"Erestor!" Wilwarin screamed as the midwives prepared to greet the infant. Her husband was out of the room, as it was considered improper for males to be in the birthing chamber.
"My lady, please," one of the assistants pleaded with this great lady. On the next contraction she pushed with all her might, hearing her reward in the form of a loud bellowing cry. Wilwarin fell back upon the pillows, completely exhausted by the last three day's events. An assistant came over with a bowl of water to aid in washing the sweat off her brow. They cleaned her up between the four of them, while the midwife cleaned and ensured the health of the infant.
After they had completely cleaned both mother and child an assistant was sent to gather the father who was awaiting anxiously in the adjoining sitting room. The father, a man who had a look of a scholar but with a gentle countenance, had an almost ethereal beauty. He was one of the Vanya, an elf from the First Age, Councilor to the Lord Elrond of the newly established Imladris.
"Wilwarin," Erestor said in his deep, gentle voice. The midwife approached the couple, Erestor stood beside the bed looking at his wife.
"My Lord and Lady, may I present your daughter," the midwife handed the bundle to Erestor and then stood back along the wall.
"Eru, Arin, she is beautiful. She is perfect!" Erestor exclaimed, as his daughter opened her eyes and looked up at him. Wilwarin laughed as she could already see her daughter had her husband wrapped around her finger. The infant had green eyes, speckled with gold, and little fluffs of brown hair. He lowered her into her mother's arms, where Wilwarin and Erestor watched amused as she caught a handful of Erestor's deep brown hair.
"We have to name her, meleth nin," Wilwarin said as she gazed fondly at their creation.
"How about, Meril Amaurëa?" Erestor suggested. Wilwarin smiled fondly at her husband.
"That is perfect!"
A Week Later
The two new parents were exhausted as they made their way down to the dining hall. The shadows were deep underneath their eyes, however, their gwinig was quite refreshed and giggling happily. Elrond looked with sympathy upon his advisor and wife as he knew that the twins were quite troublesome for the first year or so.
"How goes fatherhood, Erestor?" Glorfindel joked, as he reached for a piece of toast. Erestor merely glowered at his fellow councilor and continued to eat. They joked about the exhausted couple for a while, until a guard came flying in sounding the alarm. Everyone stood up and went to gather their weapons, Erestor bundling his wife and daughter into Elrond's study where they were met by Celebrian, her two young sons, Mithrandir, Elrond, and Glorfindel.
"Erestor, Wilwarin, they are here for the child," Mithrandir stated, making everyone in the room look at him with incredulity.
"What do you mean?" Erestor put a hand on his wife's back protectively.
"Your daughter, Meril is going to be powerful. The Eye of Sauron is already upon her." Mithrandir said as he paced the length of the floor.
"What do you propose Mellon-nin?" Elrond looked upon the Maiar. He grimaced and looked at Erestor before he looked back at Elrond.
"I am afraid both Erestor and Wilwarin will not be pleased. I must take the child to a place where she will be safe until she reaches maturity." Mithrandir looked sympathetic.
"NO!" Erestor gasped as he took a step back. Wilwarin's eyes filled with tears as she looked at her daughter. "I will not let you take my daughter Mithrandir."
"Erestor," Wilwarin said softly. She took a deep breath. "We must. We must let Mithrandir take her and keep her safe. If we don't she may end up in the hands of Sauron and Mordor." Erestor looked pained as he looked at his wife.
"Lá, Arin, do not make me choose this," He pleaded with his wife. Tears began to spill down her face.
"Goheno nin, meleth," Wilwarin said as she handed the baby to Mithrandir. "Keep her safe please."
"I will, Wilwarin." Mithrandir said as he accepted the elfling.
"Guren níniatha n'i lǔ n'i a-govenitham," Erestor stepped towards his daughter, pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. He pulled a necklace off of his neck and placed it around Meril's before he nodded at Mithrandir.
"Na lû e-govaned vîn," Mithrandir said, before he swiftly left the room, leaving from the courtyard moments later. He left bereft parents, sobbing as they listened to the horses hooves grow fainter and fainter, until they could finally hear them no more.
Several miles outside of the Imladris borders, Mithrandir comes upon a horde of orcs, not willing to leave without the bundle that they are supposed to bring their lord. Mithrandir looks upon the precious bundle, before he mutters a spell and the child disappears from his arms, sent to live in the unknown.
Translations
Meleth nin – my love
Meril Amaurëa – Rose Dawn
Gwinig – baby
Mellon-nin – my friend
Lá – please
Goheno nin – forgive me
Meleth – love
Guren níniatha n'i lǔ n'i a-govenitham – My heart shall weep until I see you again
Na lû e-govaned vîn - Until next we meet