As you can imagine in such a large place, there are many places of which I am fond.. Some for silly reasons and some for their grander view of The House or for the occurrence of some momentous event.

Like that apple tree in the center of the herb garden from which you fell when you were quite small playing I believe you called it Castles and Dragons! And you broke your arm...the only time you ever had a serious injury, even playing with your brothers.

And I remember how miserable you were even after your father splinted it. And you were in no pain (your father saw to that) but you were so unhappy you could not go right back out into the tree and continue from where you had left your game! I believe the Princess was just about to slay the dragon....

Every time I walked beneath the apple trees bent and gnarled branches, I remember your broken arm.

And because I am writing this for you my Arwen, I shall tell you where I was when I told your father I was carrying you.

Even though the twins were old enough to have lessons and training, to be honest my love, neither your father and I expected to be blessed with another child so soon after your brothers. Elves are not nearly as fruitful as some other races here are, most especially Men I believe. Some of them have more than four children! I have often wondered how an Edain mother handled a big family.

And suddenly, I was going to find out.

I was out riding of all things Arwen, when I felt a wave of sickness hit me. I was not far from the House, I was just down below the bridge on the main road enjoying the fresh air on my mare of the time, Nalla. Your father was actually at work designing and helping build the gazebo in our private garden.

I pulled Nalla up, slipped off her warm back and thoroughly lost my breakfast at the side of the road.

I was admittedly grateful I had not taken any of my ladies with me! They mean well, but they would have bundled me up and flown back to the House and upset your father.

Since I was alone, and I knew what was happening I was relieved to know I could tell your father without the whole House knowing before hand...

As had happened with your brothers.... (I shall get to their story by and by)

I had planned to keep the news understated, just between your father and I and the boys............

well, the best laid plans...

I did not think I could tolerate riding, so I had Nalla follow me back to the stables where I groomed and settled her in her stall.

I remember thinking I was a bit thirsty and so went out to the fountain by the front steps to dip my hand in for a taste of the sweet spring water....

I bent down and the sun light sparkling off the water mesmerized me a moment and I stood there swaying, not feeling entirely well and then, oh Arwen, I did a very foolish thing!

I fainted!

Silly me! (And I only did that once with your brothers...oh no...actually there was another time too. Well they were twins after all and rather rambunctious)

Nevertheless, this of course was not the quiet private way I wanted to tell your father you were nestled under my heart!!

The next thing I knew, your father was carrying me down the hall, white-faced and tight-lipped to our suite.

Laying me on the bed, he brought a hand to the back of my head where I had knocked it on the cobblestones, easing the growing lump.

I just remember his so worried face....he was so frightened...as he has been recently....and I am sorry for that.....

I am sorry for the worry I have caused everyone Arwen, you must believe me!

But, I am sorry...I did not mean to digress here......I did promise to stick to lighter topics on these pages...

Telling your father. Oh Arwen, it was actually quite amusing!! He enveloped me in his healer's focus, you know how he does when he is swept up in concern for a patient....I could not get a word in!

He asked what I had been doing, what I had eaten, had I been feeling poorly before.

Dear sweet elf: I had to stop his anxious queries by sitting up and pulling him to me and kissing him soundly.

That of course quite startled him and he went silent, his eyes wide at my unexpected interruption.

"Elrond beloved" I finally said, "I am pregnant! I am not deathly ill from poison nor have I swallowed bad food!"

Oh Arwen his shock!! It was even more funny than when I told him I was carrying the twins!

His face went slack a moment and then lit up like one of Mithrandir's fireworks! And he gave me such a kiss in return...well it was some moments before I could breathe....

Immediately putting a hand to me he left it there for a moment and his smile grew so big.

'It is NOT twins this time!"

I laughed out loud and pulled his hand off me and kissed his palm.

"It is a young lady, " I said archly, "and she will simply be the most beautiful she-elf in all of Middle Earth. Her mother has so declared!"

And so I said and so it has proven true my Undomiel! No blushing, it is the simple truth! Some elf-lord will be hard pressed to keep his praises of your beauty to himself. I am sure you will inspire some wonderful poems my love!

Laughing he hugged me again.......

But he still insisted I needed to rest and so to humor him, I lay in bed until the mid day meal reading. Perhaps I slept some too.

