Summary: The time has come for the arrival of Aragorn and Eowyn's newest baby and it proves to be the most difficult labor yet. Rated T by Savannah (Eowyn and Aragorn)
Fourth Age, Year 1
Eowyn stood at Aragorn's side, her hand on her stomach, trying to smile at the many people walking around them. "Aragorn," she breathed the word but he didn't hear her as he spoke to Faramir. Her stomach flipped and she swallowed down the bile. "Aragorn," she said again, leaning farther into his side.
"Are you alright?" Faramir asked looking past Aragorn.
Eowyn shook her head, looking at the ground. Aragorn looked down at her and saw the green tinge in her skin. He placed his hands on her cheeks and felt the heat pouring from her.
"I'm going to be sick," she said, placing her hands on Aragorn's wrists.
"You need air," Faramir said.
Aragorn nodded in agreement, his hands falling from her face. He started to walk to the balcony, his hand on Eowyn's arm. Eowyn felt her stomach turn and bile rushed up her throat, the cool breeze hit her face and she ran to the balcony. The food she had eaten for breakfast left her mouth as she heaved over the edge. Aragorn walked up to his wife and ran his hand over her back lovingly. "I think you might have just ruined someone's afternoon stroll," he said smiling as he looked over the edge. But Eowyn continued to throw up until there was nothing left in her stomach, she wiped her mouth with the back of a trembling hand and sank to the ground. Aragorn knelt in front of her, his hand coming to rest on her cheek. Eowyn's eyes flickered up to him. "You're pale," Aragorn said, moving his other hand to her face as well. "And hot with fever."
Eowyn shook her head and gently moved his hands away from her. "It's simply morning sickness," she said.
"It's not even morning," Aragorn said, throwing his hands in the air.
Eowyn smiled. "You know that's not how it works," she said.
"Three times," Aragorn said. "You have been with child three times, and yet this is the first time you have been sick."
Eowyn looked down. "It's nothing," she repeated.
People started to gather at the doorway. "My Lord, my Lady," a woman said. "Is everything alright?"
Eowyn blinked, seeing stars. She felt the world tilt then realized she was falling.
Aragorn looked back from the crowd of people staring at them to Eowyn as she swayed and then began to tip to the side. His arms shot forward, gripping her shoulders, her head rolled to the side. Just then, Faramir pushed through the crowd then stopped abruptly at the sight before him. Aragorn knelt on the ground, the limp form of Eowyn pressed to his chest. Without a word Aragorn scooped her up into his arms, holding her tight to him, and strode through the crowd.
..::..
When Eowyn awoke she was in an all too familiar bed. She looked around the room in the Houses of Healing. She had slept here, bled here, and it was where she had brought life into this world. She lifted her hand to her middle but the effort made her feel as if there were weights tied to her wrists. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement by the window, then Aragorn was by her side. "Why am I here?" she asked with a groan.
Aragorn chuckled and took her hand, holding it close to his chest. "You fainted," he said, raising her hand to press his lips to it.
Rolling her eyes as she sat up, Eowyn rubbed her brow with her free hand, her head aching. "Pregnant women faint all the time, Aragorn. I am perfectly normal."
Aragorn laughed, pulling her off the bed and into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "You are many things, Eowyn," he said, brushing their lips together. "But you are not normal."
Eowyn laughed into their kiss. "Well that's just rude," she breathed.
..::..
Eowyn sat in the cool grass, the sun had just dipped below the walls of her garden. Across from her sat Eldarion gnawing on a piece of bread. As she watched Eldarion eat she felt a flutter in her belly and then a kick. She smiled, placing her hands on her middle. "Eldarion," she said, "come here, feel the baby."
Eldarion looked up confused but he obeyed. He crawled through the grass and held out his hands, Eowyn pressed them to her belly, her hands covering his tiny ones as they waited. "I don't feel anything, Momma," he said disappointed. He started to pull away but before his hands left her middle they both felt the baby move inside of her. Eldarion's eyes lit up and his mouth dropped open in surprise. He pressed his ear to the roundness of her middle. "Hello," he said expectantly. When there was no answer he looked up at the smiling face of his mother. "Is it a boy or a girl?" he asked, his blue eyes still wide.
Eowyn bent over to plant a kiss on the boy's forehead. "I don't know," she answered. "What do you think it is?" she asked.
Eldarion shrugged then lay his head down on her tummy again, his hands still pressed to her, waiting for the baby to move again. Then under his breath he whispered "I love you."
Eowyn smiled, climbing to her feet and picking Eldarion up. He wrapped his legs around her waist, sitting perfectly on top of her growing middle.
..::..
Eowyn walked up into their apartments, Eldarion dozing off on her shoulder. She found Aragorn in his study pouring over thick books scattered around him. He looked up as she came in and smiled, leaning back in his chair as she walked towards him. "Eldarion wanted to say goodnight," she said, shifting his weight to her hip.
Aragorn smiled, taking the boy's hand and pressing it to his lips. "Goodnight, my son," he said. He lifted the sleeping form from Eowyn's arms. Eldarion snuggled into his father's neck, his eyes drifting shut.
Eowyn rubbed the small boy's back lovingly. "What keeps you here so distracted late into the night?" she asked, smiling into Aragorn's eyes.
