I am so sorry for the delay! My muse temporarily deserted me after having a few different discussions with readers about what should happen in this chapter. If this isn't what you had in mind, don't worry I am storing all ideas for future use in one way or another. I love all of your ideas and I love the sometimes lengthy conversations I get to have with my readers. Also, some stuff in this chapter might seem strange, but I have done ample research. You'll know what I'm talking about when you get to it. Otherwise, enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Four (Mareke)

"Mama." I rolled away from the noise, the whispering voice demanding my attention. My bed was too comfortable and I felt as though I had only been asleep for mere moments I was so exhausted. "Mama," Adnan tried again a little louder, this time pushing against the mattress.

"What Adnan?" I asked drowsily.

I heard his little feet pattering around the bed so he could see my face. "Gimli is here for my lessons and you did not wake me!" He exclaimed as though there was nothing more unfathomable.

Truly there was not. I sat up immediately and practically leapt from the bed, rushing to change. Since Aragorn had radicalized Adnan's lessons, I had insisted that neither Lady Ioreth or Lady Belethiel be present in the mornings. It was the time I had to spend with my son before he was gone for most of the day and I was left to deal with my own schedule.

I had never once slept in and missed attending to our morning ritual.

My dress was rumpled and my hair was a mess, but I quickly ushered him through the sitting room and towards his bedroom to get him dressed as well.

"Gimli, I am so sorry," I said, grabbing Adnan by the shoulders and halting him in front of me. "I am not sure at all what I was thinking this morning. I hope I have not derailed your entire plan."

"Calm down, lass," he said with a chuckle. "Everything will be fine."

He must have sensed how distraught I was at having slept in. The Dwarf reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We all get tired sometimes. Queens included and I would especially think Queens that are mothers."

I gave him a gentle smile. "Thank you for understanding."

"Not at all, Mareke. Just get that little lad dressed and he and I will drop into the kitchens for a quick bite of breakfast before we go inspect how the new gate is coming along."

I gave a nod and took Adnan into the nursery, laying out his tunic and breeches for the day. He had grown considerably since we had arrived in Minas Tirith and was on his third set of outfits being made for him. As I brushed his hair out, I realized that his head was higher up, almost reaching my chest rather than my stomach.

"When did you get so big?" I asked.

"I will be five soon," he said excitedly. His birthday was in a month.

"Do not remind me." I kissed the top of his head and nudged him back toward the door.

"We shall be getting a full report of construction together for Aragorn," Gimli said when Adnan joined him.

Gimli was in charge of constructing the new gate for Minas Tirith. I had gone to see what was being initially done and, like the rest of Gimli's work, it was a beautiful, strong combination of mithril and steel.

"Pay close attention then," I said, squeezing Adnan's shoulder.

"Go back to bed for a while," Gimli said gently. "I have the little lad in safe hands."

"I know. Thank you Gimli," I said, smiling as they left.

When the door closed behind them, I went straight back to my bed and curled into a ball. I pondered for only a brief moment why I felt so tired until I was quickly asleep once more.

ooooOoooo

"Mareke," someone was calling my name gently. "Mareke," it came again louder, but still from a great distance. "Mareke." That time whoever was calling for me shook me gently and I startled awake.

"What? What is the matter?" I looked around me wildly and realized that I had fallen asleep, sitting at my desk in my small study.

Aragorn was standing before me with a bemused smile on his face. "What were you working on that bored you so terribly?"

I rubbed my eyes and looked down at what I had been reading. It was a very short report on the status of the orphanage in the city.

"Lady Ioreth informed me that the wives of the Stewards all had charitable causes and that I might consider taking one up as well."

"That might be the first bit of good advice she has given you," he said with a chuckle, perching on the edge of my desk.

"You are terrible," I said with a smile, handing him the report. "But I was trying to decide what my cause might be."

"You may want to choose one that will keep you awake," he said lightly, though his attention had turned away from the report and he was looking at me intently. "You do not look all that well."

"How kind of you to say so," I replied. I stood, trying to keep myself from falling asleep again. As I walked by my husband he caught my hand and pulled me so that I was standing between his legs.

"You are pale and there are shadows under your eyes," he continued, taking my cheek in the hand that was not holding the report.

