AUTHOR'S NOTE This chapter kind of turns the twist I threw at Rae way back in "Immortal Night" on its head. I hope you enjoy! Also, "Aara" is Elvish for "dawn"…Quenya I think, although it might be Sindarin. I'm not sure. The whole thing with Aara being bound to Gondor I just made up – it sets up canon events to come later.
DISCLAIMER I never get tired of saying this. Tolkien's characters do not belong to me. However, I did make up Rae and her world and friends, her daughter Aara, and the Gondorian clerk Belemur.
…
December 20, Year 3019 of the Third Age
I had been moved back into a normal room in the Houses of Healing before Legolas was allowed in. Aara was asleep in my arms.
"My darling!" He gently kissed my forehead, then looked down to our child.
At once, he sat down on the bed. "Our daughter, Legolas," I said, placing the baby in his arms.
She stirred from sleep and with dark eyes looked at her father. "Our daughter," he whispered in awe as father and daughter gazed into each other's eyes. It was a beautiful thing to see.
"Her name is Aara," I said after a moment.
He looked out at the morning sun. "Dawn. An appropriate name." He leaned in to kiss me and Aara's small fist closed over his long hair. He laughed and gently opened her hand. "She is strong," he commented.
"Like her father," I said with a smile.
Legolas looked back down at the baby and just stared at her, amazed. "She is so small."
I laughed. "Newborn babies usually are," I teased. He pretended to look hurt and I laughed. "Are you pleased?" I asked after a moment.
"Of course I am pleased!" he said immediately. "This is our daughter, Rae. I couldn't be happier."
I grinned. I tried to lean over to kiss him again, but my body was very sore from labor and I grimaced. "Don't try to move, Meldanya," Legolas said. "Just rest."
Settling back into my pillows, I acquiesced. Aara began squirming and softly crying. "Give her to me," I said. "She is hungry."
Legolas just sat in awe as I nursed her. I could see his paternal love glowing for the baby. But suddenly his face darkened. He reached over the brush the baby's hair aside.
"Rae…?"
…
"I don't understand," I said softly.
"What's to understand?" Legolas asked angrily. "Look at the child! Her ears are round. She is human."
"I understand that."
"Two Elves cannot conceive a mortal child," he said, narrowing his eyes.
He couldn't be. "What are you suggesting?" Legolas continued to glare. "No!" I said, fuming. "I have never loved anyone but you! Never been with anyone but you!"
"What other explanation is there?"
"In case you forgot," I snapped. "I am not completely elven. Remember that innocent human girl you had your way with in Lórien?"
I saw the hurt cloud his eyes. "You make it sound as if it was against your will."
I turned away. "Just leave."
He paused for a moment, then put a hand on the door. But before he could leave, he jumped back as the door flew open. A Gondorian official stalked into the room. "I have come for the orphan child."
Legolas stood before him. "What orphan child?"
"A mortal child was born this morning and no parents can be found. I, Belemur of Minas Tirith, have been sent to collect the child on behalf of the realm of Gondor. Step aside."
Fearfully, I clutched Aara to my chest. Legolas took a threatening step toward the man. "You will not lay a finger on my child," he snarled.
Belemur laughed. "You are an Elf," he spat as though it was an insult. "This child is mortal."
"You will not touch her."
Belemur stiffened and turned up his nose. "The King will hear about this and he shall decide." He turned and swept out of my room. Legolas followed, furious.
The slammed door woke Aara, who began wailing. "Shh," I cooed. "Shh meleth nîn. I won't let anything happen to you." I rocked her back to sleep, marveling at the perfect child I had helped to create.
"Sleep little one," I said softly. "I promise I'll die before I let anything bad ever happen to us."
She slept and I vowed to keep that promise forever.
…
Alone, I watched my daughter sleep. Her dark golden hair lay softly over her perfectly round ears. Her back rose and fell with every breath.
My daughter was mortal. I had never believed that to be a possibility. But I had been human once and if Aara had been conceived on that first night so long ago in Lórien, then somehow it must make sense.
I watched Aara sleep through the night. When the sun rose, worry clouded my heart. I suddenly realized that Aara could be taken away from me. Anger at that whiny clerk, whatever his name was, rushed over me. "Snotty sack of spider droppings," I muttered to myself.
I heard a soft tap on the door. "Come in."
Legolas entered hesitantly. "Good morning Rae."
I didn't look at him. "Good morning."
He stood inside the doorway helplessly. "We are to appear before the King in only a few hours' time."
"I know." I picked my baby up from where she slept. She was so beautiful; mortal or not, she was blessed with Elvish features and grace. Tears gathered in my eyes and I looked to my husband. "Are they going to take her away?" I asked fearfully. I began to cry. "Will the King take my daughter away?"
"Oh Rae…" The words of anger between us melted away as Legolas took me in his arms gently, Aara then snuggled between us. For a moment he held me as I cried my fear on his shoulder.
