This is a super long and exciting for my favorite family! I don't have much to say, but I hope you enjoy it!
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Chapter Sixty (Mareke)
Two Years Later
"Do you not think that I have enough to contend with today?" I demanded, glaring, no longer down, at the twins before me. I stood behind the desk and looked at them evenly.
They were standing in the doorway to my private study. Rainion held his arm gingerly against his body and Rilien had taken off his tunic to staunch a deep cut across his forehead.
"I have half a mind to refrain from sending for Miriel and letting you suffer a little longer," I said, though we all knew I would do no such thing. In fact, I had sent a serving a woman to the Houses as soon as I had laid eyes on my reckless sons. "What will you tell your father on this very important day for him?"
Rilien, looked away from me with the one eye that was visible. "We will apologize."
"At the minimum," I retorted. "Wait in the sitting room for Miriel."
I sat back down at my desk, despite wanting to comfort them. Of course it was not their first injury of such a nature. The twins were always getting hurt or hurting each other.
I heard the door open, but Miriel did not greet the twins.
"What did you two do this time?" I heard Shuk ask his brothers.
"Mind your business, Shuk," one of them shot back. I could not tell them apart based on their voices alone. "Do you not have another book in which to stick your nose?"
"Boys!" I shouted. "You do not have much ground to stand on right now so I would not recommend tormenting your brother."
My frown turned into a smile when Shuk entered my study and sat across the desk from me.
"As best I can tell, they were racing to climb a tree, which then turned into a wrestling match, which resulted in them falling a good distance to the forest floor," I said.
"Typical," Shuk muttered.
"Indeed." I tried to fight back a laugh. "Are you done with your lessons? Were you not working with your father?"
Shuk nodded. "Yes, but he let me out early so we could both have some time before the celebrations."
"I see. And where did he go?"
Shuk shrugged. "I believe he went to the training rings with Adnan."
My eldest had arrived only a few days before in order to attend the celebrations for the twentieth anniversary of Aragorn's coronation. The city, and our home, was teeming with people there to celebrate and also attend to political business.
I was surprised that Aragorn had been able to entice Adnan away from his betrothed for an afternoon in the rings. Since he had arrived, he and Marilla had been inseparable.
"You did not want to join them?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Not today," Shuk replied.
Aragorn's heir was not the warrior that Adnan had been from a very young age. He was content to spend his afternoons in the gardens with a book or working on his lessons. He was much quieter and less rambunctious than his other brothers. I worried for his sensitive and gentle heart, but knew that he would find his way like all the rest.
Aragorn was another story. Of course, he could not let his heir be completely unprepared in martial aspects, but he struggled with the fact that Shuk did not enjoy those pursuits as he did. I do not think it worried him for the Realm's sake, but just that they could not enjoy those things together as he had with Adnan and as he was even able to with the twins, when they were not casted and bandaged up.
"Well you are in luck then. We can watch Miriel torture your careless brothers." I stood as I heard the Healer enter. I caught a small smile from Shuk before he followed me into the sitting room where the twins had been waiting.
"Ah little princes," Miriel said with a knowing smile. She tended to them in some way or another nearly every month.
She curtsied in Shuk and I's direction when we entered the room. "Your Majesty. Your Royal Highness." She turned her attention back to the twins. "And what have we done this time?"
The twins explained their incident to her, a little shamefacedly I was glad to see.
"Shall we cast Rainion or stitch Rilien first?" the Healer asked, rummaging through her bag.
The twins looked at each other and wordlessly Rilien stepped up.
Shuk and I sat on the opposite sofa from Rainion as Miriel guided his twin to the dining table where she had him sit on the table itself so he was eye level with her.
"Of all days," I said, looking at Rainion. The twins were more vulnerable, less prone to their jokes and mischief when they were separated even by as short a distance as they then were.
"We are sorry, Mother," Rainion replied, looking down.
"I doubt it," Shuk replied, arms folded across his chest.
It had felt like it had taken forever to conceive again after my lost pregnancy in Harad, but in all reality the twins and Shuk were only three years apart. As all three of them entered their teenage years, I thought I would be driven mad by the constant bickering between the twins and their older brother. Adnan had been too old, and also not in Minas Tirith for long enough, to truly bother with fighting with Shuk. As the elder two had gotten older, they had been glad to see one another on their visits.
But because the twins and Shuk had always lived together and were so close in age, it often felt like we lived on a battlefield.
"We shall let your father handle it," I said gently, laying a hand on Shuk's knee.
"He will only find amusement in it. You know that."
Rainion smirked, still having the decency to look down at his lap.
"Well if he does, they can deal with me tomorrow," I said. Rainion's smile immediately faded.
