Part One - The Birth of Nessa
"Ëaránna, you need to rest," I commanded the half elf I held by the hand. We were both kneeling on the ground. It had been seven days since Ëaránna gave birth to Nessa, and I saw that Ëaránna was still weak.
"I'll be fine, Riníth… I'm… just a little winded," Ëaránna panted. It had been her idea to take a short walk in the gardens of the Greenwood. I discouraged it at first, but she convinced me to come with her.
Now, Ëaránna's face was a little pale. She did not look like she had the strength to walk anymore. I noticed a small bower in the trees where a bench was strategically placed. I helped Ëaránna to her feet and nearly carried her to the shaded bench.
She sat down gratefully. "You sit here for a while," I said. "I will go get Erwood for you."
"What about Nessa?" Ëaránna asked about her infant daughter.
"I can watch her for a few hours. I'm sure she won't be any trouble." Ëaránna gratefully accepted my offer. I made sure she was comfortable, then found Erwood cleaning his hunting weapons. He immediately stopped his task to go sit with his wife.
I then found one of my healers caring for Nessa in Ëaránna's chamber. I dismissed the healer and sat down near the wooden crib. Nessa was asleep with her tiny fingers clutched together and her toes curled up.
I sat there for many long moments with a deep ache of longing in my heart. Though I had lived to see the end of two Ages, I had never married. Yes, I had been engaged even before Ëaránna was born. I still wore the ring the dwarf gave me on a chain around my neck. The ring did nothing to lessen the pain of his death.
I had never been able to take care of a child as my own, although I had helped to raise Legolas. He was not the same as Nessa, though. Nessa was much more vulnerable.
I saw Nessa squirm around in her crib. She started to wail from having her nap disturbed. I softly picked Nessa up and cradled her to my heart. This seemed to soothe the infant, for Nessa soon fell asleep.
I carried Nessa outside of the room she had been born in to keep her asleep. I did not stray far, walking in the light of a hundred lanterns that hung from the tree roots.
I sat down on a stone bench at the foot of one of the huge tree roots. I looked at Nessa's peaceful face. She was so calm and serene, just like the angel that Ëaránna named her after. I had never seen the Valar in person, though my mother had.
I felt another presence in the room of the hall. I looked up from watching Nessa and saw my brother standing not thirty paces from me. Thranduil wore his crown of spring flowers and green willow branches atop his head.
He stood watching me, then walked over to where I sat holding Nessa. Thranduil's steps were soft and almost hesitant. Though I had told him of Nessa's birth, Thranduil had not yet seen Nessa. He stood slightly to the side of the bench. "This is Erwood's child, then?" he asked. I nodded my head and put my finger to my lips.
Thranduil silently sat down next to me. He too stared at Nessa's sleeping form. I glimpsed a deep feeling of reverence and desire on his face. "Would you like to hold her?" I whispered.
Thranduil smiled. "You know my thoughts better than anyone, Riníth." I carefully handed the infant to him. Thranduil cradled Nessa's head in his arm. His ringed fingers brushed Nessa's brown-haired head. He was silent in thought for several seconds.
"Does Nessa remind you of Legolas?" I asked.
"To a small amount," Thranduil replied. "I sense something different in Nessa, though. Her muscles look strong for fighting, once she is grown enough to learn."
Nessa stirred in his arms and sleepily opened her eyes. She stared at me first, then at Thranduil. "And Nessa's eyes sparkle like green leaves in the sun," Thranduil continued. Nessa reached for one of the willow twigs in his crown and smiled.
Thranduil closed his eyes. I did not understand why he did this, but his face was a complicated mix of emotions. When he opened his eyes, I noticed a tear on his eyelid. Thranduil rose to his feet, still holding Nessa in his arms.
The next thing my brother did astounded me. With both hands, Thranduil slowly raised Nessa into the air and held her aloft. Then he spoke in my native tongue of Sindarin. "Nessa, daughter of Erwood, may the mighty hand of Eru bless you as you grow. You are pleasing in His eyes. May He protect you from whatever troubles befall you. Find strength in these halls of mine, never to leave without my blessing."