Chapter 8:
The Son of Beo
"Come on mommy!" Mae said running towards the river, a very pregnant Lena waddled behind her. It had been a few weeks since she last saw Thranduil. She intended to thank him for the crib and rocking chair the next time she saw him. His gifts had brought much relief to her. Now she could spend her money on something else that was needed.
After visiting Amariel the day before, it was determined Lena's child could be born at any time now. Lena was quite ready for her child's birth. The last couple of weeks she could feel her body preparing for the birth with false labor. The waves of pain were inconsistent but very annoying and painful. How she longed to go into labor, birth her child and have a new little one to cuddle.
Mae played while Lena walked around in hope of helping her labor begin sooner. She felt another wave of pain begin when Tauriel approached.
"Tauriel." Lena greeted as she braced herself against one of the pillars.
"Lena, are you alright?" her friend questioned. Lena tried to nod as she breathed through the pain.
"I'm fine." She answered once the pain was gone. "Amariel says the birthing process can begin anytime now. Unfortunately, this babe likes to tease me by giving me false hope." Lena gave her friend a tired smile. The two talked a while as Mae played. The waves of pain continued, slowly growing stronger and lasting longer.
"Tauriel," Lena began as realized the birthing process may have begun, "could you send for Amariel for me?" Another wave of pain began to engulf her. She winced at the pain but managed to breathe through wave.
"You're in labor?" Tauriel asked, already knowing the answer. Lena nodded a pained smile spread across her face.
"I hope so. Please send her to my room."
"Of course. Do you need help getting to your room?" Tauriel questioned. Lena shook her head so Tauriel continued to speak. "I will find a maid for Mae and take of everything."
"Thank you, my friend." Lena sighed. She needed to get to her room before the next wave of pain struck her. She didn't want to labor out here in the open. She wanted to rest in her own space as she awaited the birth of her child.
Lena made her way to her room; the birthing waves continued to grow more intense. She wasn't in her room long when Amariel knocked on the door. Lena quickly allowed her and her assistance in. After a quick check, Amariel deemed Lena was indeed in labor. She was relieved; today was the day.
"There are blankets for the baby there." Lena commented directing the ellith to the wooden drawer. "There are clothes in there, as well."
She took in a deep breath as another birth wave came over her. By the time the pain ended, Amariel and her assistants had their things ready. The birthing process could be a long or short, whichever way it went Lena was ready to meet hers and Beo's last child. She knelt on her knees and leaned her head against the bed. For the moment it was a comfortable position. She could feel the pain begin again, she bit her lip as the pain increased slightly.
"Do what you need to do to be comfortable." Amariel told her as she knelt next to the adeneth. "We'll help ease your pain any way we can." Lena smiled at her midwife. Memories of Mae's birth played in Lena's mind.
"Beo." Lena cried. "It's getting close." Tears were in her eyes from the pain. Beo brought over a pail of warm water. He grabbed a blanket and clean rag before he knelt next to his wife. His hand held hers as the wave of pain continued. They were getting longer and stronger.
Lena let out another cry; she could feel her body involuntarily begin to push her child out. "It's time." She nodded as Beo readied himself to catch the baby as she emerged. Lena pushed. Then the wave was gone a few seconds later, the pushing began again. She let out another cry as she managed to birth her daughter.
"She's here." Lena heard Beo say. "We have a daughter, Lena. She's beautiful." She looked up to see her husband look over their baby girl. Tears briefly filled Beo's eyes as Lena allowed hers to fall.
Lena's smiled widened as her husband handed her their small babe. Lena kissed the baby before she laid the baby on her chest.
"She's perfect." Lena said as she attempted to feed her baby girl. Beo sat next to her, his arm went around her. His head rested on hers as they gazed down at the child they had created. Smiles and tears of joy filled the moment. Beo kissed the side of Lena's head. She turned to him and they met in a kiss.
"I love you." Beo whispered to her. "Thank you for giving me the most beautiful daughter."
…
"My king," Tauriel greeted as he approached Thranduil. Thranduil sat at a table, wine in front of him, papers that needed to be read and signed rested in a pile next to the wine. Thranduil looked up the captain. "I am here to report that Lena's birthing time has come."
"How is she doing?" Thranduil asked.
"Amariel is with her now. They are, of course, unsure of how long it will be but it sounds like Lena's child will be born soon." Thranduil nodded before he looked down at the paper he had been reading.
"Have the guards inform me when the child comes or if there are any complications." Thranduil commanded. Tauriel nodded and left. Thranduil's thoughts went to his wife's labor. Legolas' birth had been a great moment. Elowyn's death, however, made him concerned for Lena. He didn't particularly like her but she was tolerable, now that she'd admitted her fault and wrong doing, that is. The fact he hadn't seen her in a few weeks probably helped with that.
Thranduil also didn't want to become solely responsible for her children's well being. For now, all he could do was wait and see what happened.