"Alright, all done with the easier of the two," Miriel said, gesturing for the twins to trade places. "This will not be pleasant," she said, assessing Rainion's arm. "You have broken it quite thoroughly."
I sighed. "One day one of you is going to break your neck," I said. "And that cannot be repaired."
"I bet Finduilas would take care of me if I did that," Rilien said from the opposite sofa.
I shook my head.
"Adlanna will be very nice to me tonight," Rainion said dreamily.
"You two are terrible. Do you only get hurt for attention?"
Shuk snorted. "It is not working all that well if that is your plan. I am not sure either of those girls have even glanced in your direction since they have been here."
Again, I was fighting back laughter, trying not to take sides between the three of them. However, Shuk was right. While my sons were infatuated with the slightly older Princess of Rohan and Steward's daughter respectively, the girls did not seem to have much time for them.
Shuk began to tell me of what he had been doing with Aragorn earlier that day as I watched Miriel work on Rainion. She wrapped cloth around his arm gingerly before carefully lining two splints on either side of his forearm which she then wrapped snuggly in more cloth.
It was not the first bone the twins had broken. There had been several throughout the years. Shuk was the only one of my sons who had never had to endure the ordeal.
We all settled in for the long, tedious process of Miriel wrapping the splinted arm with plaster soaked strips of gauze so that the arm would not move for the following month and a half at least.
When she was done, Miriel approached me with a linen sling. "When the cast dries-"
"Secure the arm," I finished for her with a laugh. I had heard the instructions plenty of times.
"And why have you not been to see me, Your Majesty?" she asked as I rose to walk her to the door.
"Me?" My brow furrowed in confusion. "For what would I need your services?"
Miriel looked back at me, her confusion matching my own. She glanced at the boys.
"Go to your rooms," I said quickly to them. They lingered until I shot them all a look.
"You are with child are you not?" she asked when the doors had closed behind them.
"What?" I exclaimed. "No! Of course not. I could not be…I am too old."
"Well that is not true at all," Miriel said.
"No, I am not with child. I am going through the change is all," I said with a nervous laugh.
"Many women find themselves expecting at this stage in their lives. There is one last attempt by the body at fertility."
I sat heavily at the dining room table and covered my face with my hands.
"When were your last courses?"
With a sigh, I began counting in my head. "Around the beginning of the year," I replied quietly. Four months ago.
"And were they fairly regular until then?"
I nodded.
"They do not normally disappear so abruptly," Miriel said quietly. "Have there been other symptoms?"
I thought back again and realized with a start that there were pregnancy symptoms. I had not recognized them as it had been more than a decade since I had carried the twins and there had been no other pregnancies since.
My breasts had been tender, I had been very tired throughout the early spring, losing my patience more with the twins than ever before, as indicated that very day. Thinking back, I could not count how many times I had sent to the kitchen for the berry tarts that I loved so much.
"A few," I conceded.
"We could be sure," Miriel said gently.
I nodded and led her to my bedroom where she gestured for me to lay on the bed.
Gingerly, she placed her hands on my abdomen, between my hips.
When carrying Adnan and Shuk, it had taken me a while to show, allowing me to delay telling anyone for a long while.
I had noticed a thickening around my middle, but I attributed it to no longer being a young woman and to all of the berry tarts I had consumed long after the boys had gone to bed.
I closed my eyes as Miriel pressed down on different parts of my stomach.
"Your Majesty, I think it is safe to say that you are expecting."
I kept my eyes closed, but nodded. Tears leaked out and rolled down my face to the pillow beneath my head. I had not intentionally ignored the symptoms. I truly thought it would never happen to me again.
"I shall leave Your Majesty, but will plan on returning soon."
"Thank you, Miriel," I said, opening my eyes and trying to smile.
ooooOoooo
I stayed in my rooms for a long while, lying flat on my back and looking at the canopy of my bed. I had thought our family complete years ago and so I was not certain how to feel about the news that we would be adding another child into the mix.
Eventually, I heard stirrings outside my door and opened it to find all three of my younger sons jostling and trying to listen through the door.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"We were worried about you!" Rainion exclaimed, adjusting his sling.
"Worried about me?"
"Yes after what Miriel said. She thought there was something wrong with you," Shuk said.
"She was mistaken," I said, placing my hand on his cheek.
Shuk had never stopped looking exactly like his father. The only trace of me in him was his slightly darker hair and skin.
The twins were peering at me nervously. "Do I not look healthy to you?"
They studied me for a moment longer. "I suppose so," Rilien replied.
"I am. I assure you." I looked at all three of them. "Now, tonight is a big night for your father. Let's not bring this up and have him worried over nothing."
