Luthien and Tari Oronar : We would take the Christmas thank you. And you may scream all you like, it will not bother us!
Alberix.Silver.Quill : Language! Language! Shame on you for a nasty mouthed girl! Have a cake of soap. And what on earth makes you think they're going to Valinor? Keep reading!
Silveni : Yahooing is a good idea and I think you should go ahead with it. We would love to hear from you guys any time! Questions, ideas and things like that. Keep reading!
Slayer3 : Yes, we decided it would be fun to be the cruel ones this time. And you can rant all you want it will not move us. We will write as we see fit! Keep reading!
AngelFaith : We would never imagine giving up or stopping the up dates at this point. The idea is perfectly ridiculous! However, we are glad you care enough to bother saying so. Keep reading!
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
Chapter Forty Two
Something Special
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
Barb's POV
There is something you must understand about Gondor. They never, never, never do anything by halves. If they decided that March 11 was to be named The Official Gondorian Twinkie Day, everyone would immediately rush out to buy as many Twinkies as they possibly could- whether or not they liked them. And everyone, from the highest to the lowest, would eat Twinkies until they could not move hand to mouth. Then, of course, they would feel very ashamed for not being able to go on.
This was not March 11, but it was Eowyn's wedding, and everyone seemed to have grand time going mad over the arrangements. Everyone had been slightly disappointed by the King and Queen's wedding. Now, they were making it up.
It also was compounded by the fact that Rohirrim choked the city, all intent on seeing their warrior-princess-Mary-Sue ( oops! J) get married. Besides which, Rohirrim and Gondorians have a bad habit of getting into quarrels.
Fights broke out in the streets, until Aragorn issued a warning, that anyone found disorderly, Gondorian or Rohirrim would be locked outside the city gates for a week. Then he said something pompous about believing that the honor of both sides was such, that he would not have to do so. Then of course they had to behave, and they did, right up to the wedding day itself.
Which was now.
I had wandered from one side to the other. Eowyn, calm as a cucumber, except for spurts of nervous giggles. Emily hovered around her.
"You look beautiful." she said "It is so nice you can have a real wedding. It's a little odd. We both married Gondorian men, but I married mine in Rohan."
Eowyn giggled again, as if this was terribly funny in some way. It is a strange thing to see Eowyn giggle.
On the other side, was Faramir. He looked terrible. His face was absolutely white, with a few splotches of red. He kept twisting his hands together, and he hardly spoke above a hoarse whisper. Boromir made him sit down.
"This will be easy." he remarked pleasantly "I thought I should faint at my wedding. You have much more people watching of course, and more nobles as well, but you were always more sensible than I."
Faramir's eyes became haunted.
Other than that, and about five hundred maids and pages and soldiers, hungry people, and joyful people, mournful people and noble people, more hungry people and a few dogs and cats rushing around, everything was completely peaceful.
I found one of the more secluded hallways, and retreated into one of the window seats. I had no part in the wedding, and felt a bit put out. I was even more put out when I found I would have to share the window seat with Imrahil, who had come for the wedding, Sharing anything with Imrahil is like sharing something with, um, a very large person.
"If you are looking for something." Imrahil announced pleasantly "As everyone else seems to be doing, I do not know where the pantry is, no lost children, and I have stolen all the extra pillows."
"Peace and quiet?" I ventured hopefully.
He laughed, and moved over "Yes, plenty of that, unless I fall asleep. They say I have a bad habit of shouting then."
I sat down.
"As long as you aren't expecting to get married anytime soon. Because I've been hanging around soon-to-be-weds all day long."
Imrahil stretched out his long legs in front of him, and thought about this for some time.
"Well," he drawled "I might, but I would have to ask my children before hand. They might not approve."
"Yeah. It's like buying the Brooklyn Bridge. I could've once, but the price was a million, and I only had $999,999,999.50."
"Too bad." Imrahil said lightly. He never, never was in a bad mood, that I had seen him. Even in battle, he seemed in a remarkable good humor, while gutting orcs, and bellowing out orders.
He leaned against the window, and tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. Strangely no matter what he did or said, his eyes were always absolutely serious, and noble, and impressive. Suffice to say, I do not have eyes like that, and you do not have eyes like that.
