This is a very bittersweet chapter with Adnan's 10th birthday and the birth of his siblings! I appreciate you patience immensely and I hope you enjoy this update!

Chapter Fifty-One (Mareke)

"Beinion was right," Vanya said from where she sat on the edge of my private pool, dipping her feet in the cool water. "I am rather enjoying myself."

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "I am sure you are with your trim body and cool liquor refreshment." I was standing, fully submerged in the pool, trying to escape the sheer misery that the heat of my home was bringing to me.

"It will all be worth it," Vanya said, taking a sip of her honey liquor.

"Do not get me wrong. I am grateful beyond all measure for this opportunity, but with only weeks to go this heat is miserable."

"Mama!" Shuk came trotting out to the pool edge and I had to laugh; he was completely naked.

"Oh my!" Vanya exclaimed, nearly choking on her drink.

"The little girls do not run around naked?" I asked, still laughing.

"I cannot say that they do."

"Thank you Lady Belethiel," I said to the woman who emerged into the sunlight. "Take the afternoon for yourself."

Shuk was doing a little dance on the edge of the pool because while he did not respect many rules, he knew he was not to get into the pool alone.

I walked toward him and he leapt in, no trace of fear within him. He came up spluttering and I held him in my arms, gliding him through the water.

While we cooled ourselves, a servant came out and refilled Vanya's glass as well as bringing out a fresh pitcher of spring water for myself and Shuk.

Vanya watched the woman walk away, unable to take her eyes from her. "Did you dress like that?" she asked, finally looking back over at me.

I laughed once more. "I did. When I was younger and not so ravaged by childbearing."

"Ravaged," Vanya scoffed.

"I could loan you one of my old outfits if you would like," I offered.

She looked scandalized. "I could never. Beinion would-"

"Would very much enjoy it in private, I imagine," I finished for her. "He seems to like a great many other parts of Haradrim culture."

I had treated Vanya and Beinion to the luxuries that my home had to offer. Their rooms were some of the nicest in the palace and they were covered in luxurious woven rugs, fine silks and cushions, and the most delectable refreshments were always available. I had also sent them to our spring baths and steam rooms where they had indulged themselves and even been pampered with long massages.

"You do have the mumak ride tomorrow. You could either wear it as you will be alone then or wear it after," I said suggestively.

"Perhaps," she said vaguely.

Eventually, the sun began to drop in the sky and Shuk and I turned into prunes. Vanya had departed with a royal blue outfit of mine and I could not help but smile as I guided Shuk to the steps.

My body felt extremely heavy after having been in the water most of the afternoon. I took a deep breath before I reached for a linen towel, pressing my hands into my lower back.

I dried Shuk's curls with his own towel and then we made our way into the nursery to dress him for the evening. He seemed to favor the light clothes and liked most the linen pants and vests that left his little rounded belly exposed.

"Been swimming?" Aragorn asked as he entered our chambers and found me in our rooms, towel drying my own hair.

"It is the only place there is any respite," I said, glancing at him in the mirror. "How was your day?"

"Exhausting," he replied. "I imagine Adnan feels the same."

I did not say anything. In three days, we would be sitting through the ceremony that would turn my son officially into the Crown Prince of Harad. Aragorn, Baran and my father had been working through the ceremony details and helping Adnan to understand what would be required of him that day.

My father had also been keeping Adnan with him during the days so that he would understand a little better what it meant to be King of Harad. Aragorn did not have to, but he stayed with my son to give him some comfort and confidence.

"I have arranged for a private meal tonight. For just the four of us," Aragorn said, stepping closer to me. He carded his fingers through my wet hair and pulled so I was looking up at him.

"You should be proud of him. He is doing quite well with all of this."

I nodded and then rested my head on his chest. "I am very proud of him."

Aragorn kissed the crown of my head. "How are you feeling?" His hands travelled so they were cupping my belly.

"Miserable," I laughed. "Excited. Nervous. Depends on the hour of the day."

"It will be over soon enough."

I looked up at him and saw a flash of concern, but he masked it just as quickly.

I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "All will be well. Do not fret."

"Mother!"