All three nodded hesitantly. It was not like us to keep secrets from one another, but I did not want the line of questioning that would come from Aragorn.
"Now go and get ready for the celebrations. We are all going to meet here and go together."
Once more they nodded. The twins turned and left, but Shuk stayed for a moment longer before leaving without a word.
Returning to my own rooms, I was greeted by Lady Ioreth. "Are you ready to dress, Your Majesty?"
"I am," I replied, watching as she went into the closet and returned with a beautiful, violet gown.
"This color always looks wonderful on you. Hopefully it brings your color up. You look a bit pale."
Sighing, I nodded. "It has been a long day already. I am sure you heard about the twins."
Lady Ioreth laughed. It was truly a testament to how long she had been with my family. She was no longer the upright and restrictive woman she had been nearly twenty years ago when Adnan and I had arrived. "I did. Rascals."
"I do not know day to day if they love each other or despise each other more," I replied.
"Oh they love one another, but they are growing into young men," Lady Ioreth said, as she held the gown so that I could step into it. She settled it around my shoulders and began to lace the back.
"Not as tight as usual," I said.
Lady Ioreth merely nodded and I wondered if she, like Miriel, had known before I did that I was expecting again. I was not going to ask what she suspected.
We spent another hour dressing my hair and applying makeup to make me look like my normal self. When we were through, she carefully laid the very heavy, gold Queen's crown on my head, adjusting it so it was straight on my forehead.
"I believe you are ready, Your Majesty," Lady Ioreth said, taking a step back.
"Thank you very much," I replied, standing.
"I can hear your brood in the sitting room," she laughed.
My stomach lurched at the word, thinking of adding another to the unruly group that was waiting for me on the other side of my bedroom door.
"Wish me luck." I opened the door and was faced with my family, all of them looking quite dashing.
"Well look at all of you," I said, smiling between each of them before my eyes landed on Aragorn.
"No, look at you," he replied, stepping forward and kissing me firmly.
The twins began to gag and I felt my husband smile against my lips. I pulled away.
"Have you spoken to them about their antics today or will I have to handle it tomorrow?" I asked as Aragorn pulled me tight to his side. For the first time, I was self-conscious about where his hands were, but he had clearly noticed nothing.
Aragorn looked away sheepishly.
"Just as Shuk and I suspected," I winked at Shuk and he smiled.
Next my attention turned to Adnan who seemed rather restless. "Shall we go so you can see your betrothed? It has been what? A couple of hours since you shared lunch?"
The twins laughed wickedly as we made our way out of our rooms and to Merethrond.
The applause we were greeted with was deafening. Throughout the years as our family had grown, we had become more relatable to the people we ruled. That, as well as the disappearance of the old guard who had caused so many problems early in our marriage, had increased our popularity.
"Congratulations," I said, when the noise died down. "Twenty years. It hardly seems possible."
"It would never have been possible without you," Aragorn murmured, leaning close to my ear.
I pulled my shoulder up and learned away, which had my husband peering at me curiously.
Before he could ask anything, Legolas and Gimli were coming towards us.
"I cannot tell you how good it is to see you," I exclaimed, first hugging Gimli.
When we had returned from Harad after my father's funeral and Adnan's coronation, Aragorn's dearest friends had told us of their plan to travel more. The children no longer needed them as much. It had been devastating and we had felt their absence sharply. They had been in Gondor for the entirety of my time there. The boys had been lost for a while, but I had struggled more knowing that all of my children, or so I thought, were ready for traditional tutors to prepare them for their roles in their father's Realm.
Legolas hugged me and I tried to separate quickly, but I was not fast enough. I looked up at him desperately and tried to imperceptibly shake my head.
"It is good to be back," he said, still looking at me with a question in his eyes. Over the years, I learned much about the Elves. They could feel energy as I had come to understand it and so Legolas had always known when I was expecting.
When I looked at my husband, his eyebrow was raised once more.
"Can I get you a goblet of wine?" he asked.
"No thank you," I replied with a small smile.
Aragorn lingered. I did not often overindulge, but there were hardly any social or state events where I did not have a goblet or two of wine to take the edge off after weeks of planning for some of them.
"Very well," Aragorn replied.
Gimli went with my husband saying he could use an ale.
"I did not know until today," I said quietly to Legolas who was still standing beside me.
"How is that possible? You must be halfway through," Legolas said.
"I am and I do not know. I believed I was too old for this to happen again." I sighed.
Legolas chuckled. "Well congratulations."
Music started and Aragorn returned, setting his goblet on the table before reaching a hand out for me. "Care to dance?"
"I would love to," I replied, taking his hand and twirling under his arm as we stepped onto the dancefloor.