"And the compliments continue," I said lightly.

Aragorn looked at me for a moment longer before glancing at the report. "This is what you want to get involved in?" he asked.

I nodded. "I believe so."

"You do not sound entirely confident."

I shook my head. "I am not. I am just thinking of all of the ways it could be misconstrued."

Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "How might supporting an orphanage be misconstrued?"

"Oh I do not know. She wants to help children because she has one that is not the King's."

"What does Adnan's bloodline have to do with your cause?"

"It factors into everything I do. They will say I support the orphanage because like my own son, many children lost parents to the War."
"Or they might just say that it is a noble cause and one that appears to have been neglected of late."

"How likely is that?" I asked with a small smile.

"Not very," Aragorn replied. "Though if this is your passion, let their words fall on deaf ears."

I nodded and thought for a moment longer. "I think I shall go forward with this," I said. "I shall set up a meeting with the proprietess of the place."

Aragorn kissed my forehead and stood from my desk. "Let me know how I can help once you have done that."

His hand was gentle on my lower back, guiding me towards my bedroom. "Now you should lie down for a while before Adnan is due back. I am worried about you."

I did as he bid and as I laid in my bed, I let my hand travel to my flat stomach. I had an inkling that it would not be that way much longer.

ooooOoooo

A week later, Vanya and I, along with a few guards were making our way toward the orphanage. When I had told her of my plans she had immediately asked to accompany me.

"Surely you have enough to do with the new baby?" I asked.

"One would think," she replied. "But I want to follow your lead and become involved in something outside of my house."

I laughed. "I remember the feeling of being trapped and chained to a tiny little person, constantly being held to their needs."

Vanya sighed. "It has been an adjustment." Though she had been quick to become more open-minded since our friendship had begun, there were still parts of her that were Minas Tirith through and through. She could not admit that raising a child was anything but delightful and a completely rewarding experience.

I did not push her then, but I often shared stories of my own troubles with Adnan when he was an infant and she saw many of my struggles with him as he grew.

We descended many levels of the city until the guards declared that we were at our destination. "Truly?" I asked, before I could stop myself.

We were standing in front of a very run down building. The door seemed to barely fit in the frame, the roof was patched more than it was not, and the windows were filthy and grimy. The report had said that there were roughly fifty children who permanently stayed there, but some of the older ones floated in and out. I had a hard time imagining that the space was even able to accommodate the fifty younger children.

I took a deep breath and nodded at one of the guards to knock on the door. We waited, me very nervously, until the door was pulled open.

A young woman stood in the doorway. When I had read the report I had been surprised to learn that the orphanage was not run by someone older and male. The woman was perhaps a bit older than me, but she could only have been in her early thirties.

"Your Majesty," she said as the guards stepped aside and I stepped forward. She gave an unpracticed curtsy, but I waved it away.

"We should do away with the tedious formalities if we are going to be working so closely together."

"Working?" She asked, taken aback.

"I intend to do more than just give money," I replied. "Though of course that will be a huge factor from the look of things."

The young woman's cheeks colored.

"No, no," I said quickly. "None of this is your doing. I do not believe that for a second." I stepped into the doorway and allowed my eyes to adjust to the darkness. "Please show me around." I realized she had not shared her name, or not been able to with all of the talking I had been doing. "What is your name?"

"Melda, Your Majesty," she said quietly.

"Very well, Melda. We would appreciate a tour."

It was a quick tour. There was not much to the place. There was a kitchen, a small dining room, a few different rooms full of beds and cradles and that was nearly it. There were children in all of the rooms peering out at our group. My heart broke for them. Many of them were wearing ragged garments, with their hair tangled, and faces dirty.

Melda had no study, so we sat down at one of the tables in the dining room.

"Well, first off it is obvious that you need more space if you are to accommodate all of the children."

Melda nodded. "Unfortunately, it has not been possible. We do not have the means to expand."

"No, I would imagine you do not." I dug around in the shoulder bag I had brought and pulled out my writing things, going to work on a list of all that I could think of that must be done upon my first visit. "As the Queen, I receive a living stipend of sorts that is generally used for the most appallingly frivolous of things. I will give all that I can of that to you and the children here. However, I very much doubt that that will cover all that you need and all that I want to do. If necessary, I will go before the King and his council myself on your behalf."

