Hi everyone! Sorry for the long absence! I am really trying my best to get these posted more frequently, but seem to be failing. I hope you enjoy this update! I enjoyed writing this one.

Chapter Twenty-Six (Mareke)

I sat at my small desk looking over the list of foods that did not go together for Adnan's fifth birthday celebration that was to take place that evening. A small smile played at my lips as I looked over the favorites he had requested.

The smile slipped from my lips and my hand strayed to my nearly flat stomach. The child I carried would not be entitled to such private, intimate events for their birthdays, that much I knew, especially if it was a boy. Like their father, this child would endure much more public ceremonies. The thought saddened me greatly as one of my favorite events in Minas Tirith had proven to be Adnan's birthdays where he was allowed to be around those who loved him and away from prying eyes.

I shook the thoughts away. It was not the time to dwell on all of the differences there would be between my two children. I had worried at first for Adnan and of course I still did. I was afraid he would be envious of a child that was Aragorn's, afraid that I would love the new baby more and want to start a new family with a living husband. Of course, none of that was true. However, the more I thought about it the more I thought that the new baby might grow to be envious of Adnan who had to adhere to very little of Minas Tirith's prickly propriety.

I shook my head and went back to focusing on the celebration at hand. It would be the last one my eldest son would have with the blissful knowledge that he was the only recipient of my love and affection. My stomach clenched at the thought of having that conversation after his birthday.

I was pulled from my thoughts as the door opened and Adnan rushed in. He crashed into me and wrapped his arms around my middle, completely oblivious to any changes my body was undergoing.

Aragorn audibly sucked in his breath at the collision, a look of concern masking his features.

I gave him a gentle smile before taking Adnan's face in my hands and kissing his forehead.

"What do I owe this affection to?" I asked. I had sent him and Aragorn into the gardens after breakfast so I could see to the few remaining details for the evening's celebration.

"It is time for my birthday horseback ride," he replied excitedly.

"Oh, I did not realize that was becoming a yearly tradition." I kissed his forehead once more and stood. "Allow me to change. On the way to the stables I need to drop off your menu request for tonight."

Adnan's smile widened if that was possible.

"See Strider," I heard him say as I left the room. "I told you she is feeling fine."

I felt myself smiling at the thought of Aragorn's protectiveness. After I changed into my riding outfit and boots I joined Adnan and Aragorn in my study once more. Picking up the dinner menu I tapped Adnan on the tip of his nose with it. "Ready?"

Adnan snatched it from my hand and hurried out ahead of us.

"Did I look unwell to you at breakfast, Aragorn?" I asked him quietly.

"No," he replied sheepishly not meeting my gaze.

"I can ride a horse for the time being," I assured him gently, resting my hand in the crook of his arm.

"I know," he said. "I seem to be worrying needlessly."

I surprised myself and kissed his stubbly cheek. "It is part of it."

Looking ahead, I watched Adnan disappear into the kitchens. "We may not be able to tear him away from the food for his ride," Aragorn chuckled as he held the door open for me.

"You want beef stew and pancakes for your birthday dinner?" The formidable kitchen director asked.

My son just grinned up at her and nodded.

"Well then so be it, little prince," she said, her stony face cracking into an indulgent smile that I was sure she reserved solely for Adnan.

The woman set a picnic basket on the counter and Aragorn took it. He and I turned to leave, but heard the woman whisper, "There is a special birthday treat in there for your lunch." We pretended not to hear.

Adnan latched onto my hand when he caught up and we descended to the stables.

Our ride that day was not nearly as exciting as the year before. We ate lunch and rode back and I believe Adnan was slightly disappointed that we were not attacked by orcs again.

When we returned, Aragorn went his own way and I took Adnan for a bath. As I knelt next to the tub, I realized that I needed to soak in every moment I had with him. His time was limited as my only child and that would be a painful and difficult transition not only for him, but for me as well. For five years he had been the only child I had.

I had not thought about what it would mean to me to have another child. I had been more concerned about Adnan.

"What is wrong, Mama?" He asked, stopping his flailing in the water, when he realized I was no longer engaged with what was going on.

"Nothing," I said quickly. "I was just going over everything for tonight," I said, setting out to wash his curly hair.

When he was clean, I tucked him into his bed for a quick nap. His protestations were weak after the long ride and warm bath.