"Is everything alright, Mareke?" Aragorn asked. "You have not seemed like yourself this evening."
I did not know what to say to him. I did not want to lie or put him off, but it was a celebration. "I am fine," I said, instead of all the things that were racing through my mind.
"Something is going on." My husband was peering down at me and I could not meet his gaze. His fingers were under my chin guiding my eyes to his.
"This seems a little intimate for a public celebration." I turned to see Eomer behind me. He held a hand out to me. "Your Majesty."
I tried to laugh and allowed Eomer to pull me into his arms, leaving Aragorn to move to the side of the dancefloor, chatting with Eowyn and Lothiriel, though his eyes never left me.
"How far we all have come in twenty years," Eomer said warmly.
"It is truly astonishing to watch what you and Aragorn have done with the Oath of Eorl," I replied.
"None of it would have been possible without our wives," he chuckled.
"That may be true," I agreed.
On the edge of the dancefloor, a herd of children went running past.
"The future is bright," he laughed.
"Rohan and Gondor might be bound even closer in the future."
Eomer raised an eyebrow.
"Rainion is quite fond of Adlanna."
Eomer burst into laughter at that. "Over my dead body."
I had to join him. "I understand that he is not exactly a promising prospect for a son-in-law, but perhaps he might grow into one." I smiled. "Although apparently he has not had much luck with your daughter."
"I taught her well. Arathorn might be a better option for Adlanna."
We both looked to where the heir of Gondor was sitting with Legolas and Amrothos, chatting calmly while his twin brothers were up to who knew what.
I studied my son for a moment and realized that I had never heard him express any interest in the girls at court or any of the other young women we knew throughout the Realms.
"You can hope," I said as the song finished.
The celebration increased in enthusiasm as the drinks continued to flow and the music played. I hardly left the dancefloor between all of the guests that had joined us. I danced with Legolas, Amrothos, Gimli, Beinion, and Faramir among many others.
Faramir and I walked off the floor and joined our spouses as a slower song began to play.
"I think it is time we leave the night to the younger generation," Aragorn said, indicating the circle that included Adnan, Marilla, Elboron, and Shuk.
I nodded my agreement. "Where are the twins?"
"I could not tell you and frankly I do not have the energy to hunt them down. They will find their beds or the guards will stay with them wherever they fall," Aragorn laughed.
I looped my arm through my husband's. We bid our friends farewell for the night and left Merethrond.
We made our way back to our chambers and when the door had closed behind us, Aragorn turned to me, taking my face in both his hands. Without warning, he kissed me deeply and buried his hands in my hair.
"You are so beautiful," he murmured against my neck. "How have you gotten more stunning after all these years?"
While I wanted to sink into my husband and let me have his way, I could not go any longer without him knowing my news.
"Aragorn," I said gently, pulling away.
"There is something wrong," he said, holding my upper arms.
"Well I do not know if that is the case," I replied. "But I do have news. I am not sure how to tell you this. I have yet to accustom myself to it."
"Are you alright? Are the boys alright?"
I sat down, once more, at the dining table. "When Miriel was here to tend to the boys earlier today, she…" I paused, unable to say it out loud, still unbelieving.
"Mareke?"
"She told me that I am with child."
There was no response. Aragorn sat immobile, staring at me.
"How far along?" he finally asked.
I swiped a hand over my face. "Over four months."
"Four months!"
"I thought I was well past this time of my life," I replied. "I did not think that the symptoms were because I was expecting."
"Miriel is certain?"
"We did all of the tests."
"You do not seem particularly excited," Aragorn said.
"Nor do you," I returned.
Aragorn sighed and sat at the head of the table next to me, reaching for my hand. He studied the contrast of our fingers for a long moment. "I am worried."
"Because I am so old?"
Aragorn scoffed. "It has been over a decade since we had a baby. I thought we were past this."
"As did I," I agreed. "I am confused. I thought our family had long been completed."
"I am worried for you," Aragorn said, bending his head over my hands that were clasped in his.
"I will be fine," I replied, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head. "Forty-two is not all that old. You of all people know that."
Aragorn smiled up at me. His hands slipped from mine and he pressed them to my stomach before kissing me gently.
ooooOoooo
Our sons had been shocked when they heard the news that we were expecting a sibling for them.
We had sat them down at a private dinner and told them. The twins had been apathetic to the news, their reign of being the youngest over. Shuk was happy for us, but I was met with Adnan's furrowed brow. My eldest lingered after the others had left for their own rooms.
"This is dangerous, is it not?"
"It is always dangerous," I replied.
"But-"
"But I am old?" I finished for him. "I am aware. There is not too much to be done about that I am afraid."
