More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter Thirty-Three

Little by little, the wedding began coming together. Invitations had been sent to every realm of Middle Earth from Rivendell to Mirkwood, from the Shire to Dale. Flowers were ordered. Despite Arielle's wishes that the staff not have to work, they insisted that for her—and for Thorin —they would not allow anyone else to prepare the celebration feast that would follow the wedding, which left Arielle in tears as she hugged Brynne. "You are all so kind, you know. You always have been."

Brynne gave her a squeeze. "We love you and we all love Thorin as well and you have no idea how it feels to see him so happy finally. Besides, we were mad at you for far too long, so this is our way of making up for it."

Arielle's eyes stung even more. Somehow, she had the feeling Thorin had no idea in what regard his people held him, and he probably wouldn't believe her if she told him. "You are all so sweet."

"We like you." Brynne shrugged. "So, go and do whatever it is you were going to do, and we will take care of the feast."

Nodding, Arielle said, "I will. Thank you again."

With that, she took her leave of the kitchens and made her way down to the infirmary, where she hoped to catch Narnerra free for a few minutes.

Gimli was there, sitting in one of the chairs, playing with a small polished brown and yellow stone. He looked up and smiled. "Princess Arielle! Are you sick?"

"Good morning, Gimli." She sank into the chair next to his. "No, I'm not sick. At least, I don't think I am. But, I'll ask your momma to make certain. What is that?"

He held up the stone. "This? It's tiger's eye. It changes color depending on how you hold it, see?"

She leaned closer and peered at the stone, which did change from amber to brown and back to amber, depending on how he held it. "Oh, that's so pretty."

"Papa said they call it that because that's what a tiger's eye looks like. I've never seen a tiger, though, so I don't know if he was sporting with me or not." His blue eyes were wide with hope. "Have you ever seen one?"

"Sorry, love, but no. I grew up over in Esgaroth. Not many tigers there, I'm afraid."

His shoulders slumped. "Papa said they are on the other side of the world, but they are big and scary. But," he sighed, "maybe one day, I'll be able to see one."

"Maybe."

"Arielle?" Narnerra came out of one of the back room, wiping her hands on a towel. "Is everything all right?"

"That's what I was hoping you could tell me." She smiled down at Gimli. "I have to go now, but perhaps I'll see you when I'm finished."

He nodded. "I'll wait."

She couldn't resist rumpling his thick red hair as she stood and as she crossed to Narnerra, she said, "I needed to ask you something but it must remain between you and I."

"Of course. You know it will." Narnerra gestured toward a door across the room. "We can go in there and talk. Gimli, behave please."

He nodded, tossing his stone and catching it easily. "I will, Momma."

Arielle couldn't help but smile at him before going into the room, where Narnerra said, "Have a seat, Arielle, and what is it you wished to ask?"

She tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering about in her stomach as she sank into a comfortable chair while the healer sat across from her. "I think I might be pregnant."

Narnerra's blue eyes brightened. "Have you missed your courses?"

She nodded. "They are over a week late and I'm never late."