New Beginnings

After several days of travel the procession finally made its way into the White City. Serethiel was overcome with memories of the first home she and Conleth had shared together which had been within Minas Tirith. They had only remained there a short time, but she held fond memories of it. She knew this change was going to be difficult for them at first since Gehenna had been their true home, but she felt in her heart that it was time to move on. Beren was ready to lead and she had been quite proud to watch he and Ithilwen swear their oaths of allegiance to Elessar and Nauriel in that early morning sunlight before the procession had left Gehenna. Nauriel had already spoken to her parents about their apartments and had told them that if there was anything they needed or wanted to ask her and she would get it for them. Nauriel wanted her parents to be as comfortable in their new home as possible.

Ariana heard the trumpets and picked up Meliara and walked out onto the balcony of her apartments to watch the procession. She smiled when she saw Einor and Meliara became quite excited as well. The toddler had become quite attached to him and was already starting to think of him as her father. She knew that Einor was going to talk to her father, but then they had both left for Gehenna, leaving her anxiously waiting to know what his answer was. The sun was shining brightly against the cloudless blue sky and Ariana caught Einor's eye and she smiled and waved him.

People lined the streets as the King passed the front gates. They cheered and threw white blossoms from baskets at them and onto the street before them. The guards looked around nervously however, there were just too many people to watch. “On the wall!” Einor Yelled and pointed. As he did Nauriel had leaned over to take a flower from a woman who moved up to give it to her. She felt the brush of the fletching and the arrow struck the woman in the throat and she fell back and clutched at her neck. Other women that had been near her rushed to try and help her but Nauriel knew she was going to die and quickly.

“FIND HIM!” Elessar yelled angrily. “BRING HIM TO ME!” The guards cloistered in on them and unlimbered their bows. A man fell from the wall and bounced as he landed, blood already pooling around his body. Elessar dismounted hastily and his action forced others to do the same. They ran as a group over to the man who was dressed in a soldiers armor and he bent down to pick him up. “Who are you!?” He growled but the man just smiled as blood leaked from his mouth. His eyes closed soon after and his body slumped never to move again. Elessar flung him back down, stood and took a good look around.

“Einor, I want every soldier and guard’s identity confirmed. If it can not be confirmed put them in the cells until it can be!” he commanded. “As you command my King,” Einor said and saluted him, fist to heart and bowed himself away to give the orders. When Nauriel straightened and pressed her hand to her neck she felt dampness there. When she examined her fingers there was a few drops of smeared blood on them from the fletchings. She caught Elessar’s gaze and he waited until she confirmed that she was alright.

“Keisel, Take 10 guards and escort my family to the palace,” He said to his Lieutenant and Keisel obeyed. Conleth, Serethiel, Kressara and Nauriel were beckoned to ride forward and the 10 guards Keisel pointed out moved their horses to surround them. They rode fairly quickly through the streets and several people had to jump out of the way.

Their presence outside of the palace always drew crowds, but even more people poured out onto the streets when word that Conleth and Serethiel were with them. Nauriel knew that a crowd of this size was dangerous and she could see the guards trying their best to keep an eye out for any ill activity. She saw a woman approach her with a flower. Nauriel smiled and bent over to take it from her. Suddenly, she heard Einor yell but before she could even react she felt an arrow graze her neck. To her horror she saw it pierce the woman's throat and she fell back onto the ground. Everyone around her began to scream and flee and chaos ensued. Looking over she saw a man dressed in soldier's armor laying on the ground. Her heart was racing and she looked over to make sure her daughter and parents were unharmed, not realizing that blood was dripping down her neck. She felt Elessar's gaze and she looked over at him and gave him a little nod to let him know she was alright. However, everyone knew that that arrow had been intended for her. She had very narrowly escaped death...again. She began to wonder when her luck was going to run out. She also wondered if there were more of these assassins out in the crowd. Thankfully, 10 guards were quickly assigned to escort them back to the palace. Nauriel rode on with the others and found a healer waiting to examine her. To everyone's relief it was determined to be just a flesh wound and it was bandaged to stop any further bleeding.