Adnan sighed. "I do not like it," he said. "It was rather careless of you both."
I tried to bite back a smile as Aragorn sat there, being admonished by our son. I took his rough, dark hand in mine.
"I will be fine," I assured him. "I am in perfect health. If just a little bit on the older side for this type of thing."
"Do not jest."
Aragorn rested his hand on my leg under the table.
"I will stay until the child is born," Adnan said resolutely.
"That is ridiculous, Adnan," I said sharply. "You were meant to return to Harad at the end of this month. You cannot stay until September."
"I am the King, am I not? If I say the council and Baran can operate in my place, then that is my right."
I shook my head. "What will your staying accomplish?"
"When I leave in the fall, I will know that you are delivered of the child and healthy." There was a note of vulnerability in my son's voice then. "I cannot leave and not know."
"So you want to be here if I am to perish?"
Adnan and Aragorn looked at me sharply.
"There is no need to speak like that," Aragorn admonished.
"Habibi, you were meant to take Marilla back to Harad with you. She is finally the age that Beinion agreed to. Are you not eager to share your home with her? You have been so impatient for this time."
"Be that as it may," Adnan said. "Priorities have a way of shifting."
"That is half a year," Aragorn said. "Is it wise to be away from your throne for so long?"
I looked to my husband, always the voice of reason.
Adnan finally looked a little uncertain. "I do not want to leave you, Mother."
"I would have you with me all of the time, habibi. You know that. But I will be just fine. You and Marilla will be back for Yule to see for yourself."
My son was silent for a moment. "I will deliberate on it. My decision is my own."
Aragorn and I remained seated as Adnan rose and went to his own chambers. "How did you manage to make them all so hard-headed?" he asked once the door had closed.
"Me?"
"Who else?"
"Maybe this one will be different," I offered.
"Highly unlikely."
ooooOoooo
"Your Majesty." A week later I was sitting at my desk in my private study when I looked up to see Marilla in the doorway. She curtsied and I bid her to take a seat across from me.
"Did I miss an appointment we had?" I asked, scanning the piece of parchment that acted as my schedule for the day. "I hope it is not the same for you, but every time I have been expecting, I grow a little bit scatterbrained."
Marilla offered a good-natured smile. "No, you did not, but if this is not a good time, I can schedule something for later."
"I was just writing a few letters. I have plenty of time this afternoon now that all of the celebrating is over." I looked at the young woman across from me. "Is everything alright?"
"I suppose so," she replied. "I am nervous to leave home is all."
I nodded.
"Do not tell Adnan," she said quickly. "I do not want him to think that I am not eager or no longer confident in my decision to marry him."
"I will not," I promised. "It is normal to be nervous. You have known nothing but Minas Tirith for your entire life. You know nothing else." I looked at the young woman who would, in a few short years, become my daughter-in-law and the mother of my grandchildren. I had known her her entire life. I had not expected my goddaughter to marry my son, but over the past couple of years we had spent a great deal of time together preparing her to move to Harad and rule beside Adnan there. I had been hesitant at first, truthfully because I did not want Adnan to marry anyone.
Marilla had proven to me that she would be a competent Queen of Harad.
"I have tried to teach you all that I can, but there are aspects of life in Harad that you will have to experience for yourself in order to truly understand them."
"Were you nervous when you left and came here?" she asked.
I had left my own home nearly twenty years ago, but I still remembered all of the feelings I had experienced. "It was different when I left. Adnan's life had been threatened. We were fleeing." I looked down at my desk briefly. "You will go with all of the ceremony due to your station as a noblewoman of Gondor as well as the future Queen of Harad."
"Will your people welcome me?"
I sighed. "That is hard to say. Things have changed drastically over the last two decades. Gondorans have been regularly visiting Adnan's court for the last several years, but you will be the first Queen that is not of Haradrim descent."
"You know all about that."
"I do. And you know that I struggled in Minas Tirith for a very long time. I cannot sugar coat that for you. I would like to think that my people are more welcoming than the citizens of Minas Tirith were when I first arrived, but I do not know if that is the case."
Marilla rubbed the tattoo that went to the first knuckle of her ring finger.
"Adnan will protect you from all that he can," I said quietly. "And you will find your stride by his side. I know you will not be a Queen in name only. You are prepared to work hard in your role and make a difference. The people will respect you for that. Perhaps not immediately, but they will."
"I just cannot imagine ever sitting where you are now," she said quietly. "You are the wife of the King, the mother of his sons, and you rule your Realm alongside His Majesty. It is all so much to think about and attempt to accomplish."
