More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter Forty-Four

In the coming days, Arielle and Tiriana were bombarded with visitors, and she couldn't help but smile as she watched Thorin show off their daughter. He was the proudest of fathers, and far more nervous about letting anyone too close to Tiriana than Arielle was. Word spread of the new princess' arrival and as it did, gifts rolled in from what seemed like all of the realms of Middle Earth.

Of course, life with a newborn meant sleepless nights and as the first few weeks ground on, Arielle was quite certain she was never going to sleep a full night again. The same time every night, Tiriana would fuss in her cradle at the foot of her parents' bed.

The wail woke Arielle from her already restless sleep and she threw back the quilts as she whispered, "I'm coming, mimûna. I'm coming."

But patience was not Tiriana's strong suit and she let out a scream loud enough that Thorin stirred, lifting his head to grunt, "Wha—?"

"I've got her." Arielle drew on her robe, skirting the bed to bend over the cradle. Thorin grunted something unintelligible and dropped back to the pillows. A moment later, his snores echoed in her ears. Well, at least one of them slept.

"Shhh..." she murmured, stroking Tiriana's silky dark hair to calm her. It worked to a point, but by the time Arielle sank into the chair and loosened her nightrail, Tiriana was screaming once more.

Those cries quieted as she went to work and Arielle bit back a wince at the sharp sting that accompanied her daughter's latching on. It wasn't quite as bad as it had been, and Narnerra assured her it would lessen further in the coming days, but it still made for several uncomfortable minutes. But then, once they were both settled, a sense of peace crept over Arielle. She leaned back, and patted the baby's bottom as she whispered, "I do look forward to you sleeping through the night, raklûn."

Tiriana's eyes closed as she nursed and when she pushed away, it was with a little coo that made Arielle forget how tired she was, if only for a moment. She lifted the baby to her shoulder, patting her back gently until she burped.

When Tiriana was finished, she gazed up at Arielle with sleepy blue eyes and Arielle was struck by how much she looked like Thorin. His dark hair. His blue eyes. His nose. "You are every bit your papa's girl, aren't you?" she murmured, tracing a fingertip along Tiriana's cheek.

The baby stared up at her so intently, it was as if she absolutely understood what her mother was saying. Then, she smiled, which melted Arielle's heart immediately.

That faded quickly enough, however, when Arielle went to place Tiriana back in her cradle. Tiriana scrunched about, whimpered, then began to cry as Arielle slipped back beneath the quilts. Arielle lay there for a minute more, hoping the baby would just give in and go to sleep.

It wasn't meant to be.

Thorin lifted his head again, mumbling, "Baby's crying," in a thick voice before dropping back into his pillow.

"I am well aware of that, Thorin." She let out a sigh as she sat up once more.

"I'll get up with her," came his mumbled reply.

For a moment, she considered taking him up on it, but he had to be up and out early to meet with Bard in Dale before they ventured to Esgaroth. "No," she patted his shoulder, "I'll get her."

"Thank Mahal..."

She scowled at him as she slid to the edge of the bed. Tiri's cries grew louder as she lost her patience with both of her parents. Swallowing an annoyed sigh, Arielle pulled on her robe once more and got up, then lifted Tiri from her cradle again.

The baby quieted as Arielle padded into the living room, but when she sank onto the sofa, the cries started up again. So, she slowly padded about the room, rocking and shushing Tiri until she quieted down. A glance down to see the baby's eyes closed, her fist tucked up against her cheek, and Arielle tried sitting once more.