I pulled myself away when I heard Adnan enter our chambers. He had slowly gotten used to having his own space, but when he could be, he was in ours.

A smile took over my features when I saw him in his Haradrim clothes. I took his face in my hands when I got close enough and kissed his forehead. "You grow more handsome every day. You look just like your father."

"Mother," he groaned.

"I am going to kiss you until you are a man grown and long after that so you will just have to deal with it."

Aragorn laughed behind us.

"Go wake your other son," I bid Aragorn. "Or he will never sleep tonight."

Aragorn went and I guided Adnan to the table. "Strider tells me your days have been very busy since we've arrived. That you are learning much."

"I am," he replied, filling his plate as Aragorn came back out with Shuk on his hip.

Immediately, my youngest, at least for another week or so, was reaching for me.

"It is fine," I told Aragorn, who reluctantly dropped him onto my lap, though he had to struggle to make room for himself.

All through dinner, Aragorn and Adnan chattered about the ceremony and the celebration that would follow. There were many aspects involved that my husband was unfamiliar with and so they were learning together.

I remained quiet as we ate, staring at my eldest son. He truly did resemble his father a great deal which got me to thinking.

"I am going to have Baran take me to his mother's tomorrow," I said to Aragorn when the boys were in bed. "There is something she has that I would like to give Adnan for the ceremony."

My husband merely raised an eyebrow in my direction.

"You may come if you like."

He shook his head. "I do not think that will be necessary. I will stay with Shuk."

ooooOoooo

Baran met me in my chambers late the next morning. "You wished to see me, Your Majesty?"

The coldness in his voice briefly took me aback.

"I did. I was hoping you might have the time to escort me to your mother's today."

He studied me for a moment. "We can go now if you are ready."

I nodded and gathered a few of my things, slipping into a pair of sandals before leaving. The one good thing about being in Harad so heavily pregnant was that the footwear was the only thing that could accommodate my swollen extremities.

Baran did not say a word to me as we walked through the city. We had only exchanged the briefest of pleasantries since our arrival. He was actually spending more time with my husband and I hoped he was cordial in front of my father and Adnan at the very least.

When we reached the house where my husband had grown up, my mother-in-law pulled the door open and greeted me with a wide smile.

We embraced as best we could and then her wrinkled hands were on my huge belly and she was still smiling up at me, though there was sadness in it.

I understood for every time I was in Harad it was impossible not to think of my first husband and what our lives might have looked like if it hadn't been for the War. Lying awake in the heat of the night, I wondered where I would be if things had gone differently. My mother-in-law did the same, thinking of the other grandchildren she might have had.

I squeezed her hands and she looked up at me.

"Where is Adnan?" she asked.

I slipped back into Haradrim. "I have come without him because I am hoping to surprise him."

The wizened old woman led me into her home and we stood before the portrait of my first husband.

"Adnan looks just like him," I said quietly.

"There is a spark in him that comes straight from you. Jibran was dedicated and loyal, but Adnan's fire is from his mother entirely."

I smiled down at her. "Thank you."

"Have you come for the portrait?" she asked.

I remained silent for a moment. "Only if you can bear to part with it," I said. "I was hoping Adnan might have it in his rooms. He will need his father's dedication all too soon."

"Of course I want him to have it," she replied. "I will just have to visit the palace when I want to see it."

"You have always been welcome there," I said. "Whether I am there or not. He is just as much your grandson as he is the King and Queen's."

She gestured at Baran to remove the portrait from the mantle. When he had, a guard stepped forward to carry it back. I instructed him to take it to my rooms first.

"But I will be there for a couple of months until I am ready to travel back to Minas Tirith and I hope you will visit me too."

She nodded. "It has been long since I have held a newborn. Nearly ten years."

"I will be glad of the extra hands," I admitted.

ooooOoooo

As we entered the palace once more, Baran went his own way and I headed back for my rooms. As I opened the doors, I heard someone coming towards me down the corridor and looked up to see Beinion and Vanya.

Both of their faces were flushed and I noted that Vanya was wearing the blue outfit I had given her. Much of her body was exposed.

"Did you enjoy the mumak ride and your picnic?" I asked.

