Autumn had come to Rivendell. The leaves of the trees had already changed in color, casting waves of gold, red, and yellow through the lush valley. With a simply gust of wind, fallen leaves were thrust up into a hypnotic dance of dozens of colors. However, no amount of wind or distractions could divert the attention of Lady Valídhreníel from the agonizing pain coursing through her body, nor could it prevent a cry of anguish from slipping from her lips.

The Lady lay within the house on the furthest edge of the great city of the Elves, allowing the privacy requested upon by her own will. She occupied a single bed within her chambers, her eyes closed tightly in pain. Her hands clasped around the linen sheets of the bed till her knuckled grew white with exertion. Another cry of anguish filled the air, as the pain grew overwhelming. Sweat rolled down her face and bare shoulders, catching on her soaked chemise. For countless hours, Valídhreníel had been tried in her labor. Hours did her body endure the frequency of pains that grew not only in strength but also in numbers, and though the lady was not unaccustomed to pain, her threshold of endurance was surpassed within the first few hours. What more, there appeared to be very little progress made.

As the pain subsided, a feeble gasp escaped Valí's trembling lips. Her grip upon the linen grew lax. She opened her eyes, momentarily staring up at the autumn night sky. A cloudless night stood above her, bearing it stars for her to see. Yet in her vision, the stationary orbs seemed to dance through Valí's vision. Valí inhaled slowly, closing her eyes. She released her breath with the same steady action that she drew in. She was no fool, her mother's training in the healing arts had not fallen on deaf ears, nor was this her first birth-though it was her first, as the laboring woman-Valí knew all too terrifyingly well; she and her child were in danger. Yes, there were labors that were long an exhausting for all, but those that Valídhreníel attended that progressed very little rarely ending in tears of joy.

"My lady." called the voice of the midwife. Aiula had come the moment words had spread Valídhreníel had gone into labor.

Valídhreníel opened her eyes. The face of Aiula was unfocussed. The dark locks of her hair were blurred, as were her features despite the time given to adjust. The course had taken much from her strength. Valí feared she would have nothing left should her time ever come. "What progress?"

"Do not fret, you have made great progress." Aiula replied. Her words brought great comfort, but Valí could sense there was more to her words.

"But not all is right, is it?" Valídhreníel inquired.

Aiula shook her head. "I am afraid it is not. You have progressed, but the babe is breeched. The position of the infant must be changed before it can progress further."

Valídhreníel nodded quickly, breathing heavily. She knew the risks to the infants life should it continue as breech. "Do it."

Aiula moved along Valídhreníel's side, kneeling on the floor beside her. She pushed up the sleeves of her gown and placed her hands upon Valídhreníel's abdomen. With one hand placed high and one low, Aiula began her work. Firmly, she adjusted the infant's position, pressing against Valídhreníel's abdomen. Valídhreníel cringed, but tried to remain relaxed as Aiula worked. She could feel the infant moving ever so slightly at the midwifes lead, slowly changing direction.

"There." Aiula drew her hands from Valí's abdomen. She turned to her aid. "Niehia, fetch some clean water and linen." She drew her eyes to Valídhreníel and smiled. "Are you ready to bring your child into this world?"

One of many questions had asked herself numerous times since discovering she was with-child...and separated from her husband. No word had reached him of her whereabouts, nor if he had any desire of locating her. Was she capable of caring for their child alone? Was she even capable of surviving the birth of their child? Moreover, should she pass, who would take care of their child in her stead? So many uncertainties lay just moments ahead of her, all depending upon the next precious seconds.

"It's time my lady." Aiula spoke, drawing her attention from her thoughts.

Valídhreníel nodded unsteadily and lifted to support herself upon her forearms. Her body was riddled with such great exhaustion. She took a deep breath as the foretelling of another bout emerged. Her fists clenched the sheet tightly as she began to push with all her might. The pain quickly surpassed her threshold within seconds, spreading through every nerve and muscle of her body. Valídhreníel cried out in pain, but kept pushing. Her heart hammered away inside her chest, echoing through her ears, and silencing Aiula's words of encouragement. She felt the slow, painful motions of her infant passing through her, slowly emerging into the world. Using what remained of her strength and one final cry into the night, Valídhreníel felt the pain reach its full peak as her infant emerged. She all but collapsed against the bed, gasping for a breath.

"Wonderful." Aiula cheered. "You have a son."

Niehia joined Aiula with the clean linen, draping it around the newborn infant.

Valídhreníel laughed breathlessly. A son. She had a son. Tears filled her blurred vision and she closed her eyes. She felt her heart beating against her chest and in her ears. Her hands trembled against the linen of her bed. She had nothing left of her, but her son had been brought into the world. Her son. Thorin's son.

Valídhreníel opened her eyes and tried to lift her head to view her head. However, the sight of Aiula and Niehia tending to her infant son sent fear coursing through her body. Her son made no cries as newborns often do. A sure sign of a healthy infant. Yet her son remained silent.

"Why does he not cry?" she whispered. Panic filled her heart. "Why does he not-uughh!" Her words died into a scream of agony as a familiar pain coursed through her body again.

