Arwen rolled over and snuggled against her husband’s side. She was exhausted, not only from the verbal battle of wills the previous night, but because of the slow, gentle and complete loving she had insisted upon following the banquet, and the little spat with her husband.
The Queen, after having been carried to bed, had insisted in drawing her husband into the most possessive and intimate of embraces. To her delight, and his continued health, he offered no resistance
Slim fingers trailed lazy circles along his stomach and he pressed his lips into her ebony hair.
“Good morning,” he said, arms tightening around her shoulders as she snuggled closer into his embrace.
“Mmm. Yes.” He could feel her smile against his chest and threaded his fingers through her hair.
“Feel better this morning?” He risked asking the question, since she was so relaxed and comfortable in his arms.
“Oh yes. It’s amazing what a night in your arms can do for a woman.”
Aragorn chuckled and tilted her head up so that he could look into her eyes. He bent slightly to press his lips to hers as one hand slid down across her stomach to gently cradle the life within. The connection between them deepened and she pressed closer, feeling the babe within tumble as it felt its father’s touch.
“Ahh,” Aragorn sighed when they parted. “Would that I could remain here with you like this for the entire day.”
Arwen returned her head to his shoulder and muttered something he couldn’t quite catch. “But, I must find the strength to extricate myself from my beautiful wife’s embrace, and attend court.” He didn’t mention he would be spending most of the day smoothing out relations with the visiting Easterlings, possibly damaged by last evening’s discussion.
“They will be there.” It was not a question.
Aragorn winced but found his voice quickly enough to avoid a scathing remark from his wife. “Yes, the Easterlings are going to be here for a few more days yet.”
“I will attend court with you.” Arwen pushed herself up, her ebony hair falling about her shoulders, the only thing covering the swell of her growing breasts.
She slipped out of bed and he lay back and simply watched, intoxicated by the beauty that was his, and his alone. How anyone could think that another could compare to the woman standing so gloriously naked before him, was sorely misinformed about his love for his wife.
Out of the corner of her eye, Arwen could see him staring at her. She turned to her husband and favored him with a smile that would have made his knees weak, had he been standing.
“You are well enough?” Aragorn finally said, feeling his body grow aroused by the mere sight of his wife’s round form.
“Far better than I was last night.” She smiled and sashayed to her dressing room, quite aware of the crystalline eyes that followed her every movement.
Aragorn groaned and pushed himself out of bed. There was no time this morning for another round of sweet loving. It would have to wait until evening. Unless, of course, another emotional tirade overcame his wife and he found himself sleeping on the floor rather than in the bed.
---------------------
“My Lord,” Imrahil, trailed by his two sons, walked determinedly into the King’s private office.
Aragorn glanced up from his paperwork as the three men came to a halt when they noticed Arwen sitting beside her husband.
“My Lady,” The men bowed deeply, surprise etched into their faces at seeing Arwen in the King’s office.
“Arwen will be joining Council today.” Aragorn answered before they had a chance to ask. “I’m finishing up some paperwork and will be right out.”
“I’d like to discuss something with you before Council begins.” Imrahil took a seat, flanked by his sons, when Aragorn extended his hand.
“Of course, what about?” Aragorn set down the quill and gave the three men his undivided attention.
“This Easterling gift.”
Aragorn didn’t even need to glance at Arwen to feel her tense at the mere mention of the ‘gift’.
“Yes?”
“I’m not sure I like the idea of blending the bloodlines of my house with those of an Easterling King.”
“I see.” Aragorn said.
“I respectfully request that the girl be sent to one of the rulers of Lossnarch or Lebennin.”
“And how do you think the Easterling Ambassador, not to mention his King, would feel about his daughter being pawned onto one after the other of our nobles?” Aragorn asked slowly.
“May I speak freely, My Lord?”
Aragorn’s eyes narrowed but he nodded. “Of course.”
“You pawned her off first. Unwilling to take her into your household, regardless of the services she was brought here to perform. “ As Imrahil began to continue, Aragorn held up a silencing hand.
“I see your point and I understand your concern. Until treaties are made between our peoples, I will not agree to allow the King’s daughter to remain in Gondor.”
A knock at the door interrupted further comment, and Aragorn answered, “Yes?”
