DISCLAIMER: I only own Ëarel, Silruin, and Aldaya. And, of course, the elf-baby. : )
Chapter Two
The Elf-Child
Aldaya leaned back against the pillows, panting heavily. "Stay calm," Elrond said gently from his perch next to her on a chair, taking her hand and smiling at her, then glancing at the movement of the sky. Her cramps were coming closer now, only three minutes apart. Elrond abruptly stood up, excused himself to see how Elrohir was faring, and quickly closed the door behind him.
"Elladan," he said in a brisk tone. "Where is your brother?"
"He went to get something to eat—why?"
"I want you to go boil some water, get some brandy and a clean dagger, and the kit that Celebrían made out and left in our room." When Elladan stood puzzled a moment longer, Elrond scowled. "Now!" Elladan ran.
Elrohir passed him in the hall, paused, confused, and then saw Elrond beckoning to him and hurried up. "Aldaya?" Elrohir asked, and Elrond nodded. Elrohir stepped past him and into the room just as Aldaya had another cramp. She yelped with pain, and went very pale. Elrohir took some of the pain onto him through their rapport, and winced at how sharp it was. He took Aldaya's hand and Elrond's chair, speaking soothingly. A moment later, he heard quick footsteps and his mother, Celebrían, appeared, and followed by an extremely nervous Elladan.
"Relax," Elrohir said to his brother. "Everything's fine." Elladan made a face in response. Aldaya managed to laugh weakly, but her cramps intensified and she cried out.
"Hold on, honey," said Celebrían, her beautiful face sympathetic as Elrond shooed Elladan out of the room. "The worst is yet to come, but it's almost over."
* * * *
Aldaya leaned back against her pillows, her hair so soaked with sweat as to appear black instead of reddish-brown. Her face was pale, but her eyes and smile lit up as Elrond gave the squirming, crying bundle that was her baby to Elrohir to hold. Elrohir came close to Aldaya and eased the child into her arms. "It's a boy," Elrond said over Elrohir's shoulder, and then both he and Celebrían left to give him and Aldaya some privacy.
"Well?" Elladan demanded as Celebrían and Elrond left the room to come into the hallway, where, among others, Elwing, Celeborn, Galadriel, Elladan, Glorfindel and Ëarel were waiting with some impatience for the news.
"It's a boy," Elrond said with a smile, and he and Celebrían retired to their rooms for some much deserved rest.
* * * *
"What to name him?" Aldaya whispered, looking into the beautiful gray eyes of her newborn son. The baby yawned and waved his little fists around gently, then began to cry. "Oh, shhh," Aldaya soothed, rocking him gently. The child calmed, and looked up at Aldaya and Elrohir.
"Tindómë,*" Elrohir said suddenly. "His name shall be Tindómë."
"Ëarfëa*," Aldaya whispered, but Elrohir did not hear. "His mother name shall be Ëarfëa."
*?*?*?*?*?*?*
*Starry Twilight
*Sea-spirit
AUTHOR'S NOTE: In the elven culture, the father's named the children as their "first" name, and sometimes the mothers would give a mother-name, names of insight or foresight.