Ariana gasped as she saw everyone begin to run. She was too far to get a good look at what happened but she knew she needed to get down there or at least receive her family when they arrived. Her apartments were adjacent to theirs and she moved toward the double door that led into the main hall. She was dressed in a light blue, flowing gown, a very elegant dress with sheer silk panels on her arms and on the bodice which gave it a modern, unique look. She loved the newest styles and had quickly indulged herself when her mother had dressmakers working on her wardrobe. However when she opened the doors a soldier was there. When he saw her his eyes grew wide and he looked around nervously.

“Guardsman, what…” She began but she saw blood on his right hand and on his coat. At seeing that her eyes went wide and as if in slow motion he drew out his dagger then took a step toward her. A dark, grim expression on his face.

The only other time Ariana had been this afraid was when Meliara had been kidnapped. Her heart began to pound so hard in her chest that she thought it was going to burst. Her face paled when she saw the man with the dagger step towards her. Her mind began to race and she tried to remain as calm as possible. She instinctively took a step back and looked at him. She knew if she screamed that he would just kill her. She suddenly wanted Einor near her more than she ever had before.

A strange feeling filled Nauriel's heart. She wasn't sure how she knew it, but she knew that Ariana was in danger and she needed to get to her quickly. She grabbed the nearest weapon she could find, which was her mother's bow and quiver and she rushed down the hallway towards her apartments. As she turned the corner she saw him standing there before Ariana's chambers holding a dagger. She could hear Ariana pleading with him to let her go. She saw the man lift the dagger and she reacted. She fired the arrow, hitting him in the right shoulder. She wanted to leave him alive so he could be questioned. As the man stumbled back and fell she sprinted over and kicked the dagger out of his reach. She then pointed an arrow directly at his chest and glared at him.

"DON'T...MOVE!"

The man smiled up at Nauriel, a sly, knowing smile and then like a viper he grabbed for her arrow. She had no choice but to fire and struck him in the eye…

Ariana wasn’t crying but her heart was beating faster than it ever had. “Thank you mother, he would have…” She began but couldn't finish. Just then Nauriel heard footsteps coming down the hall quickly and she knocked another arrow. As the man appeared in the doorway however she knew immediately that it was Eldarion. Half of his face was covered in blood as well as his sword along with the two men that were with him. He doubled over panting, dark patches here and there stained his coat where he had taken wounds. “Oh thank the light,” he said in gasps, his hair stained with sweat and blood. In Nauriel’s mind that left only Calista and Elfwine.

They could all hear the sounds of men and horses moving and men shouting as if the entire city was in an uproar. In truth it actually was. Elessar had found 3 other assassins in amongst the soldiers and each one fought to the death or took his own life when he knew he’d be taken capture.

Nauriel was angry that she was forced to kill the assassin, but she had no other choice. She had hoped to take him alive for questioning, but it was now clear that they weren't going to be taken alive. Nauriel was just about to ask Ariana if she was alright when she suddenly heard footsteps. She whipped around and before she was even turned she had another arrow nocked and ready to fire. However, as the man rounded the corner she saw it was Eldarion. He appeared to have taken light wounds, but appeared alright. She looked over and saw to her relief that Ariana was now holding Meliara in her arms. That just left Calista and Elfwine...

Calista and Eldarion had been looking after Elfwine while his parents were gone. She only had a few days left until her due date and it was becoming increasingly difficult for her to do much more than sit or lie down. The twins both seemed to sense that something was happening and they began to kick like crazy. Calista could hear the screaming from outside the palace and she put Elfwine into a safe spot and told him to remain where he was. She then decided she was going to find out what was happening. She walked over to the door and opened it....

A guardsman fell into her then slumped down onto the floor. His back was soaked in blood and other guardsmen were out in the hall fighting with others that looked like guardsmen. It was insanity. What was happening? How is this happening?

Elfwine had the small dagger his big brother Eldarion had given him. He clutched it in his hand as he looked through the slats in the closet. He saw Calista step back as a wounded guard came into the room. He held a dagger of his own but what he didn’t understand was why Calista was afraid of him.