He smiled back, turning to look at the littered desk for a second then back to Eowyn's mesmerizing eyes. "Nothing could be as distracting as you," he said leaning down to kiss her.
Eowyn smiled and took his hand, leading him out of the study and through their private rooms to the nursery. Eldarion now slept in a small bed, low to the ground. Aragorn laid the sleeping boy down and gently onto his back, pulling the blankets around him. He leaned down and kissed the child's cheek. Aragorn stood still, looking at the boy, his heart so warm and full he felt it ripping at the seams. He turned back to Eowyn where she stood behind him, leaning down to touch her forehead to his.
"You feel it is a girl?" he asked, thinking of the name Awena, it made his heart warm just thinking about honoring his cousin with his daughter's name.
Eowyn nodded, placing her hands on top of his. "But Eldarion think he'll have a brother," she chuckled. "Let's go the bed," she said looking up at Aragorn.
Aragorn laughed too. "Eowyn, the sun has barely set."
Eowyn sighed. "I'm weary." She placed her head on his shoulders, much like her son had only moments ago.
Aragorn ran his hand over her hair, pressing his lips to her forehead, feeling the warmth under her skin. "I worry about you," he said, holding her close.
"Come to bed with me," she said with a grin. "And I'll show you that I am more than healthy."
..::..
Faramir stood by Eowyn's side, looking up at where Aragorn sat on his throne, his crown glinting in the sun streaming down on him. He looked majestic, like the kings carved from stone lining the room around him. There was a line out the door of people waiting to speak with him, and he listened with care to each of them.
Eowyn put her hand on her large middle, smiling down. Without a word she took Faramir's hand and pressed it to her middle, wincing a little as the baby inside her kicked. Faramir looked surprised at the touch then a smile spread across his face. "She's very active to say the least," Eowyn whispered, leaning her head back until it touched the wall behind her.
Her hands moved to rest over Faramir's and again he was surprised by her touch. He took a step closer, staring at Eowyn's eyes as they drifted shut. "She will be like her mother then," he whispered, taking in the details of her face. Her dark lashes, the sprinkling of freckles over her pale skin, the curve of her pink lips.
Eowyn's eyes slid open and he stared into the deep blue of them. "Will you ever have children?" she asked, snapping him out of his revelry. Faramir's hands dropped from her middle and he stepped back. She lifted her head from the wall. "Find a wife and settle down." She smiled as Faramir shook his head without a word, pain in his eyes. "Come, walk with me."
Faramir followed Eowyn from the room. As they walked past the king, Aragorn looked down, his eyes meeting Eowyn's. They seemed to communicate without words and it was like the sun shone only on them as their love radiated around them. Faramir felt swept up in it but also a stranger. The king's gaze moved to him. Aragorn nodded to him, and Faramir's gaze feel to the floor as he followed Eowyn out of the room. Feeling as If the eyes of a god were on his back.
When he looked up again, Eowyn was leaning on the half wall outside, her hair blowing around her in the slight breeze, the sun glinting off the gold circlet around her forehead. "You do not wish to marry then?" she asked, pulling her hair out of her face and twisting it into a braid over her shoulder.
Faramir walked to lean beside her, he was quiet for a long time. "I fear I am too broken to love," he finally said.
Eowyn turned to him, her eyes were full of sadness. "Why would you think that?" she asked.
"My mother died before I could remember her, she is merely a dream. My father despised me long before the death of my brother." Faramir tore his eyes away from hers, feeling them begin to fill with tears. "And even if I could find a woman to put back the pieces of me, I do not think I could ever have children." He sighed and turned to look over the walls of the city and out onto the rolling fields. "I do not wish the line of Denethor to continue, I believe it should end with me." Faramir felt a warm hand come to rest on his arm and tears began to fall down his cheeks. "I'm afraid to be a father," he said, surprised even at his own honesty. He glanced at Eowyn and saw the kindness written on her face and the pity. "I'm afraid I will be like my own father."
Eowyn's arm moved from his and for a paralyzing second, he thought that she had turned away from him, but her arms circled around him, pulling their bodies together. Faramir held onto her as tightly as he dared. He felt the silk of her hair brush his neck and he lay his cheek down on her head, breathing in her smell. She moved slightly out of his arms so she could place her hands on his face. "We are all broken," she said burrowing into his soul with her gaze. "But not beyond repair. And I do not think you would be capable of despising a child, let alone your own." Her hands were warm and comforting and he felt his eyes drift shut. "And I know you are capable of love," she said, brushing away his tears with her thumbs. "Don't you love me?" she asked. Faramir's eyes flew open but he was met by her steady gaze and there was nothing more than friendship in them.
Trumpets sounded in the distance and Eowyn's face broke into a giant smile. "Eomer is here," she said, dropping her hands from his face. Faramir felt the wind even more chilling in their absence. Eowyn started off in the direction of the hall, but Faramir stood still for a few seconds longer, looking back over the fields. "Come on!" she called, already almost to the door.
..::..
Eomer walked through the grand doorway, trumpets blowing around him. A sea of people parted to make a path for him, Aragorn was already walking down the steps of the dais to meet him. When they met they embraced laughing. "It is good to see you," Aragorn said when they parted, then turning to his wife, Lothiriel, he bowed. "And you, my Lady." She smiled and bowed her head with the grace that only her people possessed.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Eomer saw a flash of movement and Eowyn was on him. They held onto each other tightly, Eowyn's toes only brushing the floor. "I see we haven't missed anything then," he said when they had untangled themselves from one another. "You should be more careful, Eowyn," he said, touching her belly.