The woman stared at me, but I ignored her awe.

"Do you know if any of the surrounding buildings are vacant?" I asked. The best way that I could think to make more room would be to purchase another building and perhaps join them together.

"I am not sure, Your Majesty," Melda said timidly.

"That is alright," I said. I finished jotting a few items down and then rolled the parchment back up and placed my things in the bag. "I will return in a couple of weeks. We both have some work to do. I will speak to the King and see what funds I can come up with quickly. While I am figuring that out, I would appreciate it if you could see what you can find out about any vacant buildings near here. Preferably one of the ones on either side or behind this building."

"I will, Your Majesty," Melda replied.

"Is there anything that I can send to you in the meantime?" I could tell that for a while Melda would be hesitant to ask anything of me. After going on the tour, I knew I would be sending food and clothes.

"No, Your Majesty. We are surviving as we are," Melda said. My heart sank to think of this young woman investing all of herself into the orphanage with little to no help. I knew that some money was given to her and it was supposed to cover all of the orphanage's expenses as well as provide her with a salary, but I could tell that that money was no longer enough.

We all stood and once more Vanya and I were surrounded by our guards. "If you say so. We will be in touch very soon, Melda. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to see us."

"Thank you so much for your interest, Your Majesty. You will surely change the children's lives," Melda called as we left.

I turned, smiled at her, and waved before we were heading back to the top level of the city.

"You will go in front of the King's council?" Vanya asked. She had been quiet throughout our time at the orphanage. I believe the blatant poverty of the children there had shocked her. I imagined she had never before been exposed to such a standard of living before.

"If it is necessary," I replied. "Now that I have seen the actual state of that orphanage I have to do all in my power to fix it. I had not expected just how bad of a state it would be in from reading the few reports that I could get my hands on." I looked over at the other woman. Her face was creased and furrowed from all that she had seen in the span of an afternoon. "I also intend to send food and clothes in the meantime. Perhaps that is where you might come in."

Vanya looked up. "Me?"

"Well, yes. You said you wanted to help. I think you can be very useful."

"How so?"

"You have many friends in the city. Many of them have children. What is done with the clothing that those children outgrow?" I asked.

Vanya gave a shrug. "I am not sure."

"I know that even during the short time that I have been in Minas Tirith Adnan has outgrown so many of the things that were made for him when we first arrived. Most of those things that are too small are still sitting in his drawers and hanging in his closet."
"You cannot give Adnan's things away," Vanya said, surprised at what I was suggesting.

"Of course I can. What is he going to do with them?"

"He is the son, more or less, of the King!" She exclaimed. "His clothes are precious."

I laughed out loud. "Oh Vanya, do not be ridiculous."

"They are much too fine to send to the orphanage."

"And do you think that those children there who so desperately need those clothes will turn them away because of their formality?"

Vanya went quiet. "No, I suppose not."

"Neither do I." I looped my arm through hers as we climbed the stairs, going up level after level. "In that case, I need you to act on my behalf in convincing the other young mothers of your set that they can be of help by getting rid of clothes and other useful things that their children no longer use. Perhaps you might suggest that it would be a good lesson for their children as well. I completely intend to teach Adnan a lesson through this. He will also be going through his toys and picking several that he does not play with any longer to be donated as well."

Vanya was quiet. "I will do what I can."

"I appreciate it. Make it an event if you wish. I know that many of them are dying to see where I live and what I have turned the place into. Tell them that they can bring the clothes to my chambers and we can all sort through them together, into gender and age group appropriate clothes."

Vanya laughed. "They will be sorely disappointed that your rooms look the same as they have for centuries."

"Well do not tell them that when you are convincing them to take part in our venture."

Vanya laughed and hugged me tightly when we came upon her street.

"I will see you for Marilla's naming ceremony," I said, waving. I sent one of my guards to escort her home and finally I was alone in the palace, the guards dispersing when we stepped over the threshold.

I was extremely tired, but I knew that if I stopped moving I would not accomplish anything else that day. I made my way to the kitchens and sought out the woman who oversaw operations there. Three times a day the kitchen provided meals, not only for the royal family, but for all guests and visitors, as well as to the very privileged courtesans who lived in the palace.

