First chap = Disclaimers
Not especially happy at the beginning here. Be warned.
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Elrond paced discontentedly in his study. Celebrian had begun to have labor pains four hours ago. He had still not received word about her progress. Glorfindel had been in telling him not to worry, but that advice had not helped. Elrond was joined to his wife.
He knew there was something wrong.
A small jolt of phantom pain crossed his midsection. It was the third one he'd had. They were definitely coming from Celebrian, and they were not contractions. She had not had any such problems when she carried the twins.
He was the master healer of Imladris. He should be in that room regardless of tradition. There was something wrong.
At first, he had not been concerned when Celebrian entered into premature labor. The child was his and not completely Elven in heritage after all. There was no reason to fret. But, now, he was beginning to feel Celebrian's pain. There was no-way that he could find that in any way normal or explainable.
Determined, he began his walk to the room where Celebrian lay. He was halfway there when the attending midwife appeared in his line of sight.
"My lord, I fear that your assistance is needed." She said.
Elrond quickened his steps brushing past numerous concerned elves as he entered the delivery room.
"Elrond" Celebrian's voice was abnormally weak. Her face was almost translucent in color. Sweat dotted her forehead.
"There is something wrong with the baby. You are feeling pains that were not there with the twins?" Elrond's words were formed more like a statement than a query.
Celebrian nodded. "It pains me. And, I cannot feel her at all times."
Elrond nodded as he began his examination of his wife. He did not pretend to know the bond that Celebrian had formed with their third child. He only knew it existed. Celebrian had said that her mother had been able to feel her when she carried.
It had appeared that Celebrian had developed the same sense where their daughter was concerned.
Their daughter, that was a point that Elrond had learned not to debate Celebrian on. She had called the child a girl since early in the pregnancy. She would not be swayed in her belief.
Elrond shook his head to clear his thoughts. Celebrian needed him present and helping. He would deal with reminiscing later.
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Galadriel sat straight up in bed. She had not felt her daughter's mind for many years. She had not truly felt it since that fateful night when Celebrian joined with Elrond for the first time.
Now, it was writhing around in her own consciousness. It reverberated with pain and sadness.
She had to get to Imladris as quickly as possible. She glared for a moment at her peacefully sleeping husband. Not wanting to waste timing trying to gently rouse him from his sleep. She gave him a good shove causing him to land on the floor with a thud.
A second later hazy eyes peered up at her.
"We must leave now." Galadriel announced as she swept from her bed and began to pack.
"Where are we going?"
"Imladris. Celebrian is in danger."
Celeborn needed no more encouragement. He grabbed his robe and headed to ready provision for the ride.
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Elrohir looked nervously at his twin. Elrond had been tending to Celebrian for three hours now. The problem was that Elrond had begun to mirror his wife's pain. It was not getting any better.
"Adar will not be helpful much longer." Elrohir stated.
Elladan nodded. "I fear that we will have to call a healer for him as well."
Glorfindel moved quietly beside the Elrond's sons. "Disease may not be carried in Elven veins, but to believe there is no danger is a folly all too often indulged in." His eyes were not sparkling with their usual wit. It was a rare occurrence to see one of the Lords of Imladris so subdued and serious; it was not comforting.
A soft moan came fro inside the room. Quickly, Elladan slipped in and returned carrying his father.
"He reflects her pain. It grows worse with every hour. I fear he can do no more. Take him to his chambers." Glorfindel commanded.
Elrohir watched in distress as his twin carried off his father. Glorfindel turned to him.
"Hard as it is to tell you from your brother, I know that there are certain things that one excels at more than the other. You must ride to Lothlorien and fetch your grandmother. Take my horse, for he is faster than any of the more sturdy stock your father prefers."
Elrohir nodded. Any other time an invitation to ride upon Glorfindel's mount would be on honor worthy of gloat. It seemed hollow in the present circumstances.
"You need not trouble that horse from its slumber. I am already here. Many nights ago, I was woken with a premonition of my daughter's pain. I thought it was real. I did not realize different until I was almost here." Galadriel swept down the hallway her eyes the only betrayal of her inner turmoil.
"We know not what to do." Elrohir needlessly stated the obvious.
"Then it is fortunate for you that I do. Do not disturb me until I call." Galadriel said as she entered the room where her daughter lay and firmly closed the door.
A bedraggled Celeborn halted beside his grandson and Glorfindel. He shrugged his shoulders at their questioning looks. "I no longer pretend to understand my wife. I only nod, and say 'Yes, dear.'"
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Galadriel sat next to her daughter and stroked silver hair off of her forehead. Pain filled eyes focused on her.
"What is wrong with me? My pain has driven even Elrond away." Celebrian's words came out as a whisper.
Galadriel held her daughter's hand gently. "There is nothing wrong with you that cannot be remedied. Elrond's leaving is only a testament to the fact that you are deeply bonded."
Celebrian groaned as another wave of pain hit her. "Now I know what it takes for you to say something nice about him."
"Ah, my dear child, someday you will understand my feelings when your daughter runs off with a man."
"I do not think I will see the day when I have a daughter."
"That you are wrong in. I have seen this problem in labor only once before, and both mother and daughter lived to become very obstinate."
"You and me?"
Galadriel nodded as she began to adjust the pillows around Celebrian. "I am glad your mental sharpness has not abated."
"It has been necessary to keep up. Elrond has all manner of creature tromping through his halls."
"A painful side effect of being married to one as kind as summer."
"Mother, please, I do not think I can handle your new attitude to Elrond at the moment. It is overwhelming."
"Very well. Now, what I need you to do is tell her to come."
"What?"
"Celebrian, I spent ages in labor with you. Our bond was strong and my initial fear of problems during birth was transferred to you. You refused to be born. I am assuming that it is worse for this little one. You fear, your husband reflected that fear. The two of you have probably traumatized the poor thing."
"That isn't nice."
"I'm not here to be nice. I'm here to bring your child into the world. Now relax, assure her and push when I say so."
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Elladan and Elrohir sat outside, one chewing on his right thumbnail, the other on his left.
The door cracked open. "Bring me Elrond. Now." Was all Galadriel said before shutting it.
Glorfindel sprinted down the hallway followed by the twins. Thankfully, Elrond was not doubled over in pain as they hurried him back to the room.
Galadriel opened the door to their knocking and pulled Elrond inside, letting no others follow.
Fear and concern marred the faces of those waiting outside.
Elrond looked around the room and was relieved to see that Celebrian seemed to be resting although blankets and pillows obscured his view of her.
"What is wrong with her?" He asked.
"Nothing." Galadriel responded.
"Nothing? That is an impossibility!" He hissed as his temper rose.
Galadriel motioned her hand towards Celebrian. "See for yourself."
Elrond looked over in Celebrian's direction to see that she was not asleep, but was rather observing him.
"You are well?" He questioned as he moved closer.
Celebrian smiled and pulled a blanket down exposing a small bundle in her arms. Distantly Elrond heard the door click shut as Galadriel left them.
Elrond gingerly took the bundle and looked down at his youngest child.
"She is beautiful. She will no doubt rival even Luthien when she is older."
"That is what mother said. I, however, do not care. She is ours. No beauty in the world could replace that knowledge."
Elrond nodded and kissed his child's brow then repeated the action on her mother as he handed little Arwen back.
"'Tis a glorious day."