At seven months old the twins were both walking, they were also speaking a few words, most only Legolas and Celuthien could understand. Arwen was breezing through her pregnancy. Aragorn was overjoyed, both at the prospect of a new daughter and seeing his grandsons developing. Sauron's hand was kept at bay by the armies of Middle Earth united under one cause, thought the threat was ever present. One evening Aragorn, Arwen and Eldaroin were sat in the dining hall eating when a guard entered, 'My lord Aragorn, there are two men here to speak with you and the queen' he said. 'Who?' asked Aragorn. 'They say they are friends of yours, they are just outside the door, shall I tell them to meet with you later?' The guard asked. 'Send them to the meeting room, I shall be through shortly' Aragorn replied. The guard bowed his head and left. 'Strange, friends ours usually just burst through the door' Arwen smiled. 'I don't like it Ada, send them away' Eldaroin warned. Aragorn thought for a moment 'I will take a guard in with me, it is a sad time when we fear to talk with people who claim to be our friend' he concluded. 'An enemy would not introduce himself as one father' Eldaroin scowled. 'I agree with Eldaroin, it is strange' Arwen said. 'Kinross!' Aragorn called to the guard 'make sure the men are unarmed, and ask them their names' he ordered. The guard left, a moment passed and a loud crash came from outside the door. The three of them stood as the door swung open and Kinross's body fell to the floor. Arwen screamed as two hooded men entered the room, they were dressed in horseman's clothes, their outfits were dirty, they each wore a long cloak with a hood that shadowed their faces. One of the men turned and bolted the door behind him, then then took a chair and wedged it under the handle. 'Guards!' Aragorn yelled drawing his sword, he stood protectively in front of his wife. A pool of blood was forming around Kinross's body, Arwen turned her eyes from it and held her stomach. Eldaroin drew his sword 'Who are you!?' he commanded. The two men drew their swords 'We bring a token from lord Sauron' one of the men replied coldly. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a silver crown, decorated with green gems and gold leaves. He threw the crown on the table, Arwen let out a cry as she recognised it as her brother Elladan's. The crown was blood spattered and dinted. 'Rivendale has fallen' the hooded man smirked. 'Liar!' shouted Eldaroin. 'their defences were weak, Sauron took it easily ... I killed your brother myself' The man grinned. Eldaroin lunged for the man but he blocked his swing easily. Eldaroin retreated slightly and stood next to his father. Aragorn was rooted to the spot, determined not to let the men near his pregnant wife. Arwen ducked behind the table, she was unarmed, but even if she was, she was unfit to fight, she cradled her stomach and whispered words in elvish, praying for their safety and that of her unborn child. The men were skilled swordsmen, Aragorn and Eldaroin fought hard, parrying there blows. Finally one of the men stumbled backwards and Aragorn saw his chance, he reeled backwards and thrust his sword into the man's chest, delivering a fatal blow. The other man was enraged he let out a bellowing cry and swung hard at Eldaroin, so hard that Eldaroin lost grip of his sword and it clattered to the floor. Aragorn was still pulling his sword from the dead man when the second man lunged at Eldaroin, who was now unarmed. Arwen let out a scream as the sword sank deep into Eldaroin's shoulder, just below his collarbone. Aragorn lunged for him but the man rolled out of the way, leaving his sword impaled into Eldaroin who was now sprawled on the floor. The man dove over the table and grabbed Arwen roughly by her hair, he drew a knife from his belt and held it to her neck. Arwen clawed at his arm, but he wouldn't let go. 'No!' Aragorn yelled. His eyes glancing between his son, laying gasping for breath, blood stained with a sword embedded in his chest and his wife, heavily pregnant, terrified, being held with a knife to her neck. 'Drop your sword!' the man hissed. Aragorn's hands shook, his eyes brimming with tears, of hate and pain. The man yanked Arwen's hair back, causing her to let out a hiss of pain. He pressed the knife harder to her neck causing a drip of blood to lace the blade. 'Now!' The man shouted. Aragorn stood, still shaking, sword gripped tightly in his hands, his eyes locked on Arwen 'Fight me you coward!' Aragorn bellowed. The man dragged Arwen to her feet, he raised his hand and hit her hard across the face. She fell, hitting the floor hard. Something whistled through the room. An arrow embedded itself in the man's neck and he fell to the ground. Aragorn dropped his sword an ran to Eldaroin. He knelt beside him, Eldaroin's face was ghostly white and dripping with sweat, his eyes were cloudy and he was gasping for breath. Arwen dropped next to him and pulled his head onto her lap. 