"I'm fine," she began, but Eomer interrupted her, arcing his back dramatically.
"You're so heavy, I think if you've injured me," he wheezed.
Aragorn burst into laughter but was silenced by a glare from Eowyn. She rolled her eyes at her brother who was grinning playfully at her.
Faramir approached the small crowd and bowed politely.
"Your beauty shines even brighter when you are with child," Lothiriel said, smiling at Eowyn.
Eowyn smiled back then looked at her brother. "Thank you," she said pointedly.
"Uncle!" Eldarion screamed, running ahead of his nurses. His blond curls reflected gold in the afternoon sun. Eomer turned and grabbed the small boy and threw him high into the air, Eldarion screamed even louder and giggled as he landed back down in his uncle's arms.
"Injured indeed," Eowyn huffed.
Aragorn wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close to his side and kissing the top of her head. "Come," Aragorn said. "You must be tired and hungry, let us show you to your rooms so you can refresh yourselves before dinner." He smiled proudly down at Eowyn. "We will feast tonight to celebrate your arrival and the soon arrival of my second child."
..::..
Music filled the huge banquet hall of Minis Tirith and fire blazed in the hearths that lined the long, narrow room. Eowyn and Aragorn sat next to one another at the end of a long table, their crowns glowing in the warm light. Aragorn's hand rested on the arm of his chair, Eowyn's fingers intertwined with his. Faramir sat beside him and Eomer sat next to Eowyn with Eldarion in his lap, showing his uncle his wooden horses. He smiled as Eomer trotted the toy along the edge of the table, whinnying in Eldarion's ear. The little boy erupted into laughter.
Aragorn turned to Eowyn, expecting to find her smiling as well, but she was staring down at nothing, sweat beading on her temples. "Eowyn," he said, letting go of her hand to stroke the back of her neck.
Eowyn blinked hard, a tear rolling down her nose. She turned to him, her dark eyes pleading, her hands on her stomach. "The pains have started," she said.
Aragorn's hand moved to her elbow and he stood, helping her to her feet, his arm wrapping around her waist to support her. "The time draws near for the birth," he announced to the crowd. "We will retire." A smirk passed across Eowyn's face at Aragorn's formal tone.
Eomer looked up at her, both his face and Eldarion's were filled with a childish wonder. "Time for the baby, Momma?" Eldarion asked.
Eowyn nodded, cupping his chin and stroking his soft cheek. "You stay here with Uncle Eomer and Faramir." Eomer took her hand and squeezed it, smiling up at her reassuringly. Eowyn felt her body tighten, the labor pains were coming closer together already. Her hand slipped out of Eomer's and she gripped the arm of his chair, her body doubling over. Her eyes closed and she groaned, her free hand moving to her stomach. Aragorn was at her side in a second, his arm around her shoulders. He gently swept a stray strand of hair away from her face. "I need cool air," Eowyn said through gritted teeth, her eyes still closed. She felt Aragorn's arms under her knees and then he was scooping her up into his arms, her world tilted and she gasped, holding onto fistfuls of his shirt and pressing her face into his hard shoulder.
"Momma!" she heard Eldarion cry, his voice full of fear, but then they were out in the hallway. It was dark and damp, raining falling hard on the glass windows that lined the walls.
"Eldarion," Eowyn breathed, the pain subsiding slightly. "He's scared," she said, "I have to tell him I'll be alright."
"Shh," Aragorn said, stilling holding her. "He'll be alright, Eomer will makes sure he understands."
Eowyn nodded. "Put me down," she said. "I want to walk." Aragorn looked down at her then slowly lowered her, setting her feet on the ground but still holding her around the shoulders. "It's happening so much faster than before," she said, her hands on her middle. "She's in a hurry." Aragorn smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. They began to walk slowly through the hall, their path illuminated by the lighting. Eowyn cried out and doubled over, pain rippling through her body. She heard a sound like rain on the stone floor and looked down; warm, pink water pooled around her feet. She laughed breathlessly and leaned back against the wall of the hallway.
"Your water, Eowyn," Aragorn said. "We need to go to the Houses now."
Eowyn shook her head, her back on the cold stone. "It could still be hours until she's here. I want to be alone with you."
Aragorn's brow knit together and he took a step toward her, his big body caged her to the wall, one hand on the wall and the other splayed over her stomach. He looked down at her lovingly. "None of your births have been easy. You just said she was coming quickly," he said, bending to touch their foreheads together. "Please, let's go."
Eowyn touched his cheek, tracing the lines of his cheekbones with her fingertips. It felt so good to be away from the noise and the heat of the fire, the cold stone on her back eased the pain in her middle. Eowyn smiled and kissed him gently. "Okay," she said, "but we take the long way there. Walking feels good, it will help with the labor.