I had my own bath drawn when he was asleep and sank into the warm water. No longer could I enjoy the scalding baths of before.

For the longest time,I had imagined myself being the mother to many children, but I had not known what that would be like in all reality. Now that I was having a second child, I did not know if I could love another as much as I did Adnan. It did not have anything to do with my second child having a different father. I knew that I would have felt the same way if Jibran had lived and we had had another.

One of my hands went to my stomach. It was still flat, but I could feel my body changing once more, preparing for the months ahead of growing the new baby.

I let my head fall back on the edge of the tub and closed my eyes. The fatigue was slowly going away, but after the morning of planning and Adnan's birthday ride it was making its presence felt

I was not sure how long I dozed, but my eyes opened as the water became tepid

Glancing around the room, I gasped when I saw Aragorn leaning against the counter, arms folded across his chest, smiling down at me.

"How long have you been there?" I asked, startled.

"Only a few minutes," he assured me.

"You move like a shadow."

Interestingly enough, I did not go to cover myself and Aragorn did not hide the fact that his eyes were openly drinking me in.

I stood and Aragorn picked up the fluffy towel I had laid out. He took my hand as I stepped over the lip of the tub.

He wrapped me in the towel and then pulled me into his embrace. After a moment he held me at arm's length and kissed where my collar bone was exposed. Slowly, he let the towel fall and kissed down my chest.

His mouth came back to my lips and kissed me hungrily. The towel had fallen completely to the floor and my naked body was pressed against his. I slipped my hands under his gray tunic and my fingers bumped over the many scars that riddled his stomach and chest.

I moaned into his mouth as one of his hands slipped down to knead my breasts that were already more sensitive from the pregnancy.

"Is this okay?" he asked, kissing from my jaw to my earlobe.

"Okay?" I asked distractedly.

"Is this safe?" he amended, pulling away, his gray eyes boring into mine.

"Perfectly," I reached to pull him closer once more, but he spun us so that my hips were pressed against the counter. I watched in the burnished mirror as he stripped from his tunic and pushed his breeches down.

I braced my forearms on the counter as he grasped my hips tightly. His need and urgency was unexpected, but I found it intoxicating and arousing.

At the first thrust, I gasped and our eyes met in the mirror. One of his hands went into my unruly curls and tugged. My eyes closed and I took in all of the slightly painful sensations that were sending me over the precipice. I had forgotten how different my body had felt while carrying a child.

Aragorn was panting heavily behind me. He leaned forward so his chest was on my back. As he bit down hard on my shoulder, I cried out and he spent himself.

When my husband came back to himself he looked at the place where his teeth had scored my flesh and he kissed the mark softly, sending a shiver down my spine.

"I am sorry," he said quietly, separating us and pulling his breeches up.

"Whatever for?" I asked, turning to face him after retrieving my towel from the floor.

"I was a bit rough with you," he said, looking away from me and rubbing his neck.

Wrapping my arms around him, I kissed three of the scars on his chest. "I enjoyed it," I said, before walking away, smiling to myself.

I changed into a simple, light dress for Adnan's birthday dinner and went to wake him.

Upon entering his room, I found him asleep on his side with a fist tucked under his cheek, the same way he had slept since he was born.

I laid on top of his blankets and began rubbing his back in slow circles, until he rolled to face me and snuggled into my chest. Tears came to my eyes at the simple gesture that reminded me so much of when he had been younger. It was as though he was trying to burrow inside of me and I held his relaxed body against me, wanting to stay like that forever and a day.

Instead, I spoke, rousing him from his slumber. "Adnan," I whispered into his curls. "Habibi, wake up. It is almost time for your dinner."

He groaned and snuggled harder against me.

"I know," I murmured. "But there will be your favorite foods and presents," I said.

Finally, he put some space between us and blinked his dark eyes up at me. "Hello," I said, kissing the tip of his nose.

Adnan stretched wordlessly and then crawled out of bed. When I stood to help him dress, he held out an imperative hand. "I can do it. I am five now."

"Very well, Your Grace," I said, sitting on the bed, watching him.

I bit my tongue as he drew out gray breeches and a yellow tunic that did not match at all. He put them on confidently and I had to stifle my laughter as he strutted about looking for his brown boots.

"Will this do, Mama?" he asked.

"Perfectly," I replied, covering my smile.

