Lisseriel put her hand on Celebrian's forehead.

"Just a little bit longer, my lady."

Celebrian cried out in pain. Shots of pain burst through her hips and stomach like a wildfire. Sweat gleamed on her forehead. Elrond sat beside her, holding her hand. Tindomiel, another of Celebrian's maidens stood at the foot of Celebrian's bed.

"Push, Celebrian."

Celebrian forced another push. The pain split through her body.

"Almost, Celebrian. Just a little more. I've almost got it." was Tindomiel's encouragement.

Celebrian pushed one more time. The next pain that went through her topped all the others. Celebrian cried out, but this time, her cries were mingled with a baby's cries. Then another.

Lissiriel was beside herself with joy. "Twins! Twins! It's twins, my lady! Twin boys!"

Celebrian was too weak to even smile. She watched as Tindomiel and Lissiriel (who also happened to be twins) began to clean the babies off. She closed her eyes and almost instantly fell asleep.



Celebrian opened her eyes. Elrond sat beside her bed, smiling at her.

"I wondered when you would wake up."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Almost two days."

Celebrian leaned back against the pillow. Elrond smiled and handed her two small bundles. She peered inside to see two little baby boys.

"Celebrian, meet our sons. I waited for you to get up so we can name them together."

Celebrian thought for a moment, and then she smiled. "Well, there's a good thing we have twins."

Elrond looked at her, puzzled. "What?"

"We don't have to argue about what to name it. Since we have two, we can each name one."

Elrond kissed her forehead. She handed Elrond the larger of the two boys.

"I like the name Elrohir." she said. "I think that's what I'll name this one."

Elrond thought for a moment. "I've always liked the name Elladan."

Celebrian chuckled. "Elladan and Elrohir."

Elrond handed Elladan to Celebrian. Elrohir woke up and began to scream, which woke up Elladan, who copied his twin. Celebrian looked desperately at her maidens.

Lissiriel smiled. "I believe they are hungry, Celebrian."

"Yes, of course." Celebrian said. She smiled and shifted her robes so the boys could suckle.