Quick Author's Note: This particular venture is about the mighty Elf-Lord Elrond having problems accepting fatherhood and the events surrounding the birth of the twins. Erestor, Glorfindel, and (of course) Celebrian play major roles in this piece. Just for your information, I am using the idea that Rivendell's Glorfindel and Gondolin's Glorfindel are one and the same. It makes things interesting later on.
Reviews and Constructive Criticism are appreciated but Flames are not as they not only waste my time but also yours. Thanks!
Standard Disclaimer – All characters, locations and whatever belong to the master, Tolkien.
Italics indicate thoughts Prologue
The Dream to End All Dreams
Elrond Peredhil turned to his beautiful wife, Celebrian. But as he turned in bed to look at her, his gaze met that of a giant praying mantis – a hungry, giant praying mantis. As he tried to leave the bed, the scissor-like claws encircled his waist pulling him back down to the other two praying mantises at the foot of the bed.
"NO! They eat the father!"
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Erestor, still in nightshirt, stood in the hallway with sword drawn. Something evil had befallen his lord and he would find out what. Glorfindel, just as Erestor in nightshirt, his sword drawn as well, motioned to Erestor to slowly proceed to their lord's chambers. Valar help the intruder who dared to attack Imladris' lord with these two elven lords on hand.
Erestor slowly pulled open the door of Elrond's bedchambers, while Glorfindel slowly crept in – ready to attack the beast, which had entered their lord's chambers. But the sight that met Erestor and Glorfindel was not what they expected.
On the bed, Elrond was in the last stages of a panic attack with a very pregnant Celebrian saying something about children not eating their fathers. The two advisors stared at this sight for several moments while they digested what was happening. Elrond, Lord of Imladris, mighty of both men and elves, herald of the King Gil-Galad, was having a panic attack about – the birth of this child?
They Eat the FatherChapter One
Of Praying Mantis and Useless Advisors
Elrond had not moved from this room for two days. He stared into empty space – just staring.
"M'Lord, you should eat something … most elves eat everyday and become somewhat hungry if they don't eat. And with you being half-elven, the effects should be worse."
Something snapped in Elrond. "Oh what do you know?" Elrond hissed as he shifted his chair away from Erestor.
The Chief Advisor stared at his lord. Elrond had not come out of his library for two days – ever since "The Dream" he had not moved. For Elrond had considered this dream to be an omen. There was something about the dream that had bothered him greatly. For instead of one praying mantis, he had seen two in his dream. Two demons waiting to claw him apart.
The library door creaked open, which revealed the golden- haired Glorfindel. He had entered the vast library with a book in hand. Erestor turned to look at his fellow advisor with little interest. Elrond remained impassive, as he had been for the past two days.
Unlike Erestor who had a well of reserved patience, Glorfindel had little. He preferred action and he was about to take some drastic action so that Elrond may get some much needed rest.
Leaning down to Erestor, Glorfindel asked, "Have you talked him into it yet? Is he going to get some rest without our help?"
Erestor shook his head slowly and responded sadly, "No. The only response I've gotten is him hissing and moving away from me."
Elrond narrowed his eyes. His advisors were talking about him but he paid them no mind. The Dream still perplexed him. He would find out why there had been two praying mantises before this day's end. Elrond's scowl deepened. Of all the creatures, why did it have to be a praying mantis?
"Can we just do it my way?" Glorfindel asked Erestor. His eyes pleading with him to allow the freedom to do as he wished.
Erestor smiled back at the childlike Elf – Lord, "Let me try once more and if he does not comply you can do what you want."
Glorfindel nodded. Of course he wished that Erestor could talk Elrond out of his current state but he also wanted to have some fun. Glorfindel grabbed the book he held tighter in his hands – waiting for Erestor to fail at his diplomacy and waiting for his fun to begin.
Erestor arose from his chair and strode over to his lord. He kneeled before Elrond, looked him in the eyes and said, "My friend, I would advise you to get yourself some food and much needed rest. Otherwise, Glorfindel and I may be forced to take action."
Elrond did not answer. He still remained impassive – still contemplating his dream. Completely ignoring Erestor's attempts.
Erestor sighed. He had failed to reach Elrond. He looked over to Glorfindel and nodded – giving Glorfindel full control of the situation. The golden haired elf strode across the room; book in hand. Swinging the book, he hit Elrond on the back of the head – the only means of forcing Elrond into a state of forced unconsciousness.
Of course, Glorfindel did not count on the freakishly strong resiliency of Elrond.
"What the hell was that for?!" Elrond screeched at his advisors. Erestor and Glorfindel stared at Elrond – any other person would have been rendered unconscious with such a blow. "You better have a good reason for hitting me with that book!"
The advisors still stared. They did not have a good explanation other than the fact that Elrond needed sleep and that Glorfindel wanted to hit Elrond with the book. Elrond glared at them with a glare that could have frozen Orodruin.
Erestor, once looking at Elrond, kept his gaze on the floor. Avoiding eye contact at all costs with the angry elven lord.
Standing next to Erestor, Glorfindel fidgeted. He was in trouble – deep trouble. Hell, trouble didn't even come close to what they were in. Deciding that the silence only worsened the mood he started to smile.
"My Lord, are you feeling better?" He asked with a grin. Beside him, Erestor groaned.
Elrond's mood did not lighten – in fact the room became somewhat chilly. Elrond kept his freezing gaze upon them and pointed to the door. Wordlessly, the advisors bowed and shuffled out of the room – not wanting to face the wrath of Lord Elrond Peredhil of Imladris.
As the two advisors walked down the corridor, Glorfindel stopped and turned to Erestor.
Sensing that Glorfindel was wanting to speak with him, he stopped, "What Glorfindel?"
"How mad do you think he is?"
Erestor looked at Glorfindel as they both pondered the question. Elrond was more distracted than upset. "Glorfindel, I don't think we have anything to worry about. He has been in a frightful mood ever since his panic attack."
Glorfindel smiled once again as if he had just heard the world's funniest joke, "So, if I were to go back and tell him that Celebrian just went into labor, do you think he would get mad?"
"Glorfindel, why must you test your luck and torture him so?"
"Just tell me what you think he would do."
"If he were to do anything, he'd probably have another panic attack…"
As Erestor and Glorfindel continued down the corridor a very stressed she – elf ran between the two. She continued to Elrond's library and knocked.
"Enter," he called to her. As soon as he saw her, he regretted allowing her entrance.
"M'Lord, the Lady Celebrian is in the House of Healing already in labor. The
mid-wives would like your assistance."
Elrond said nothing but slowly stood from his corner and calmly walked to where the messenger stood. "How long has she been in labor?"
"About an hour, my Lord. We sent Glorfindel to inform you but he never returned."
"I see…. Thank you. I shall be there shortly." As soon as the messenger had left, Elrond walked to the window, looked outside and promptly passed out.
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Thus ends part one of Elrond's little dilemma. Here is a sneak peek at the next part of Elrond's first steps into fatherhood.
They Eat the Father
Chapter Two
One Plus One Equals Two
Glorfindel's eyes lit up like a child's at Christmas as he saw two tiny elflings. TWO! "I call dibs on that one!"
"There is no such things as dibs," Erestor hissed at Glorfindel. As Erestor was about to start into a rant about how the children did not belong to him, Elrond interrupted.
"Very well Glorfindel."
"WHAT?!"
And so ends the snippet of the next chapter of They Eat the Father. Review if you liked, have ideas, or just want to say something.