"Come for any other reason?" he asked causally.
"Not really. It's just…" I felt frustration squeeze tight in my throat. "It's just that everyone's marrying, or doing something these days. I feel left out."
I stopped, and hid my embarrassment behind one of the fat, blue pillows.
"I feel like someday I'm going to wake up, and find out that Legolas and Gimli are getting married."
Imrahil made a sound like a choking screwdriver. I looked at him, and tried to figure what the heck was wrong. His face was screwed up into an expression of…
"What?"
"Legolas." he gasped "And Gimli. Married."
"Nooooooo." I managed to wheeze, as terrible mental images flooded my mind "To other people! Other, female people."
Imrahil was one of those funny people, who either laugh hysterically, or do not make a sound. Tears ran down his face, and he shook. Finally, he burst out with a lion's roar of a laugh. The curtains enclosing the window seat exploded outwards, as he laughed as I have never heard someone laugh in my life.
I could not help it. I hid my face in the pillow, and tried not to suffocate. Oh dear. Legolas and Gimli. If they knew, they would never forgive me.
And that is why I would never, never tell them.
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
Emily's POV
"Now my poor dear you look just lovely. But remember you need to keep that train out of the dirt, I'd better go and find some of those thoughtful little pageboys to do it for you. Now Lady Emily if you would…"
Lady Fabian, a dear woman of Gondor, was puttering around the room that Èowyn, Barbie and I were sharing right before the ceremony. Èowyn was looking lovely, her gown was pale blue silk trimmed in white rabbit fur (if you are part of Peta don't hurt me!)
She had bound her hair a little at the front and then let the rest flow down her back. Therefore, except for the fact that she was terribly pale, she was beautiful. The little blue jewels she was wearing helping to bring out the color of her eyes.
I was sitting there trying to find a comfortable position, but when you are as far along as I was it is nearly impossible. Besides the fact that Gondorian chairs are generally hard as rocks and the baby kicked like anything. I rubbed the spot where I figured the bay's head was and tried to think of what a wonderful day it was.
Lady Fabian (I still can't imagine where she got that name) was bouncing around the room with joyful happiness.
"Now, Lady Barbara you will be escorted to your seat by the honorable lord Gimli and Legolas, isn't he simply a dear? Lady Emily, the Prince Imrahil is taking you ,of course since His Lord the Steward will be with his dear brother, and Lady Eowyn of course King Eomer will lead you as well."
The Lady heaved a great breath and beamed upon us all.
"How lovely, lovely, lovely! Oh! But Lady Eowyn! Where is your pearl necklace? I thought you had already got it on! Dear me, this is bad!"
"I think my brother the King still has it," Eowyn said.
Lady Fabian suddenly gave a laugh and said, "What would King Eomer want with it? Can you imagine how silly he would look wearing a pearl necklace? How droll you are! Ha ha ha ha!"
She burst out into a gale of laughter that was only interrupted by a heavy knock on the door and a loud, "The wedding is ready!"
"Just one moment!" Lady Fabian called, she flew into hyper gear and went around smoothing Barbie's hair one last time, making sure my coronet was fastened right and then stopping in front of Eowyn with a frown.
"You are so pale my dear," she said and then in the blink of an eyes she gave each of Eowyn's cheeks a quick little slap.
"Ouch!"
Eowyn jumped up and looked ready to plant a fist in Lady Fabian's face when Barbie opened the door and Eomer sailed in looking regal and kingly in his dress armor. Eowyn snapped to attention and smiled, her cheeks a nice rosy red color.
I stood and took Barbara's arm and pulled her toward the door, "I think we'll leave you both for a while. We'll be waiting outside if you need us!" I said.
Lady Fabian closed the door with a sigh, "I love a good day's work. Now, I must go and see that Her Highness the Queen lacks nothing. I declare that those elvish maids of her's are not quite up to snuff!"
With that, Lady Fabian vanished like a discontented fairy bowing to Prince Imrahil as she passed by. His returned the gesture and walked up to us, his bright silver helmet tucked under one massive arm.