'Eldaroin!' she sobbed. Her neck was blood stained and her face red where the man had struck her. Aragorn grabbed the sword by its hilt and pulled it from Eldaroin's shoulder. He let out a cry of pain. Arwen sobbed and rocked his head. Aragorn looked up to see Legolas slipping through the small window at the top of the dining room. He was too preoccupied with Eldaroin to ask how he had made the shot, or how he was even entering a window three stories from the ground, but was grateful he was. Legolas surveyed the scene then went and unbolted the door allowing the room to flood with guards. 'Get me a healer, now!' Aragorn yelled. Some of the guards ran back out of the room. 'Ada, I'm sorry!' Eldaroin sobbed. Aragorn rolled up his sleeves and ripped away Eldaroin's shit so he could see the wound better. Neither of them were armoured, as they had just been eating together. Luckily Eldaroin mimicked his father in that he was never caught without his sword. 'Eldaroin, save your breath' Aragorn said as he pressed some of the ripped shirt to the wound and lent on it trying to stop the bleeding. 'Ada, I lost grip on my sword, I was off guard, I fought badly' Eldaroin sobbed again. 'Eldaroin you fought bravely, as you always do' Aragorn comforted. Blood was forming at Eldaroin's lips. Arwen lent and kissed Eldaroin's brow, she rested her head on his and continued rocking him, tears streaking her face. 'Ada, I'm cold' Eldaroin whispered shakily. Arwen let out a sob and hugged him closer to her. 'Eldaroin, you will be alright, please just breathe' Aragorn said sternly. 'I'm so sorry Mother, are you hurt?' Eldaroin sobbed. 'No my love, I'm alright, just be calm now' Arwen replied, trying to calm her own voice. The guards returned with three healers who swarmed around Eldaroin. Aragorn got up and moved back to give them room, but Arwen refused to, she stayed cradling his head as the healers tended to his wound. Aragorn looked down at his hands. He was soaked to his elbows in his son's blood. He lent back against the wall watching the scene around him. He looked at the dead men on the floor, they resembled rangers as he once was, but why would rangers be fighting for Sauron? He looked at his wife, cradling Eldaroin, her hands too stained with his blood, she was sobbing and whispering to him. He looked at Eldaroin, his face hauntingly pale, his eyes dim and pained. Aragorn slid down the wall and crouched on the floor. He buried his head in his hands and sobbed 'Please no, do not take him from me, please' he whispered. He felt a hand grip his shoulder, he looked up to see Legolas. 'Hannon le mellonin, you saved my wife' Aragorn sobbed. Celuthien ran into the room, her face tear marked, she saw Eldaroin on the floor with Arwen and gasped, she then saw her father sobbing. She dropped to the floor and threw her arms around him. Aragorn embraced her tightly. 'Ada, how bad is it?' Celuthien sobbed. Aragorn could not bring himself to speak, his heart ached too much. 'Ada?' Celuthien asked again. 'he's bleeding …. bled, so much' Aragorn mustered. Celuthien sat on the floor in her fathers arms as they both sobbed. Two more guards entered the room with a stretcher and the healers began lifting Eldaroin on to it. Arwen took Eldaroin's hand, still refusing to let go of her son and left the room with the healers. Aragorn got up and followed. When they got to the healing quarters the healers took Eldaroin into one of the small private rooms and persuaded Arwen to wait outside so they could see to Eldaroin properly. Aragorn found her sat on a wooden bench weeping silently. He embraced her and kissed her cheek, she flinched slightly. 'I am sorry my love, let me see?' Aragorn apologised. He turned her face to look at the faint bruise that was beginning to show on her cheek. He then turned her face the other way to inspect the cut on her neck 'Wait here' he said softly. He went into the healing quarters and returned with a cup of water and a clean cloth. He sat next to Arwen on the bench and wet the cloth, he then began cleaning her neck. ' My love, are you alright? And the baby? Should you not see a healer?' Aragorn asked concerned. Arwen caressed her bump, 'The baby is fine, as am I' she replied sadly. 'Arwen, I swear to you, Sauron will be defeated for good and our family will know peace again' Aragorn said stroking her stomach. 'I fear my brother is dead, and I fear for Eldaroin' Arwen broke into a sob again. Aragorn held her tight. Celuthien and Legolas later joined them on the bench, they waited in silence for news. Hours had passed when a healer finally emerged from the room. Aragorn shot to his feet 'How is he?' he asked concerned. 'He is alive, though not well, he is very weak, he lost a lot of blood. The blade severed an artery but luckily no organs, we have tended it as best we can. He is sleeping but you can see him if you want' The healer explained. 'Thankyou' Aragorn smiled weakly.