Aragorn smiled at her stubbornness even now. "Fine," he said, pulling himself off the wall and taking her hand in his. They walked together through the long hallway then out into the empty throne room. They stopped at the entrance and Eowyn leaned into him, her arms around his neck and her forehead on his chest. She moaned softly, breathing hard. Aragorn held her close, wishing he could take away some of her pain and bear it himself for her. He felt her small body shake in his arms and he closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer and stroking her back as a scream escaped her lips. Then as soon as it started, it was over again. "They are getting closer and closer together," Aragorn said.
Eowyn lifted her head and took in a deep gulp of air, she nodded then looked puzzled.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked. Eowyn lifted her long skirt and ran her finger along the inside of her leg, her skin glowing white in the dark. And even now, Aragorn ached to touch her soft skin. But when she lifted her fingers up in the dim light, they were dark with blood. "We're going to the Houses now."
Aragorn started in that direction and Eowyn nodded, her clean hand covering her mouth. She didn't move and tears sprung into her eyes, she made a strangled sobbing sound. Aragorn's head turned back at the sound. "I can't lose another girl," Eowyn said, looking up at him, her blue eyes filled with tears and pleading with him.
"It's alright, Eowyn" he said, pulling her in, his fingers brushing the soft hairs at the nape of her neck. "It's normal to bleed. We need to go to the Houses though, and they will look at you." Aragorn looked around, the fastest way to the Houses of Healing was directly through the courtyard, but rain pelted down with such force that it seemed to bounce back off the stone.
"It's alright," Eowyn said, seeming to read his mind. "It's just water." She ran the back of her hand across her forehead, mopping up the sweat at her temples. "And right now, I'd appreciate the shower."
Aragorn nodded and scooped her up in his arms. "Ready?" he asked, hesitating at the entrance. Eowyn nodded and even forced a smile. Aragorn ran, holding Eowyn tight to his body, trying to shield her from the rain and the bouncing movements of his feet on the hard stone.
As they ran another contraction began, Eowyn's hands were on his back, her nails dragging over his skin as she let out a deep cry. Then they were out of the rain and into the warm glow of the torch lit Houses of Healing. Eowyn's back arched as her body fought with Aragorn's tight grip, her eyes closed as she groaned in pain.
"My lord," a surprised voice said. "We did not expect you from that way." Aragorn smiled ruefully; his light shirt stuck to his skin with rain water. "Come this way," the woman said and lead them to a large private room. The room was bright with torches lining every wall, their light reflected in the bronze mirrors them so it seemed as if thousands of small fires burn on the walls. A great bed sat in the middle of the room, a wall of pillows at its head. Aragorn walked to the edge of the bed and set Eowyn down, propped up on the pillows. "Take her out of those wet clothes," a woman said, handing him a simple white nightdress.
Aragorn nodded, he looked down at Eowyn, the pain was not as bad as it had been a minute ago. He could tell because her eyes were open and she was moving slowly to untie the cords of her midnight colored gown. "Let me help you," Aragorn said. Eowyn's hands drifted down slowly to the bed, closing her eyes halfway. Aragorn smiled and touched her cheek. He began to work, pulling the strings from their holes and completely opening up the dress. He helped her pull shaky arms out and then pulled the dry gown over her head, helping her sit up so she could pull it down over her body. Aragorn pulled the last bit of dress down over her legs and wadded up the wet material in his hands, looking for a place to set it down. He looked down as water seemed down over the back of his hand and down to his elbow, it was tinted pink.
"My lord," a woman said, handing him a simple shirt and taking the wet dress from him. He pulled his wet shift off over his head, only losing sight of Eowyn for a second. He pulled the dry one on, its touch warm and comforting.
"Aragorn," Eowyn said, her voice sounded strange to him. He sat down at the edge of the bed and stroked her cheek with his thumb, happy to be in the warm safety of the Houses of Healing. "Call Arwen for me," Eowyn said. "I want her to be here when our child is born."
Aragorn's face crinkled in confusion. Behind him, a woman looked between Eowyn's legs. "She is bleeding a lot," one said under her breath to the other. The other woman nodded, taking a rag and gently cleaning Eowyn's legs with warm water.
Aragorn knelt down beside the bed, listening to Eowyn's short, gasping breath. He took her hand in his and she held onto it tightly. Eowyn's body arched up off the bed and she screamed, her voice raw. Aragorn closed his eyes and pressed her hand to his mouth as Eowyn's cries filled the room. The smell of blood filled the air as potently as it did on the battlefield. When Eowyn quieted, Aragorn opened his eyes, standing to lean over her. He took a wet cloth and gently whipped away the sweat on her brow.
"Where is Arwen?" Eowyn asked again. "She said she would be here with me."
"Eowyn," Aragorn said, cupping her face, trying to find the right words. "Arwen isn't here anymore." He felt a stray tear rolling down his nose. Eowyn looked up at him confused. Her hand moved to touch the back of his hand, grazing over his skin as soft as feathers. Aragorn watched as her blood smudged his skin and closed his eyes. "Arwen is dead," he said.
Eowyn shook first her head and then her whole body as pain descended on her. "No!" she screamed, her voice breaking. Her screams continued ringing in Aragorn's ears.
Women moved around them quickly, bringing in new cloths and taking away the blood-soaked ones. "Her afterbirth is coming before the child," one said. "It is ripping her inside, that's what is causing the blood."