Aiula returned her attention to Valídhreníel. "Niehia, take the babe and send for the healer."

Niehia nodded shortly and departed the room quickly, carrying the infant in her arms.

Valídhreníel watched helplessly as her son was taken from her sight. She whimpered in pain. "Why did he not cry? Why?"

"My lady, you much focus." Aiula informed. "There is still one more babe to be delivered this night."

Valídhreníel looked to Aiula in terror. "Another?"

Aiula nodded grimly. "You must push, now!"

There was nothing left of her from her son's birth, but the look of distress in Aiula's eyes spoke that her second child was in danger. Valídhreníel did as Aiula had demanded and pushed. Pain immediately swept Valídhreníel in its clutches. Thousand of daggers not only pierced, but also twisted every inch of her body, dragging out the agony ripping through her being. Her heartbeat thundering within her ears drew silent, as did the room around her. As the pain increased one hundred fold through her body. Her trembling hands suddenly grew numb and cold. The cold numbness slowly spread up her body and into her chest. Her legs came next, traveling up her body. As the pain reached its threshold one last time, a small whimpered escaped Valí's cold lips as her body tumbled against the bed. Her head fell to the side, staring out across her chambers. Yet just moments before the darkness engulfed her, Valí caught sight of a familiar figure walking toward her. He drew near until he knelt beside her bed. Through blurred sight, Valí could not mistake the dark plaits and beard for anything.

"Thorin."

Darkness took her from him.

Valídhreníel awoke with a sharp intake of breath. Her mind was blank of everything, if only for a few beats of her heart, which no longer thundered within her chest. Valídhreníel blinked quickly. The sun had risen over the mountains, signaling a significant amount of time had passed since the events of the previous evening. Though her body showed the signs of exhaustion, Valídhreníel forced herself upon her forearms and searched for any sign of her children. Children, two. A son...and one mystery to her.

"A strong will runs in your family." came a soft voice.

Valídhreníel turned toward her voice, finding her one friend settled nearby.

Arwen Undómiel sat to Valídhreníel's right. Her dark hair hung loose against her back. She wore her riding dress, implying she had recently returned to Rivendell. In her arms, wrapped in clean linen, was one of Valí's sleeping infants. Settled beside Awren's chair, was a hand carved wooden cradle.

"You were to be in Loríen." Valí replied.

"I returned with the rising sun. Aiula informed me of her labor. I insisted upon watching over you for some time." Arwen nodded. She looked down at the infant in her arms. "Your son came around not long after leaving your chambers, crying out to his heart's content."

"And his sibling?" Valídhreníel tried to keep a strong voice, but exhaustion and fear overtook her emotions.

Arwen smiled brightly. "You daughter is a fighter, just as her mother is."

A strong smiled crossed Valí's face. "A daughter?"

Arwen rose from her chair and moved to the bed. She tilted the infant in her arms gently, revealing to Valídhreníel. "Your daughter, Valí."

Valí gazed in awe at the small infant cradled in her friend's arms. Her daughter was no larger than a water skin. Dark, thick curls stuck to the top of her small head. Valí drew her finger gently around her daughters face and her pointed ears. She was absolutely beautiful. "Saebrylla."

"They take after their mother." Arwen whispered.

Her words struck deep within Valídhreníel, causing her to take a second gaze upon her child. It was true. Both Saebrylla and her brother held strong visibly traits of herself. The more prominent features of her mother's bloodline; they appeared as elven infants. Though they were tiny, only time would tell whether their Elven or Dwarvish blood dominated their destiny. Valídhreníel felt her blood run cold. What future would her children have if they were to reunite with their father and they should take upon their mother's nature? What would become of them should their Elven blood be dominant in their lives? What would Thorin's anger hold toward them?

"Arwen, could you go inform Aiula of my condition?" Valídhreníel inquired. "She must surely wish to know immediately. I can only imagine the concern she must feel after what occurred."

Arwen studied Valídhreníel for a moment. "Are you certain you wish to be alone with your children so soon?"

Valídhreníel nodded. "It will only be a few moments. Surely I can manage."

Though unsure of her friend request, Arwen consented. "Very well. I shall return as soon as possible." Arwen gently passed Saebrylla into her mother's arms and departed the chamber.

Valídhreníel gazed down at her daughter's sleeping face. So innocent and unknowing of the world around them. Of what awaited for them in their future. Valídhreníel drew a gaze to her son, Thorin's heir. Already she could see their son to be fair-haired, like his mother. Tears filled Valídhreníel's eyes, blurring her vision. They were so innocent. They did not disserve the hatred of their father thrust upon them. She could not allow that to happen, no matter what the cost or pain. She was their mother and it was her duty to protect her children from harm, even their father. What she was to do...it was unthinkable, unimaginable, and unforgivable even. It would create a great rift between their entire family. And it was to be their future.

A tear slid down her cheek. "Forgive me."

first chapter!

okay, so in case anyone was wondering why I have this chapter as the first one, I wanted to follow the movie and have a past event the opening scene. plus I felt this scene was needed. hope it didn't disappoint. I'll try to get the next chapter written as soon as I can. it will depend upon my Hobbit muse.