...
"Aaaa." Lena cried at the intensity of pain. Tears filled her eyes. Many hours had passed since her labor had begun and she had, had less than a few moments rest.
"It's getting close, Lena." Amariel told her. "You're doing great."
"Ok." Lena replied. She felt one of the assistants put a cool damp cloth on her face. The sweat trickled on her body as she took the moment to catch her breath. It wasn't long before the pain began again, accompanied with the urge to push.
"It's time." she told Amariel, "I need to push."
"Ok, just follow your instincts." Amariel told her as she got ready to catch the baby. "You're doing wonderfully." Lena pushed.
Five minutes later Lena let out one last roar before as she brought her child into the world.
Outside, Thranduil walked towards Lena's bedroom door. Many hours passed since he heard of her labor beginning and there was still no word of her or of the child's condition. He simply wanted an update on how everything was going. He was surprised to see Iston already waiting outside of Lena's door.
"My Lord." Iston greeted the King as he approached Lena's room.
"Iston?" Thranduil questioned. "Has something happened?" It wasn't often Iston was included in the birthing process unless a problem arose.
"Not to my knowledge. Amariel asked me to come and check on the baby once it's born." Iston answered. "Since the death of Queen Elowyn she often askes me to stay close by during the afterbirth, as well."
Thranduil paused; he had not expected to hear his wife's name to be brought up by others. Memories of waiting outside of her chambers as she gave birth to their son played in his mind.
"Amariel, is taking every precaution she can."Iston continued. Thranduil simply nodded. Those same precautions should have been taken for his wife.
The two stood in silence for a few moments. The silence was quickly broken when they heard a baby's cry. A few more minutes passed before Amariel opened the door.
"We are ready for you Iston."
"I will give you a report when I'm done looking the child over." Iston told Thranduil before he walked inside the room. Amariel's eyes briefly met the King's.
"My Lord." She bowed her head; her eyes dared not meet his. "Beo has a son." She told him before she shut the door and went back to Lena. Thranduil continued to wait.
'Please, keep her safe.' Beo's words repeated. After a few more minutes Iston emerged.
"The baby looks very healthy." Iston reported.
"And Lena?"
"She is doing quite well. I don't believe there will be a problem. I will stay close to here for the next few hours and will send word to you if anything does happen."
Thranduil nodded. He had other things to tend to and now that he knew mother and child were fine, he would continue to go about his duties. He turned to walk away when Amariel came out.
"My Lord," she called, "Lena is asking for you."
Thranduil turned back. Why would she want to see him now? She had just birthed a son; surely anything she had to say could wait.
Nonetheless he walked through the doors into Lena's chambers. He was surprised to see her standing. She gently rocked her newborn as she walked around the room.
"My king." She greeted him with a nod. By this time, Amariel and her assistance left the room to talk with Iston. This allowed the two to speak freely.
"Alena." He replied. "Shouldn't you be lying down? Should you not be conserving your strength?" She turned to give Thranduil a better view of the baby.
"I am fine. Look at him. Doesn't he look just like Beo?" she questioned. "He would have been so pleased." A huge smile spread across her face. It was rare for him to see her smile. Much of her time in the Woodland Realm had been spent mourning the death of her husband. When she did smile they were sad, forced smiles. Most of which she would give Mae to give the child hope. She hadn't shown him a genuine smile before. It was strange he hadn't noticed it before.
Thranduil looked from her down to the child. She was right; he did look like his father.
"He would have been very proud, Alena."
"He always wanted a son." Lena told him. "He never confessed it but I could see it in his eyes." Thranduil remained quiet. He expected to see Lena and the child but not right after birth. Why did she want to see him and what was it she expected of him? "They said you were waiting outside the door. Why?"
"I simply wanted to make sure you and your child were alright."
"Thank you for the crib and rocking chair. " Lena smiled. "They are beautiful."
"You worried over such things for a long time." Thranduil replied. "I told you anything your child needed would be provided for you." A small smile rested on his lips. There was something about Lena that seemed different. Sweat glistened her body and her hair was a mess, yet the joy on her face brought a beauty to her that he hadn't noticed before.
"I never said anything about a rocking chair." Lena said. "Beo talked about making one after Mae was born but he was so busy he didn't have time to."
"I knew you did not have one and it seemed relevant for you to have one." Thranduil responded. The smile never left her face as Lena sat in the rocking chair.
"Pardon me, my king." Lena said as she rested back into the rocking chair, "I know it is customary to remain standing in your presence."
"You just had a baby Alena." Thranduil commented. "I'm not going to imprison you for lying down after having a baby."
"Please, call me Lena. Through everything I've been through the last few months, l am glad to know there can still be great happiness despite the sorrow." Lena said as she looked back down to her son. "I wish Beo could be here. He would be so happy." She rocked the chair back and forth as her baby cooed.
It was then Amariel returned. "Lena, are you ready to see your daughter?"