Aragorn felt Eowyn's hands wrap around his forearm, pulling his body down close to hers, begging without words for him to hold on her. Aragorn lifted her slightly off the bed, holding her body close to his chest, his hands cradling the back of her head. Eowyn's arms snaked around his broad back and held him with all of her strength. He could feel every muscle in her body, tense as a bowstring pulled tight.
"Arwen!" Eowyn screamed into the night and the rain outside. "Please."
Aragorn felt her relax slightly, the weight of her head becoming heavy in his hands. He laid her back down on the pillows to look at her face, stroking her shoulders and her arms to give her encouragement. But her face had gone ashen, her cheeks drained of their usual flush. "Be strong, Eowyn," he whispered. He looked up at the window and the rain that streaked it; he said a prayer to the Valar. He looked down at Eowyn, her eyes were closed but her hands still held onto his biceps tightly and she was breathing in long, deep breaths. "Arwen is coming," he said, even in that moment not knowing if it was the right thing to say. "She will be here before the baby comes." Eowyn didn't open her eyes but a smile crept at the corners on her lips. Aragorn breathed a shaking sigh and listed his thumb to touch her soft lips, tracing the beauty of her small smile as if he were committing it to memory.
"Good," Eowyn breathed. "I want her to meet her namesake." The smile disappeared from her lips and she clenched her teeth, groaning Aragorn's name now. "She's coming, I can feel it," she said through gritted teeth. She opened her mouth and let out a scream that filled the whole room.
Aragorn looked down and saw the women working. Blood covered their hands, smeared up to their elbows. The cloth underneath Eowyn was scarlet. Aragorn choked, he had seen many injuries and was not a stranger to blood. He felt tears of worry spring into his eyes. 'So much blood,' he thought to himself. His eyes scanned from her bare feet up, her body so small but so strong. He wondered how much blood was left in her veins. When his eyes reached her face, he felt his heart drop violently into his stomach. Her lips had gone white, and her expression, where before had been hard with pain, had gone soft. "Eowyn!" Aragorn cried, his hands jumping up to her face. Her eyelids fluttered open but looked at him without seeing. "Eowyn, stay," he begged. But her eyes slid shut and he felt her hands slip off his arms, landing on the soft mattress.
..::..
Eowyn's eyes opened slowly, she blinked up at a storm cloud that filled the sky. She could smell salt on the air and could hear the crashing of waves around her. She reached to touch the sheets but felt gritty sand under her fingers instead. She felt so tired, as if her body was being pulled down into the ground, calling out for her to surrender to it. She let her eyes start to close and started to feel her body melting away. She could see herself behind closed eyelids, laying on the sand on her back, her bare feet kissed by the waves. The tide was coming up and the water reached out for more and more of her. Her white nightdress was stained with her own blood, the water pulling at the color so it drained away from her. "My life's blood," she murmured to herself, watching as the water claimed her.
But a voice called out her name, a voice Eowyn knew so well. Eowyn fought to open her eyes again and saw a figure running towards her, followed closely by what seemed to be a white sphere of light. It silhouetted the man so he was only a shadow. Eowyn squinted, trying to make out the form but the heaviness pulled on her eyelids so she could barely keep them open. Then there were hands on her; warm, comforting, familiar hands, and a voice she loved was calling her name. Eowyn felt herself being lifted up out of the grip of the ocean, and all her pain came rushing back. She gasped, throwing her head back and her eyes flew open. Legolas' face hovered above her. He lowered her down into the sand, cradling her in his arms. "Legolas," she breathed. Eowyn smiled and reached a blood-stained hand up to touch his cheek. Legolas wasn't looking down at her anymore and he was speaking in Elvish as the glowing light came closer. Eowyn's body spasmed and she choked on a sob, her hand dropped from his white skin and latched onto the collar of his jacket. Her eyes were closed, there was no release as there had been in the water, no soothing numbness.
"You're going to live," Eowyn heard a voice say. She saw Arwen smiling down at her from beside Legolas. Her skin was like the moon cutting through the dimness around them with her white light. Her dark hair was the only contrast to the white dress and her white skin. Eowyn saw she was delicately holding something close to her body, wrapped in soft cloth. "Eowyn," Arwen began, but she slipped into Elvish. Her eyes closed as she spoke as if she was praying and then she reached out and touch Eowyn's forehead. Eowyn gasped as white light blossomed around them blindingly. Arwen smiled down at her and then lifted the small bundle and placed in on Eowyn's chest.
Eowyn let out a sobbing laugh as joy rushed through her veins like new blood. It was her child. She felt Legolas move, laying her back down in the sand and Arwen's hands were helping move her own to hold tightly onto the baby sleeping peacefully on her chest. She tried to call out to them as they took each other's hands and walked towards the water, but her mouth made no sound. Pain enveloped her and the white light grew around her until there was nothing but light.
..::..
Aragorn dropped his face into the hollow of Eowyn's neck and lifted her limp body into his arms. Where before there had been strength, now her body didn't answer to his. He felt her shallow breathing on his ear and felt the pulse in her neck flutter life butterfly wings. He slowly set her down, her face was ashen and her skin was cold and clammy. He reached for a small blanket and wrapped it around her, tucking it in under her arms carefully. His knees sank to the floor and he rested his face on the edge of the bed. His fingers found Eowyn's like two magnets, and he threaded his through hers; holding onto her, trying somehow to tether her to the earth.
