I really wanted Thranduil and Legolas to be present with Aragorn and Alasse when they tell them about the baby, not in a letter! So, that will have to wait for the next chapter.

Aragorn woke before Alasse. It was an overcast morning. "What a shame." Aragorn pouted. "It should be bright with sunlight, as we are!" He gazed down at his wife. She was curled up on her side. A girlish smile stretched her face.

Aragorn watched her thoughtfully. He felt so very blessed. He loved his wife with all his heart, it pained him to think that someday he should pass under the shadow of death and leave her to agonize in her grief. The thought alone made his chest hurt. He bent over and brushing a wavy strand of auburn hair behind her ear, he kissed the back of her neck. Alasse grunted contentedly in her Elven dreams and smiled wider.

Aragorn slid his hand under the covers till it came to her flat stomach that was so smooth underneath the thin nightgown fabric she wore. Resting under his palm inside her body, a new life was being formed. "Good morning, little one." Aragorn murmured, lovingly caressing Alasse's abdomen. Alasse's eyes cleared, and she turned onto her back, reaching out her arm around his neck. Aragorn met her lips.

"Good morning, Estel." She whispered.

"Good morning, my love." Aragorn smiled down at her.

"Getting to know our baby?" She eyed him gleefully.

"Yes." Aragorn nodded, and they both gazed down at his hand protecting their unborn baby as he continued to sweetly rub Alasse's belly. "What a pity the sun is not shining today."

"Oh, it is. It's just hidden behind the gloomy clouds." Alasse sighed.

"You are right, of course." Aragorn nodded.

"Aragorn, this isn't a day to be glum on. We have every reason to be happy! We're having a baby!"

"Yes." Aragorn smiled proudly. They locked lips and kissed passionately. He nuzzled her neck, bringing his head down her chest, then down her rib cage, till he reached her stomach, then he tenderly kissed it.

"We love you so much already." Aragorn whispered to the baby. Alasse ran her hand through his hair. "You've brought me more joy than I can imagine." Aragorn said. All of a sudden, Alasse's stomach growled loudly. "Hungry, are we?" Aragorn teased her.

"Sorry." Alasse blushed sheepishly. She sat up and stretched out her arms. Aragorn poked her armpits and started tickling her. "Aragorn!" She yelped, giggling as she fell back down in the bed. "Stop! What will the baby think?"

"If the baby's going to live in this family, they'll have to get used to it." Aragorn chuckled.

"Oho! Aragorn, enough please!" Alasse laughed. Aragorn stopped but he grabbed her hard and dipped her into his lap so he could kiss her again. But he didn't just stop at her lips. He kissed her nose and her pointy ear and then her neck. Alasse ran her hand through the open, low collar of his nightshirt and ran her hands over his bared chest. There she could feel his strength and bravery.

Alasse's tummy rumbled again. Aragorn finally let her go. "I will have some breakfast brought up." He said.

"I would appreciate that!" Alasse said in mock irritation.

"Alasse, I must ride out to Osgiliath today." Aragorn reminded her. Alasse hung her head.

"I nearly forgot." She mumbled. Aragorn wrapped his arm around her.

"Hey, I will return as soon as is possible! I promise!" Aragorn assured her.

"I know." Alasse groaned.

As Aragorn left the city gates, Alasse gazed out the window, looking into the distance. Beyond these white walls, lay Eryn Lasgalen the home of her childhood where her father resided. And the Golden Woods of Lothlorien, Rohan, Rivendell, the Shire, Dale, Erebor, and many more. Her heart ached a little, missing those places and the people who dwelt there. But she smiled as she looked down at her flat stomach and massaged her hands around her naval.

"It's a very big world out there, my love. And you're going to be part of it!" Alasse announced. "It's filled with many strange and unique people. I cannot wait to tell Ada and Legolas the news! They are going to be thrilled. I want to see the look on Ada's face when I tell him. It will give him something beautiful to look forward to."

Aragorn did not return until that night. He hated leaving Alasse alone for so long, especially now that he knew she was carrying his child. But thankfully, Tatsu was there to look after her. He was really looking forward to seeing his wife.

It had been startling day. He had brought one of the groomsmen from Osgiliath to Gondor with him to inspect the horses and inform him if they were indeed the same ones they'd presented to the king. Aragorn had a bad feeling about this. He could sense that trouble was on the horizon, though he couldn't quite name it. But it scared him to his very core. The only comfort he had was knowing it wasn't Sauron, for the Dark Lord had been defeated once and for all!

Aragorn raced to see Alasse as soon as he could get away. She was in one of the many guest rooms on the same level as their bed chamber. Aragorn stopped and leaned against the door and just watched her. She was pacing the room, nodding to herself in satisfaction and giggling excitedly. Her inner light was glowing around her and her smile only seemed to escalate it. She looked up and beamed.

"Aragorn! You're back." She declared with relief, running to him. He took her in his arms and spun her around. "I've missed you all day."

"As have I. I couldn't wait to get back to you." Aragorn said quietly. He decided to hold off on telling her what had happened. He didn't want to worry her until there was concrete need to. He was enjoying this sweet moment, and wouldn't let anything ruin it!

"What do you think of this, for the baby's room?" Alasse asked.

"Ohh. I think it will be sufficient." Aragorn glanced around. "You know?" He turned and placed his large hands around her slim waist. "We have to tell our folks someday."

"Yes, I can hardly wait!" Alasse exclaimed. "I was thinking about a month and a half from now. What do you think?"

"The feast before Legolas and Arwen's wedding." Aragorn remarked. "It would be the perfect time to tell them! Everyone will be there and can share in our happiness, as well as Legolas and Arwen's! It will be a double joy."

"I'm so glad you agree to that. After all Ada has been through, especially with my scar..." She gazed down at her stomach solemnly, "I really want to see his face when we tell him he's going to have a grandchild."

"I have no problems with that." Aragorn said. He kissed the top of her head, and rubbed her stomach.

"I've been talking to the baby a lot today, telling them about our dear friends, and family."

"Ahh, yes. The baby must know them before he or she comes into this world!"

"Mmm." Alasse broke away from him and stood in front of the window. Aragorn hummed. "What is it?" Alasse cocked her head.

"I thought on our wedding day, you were radiant." Aragorn said, stepping toward her. "But that pales in comparison to the light in your eyes now. You are positively glowing, my love. I wouldn't trade the sight of your joy for all the crown jewels in Middle Earth."

"Aragorn," Alasse gave him a coy look.

"It is true, Alasse. You are as radiant as the sun."

Thranduil was busy overseeing wedding preparations in his study when his heart suddenly felt deeply warm and an aura of peace and unnamed joy settled over him. He breathed it in and gazed toward the window, to the world outside. Something amazing was happening somewhere, he just knew it! And so joyful was this event-though still unknown to him what specifically that was-, that it danced in the air and surrounded him like a song.