Legolas sat outside Dawn's room in agony. Not only had his father not retuned, but Dawn was in labor. The worst part was that she was that she had been expecting twins. It was obvious that she could not deliver the babes on her own, so they would have to be cut out of her. She had told the healers to wait as long as they could so that Thranduil would make it back in time. The healers agreed to wait, but Legolas knew her true purpose of waiting. If indeed Thranduil did come back, she hoped that she would be so tired that she died. That was her plan, to escape from her prison and be free at last. Legolas was so lost in thought, and Dawn's screams of agony weren't helping. He finally got up and left. He passed Dearon, who looked slightly confused.
"What is going on?" he asked annoyed.
"Ask Dawn," Legolas replied before turning the corner. Dearon turned and glared at her door. He hated her, but he wanted to know what was going on. He slowly opened the door and looked inside. He saw the healers sitting quietly in the corner, and Dawn lying in bed. She was covered in sweat and looked as if she were in a great deal of pain. He stepped inside and pulled the door wide open.
"Leave," he commanded. The healers looked at him confused before standing and leaving. He locked the door before turning and looking at Dawn. She slowly turned and looked at him. He could tell that that had taken a great deal of strength to do.
"Congratulations," she whispered. Her voice was low and hoarse.
"Excuse me?"
"You have won. Soon I shall be gone, and will finally be rid of me." He walked over and sat next to her.
"That really is not winning. I wanted you to leave, but not this way."
"Does it matter? I will be gone. That is all that matters. The woman whom you hated for years will soon never be a problem again."
"Well how would you feel if someone tried to replace your mother?"
"I was not trying to. I was forced to. I only married you father so that mine would die in piece." She coughed and struggled to breathe. Dearon's face softened slightly and he started to pity the poor woman.
"Then the fault was mine. Forgive me. I did not know." She smiled weakly at him.
"It is fine. I think I understand."
"No you do not!" He stood and backed away from her. "Do not ever say that! You can never understand!" He turned and walked towards the door.
"You feel alone." He stopped with his hand gripped tightly around the knob. "The one person who you thought would always be there is gone. The one person that knew you better than everyone else is gone. The one person who could always comfort you will not be there. Why did they have to die? Why was it not someone else? Why could you or anyone else not save them?" He was silent for a moment before slowly turning to look at her with tearful eyes.
"Why did she go outside the gate?" he whispered. "Why did Ada not run and try to save her? Why did he let her go past the gate? Why?" She weakly held out her arm and he walked over to her before kneeling beside the bed and rested his by her side. She slowly smoothed out his hair while he cried.
"I could never be your mother, but from what I have heard about her, she was a one of a kind." He looked up at her and gave her a small smile.
"I am sorry. I am really, really, sorry."
"There is nothing to forgive." She smiled before breaking into a coughing fit. He paled when he saw that she was coughing up blood. He stood and ran to the door before throwing it open.
"Legolas!"
Legolas stood at the gate, starring past it in hope that his father would soon return. The healers said Dawn would not last much longer. She still insisted that they wait, and made sure to get her point across. He couldn't deny a dying woman's wishes.
"He will not make it." He turned and saw Idril. Her eyes were red and face was stained with tears.
"Give him more time." He turned and looked back at the woods. Idril took a step closer.
"Ada will not be here in time. You must let the healers deliver the babes." She walked around and stood in front of him. "Listen to me. They will ALL die. You can save the babes. I cannot say the same about Dawn but-"
"But what?! You would rather let Nana die alone!" She took a step back starred at him.
"Nana? I too like Dawn, but she could never truly be my mother."
"Then you are a fool." He walked past her and stood at the edge of the gate. "We will wait for Ada." She glared at him before leaving.
Dawn knew her time was coming. She could barely keep her eyes open. Dearon sat with her and held her hand. He knew his father would make it back soon. Idril came into the room and he knew something was wrong.
"Do it," she said to the healers. "Legolas said not to wait any longer." The healers nodded and moved towards the bed but stopped when Dearon stopped and held out his sword.
"Touch her and I will kill you all." He looked at Idril. "You should know better than to lie to me. It was I who taught you the art of lying."
"I would not have to lie if you two would come to your senses. We need to deliver the babes now."
"You do not know what we need to do. Legolas does know and if he says we need to wait, then we shall wait."
"When did you start to care for her?"
"That is not your concern. Now stop arguing with me and do what Legolas said."
"And you agree with him?"
"Yes."
"Do you still agree with him even after he called her Nana?" He stood and stared at her. Did he agree with his brother? Was he ready to call her his mother?
"Yes." He stood taller. "I do agree with him. Nana needs us." Idril glared before leaving. "All of you leave."
"But sir-"
"Get out!" The healers hurried out as a guard came in. "Did you not here me yell for them to leave?"
"I was told to bring her to the king's chambers."
"By whom?"
"Your brother commanded it."
"Why?"
"So that she may be by the king's side."
"We will wait for him to arrive."
"There is no need to wait."
"Why not?"
"He is here."
It had been a miracle that Thranduil had survived. His men had managed to slay the spiders and get him out with no casualties. After the loss of one warrior and their king's inspiration speech, they were determined to get him home. Legolas had thanked each of them before running to his father's chambers. When the guards laid him on the bed, Legolas inspect the wound. He paled when he could see through the whole in Thranduil's stomach.
"Fetch the healers now!" They hurried inside, followed by the guard carrying Dawn and Dearon. The guard laid her down next to Thranduil. Both were passed out. Both were limp. Both were cold. Legolas turned and looked at a healer. "Do it." The healer nodded and cleaned a knife.
"Legolas." He turned and looked at his brother. Dearon nodded towards the bed. Thranduil slowly, and barely, opened his eyes and looked around. His body felt numb, except for his stomach. He glanced down and saw the blood running freely from the wound. He looked over to his right and saw Dawn.
"Dawn?" he whispered hoarsely. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the healer with the knife.
"No!" She tried to move but barely had the strength to do so. He weakly grabbed her chin and forced her look at him.
"Calm down. You will tire yourself." He looked at the guards and his sons. "All of you leave." They nodded and quickly left. She could still see the healer out of the corner of her eye and began to shake. "Look at me. Keep your eyes on me." She nodded.
"When you are ready," the healer said. Thranduil nodded. The healer pulled back the blanket and pushed up her dress before slowly cutting into Dawn's stomach. She screamed and cried, but Thranduil held her face still. Before long the first babe made its first cry. "It is a boy."
"Can his name be Elon?" she whispered. Thranduil nodded. Five minutes later, their daughter came into. He named her Jade. The healer took the babes and left. The others went to work making medicines. Dawn breathing came out heavy and in pants.
"Dawn stay with me." Her eyes were heavy. "Stay with me and I shall show you something special." Soon the illusion faded and she saw his scarred face. She starred at before slowly reaching out and touched it. The bone was smooth and firm, the rest was soft and squishy. She looked him in the eye and held his gaze for a moment before her eyes slowly shut and her breathing slowed to a stop. "Dawn?" She did not answer. He sat quickly with surprised strength before falling back on the bed, gasping for air. The last he saw was her face.