"It certainly is, but I was not always those things. To be quite honest, I focused in the early years of my marriage on being a mother; conceiving a son. After that was accomplished, Aragorn and I built our marriage. I only began to rule with him when struggling to provide another son. It was a way to occupy my time."
"Adnan wants me to rule as you do."
"I know. Luckily for you both, you will not have to struggle to build your marriage as Aragorn and I had to. You already know, respect, and like one another. Hopefully those feelings only grow while you are in Harad preparing for your wedding and coronation. During that time, Adnan can help you to learn what he wants from you as far as ruling goes. And then once you are married, you will already know those things and can focus on building your family."
Marilla's cheeks flushed and I found her rather endearing. "You have been a great help to me, Your Majesty," she said when her color evened back out again.
"I shall only be a letter away and will continue to visit once a year, as will you both."
Marilla nodded.
"Might I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course," she replied quickly.
"Convince Adnan that he must return to Harad as he was scheduled to do at the end of this month."
"He is very worried about you."
"Needlessly," I said. "He cannot affect the outcome of this, no matter how much he has let the power of being a King go to his head." I smiled. "Nearly half a year away from his throne will not do him or the Realm any favors, despite how much I would like to have you both here during that time. Part of being royal is to understand that you are always beholden to your Realm and people first. No matter what you want personally, you must think of the Realm before all else." I looked at Marilla evenly. "This will be your first act benefitting the Realm you are to marry into."
"I understand, Your Majesty," Marilla said, standing. "I shall do what I can."
ooooOoooo
At the end of the month, Aragorn, Shuk, the twins, and I made our way to the stables to see Marilla, Adnan, and their retinue back to Harad.
"I wish you were not sending me away," Adnan said lowly, standing before me as Aragorn spoke with Vanya, Beinion, and Marilla.
"I am not. You are the King. You can do whatever you like, but you know I am correct in insisting you return."
"I am worried for you," Adnan sighed.
"I know. We have been over this, but rest assured that Aragorn is worrying more than you could even begin to imagine." I laughed, despite the frustration I had begun to feel towards my husband and the limitations he was trying to place on me.
"I am not sure that is possible, but I will leave it in his capable hands."
I reached up and took Adnan's face in my hands, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You have much to worry about when you return," I said, glancing at Marilla. "Do not let her experience of a new Realm be like ours was."
"I will not," he promised.
"Very good." I smiled up at him. "We will see you at Yule."
Despite Rainion still having his cast on, the twins were monkeying around. As Adnan turned away from me, he caught them both by a shoulder.
"Let us go!" they both shouted, causing all to look at them.
"Hush," Adnan said a bit harshly. Everyone turned away but I kept my eyes on my eldest and youngest. "Do not trouble our mother unnecessarily over the next few months," he bid them.
The twins went still under his iron grip and gaze.
"She needs to rest before the baby arrives and you will let her do that."
Rainion and Rilien nodded and Adnan released them.
Aragorn and shook stood on either side of me. Marilla stepped in front of us. "Your Majesties. Your Royal Highness." She curtsied elegantly.
"Safe travels, my dear," Aragorn said with a warm smile.
I glanced at Vanya and Beinion who were clinging to one another. Vanya was trying to be stoic, but I could see the tears on her cheeks. On her other side, Brennil held her hand, also crying to see her older sister leave. I was used to watching Adnan leave or leaving him when my visits were through, but I realized that this would be difficult for our friends for a long while yet.
"Be well and remember that I am only a letter away. You will not need me though. You will have Adnan and my mother. She will adore you as we do."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Tears welled in Marilla's eyes and I shooed her toward her horse.
As we stood watching them leave, I looped my arm through Shuk's and rested my head on his upper arm. He would easily be as tall as his father when he was through growing.
"I am glad you will never leave me," I whispered and he patted my hand. I felt Aragorn's hand on my other shoulder and he squeezed it.
When we could no longer see the pair and their retinue, I went to Vanya. "Come. We shall have some refreshment in our chambers."
"I could use a goblet or three of wine."
"And you shall have it." I wrapped my friend in my arms and held her tight against my side as we climbed back up the levels of Minas Tirith.
ooooOoooo
The summer passed quickly and we approached the time I would be delivering our fifth child.
"I do not think it necessary that you go to the council meeting this morning," Aragorn said as he sat across the breakfast table from me.
The twins and Shuk looked between us.
"Uh oh," Rilien muttered.
I looked evenly at Aragorn. "Are we doing this again?" I asked.
"Doing what?" He raised his hands, palms up.
"Telling me what I can and cannot do."
"I merely suggested that you rest this afternoon. The council is not meeting to discuss anything of great importance."
"Be that as it may, I have rarely missed a council meeting and I do not intend to do so today so that I might rest in our chambers."
