Hello! Here it is! I don't own LOTR.
I have absolutely no intentions of making this story as long as Rise or Fall! So, if I am going to move things along, they will need to fall into place quickly.
Can't wait for you all to find out what they're going to name the baby when it's born! It's going to be very special. Do you think it will be a baby prince or princess? I already know, ha ha!
Can't wait to write Thranduil as a grandpa. I already started part of one of the future chapters, and I got all giddy with fluffiness at writing grumpy old Thranduil just melting to pieces into this big softie while with his grandbaby! Oh, I can't wait!
Ugh. And who is the villain returning to spoil everything? I didn't have to put him in the story, but I thought he would make it more interesting. Sorry, the crime mystery geek in me I guess.
Please leave reviews! I've missed you guys!
Aragorn trudged to the royal bed chamber. He'd been swamped since before breakfast. It was finally time for him to retire! He'd ordered the servants to bring him his dinner in his room. He didn't find Alasse there, so he changed clothes. Once he was in his nightshirt, he yawned and came to the bed when Alasse entered their room.
"Ahh, hello, stranger." She teased him.
"Come here." Aragorn smiled wearily, holding out his hands to her. Alasse strode over to his side and took his hands. She bent down and kissed his lips. "Oh, Alasse. It's been ages since I've seen you." He sighed longingly.
"I know." Alasse agreed. She sat beside him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I've missed my man. Seems that I hardly see you these days, save for a goodnight kiss."
"I know, I'm sorry." Aragorn said fervently. He squeezed her hand. "Have you had dinner yet?"
"Yes. I didn't really want it, but Tatsu made me eat it." Alasse said.
"She really looks after you, doesn't she?" Aragorn chuckled.
"She always has. She's been the closest thing I've ever known to a mother."
"Then I am grateful she's here." Aragorn nodded. There was a knock at the door. "Enter!" Aragorn called. A maid stepped in with a tray of food.
"Your dinner, Your Majesty." She curtsied.
"Thank you, Hanna." Aragorn smiled.
"You do not need food, my lord. You need a good night's rest, the both of you!"
"Indeed! Noticed that, did you?" Aragorn laughed.
"Will you be needing anything else?"
"No, thank you. This will suffice. Goodnight, Hanna." Aragorn smiled kindly.
"Goodnight, my king. My lady." Hanna curtsied then closed the door behind her. Aragorn glanced at Alasse. She did look a bit weary.
"Royal duties pressing you down too, my love?"
"There is an incredible difference between being a princess and the being the queen!" Alasse exclaimed.
"Well, let's eat. Shall we?"
"You go ahead. To be honest, I am too tired." Alasse shook her head as she lay on her side on the bed.
"You feel alright, Alasse?" Aragorn asked, his brows furrowing.
"Fine, just...weary, more than usual. Must be the glorified position the people hold me in as your queen!" She smiled cheekily. Aragorn sat cross-legged on the bed, trying to eat his food. Alasse struggled to fall asleep. She kept hearing Aragorn snort. Every time she looked, he was blinking hard to keep his head upright. "Aragorn." She laughed, touching his hand.
Aragorn looked at her and his usually bright eyes darkened with concern. When had his wife looked so peaked? She was an elf, she was supposed to look lean. But, not like this. And she looked more tired around the eyes than he had seen in ages, not since their days of hunting with Legolas and Gimli.
"You best get some sleep, Estel." Alasse said.
"You look exhausted." Aragorn mentioned, grasping her wrist.
"Me? You're the one who is nearly dropping his face into his plate!" Alasse giggled. "Come to bed with me." She tugged on his hand.
"Alright. I am more tired than hungry anyway." Aragorn agreed. He set aside his plate and covered it so it wouldn't spoil. Then he slipped under the covers next to his wife. She curled up next to him, her face resting on his upper arm. He kissed her face. "Sleep peacefully, melleth." He whispered.
Over the next four days, while Aragorn was off doing the tedious and overwhelming tasks as king, Alasse was terribly sick in the mornings. She would be rudely awakened with the urgent need to vomit and it would last all morning. Tatsu was there to look after her and comfort her the same was she had since the princess was an elfling, but she was concerned for her charge. Elves didn't just get sick!
Alasse had lost track of what time of day it was. She felt absolutely miserable. Her abdomen was really upset this morning and wouldn't stop churning. And moving her head around made her feel even worse. Tatsu had given her a tea remedy that Aragorn had suggested to quell the nausea, but so far Alasse was not feeling its effects. Alasse lay in a fetal position, holding her sick tummy, giving everything she had in strength to fight off the impending nausea.
Aragorn unexpectedly opened the door and entered. "A-Aragorn." Alasse whimpered pleadingly. Aragorn's jaw dropped and he hurried over to the bed.
"Alasse? Are you alright?" Aragorn asked with concern, touching her hip.
