The Birth of Dawn and Twilight
Written By: Shelly LeBlanc
~Author's Note: Okay, let me say this again. This is fan fiction. Not real. And it is also A/U, alternate universe. For those who were offended due to the obvious change of the plot line, I am sorry that you do not like it, but I'm not rewriting it or changing it. If you do not like how the story is going, you don't have to continue.
And for those who are liking it, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Please keep reading! ~
**Disclaimer – I do not own any of the characters in this story except for Isawien, the Queen of Mirkwood, and some other random people. All characters are copyrighted by J.R.R. Tolkien, and who ever else owns the Lord of the Rings trilogy.**
Chapter Five – Isawien's Hope
The travelers were now standing at the top of grand staircase, staring in awe at what was around them. Even thought she had grown up with this staircase and no matter how many times she's seen it since she had left this home to make a new one with Elrond, she was still captivated by the beauty of this place. And she knew, it was not the many steps she had crossed getting to this point that took her breath away, it was the site that welcomed her with every footfall she made.
Surrounding her and her companions were trees, beautiful trees that rose far above their head. And they seemed to glow with a light so beautiful; one was tempted to believe what they saw was false. But Celebrian knew this was not the case.
The trees did glow, and they glowed because they were in the presence of Elves, who are by far the fairest creatures in the land. The Elves had a certain glow to themselves, which tend to attract Orks or other foul beasts, and many of these trees were as old as the Elves themselves. Being with the Elves those many years have allowed some of that light from the Elves to rub off on the trees.
Celebrian was taken from her thoughts by a stirring at her side. She moved her eyes away from the beautiful scene before her to her husband, who was giving her a smile.
"I think this is a perfect place for the birth of the children," he stated, which gave Celebrian much pride.
"Yes, two beautiful creatures as these should be could only be born in a place this beautiful," she replied, taking another look around. "I wish Elladan and Elrohir would have been born here."
"Yes, I was thinking the same thing, but lest not dwell in the past. Let us only look at the present and the future." Elrond said the last looking at their travel companion. King Thranduil was still looking around the place in awe, but he heard the passage between husband and wife. He turned his attention back to them, giving them a heartfelt smile.
"Indeed," the King said, "Sounds like it should be a toast, though."
Elrond gave groan. "Don't remind me. This travel has made me weary; a good glass of wine would help matters much."
"If it is wine you need, Lord Elrond of Imladris," a voice from ahead of them interrupted their conversation and all heads moved towards its direction. Lady Galadriel smiled warmly at the three Elves, "Then wine you shall receive. For it is both good news and bad news which bring your to my realm. I believe we will all need something to calm our nerves for what is to come."
The White Lady stopped just a few feet away from her guests, watching them bow with respect (the Lady of Rivendell could only nod) while she returned the gesture. Then the formality ended as Galadriel step forward and embraced her daughter.
"It is so good to see you, my daughter." Celebrian returned the embrace, the small of her gut twisting. It wasn't until she was in her mother's arms did she realize how much she missed this fair Lady.
"And it is good to see you, as well, Mother. I have missed you," she replied, backing up slightly to take a better look at her mother. Her mother smiled at her, and then glanced down at the belly that separated them. Galadriel placed her hands on her child's stomach and the smiled widened.
"And how are my soon-to-be grandchildren?" she asked, a sparkle in her eye telling Celebrian everything she needed to know. She stared at the Elf before in shock.
"You knew?" Galadriel's answer was a nod. She moved her head closer to Celebrian's own and whispered so softly, that only she and her mother could possibly hear, even with her companions' Elf ears.
"And I know that no one else knows either, so it shall remain quite for now." Galadriel removed her mouth from near her daughter's ear and faced the other two Elves. She spoke in her normal voice. "Come, the journey has been long, and you will need rest before dinner."
The two male Elves nodded, and Galadriel continued, "Isawien is resting in her chambers. She was up earlier and was very pleased to hear that you have already entered the Lorien realm."
Thranduil looked shocked, but it was quickly replaced by something else; hope. "My Lady, does this mean . . ."
Galadriel smiled, "The light in her is getting stronger. It is a small change, but we are hopeful nonetheless."
The King of Mirkwood grinned, years dropped from his handsome face. He moved to the Lady of Golden Woods and kneeled at her feet. She let out her hand and he kissed it. "Thank you, my Lady."
Thranduil then lifted himself off of his knee and stood tall. "I will visit my wife now, and I will join you for dinner."
