Disclaimer: I don't own anyone in
this story except for Pippin's daughter. J.R.R. Tolkien owns the characters,
although it would be pretty nifty if I did own them.
The sun is fading outside, and still we wait. I can't remember how long it's been, but surely it has been quite a while.
On my lap, Faramir yawns, then turns his little head up to look at me. "When, Papa?"
"Soon, darling, just be patient." I kiss the top of his curly head.
"Papa! I'm tired of being patient!" He whined. "Can I go and see Mama?"
"Faramir, hush and listen to your
father." Merry says. Faramir sighs, and looks at the door, leaning back
on my chest. The large grandfather clock ticks slowly in the corner of
the hallway where we sit, outside the infirmary, waiting for news of my
wife. The three of us, myself, my five-year-old son, Faramir, and my cousin,
Meriadoc Brandybuck, sit and wait. Merry's here not only because, as my
favourite relative and closest friend, but also because I want him named
godfather for my second child. He already has that honour with Faramir.
The door to the infirmary opens slowly, and all three of us look up. Goldie, the nursemaid gives us a reassuring smile.
"Master Peregrin, if you'd like to come in."
Putting Faramir on the chair next to me, I stood up, going towards the door.
"Papa! Let me come too!" Faramir cries. His eager little eyes shine brightly, filled with worry. He holds his hands up to me, hoping I'll pick him up. I shake my head, though.
"No, Faramir, you wait here with Uncle Merry. Your Mama is probably tired. I'll bring out the little one for you to see."
"Okay, Papa." Faramir says, a bit disappointed. He knows my word is final, and there is usually nothing that he can say to change my mind. He goes over to Merry and climbs into his lap, sucking his thumb. I laugh to myself, and go inside the room.
Diamond lays still on the bed. I go over to her, kissing her hand softly. Her hair is soaked with sweat, so I brush it back from her face. Her eyes flutter open, and she smiles at me.
"Good morning, love." Diamond says. She looks pale and exhausted, but her face is set with that boldness I love about her. I offer he a weak smile.
"Hello, Diamond. How are you feeling?"
"Just a little tired. It's a girl, Peregrin."
"A girl? Where is she?"
"They're cleaning her up. She didn't cry when she was born, so they're just making sure she's all right."
"Are you all right?
"Yes, darling, I'm all right. Where's Faramir?"
"Outside with Merry. I told him he should wait."
"It's all right, let him come in."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. I want to see him."
I don't want to let go of her hand. I kiss her forehead.
"I'll be right back. I promise."
She smiles, nods. I go to the door, to the hallway. Merry has fallen asleep, and Faramir looks bored.
"Faramir?" I say. He looks up.
"Papa! Can I--"
"Come here, your Mama wants to see you. Don't wake your uncle."
With a nod, he climbed from off of Merry's lap and walked over to me, taking my hand. I lead him inside the room. He seemed a little shy to approach Diamond, but she beckoned him over. Perhaps he feared she had died or was dying. When his suspicions were disproved, he scampered over to the bed and buried his head in Diamond's arm.
"Oh, Mama, Mama!"
"Hi, baby." She said, kissing the top of his head. "Were you good for your Papa?"
"Yes, Mama, yes, I was good. Where's my baby? Mama, where's my baby?" He looked a little frantic. Diamond smiled.
"Goldie!" she called, her head turning towards the little atrium room on the left of the infirmary. "Goldie, if it's all right, bring the baby in."
"Yes, lady." Came the reply. While we waited, Diamond stroked Faramir's curls, watching me from her clear blue eyes. I smiled at her, and my attention turned towards the nursemaid, who was bringing in a small bundle. Faramir was the first to jump up. His blue eyes widened, and the nursemaid lowered the bundle so that he could see his baby sister. He gasped.
"Oh, Mama, Papa, she's so beautiful!" He turned and climbed back in my lap, and the nursemaid brought the baby over and placed her gently in Diamond's arms, before hurrying off again. I scooted over so that I could see the baby better, and I realized why my son had gasped. She truly was beautiful, one of the most beautiful babies I'd ever seen. Her eyes were a deep blue-grey, and her hair was light brown and wispy. She was a healthy baby pink, so small, but so perfect. She opened her small eyes and looked up at me, blinking. Then, she turned her gaze to Diamond and Faramir, each in turn. Diamond gasped in shock.
"P-Peregrin! You know what they say? That babies this age can't focus on individual things?"
"Diamond, I think she knows we're her family. Look at her. She knows."
A noise from the door caused a bit of alarm to pass over me. Whirling around, I saw Merry standing in the doorway.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked him.
"Long enough." Was all he'd say.
Wiping away tears from my eyes, I told him, "Come over and see your goddaughter, Mer."
He came and looked at her, and as she'd done before, her eyes went over to look at him. He let out a small gasp, and then a smile broke out on his face.
"What are you going to call her, Pip?"
"We hadn't really decided…Diamond?"
"I was hoping you would name her, Peregrin. Or give Merry the honour of doing it."
"Merry?"
My cousin turns to look at me. "Me? You want me to name her?"
"Of course. Go on, pick one."
He thinks for a moment, getting that odd look in his eyes, the one I'd seen all too often when we were younger. He used it when he was thinking hard about something, and I think for once in his life, he wasn't using it to cause trouble.
"Niphredil." He said finally. It was a good name, one to fit a child so beautiful like mine. I laughed.
"Niphredil, it is. Come, Faramir,
let your mother and sister rest. We've got lots to do if we're to celebrate
the birth of my beautiful little flower."
A/N: There's a Merry AND Legolas plushie for anyone who can tell me why I chose the name Niphredil for Pip's daughter!