“Please...I’m pregnant!” She said desperately as she tried to reason with him. “The King’s seed will die taday!” He growled as he limped toward her. He slashed at her middle and Calista flung her arm out to deflect his cut from hurting her babes. She screamed   and began to throw anything to hand at the guard as she yelled for help. Her arm bled badly from a deep gash but she refused to let him hurt Eldarion’s babies, HER babies!

Elfwine was frightened but his papa always told him that it didn’t matter how big or how small a person was. All they needed was courage to do what was right. Well, he couldn’t let this man hurt Calista! He opened the closet as the man came down upon her, dagger poised to pierce her chest. But then his eyes grew wide and he tried to  reach at something behind him. Elfwine plunged his small dagger into the man’s back. It went in deep and he did it thrice before the man fell off of Calista. Elfwine backed up a few steps, blood falling to the floor from his dagger and just looked at the man cooly. Partly because he was so shocked at what he just did and partly because his courage had faded as soon as the man looked at him. However as the man tried to get up he found that he couldn’t and that’s when Calista smashed his head with a gilded statuette of Eldarion on his horse. The man fell to the floor and would never get back up again.

Calista just stared in shock at the dead man lying on the floor before her. He was dressed as a guard but it was clearly evident that he had not been. Her arm throbbed with pain and she looked down to see a deep gash that had gone to nearly the bone. That could have been her stomach...her babies. Shock quickly set in and her face paled and she began to shake. But then she suddenly felt a wetness running down her legs and heard what sounded like liquid hitting the floor. Looking down she realized to her horror that her water had just broken...she was in labor! She clutched her belly as the first contraction hit and she began to scream for her husband as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Eldarion!!!”

“I’ll go get help!” Elfwine squeaked in his tiny voice and then he ran down the hall. He burst into the palace and finding no one there he ran to find Ariana in her apartments. When he arrived he burst in without knocking and ran right up to her. “Princess Ariana! Princess Ariana! Calista is havin her baby!” he said in a breathless rush. “Hurry...Hurry! Please hurry!” He said in a high-pitched desperate tone and plucked at her sleeve. He still had his bloody dagger in his other hand and blood on his clothes as if he too had been attacked.

“She say to bring Prince Eldarion! Oh, what do we do!?” he squeaked in worry. Ofcourse there was Nauriel, Kressara, Conleth, Serethiel, Eldarion, Meliara and several guards in the main room with her but she was the closest to the door and he hadn’t seen everyone else in the adjacent sitting room.

Ariana was still in shock over what had happened and chaos had begun to ensue among the family. Serethiel was doing her best to keep everyone calm. Nauriel had just instructed Eldarion to go find Calista and Elfwine and bring them to Ariana's chambers when suddenly Elfwine burst through the main door and very nearly ran into Ariana. She was shocked when she saw the bloody dagger in his hand and she immediately took it from him and then ran into the next room.

"Eldarion! You must get to Calista now! She's gone into labor!"

“We all go,” Nauriel said and they all did go as fast as they could with guards all around them. Eldarion did run ahead however. When he saw the dead guards near the door his heart felt sick. The doors were open and he saw Calista on the floor, blood all over her and another dead guard next to her. “Calista!” He cried and ran to her side just as everyone else arrived. “Calista...what do I do? Are you alright?” he asked in a panic as he moved to press his hands against her wound. He saw the relief in her eyes and her distress. She was trying to breath as she had been taught but there was real fear in her eyes. Everyone else arrived and closed the doors and had the guards wait outside. Nauriel, Serethiel and Ariana went to work gathering hot water from the kettle, towels and bedding.

“Eldarion, take the kids and Conleth and wait in the sitting room please,” Serethiel said. “But I don’t want to leave her,” Eldarion said in protest. They all looked at Calista as if she would have the last say in the matter.

Just after Elfwine had left another "soldier" had tried to kill her. Thankfully, she had managed to get hold of one of Eldarion's daggers and she had fought for her life and the lives of her unborn children all while in labor. After killing the man she had sunk down to the floor as the pain in her lower belly became worse. Suddenly, she looked up to see Eldarion burst into their chambers. She was covered in blood and her arm was still bleeding badly. Calista's panic and stress levels were incredibly high and though she was trying to keep herself calmer her heart raced in her chest and her body shook. All around her people began to quickly gather whatever items they could. There was no chance they were going to be able to safely transport her to the healers. When Serethiel instructed Eldarion to leave Calista's panic increased even further. She grabbed hold of him.