"Good morrow Ladies, how lovely you look."
I looked at Barbie and she looked at me and we both mimicked, "How lovely, lovely, lovely!"
Prince Imrahil smiled, a bit confusedly, and said, "I think I might have to find out what's behind that but come. Are we quite ready? Is there anything I can get for either of you?"
"An elf and a dwarf?" Barbie asked, a twinkle in her eyes.
Imrahil chuckled in the back of his throat and said, "I believe they will follow just presently."
And they did, looking like they just stepped out of a band box. (Note: A band box was a box that young woman would bring with them to a party to carry anything they needed to keep fresh and beautiful at a party.)
Legolas was saying something like, "It is impossible! It is simply not true that you can kill an elf by…Oh! Hello everyone! Aren't we all looking…"
"Lovely," Imrahil, Barb and I all said together.
"Pleasant, was the word I would have used," Legolas said primly, "But if you're so fond of your own looks …well then."
Gimli was too busy polishing an extra shine to his newest axe to notice anything about our looks and so said nothing. But he was looking rather splendid in a bright burgundy tunic with gold trimming.
Just then the door to the room opened and the bride and her brother appeared. They both looked rather like they wanted to have a good cry, but were holding it back. Around Eowyn's neck a….okay, I will use the word, Lovely necklace of pearls rested. Her cheeks still pink she was the picture of a blushing Rohirrim bride.
They stood at the head of our procession and chain of pageboys sent the message forward that we were coming out to the great hall. Music started playing and it all seemed very much like a wedding back home. Except that we had elves and dwarves and magic things all around us.
Imrahil offered me his arm and I beckoned him down to my level for a moment. When he was where I could get at him I gave a little slap to each side of his face. A red blush flooded his cheeks and he asked, "What on earth was that for?"
"To make you look lovely, lovely, lovely." I whispered back and took his arm.
"What a very strange woman you are Lady Emily, "He said good humouredly.
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet." I smiled and out we went.
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
Barb's POV
I have never believed in fate. Fate implies some arbitrary decision, made by some Greek god. Fate, in my opinion, is usually decided by the quickest sword, the swiftest bow, or the insurance salesman.
However, I believe that it is Faramir's fate to be continually overshadowed by his older brother. Even if it is his own wedding to one Lady Eowyn.
I sat in the front row, next to Emily. I might have noticed something earlier, but I was fully engaged trying to maintain my composure.
You see, Legolas and Gimli were also sitting in the front row, and I could not look at them without…thinking. Throughout the entire ceremony, tears ran down Gimli's face, and he blew his nose like an elephant, during the most touching parts of the wedding. Periodically, Legolas would hand him another handkerchief, of which he seemed to have an endless supply.
Pippin also attended, AND his sweet wife. Occasionally, Pippin would turn to look at her, and she would turn to look at him, and they generally behaved as a pair of besotted newlyweds should.
Finally though, I did notice that Emily was breathing oddly. Short, shallow breaths, and she gripped the edge of her chair.
"Are you okay?" I asked innocently.
"No." she said. Her face was pale- I mean, palerer than usual. "Actually...oh dear…Barb, I think I'm going into labor."
My mouth dropped open.
"You can't do that!" I hissed "Not in the middle of a wedding!"
"What do you expect me to do?" she hissed back "It's not like it's my decision. And I don't think this is going to wait. I think I need to go lie down."
All the whispering seemed to have attracted undue attention. Several people in the seats behind us leaned forward slightly, and rustles ran through the aisle. I sometimes forgot that Emily was one of Gondor's Most Watched People.
"Okay, okay." I whispered "Do you want me to come with you?"
Emily's hands pulled away from her chair's edge, and tightened into fists.
" No, I'll ask Imrahil to come. I think someone should tell Boromir." she muttered "Just send a page or something, okay? I think the contractions are getting stronger."
She stood up, immediately became absolutely white, and left the room as fast as she possible could, leaning heavily ( no pun intended) on Imrahil's arm.
By this time, everyone except Faramir and Eowyn was watching us. Ah, and Boromir, who was going through his "I'm a noble older brother- and better looking as well- routine".