"No, Aragorn." Alasse moaned. "I am not." She curled tighter into herself, moaning.
"You're very pale. What is wrong, darling?" Aragorn brushed some sweaty hair out of her face as he sat down beside her and grasped her hand.
"I feel so ill." Alasse grimaced wretchedly. Confused, Aragorn felt her forehead, checking for fever but thankfully, he didn't find any signs of that. So, it couldn't be poison. Or could it? It had to be something else. He gingerly pressed his hand to her sour stomach.
"Does anything hurt, my love? Please, you must tell me." He insisted. The Thranduil family line were notoriously prideful, and Aragorn had had more than he wanted to call his share of them insisting they were fine when he was trying to help them.
"No. My stomach just feels so queasy. And the room won't stop spinning! I keep throwing up!"
Aragorn was scratching through the cobwebs in his healer memory filter on what could've caused this. "How long have you been like this, darling?" He asked.
"Since sunup." Alasse mumbled.
"Alasse! Why didn't you say something?" Aragorn cried in exasperation.
"I thought it would go away. And you are needed elsewhere. You have to..."
"Never you mind about that!" Aragorn pressed a finger to her lips. "You just rest and let me take care of you." He smiled, stroking her hair. He took a wet rag from the wash basin and dabbed her face. "Alasse, tell me what symptoms you've had." He said firmly.
"I've felt so nauseous, and dizzy."
"Anything else?" Aragorn gave her the look, meaning she'd better be upfront with him about everything. "I did not find any fever, but what else ails you, my love?"
"Nothing, Aragorn. Except that the last desire in the world I have right now is for food!"
"You are sure? Nothing else?" Aragorn's brows creased deeper in confusion.
"Nothing."
"No pain or aches?"
"No." Alasse gulped hard, about to throw up. Aragorn brought the chamber pot and held it underneath her head. When she filled it, she fell back, moaning. Aragorn wiped her face again.
"I'm going to send for Erana." Aragorn said, grasping Alasse's hand. Erana was a female healer in Gondor, and she had even learned the art of medicine in treating elves for wounds, and poisons. Aragorn was very grateful to have her in his kingdom. "I hope she will be able to diagnose what is wrong." Alasse nodded miserably, curling back on her side, hugging her stomach. Aragorn soothingly rubbed her back.
At that moment, Tatsu raced back into the room. "Oh, Hir nin Aragorn!" She gasped. "There you are! There is a party of riders from Osgiliath here to speak with you. They're demanding for your attention."
Aragorn was torn. Alasse needed him more! She looked wretched. He didn't want to leave her feeling like this. "I will have to delay that meeting."
"They are most insistent, my lord."
Aragorn looked down at Alasse. She looked up at him, grimacing. "Go on." She nodded. She didn't want him to go, but his duties as king were highly demanding. Aragorn shook his head dismally.
"Look after her, Tatsu, will you?" He said.
"I will, my king." Tatsu nodded graciously.
"I am sending for Erana."
"Very good, Sir." Tatsu said. Aragorn kissed Alasse's head.
"I am sorry, Alasse." He said fervently. "I wish I didn't have to. I'll be back as soon as I can get away. I promise!" Alasse grunted in response. Aragorn brushed her hair out of her face then left the room.
Tatsu moved to the bed and ran her hands through the queen's hair. "This has been continuing for four days." She stated.
"Please, don't remind me!" Alasse cried.
"My poor child." Tatsu said sympathetically. None of this made any sense! Unless...of course! She ran back in her mind all her observations since Alasse had taken ill. A knowing smile graced her fair lips.
"Tatsu? What is it?" Alasse moaned.
"Oh, just a thought. You try to take it easy, child. I will tell after you have been seen by the healer."
Erana had departed from the castle, feeling pleased with herself. Alasse sat on the edge of the bed, dumbfounded. But her eyes were dancing with happiness. She was pregnant! She sat there, gaping till she finally glanced at Tatsu who was squealing like a young elleth who'd been proposed to. "Is it true, Tatsu?" She asked. "I am not dreaming? You heard what she said? Is it all true?"
"It is true, dear one!" Tatsu nodded.
"We're going to have a baby!" Alasse shivered with joy, happy tears in her eyes as she stood up. Tatsu embraced her warmly.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you, little one!"
"You knew, didn't you?" Alasse smiled at her old nanny. Tatsu beamed proudly.
"My dear child, when you get to be my age, it isn't that hard to figure out." She murmured as she stroked Alasse's face. "At first, I was confused and so worried. But then...it all came to me."
"Oh my! I'm going to have a baby!" Alasse shrieked, still unable to grasp that the good news was real. "Oh, Aragorn...I can't wait to tell him!"
Well, Alasse unfortunately, had a very long wait. Aragorn had been tied up in a heated dispute with a the riders from Osgiliath. Once they'd finally come to a reasonable agreement, he was then pulled into another meeting regarding the new horses that had been sent to them as a gift from their allies in the south.