"Don't leave me," she said as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Eldarion nodded and steeled himself to what other men had said was ‘The worst thing they had ever witnessed’. But he loved Calista, she was his wife, companion and best friend. He could do this, couldn’t he? He took her hand and let the other women take charge. “We’re not quite ready,” calista so don’t push...I know you want to but don’t, not yet. Just breath through the contractions honey,” Nauriel said. The other women were still in their dresses but they didn’t seem to care right then if they got soiled.

“What was Elfwine doing with that dagger?” Nauriel asked. “Was he injured too?” She asked to the room as she concentrated on Calista. They had her legs elevated and spread apart using a few large pillows under each leg. Just below her were folded sheets that, when soiled they’d carry away. Nauriel washed her hands in the hot water and dried them with the towels as they waited for Calista to quicken.

Calista was relieved to know that Eldarion was going to be remaining with her. She felt him take her hand and she held onto it tightly, taking strength from him. She was terrified and unsure, but with Eldarion with her she somehow felt that everything was going to be alright. Serethiel moved over to her and bandaged her injured arm. They would look at it more closely later, but for now she just wanted to stop the bleeding. Their main focus at this point was the babies. The pain began to grow worse and she gripped Eldarion's hand even tighter.

"He saved my life," she managed to answer. "I heard screaming and hid him in a closet. I started to leave to go find out what was happening when a man dressed as a soldier appeared. He had a dagger and he tried to stab me in the belly with it. I managed to block the dagger with my arm but he attacked me again. I don't know where Elfwine got the dagger, but he stabbed the man in the back with it..." Just then a harder contraction hit and she yelled out in pain.

Eldarion’s face went pale when she screamed but he held his own and did not pass out though he felt as if he wanted to. Hearing the women he loved in so much pain was difficult knowing there would be nothing he could do for her but to remain and be the rock that she needed. In between her contractions he spoke. “I gave it to him, I felt he was old enough,” he said.

Serethiel and Nauriel were consulting, they had helped birth many babies, especially Serethiel. One of the babies was turned just so that she’d have to dislocate it’s shoulder to get it out cleanly. After a few hours of hard labor Nauriel smiled up at Calista. “Ok Calista, I know you’re tired but I’m going to ask you to begin pushing now at the onset of each contraction. As they began they all coached her and breathed with her as she pushed hard. Doggedly they worked but it was another couple hours of that before they caught a glimpse of the first one’s head.

“Ok Calista, you’re crowning, give us a couple more hard pushes,” Serethiel said.

Elessar and Einor finally entered but then stepped right back out again upon seeing what was happening. Ariana went out to explain all that had happened and to check and make sure everyone was alright. That and to find out if Einor would be allowed to marry her. Elessar seemed to relax when he heard that everyone was more or less alright. Calista’s screams though were unsettling both him and Einor. Neither of the men said anything about the other subject though.

The hours seemed to drag on for Calista. The pain became worse and worse and her cries echoed through the hallways. Night had fallen and candles had been lit. Calista was exhausted and wanted it all to be over. However, through it all Eldarion remained by her side, never once leaving her. Finally, she was told to begin pushing harder. She pushed hard, screaming through each push, tears of pain streaming down her cheeks.

Just as the first baby was being born Ariana looked over to see her father and Einor step into the room. They both immediately stepped out again. Ariana quickly followed them out and told them all of what had happened.

"Father, what happened? Who were those men? Was their goal to kill us all?"

“I have a few ideas...they were assassins but they might as well be called soldiers. The people who sent them might not know it yet but war is coming to them,” he said in a grim tone. They had tried to kill his family, everyone of them. His wife, his children and grandchild. Elessar was like a knocked arrow now. All but ready to strike but he’d not say any more on the subject and instead turned to Einor.

