Chapter 7 – The Birthing

'What's happening? Am I too late? Where's Athiel?'

'Stop,' said Hachon firmly. 'Take a deep breath. You'll be no use to anyone unless you calm yourself. Athiel is inside, she's waiting for you. You have plenty of time.'

'But what do I do? I've never seen a woman give birth before!' All sorts of hideous and violently conflicting images were running through Thranduil's mind.

'Just go into the room and be with your wife. You'll know what to do.' Hachon grinned at him. 'As the Valar made you aware of how to conceive a child, so to will they make you aware of how the child will be birthed. Now go, you wife needs you.' When Thranduil just continued to stare at him in shock he wrenched the soon-to-be father away from the door, opened it, propelled him forcefully inside and then shut it again with meaning, resting his back against it and burying his face in one hand, briefly consumed with silent laughter. What was it with first-time parents?

Inside was not at all how Thranduil had imagined it to be. When the women had been cleaning it was bare of all decoration, just an empty room, but now- once he recovered himself enough from Hachon's manhandling to look around properly- it was a miniature forest glade. The walls were hung with what must be tapestries depicting the dell of the Wood, the floor was covered in a soft green turf and the air was full of the scents and sounds of a perfect day in the forest. There was a small pool to one side of the room fed by a modest waterfall, its mellow sound oddly soothing. Nearby stood Athiel with her back to him. Moving forward, he engulfed her in his arms from behind, resting his open hands on her belly. He could feel the ripples of the birth travelling through her distended stomach.

'Are you in pain?' he asked, a trifle worried.

'No. Not in pain. It's a good feeling,' she said, rather distantly. 'I think I might bathe in the pool. Will you help me?'

He nodded in compliance and helped her to remove her gown, little more than a wrap, before leading her to the pool and assisting her into the water.

'Join me,' she said holding up her hands to him. He quickly removed his clothing and stepped gingerly into the water. To his surprise the temperature was perfect for sitting in. There was also a faint aroma of lavender in the air.

'This place is incredible!' he said. 'When you and naneth were preparing it…it looked like a bare room. But now…now it's just like that little dell where we used to go when we were courting. Do you remember?'

She nodded, smiling faintly.

'Yes…herven-naneth[*] said it would be like this. The perfect place to give birth to our son.' She grasped his hand and gave a gentle squeeze. 'I think I'll stay in the water for a while longer. Maybe even give birth here. It's so soothing and gentle.'

He nodded; he couldn't believe how calm he felt. Moving closer he put his hands on her stomach.

'You're not so mobile now, are you small one? Is it painful for you? Are you looking forward to joining the world or would you rather remain within your mother for all time?' Athiel's stomach convulsed.

'That was very strong,' she said with a giggle. 'I don't think he has a mind to wait to met his father. What have you been doing while I was nesting?'

'I went to the glade where we buried the first baby. I needed to think,' he said. 'The beech is budding already…there are new green leaves all over it. It is a beautiful place now.'

Her hand gripped his tighter and her eyes opened wide with surprise.

'He's coming,' she whispered. Her body told her what was expected as she drew her knees up around the swollen belly. She held her husband's hands, gazing into his eyes with surprising self-assurance.

'Don't be afraid, you will know what to do,' she assured him calmly before seeming to turn inwards on herself, concentrating on the birthing.

Thranduil looked on in wonder as this beautiful woman gave birth to his first born…his son…the small body seemed to emerge from the birth channel without any apparent effort. He bent and slid his hand under the tiny head, gently lifting the child clear of the water. There was a gasp as it drew its first breath and then a lusty cry split the air. He broke into an incredulous grin. I have a son!

'What good lungs you have, my tiny boy!' he exclaimed, and then hastily turned his attention to soothing the plaintive cries. 'Now there is no need to cry, you are safe, this is where you are meant to be. The Valar have sent to you live with us. We will love you and care for you.'

The child had stopped crying now and was staring at his father with eyes that were huge and deep brown with contentment. A tiny fist was inserted into his mouth and then quickly withdrawn. A vaguely puzzled expression crossed his face and then a tiny sneeze split the air. Thranduil's smile broadened until he felt as if his face would crack and he looked at Athiel in delight.