After that I was only sick a few more times and I will say, carrying you was much easier than the boys!

You should have easy pregnancies if I am any judge of the condition my love. Besides, I am sure your father will help you through any bad spots and will undoubtedly be there to help deliver his first grandchild!

That will be a wonderful day my love...a wonderful day for all of us....and even though I will not be there, I will know eventually from your father and share in the pride and love. We shall meet again eventually my dear sweet Undomiel, always remember that.

And remember that above all when your heart is sore pressed and missing me

It will be what sustains me, even in the glory of the West where all healing comes.

Knowing I shall see you again.

Well the twins were quite delighted by your presence, no matter what they have said in the heat of a quarrel! They both put their hands to my tummy demanding to talk to you and wondering what you would look like....

As I said, the pregnancy went quite well and a year later I brought you forth here in our suite, your father, being as calm as he could, delivering you with a minimum of fuss.

I am certain, after the twins he felt quite the expert in childbirth.

You arrived late at night, which meant I was already in bed and your father, his satchel of medical supplies ever at hand had little to do to prepare, save getting me comfortable and laying out a great many towels and cloths.

He did not even call for assistance, he was so sure of the easy outcome.

And do not misunderstand me, childbirth is a lot of work and it is messy and a great deal if blood is involved. Well, you know this from helping your mare deliver. Thankfully a baby elf is so much more tiny than a foal!

Your father knew when to alleviate my pains and when to urge me on and help me with his healing energy when I got too tired to push.


At one point, crying and panting with effort, keeping a hand on my rippling abdomen, he bent and took a scream of pain with a kiss. The surprise of his action helped me bear the contraction easier.

Once you made your arrival, he cleaned you off efficiently and put you on my stomach so we could both admire your perfection. What a wonderful head of curly hair you had!

Lifting you and putting you to my breast we both watched in wonder as you took your first suckles of milk and then, your father delivered the after birth and cleaned and bathed me.

And this time, no stitches.

I was so tired, but so glad it had been just the two of us (now three!) to handle your birth my Arwen.

The twins birth was bit more chaotic, since there were two and it was my first pregnancy and your father was bit more nervous and so there were two of my ladies and two healer's assistants with your father.

I am glad they were there, make no mistake on that.....but your birth was more intimate and wonderful somehow.

And because your father had had the foresight to keep plenty of clean linen and towels and cloths on hand, I did not even have to leave our bed, which may sound like a silly thing to make note of, but it was just one more thing about your arrival that was different than the boys. The birth couch he had made before the twins came was quite comfortable and did help ease the way with them. But it was more special to have you in the comfortable haven of our bed, your little cradle next to me, all ready too with soft blankets.

And dear Elrond, HE was quite tired after seeing to both of our needs.

And so when the sun rose and you squalled your wee hunger to us, I awoke to find your father curled around us, his dark hair mingling with mine, a soft tendril half draped across your forehead, one arm around you and the other around me.

And yes, I know you have heard over and over (as you used to ask a great many times when you were younger) how you got your name.

That day I discovered your presence under my heart, both your father and I were floating on clouds and when the evening came, we decided to have dinner out on the terrace and the twins were delighted and believe me when I said they were well-behaved.

Elladan and Elrohir were playing a version of cat's cradle, sitting on the tiles after the meal and your father and I were just enjoying our second glass of tea when Elladan called out softly, "Look, there's grandfather's boat!"

And Elrohir and he both stared at the bright twinkling of the star. And your father gently put a hand to my abdomen and I could feel his warmth through my gown and he said, "Ahh, my father's star, our family's evening star." His hand softly massaged my muscles and his eyes went deep with foresight and he added quietly. "And so she shall be, the Evenstar of her people, our Undomiel."

And I added simply as I had been thinking of it all day, "Our Arwen."

He leaned over and kissed me, Earendil's starlight glittering in his midnight dark eyes and we did not part until one of your brothers said softly, "Oh yuck!""

Your father laughed against my mouth and kissing me softly one more time, his eyes still dark with emotion he turned to the boys and said, "Finish up your journals and then off to bed my sons."

They looked at us and Elladan seeing your father's mood, nodded his head quickly and silently took Elrohir who protested, "But, I was just winning..."

I smiled into Elrond's face and waiting until I knew we were alone, I took your father by the hand, kissed his fingers and re-entered the suite.