“Well Captain, why don’t you tell her the good news, I’m going to speak to the lieutenant,” he said and stepped away from them. Einor’s eyes followed him as he stepped away then turned to regard Ariana who shifted to take hold of his hands. He looked down at her and she saw his hunted look from the recent events. But then he smiled. “He has agreed to the match my love,” he said happily and then lowered down his forehead to rest on hers. It wasn’t a perfect moment with the screaming in the background but it was a pretty good one, all things considered.

Ariana knew that in this moment peace had ended. She had never lived during a time when Gondor was engaged in war, but had heard enough stories from the last war to know that it was going to be difficult. She nodded, but remained silent as her father then went on to suggest to Einor that he tell her "the good news". She suddenly felt a wave of anticipation come over her as her father stepped away and left them alone. When Einor revealed that her father had agreed to the match a wave of intense happiness swept over her. She felt tears of joy come to her eyes. As Einor rested his forehead against her own she closed her eyes, soaking in this moment. She was happy and in love again. The feeling made her heart want to burst.

"I love you Einor."

Calista felt a sudden flood of relief and almost immediately there was the cry of a babe in the air. Everyone was smiles as Serethiel took the child and began to wash him off. Nauriel had tears in her eyes and happiness in her heart at seeing her new grandson for the first time Calista and Eldarion waited impatiently as Serethiel handed him to Nauriel and Nauriel took a selfish moment to look down at her family's future. Despite all that had just happened, this truly was what life and the good that she and Elessar had accomplished was all about. “Eldarion, Calista has given you a son,” she said as she handed the babe to Calista in white swaddling.

Conleth stood just off from Ariana and Einor and he was more than a little bit uncomfortable. “And I love you," Einor said softly and so wanted to kiss Ariana...and to be honest, much more but Einor noticed him and wondered who he was. “Who is that man?” he asked softly under his breath trying not to look at him. With all that had happened inside the walls today he was wary of every face he didn’t know.

Calista began to cry tears of joy and relief when she heard the cries of her first child...a boy. She turned her head to get a glimpse of him as Serethiel took him to wash him off. Her labor continued as she anxiously waited for a moment to get to hold him...even briefly. She held out her arms and when she felt him slip into them she began to cry even more. He was...perfect. She only was able to hold him for a few moments when she suddenly felt harder contractions and she knew her second baby was coming. She was exhausted, but seeing her first child had renewed her strength. She handed her son back to Nauriel just as a hard contraction hit.

Ariana smiled at Einor's words and wanted to hear him say it over and over again, but they needed to remain composed since they were in the company of her family. She glanced over at her grandfather when Einor asked about him. She smiled at him.

"That's my grandfather, Conleth Phelan. He and my grandmother, Serethiel Phelan, have come to live with us here. My grandparents are both skilled fighters, though unfortunately my grandmother's shoulder was injured by a wolf, which nearly killed her, and she can no longer use her bow."

Einor blinked. “That’s Lord Phelan? Oh my god...I’ve...I’ve only heard stories. Know him? I know all about him!” He said in utter shock. “Could..uh, could you introduce us?” he asked and suddenly looked very nervous and dusted off his uniform hastily in anticipation.

The second one Serethiel had to dislocate its shoulder. She had had to do it several times before and help guide the child out of Calista though it was taking alot of time. Calista was so tired and each push strained her to the point of collapsing. Eldarion was right there next to her. He kissed her cheek and egged her on. “Just one more push darling, I know you can do it!” And then ten pushes later he had to do it again. 20...30 and she kept pushing as the women gave her their support and motivation and sympathy. There was a special bond that formed between them just then. Nauriel kissed her mother’s cheek and Serethiel nodded to her and smiled.

“Oh! He’s crowning...just one more push Calista! Oh..oh, just one more sweetheart!” And Eldarion squeezed her hand. Calista gave it everything she had and she screamed as she forced her body to push hard, one last time.

Serethiel had taken the baby away quickly and unlike the first one there was no crying. “You did so well Calista,” Eldarion said. “I’m so proud of you darling,” He said and kissed her lips but Calista seemed preoccupied with her baby right then. Serethiel reset the shoulder and began working to clear the babies airway. It wasn’t breathing right then and its face had turned blue.

