AUTHOR'S NOTE Sorry again for the delay! Special thanks goes out to the anonymous reviewer who pointed out that Elves carry for 12 months, not 16…I had no idea, I was just making it up, lol. Enjoy and Merry Christmas everyone!

DISCLAIMER Nope. Tolkien's characters still don't belong to me. They belong to him.

December 18, Year 3019 of the Third Age

Night's dark was all that I could see through the window of the birthing room. I had lost count of the hours that I had spent lying in the Houses of Healing. Morning, in theory, would not be far off. Maybe sunlight would improve my mood.

"Do you need anything, my Lady?" asked Dorea, my midwife. She was a skilled healer who had tended many wounded during the War. Her husband had been slain in the failed attempt to retake Osgiliath.

"No Dorea. Thank you."

She was quiet for a moment. "More visitors have arrived, my Lady. They request to see you."

"Visitors?" I knew Calíme and Emeriel had not left the Houses of Healing, but Dorea only allowed them in for short periods of time. Emeriel especially was watched carefully, as she was far along in her own pregnancy. Occasionally when she moved, she grimaced in pain and Dorea kept half a nervous eye on her as well.

"Yes. Rohirrim I believe."

"Gauna!" I cried. "Yes, let her in!"

"As you wish." Dorea left and returned only to usher in two women. Gauna immediately sat at my bedside.

"Mae govannen, my friend," I said.

"How are you feeling, Rae?" she asked, evidently remembering her own experience with childbirth.

I shrugged, falsely smiling. "It is not that bad."

Gauna's companion removed her hood and Éowyn smiled. "A woman cannot hide the pain of childbirth. Nor should she." The Princess of Rohan and White Lady of Ithilien smiled.

"Éowyn!" She grinned and took my hand.

Another wave of pain suddenly hit me and I let a small cry escape my lips. Dorea rushed in and pushed Éowyn and Gauna out of the way. They watched worriedly from the doorway.

"It's not bad," I said through clenched teeth.

Dorea raised a doubtful eyebrow. "It will not be long. I will stay nearby."

Gauna rushed back to the bed and took my hand. I smiled gratefully at her. "Where is Daelin?" I asked her.

"Faramir cares for him in the Palace," Éowyn answered.

"And how is your fair Prince of Ithilien?" I asked with a wink.

Éowyn laughed. "At the moment, he and the King Elessar are desperately trying to keep you dear husband's nerves from being shredded completely."

I grimaced. "If he is prepared to have his fingers broken, it would make me more than happy if Legolas came up."

"He most certainly may not!" Dorea cried, entering the room again. "Men are not allowed in the birthing room, Man or Elf!"

Gauna laughed. "She has a point. The pain of birth far surpasses anything the King, Steward, or Prince Legolas witnessed during the War."

"Gauna!" I cried. "Not helping!" She looked at me sympathetically and shrugged.

The door opened and Calíme and Emeriel entered again. "Look Rae!" Calíme said. "The sky to the east is beginning to lighten. It is almost morning."

That lifted my spirits. But suddenly I cried out as the strongest wave took me. Dorea rushed to me, herding Emeriel, Calíme, Éowyn, and Gauna away. "Lady Raélowen," she said. "Lady, listen to me."

My eyes squeezed shut, I muttered, "I'm listening."

"Lady, this could be the time. You must listen to me and push!"

The pain continued mounting. Emeriel rushed to my side and I squeezed her hand as hard as I could. I couldn't the scream building in my throat.

"Breathe!" I heard Dorea command. I opened my eyes just enough to see gray light softly lighting the east. Éowyn ran from the chamber to bring word to the men.

"Push, my Lady!" Dorea's voice brought me back and I screamed as my skin was ripped apart. Dimly, I wondered how something that felt so good at its beginning could end in such agony.

"Raélowen, push! Breathe, it is almost finished!"

I did as she told me. It felt as though it would never end. I couldn't help screaming, cursing males of all species for doing this to me.

"Strength, mellon nîn." I heard Emeriel's voice.

"Once more!" Dorea told me. "Push!"

With one final push, all the pain rushed out. It felt like I was deflating and for a moment, there was silence. My heart stopped in fear.

Then suddenly there was a baby's cry. Calíme placed a cool, damp cloth on my forehead. Emeriel continued to hold my hand and Gauna moved to help Dorea. Weakly, I lifted my head. "Is my baby okay?"

Dorea smiled down at me when she came again to my bedside. "Your daughter, my Lady." She was wrapped in a white blanket and laid in my arms.

I looked down into the beautiful face of my child. All was silent for a moment.

"She's beautiful, Rae!" Emeriel whispered.

"What will you name her?" Calíme asked.

Dawn's light shone through the window and fell softly on her light hair. "Aara," I whispered. "Her name is Aara."

Mae govannen – Welcome or well met (Sindarin)

Mellon nîn – my friend (Sindarin)