The babe gurgled as the last of Thranduil's quavering notes drifted away, fist bunched tightly around the soft cloth of his tunic. The Elvenking smiled down at his newborn daughter and made yet another wasted attempt to flatten one large tuft of her light-gold hair. "Tinúuial." He cooed. The baby made a grim face and kicked her legs, tugging with surprising strength upon his delicate shirt. "Shhhhh." He curled one long digit and traced his knuckle delicately along her nose. She sighed and relaxed, mouth almost curling into a smile.
The door creaked lightly. Niphredil sat up and arranged the pillows behind her back. She heard someone pause on the other side of the curtain.
"Legolas, here." Thranduil said softly.
The prince peered around the edge of the canopy. His eyes widened when they fell on his sister. He lowered himself slowly onto the bed next to his father, gazing down upon her in awe. Gimli shuffled awkwardly into sight and gasped.
"Well there's a treasure to behold." The Dwarf said.
"Here." Thranduil turned Tinúuial carefully. He nudged Legolas' arm with his elbow and gently slipped the infant into her brother's arms. The weight of the child in his arms instantly set the young Elf atremble.
"I-I'll drop her!" He stammered, sitting stock still.
"No you will not." Thranduil laughed.
"Don't be daft, Laddie!" Gimli chuckled. "Not with that grip!"
Legolas immediately relaxed his arms around the baby just in time; Tinúuial had been about to fuss. Thranduil, still beaming, put an arm around his son and kissed his temple. "Her name is Tinúuial."
"Tinúuial." Legolas repeated, smiling. "I suppose that will do."
Niphredil kicked him playfully from under the sheets. He grinned impishly at her. Tinúuial opened her mouth with a long string of delighted vowels and flapped her arms. Legolas' attention immediately snapped back to her. When her brother looked at her, the babe's mouth broke into a wide grin. Legolas promptly burst into tears.
Thranduil laughed aloud and squeezed his son. "I knew you would cry."
Legolas sniffed indignantly and lowered his head.
"Let him be!" Niphredil intervened. "You have been sobbing since she was born!"
Thranduil snapped his mouth shut and scowled at her.
There was a sharp scraping as the Dwarf pulled up a stool and sat in front of Legolas. He grumbled as he tried to peek at the baby, who was currently veiled by his friend's fair hair.
"Would you like to hold her Gimli?" Niphredil offered, nudging Thranduil.
"Yes!" Gimli exclaimed, then immediately a look of panic overcame him. "No! No! I couldn't. I'd be sure to drop her! Or pinch her! Or – I – erm – "
He searched for words as Thranduil helped Legolas place the baby on his lap. Legolas brought Gimli's arms around his new sister and held them there until the Dwarf clutched the infant to him properly. The princeling kissed his sister before reluctantly letting her go. He watched his friend intently, something akin to envy glinting behind his kind eyes. Gimli looked down at her tiny face in utter silence for what seemed like an age. Tinúuial's lavender eyes considered him thoughtfully in return.
"Well there's a sight." He thought aloud. "You know, little one, I once said that the Lady Galadriel was the fairest being in all the land, but I believe I'll have to take that back now."
"Heh." She yawned, still looking up at him.
"Hello, Sweetheart." He said to her. "My name is Gimli."
"Uncle Gimli." Niphredil corrected.
Legolas and Gimli's heads immediately shot up.
"Yes." Thranduil agreed, squeezing her hand. "I think that will do."
The two companions exchanged astounded looks. Gimli's face broke into a smile as he looked back to his niece.
"Allow me to correct myself, Love." He said thickly. "I'm your Uncle Gimli."