Ariana couldn't help but smile at Einor's nervous excitement. "Of course I can." She waited until he was ready before walking with him over to her grandfather. "Grandfather, I would like to introduce Einor Colevand. He was just promoted to head of the Royal Guard. Einor, this is my grandfather, Conleth Phelan."

Calista was exhausted to the point of feeling like she might lose consciousness. However, she continued to push with the last of her energy. Finally, she heard Eldarion tell her that the baby was crowning. She began to push even harder, with energy she didn't know she had. Finally, after what seemed like an hour she felt the infant slip from her body and she collapsed back onto the floor. She was dizzy and trembling and felt like all of her muscles had turned to jelly. She wasn't sure she could move even if she had to. However, what Calista quickly realized was that this baby wasn't crying. She felt Eldarion kiss her, but she didn't kiss him back. Her eyes were locked on Serethiel who was trying to clear the baby's airway. Tears came to her eyes as she thought that one of her children might be dead. As the seconds ticked by with still no sound she looked away and began to cry.

Serethiel didn’t panic, panicking served no purpose and every second is precious in a time like this. Ship tipped the babe upside down and delivered 3 measured blows to the child’s back in a downward direction. More birthing fluid escaped the babe’s mouth and several seconds after the babe left his mother’s womb, he took his first breath. Mortality rates everywhere were high. Every mother knew that and had been counseled on such. Eldarion pressed his face against Calista’s cheek and murmured soothing tones into her ear. Serethiel wrapped the babe in light blue swaddling and turned to present Nauriel with her second grandson. Nauriel had been terrified for Calista and Eldarion. And she was not able to stifle the flow of tears that fell when she took him into her arms.

“Look Calista, you have another son,” she said and carefully handed the babe to her.

Conleth took a good look at the man and nodded to him in greeting. Einor went down to a knee and bowed his head to him. “It is an honor Lord Phelan...your reputation precedes you sir,” he said and stood. Einor was in heaven it seemed, happy beyond belief to meet this man.

“You are a legend mylord,” he said but Conleth just felt...awkward instead of honored. In his mind men did what they could, when they good if they were good men. Conleth looked him over and clasped his hands behind his back. A hand taller than Einor and broader, Conleth was no longer really muscular, just...solid and looked sturdy. He looked into Einor’s eyes.

“Is there a reason helms need to be worn inside the walls son? And I’m certain there are only a few ways to get inside the palace...it appears you have some work there,” he said plainly. Einor blushed but settled himself. “No sir...yes, yes sir,” He said nervously. Ariana noticed him sweating and he licked his lips that had gone dry. Conleth chuckled.

“Relax soldier, be at your ease,” he said and shifted to pat him on his shoulder before he turned to Ariana and bowed his head. “You are even lovelier than I remember Princess Ariana,” Conleth said graciously. You appear to be doing well?” he asked, not wanting to pry or dredge up all wounds.

Calista was nearly sobbing when she suddenly heard a breath and then the sound of crying. She turned her head to look at her second child and was overcome by a flood of emotions. She was exhausted, relieved, happy, and terrified all at once. After what had happened today how was she supposed to protect her children? They would now rely on her for everything and that thought was overwhelming. However, as Nauriel placed her second son into her arms she looked down at his face and felt love bloom in her heart. This had not been the situation she had wanted. She had hoped for a boy and a girl so there would be no question as to who Eldarion's heir would be. However, in this situation things were now complicated. They had two boys and no clear answer to who would be her husband's heir. She wanted her sons to grow up as friends, not enemies, vying for the throne. She would have to talk to Eldarion about all of this...but another day. For now, she didn't want to think about any of that. She just wanted to enjoy her first moments with her sons.

She looked over at Eldarion and smiled. "Would you like to hold him?"

Ariana stood back and watched with a slight smile as Einor interacted with her grandfather. It was like watching a young boy approach a girl for the first time. However, she could tell that her grandfather liked Einor, despite his teasing. When he addressed her she smiled at him and blushed a little at his compliment. "Thank you, I am doing well. I would introduce you to my daughter, Meliara, but she is asleep and I fear if I wake her she won't fall back asleep again."