Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)
Title: Baby (#1406)
Author: poetrywithwings
Chapters: 1
Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: The king finds himself in a perilous situatiion that involves niether swords nor battle armour
Published: 27 Nov 2004
Updated: 27 Nov 2004
Warnings:
Type: General
Characters: Aragorn
Chapter 1 - Baby
“Does it usually take this long?” his voice is anxious and impatient. The guard outside the door just smiles. Inside, a groan is heard.
“I should be in there,” he says. As he motioned toward the door, there is a sharp cry. “Perhaps not.” The guard smiles again.
“The first time is always the hardest, sir.”
He looks up, lost in his thoughts. “What?”
The guard shifts on his feet. “I said, sir, the first time is always the hardest.”
“What is your name, soldier?”
“Bariyn, sir, though I am no longer a soldier. It seems age has gotten the best of me,” he says, running his hand through the few strands of grey hair that strategically covered a bald spot.
“You say all this is normal?” his voice is laced with uncertainty.
“Yes, sir, I have four of my own, so I’ve seen this all before.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Is, is it very painful?”
Bariyn frowns. “Well, I wouldn’t know from personal experience, sir.”
“Of course, of course…” he too shifts uncomfortably.
Bariyn continues. “But, I’ve heard it is quite agonizing, my lord.”
Inside, someone shouts for water.
Bariyn winks. “Sounds to me like it’s almost time.”
The door opens.
He stands up.
It quicky closes again.
He sits back down.
Never before, has he felt this helpless.
He has commanded armies, killed carnivorous beasts, fought numerous battles, but never before has he been able to do nothing.
Inside, someone is pouring water.
He feels Bariyn’s hand on his shoulder. “She is strong, my lord. Do not worry.”
“I am not worried,” he says, but the words come out soft and shaky.
Finally, a heavy sigh is heard, followed by a high pitched wail.
He stands up so quickly, that he almost loses his footing.
“Congratulations, my lord.” Bariyn says, then turns to leave.
He watches the old man go, and reminds himself to thank him later.
The door opens and a host of tired looking women exit. They give him weary smiles.
Once they are all gone, he takes a deep breath.
The room is hot and smells of blood and lavender.
He sees her on the bed. Her eyes are closed. In her arms lies a dark haired bundle.
She smiles as he approaches. He thinks she has never looked more beautiful.
His eyes grow hot and wet.
“Don’t cry my love,” she says as he sits down beside her, though her own eyes are full.
She takes his hand in hers, and tenderly hands the baby to its father.
He looked down at the child and sees her.
“He is ‘of the Elves’,” Aragorn whispers.
Arwen smiles as she watches her husband and her son.
“Eldarion,” she breathes softly, “What a gift you are.”
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