He led me to sit on the bed. Wiping the tears from my eyes, he said, "Aragorn Elessar has rule over much of Middle Earth. But he has also been my friend for many years and through much darkness. He is a fair and intelligent King and you have nothing to fear, Meldanya."
Sniffing, I looked at him. "You promise?"
He laughed and kissed my forehead. "Yes my darling. I promise." He stood up. "I will leave you now. Be ready by midmorning. I will come for you."
"Okay."
Legolas smiled before leaving. "She is our daughter, Rae. Aragorn will know that."
I sighed. "I hope so." I paused. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
I wanted to say I was sorry for everything, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I just hoped he knew. He was gone then and Aara and I were left alone again. The morning passed swiftly by and before I knew it, the time had come.
I paced nervously outside the White Hall. Aara was asleep again, lulled by my constant motion. Legolas had long given up on any attempt to calm me. He had offered numerous times to hold the baby, but I only shook my head and held her closer.
It seemed like forever before that sniveling Belemur opened the door. "The King will see you now," he sniped.
"Hannon le," Legolas replied formally before leading me in. I greatly enjoyed the look of confusion on Belemur's face, as he clearly did not understand Elvish.
Aragorn the King Elessar sat upon his high white throne, with Arwen at his side. Faramir stood before the black chair of the Steward at the base of the throne.
Legolas bowed his head. "My Lord," he addressed Aragorn. "We come before you to resolve the lineage of he child Aara Quendelien."
Arwen's eyes changed just slightly. "Strange," the Queen began, "to give a newborn a second name."
I stepped forward. "It means 'Daughter of the Elves,' your Highness, as I'm sure you know." I bowed my head. "She is our daughter."
Aragorn smiled just enough. "She is a beautiful child."
"Hannon le, my Lord," Legolas said. My heart broke to have Aragorn meet his dear friend's only child in such a situation.
The King spoke again. "I do not understand what issues must be resolved. This child is the daughter of Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood."
"She is an orphan, my Lord!" Belemur cried. "These Elves cannot have borne a mortal child! This girl is a daughter of Gondor. No other."
Arwen and Aragorn were shocked. It was Arwen who finally spoke. "A mortal child?" She looked to Legolas. "Legolas, is this true?"
He could not meet her eyes. "Yes my Lady. We do not know how or why, but Aara is mortal."
I looked at Aragorn. "My Lord, we met it seems in another life before the Battle of Helm's Deep. There, my husband told you of my strange circumstances." I hugged Aara close to me. "I do not know why my daughter is human but I beg you to remember that I was human once too." Speaking so bluntly to the King of the Reunited Kingdom was perhaps unwise, but at least I had to speak my mind.
Belemur was livid. "Lies, your Highness! All lies!" He pointed to Legolas and I. "They seek to claim Gondor! This faded race of song and dreaming has no place left in this world!"
At this, Faramir angrily stood up. "I will have you remember that had it not been for the valour of Elf-kind, Middle Earth would have fallen into darkness long ago. Legolas was a member of the Fellowship of the Ring alongside your King Elessar and fought in the Battle of Pelennor Fields and before the Black Gates to defend this city!" He narrowed his eyes dangerously. "And most importantly, Belemur son of Laramen, your Queen Arwen Undómiel is of the first born, being formerly of Imladris or Rivendell, home of Lord Elrond."
Arwen stood up. "Peace, Lord Faramir. Your words have not fallen on deaf ears." She looked at Belemur, who cowered in fear, then back to the Steward. "Your kind words and praise of the King and myself does not go unacknowledged." She smiled graciously at him.
Faramir bowed. "Yes, my Queen." He sat upon the Black Throne of the Steward and was quiet once more.
Belemur all but crawled before the stairs that led to the throne. "Please forgive me, Highness. I knew not of your close bond with the Elf." He turned to Arwen. "And forgive me, my Lady."
Aragorn held up a hand and Belemur ceased his babbling. "There is no doubt in my mind that this is the child of Legolas and Raélowen, as they claim, for the Lady's history is strange indeed."
I sighed silently with relief and kissed Aara's forehead. Legolas put an arm around my waist and hugged me close to him.
But we both stiffened when Aragorn sadly continued. "However, I fear that I am bound by the laws of my land. This girl is a mortal and, being born here in Minas Tirith, is a recognized citizen of the realm of Gondor. Here in this land she must remain until she is of an age where she can choose to leave of her own free will." He looked from me to Legolas. "Neither of you being Gondorian by birth, choice, or race, you cannot make this choice for her." He looked as if saying these words broke his heart. Arwen too looked sad. The King spoke once more. "I am truly sorry, my friend. I wish our laws were different but I must uphold them. My decision is final."
Legolas gazed at them in sorrow. "Hannon le, Aragorn," he said. Faces were shocked in the White Hall, for no one ever addressed the King as informally as "Aragorn." Legolas ignored them. We each bowed low and sadly left the chamber.
…
Meldanya – my beloved (Quenya)
Meleth nîn – my love (Sindarin)
Hannon le – thank you (Sindarin)