Faramir and Eowyn walked into the room, glanced at Imrahil, Arwen and then Aragorn and grinned. “I assume you are all discussing matters of what to do with this gift Aragorn has been so graciously given?”
“Yes.” Arwen answered simply and every man in the room cringed inwardly at the hostility in the tone of that one little word.
“No decision has been made as of yet. I will decide when we have signed the treaties between our two nations.” Aragorn answered, his tone hardening as he became tired of discussing this issue.
“Then since you have not made a decision,” Eowyn began, eyes flicking to Arwen before continuing, “I respectfully request that this child not be sent to Ithilien.”
Aragorn chuckled and shook his head. “No one wants this girl, I see.” Aragorn ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “Thank you for your support,” He favored each of them with a slow look. “It is most appreciated.” The sarcasm in his voice dripped like venom.
When they all opened their mouths to defend their actions, Aragorn stood, silencing them all with an annoyed glare. “I will take care of it.” Offering his arm to Arwen, they walked out of the room, leaving them to stare after the King and Queen, shamed by their requests and reactions to this new, unwelcome, development.
------------------
“You are not intending to let this child remain in the Citadel?” Arwen asked as Court adjourned for the mid-day meal. The royal couple was expected to dine with the Ambassador and his party but Arwen had pulled her husband into his office and cornered him with a scathing look. “She had not been happy with the way the discussions had begun to favor the Easterlings.
“What would you have me do, Arwen?” Aragorn asked, throwing his hands in the air. “My most trusted advisors and friends will not take her. They do not want their family blood mingled with that of the Easterlings. I cannot send her to one of the lesser regents. It would insult their King should I even attempt to send her to someone who is not as close to the crown as possible. I cannot and will not keep her here.” He whirled on his wife, exhaustion and exasperation etched into his features. “If you have a better idea, I am willing to hear it.”
“We all know the reason the Easterling King has sent his daughter here. As the King of Gondor, you know, as does their King, that you would be wise to accept his gift and not risk a sundering of the new treaties.” Arwen began, absently running her hands over her swollen stomach. “You know the traditions of their people. They, presumably, know ours – the taking of one wife and no other.” Her eyes hardened, reassuring herself and warning him, all in the tone of her voice. Arwen scowled and turned away. “You have no choice but to offer her a place within the Citadel.”
Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that his beautiful wife understood the rock and hard place that he was most thoroughly stuck between. Hope gleamed in his eyes as he spoke. “You could make her one of your attendants.”
Wrong suggestion and Aragorn had realized it a split second too late.
Arwen whirled and raised her hand, ready to slap him for the mere suggestion.
Aragorn blinked and caught her hand as it sailed toward his cheek. “Melda, I’m sorry. I should not have suggested it.”
“I’m sure you’d very much enjoy watching this young maid care for me as my body swells daily with your babe!” She screeched, uncaring as to who heard them through the doors or walls.
“Arwen-” Aragorn took a step towards his wife but she backed into his desk and held out her hand.
“Don’t-”
A knocking at the door distracted the couple from their argument and Aragorn called out, in frustration, “What is it?”
It was his guard. “Is everything all right, My Lord?”
“Fine!” Aragorn called and returned his attention to his wife.
“Arwen, listen to me-”
“Listen to what? You attempt to dig yourself out of this hole you’ve created for yourself?” Arwen’s fists were white as she clenched them at her sides.
“Then tell me. Where would you have me put her – in this household? It must be a position befitting her station!” Aragorn growled in frustration. “She is the daughter of a King!”
He raised his hand as Arwen opened her mouth. “And don’t tell me to put her in my bed! You know that is the last place I would ever want her!”
Tears slipped down Arwen’s cheeks, despite her efforts to stop them. This raging change and fluctuation in her body, her emotions, was beginning to sap her strength.
“I don’t know! You are the King! You must make the decision!” She seethed and pushed passed him toward the door.
Aragorn shot a long-suffering look at her back as she pulled open the door and stomped out of the office. If he survived his decision, these last two months were going to be the longest of his life.
.
Aragorn, in his distraction didn't see Legolas and Gimli nearly mowed over by the furious queen.
"What was that all about?" Gimli asked, foregoing all protocol and decency by asking about an obviously personal matter between the King and his wife.
