Journey to the North (Sequel to Rangers of the North)

Chapter Seven: The Prancing Pony

They left Rivendell a few days later, after gathering more rations and allowing Averael to rest a bit. She insisted that she was well enough to continue, but both Eros and Aragorn refused to let her ride Ramir for at least a week. She had to admit, it was nice to have some time to rest in an actual bed for once. Eru Iluvatar himself knew her back needed it. 

She thought back to when the Fellowship had formed as they rode through the same lichen-covered archway the group had gone through as they first departed to Mordor, albeit the other direction. Aragorn seemed to have the same recollection as he reached over to squeeze her hand. 

They stopped and made camp surrounded by Bilbo's three stone trolls. This was where she had first told Aragorn - then Strider - about her family, when Frodo had been stabbed by the Morgul Blade. Averael bit her lip. It was still hard to think about her parents. They were gone now. She had to keep reminding herself of that. She assumed that the Cargul- the creatures that her parents had become- were destroyed when the Ring was destroyed, like the Nazgul. Evil was not gone from the world, but there was less of it now than there had been. 

Their journey through the Lone Lands took what seemed like forever. It was the most boring part of the journey. They did stop at the Watchtower of Amon Sul, Weathertop, and Eros told the story of the Dunedain who built it. In the old times, it had marked the boundary between the Dunedain realms of Arthedain and Rhudaur. They were getting close. 

Aragorn insisted they take the long way around the Midgewater Marshes. Before, when she and him had led the hobbits through, they were trying to make haste and so went right through, but now that wasn't necessary. Averael didn't mind the longer trip. Nasty smells and biting flies weren't something she wanted to deal with, not to mention how they'd have to walk and lead the horses due to the unstable mushy ground. This was one detour she was glad to make.

***

It was pouring when they arrived at the Prancing Pony Inn. Eros stabled the four horses while Aragorn and Averael went inside. A tall, round man with bright red sideburns greeted them with a hoarse but warm voice.

"Good evenin! What can I do fer..." Barliman Butterbur paused when he got a closer look at them. "Averael? I haven't seen you round here in ages, not since those hobbits showed up and you ran off with 'em! I was wonderin' if those black cloaked devils gave yer any trouble." He bore a toothy grin. She used to come by the Inn often, and hadn't been back in over five years. 

"It has been a while, Barliman." She smiled back.

"And Strider's with you?" Barliman nodded to Aragorn and shot her a confused look. She could hardly contain herself as she realized Barliman had missed more than she realized. 

"You may call me Aragorn, Mr. Butterbur." Aragorn said. 

"Aragorn? Ya don't mean..." Barliman started to stammer, then took off the simple hat he was wearing in respect. He glanced back at Averael, even more confused now. Averael smiled and rolled her eyes to look at Aragorn, who put his arm around her, pushing aside her cloak as he did so to reveal her large belly. 

Barliman took one look and his mouth dropped open wider than she thought was possible as he pieced together what was going on.

"Oh! My Lord and Lady, allow me to give you our finest room-"

"No, no, Barliman." Averael stepped forward and took his hands in hers, smiling. "I ask you not to draw attention to us. We come to stay as old friends, nothing more. Just two of your regular rooms for us, please." 

"Two?" Barliman furrowed his brow. The door swung open and a soaking wet Eros stepped inside.

"Barliman, this is my brother, Eros." Averael introduced. Barliman took Eros' hand and shook it, finally acting a little more normal. 

"Two rooms and dinner on the house, comin' right up." The portly innkeeper grinned and waved to one of the bartenders. He led them to a table in the corner and brought some warm food out for them. Averael frowned as they sat, and glanced at Aragorn. 

"Isn't this the table that-" She started.

"The same," Aragorn smiled as he put his pipe between his teeth and began to light it. It was the same pipe he had been smoking when they met at this table that night a few years ago.

"We're just four hobbits and a Nazgul attack from where we were five years ago, aren't we?" She joked, nudging him.

"Minus a marriage, two royal titles, and a baby," Eros piped up, kicking Averael's feet under the table.

"You forget yourself, brother," she kicked him back, and he laughed. "And the baby isn't here yet."

"Yes, but you weren't eight months pregnant when I met you," Aragorn said. She chuckled, shrugging in agreement.

"Speaking of which, we should probably look for some more infant supplies, now that we're passing more cities. We don't really have long left." She said.

"I think there's a few ladies in Annuminas who might be able to help you," Eros said. 

"I'll keep that in mind." Averael smiled. Her smile faded as she thought of something, and she turned to her husband. "Are we going to get there in time?"

"I've been thinking. We can stay here another month and depart for Annuminas when you're well," Aragorn started, "we could stay in the Shire for a few weeks and have the baby there, though I doubt it would be as comfortable, or we could rush and make it there just in time for you to have the baby in Annuminas."

"I don't want to miss out on seeing our friends in the Shire, but I also don't want to travel far with the babe, especially on horseback in the wild. Let's think about it a little more." Averael said. They had originally planned to stay in Bree for a few days anyway. "And the last thing I want is to have the baby halfway between the Shire and Annuminas. None of us have ever really aided in a birth before. I have no idea what to expect." She was beginning to regret not having Eowyn with them for the first few weeks of their travels. The Rohan woman would have had much to tell her about to help her prepare. 

"You'll want to have the baby in an inn or a home for sure," Eros said. "If I were you I wouldn't risk it happening in between cities. Better to leave as soon as possible if you want to get to Annuminas before the babe comes. I know of a skilled midwife up there." 

Averael raised an eyebrow at him. The thought of him hiding something from her was getting stronger each time he spoke of the subject. She could just be imagining things, but she had never imagined her brother of all people knowing a lot about midwifery and childbirth. Eros had helped her with her pregnancy illness and nausea as if he had done it before. She had no idea ginger tea helped, but somehow he did. 

"Let's decide tomorrow over breakfast." Aragorn decided. 

"I agree. I need to sleep in a real bed before I make any major decisions." Averael seconded. Eros just laughed. 

(A/N: Where do you guys think Averael should have her baby?? If you can't tell, I've had a bit of writer's block. Also let me know in the comments what you think Eros is hiding! ;) )