"It's free," Aragorn heard a woman say. He turned his head to watch them place the placenta into a dish, blood dripping down to their elbows as they worked. "We must revive her if the child is to live," she said.
"What is the cause of this mis-order?" a younger woman asked.
The older woman shook her head. "Many things," she said. "Can't be sure. Sometimes infection can make it tear away early."
Aragorn felt his heart drop for the second time that night, thinking of her fevers. He cursed himself and stood, stumbling to the window. He felt his heart like wound inside of him. Tears trailed down his cheeks, he wanted to be sick. "I'm sorry," he whispered to the rain pelting down on the glass. "I should have known; I should have taken better care of her. Please don't take her from me now." Aragorn closed his eyes, the weight on his shoulders threatening to crush him and grind his bones to ash.
"You do care for her," a voice from somewhere between his head and reality. "You must not blame yourself for things out of your control." It was Arwen's voice. Aragorn kept his eyes closed, he didn't understand how she spoke to him, but he held onto her words like a man drowning. "We both know Eowyn would not have stayed in bed for months even if you had known." Aragorn smiled, in his head he saw Arwen's familiar smirk. "Be at peace, Aragorn," her voice said, and it was almost as if Aragorn could feel Arwen's touch, as comforting as a mother to a small child. "It is not Eowyn's time to leave this world."
As Arwen spoke Aragorn turned and saw a woman dripping liquid into Eowyn's parted lips. He watched as her mouth closed slowly and she swallowed. Her blue eyes opened slowly, the only point of color in her face. They were like two dark jewels, beautiful in the firelight. "Where is Aragorn?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Aragorn rushed to her side, taking her hand in his and pressing it to his lips. "I'm here," he said, kissing her forehead. "I'm right here."
"My queen, it is time to push," a woman said.
Eowyn looked around her room, her face contorted in pain. Aragorn cursed under his breath, his heart breaking all over again. She was so weak and in so much pain. Her breath turned from shallow to ragged gulps and she pulled his arm to her chest, holding onto it.
"I have nothing left in me to give," Eowyn said, groaning.
"You can do it," Aragorn said, sitting down beside her, tucking himself behind her and helping her sit more upright so her head rested on his chest. His arm wrapped around her. their fingers interlocked. "You have more strength than even you know," he said into her damp hair.
Eowyn sucked in a breath and pulled her knees up, digging her heels into the mattress. She pressed her back against Aragorn, his hard chest like an anchor in the stormy sea. She closed her eyes seeing pictures of Legolas and Arwen holding her on the beach. "You will live," she heard Arwen's voice filling up her head, blotting out the doubt. Aragorn held her fast as she pushed, she cried out but her cries were different now, not just pain but also determination.
"Good, my lady," the woman said from the foot of the bed when Eowyn stopped for a second, sucking in breath, her chest heaving.
"Drink this, it will give you energy," another woman said, handing Aragorn a small cup that smelled strongly of herbs. Eowyn's free hand closed over his as he lifted it to her lips. He could feel her shaking from her body pressed into his to her fingertips where they touched his.
Eowyn's head feel back onto Aragorn's shoulder and she held his hand so tight he thought his bones might break. She groaned, pushing as hard as she could, willing her baby into the world. "This is the last of me," she breathed. Her head swam around her and the room had turned into blotches of color and light like she was underwater. Her muscles jerked then gave out, her legs falling slack.
A woman rushed to hold Eowyn's legs up for her. "One more push," she said. "The baby is almost here."
Aragorn felt Eowyn's hand relaxing in his and her head rolled to the side. He heard her sigh and his free hand moved to her face, holding her head. "Just once more," he said into her ear. He felt Eowyn's body move.
Then suddenly the room was filled with movement and the woman was holding their child, cleaning her skin with warm towels. Tears sprung into Aragorn's eyes and he felt a sob and a laugh rise up in him, reaching up to his lips. His body spilled over with emotions. The baby began cry, it's tiny cry ripping him to shreds and then knitting him back together in the same moment. Aragorn pulled Eowyn in tight and kissed her head. He moved their arms together as one as the woman laid the screaming child down on Eowyn's chest to hold her tiny body. "She's a girl," Aragorn said, his free hand stroking the girl's small head. "Just like you said."
Eowyn smiled, she couldn't see anymore, blackness pulling her down into the dark. She heard the small cries and felt tears of joy slipping down her own cheeks. "I know," she murmured. She let go and felt consciousness slip away from her.
..::..
Eomer paced back and forth in the dark room. After the feast they had decided to wait in the library. Eldarion was fast asleep on a cushioned window seat, in his hands he clutched his wooden horses. The blanket only covered his middle, his restless sleep throwing it off his arms and legs. The small boy had cried for his mother as Faramir read to him from a big book. Eomer watched them, feeling jealous of how Eldarion knew and loved Faramir. He had always imagined his and his sister's children playing together in the fields of Rohan. Now Faramir sat by the fire, dozing in a big chair, his arms crossed over his chest.
Eomer walked to the small boy and sat down next to him, he ran his fingers through his blond curls, still soft as a baby's. He pulled the blanket up around his shoulders and covered his bare feet. Eldarion shifted in his sleep, laying his head on Eomer's leg. Eomer smiled down at him and rubbed his back lovingly.
