Hi all! Here is a drama packed update! I hope you love it! Enjoy!

Chapter Forty (Aragorn)

Only a few days after Mareke's birthday we had to return to Minas Tirith. None of us enjoyed the trip. It was freezing the entire way, the boys were disgruntled, and Mareke was stoic. We all knew that where we were heading was nothing like where we were leaving.

The reception we received as we rode into Minas Tirith was warmer than usual. Perhaps our absence had something to do with it, but I did not think about it too much. We waved to those who came out to welcome us home, but did not linger, hurrying into our warm rooms.

They felt huge after the months in Annuminas and I could tell it was off putting to Mareke when we tucked the boys in for bed that first night back.

I rested a hand on her shoulder when she deposited Shuk in his crib, his eyes already closed.

"We will readjust," I whispered, pulling her away from the crib gently.

When she had cracked the door behind us, she looked up at me and I could tell she was near to tears.

"Everything will be just fine," I murmured, pulling her against my chest and stroking her hair. "Come,we are both exhausted." I took her hand and led her to our bedroom. There was a fire going and the bed was piled with blankets.

Even the bed was much larger than the one we had shared in Annuminas. Mareke looked at me pitifully from her side and I could not help but chuckle. "We can sleep in the middle," I suggested as I kicked my boots off and pulled my tunic over my head. I stripped down the rest of the way and crawled toward the center of the bed.

I propped myself up with several pillows and beckoned for her to join stripped completely down and joined me. Her skin against mine was a welcome distraction.

Mareke's head rested on my shoulder and I stroked her bare arm, pressing my lips into her wild curls. I was trying to cling to the peace we had enjoyed for those months away from our court.

Mareke shifted and met my lips with hers.

"Are you not tired?" I asked, pulling away slightly.

She shook her head and pulled me down for a deeper kiss, which I was happy to oblige her.

I rolled her onto her back and kissed her neck and then her collarbone and then her breasts. She was mewling and trying to press herself against me. My hands slipped under her hips as I settled myself between her legs, moving back up to kiss her mouth. Her hands were in my hair and then her nails were scoring my back.

I felt her heels dig into my back as she pulled me into her. I groaned as I felt her surround me. The headboard hit the wall rhythmically as I thrust into my wife. With each movement I made her hips meet mine and we ground against each other.

She had not spoken about wanting to have another child and so as I reached my peak I rolled away from her.

When we caught our breath, I turned to her. "We will find some normalcy. We will maintain some routines and pastimes," I said with a wink, pulling her hand to my mouth to kiss her palm.

Mareke rolled toward me and I wrapped an arm around her and held her close throughout the entirety of the night.

ooooOoooo

Yule passed and then the New Year and we were approaching Shuk's second birthday. I knew a secret that Mareke did not and I was very excited for the guests to arrive.

One afternoon, Mareke and I were working in my study together. She was going over reports from the orphanage and I was going over documents relating to the budget.

"Mama! Mama!" Adnan came bursting into my study, Gimli huffing behind him.

"I tried to stop the lad, but he was too quick."

Adnan grinned at the Dwarf and then turned his attention back to Mareke.

"What is it?" Mareke asked with a raised brow.

"Come with me!" he exclaimed, reaching a hand out to his mother.

Mareke looked at me with a puzzled expression, but I merely shrugged, acting confused. She rose and took Adnan's hand. He was getting strong and he drug her out of the room.

I followed at a distance, a smile playing on my face as Adnan led his mother to the entrance hall.

However, when we arrived, I became confused.

"Mother!" Mareke exclaimed, rushing to the woman who had come all the way from Harad to visit her daughter and meet her grandson for his birthday. "What are you doing here?" she asked when she pulled out of Khatun's embrace.

"Well I have a grandson's birthday to celebrate," she smiled. "And a grandson to meet."

Mareke did not respond, but looked through the party that had joined her mother. "Where is Father?"

I had the same question. When I had written to invite them to Shuk's birthday, I had assumed that both of them would journey to Minas Tirith.

Khatun sighed. "Your father was held up with the council. They could not finalize this year's budget and so he had to stay."

Mareke's brow furrowed, but she nodded.

"Now where is my grandson?" Khatun asked. She looked down and ruffled Adnan's hair. "My youngest grandson," she amended.

"He is with his nurse, but we can steal him away," Mareke said with a bright smile. She took Adnan's hand once more and was chatting with her mother. She glanced over her shoulder at me and smiled.

I gave her a wink as we made our way to the nursery.

Shuk was sitting on the floor playing with blocks, Lady Belethiel sitting quite unelegantly next to him.

"Oh Your Majesties," she said, with a light laugh knowing that we did not care. She stood up and gave us a bow that we both waved away.