"Let us go and greet your guests."

Adnan took my hand and we went to my sitting room. Aragorn was already sitting there waiting on us. I watched him take in Adnan's appearance, but he was more stoic than I and only a glimmer in his eye gave away his amusement.

Vanya and Beinion came next and as soon as she was through the door, Vanya had deposited Marilla in my arms. I could see that her face was red and she was hiccuping as though she had been crying hard. I propped her on my hip and rubbed her back. She just stared up at me.

"I am not even going to ask about what your son is wearing," Vanya said, taking a seat next to Aragorn as though he were a common man.

"That is fine," I replied. "But I am going to ask me why all three of you are in such a state."

Beinion sighed. "She is teething," he said.

"Marilla or Vanya?" I asked, even as I pushed my finger into Marilla's mouth and felt the two front bottom teeth beginning to poke through.

"Very funny," Vanya said.

"I used to give Adnan my finger dipped in our honey liquor," I said, bouncing Marilla on my hip.

"Whatever works at this point. The entire household has been going without sleep," Vanya sighed.

Legolas and Gimli, per usual, completed our small group.

"What are you wearing, lad?" Gimli asked brusquely.

Adnan scowled up at him.

"I think you look quite fine," Legolas said in his gentle manner.

"Shall you lead us all to dinner, Adnan?" I asked.

He eagerly did so. Once we were in the dining room, Aragorn ceded his seat at the head of the table to Adnan, instead sitting next to me.

As I had said, I dipped my finger in my wine goblet, not caring much as I would not drink it anyway, and popped it into Marilla's mouth. She gummed it eagerly and I felt her rigid little body relax against me.

"Well, Vanya, we shall keep our daughter intoxicated until all of her teeth are in," Beinion said good naturedly.

The food was served and everyone sat stock still for a long moment staring at the different platters.

"Well I will be having lembas tonight," Legolas said, reaching for one of the pieces. The scents of all of the different foods mingled and did not smell particularly appetizing, but that did not hinder my son for a moment. He dug into everything around him, while the adults picked at certain things.

"I do not know if I can attend this next year," Gimli said on my other side, watching Adnan.

I laughed out loud. "I apologize. I am hoping he grows out of these strange habits."

Later that night, Aragorn and I tucked Adnan in together. I kissed his forehead and left the room, Aragorn closing the door behind us.

"We have to tell him now," I said. I had allowed the wait to last until after his birthday and it had come and gone.

Aragorn took my hands in his. "It will be alright," he said. "We will do it together. He will be excited."

I nodded, though I suspected that that would not be the case.

ooooOoooo

We were sitting, once more, down to dinner just the three of us a month after his birthday. I had stalled for as long as I could.

I hardly ate a bite, I was so nervous for the impending conversation. I had asked the kitchen to serve a special berry tart for dessert, Adnan's favorite. I thought I might be able to mask the news he would not welcome with a sweet. What a fool I was.

"Adnan, Aragorn and I have something to tell you," I said weakly, after he had taken his first bite. An adorable, blissful smile came over his face. I did not continue on until he met my dark eyes with his.

Taking a deep breath, I felt Aragorn squeeze my leg under the table.

"Adnan, you are going to be a big brother," I said, forcing a smile onto my lips.

"No thank you," he said, taking another bite of his tart.

Aragorn laughed, thinking my son was joking, but I saw the stony look that came onto his little face.

When Aragorn caught up, he spoke, "No, Adnan it is not a choice we are asking you to make. You are going to have a little brother or sister."

"But I do not want one," he said and my breath caught in my chest.

I could not speak and Aragorn looked at me. I shook my head.

"You will have to accustom yourself to the idea then," Aragorn said and I had never heard him take a stern tone of voice with my son. "Because the baby will arrive whether you like it or not."

I watched as silent, indignant tears welled in Adnan's eyes.

Without asking to be excused he rushed from the table. I knew he was truly upset because he had left his half-eaten tart.

Aragorn rose to go with him, but I grabbed his forearm. "Leave him be for a while," I said.

I folded my arms on the table, put my face in them, and cried.

"Oh Mareke," he said, rubbing my back gently. Eventually, he moved me so I was sitting up and he could wrap his arms around me. He stroked my hair. "In time he will come around," he said.