I heaved my unwieldy body to my feet, steadying myself on the table.
While it had taken a long while to show, the child had made its presence known.
"Fine," Aragorn said, standing as well. The twins shoveled a few more mouthfuls of porridge into their mouths before they and Shuk rose to their feet. "Off we go then."
My husband offered his arm and I took it only begrudgingly. All three boys walked ahead of us as we made our way to their tutors.
I pulled Aragorn back. "This all seems awfully familiar."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I feel as I did when I was expecting Shuk."
"Do not compare the two," Aragorn said. "I am not keeping you out of sight for months on end." He rolled his eyes. "You could have the baby tomorrow and yet here you are on your way to a council meeting." He was clearly exasperated at my suggestion.
We paused outside of the door to where Rainion and Rilien's tutors waited. "Behave yourselves today. I mean it. I am tired of hearing from your tutors on a daily basis," Aragorn said sternly, despite the twins having already disappeared.
"Will no one listen to me?"
"I will, Father," Shuk offered.
Aragorn scoffed. "Perhaps, but you are still your mother's creature entirely."
I smiled at our heir and brushed his curls behind his ear. "And you are lucky for it," I whispered, nudging him along to his own tutors.
I turned back to Aragorn to walk to our council meeting, but he stopped and faced me. "I am doing my best," he whispered rawly, cupping our child with both of his hands.
"I am fine, Aragorn," I said, my voice softer than it had been in a long while. "I see Miriel at least once a week and she has no concerns."
"That does not mean I am not allowed to worry."
I was shocked to see that tears had welled in my husband's eyes.
"Aragorn." I took his bearded cheeks in my hands.
"I cannot help it," he said, pressing his forehead to mine. "I do not want to do this alone. I cannot raise the boys and another child without you. I cannot rule this Realm without you."
"I am not going anywhere," I replied firmly, though I realized that for the last several months, by a sheer force of will, I had blocked out what might happen to me.
Childbirth was always dangerous. After bearing Shuk, I nearly died and I could not think about what had happened in the jungle of Harad after that. It seemed to be understood that it would not have gotten any easier with age despite the fact that I had delivered four healthy babies to term and I had been fine after both Adnan and the twins were born.
"I just," Aragorn took a deep breath. "I just love you so much." His hands moved to my upper arms and squeezed forcefully. "I would do this for you if I could, but I cannot."
"You have always hated what is out of your control," I murmured, tilting my head so I could tenderly kiss his lips.
Aragorn carded his fingers through my hair and pulled so I was looking up at him. "Do not leave me."
ooooOoooo
My pains started within a week of Aragorn and I's vulnerable conversation.
They were not regular at first and so I remained in bed until the sun rose, dozing on and off as I could manage.
Aragorn rose early and left, unable to share breakfast with us that morning. Lady Ioreth helped me to dress for the day, but looked at me with worried eyes as I had to steady myself on the bedpost as she slipped a functional gray dress over my head.
"Your Majesty?"
"I am alright," I said, not offering anything else.
When I was ready, I joined the boys at the breakfast table.
"Where is Father?" Rainion asked.
"He had an early start this morning."
To that point, the pain was more of a pressure in my lower back. As I sat down with my sons, I leaned forward and kneaded where it was seizing.
"Are you alright, Mother?" Shuk asked.
"Just fine," I responded when it had passed.
All three boys chatted to me about what their day held and without the pain and pressure I was able to listen.
"I have a swordplay lesson with Father just before lunch," Shuk said. I could tell he was not looking forward to it.
"Instead of that, tell your Father I wish to have a private lunch with him. And you three will dine publicly with your friends. Is that alright?"
Shuk's eyes lit up at being able to cancel his own tactical lesson and the twins nodded eagerly, always ready to rope others into their mischief.
I stood carefully and pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads, Shuk having to bend for his, before sending them on their way.
I continued to pace our sitting room for a while. As the morning crept on, so too did the pain. What had started in my low back made its way around to my hips and stomach forming real contractions.
"Lady Ioreth?" I called, when I entered my bedchamber a little later.
"Your Majesty?"
"Could you have a bath drawn for me?" I requested, trying to breathe evenly.
"A bath?"
"Yes," I groaned and rubbed the underside of my swollen stomach with both hands. "Please."
"Should I send for Miriel?" I shook my head. "The King?"
"Not yet. He will be here in an hour or so." I let out a breath I had been holding.
"If you are sure?"
I nodded and Lady Ioreth went to fetch a servant to fill the tub with warm water. When she returned, she helped me out of the dress she had put me in only an hour and a half before. I grabbed her hand and held it tightly as she was tying my robe around me.
"I do not like this, Your Majesty," she said, worry etched on her features.
