Authors Note: Okay firstly, I would like to apologise for the massive delay on updating. Things have been crazy busy and unfortunately it is my writing which has suffered the most but I am working on fixing that and updating more often or at least wherever possible. So, with that being said, this is just a super short sweet and sappy chapter to wet your appetites as I remind myself of these characters too. I feel like this story is coming to its natural close now so there should only be a few chapters left.
As usual guys let me know what you think and give me your ideas on sequels and other stories or one shots you would like to see. I will do my best to accommodate.
The next time I wake I feel stronger than I had in a long time and opening my eyes I see Aragorn sleeping soundly beside me. I smile even as I feel tears welling in my eyes at the sight of him, home, at last.
"Aragorn," I whisper hearing the reverence in my own voice as I gaze at him and manage to move my hand to trace the features on his face, watching as his eyes flutter open and meet mine.
"Little one?" he asks almost as if he doesn't quite believe I am here and we are together again, "oh how I have missed you my love," he whispers before crushing me to him gently and burying his face in the crock of my neck.
"I love you so much," I say to him, over and over again and I can feel his tears against my neck, feel my own tears slipping down my cheeks.
"Please, never do this to me again, I am not sure I can survive it another time," he says half smirking, half deadly serious and I smile at him.
"Promise to never leave me again?" I reply, posing it as a question as I struggle to sit up and he helps me,
"Never my love, I will never leave your side again," he says earnestly, "I will never leave either of you," he ads his hand hovering over my swollen belly for a moment before stroking across it gently.
"I wanted so badly to tell you," I whisper and he smiles up at me,
"You are pale my love, here you must eat," he says jumping off the bed and putting a plate of fruits together bringing them to me along with some water for me to drink.
The following days are the happiest I can remember, I am with Aragorn all the time and whilst I know that at some point he would have to leave our rooms and get back to ruling Gondor but I was enjoying the time I had with him. I was regaining my strength although Aragorn barely let me walk two steps, he was so worried I would fall or pass out and so I spent most of the time in bed or sitting at the window being forced to eat and drink constantly. Gandalf and Marriana had been in a few times to check on me and seemed pleased at my rapid recovery although I knew they were still worried about the bond I shared with Aragorn.
"Aragorn I shall get too fat if you never allow me to move around but continue to force me to eat," I complain and he laughs as he sits beside me and pulls me into his lap.
"You are eating for two my love, and you have much to catch up on, you have become emaciated in your illness," he murmurs as he feathers kisses across my shoulder blades.
"I'll remind you of that when I have had our child and remain hugely fat," I smile at him and laughs again holding me tighter to him.
"It would make no difference to my love for you little one, there is nothing that could make my love for you falter or diminish," he whispers now and I stare at him for a while, my fingers stroking across his cheekbones as I smile at him.
"I sometimes wonder how I was lucky enough to find you, how I was lucky enough to earn your love, and I shall be forever grateful that our child shall have such a wonderful father, for there is truly no one better in this world," I say and I giggle as I see him blushing slightly before yelping slightly as I feel the baby kick me.
"What is it?" he asks in a panic which makes me laugh more before picking up his hand and resting it on my belly, placing my own hand on top of his and revelling in the shock and pure joy on his face as he feels it kick too.
"Our baby is eager to meet you," I laugh and his answering laugh makes my entire body hum with joy so long has it been since I heard him laugh properly and I make a resolution to make him laugh more so that I could hear that laugh as much as possible.
As we lay in bed that night, my head resting against his arm his fingers gently stroking across my skin.
"You have to go back to ruling the country tomorrow don't you?" I ask quietly and he sighs in response.
"I wish I did not have to leave your side," he answers and I smile at him,
"You are not exactly going far, you are not even leaving the city," I giggle and he merely grunts and rolls over slightly to press a kiss to my shoulder.
"I would still be away from you and any distance feels like it is too much, especially now," he mutters into my skin.
"Then I shall make you a deal," I reply turning my face to him, "it has been a long time since I have been seen in the city and I think it is about time that the Queen made an appearance and confirmed the rumours of an heir, it would do good for the people, I shall join you in the afternoon where we shall take a short walk before eating together, then we can address the people next week," I say and sits up on one elbow to stare at me.
"Are you sure you are strong enough little one, I would hate you to be weakened or put at risk," he says earnestly and I sigh a little.
"Aragorn, my love, I know I have worried you, continuously it seems, but I am not going to break, besides I have you by my side, nothing will go wrong," I reply with a smile and after a pause he smiles too and leans down to kiss me soundly.
"Well in that case we should rest, you must look your best for your public appearance tomorrow my queen," he smirks as we settle down once more and eventually drift into a peaceful sleep.