By the way, pages are an all-purpose career for skinny, preadolescent boys. I slipped out of my seat, and found an intelligent looking one. By the way, all pages have wrinkly tights which bag below the knee. All of them.
"Look, I need you to do something." I whispered as quietly as possible. I could feel eyes all over the room focused on my back.
"Yes, my lady?" he asked, too loudly.
"Shh! I want you to unobtrusively inform Lord Boromir that his wife requires his presence, now."
His wide blue eyes clouded slightly.
"I don't want to interrupt." he said uneasily "Why does she need him?"
"Look, buster." I growled "You will go, and tell Lord Boromir that the stork has just about arrived, and his charming wife needs him."
The page became even more confused.
"What about storks?" he whined loudly.
I resisted the overwhelming urge to kill him.
"She's about to have baby, and I want you to tell the Steward that."
His jaw dropped.
At that moment, silence reigned through the room, as Faramir placed a ring on Eowyn's finger.
"A BABY!" he gasped.
Every head in the room turned, just as the happy couple kissed. The page scampered up to Boromir, who was beaming, and whispered ( thank Eru!) something. Then Boromir turned and actually ran from the room.
A gasp ripped through the rows of people, and one lady exclaimed loudly
"Oh my! The Steward running!"
As if he should have forgotten how to run when he became Steward! I thought.
Thus, Faramir's wedding was only remembered as the one where the Steward ran from the room, because his wife decided (?) to go into labor. I followed him, although not running.
Eomer, who was completely confused, followed me. Outside in the hallway, he stopped me.
"What on earth is going on here?" he demanded "My sister's wedding has just been completely disrupted. Has the Steward gone mad?"
"No." I said "But he just found out his wife is about to have a baby."
Eomer became instantly red, as if I had said something disgraceful.
"Oh-oh." he spluttered "I see. I suppose…Holy Tulkas! This news must be known."
He turned, about to rush away, and then stopped. He said solemnly
"I will pray for the health of both mother and child."
I stopped, and gasped. I hadn't even thought of that. Somehow, in modern culture, we forget that having a baby was, um, dangerous. And how many times both the baby and mother…died.
I ran pell-mell down the hallway.
You see, there are many different sorts of battle.
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
Emily's POV
By the time that chaos was exploding in the great hall, Imrahil was all but running with me in his arms. His long legs were covering the distance to our house in no time, but I didn't really notice as I was trying not to cry every time a contraction hit.
"My lady," Imrahil said through his teeth, "My wife and I have five children and I will quite understand if you need to scream a little. I'm sure I can bear it."
"I don't….want to …oh, please hurry!" I couldn't help begging him.
Since he said I could I gave in and let out all kinds of dignified 'meeps' and 'squeaks' that had the combined effect of making me feel better and Imrahil to run faster, if that was even possible.
Where we burst into the house Imrahil bellowed out orders to the frightened maids and pages in such a way they actually got something done. A few boys went after the midwife and healer and my army of maids arranged my room into order. They took me away from Imrahil and helped me out of my silly dress and coronet.
You cannot imagine how lovely my night gown felt! Big and roomy too. The bed might have been comfortable if I wasn't feeling like my insides were being torn out. But other then that I was already feeling better. Sort of.
After that I don't remember what happened for a while because the pain was getting …just terrible. But only a few minutes must have gone by because a moment later Boromir flew through the door looking wild eyed.
"My darling, how are you?" He said. He was breathing hard and sweaty.
"I'm….rather….afraid." I confided, "But you will stay with me won't you?"
"I will, oh my poor darling. I'll never forgive myself if…"
"And NOTHING will happen!" thundered Galen as he sailed into the room. He pulled Boromir up and slapped him hard, "Don't be such a fool Boromir! How can you inspire confidence in your wife with words like that! Don't come back until you can think of something intelligent to say!"
And he shoved Boromir toward the door. I began to cry, "I want him with me! He's not depressing me honestly! I want him around!"
Barbie told me later that I was wailing and scaring everyone to death. I have to say that I am not sorry in the least. Galen was distracted by the entrance of my army of helpful maids and Galen forgot to shoo Boromir out again. It was because of this he was at my side the entire time.