Both of them could only nod and give brief thanks to me for arranging it. They seemed in a hurry to get back to their rooms, so I would torture them no longer, disappearing into my own chambers with a laugh.

ooooOoooo

Two days later, I was up with the sun and on my way to Adnan's room to see him before his ceremony. It was his tenth birthday.

"Good morning," I said brightly, trying to mask my own feelings, as I came into his bedroom where he was still lying in bed.

I sat down heavily and rubbed his back. "Come now. You have a big day ahead of you." A servant had followed me bearing a tray for his breakfast. I took it from her and sat it across his legs as he sat up.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked.

He shrugged and I knew he was nervous. I was too, but we did not need to speak of it if he did not want to.

When he was finished eating and had risen to wash up and get dressed, I beckoned for the guard to enter that had carried the painting with us.

"Adnan," I called.

He popped his head out of the washroom.

"Come here. I have a gift for you." He joined me and the guard turned the painting around so that my son could see it. "It is a birthday gift and a gift to mark your first day as the Crown Prince of Harad."

"Is that my father?" Adnan asked, studying the image closely.

A pang went through my heart. He had been so young when his father had died and so much time had passed since then.

"It is. He was very dedicated to Harad and her people," I said. "Many traits of his will serve you well during your reign, but none more than that one."

Adnan clasped his hands behind his back. "I will make you both proud of me, Mother."

"You already have," I said, kissing the top of his head and blinking back tears. "Now you should run along to Jidd's to prepare with him. I will see you in the great hall."

When Adnan was gone, I sat on the foot of his bed and studied the portrait where it leaned against the huge fireplace in Adnan's bedroom. It would be hung in the proper spot before he returned from the festivities that night.

I was already dressed and ready for the day, so I allowed myself to sit and stare at the painting. I prayed to Jibran that day, begging him to watch our son when I could not and to lead him to be the type of ruler Harad needed. I told him how wonderful our son was, how much he had grown, and that I still missed him.

"Mama!"

I jumped in fright when I heard my youngest and I turned to see him on Aragorn's hip in the doorway to Adnan's bedroom.

"I am sorry," Aragorn said. "We were trying to be quiet. Or I was anyway."

I gave a light laugh and glanced once more at the portrait before joining Aragorn and Shuk and making our way to the great hall.

Aragorn stopped us before he opened the doors for us to enter. "I love you," he said. "And I am here for you all day and for as long as you need afterward."

I gave a resolute nod and then we entered. Everyone rose and showed their obeisance and we made our way to the seats in the very front of the hall.

Shortly after we were settled, my father, Adnan and Baran emerged into the hall and we all stood again, bowing to the King and new Crown Prince.

My father indicated that everyone should be seated before he began the ceremony. Sacred words were spoken about the important role of a King of Harad, the bright future he saw for Adnan and our people, and encouragement for the young boy as he began this new journey.

My father asked my son if he understood what was being asked of him and if he accepted the burden and the challenge of being the King of Harad one day.

"I do," Adnan said and I was pleased to hear his voice ring out clear and true.

"Then today we shall cut your youthful curls. Today you leave that boy behind and become the man who will lead our people when I am no more."

Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I could not wipe them away fast enough.

Adnan sat in a low chair and my father picked up a straight razor.

I gasped when the first clump of his curls hit the ground. Aragorn took my hand with his free one and squeezed it.

When it was all over, a young man sat where my baby boy had been just a quarter of an hour before. With his shorn hair, he looked years older.

Adnan stood. "I would welcome everyone to join me for feasting and entertainment. Let us take some fresh hair while the room is prepared."

Everyone made their way into the gardens while tables were brought out for the meal.

I had to make my presence known in order to get to my son. Nearly everyone had lined up to pay their respects to him, already trying to garner his favor.

"The princess, the princess," they murmured as I made my way to Adnan.

"Your Majesty," I said, when I finally made it. No longer was he "Your Highness." He would be a king one day. I curtsied as best as I could in my condition.

Adnan shook his head. "Not you, Mother. Never you."

"You handled yourself very well," I said quietly, running my hands over the prickles of his very short hair. "Like a man."

ooooOoooo

We feasted and celebrated late into the night and even though I was exhausted I did not want to miss a second of it. I did not want Adnan to think I had left him on the most important day of his life and so I stayed up with everyone else.