"I hope so," was all I could say in reply.

ooooOoooo

Two months of sullen silence passed and I was beside myself. My five-year-old son acted as though I was invisible to him. He actually requested Lady Belethiel's presence over mine and most nights that caused me to cry myself to sleep. No matter what I tried, he kept his distance. He could not be coerced back into my affection with food or even extra swordplay lessons.

It only got worse as I began to show. He could see the child and it made him dodge away from my touches.

Adnan was still forced to eat with me on most occasions and the meals were no longer full of pleasant laughter and stories of his day. Instead, my son refused to make eye contact with me and even though I talked to him he never responded. He ate as quickly as he could and then would vanish into his room.

I could take it no longer. I was nearly six months into the pregnancy and my emotions and nerves were shredded from how strained my relationship with Adnan had become.

"Please, Adnan, this must stop," I pleaded one evening as he was getting up to leave the table. Aragorn had not been able to join us, but it made no difference as Adnan did not speak to him either. "I miss you," I said desperately. I reached out to touch his arm, but he jerked it away from me.

"You do not care about me," he said, much more scathingly than I would have imagined a five year old could speak. "You only care about the new baby."

"Habibi, that is just not true," I said, close to tears once more. "You must know that."

The door opened and I glanced up to see Aragorn enter through the tears that were starting.

"It is true!" he shouted at me. "You have ruined everything! You did not even ask me what I wanted! And I do not want this stupid baby!"

"Adnan!" Aragorn's voice was raised. "That is quite enough of that. You should know better than to speak to your mother that way!"

The little boy glared at the King, undaunted. "You both only care about the new baby!"

I felt the tears roll down my cheeks and did not bother to wipe them away.

"To your room!" Aragorn pointed imperiously. "I will deal with you in a moment."

Adnan huffed and went on his way.

As Aragorn stepped toward me, I stood and practically slumped into his embrace. One hand went to my stomach as I rested my forehead on his chest. He rubbed my back. "I will take care of this," he murmured into my hair.

"I just do not understand," I said, trying to keep the crying in check. It had been happening frequently of late.

Aragorn held me away from him and kissed my forehead. "Rest," he bid me. "I will be back shortly," he said, leaving me standing in the small dining room as he went to Adnan's room. I retreated into my sitting room and rested my hands on the bump that seemed to grow bigger every day.

After a while, I could no longer take the suspense and I crept to Adnan's room, pushing the door open just a little bit.

In the dim room, I could just make out Aragorn and Adnan sitting on the edge of the bed. "I am not sure you know just how much you mean to me, Adnan," Aragorn said, his hand on the little boy's knee. "One day when you are much older, I will tell you exactly where I was in my life when you arrived here, but for now I want you to know that if you had not arrived when you did, I am not sure that I would have been able to pull myself from the darkness."

I heard my son sniffle.

"You will always be important to me," Aragorn said. "And of course to your mother. She loves you more than anything. And even when the baby comes, you will always be her firstborn, the one she has loved the longest. And the one I have loved the longest. I will never be able to take the place of your father, but I have thought of you as my son nearly since you arrived."

I felt more tears running down my cheeks and I wiped them away.

"This baby will change none of that. This baby will only make us closer. You will have so much to teach your sibling. Your mother and I will need your help in this. We can not do this on our own.

"Mama is replacing me," Adnan said quietly and my heart lurched.

"She could never and that is certainly not what she wants to do," Aragorn wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "We could not replace you. You and this child will be unique and we will love you equally, but always we will have loved you the longest."

"Do you promise?" My son asked, his voice wavering.

"On my life, Adnan," Aragorn assured him.

Adnan was still sniffling. "Can you make sure it is a boy at least? You are the King."

I had to stifle my laughter and luckily Aragorn's own laugh covered mine. He wrapped my son in a strong embrace. "I will see what I can do."

Aragorn stood once more. "Now let us get you to bed. You can speak to your mother, and perhaps apologize, in the morning."

Adnan nodded and raised his arms as Aragorn stripped him down and tucked him into bed.

Once more, I retreated to the sitting room and Aragorn found me a moment later.

"Eavesdropping again?" He asked with a small smile.

"You are incredible," I said quietly, pulling him down so his forehead was against mine. "You will be an amazing father. You already are."

ooooOoooo

Adnan did apologize to me the next day. We did not have a long conversation about what had happened. Aragorn had taken care of that and I did not want to linger on those months of strife between us. We moved on as though it had never happened.

