Birth Marks

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A small jolt and then the carriage stopped. The flap was flipped aside and Aragorn slide out, pulling my limp body to the edge and then scooping me up before he ran up the steps of the main house.

Lord Elrond was on the steps waiting and rushed in after us, directing his son to a room of healing.

Tenderly, I was laid out, my head supported by a pile of plush pillows. Aragorn perched on the side by my head. Janith rushed in, talking all the while to Elrond. He was given some form of instruction and than slipped from the room.

"Legolas?" I looked into the gray eyes of my long time friend. "I will do all that I can."

Aragorn kissed my forehead as my clothes were stripped. Careful, elegant hands smoothed over my belly. The bandage was checked before it was disposed of and my hips now rested on a padding of extra sheets.

The Lord washed his hands in a basin, brought in by a Rine, a she-elf, who hovered in the corner of the room, waiting to be instructed.

My legs were gently bent as Elrond sat on the bed beside my hip. His fingertips brushed my opening and I shivered, not prepared for thnglingling and pressure as his fingers breached me.

My husband began using his own fingertips to sooth and comfort, drawing small circles on my forearm and inner elbow. I turned my head to the side and his worried eyes met mine, but he said not a word.

"Has the babe moved today?" The lord asked. I nodded, unable to speak for fear of losing control of myself, the lump in my throat threatening to break loose.

The bed shifted as Elrond finished and rose to wash his hands, leaving my legs bent and bare. He talked briefly to the lady, bowebowed before leaving, her long gown swishing as she walked.

Hands dried, the lord sat down again, resting one long hand on my belly. The silence stretched and then finally my legs were lowered and the heavy blanket pulled up to my chest.

"We shall wait and see."

Was that it?

My heart beat wildly again. I reached for Aragorn's hand seeking comfort from his strength.

"Janith will be bringing in a brew for you to drink." Elrond stood, looking at his son. Obviously some form of communication was occurring.

"You must drink it all and I shall warn you that it is bitter."

Aragorn stood now, patting my hand and kissing my forehead. "I shall return in a few moments."

I reached out for him as he moved away.

"Be at peace. I shall only be a moment." He assured, patting my hand once again.

Janith entered, a small tray balanced in his hands. Rine followed, taking a seat in a chair along the far wall.

"Ah, good." Elrond took the tray and sat it on my bedside table. A tumbler was filled with a pungent, dark liquid. "Drink and than rest. This will help you relax."

I took the cup, taking a small sip. The thick liquid coated my throat and slightly burned going down. I looked doubtfully at the tumbler.

"You must drink it, my Love. I shall return in a moment." My forehead was kissed again and all save the lady departed.

*~*~*~*

The room was cool and I was comfortable when I awoke. The windows had been opened and fresh, clean air circulated the room.

Aragorn was not with me. I remember him returning, sitting with me throughout the night and encouraging me to rest, to sleep if I could.

I shifted my head and noted the lady still sitting in the far corner. Rine caught my eye and rose quickly. "Can I get you something? Are you hungry?"

In fact, my stomach did not feel like it could hold food. It rumbled and rolled and every so often that burning feeling returned.

"Nay, my Lady." She smiled down at me, adjusting the blankets over my naked shoulders.

"Your husband will return shortly. He has only gone to eat at Lord Elrond insistence."

I sank further back into the comfort of the pillows, glad that Aragorn had taken some time to spend with his family and I wondered if any of his siblings would have arrived. I knew that my own father woulriverive by the end of the week and Gimli within a few days from then.

They all coming to celebrate the birth of our child; but now I did not know if there would be a child to celebrate.

Over the last several hours, the babe's movements had decreased and I found myself rubbing my own belly in hopes of awakening some movement.

Some time had passed, then a soft knock sounded and Lord Elrond entered, followed by Aragorn. My husband balanced a plate and cutlery in one hand and a pitcher in the other.

"I'm pleased to see you awake." My love dropped a small kiss on my waiting lips and the plates sat aside. "Let me help you sit up." Pillows were piled generously behind me and small stitches of pain bolted around my belly.

"How are you feeling, Legolas?" Elrond sat in a chair that was placed beside the bed, while Aragorn went about setting out my dinner.

"Better." I said. Aragorn made a small noise, meeting my eyes. "A little tired and sore, but mostly frightened," I corrected.

Elrond moved to the edge of his seat. "I know you are frightened, there is no shame in that. I must confess that I have done all that I can. You continue to bleed and the baby grows weaker."

My breath was gone; no sound came out when I opened my mouth.