Two days later, I felt as though I was still recovering from the late night. So was everyone else. Vanya, Beinion, Legolas, Gimli and Adnan were all in my chambers and we were lazing about in the cool interior rooms after breakfast.

My lower back ached and I could not determine if it was from the celebration or something else so I did not say anything. As the morning went on though, the pain began to come in waves and moved into my belly and hips as well.

"Excuse me," I said, standing with Aragorn's help. I did not offer any explanation as I disappeared into our bedchamber.

I let out a deep breath I had been holding as I paced at the foot of the bed and rubbed my swollen stomach. When I had stood up, I felt how much the first babe had lowered, ready to make its entrance.

A quarter of an hour later, Aragorn came to check on me and when he saw me pacing with my hands pressed into my lower back he rushed to my side. "Is it time?"

I nodded. "You will have to tell everyone I am sorry to ruin the day."

Aragorn waved his hand. "I have already sent them away. Adnan went to his rooms and Shuk is with Lady Belethiel."

I groaned as my muscles tightened stronger than they had before.

"Should I fetch Miriel?" Aragorn asked. I thought it sounded as though he were nervous.

"Not yet. We have some time," I said, although things seemed to be progressing faster than they had before, but I had been told that might be the case with my third full term labor, especially with the recent travel and celebrating.

"What can I do?" Aragorn asked helplessly.

I inhaled deeply and held my breath, eyes closed, as another pain passed through me. "Just be here the whole time," I said quietly.

I had not let myself think of my previous two deliveries while pregnant with the twins, but as I prepared to deliver fear crept in and my heart pounded. I would not survive another delivery like Arathorn's or having to leave my childbed without two babes in arms.

"I will never leave you," he promised. "And all of us will get through this."

An hour passed and I had begun to sweat from the pain, exertion and heat. I was still pacing around in my slip when the worst pain yet tore through me. I hit my knees next to our bed and folded my arms on the mattress, my hips swaying back and forth in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

Aragorn knelt behind me and began to knead my back with a good bit of pressure. I moaned and let my head fall back on his shoulder.

As the pains grew worse, Aragorn let his hands slip under my belly to give my back a break from the weight. He rubbed the stretched muscles there and I was grateful for what little relief he could offer. I looked down and noticed his tattoo and then the bracelet I had given him a few birthdays past.

Before the blazing sun of Harad sat the White Tree of Gondor and I thought ironically that I was truly, in that moment, doing the work of bringing our houses together.

I did not realize how fast things were moving, until I felt my waters break. "Fetch Miriel!" I exclaimed, bending around my stomach and straining, my body urging me to push. "Quickly!"

Aragorn looked at me in a panic for a moment and then was on his feet, running out the door.

By the time they returned, I had already been pushing, unable to stop myself or wait for the midwife.

"Everything is fine, Your Majesty," Miriel said gently as she approached and rested a soothing hand on my shoulder before doing anything else. The process was already so unlike when Shuk had been born.

"The first one," I began, before grunting in pain.

"I can see that."

"I do not want to move," I said when it had passed.

"You do not have to."

Aragorn was kneeling next to me, but I moved him so I was facing him and then I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, leaning forward into him as I pushed with everything I had.

While Miriel was behind me, guiding our first babe into the world, Aragorn was rubbing my back and whispering in my ear.

"That is it," he said, as my body tensed once more and I bore down. My hands moved so they were gripping Aragorn's arms hard as I pushed his child into the world.

"One more just like that," Miriel said in her soothing voice. "And the first one will be here."

"One more," Aragorn echoed. "You are doing amazing."

I was lost in a haze of pain, but when my body told me to push I did and I felt the sweet release of being free of the first infant.

"A boy," Miriel said, grinning as she wiped the tiny body down. "And he looks very healthy."

When the afterbirth had been delivered, Aragorn helped me so that I was in our bed, propped against the pillows. Miriel handed the first bundle over to us and I smiled down at my third son. The pains for his twin had not yet started.