A month later, I took Adnan with me to the orphanage. It had always been my intention to take him. I thought it would be good for him to see how other children lived.

At first, he was shy. He peered at the little boys and girls from behind my skirts as I talked to Melda. The construction was coming along nicely and the children looked healthier and better fed. The food I had had sent was clearly going to good use as was the clothing that Vanya and the other noble ladies had sent.

"Do not be so bashful," I said, pushing him away from me gently. There was a group of boys around his age, staring at him as well. Many of them were familiar to me. "They will show you around. Play for a while," I bid him, following Melda into her new study that had been constructed for her, leaving Adnan to fend for himself. I had no fear that he would be in danger.

"Mama," he called after me weakly, but I merely shooed him along.

After Melda brought me up to speed on the goings on at the orphanage and what she would be working on, I went to find my son. I found him and the other boys in the courtyard that had been able to be built due to the joining of the two buildings. They were rough housing. Adnan was going at it with a boy about his size.

As the mother of a boy, I could do nothing but smile. They were giggling as they wrestled each other so I knew they were not trying to hurt one another.

"Adnan," I called. "It is time for us to go."

They boys stopped and looked at me, Adnan pouting. "Must we?"

"For now," I said, gesturing for him to join me. "We will return."

He came grudgingly to my side. He was covered in dust, his curls were more wild than usual, and one of his palms was bleeding.

I wrapped an arm around him and we made our way to the palace once more.

"All of those children live there because they do not have any parents?" Adnan asked quietly, as we climbed the steps.

I had tried to explain to him what the orphanage's purpose was. "That is true," I said.

"But you are helping them?"

"I am trying," I responded.

"That is very nice," he said, smiling up at me. "They are lucky to have you."

ooooOoooo

"Herion is here," Lady Ioreth told me one afternoon a few weeks later. I sighed and rose from my desk. Adnan was sitting on the floor of my study with his figurines, playing war.

"Take Adnan to Lady Belethiel, please," I said. I bent, though it was becoming a struggle to move too much, and kissed Adnan's forehead. "I will be back soon enough."

Herion was already waiting in my bedroom. The thought of him in my most private chambers made my skin crawl.

"Your Majesty," he said with his same disrespectful half bow. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "I feel fine."

"Lie back," he instructed.

I did as I was told and he put his hands on my stomach, pressing rather hard. The child kicked against this intrusion and I was glad to know that they did not enjoy what was happening either.

"The child is strong," he said. "Though you should be more careful and conserve your energy."

"Conserve my energy?" I asked. My cheeks colored as he pushed the skirt of my dress to my hips.

Without preamble he began an internal exam and again,was less than gentle. A gasp escaped my lips as he began. I squeezed my eyes closed and prayed for the exam to be done as quickly as possible.

"You should no longer be making your trips to the orphanage."

He straightened up and went to the basin across the room and washed his hands.

"Excuse me?"

"No more trips outside of the palace."

"But I am not due for my confinement for another month at least."

"I am your Healer, Your Majesty, and I am advising you on what to do to ensure the safety of the King's child that you carry. I would hate to see you or the child suffer some misfortune. I am not sure how things are done in Harad," he lingered, the silence full of disdain when he mentioned my home Realm, "but here we take the care of our expectant mothers very seriously. Especially the Queen."

I nodded numbly. "Very well." I stood and readjusted my dress, walking Herion out of my chambers.

Aragorn walked in just as I was bidding the Healer goodbye.

"Oh, Your Majesty," Herion said, smiling politely at my husband and bowing low.

"Herion," Aragorn said, smiling and taking my hand in his. "How is my wife?"

I saw the Healer take in the gesture and scowl momentarily. "She is doing quite well. I was just telling her to conserve her energy as we get ever closer to the end. I am sure you will help me see that she relaxes these last few months."

"Of course," Aragorn said.

Herion bowed to my husband once more and was gone.

"I am glad you are under his supervision," Aragorn said. I knew he respected him and he had no idea how he treated me. I thought of telling Aragorn that I did not care for the man, but he had not done anything overtly bad to me and so I bit my tongue.

"As am I," I replied.

Hope you loved it! If you can forgive me for my long absences, I would love to know what you think about this update! I'm always open to any ideas you have as well!

Happy reading,

Avonmora