"Babies do not come all that fast. We should let the King work while he can. Our lives will be turned upside down soon enough."
When the bath was ready, Lady Ioreth helped me manage my unwieldy frame as I stepped into the tub and settled myself in the warm water.
"Could you fetch the lavender oil I like?" I asked quietly, my eyes already closed, hands rubbing soothing circles over my distended stomach.
Without a word, Lady Ioreth disappeared and she returned just as quietly. I only knew she had completed the task when the fragrance of flowers floated up around me.
I stayed as still as I could, focused on my breathing throughout the rest of the morning.
When the door opened later, I opened one eye to see Aragorn come in in a flurry. "Why did you not send for me?" he demanded.
I placed a finger over my lips. "I have been here all morning. What do you think you have missed?" I kept my voice low and even, closing my eyes again.
Aragorn sighed and pulled a stool to the edge of the tub. Without a word, he slipped his rough, callused hand in mine.
"This is old hat afterall," I said. "Baby number five." Nearly before I finished the sentence, the sharpest pain yet tore through me and had me clamping down on Aragorn's hand and curling around my stomach with a hiss of pain.
"Is it?" Aragorn asked, dabbing at my face with a cool rag.
When I caught my breath, I looked up at my husband who was hovering worriedly over the tub. "Could you send for Miriel? I believe my waters just broke."
Aragorn was off the stool in a flash and yelling for Lady Ioreth. When he came back and resumed his seat he took my hand once more. His free one rested on the dome of my belly, that tightened once more and had me gasping for breath.
"What can I do?" he asked.
His words transported me back to when the twins had been born in Harad.
"Hold my hand," I murmured. Another pain came and I knew I had to move. I leaned forward and, with Aragorn's assistance, resituated myself so that I was on my knees with my forearms resting on the edge of the tub. I laid my head there and tried to breathe through the next pain though it had me crying out.
Aragorn moved his stool so that he was facing me and as I continued to labor he massaged my arms and shoulders, going so far as to lean over me and submerge his arms so he could get to my lower back.
In between the pains, I sighed from the relief he was offering to me.
Half an hour later, Miriel came in with her bag of supplies. "Are you comfortable, Your Majesty?" she asked.
I nodded, my eyes closed once more. "I do not wish to move."
"Fine with me," she said, organizing her tools on the floor near the tub.
"I think my waters broke."
Miriel sent for another stool and sat at the side of the tub. "Let us see where we are."
I gasped at the intrusion, but it was short lived.
"I would say your waters have indeed broken as that was the head that I just brushed."
I saw Aragorn look at her, alarm clear on his face.
"I believe with a few good, strong pushes you will have this late addition to your family in your arms."
Slowing my breathing, I waited for the next pain and when it came I bore down with all my might, squeezing both of Aragorn's hands in mine. As it tapered off, I exhaled sharply. I rested my cheek on my folded arms and bore down once more, feeling the stretching and burning that came with crowning.
I also felt Aragorn, his face next to mine, murmuring encouragement. "Just like that," he said. "You are so strong. I am so proud of you."
Again, I pushed and when the next pain was over, felt the relief of completing the crowning.
"One more, Your Majesty. You are doing beautifully," Miriel said, a hand on my shoulder, ready to catch another of my children.
Pressing my forehead to Aragorn's, I closed my eyes tightly and squeezed his hands, crying out as I pushed with every bit of strength I had left. I completed that final contraction with a laugh as I felt the sweat release of having my body back to myself.
Carefully, Miriel and I adjusted so that I was once more lying back and the child was on my chest, wailing loudly, displaying their healthy lungs.
"Oh Mareke," Aragorn collapsed to his knees next to me, pushing my sweaty curls away from my face with one hand and rubbing the back of his child with the other. "I love you so much. You were magnificent."
I smiled, though I was still intermittently panting and laughing after the sheer effort it had taken to bear our child. Tears were streaming down both of our faces.
Miriel severed the cord between the child and I without fuss. With a little more leeway, I was able to turn the babe in my arms. I laughed even louder then.
"You have a daughter," I exclaimed, shocked that I could produce anything besides a boy. The crying continued until I helped our daughter latch to my breast, where she nursed contentedly as Aragorn and I stared down at her, bewildered at such a turn of events.
"What shall we call her?" he finally asked, stroking her dark, wet hair.
I looked up at him with a gentle smile before kissing him. When I pulled away, I said, "Gilraen."
There you go! I hope you loved it! In all honesty, I don't know what happens for this family next. I have ideas, but I am open to yours as well. Please feel free to share them in your review or shoot me a private message. I can't wait to hear from you.
Happy reading,
Avonmora