Legolas scowled at the Dwarf and closed the door behind him, preventing the guard from hearing their discussion.
"I can guess, if the rumors I've heard are true." Legolas grinned slowly as Aragorn winced.
"Have you indeed been given an Easterling child to - use - until Arwen is able to-"
"Enough!" Aragorn threw up his hands in exasperation and skulked to the other side of his desk. "Yes, the Easterling Ambassador presented the girl to me as a gift at the banquet last evening." Aragorn sank into his chair and rubbed his face with his hands.
"Ahh, so that is why Lady Arwen is so upset." Gimli nodded and began to chuckle. "I don't envy you in your attempt to keep the household peace, Aragorn!"
"Never thought Court life would be like this, did you?" The mirth in Legolas' eyes could not be mistaken and Aragorn scowled at his friend.
"This is most certainly not funny, Legolas." Aragorn sighed and Legolas stared at his friend, seeing the weary look in his eyes as well as the uncertainty.
"What can we do to help?" Legolas asked and Gimli's head snapped toward his friend. Did Legolas just say 'we'?
"Unless you can reverse time and make this situation cease to exist, there is nothing that you can do." Aragorn sighed.
"You need a noble to take this girl off your hands, correct?" Legolas asked, already knowing the answer to his question.
"That would be so very nice," Aragorn nodded and then frowned when he thought of his most trusted and closest of that classification and their reaction when he'd mentioned it. "They, however, have an aversion to adding Easterling blood to their family lines. The ambassador will not release the girl into a lesser noble's custody."
"Can't blame them," Gimli muttered. “They sent this child to you under guise as a gift. You must know that.”
The two men stared curiously at Gimli as he continued. “Any other King concerned with peace between Gondor and its most despised enemy would have looked on this as a blessing. Tying the lines of Gondor and the East together would be a very impressive feat indeed.”
“I am not willing to blend my bloodline with the East.” Aragorn stated. “Yet if I am unwilling to do so, how can I ask it of others?”
“You are the King.” Gimli said aghast. “Your subjects must do as you command.”
“I am not a hard and unfeeling King, Gimli.” Aragorn said with a heavy sigh.
“It is too convenient.” Legolas offered in direct contrast to Gimli’s comments. “You would be setting yourself up for a coup attempt should you even consider blending the bloodlines of Gondor with this Easterling woman. When they sent their retinue, they could not have known the Queen was with child. Had she not been, the Easterling ‘gift’ could have looked like a quick way in which to produce an heir.”
“I know.” Aragorn nodded.
Gimli frowned knowing Legolas was right. But the Dwarf would never admit such things.
“Lord Imrahil must have some younger, unmarried sons, or cousins-”
“Too close to the succession of the throne for my, and Imrahil’s comfort.” Aragorn answered quickly.
"You're not helping, Gimli," Legolas glanced down at the dwarf before turning his attention to Aragorn. He smiled widely as a solution settled into the forefront of his mind. "Will you allow us to take her back to Ithilien?"
Aragorn's eyes snapped up and locked with his friend's even as Gimli gasped at the mere thought.
Legolas smiled. "I am a Prince, and a close friend to the King of Gondor. They may want to make an ally of the elves as well as of Gondor. And I am in no way in contention for the throne."
Aragorn smiled gratefully and stood. "My friend, if I can make them see the wisdom of your words, and you are willing to tutor this girl until such time as she is ready to return to her country, then I owe you an incredible debt of gratitude."
"I am willing." Legolas smiled warmly when his friend circled his desk and placed both hands on the elf's shoulders.
"Thank you for the offer. Perhaps I will not be banished from my own bedchamber after all."
“I must protest!” Gimli huffed from the vicinity of their knees.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and slowly dipped his head to stare at the Dwarf. “Oh?”
“Yes! An Easterling princess living in Ithilien would not be proper!”
Aragorn walked to the door and threw it open with a heavy sigh. “Join me please.”
Legolas nodded and followed the King, flanking him as Gimli brought up the rear, still muttering about the decision made completely without his consent.
“Legolas, you can’t possibly think to instruct this child in the ways of the elves, or let her live in Ithilien while we are out in the wild!”
Legolas glanced down at his friend as they continued to walk toward the dining hall, where the nobles and honored guests would be waiting for council to resume.
