AUTHOR'S NOTE "Eleni" really does mean stars. We jumped again folks. This is two years after Aara and Elboron are married.
DISCLAIMER Don't own those that belong to Tolkien.
…
September 14, Year 43 of the Fourth Age
"Ahhhh!"
My daughter's screams tore through the Healing House of North Ithilien. I stayed by her side, pressing a cold cloth to her forehead. She looked up at me with pleading eyes. "Mama, make it stop!" she begged.
"Have strength, little one," I said softly. After a glance at the midwife, I added, "It's almost over."
She bit her lip against another scream and nodded. "Mama," she said through clenched teeth.
"What is it?"
"Will you – " Her voice broke off again as another contraction hit her hand. She squeezed my hand tight until it passed. "Will you do something for me?" she asked once she could speak again.
"Anything, Aara."
"Please check on Elboron?" She smiled weakly. "He must be so worried."
"Are you sure?" I asked. "I don't want to leave you alone."
"There is still time before the baby comes, my Lady," the midwife said.
"I have to know that he's okay," Aara said.
With a sigh, I nodded hesitantly. "If that is your wish, little one."
"Thank you Mama."
I hurried from the Healing House to Faramir and Éowyn's palace. Legolas and Faramir were with Elboron in the Main Hall. "Rae!" Legolas looked worried. "What's wrong?"
"Is Aara okay?" Elboron asked nervously.
I looked at my husband, my friend, and my son-in-law and had to laugh. "Aara is fine."
A collective sigh of relief echoed through the hall. "Thank the Valar," Legolas said before giving me a quick kiss. "But, if she is fine," he asked. "Why have you left her side?"
"She asked me to check on Elboron," I explained. I turned to Elboron. "She needs to know that you are okay."
Faramir glanced fondly at his son. "He is also fine," he answered. "Bring the word back to your daughter."
"Thank you." I started to leave, but turned back. "I will return for you soon."
When I returned to the Healing House, Éowyn greeted me at the door. "I could not stand the tension in the palace," she said.
"I was just there. I must have just missed you."
Éowyn looked puzzled. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
"No, Aara just asked me to check on Elboron."
"Ah," Éowyn said. "Your daughter is a good woman. I don't recall giving Faramir's well-being a second thought when Elboron came, other than 'I shall kill you when this is over.'"
I laughed. We were soon back at Aara's side. Her honey-colored hair clung damply to her cheeks. "How is he?" she managed to whisper.
"He is fine, my daughter. Worried for you, but fine."
She sighed and seemed to relax a little. "Good."
My news seemed to give her strength. There were only a few more minutes of screams and commands of "Push, Lady Aara!" before a baby's cry filled the room. I look my granddaughter from the midwife to clean her and just gazed at her. She was beautiful.
"Mama?" Aara asked weakly.
Wrapping the baby in a blanket, I brought her to her mother. "You have a daughter, Aara," I said softly, placing the child in her arms.
She looked down at her daughter in awe. Her eyes filled with tears and she laughed a little. "My daughter."
Éowyn said softly, "I will bring word to the men."
Aara was silent, gazing at her child. "Have you thought of a name?" I asked after a moment.
She was still quiet and looked deep in thought. "Eleni," she finally said.
"Meaning 'stars?'" I asked. Aara nodded. I said it to myself. "I like it."
"Ada called me his star when I was little," she explained. She smiled. "Eleni is my star."
Aara was glowing as she rocked her new daughter to sleep. As I left the two lone, I couldn't help thinking, 'She certainly is.'
…
I grinned as Legolas led Elboron in Aara's room. Eleni was in Legolas's arms, watching everything through wide eyes. Elboron sat at Aara's bedside. I joined Legolas at the door. Faramir and Éowyn stood with us.
"We have a son, Elboron," Aara said proudly. Elboron grinned.
"What is his name?" Éowyn asked.
"Well," Aara said. "He is as much Rohirrim royalty as he and Eleni are Elvish royalty." She looked at Éowyn. "I was hoping to name him Éomer."
Tears shone in Éowyn's eyes. "Only if you name him also Boromir," she said with a loving glance at Faramir.
"Éomer Boromir," Elboron said. "A bit of a mouthful."
Faramir put a hand on Éowyn's arm. "Elboron, my son, your name is derived from that of my brother. His memory has been honored." He grinned at Éowyn. "Besides, far be it for me to deny my grandson to be named after the King of Rohan."
Éowyn laughed and nodded. Elboron gently took the baby from Aara. "Éomer," he said softly. The boy's eyelids fluttered. "Welcome," Elboron whispered.
Eleni wriggled from Legolas's arms. He set her down and she ran to the bed. "Ada?" she asked curiously.
I went over and lifted her onto the bed. She crawled to Elboron's side. "Eleni, this is your brother," he told her. "Éomer."
"Éomer," the one-year-old repeated slowly. She looked at the baby and smiled at him. "Mae govannen, Éomer," she said solemnly.
My jaw dropped. "Aara, she's only a year old and she speaks Elvish?"
Aara blushed. "Only a few phrases. I figured she should get a head start," she said, smiling.
Legolas came up beside me quietly. "She amazes me," he murmured in my ear.
"We raised her well," I replied.
I felt his arm snake around my waist. "Yes we did."
There was a moment between Aara and Elboron then. They sat together on the bed, their two children between them. Aara looked so happy. I knew her life was complete. My job was done.
…
Mae govannen – Welcome/well met (Sindarin)