'He sneezed! Did you hear that? He really sneezed!'

'I heard him,' Athiel said.

Still grinning but without needing to consciously think about what to do next, Thranduil laid the babe on the soft cloth beside the pool and tied the cord tightly with the scarlet twine left beside it, then taking his knife he cut the umbilical. His son was now truly born, free of his mother, free in the world. He swaddled the child and then turned to his wife. She was standing now, her face glowing with joy. He handed her another cloth which she wrapped the afterbirth in, placing it to one side. Taking a large towel, he wrapped her in it and gently dried her before helping her back into her gown. When she held out her arms he placed the child into them and then quickly dried himself. Pausing only to pull on his breeches he led her to a pile of cushions and they both laid themselves down, gazing at the tiny creature that they had been given. He was perfect, miniature hands and feet all finished with finger and toe nails, tiny leaflike ears and the beginning of a soft golden down on his head.

'What will we call him?' Thranduil asked. Athiel pondered the question for a moment and then smiled, gently kissing her son's little forehead.

'Laegolass[†],' she said. 'For the beech is sending forth early leaves in greeting from his brother.'

'Legolas.' Thranduil paused, considering the sound of the word. 'That's a good name.' Looking down, he smiled and lightly stroked the baby's cheek with one finger. 'Very well, then. Legolas.'

Legolas mewed and tilted his head as his mouth quested for food. He seemed to know that his mother would provide it, but had no idea how.

'He's hungry,' Thranduil said, a hint of worry creeping into his voice again.

Athiel smiled at her husband's anxieties. He was apparently still in awe of the tiny creature she cradled, and undoubtedly would be for a good while yet. She opened the front of her gown and guided the searching mouth to her breast. Legolas latched on immediately and began to suckle, making little grunting noises. She began to sing softly to him.

'Above you shines the brightest star,

A casting eye in midnight blue,

He smiles upon you from afar,

Earendil watches over you.

Hlasta! Lasto beth nana[‡],

Earendil watches over you.'

'That was beautiful. Where did you learn it?' Thranduil asked.

'My mother used to sing it to me when I was young,' Athiel said. 'It's an old woodland lullaby. I know Sindarin tunes sound different but it seems right that he should learn of both our peoples.'

Thranduil nodded agreement and leaned against her side, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder to watch as the baby suckled.

They sat in silence watching the baby feed. He was soon satisfied and his head lolled back, eyes glazing in sleep and a small dribble of milk trickling from his mouth. Rested, the new parents rose and left the room. Outside they were greeted by Maikath and Hachon. Athiel gave a small curtsey to Maikath and held up her son for approval. The elder woman took the proffered bundle, unwrapped the child and then nodded, tears of joy streaming down her face. Legolas, rudely awoken by the action, rolled his head slightly to see his assailant and then burped loudly.

'The child is healthy,' she proclaimed in a loud voice, laughing through her tears at the ill-timed belch. Thranduil and Athiel were suddenly aware that the majority of the occupants of the cave were waiting for just that news.

'What name you this child?' asked Hachon, asking the ritual question normally the duty of the new grandfather.

Thranduil stepped forward. Spreading his hand in benediction over his son's tiny head replied, 'He is named Legolas.' Then Athiel took her place at his side.

'He is named Legolas,' she affirmed in a ringing voice.

Maikath held the tiny babe so that he could be seen by the majority of the people gathered.

'This child is called Legolas; he is named and welcomed by all here.'

The gathered throng replied in unison, 'Legolas we greet and welcome you. May Eärendil watch over you all your life.' They then filed past Maikath and the parents, all greeting Legolas individually. Some had bought small gifts; a fresh flower, a pretty stone, a toy. Athiel deftly retrieved the little presents before Legolas could experiment with eating them, and discreetly passed them for Maiakth to hold, unable to help noticing the way the older woman gave small, whimsical sighs at each thing. Fealol had made a child's sized bow that he handed straight to Thranduil.

'For when he is older, I will teach him as I should have taught you.'


[*] "Husband-Mother" (meaning 'mother-in-law')

[†] Green leaf

[‡] Listen! Hear your mother's voice.