"Boromir,….nothing is going to happen is it?" I asked. He looked into my eyes and squeezed my hand.
"No, of course not."
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
Barbie's POV
Of course something happened. It happened in the form of a brand-new baby, born about three hours after Emily went into labor. Ioreth said that she had never, ever seen a birth so quick.
I do not know what happened when Boromir looked upon his firstborn, or what Emily said. I expect that it was very touching, extremely moving, and involving of tears.
I do know, however, what happened when I was finally allowed to gaze upon my dear…nephew.
He was a tiny, tiny black-haired munchkin, swaddled in about fifty-seven yards of cloth. Emily had a beneficent glow on her face, like the Virgin Mary in calendar pictures.
"Come on, you're his aunt."
I held my breath, and perched on the edge of the bed.
"Be careful." Boromir said jealously.
If you want to see an insane Gondorian, you just missed it, because in the times when he was not in the room, he was distraught. He walked, forth and back, back and forth, waited by the door, bit his lip, ran his hand through his hair, and became absolutely incoherent when a maid gave him any news, such as "Comin' as natural as you please."
He did not know what this meant, and no one knew what this meant, but he waited for such news like a man who expected to die soon.
"What are you going to name him?" I breathed. I hesitatingly reached out, and brushed my fingers along his soft, round face. His eyes were scrunched shut, and one tiny fist curled up by one cheek.
"We decided." Emily explained "What do you think of…Ecthelion."
"It is my grandfather's name." Boromir interjected, glaring at me, as if daring to dislike it "A very ancient and noble name, befitting the heir of the Steward."
"Of course." I agreed mildly, and turned back to the baby "Oo's a ikkle baby? Oo's a sweet ittle boy? Is oo like oo aunt? Is oo?"
Ecthelion stirred abruptly, and yawned a pink baby yawn. Then, slowly, sleepily, he opened his eyes.
"Oh my." Emily drew in her breath. Boromir leaned forward.
The baby blinked wide, blue eyes, and yawned once more. He closed his eyes, long, dark lashes brushing against his cheek.
"He has your eyes." Emily said. Her voice was full of those happy tears, the ones that come at very special times.
"He's beautiful." Boromir said, which, in light of Emily's comment, was somewhat arrogant."
Somehow, I had the feeling that even though I was there, none of this involved me. I bent down, and kissed the baby. He was full of sweet, baby scent all babies have.
Soon after that, Galen and Ioreth drove both Boromir and I from the room. Both fussed like angry hens, and worried over Emily, and cast hateful glances our way.
Boromir decided to make a formal announcement of the baby's name, to all the various nobles and such, who all wanted to see the baby. They would have to wait.
Even the King and Queen were there. Aragorn and Arwen were never apart, and he held her on his arm like a crystal statue.
Boromir held up a hand to still the murmurs and whispers running through the crowd. He stood proudly, every inch a noble, and a rejoicing father.
"God, in his mercy." he tried to begin, but immediately choked up. He looked down, trying to regain his composure. "God in his mercy, has…has…gifted…"
Everyone held their breath, watching him. He stood still as a stone for a moment, and then lifted his head, tears streaming openly down his face.
"He has gifted the House of the Steward with a young son." he said. Once more, he forestalled the cheers "I thank God for this wondrous gift, and that he watched over my wife, and the child. In tradition of my house-" people were already starting to cheer "I have named him after the Noble Lord, my grandfather. His full name shall be Ecthelion, Theodore Aldamir."
Through the shouting, Aragorn spoke, and instantly, silence fell.
"Blessed may be the reign of this son." he said "May God always bless Gondor, as he has this day."
Then he grinned, in an unkingly manner, and said something, very quiet, to Boromir.
Boromir, who had managed to compose himself, grinned back. And he reached for the horn that always hung by his side, and blew a mighty blast, that awoke the whole of Gondor!
qpqpqpqpqqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpqpq
We are now working on a special audio recording of the story read by one of the authors.
This will be available (if we can get it to work) to those who are part of the Yahoo group. If you would like to join go to our profile and click on homepage.
Love,
Snodgrass