It was nearly dinner when Aragorn came to his royal bed chamber. Alasse was standing near the balcony, garbed in a silver and lavender gown, shimmering in the moonlight. She was singing a sweet Elvish song. Aragorn smiled sweetly as he took in the sight of her. She was so radiant, and beautiful. He cleared his throat. "Pardon me for disrupting your enchanting song, my lady," He began playfully with his hands clasped behind his back, "but your king desires an interview with you."
Alasse turned and smiled widely at him. Aragorn cocked his head. She was, glowing. "Aragorn," she murmured happily, holding out her hands to him. He grasped them and kissed her knuckles.
"Are you feeling better, dearest?" He asked.
"I feel wonderful!"
"That's good. I'm glad to hear that. You seem so...happy."
"I am."
"Alasse, I must ride out tonight." Aragorn frowned. All traces of joy drained from Alasse's face. "The horses that were given from our allies in the south appear to be in very poor condition. And it is too well timed to be a mere accident. Some of the men suspect that the horses were somehow sabotaged and tampered with before they were delivered to us. I must ride out and investigate quickly."
Alasse drew back, tears filling her eyes. "No! You can't go!" She wept. "Aragorn, stay with me!"
"Darling, are you alright?" Aragorn frowned with concern. She didn't normally react this way to this kind of news.
"How can you leave me?" Alasse blurted out.
"Alasse, melleth nin..." Aragorn was taken aback. Alasse threw herself onto the bed and sobbed into the sheets. Aragorn gasped in dismay and hurried to her side. "Ohh, Alasse. I am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." He touched her shoulder. "Darling, I do not want to go. But I must."
"B-but, Aragorn! Y-y-you can't!" Alasse wailed. Aragorn was startled at her outburst. Normally, she was very understanding about his duties as servant of the people and of the sacrifice it demanded of both of them. Alasse had never broken down over it like this, not to the point that she begged him to stay. Something was wrong.
Aragorn shook his head dismally. He had to go. It wasn't as if he wanted to! He gripped her wrists and pulled them away from her face, helping her sit up. "Alasse," He said tenderly, "oh, my love, what is it? Please tell me what is wrong." He cupped her face.
"Please don't go. Aragorn, this once please do not go." Alasse pleaded tearfully. Aragorn stared at her sadly and kissed her forehead.
"Alasse, it is not that I want to leave you. But..."
"Don't! Oh, please don't." Alasse sobbed.
"Well, I suppose it can wait until in the morning." Aragorn decided. "Oh, sweetheart, please do not cry." He brushed a few tears away with his thumb. "Tell me, what has happened to bring this on?"
"I'm sorry, Aragorn." Alasse shook her head shamefully, sniffling hard. "I don't know what came over me. I just didn't want you to leave us before I had a chance to tell you..."
"Tell me what, darling? Wait-us?" Aragorn blinked, trying to understand. Alasse looked up at him with puppy dog eyes. "Alasse, are you alright? What are you trying to tell me?" Aragorn asked frightfully, afraid that Erana had definitely found something wrong. Aragorn looked as if he was going to break down in tears.
Alasse took his hands from her face and brought them down to her slim stomach. Aragorn watched, still not grasping the intention. Had her scar somehow returned? He hoped not! "A-A-Aragorn," Alasse began, her voice still shaky, "I am pregnant."
Aragorn was dumbfounded, his eyes wide as saucers. "What?" He gaped.
"Estel, I am with child." Alasse smiled brightly. "We're going to have a baby."
Aragorn's jaw dropped and grew into the brightest smile Alasse had ever seen. He hollered for joy, throwing his arms around her waist and lifting her into the air as he spun her around. Alasse giggled, closely hugging his neck. He set her down and cupped her face then kissed her so hard, he knocked her down back into the bed. Alasse tugged on his shoulders and pulled him closer. They kissed and kissed like idiots. Then finally Aragorn broke away from her lips, trying to catch his breath. He tenderly stroked her face.
"I love you." He said tearfully. "I am the happiest man in Middle Earth."
Alasse reached up with her hands and caressed his beard. "I love you too." She said. She could never remember seeing Aragorn smile so kindly, so lovingly.
He gazed down at her flat stomach and placed his large hand there. Alasse breathed passionately. She could feel the bond inside her between her baby and her husband. It was heavenly. Aragorn smiled proudly, then he laid down on the bed, resting his head on her abdomen, holding her close. He spoke sweet words in Elvish to their baby inside her. Alasse gazed down at him with insurmountable love. She never dreamed this type of happiness was even possible!
Maybe that was a little off. I mean, Aragorn is a healer! But, I tried to make that he has been so swamped with his duties as king that pregnancy didn't occur to him, or to Alasse because, being immortal, she was shocked at the prospect of being sick.
Anyway, there you have it! The beginning.
I want to write about Thranduil and Legolas's reactions.