Mareke went to our son and lifted him into her arms, bringing him over to Khatun. "This is Arathorn," she said gently, stroking the child's back as he bashfully huddled against his mother.

"That is Shuk!" Adnan exclaimed.

Khatun laughed and reached out to squeeze his bare foot. The boy gave a surprised giggle and tried to draw his foot away.

"This is your grandmother," Mareke said gently.

I was shocked when Khatun reached out and he went into her arms. He hardly even did that with me and I wondered if it was not because Khatun looked somewhat similar to Mareke. Perhaps the dark skin and hair did not alarm him as it matched that of his favorite person.

With her hands free, Marake came back to my side as her mother and son got acquainted. The elder queen actually dropped to the floor and began to play blocks with Shuk.

"You are very sneaky, husband," Mareke said, looking up at me.

I placed a kiss on the tip of her nose and pulled her close. "I am sorry your father could not make it."

"This is much better than neither of them coming," she assured me. "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

We all stayed in the nursery for a while longer. Khatun was on the floor with the boys and I sat in a chair in the corner, Mareke on my lap. It was the best I had felt since we had returned to Minas Tirith. It was a cozy scene and I did not want to leave it.

"Why do we not let your mother get settled and we can send for a private dinner?" I asked Mareke.

"That sounds wonderful," she agreed.

Khatun left to unpack her things as she would be staying for at least a few weeks after Shuk's birthday celebrations.

"Can I go shoot my bow before dinner?" Adnan asked, tired of being cooped up inside.

I knew that guards trailed the boy wherever he went so I nodded. "You have an hour and then you must come back inside for dinner."

He nodded and then ran off to grab his cloak and head to the archery range.

When he realized that everyone had left him on the floor, Shuk stood up and toddled over to us, banging his hands on Mareke's leg, demanding to be picked up even though she was sitting on me.

She lifted him up and smiled at our son. "This has been quite the exciting day, has it not, little one?"

He gave a sigh as though he understood what she was saying.

I chuckled. "It must be hard being so little."

Shuk laid his head against his mother's chest and she ran her fingers through his unruly curls, exactly the same shade as hers.

Their weight was a comfort and I carefully wrapped my arms around Mareke's waist, trying not to disturb Shuk.

She shifted in my arms and kissed my lips gently.

"I think I should get some sort of reward for putting this all together," I murmured against her full lips.

"Do you?" she smiled at me, pressing her forehead to mine. "And what do you think you deserve?"

Shuk was very clearly exhausted and I could tell because he wrapped one of his pudgy hands in Mareke's curls.

"I could think of a few things," I said, leaning up and pressing a kiss to her soft neck.

I was met with Shuk's free hand pushing against my forehead. I snatched it and began to nibble at it causing him and Mareke to laugh.

"Not if he has anything to say about it," she said. She began to rise, but I tightened my arms around her.

"No, it feels too good," I moaned.

She laughed. "I am going to feed this one and put him to bed. He will not last through dinner with my mother."

I released her. "Well I am thinking of how I would like to be rewarded."

Mareke gave me a wink before going to send for something to eat for Shuk.

I stood and gathered myself, deciding to go check on Adnan at the archery range.

ooooOoooo

I did not see much of Mareke and the boys in the few days before Shuk's birthday celebrations. They spent a great deal of time with Khatun and after taking so much time off during Yule and the New Year, I had much to catch up on. I came to bed long after Mareke had gone to sleep.

The night before Shuk's birthday, I found myself not crawling immediately into bed, but taking a seat in the chair that was near our bed.

I stared at the woman who had, two years before, given me my son and I smiled. To see her sleeping so peacefully after all that had transpired in our short marriage, made my heart fill with joy. She slept just like Adnan and Shuk, with a hand tucked under her cheek. Her hair was wild, splayed out on the pillow.

She must have felt my eyes on her, she was a mother and a light sleeper as part of it. She always woke when the boys did even if they crept into our room silently. "What are you doing?" she whispered as she blinked awake.

"Admiring you," I said, standing and pulling my tunic and undershirt over my head, while kicking off my boots. I crawled toward her and ran my fingers through her curls as she did with her sons.

It had to be well after midnight, but she smiled up at me.

"Thank you," I whispered as I lowered myself down to kiss her full lips.

"Aragorn," she laughed. "What is going on? What are you thanking me for?"

"For coming here all those years ago and bringing Adnan to me and letting me be in his life. For blessing me with Shuk even if he does not particularly care for me. For being such an amazing wife and mother." I kissed her again, deeper the second time.

"You are ridiculous," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"No, I am just being honest," I replied, pushing her hair away from her face.

Her features softened as she looked up at me. "Can you believe that this is our life? That we have come so far?" she asked, likewise stroking my hair.

