Another heir of Isildur's line is born as the elves welcome the Elven New Year. Elrond is called on to act as midwife during one of Rivendell's major celebrations.
A New Year
Imladris, Mettare, T.A. 2872
Dear Journal
Household in an uproar. Lord Elrond has been in the healing halls since dawn. The Dunedain brought Arador's expectant wife into Imladris yesterday after some issues cropped up in the seventh month of her pregnancy at their chieftain Argonui's insistence. Trust the man- he was around for most of his wife's quickening and childbearing. In fact, Mithrandir always knew where to look for Argonui - at his little farmstead with his lady-wife and children, snug as a bug. Fortunately the family farm is quite tricky to get to. I recall the twins mention something about a rope ladder and some tricky signals and passwords. Elladan got it wrong once and earned an arrow in the rear for his pains - or perhaps he was mooning one of Argonui's lasses on a dare.
Last night, the mother-to-be started having the pains, well ahead of schedule. The twins are worried this is some divine retribution for Arador's messing about with the White Tree. They are praying at the household shrine in between assisting their adar in the birthing room. Heard from one of the Rangers Arador is off roaming around the Shire with Mithrandir. Apparently, they intend to contact the dwarves of the Blue Mountains or something. A ranger has been sent after them post-haste with the news. Well, personally, if my wife were expecting our first child, I would not be gallivanting about on mad adventures with wizards.
I am managing the household the best I can. Don't ask me to help with midwifing. I will likely faint. Argonui, his men and their horses still require feeding. No mood for celebrations now, not with Isildur's lineage in danger. Arwen is making sure the necessary rites are carried out for the festival in her adar's absence. It will never do to slight the Valar at this point.
Wait, what do you mean you forgot to tie the streamers for Lady Varda above the main door? And where's the special miruvor for Lord Manwe's table? Merciful Eru! What do you mean Glorfindel took it?
(Figwit dashes off to put things in order for the Mettare rites)
Imladris, Yestare, T.A. 2873
Dear Journal
Arador's lady has been delivered of a healthy baby boy just as his ada came galloping in with Glorfindel. Poor Lord Elrond got quite overlooked as the proud new father loped in, snatched the freshly-swaddled infant from our master healer's arms and kissed his wife. The little one's name will be Arathorn after that legendary Dunedain chieftain. Captain Glorfindel clearly did not like how his lord was slighted thus and muttered something along the lines of 'May he live as a blazing comet'.
It's hard getting the news secondhand from a pair of totally exhausted elf-lordlings. Perhaps it is something to do with that Amanyan foresight of Fin's. Still, ominous words, since comets don't hang around that long in my humble experience. One blink and you've missed them. Argonui not exactly thrilled by the prediction either. Arrangements are being made for fostering Arathorn II at an older…
Wait, Erestor, what do you mean I should get started so the new parents can have some private time before supper? Hey, someone take this baby off me! Erestor!
(A flustered Figwit juggles his journal with one hand and a squalling Arathorn II in the other.)
Author's Notes:
Some ominous words from Glorfindel there. Don't drop the baby, Figwit.