Gimli gasped. “Do you intend to cease your wanderings then! In favor of taking care of some child?!”
When they reached the doors, Aragorn turned to the Dwarf. No words needed to be said. The stern look in his eyes caused the Dwarf to cease his complaints.
As the doors opened, the King was announced, and all within stood to receive him.
---------------------
"Her royal
Highness, Queen Arwen Undomiel."
Aragorn stood immediately as his wife walked through the double doors leading
into the banquet hall. Her head was high, her jaw set and she looked at
no one as she walked toward her usual seat beside her husband.
At once, everyone stood, acknowledging the presence of the Queen. The
ambassador stood slowly, eyeing the woman with a carefully masked annoyance.
How any man could stand being in the same room with that woman, much less
married to her, baffled his mind.
Aragorn stared after his wife in wonder, having thoroughly convinced himself
that she would not be attending this evening’s meal. Especially after their - disagreement,
earlier in the day.
"I'm glad you could join us," Aragorn said quietly as he bent to
press a light kiss to his wife's cheek.
He didn't see the ambassador frown. But Legolas did. And so did Faramir.
"I was just about to inform the ambassador of my decision regarding his
most generous gift." Aragorn said in a clear voice that rang through the
assembled hall.
Councilors, advisors and nobles looked up from their plates, stopped their
conversations, and glanced expectantly at the King. Some eyes flicked toward
the Queen, others to the ambassador and the young charge who sat beside him.
The Ambassador smiled widely, an almost smug grin passing across his features
as he glanced at the Queen. He knew he had placed the King of Gondor in a very
uncomfortable position, and he hoped that it worked to his advantage. Arriving
in the White City to find an heir already firmly planted in the womb of the
Queen had changed the Easterling plan a bit, but not before the ambassador was
able to maneuver enough to cause dissention within the royal household.
"Prince Legolas of Ithilian has graciously agreed to take the lady under
his protection." Aragorn began, smiling down at Legolas as he indicated
his friend with a gesture of his hand. "She will receive the best
education in elven ways living among the elves themselves. For a time, she will
remain here in the care of the Queen's attendants."
"My Lord Elessar," The ambassador interrupted, and was rewarded with
a scowl from nearly every man present. "Our King has sent his daughter to you
as a gift, not to the elves."
"The elves are my family. I have elven blood. I have an elven wife."
Aragorn's eyes sparkled when he stole a quick glance at his wife. "As much
as I appreciate the gift your King has so graciously sent, I cannot personally
accept - for a great many reasons. Therefore, I will entrust her safety and
education to a most trusted friend, who is, himself, descended from the highest
nobility of the elves."
"My Lord-" The ambassador was aghast. He could not return to his
homeland with news that his King's daughter had been turned over to the elves
and not the King of Gondor as was intended.
"I have not finished, Ambassador." Aragorn said sharply, eyes
narrowing. "Half of our year she will remain in Ithilian, and half of the
year she will remain in Gondor. She will receive the best education in our
customs and ways as we can give her. What she learns, however, will depend on
how deeply her dedication."
"You will not take her as-"
Aragorn sighed. "I believe we covered this last evening. I have no need,
nor desire a concubine. My heart, my soul and my body belong to my wife and no
other." He gently took Arwen's hand and rubbed his thumb over the soft
skin. "If the lady should choose to take a husband, we will send word to
your King. She will not be forced in any way to make such a decision. Not in my
Kingdom."
The ambassador stared at the King, having lost his voice momentarily.
"I have no wish to offend your King, however, he has offended me and my
house with such a presumptuous gift." Aragorn's eyes flicked toward the
ambassador, driving home his point. Should the negotiations fail because of
this one issue, then it would not be by the fault of Gondor or its King.
"I have declined in the most polite way possible, and have consulted with
my advisors regarding this situation."
Said advisors glanced questioningly down the table at one another, knowing that
none of them had been consulted in this decision.
Aragorn turned a steady gaze on the Ambassador and said, "It is my hope
that our negotiations may continue as planned." The challenging look in
the King’s eyes did not go unnoticed and the ambassador swallowed nervously.
He did not have a choice. He would have to accept this decision until such time as an alternative plan could be devised.