"Yes, she can come in." Lena replied. Amariel turned and motioned for Mae to come in. Mae looked around the room before her eyes set on her mother and new baby brother.
"Hello Mae." Lena motioned. "Come meet your brother." The little girl smiled and ran up to her mother's side. She stood next to Lena and looked down at the new baby. The little girl beamed with excitement.
"That's my brother." She squealed as she looked up Thranduil and Amariel.
"Yes he is." He gave Beo's small family a soft smile. "I must go. Congratulations Lena. Your husband would be pleased."
"Thank you." A tired but happy, Lena replied. "Thank you for everything."
Thranduil gave her one final nod before he turned and left the room.
"Keep me posted on her recovery." Thranduil told Iston, who had remained outside Lena's door.
Lena smiled to herself and she looked between her two children. Everything was perfect.
…
'I'm just tired.' Lena thought as she made her way down to the healing room. 'Iston will confirm that. There's nothing to worry about.' A week had passed since she gave her son had been great for the first few days, now, however, Lena wasn't sure.
"Lena" an elleth greated her, as she entered the room.
"Is Iston here?" Lena asked her. She didn't want to think anything was wrong however she knew it was best to make sure. She felt her body weaken, spells of hot and cold consumed her, dizziness and fatigue held her hostage.
"I'm sorry, he's not Lena." The elleth replied. "You can wait for him. Or shall I tell him you stopped by?" Lena thought a moment. She knew this wasn't normal but she didn't want anyone fussing over her either.
"No." She finally replied, "I'll just stop by again tomorrow."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Thank you." Lena nodded and turned. Once she was out of the healing room she headed back down towards her quarters. She bit her lip as she tried to keep her balance from the dizziness.
"Lena." She heard Thranduil address her before he joined her in walking. "How is your son doing?"
"He's good. He eats well and is growing the way he should be." Lena replied. "He's not very fond of sleep though."
"I remember those nights." Thranduil commented.
"I thought you would have had a maid take care of your son when he was little."
"I did." Thranduil answered. "I did try and take care of him when I was able." Lena smiled and nodded before she looked back to the path.
"How is his mother doing?" Thranduil questioned as he looked the dunadeth over.
"I'm alright." Lena lied. "Just tired." She continued to tell herself this. She was only tired. There couldn't be anything serious wrong with her, right? A shiver ran down her spine as the chills began to set in again.
"You look exhausted Lena." Thranduil said. If he were to be completely honest, she looked horrible. Her hair was a mess, her face was paler than usual and her eyes were close to lifeless. It was hard to believe this was the same creature he had seen beauty in only a week before. Assuming she was just tired from having and then taking care of the her new baby and, of course, Mae, Thranduil continued, "I know you're not fond of having help but allow one of the maids watch your children for the afternoon."
"No, I'm their mother." Lena shook her head. "I have to take care…"
"I know but you're going to make yourself sick." Thranduil insisted. "Just get some sleep. Once you've rested up, you can resume your responsibilities as their mother."
"Ok." Lena answered as she shrugged off his suggestion. Like always, Thranduil had other things to tend to so he bid her farewell and began to walk away.
"Oh and Lena," Thranduil paused and turned back to her. "That is an order, not a suggestion." A smile formed on her lips while a smirk formed on his. "I'm going to have someone check on you and make sure you're following through."
"Ok." She nodded and the two parted ways. 'At least he cares.' Lena thought. Once she made it to her room, she did what Thranduil told her to and asked the maid to care for Mae and the baby. She'd still need to get up and feed him but it was still more sleep than she had been getting.
Lena slept most of the afternoon. Once Mae was down for the night she sent the maid home to her family and took over baby caring duty. The sleep was needed but her body continued to grow weaker during the night. Lena could barely hold her arms up to hold the child while she nursed him in the rocking chair. Once the babe was finished nursing and was asleep, she placed him in the crib and walked back to her bed. Despite the sleep she obtained earlier she was still exhausted. Her head spun while her body continued to go through the hot and cold waves. It was the beginning of a long and hard night.
"Mommy, the baby needs you." Lena heard Mae call out as the baby began to cry for food. It was now morning and Lena only felt worse.
The room was quite warm but her body felt chilled, her arms shook and legs were weak. Lena managed to stand and slowly began to make her way towards the crib. Then her head began to spin, she felt herself fall to the floor, and then the world grew black.
…
~Authors Note~
Hello again! Yay for two chapters in one week. I wish I could update that quickly all the time. Thanks to everyone who is reading/following/favoring my story! A special thanks to those who reviewed:
Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're loving my story!
Cheekymonkey97: I'm so glad you're enjoying my story. I hope you will enjoy the way their relationship develops and that it won't go too fast or too slow. Thanks for the review!
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will update ASAP! Feel to leave a review if you have a moment. Constructive criticism is always welcomed! Thanks again! -Lin
