar asked. Avelina sighed as Legolas laid her on one of the free beds. Both of her hands moved to her stomach and she looked at the older man.

"I was walking with Legolas and Gimli, Madar when-," she gasped and cringed as another pain moved through her.

"She began experiencing spasms," Legolas said. Madar sighed deeply.

"The child wishes to make an early presence, much like his father," Madar said. Legolas raised an eyebrow but nodded and went to step back when Avelina grasped his hand.

"Please do not leave me alone," she begged when Madar went off to get the midwives and to gather the things needed. Legolas squeezed her hand.

"I will not leave until Éomer arrives," he said gently, just then the door burst open.

"Avelina!" Éomer's deep voice echoed and he hurried over to where the elf and woman were. "What is happening?" he asked as he took her hand from Legolas. Legolas put his hand on Éomer's shoulder and the man looked at him.

"It is time," was all the elf had to say and the man understood. Avelina squeezed his hand as another pain washed over her. She whimpered and closed her eyes tightly. Madar returned and shooed the king and Elvin prince from the room.

"You must leave my lords, it will undoubtedly be a difficult labor for her and best for both her and the child that we limit her stress," Madar said. Éomer looked at Avelina as the midwives removed her cloak and helped her get comfortable on the bed. He swallowed hard and nodded his head reluctantly. Gimli joined the elf and man in the corridor looking slightly winded.

"What is going on?" he asked gruffly.

"She's gone into labor," Éomer said as he sank onto one of the benches in the corridor. "I just hope for my sake and hers that it is not a long one. I do not know how long I will be able to sit here and listen to her screams when the child begins to come." Legolas smiled a small smile and nodded his head before he leaned against the wall. Something told him it was going to be a long wait.