"I never would have thought this is where we would make it to when we were first married. I only regret that it took us so long."

Mareke leaned up and kissed me once more. "We should make up for lost time then, husband." Her hands went to the ties of my breeches and she pushed them down. My hands trailed up her smooth thighs, pushing her nightgown up as they went. I felt what I craved and I buried my face in her neck, groaning with my desire.

I pushed slowly into her and then rolled so we were facing one another. I could not move as I wanted to within her, but I wanted a different kind of closeness after I thought of how grateful I was to have her in my life.

Mareke's dark, lean leg hooked over my hip and I grasped her thigh, pulling her as close I could manage. I pressed my lips to her neck and her head fell away from me.

"Aragorn," she moaned my name and I pulled her as close as I could, moving shortly. Her noises of pleasure were enough for me as her leg tightened around me and I felt her nails dig into my back.

She had such a hold on me that I could not get away from her before I reached my pleasure. When she opened her eyes once more, I was staring at her with wide, apologetic eyes.

"Mareke...I…"

"It is fine," she said, with a drowsy smile, rolling away from me. She disappeared into the washroom and when she came out, she joined me in the middle of the bed, falling asleep promptly against my side. I laid there for a while longer, smiling to myself.

ooooOoooo

In the morning, I was woken by the slapping of little bare feet on the stone floor of our bedroom. On Mareke's side of the bed, Adnan was lifting Shuk up and he crawled toward us, followed by his older brother.

"Why are you not up yet?" Adnan demanded as he rolled over his mother and settled himself between us, Shuk doing the same, but curling against his mother.

"Parents need sleep too," she laughed. "How old are you?" she asked, looking down at Shuk and he brandished the two fingers she had been practicing with him. "Very good." Mareke took his hand and kissed the palm. She rose from the bed and lifted Shuk with her. "How about some birthday breakfast?"

Adnan and I rose as well and dressed for the day. When we joined the other two, Khatun was at the table as well, holding Shuk on her lap and feeding him small bits of bread and fruit.

We passed the day quite amiably. Mareke was in and out during the day, seeing to the last minute details of the feast and celebration that were to be held that evening.

Finally, she came back to get ready and I entertained the boys for a while.

I stood when she came back into the sitting room in one of the dresses she had created to blend our cultures. It was a deep purple and she had the delicate circlet on that Gimli had given her for her twenty-fifth birthday.

"You look absolutely beautiful," I said, pulling her in and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.

"Disgusting!" Adnan exclaimed, hiding his face. I pressed my forehead to Mareke's and laughed.

"Get ready," she bid me.

When I returned, dressed in my formal attire the boys were ready as well and Khatun had joined us.

We made our way to the Great Hall for the feast in Shuk's honor. The people applauded when they saw him and we made our way to the high table. Shuk sat on his mother's lap and ate what she put on his plate. I was glad to see how relaxed they both were even in front of a large crowd.

Vanya and Beinion greeted us. She had gotten over being left in Minas Tirith as we spent a great deal of time with their little family over Yule and the New Year. Marilla had just celebrated her third birthday and Shuk wiggled to be set down with her so they could chase one another around.

"Do you think we will be attending their wedding in a few years?" Beinion laughed.

"I have a while left with him," Mareke said, smiling though I knew she would not care for the jest.

The music started up as the children disappeared into the crowd. I made sure there were guards stationed throughout the hall as they were supposed to be and then I stood.

"Would you dance with me, my Queen?" I asked.

Mareke rose and placed her hand in mine, leaving Adnan with Khatun though I knew he would shortly disappear with some of his friends as well.

We spent the evening dancing with each other and our friends. Towards the end of the night, after Shuk had been sent to bed with Lady Belethiel, Khatun, Mareke, and I were sitting watch the crowd dance and drink.

I was practically falling asleep after a few goblets of wine and Mareke's warm weight leaning against me.

There was gasping on the dancefloor and I was jerked out of my drowsy state. I stood, trying to see what was going on and the crowd parted as I made way onto the floor. What I saw shocked me.

Adnan was straddling another boy and pummeling him with his fists. There were tears on Adnan's cheeks and his lip was split.

"Adnan!" I rushed to him and pulled him off of the other boy by the scruff of his neck. "What in all of Arda are you doing?" I demanded, though I did not give him time to answer as I drug him back to our rooms.

I passed Mareke and Khatun, mirroring each other with hands over their mouths. I heard them follow us, but I said nothing.

When we were in our rooms I sat him down at a chair next to the dining table. "You will explain yourself," I said sternly, folding my arms over his chest and standing above him.

"Aragorn," Mareke said as she entered the room and her voice was just as stern as mine. "Give him a moment."