The four of them entered to room and pulled up chairs around Eldaroin's bed. He was still very pale, though a slight bit of colour had returned to his cheeks, he wasn't wearing a shirt and his shoulder was heavily bandaged. Arwen stroked his hair 'Oh my son, I am so sorry such dark times have befallen us, you and your sister have known such pain for things that happened long before your time.' she whispered, tears falling from her eyes. Aragorn put his hand on Arwen's back and sighed 'Eldaroin I am sorry I did not defend you better' he said sadly. Legolas held Celuthien as they watched over Eldaroin, the room fell silent again. Eldaroin let out a soft groan and his face recoiled in pain. Arwen stood and lent over him, placing her hand on his face. 'Eldaroin? Eldaroin, it is alright we're here with you' she soothed. Eldaroin opened his eyes. He looked around for a moment trying to make sense of where he was. 'You're in the healing rooms Son, you were injured, do you remember?' Aragorn tried to help. Eldaroin looked confused, he raised his hand and touched his injured shoulder and winced in pain. Then he remembered. His eyes flew wide open and he looked at Arwen. 'Mother! Oh Mother! Are you alright? And the baby?' Eldaroin gasped. 'We're fine, Eldaroin please lay still' Arwen smiled weakly at him. Eldaroin lay down, he appeared to be struggling to catch his breath. He scanned around the room again, better taking in who was there. 'Celuthien, where are Thalberen and Thaross?' Eldaroin asked. 'They are with their nanny' Celuthien replied. 'I would like to see them' Eldaroin said. 'Eldaroin is that wise? You know how excitable they are'. Arwen sighed. 'Please? It would cheer me up' Eldaroin pouted. 'Alright, I'll get them' Celuthien smiled. She left the room. 'Ada, my heart feels pressured' Eldaroin sighed rubbing his chest. 'You need time to recover Eldaroin, do not strain yourself' Aragorn replied. 'Eldaroin, it was a deep wound, you lost a lot of blood, I thought for a moment I was going to lose my only son' Arwen said sadly. Eldaroin looked thoughtful 'Ada, who were those men? And do you think Rivendale has really fallen? Surely we would have received word' he pondered. 'I don't know Eldaroin, I will send a scout to Rivendale to check on your Uncles, answers will come' Aragorn replied. Celuthien entered carrying Thaross on her hip and leading Thalberen by his hand. 'Boys your Uncle Eldaroin is sick, please be gentle with him' she whispered to her sons. The two boys nodded. Though the twins only stood as high as her knee they were intelligent for their age, even by elf standards. Celuthien sat Thaross on the bed, then lifted Thalberen and sat him next to his brother before returning to her seat next to Legolas. 'How are my favourite nephews?' Eldaroin grinned. The boys giggled 'Good' they replied together. 'My you are learning your words fast aren't you both? Can your poorly Uncle have a hug?' Eldaroin smiled and opened his arms. The boys looked sheepishly at each other, then Thaross pointed to Eldaroin's heavily bandaged shoulder. 'This? Oh don't mind this, the bandages look worse than it is' Eldaroin joked pointing to the wound. The boys hugged Eldaroin tight, both of the being extra careful not to touch his bandage. 'My your hair is growing fast!' Eldaroin gasped ruffling Thalberen's blonde tuft of hair. 'Mine too!' shouted Thaross, bowing his head so Eldaroin could see his equally long dark hair. 'Oh wow, so it is!' Eldaroin made a mock-shocked face and the boys giggled. Aragorn grinned, he was always content when his family were altogether, he just wished it were under happier circumstances. 'Come now, we should leave Eldaroin to sleep' Arwen smiled. 'Aww' Eldaroin pulled his lip out at the boys. 'We come tomorrow' grinned Thaross. 'We'll see' Celuthien smiled taking Thalberen in her arms. Legolas picked up Thaross 'I hope you feel well soon brother' Legolas nodded to Eldaroin as he was leaving. 'Thankyou' Eldaroin smiled. Celuthien kissed Eldaroin's head 'I will bring the boys to see you tomorrow if you feel up to it' she winked. 'Please do, I enjoy their company' Eldaroin nodded to her. 'Sleep well' Arwen said as she kissed him. 'See you tomorrow' Aragorn nodded. 'Goodnight' Eldaroin smiled to them all. As they left he realised how very tired he was and he fell into a deep sleep.