"Your Majesty," she said brusquely, giving a stiff curtsy. She was an indomitable woman and Aragorn had told me that she did not even soften for him, but he had caught her sneaking extra sweets to Adnan when he brought the boy for a snack or quick, private meal. I stiffened my spine. I would not be intimidated by the head of the kitchens.

"I am here to inquire about what happens to the excess food that is not consumed in a day here in the palace."

She raised an eyebrow at me as though she had never been asked such a thing. "It is disposed of."

"I assume there is a good deal of it."

She nodded. "There is."

"That seems quite wasteful."

"It is what has been done since long before I was in charge of the kitchens."

I nodded. "Of course. Well I would like to see that tradition ended."

"Your Majesty?"

"It is my desire that all excess food be taken to the orphanage in the city three times a day."

"The orphanage? Three times a day?" She spluttered.

"Yes," I said simply. "Starting after tonight's dinner." My tone left no room for further discussion.

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

I sagged when I was out of her sight and made my way back to my chambers.

ooooOoooo

Aragorn and I were the first ones to arrive at Vanya and Beinion's home for Marilla's naming ceremony. Not many people had seen the babe besides myself and the families of Vanya and Beinion.

"Come in, come in," Vanya said flustered. There were servants bustling about with trays of food. "Everything is almost ready."

"Relax," I urged her. "It will be perfect."

"I am going to get the baby," Vanya said, not relaxing at all, instead hurrying up the stairs.

Aragorn and I stood, trying to stay out of the way of the servants making the last minute adjustments.

Vanya returned, carrying a bundle of white fabric and lace. She deposited the bundle in my arms and I moved away the ceremonial dress to see the babe's face, some blonde hair poking out from underneath her lace cap. "There she is," I said with a smile.

"Aragorn, you will take her when it is time to introduce you as godparents," Vanya said. She did not ask, she told her King what was going to happen.

"Me?" He asked. Aragorn looked quickly down at me. "Surely, Mareke would be better suited in that role."

I rested a gentle hand on his forearm. "It is not a difficult job," I assured him.

Aragorn sighed. "If you insist."

Vanya led us into their great room. There were several chairs and sofas that would accommodate everyone who would be in attendance. She sat Aragorn and I on a sofa at the head of the room.

Marilla was sleeping soundly in my arms and she readjusted herself, tucking a hand under her cheek.

Aragorn was watching her warily and I could not help but smile at the irony of what it was he feared. The man had seen the worst of battles, but holding an infant for a brief moment was too much.

The room filled and Vanya and Beinion joined us, taking Marilla into their own arms. They had chosen Vanya's father to act as the celebrant of the ceremony and he began with a warm welcome to everyone gathered.

Very soon after he began, I lost focus. My vision went fuzzy at the edges and I was extremely light-headed. There was a goblet of water sitting on the table next to me and I drank from it deeply, not caring that people were probably watching me.

After a few readings, the promise of the parents to guide the child, it was our turn. I felt Aragorn stand next to me and I did as well, though I was sure I would fall over.

He carefully took the bundle into his arms from Beinion, who gently corrected his hold, and I could feel how tense he was. I used the voluminous lace dress that Marilla wore to cover the grip I had on his free arm.

"What an honor it is to have the King and Queen acting as godparents for my granddaughter," the man said. I plastered a smile on my face, though I was sure it was unnatural looking. "Do you both promise to assist the parents of this child in guiding her through life, instilling morals and virtue whenever possible so as to guide her down the right path?"

"We do," Aragorn's voice drowned mine out as I could only manage to speak very faintly.

"In that case," he said, taking the baby from Aragorn. "It is my pleasure to introduce you all to my granddaughter, Marilla."

There was light applause.

"The parents invite all of you to join them for food and beverage in the dining hall," he said and everyone filtered out.

"Mareke, what is the matter with you?" Aragorn asked, waiting a moment after everyone had left the room.

"I was so busy this afternoon that I did not have anything to eat. I am just feeling a bit light headed," I replied, though that was a lie. I had eaten.

He shook his head. "Well then let us get you something to eat."