She disappeared and came back with a basin and a rag. She knelt in front of Adnan and pressed the rag to his split lip. He jerked away from her, but when she put a gentle hand on the back of his head, he allowed her to wipe the blood away.

If I had had my way I would not have let her minister to him until he had told me what had caused the fight.

Mareke stood up next to me.

"Now, Adnan, tell me what happened," I said again.

He glanced at his mother and shook his head.

"Mareke, would you leave us please?" I said, looking down at her. "This is a man's talk we must have."

She looked up at me indignantly and I urged her to leave, hoping she understood. Finally, she left us in peace, returning to her mother.

I pulled another chair out and sat facing Adnan. I did not say a word.

"He said that I would soon lose your favor because you have your own heir now. Shuk is your real son and I am not. He said it is a wonder you let me remain here with you and Mama. He said that I only get such special privileges because my Haradrim whore mother continues to seduce you with her black magic." He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. "What is a whore?"

No words came to me. I was shocked that a child had said such a thing. I had been lulled into a false sense of confidence when we returned because the hostility was no longer so apparent, but then I knew that it would never fully go away.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Adnan," I began. "That was a terrible, untrue thing to say, I hope you know that. You know in your heart that nothing has changed between you and I since Arathorn was born, do you not?"

He looked at his hands in his lap, but nodded.

"I love you just as much as I did when it was just you and your mother has nothing to do with that Your mother is the kindest, most wonderful woman I have ever met, but there will always be people who think otherwise because she is different from them." I reached out and squeezed his hand. "Look at me." When he did, I continued. "This is a hard lesson, Adnan, but one we all must learn. We cannot always act on our impulses. I know that those words hurt, but we must rise above that and be the bigger person, do you understand?"

He nodded once more.

"You must be above provocation. In your life, there will be many people who say negative things about you and your loved ones, but you cannot react like you did tonight."

"I am sorry," Adnan said almost inaudibly.

"Let us go to bed," I said gently. When the boy stood I pressed a kiss into his curls and sent him on his way.

When I joined Mareke in our bedroom she was pacing at the end of the bed.

"What did he say?" she demanded, turning to me.

I shook my head. "It was just your usual little boy tussle," I replied.

Mareke eyed me suspiciously, but did not say anything else.

"He knows he is not supposed to act in such a manner no matter what from now on," I continued.

She nodded and sat at the vanity, undoing her pinned up hair.

I rested my hands on her shoulders. "It happens to all boys. He will be fine," I promised, not wanting her to know what had been said. It would only hurt her and do no good, especially after all she had suffered. I wanted to cling to the peace we had created.

ooooOoooo

A month later and nothing had been said about the fight at Shuk's birthday. Khatun had stayed with us and had been a great help with her grandsons. Her and Shuk had formed quite the bond and we were all sad to see her depart.

The night before she was to leave, she came to Mareke and I as we were about to go to bed. "I must speak with the both of you," she said,drawing us into the sitting room.

"Is everything alright, Mother?" Mareke asked as she took a seat next to me on the sofa and Khatun sat in a chair near the fire.

"I have not been completely honest with you," she said, not looking at either of us.

"Mother, what is going on?"

As I studied the older woman, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Her demeanor told me that what she was hiding was not going to bring happiness or benefit to my family.

"Your father could not come with me because your brother is not doing well," she said. "It is likely that he will die. He has suffered greatly after the...incident and I am not sure that the healers did all they could to prevent his suffering."

Mareke's body went rigid next to me. "What are you saying?" she asked, deadly quiet.

"If he does not survive, Adnan will be the Crown Prince of Harad," Khatun said, still not looking at either of us.

My wife stood abruptly.

"It is not for certain," Khatun said, reaching for her daughter, but she pulled her arm away.

Mareke went into our bedroom without another word.

"I am so sorry, Aragorn, but I could not leave without her knowing."

I sighed. "I understand." I stood as well and tried to figure out what I could say to my wife when she was confronted with losing her son. Never had I hated a person more, but I prayed for Na'man's recovery so that Adnan might at least remain with us for a while longer, if not forever.

I entered our rooms and closed the door softly behind me.

"Mareke." I too tried to reach for her, but she would not have it.

"Do not touch me," she hissed. "This is your doing."

"My doing?" I asked, bewildered.

"Yes! What "incident" is she referring to? You caused his injury! And now he will die of it and Adnan will be ripped from me!"

I stood there, unsure what to say in the face of her wrath that I had not seen since she was new to Minas Tirith.

Mareke," I tried again.

"No!" She put her face in her hands and began to sob. "Get out, Aragorn. I cannot even look at you!"

There you have it! I'd love to know what you think about this one! I also accept ideas, thoughts, questions, concerns. Anything but hate comments or flames.

Happy reading,

Avonmora