My husband slipped into the bed beside me and I buried my face in his hair, laying my head on his shoulder. "Shhh." He soothrunnrunning calloused fingers though my hair. "We will get through this."

I shook my head, unable to comprehend. I would never get through the loss of my child.

"Come, eat and than we will talk more." Aragorn sat the plate on my lap, pouring a small amount of amber liquid into my tumbler. He handed me the cup, helping me raise the drink in my tremb han hands to my lips.

The lord of the house stood, slipping into the hall with Rine.

"Please, Legolas. Eat and regain some strength."

He took the cup and placed it on the table. I took a few small bites of the sweet cake, not really interested in the rest of the food on my plate. Aragorn took the cutlery and began slicing the venison into small pieces, lifting a chunk to my lips.

I opened my mouth, allowing him to feed me bits. I could sense my mate's need to help me in some way.

He seemed satisfied with my consumption, not arguing when I held up my hand to indicatat Iat I was full.

Aragorn cleaned up the remains of my dinner, placing the tray outside our door, and then returned to the bed. "I know that this news saddens your heart, but you must know that Adar will do all that he can."

I did know. Elrond had spent time assuring me that he wouldwhatwhat he could.

But would it be enough?

"Aragorn?" My love moved closer, his arm going over my shoulder and pulling me close.

I wanted to ask what would come next. I knew that he had spent time with his father and had discussed what was to come, but before I could question him, he began kissing my cheek, his other arm enfolding me in a tender embrace.

"Do not be afraid. All wil wel well."

I wished that I too could believe.

*`*`*`*

The following days were spent in this bed. I was not allowed to rise, to relieve myself, or bathe.

Aragorn had spent much time taking care of my needs; bathing me and helping me use the chamber pot. But mostly he would comfort me, allowing me to hold on to him and weep when it all became too much.The The child moved less and less and I could feel the babe slipping away. Today when I awoke, I knew that despite all our efforts, it would be to no avail. "Our time grows short."

Aragorn looked up from the book he was reading and the sadness of his expression made my heart flutter and skip.

I was determined that I would remain strong for my husband, as I knew that he had given that same oath.

Truly I did not want to break down again.

Surely I have no tears left to shed.

He rose from his chair, moving gracefully toward me with a small smile on his face. "I thought you were sleeping?"

I took his offered hand, feeling the bed sag as he sat next to me. "Adar was here already." Aragorn whispered. "You slept right through his examination."

"I can sleep no more." I looked to him, taking in the weary lines around his eyes and mouth. "You look as though you could use a rest."

He nodded, squeezing my hand. "I will rest. But not just yet." His hand snaked under my heavy blanket, coming to rest on my belly. "Can you feel him?"

Sadly I shook my head. "Nay, I can not."

He seemed to accept what I was saying. Only swallowing a few times before straightening up. "Adar thought that this might be the day."
He stood and went to the door.

A brief moment later, Elrond and Rine entered, moving to the bed.

"Legolas," the lord's face was mournful. "We must deliver the child."

What? A fresh panic seized my heart

"Legolas. Look at me please." I heard my husband's words, but could not lift my head.

"Please, Love." Aragorn's voice was deep, husky, and almost weepy. "I love you more than anything. If I could take this hurt from you, I would."

"Legolas? The child ot got going to live." Elrond's voice was soft, gentle, but I shook my head at his words. How could I allow this to happen?

"We will give you something to induce labor." Elrond nodded to the lady, who left the room. "We must deliver the child today."

"" M" My head shot up. "No, you can't."

"We must." The lord explained. "Soon the child will be lost. Alive or no, you will still have to expel the babe."

My mind would not accept what I was hearing. My baby yet lived.

"Legolas, it will not be long. I know you can sense this." Elrond had perched on the side of the bed, pulling down my covers. His hands rested on my belly, his eyes closed in concentration.

Rine returned, Janith standing silently behind her.

Elrond opened his eyes, looking at me and then to his son. "I am truly sorry."

Aragorn hugged me close and although my eyes burned, no tears came.

A flurry of actively went on a round me, but I paid no heed. Aragorn laid me back against my pillow and Elrond moved back to me, a canister held in his hand.

He took my wrist, rubbing in a light salve and than moved down to rub the herbal concoction on the underside of my belly. "That will lessen your birthing pains. I will return in a few hours."

Aragorn followed his father as he exited. I could see Elrond pulling him close, speaking in his ear. My love nodded, and then closed the door, returning to the bed.

"I want you to rest. Soon the pain will come." He sank down into his chair, holding his head in his hands.

I so wanted to comfort him.

If only I had any words of comfort.

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