I nodded and continued to lean on him heavily as we moved towards the food on the long dining table.

"Wine?" He asked, after I had eaten a small plate of finger foods. It did make me feel a bit better.

I shook my head. "No. I still have a headache and I do not think that will help much."

Instead, he offered me another goblet of water and plate of food. "Eat. All of it."

I did as he wished and felt the tiniest bit better. I was still exhausted though. We mingled about and spoke to some of the younger couples that Vanya had invited as well as both sets of Marilla's grandparents. My hand never left the crook of Aragorn's elbow.

After Aragorn held the baby one more time he feigned not feeling well himself and so we left, setting off through the city.

"You have not seemed yourself of late," he said once we were back in my rooms.

"I have had much on my mind with the orphanage and everything else," I replied.

Aragorn nodded, though I was not sure that he believed me. "Well sleep well tonight. Get your energy back."

ooooOoooo

I could not put it off any longer. My month's blood had not appeared in two cycles of the moon. I had felt the exact same way when I was first carrying Adnan. I could have slept for days at a time and still felt fatigued when I woke.

In the company of a few guards, I made my way one level down to the Houses of Healing. I stepped through the doors and there were not many occupants in the beds that I saw.

"Your Majesty," a young healer stepped toward me.

"I need to see the head healer privately," I told her. She led me back into the private rooms that were used for the royal family if the healer was not called to their chambers directly. Luckily, at that time in the morning, I had passed nearly no one on my way down. The rooms were spacious and filled with light.

"Herion will be here presently," she said with a bow, leaving me alone. The guards had stationed themselves outside of the door.

Not a moment later, a gray haired and bearded man stepped into the room. I hated the thought of discussing such a matter with a man. In Harad, I had dealt with a midwife and while most women in Minas Tirith were also able to use a midwife, as the Queen, who was hopefully carrying the Crown Prince, I had been told by Lady Ioreth that upon suspecting that I was carrying a child I would furthermore deal with the head healer.

"Your Majesty," he said with a bow that did not quite match what propriety said it should when dealing with the Queen. "What might I do for you today?"

"I believe I am expecting," I replied.

"And you would certainly know because you have had a child before," he said, not exactly kindly.

"I think any woman would know if they had not bled in two months," I replied quickly. I had not prepared myself for the head healer to treat me with prejudice, but I should not have been surprised.

"Very well," he said. He pulled a bottle of wine from a cabinet and handed me a small, glass cup. "I will need a sample of your urine."

I sighed and took it from him, going into the bathroom. I had done the same test in Harad, but again it had been a woman who I had dealt with and she had been very kind.

When I came out and handed Herion the sample, he kept his back to my as he mixed in a bit of wine and stirred it up.

"Well it looks as though you are right," he said after a long few moments.

I smiled to myself and let my hands press against my stomach.

"Though you should not presume to know everything about bringing a child into this world because you already have one." Herion turned and looked at me with cold eyes. "This child is much more important than your last. Hopefully you carry the Crown Prince. I was beginning to think that I might never see you for this matter."

If he was trying to insult me with the last remark he had missed entirely. For one thing, it had only been a year and for another, as he kept pointing out, I already had a child and if Aragorn and I had not been able to have one it would have likely not been my fault, though I knew it would have been spun that way.

"I will play a large role in bringing this child into the world and it is of the utmost importance that you listen to me, despite what you think you already know," he continued.

"Of course," I replied, not fighting anymore.

The man dug around in his cabinets until he had gathered a pouch full of herbs. "Put a pinch of these in a cup of tea every day so you and the child will both remain healthy."

I nodded. He had not even bothered to ask how I was feeling or if I had any concerns.

"And of course I will be telling the King of this news," Herion said as I made my way toward the door.

I stopped and turned around. "You will tell him?"

"Indeed. It is protocol," he said. "I will tell him before the end of the week."

I did not think he was lying to me, but once more I was bewildered by the strange customs of the people I had married into.

"Very well," I said, turning once more to head back to the palace.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you loved it! Like I said before, I absolutely love hearing from new and old reviewers alike. You guys have so many great ideas and I love to hear them, so don't hold back.

Happy reading,

Avonmora