Aragorn had tears streaming down his face as he looked into the bundle at his son. He pulled his hands and feet out of the blanket so that he could check for himself that everything was well.

We had only a few moments before I had to hand the baby back and get to work on the second one.

"I am so proud of you. Just once more."

"It should be easier, Your Majesty," Miriel said from where she was kneeling at the foot of the bed.

Aragorn wiped at my face and neck with a cool rag, but once more I felt the urge to push and so I took his hand in mine and squeezed.

Miriel had been right. The second one was easier and after a few pushes, another baby boy came sliding into her hands.

"Four boys!" Aragorn exclaimed with a watery laugh.

Both were handed back to us and Miriel tended to me, but there was no such damage as there had been when Shuk had been born.

"I am so proud of you, Mareke," Aragorn said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Thank you for letting me be here."

I tore my eyes away from the two babies, just long enough to press a firm kiss to Aragorn's lips.

"What will we call them?" Aragorn asked.

They looked just as Shuk had when he had been born and I knew they would grow to look just like their father. Fat tears rolled down my cheeks. I had waited so long for them and with them in my arms I was overcome with gratitude and love.

"Rainion," I said, indicating the one Aragorn held. "And Rilien."

"Perfect," Aragorn said.

Aragorn and Miriel helped me to my feet so that the bedsheets could be replaced with fresh silk ones and I could change into a clean slip and then I was resettled. The twins began to fuss.

"This will take a little more work than the first two times," Miriel said. "But nothing we cannot figure out."

She adjusted Rilien so that I was cupping his head with one hand and his legs were going toward my back. She then helped me slip free of the shift so that I could nurse. After that, she put Rainion in the same position on my other side and they both latched and suckled happily.

"They are small, but it looks like we will have very little issue in getting their weight up," Miriel said.

Aragorn sat next to me and wrapped an arm around me, pressing a kiss to my bare shoulder, silently watching his sons.

When they were through, Aragorn helped me readjust myself and them so I was cradling them both.

"Shall I bring Adnan and Shuk in?"

I took a deep breath. "Now or never."

The sun had set, but Aragorn seemed to think that everyone would still be awake.

Adnan came in first and I beckoned for him to join me. He sat on the edge of the bed very still and quiet, just looking for a moment.

After he had gotten over his initial dislike of his younger brother, he had been very good with him as he had with all of the other babies that had joined our group over the years.

"Would you like to hold one of your brothers?" I asked.

Adnan reached his arms out and took Rainion expertly. I told him their names and then I just studied him.

The short hair was still jarring to me and in that instant I could see what he would look like when he had a child of his own.

A moment later, Aragorn came in with Shuk on his hip and they sat on the other side of the bed.

"These are you brothers, Shuk," my husband said. He reached for Rilien and held him so that Shuk could see, but was not bearing any of the babe's weight.

We all watched the child who had been the youngest until a mere hour before to see what he would do. He looked at the bundle skeptically and then up at his father who gave him an encouraging nod. Shuk sat there indifferently, which was better than what I had imagined he might do. "Babies," was all that he said.

Lady Belethiel had trailed in behind Aragorn and she stood at the foot of the bed watching us with tears in her eyes.

"You will certainly have your hands full in the nursery," Aragorn said with a chuckle.

"I will be glad of it," she said.

Shuk slipped off his father's lap and went with her as she bid him to go to bed. Adnan handed Rainion back to me and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"I love you," he said quietly.

"More than you will ever know," I responded before he left.

"Everyone else can wait until tomorrow," Aragorn said, reclining once more against our pillows. "Are you alright?" he asked, looking over at me.

"Tired, but I have never been happier."

"They were worth the wait," he responded quietly.

We were both in a trance, staring at the bundles we both held. After they had been fed and handed around to their brothers they had gone back to sleep without a fuss.

"We should rest while we can," Aragorn suggested with a chuckle. "Things have certainly changed today."

There you go! I hope you loved it! I can't wait to read your reviews! So many people have shared great ideas for this story and I hope everyone continues to do so! I love a good head canon!

I have this crazy urge to write another story about Mareke and it's dying to come out, but let me know if you think it would be too confusing to read two simultaneously.

Happy reading,

Avonmora