The door swung open a crack and a woman stood in its frame. "My lord," she said, bowing. Eomer saw Faramir's eyes snap open and he sat up. "The child is born. A girl." Faramir jumped up from his chair and Eomer felt an uncontrollable smile spread across his face.
"How is the queen?" Faramir asked.
The woman's face dropped and she shook her head. Eomer felt worry spring up in him, like hundreds of needles prickling over his skin. "There were complications," she said.
Faramir took a step forward, wanting to run in the direction of the Houses, his mind played over just earlier in the day when he had put his hands on her stomach and he had felt the life inside her.
"She is unconscious and cannot be woken, but she is alive. She lost a lot of blood."
Eomer felt sick.
"The king is with her; the baby is small but strong and healthy. He told me to come and ask you, Lord Eomer to come to the Houses of Healing."
A look of confusion passed across Faramir's face as he watched the woman standing in the doorway.
Eomer looked down at Eldarion, he thought of how he had cried for his mother and wondered if he should see her so weak. But she was his mother and he couldn't bear the thought of him being away from her for a whole night. So he scooped up the small child, his blond, curly head coming to rest on his shoulder. The woman disappeared back through the door and he followed, taking the sleeping prince with him. Taking one last look at Faramir before he left, he could have sworn there was something other than confusion in his eyes, like a look of betrayal at being left behind.
..::..
Eomer caught up to the woman and they walked in stride together, wordless. When they reached the Houses people pointed them in the direction of the room where Eowyn was. Eomer paused for a second when they reached her door, his hand resting on the doorknob before finally mustering the strength to turn it. He pushed it open with his shoulder, Eldarion asleep on his other side. Aragorn lay on the bed, Eowyn tucked into his arms; she was white, no color in her cheeks or her lips. Eomer felt a lump grow in his throat and he held Eldarion's head close to his shoulder. He remembered the way she had looked on the barren field of Pelanor. He felt the old wounds his heart had suffered, then ache.
Aragorn smiled as they came in. He leaned down and kissed Eowyn's forehead where it rested on his chest, then very slowly and gently untangled himself from her. He laid her head down, pulling pillows to hold her head and shoulders. Eomer's eyes looked down at the blood-soaked nightdress tangled around her knees, her legs and feet sticky with the ruby colored liquid. Aragorn pulled the blankets down to cover her from the waist down, tucking her in lovingly. He touched her cheek once more before he turned to the men at the door. He walked the few steps to a large basket at the foot of the bed and lifted out an impossibly small bundle. "Eldarion," he said, touching the boy's back, shaking him slightly. "Eldarion, wake up and meet your sister."
Eldarion lifted his head sleepily. "Dadda, he said, leaning out of Eomer's arms and into Aragorn's free hand.
Aragorn smiled and sat down on the bed, one child in each of his arms. "Look," he said.
Eldarion turned his head in the direction of the baby without lifting his head off his father's chest. "Awena," Eldarion said.
Aragorn nodded, cuddling him close. He looked up at Eomer towering over them and motioned to him, asking without words if he wanted to hold the child.
Eomer took the small bundle from him, awkwardly holding the baby to his chest. He felt a lump in his throat grow and tears began to run down his cheeks unashamedly. "She's beautiful," he said.
Aragorn smiled, pulling Eldarion into a tight hug with both arms. "Where's Momma?" Eldarion asked, his face tucked into Aragorn's neck.
"She's here, don't worry, Eldarion." Aragorn shifted so the boy could see his mother. "She's just sleeping."
Eldarion looked down at her, for a second his face filled with confusion. "She looks like a statue," he said.
Eomer found himself staring at his sister's face.
"It was a difficult labor," Aragorn's voice said from beside him. "I was afraid, but this is over now and the bleeding has stopped. She will grow strong and healthy again." Aragorn moved to sit down on the edge of the bed. With Eldarion in one arm he took Eowyn's hand with other.
Eomer came up closer to the bed, looking down at the child in his arms. He nodded, Eomer had seen Aragorn call Eowyn back from the edge of death before and he trust him again now.
..::..
Aragorn slipped quietly into their room, closing the door silently behind him. It was just after dusk, still early in the evening, but Eowyn lay asleep in their bed. He smiled down at her as he crossed their room, his footsteps inaudible on the thick carpets. It was good to see her resting, recovering her strength. He sat down on the edge of the bed, looking down at her; he said a silent prayer of thanks. He began to the Valar but then he thought of Eowyn screaming Arwen's name and of her voice comforting him; he stopped. He pictured Arwen in his mind. "Thank you," he whispered, closing his eyes.
After taking off his shoes and pulling his shirt off, Aragorn laid down on his back next to Eowyn's sleeping form. She turned over towards him in her sleep and draped herself over him. Her head laid down on his bare chest, her arm over his middle, and her leg bent over his. Every part of her trying to be as close to him as she could. Aragorn listened to her soft breathing, stroking her shoulder absently. She was wearing just a long shirt that left her arms and most of her legs bare. His other hand trailed along the hardline of her thigh, her skin soft and milky in the moonlight. Just as her body had found his even in sleep, so his wanted hers as well. Aragorn pulled her in tight to his chest, kissing the top of her head. Her smell as familiar to him as the ground below him and the sky above. His hand slipped under the fabric, running over the curve of her hip; he knew every inch of her body and could have traced them as easily as a map.