It was almost eight weeks before Eldaroin was walking around normally again, he returned to his post as captain of the guard. His shoulder healed well due to his elven blood but a dark scar remained, a constant reminder to him of that day. The scout that returned from Rivendale reported that it was abandoned and that he couldn't find trace or word of Elladan and Elrohir or of any of the elves that lived their. Arwen suspected they might have took to the old Lorien forests to hide. Aragorn met with Thranduil and Elfwine king of Rohan to begin a plan of attack on Mordor. Elfwine refused to risk his forces in attack and thought he was better defending his kingdom. The kings could not agree and plans were put on hold. Legolas returned to Mirkwood with his father for a time, taking Thalberen and Thaross to see his kingdom while Celuthien remained in Gondor with her family. Arwen, Aragorn, Celuthien and Eldaroin were sat in Aragorn's study one evening when the door flew open and two dishevelled men darkened the doorway. There was silence for a moment. 'Brothers?!' Arwen suddenly exclaimed, jumping to her feet. She ran and threw her arms around Elladan and Elrohir. The twins looked tired and dirty, even slightly bloodstained. Their dark hair was matted and messy, their faces covered with dirt and sweat. Arwen barely noticed, she pulled Elladan close to her and sobbed into his shoulder 'I thought you were dead!' she cried. 'Uncles!' Eldaroin shouted, his head now processing what was going on. Elladan chuckled and held Arwen tightly 'No sister, I am not dead. Nor is Elrohir last I checked' he smiled glancing at his brother. Elrohir patted his own chest and face mockingly 'No, I'm good' he grinned. 'What happened? A scout tells us Rivendale is abandoned, and two rangers showed up here with your crown telling us you were dead and almost killed my son' Aragorn asked shocked. 'Alas Rivendale was attacked, Thranduil came to our aid again but it was not enough, our people fled to Lorien in light of the battle, those who stayed died. I fought the ranger you speak of, last I saw him I was bloodied and left for dead on the steps of my own city, he took my crown. Elrohir found me and we went into hiding in the forests.' Elladan replied sadly. 'Brother! Why did you not ask Gondor for aid!?' Aragorn exclaimed. 'Gondor sits too close to the enemy, they would have seen us gathering forces. Besides we come to Gondor now for aid' Elladan replied. 'What do you need?' Aragorn asked. 'We believe the ranger was not trying to trick you, Sauron thinks myself and Elrohir died in Rivendale and it now has no ruler, we can tell you where our people are hiding in Lorien if you could give them safe passage to Thranduil's kingdom were they will be safe. Myself and Elrohir come to you seeking refuge, if we stay dead Sauron will turn his eyes from the elves of Rivendale. If he knows we're alive he will follow us and seek to destroy our people and blood line' Elladan replied. 'So, your letting him think he's won?' piped Celuthien. 'Yes, our people are safer this way' Elladan replied. 'Sauron is seeking to destroy bloodlines?' Eldaroin questioned. 'We think so, its his way of weakening us. Elfwine and his children were attacked recently, similarly to yourself with the rangers. He thinks if the kingdoms have no kings they wont put up a fight' Elrohir answered. 'You may stay here as long as you need to, but if that indeed is Sauron's plan I fear for my children' Aragorn sighed. 'I fear for Legolas and my sons' sighed Celuthien. 'We are well protected. Legolas and the boys are safe in Mirkwood right now' Arwen comforted. 'Brothers when did you last bathe?!' Arwen sighed looking the them up and down. The twins shrugged in unison. 'Please go and wash' she giggled holding her nose. 'I will have rooms made up for you both' Aragorn smiled 'Who else knows you are here?'. 'Only you and the guards that let us in' Elrohir replied. 'Good, I will hold a meeting with the guards that you are here in secret, do not leave Minas Tirith and do not speak with anyone you don't know' Aragorn said. 'Don't worry brother, we will be like shadows in the dark' Elladan smiled. 'We are sorry to be such a burden Estel, we would not bring danger to our family if we had somewhere else to go' Elrohir apologised. 'Nonsense! I hope you would come here even if you did have somewhere else to go!' Aragorn laughed. Arwen took her brothers to their rooms and bid them goodnight, reminding them again to take bath.