From across the room, Aragorn heard a small cry. He watched Eowyn's blue eyes slide open instantly at the noise. She smiled up at him dreamily and bent her head back. Aragorn bent his head down and connected their lips. Their kiss was sweet and slow, Aragorn's hand leaving her hip to cup her face; her mouth tasted like honey. His whole body ached with the fierceness of his love for her.
The baby lay in her basket just a few feet from them, her crying starting to become louder. Aragorn broke their kiss, looking down at Eowyn's face for a second longer, then stood and walked to the basket. He couldn't help but grin at his small, little girl. He lifted her up into his strong, steady arms and thought about her growing before his eyes. She seemed already bigger in the few days she had been alive. He imagined her Eldarion's age, playing with dolls. Would she have Eowyn's bright smile, a face that could light up the room? Aragorn glanced up and saw Eowyn sitting up in the bed very slowly, the simple movement seeming to take all of her energy. Sitting on the edge of the bed now, he helped Eowyn prop herself up with pillows then placed the screaming child in her arms, tucking pillows under her to help support her arm.
Eowyn smiled down at the child. "Shhh, little one," she said, slipping off the shoulder of her nightdress. "My Awena," Eowyn said, stroking her head as she drank.
Aragorn watched as Eowyn's head tipped back, resting on the headboard behind her. Her skin in the moonlight was white and her face seemed drawn. "Eowyn," he breathed, touching her face. Her eyes drifted back open and he felt tears spring into his. Eowyn's hand came up to brush them away, shaking slightly. "I hate seeing you like this," he said, wishing he could take her in his arms and pass the strength of his body into hers. "I don't ever want you to have to do this again." His tears dripped down to the sheets.
"Aragorn," Eowyn said, pulling his eyes up to meet hers. "What are you saying?"
Aragorn moved across the bed, laying down next to her again and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, resting his head on hers. "I can't risk losing you, Eowyn" he said. "Not for the world."
Eowyn's hand found his and held it tightly. "You will not lose me, Aragorn. I'm right here." She squeezed his hand tight then stood, walking slowly to lay the sleeping baby back down on her bed. Aragorn fought the urge to rush to her side, to catch her in his arms and place her in the bed. "You were the one who said I had more strength then even I knew, and I'm telling you, I am fine." Eowyn sat down on the edge of the bed.
Aragorn moved to sit next to her, looking down at his hands. "I know," he said. "You are the strongest person I have ever known." He watched as Eowyn's hands found his and held onto them tight. Aragorn felt his breath hitch in his throat as even more tears sprung into his eyes. "How many times…" he said through a sob. He looked up at her eyes, pleading. "How many times can one person stand on the edge of death and turn back?" His hand slipped out of hers to cover his face, his body shaking with sobs. The stress of watching Eowyn's blood seep out around him, washed over him all at once, threatening to drown him.
Eowyn pulled his huge shoulders into her, holding his head close to her chest. She felt his arms move around her waist, holding onto her as if he were afraid to let go ever again.
"I am running out of prayers, Eowyn," he said, his voice broken. He lifted his head to look into her eyes. "I called out to Arwen. I asked her to save you, to send you back to me." He was almost afraid to tell her, afraid that she would think he had lost his mind, but Eowyn only nodded knowingly.
"She did," she said. Aragorn let his head rest on her shoulder, Eowyn's hand ran over the back of his head lovingly. "I saw that beach I used to dream of so often. I was there, the water called out to me, to go down into it and pass out of this world." Aragorn tensed at her words, he had seen her blood and known the danger; but to hear her speak of her own death felt like she was pushing stakes into his heart. "But then, Arwen was with me. They both were. She gave me Awena and told me to come back to you." Aragorn held her tightly, listening to her words, wishing he could forget. Forget what he had seen, what he was hearing and wishing everything could be different. "I'm sorry, Aragorn," Eowyn said finally. "I wanted to give you so many children." Aragorn lifted his head and looked back up into her deep blue eyes. "I wanted to fill your life so full with happiness that you could forget all of your scars." A stray tear fell down her cheek. "I wanted you to be surrounded with children, so you could forget all those you have lost."
Aragorn shook his head. "I will never forget them, Eowyn." Eowyn looked down defeated, her face wrinkling with pain. Aragorn lifted her face to his and touched their lips together, the salt of their mixed tears filled his mouth. "You have made me happier than I ever thought was possible. I have you, and I have two perfect children." He lifted her hand and pressed it to his bare chest. "My scars are healed because of you," he said, his skin warm under her fingers. "But they will never disappear. They are what makes us who we are."
Eowyn's hand drifted down, tracing the silver lines of his body, finding all the marks on his hard, defined abdomen. "I can read your story from the marks on your skin," she said, remembering all the stories from each of his scars.
Aragorn nodded, her touch making his heart skip beats. Eowyn looked up at his grey eyes, soft in the night; and pulled his bare body into hers, their mouths meeting. She leaned backward, pulling him down on top of her. He lay next to her, propped up on an elbow. She looked up at him and felt her strength rising back up, her body singing just from being close to him. "I love you," she said. Aragorn smiled and kissed her. "You give me my strength," she whispered into his touch.