Eldaroin led a small army into Lorien to find the Rivendale elves and lead them to the Woodland Realm. He returned some weeks later with Legolas, Thalberen and Thaross. 'My Sons!' Celuthien exclaimed when they entered the city gates. Legolas dismounted his horse and lifted the two boys down who then ran to their mother. 'Oh how I've missed you!' She laughed covering them with kisses. 'Where's mine?!' Legolas laughed. 'And I have missed you!' Celuthien grinned throwing her arms around Legolas. 'Come with me, I have someone people you need to meet' Celuthien smiled at the twins. Legolas and Celuthien carried the boys into the drawing room of the castle, where Elladan and Elrohir were sat. 'Boys, these are your great Uncles. This is Elladan' Celuthien pointed 'and this is Elrohir, they are twins like you' she giggled. The boys looked confused, glancing between the two brothers. 'They look the same!' exclaimed Thaross. 'Elladan, Elrohir this is Thalberen and Thaross' Celuthien introduced. 'Oh goodness this will be confusing' Elrohir laughed. 'Mother, witch one is witch?' Thalberen asked quietly. Celuthien laughed 'Elladan is a little taller' she whispered. 'I could ask the same!' Elladan laughed. 'Thalberen is light haired, Thaross is dark haired.' Celuthien explained laughing. 'I am the older one!' Thalberen shouted. Elrohir and Elladan laughed. 'Well boys! Are you going to tell us all about your travels? Your Mother tells us you've been adventuring with your Father' Elrohir grinned. Thaross gasped and ran to Elrohir, scrambling onto his lap 'Yes! We rode a horse with Ada, for days! We met our other grandfather! He is a king too!' Thaross chatted excitedly. 'A king you say!' Elrohir acted shocked. Thalberen scrambled onto Elrohir's other knee 'Yes! A king! But not like grandfather Elessar, grandfather Thranduil is king of a forest!' Thalberen added bounding with joy. 'My goodness, a whole forest? He must be a busy man' Elrohir chuckled. 'He is Uncle! He showed us his palace, it is high in the trees' Thaross went on. 'Hey boys, did you know that Elladan is a king also?' Elrohir smiled. The two boys gasped in excitement. 'Are you really Uncle Elladan? Where are you king of?' Thalberen squealed. 'A beautiful city, called Rivendale, where your grandmother was born' Elladan smiled. 'Wow! I should like to see it!' gasped Thaross. 'The city is dark at the minute I'm afraid, when it is light again I promise to take you both to see it' Elladan smiled. The two boys were giddy, Elladan and Elrohir chatted and played with them while Celuthien spoke with Legolas. Aragorn entered the room, looking pale and shaken. 'Ada? Are you alright?' Celuthien questioned. 'Welcome back Legolas' Aragorn smiled 'and boys' he waved playfully to Thalberen and Thaross, who waved back. Aragorn took Celuthien by the arm and pulled her to one side 'Celuthien, your Mother is in labour she's asking for you' Aragorn whispered. Celuthien gasped 'I'll be right up' she replied. Celuthien quickly whispered to Legolas what was going on before following her father. Legolas raised his eyebrows and nodded. Aragorn took Celuthien to a hall high in the tower, where Eldaroin was sat in a chair outside the room, they entered to see Valneen next to Arwen sat up in the bed looking sweaty and tired, her face tear streaked 'Oh thankyou Estel!' she panted when she saw Celuthien. 'Mother its alright' Celuthien soothed, sitting on the bed. 'Celuthien I can not sense the baby anymore! I can not feel it, please tell me she is alive' Arwen sobbed. Aragorn sat on the bed next to Arwen and stroked her hair. 'Please Celuthien, your gift is stronger than mine, please try to see her' Arwen begged. 'Shhh my love' Aragorn soothed, kissing Arwen's head. Celuthien panicked, she had not used her power intentionally since Sauron had entered her mind. She had, had visions come to her but she feared to look herself, in case Sauron should speak to her again. Arwen was crying, Celuthien closed her eyes and placed her hands on her mothers stomach. She scanned for signs of life. Nothing. She took a calming breath and tried again. She found it, a faint heartbeat. Celuthien opened her eyes. 'She is alive Mother, but she is weak' Celuthien whispered. Arwen let out a sigh 'Oh, thank the Valar' She panted. Arwen gritted her teeth and moaned as a contraction washed over her. Valneen parted Arwen legs and examined her 'Its almost time now' Valneen said. 'Celuthien, will you stay with me?' Arwen panted taking Celuthien's hand. 'Of course Mother' Celuthien answered. Arwen gave birth to her second daughter. She was small and weak, but as beautiful as Celuthien had foreseen. Arwen cradled her admiring her elven ears and dark eyes. Aragorn was bursting with pride, his eyes brimming with tears of joy. 'Celadriel' Arwen whispered. 'She is beautiful' Celuthien gasped. Eldaroin joined them in the room, admiring the baby. They were later joined by Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Thaross and Thalberen. 'I am overjoyed so many of my family are here to share this joy' Arwen beamed at them all sat around the bed. 'Remember this day, today life is good' Aragorn smiled.