"Good plan," Elrond said, smiling at his mother-in-law, who smiled back at him. "We will go to our regular room now."
Celebrian smiled at her mother and the King of Mirkwood and turned with her husband, towards the rooms that she had occupied when she was a child.
***
Dinner that night was uneventful, yet pleasant. The Elven Royals talked about mild things: the weather, the trees, their every day lives. They avoided at all cost the dark topics that plagued their existence. Everyone knew the dark shadows that roamed over Middle Earth, and the heart of the absent Queen of Mirkwood.
Celeborn had not welcomed his daughter, her husband, and the King of Mirkwood when they arrived, nor was he present at supper. Galadriel had informed them that he had other matters to attend to in Gondor and left shortly before they had arrived.
"He wanted to so much to be here when you arrived, but there is trouble in the Land of Man. It is unlikely that he will be here for the birth of your children."
That was the only time during their meal that the mention of both the dark times that were upon them and the children inside Celebrian's body.
When the supper had ended, Celebrian excused herself, and lifted herself up from the table before anyone could even think of assisting. She moved with a grace that not normal full-termed Elves possessed and headed towards a hall that was not her own. They all knew where she was heading and none too action to stop her. They just sat at the table a few moments before following her lead and left the table. Lady Galadriel headed towards her quarters and the two male Elves moved to Elrond and Celebrian's quarters, leaving their respected wives in peace.
When the Lady of Rivendell came upon the chambers that held the ailing Queen, she paused only but a moment before letting her delicate knuckles rap upon the wood door. There was no answer at first, but when Celebrian raised her hand to knock again; a weak sound came from the room, a call asking the visitor to come in.
Celebrian opened the door quietly and entered. She was first put off by the darkness that inhabited the room, but soon ignored it. Here Elven eyes soon adjusted to the lack of light, and saw the outline of the bed and it's occupant. She slowly drew closer, careful not to bump into anything. While she still had her grace, the belly in front of her sometimes tended to throw her off balance one and a while.
"Queen Isawien?" Celebrian asked softly, now at the side of the bed. The figure in the bed turned it's head towards the Lady's voice, the barely visible moonlight that shown through the cracks in the window splashed upon her face, making the once Elven beauty look pale and ghostly. But the little light that shown did wonders on her eyes. The dark eyes looked like to stars from the sky, staring at Celebrian's own blue ones.
"Celebrian?" the hesitant voice of Isawien asked, disbelief in her voice. Suddenly the seemingly frail creature sat up in bed (yet ungracefully) and hugged the Lady of Rivendell. Celebrian was taken by surprised by the act from the Queen of Mirkwood, and it took a few moments to get over her shock to return the gesture. That is how they spent the next few minutes before Isawien released her friend from her hug and laid back into bed, staring at the pregnant woman. A smiled graced her face, and Celebrian could tell that this might have been one of the first ones in a long time. The skin around her once lovely face was taunt, no meat on her cheeks. Her mouth stretched, frown lines barely visible under the weight of the smile, but they were noticeable.
"It has been too long, my friend," Isawien's once melodic voice was slightly hoarse for not being used as often as it should have. "But I at least get to see you before my husband and I sail over to the West."
Celebrian smiled, running a hand in the pale hair of her friend. "I would not let you go before saying a proper good-bye. Had I known that your sadness had taken a turn for the worse, I would have come sooner."
"I know," her companion said, giving her a sad look. "But it is too late . . . do not blame my husband for this, it was my own doing."
"I blame no one, my Queen. 'Twas nothing that could be helped. I had only wished I were there to help you out of your grief."
"But you are here now, which is all that matters." Isawien removed her eyes away from her friend to her friend's middle section, "And with a child. To see you with child is a happy moment, for another miracle of life is about be brought into this would."
Celebrian took hold of Isawien's hands and placed in upon the hump in her stomach. "Then your happiness will be doubled," she found herself saying, without the hesitation she had for telling her sons, "for I am again carrying twins. Another miracle to be born, in your presence."
Celebrian had no idea what made her think that it was the moon that caused the lights in her friend's eyes, for truly, the stars became brighter and fuller. It was happiness of seeing an old friend and the news of miracles. It was also something the Queen of Mirkwood hadn't had in a long time. Hope.
"Twins," Isawien said in disbelief, a smiled still on her face.
"Yes, twins. And I want you to be there when they grow up. I want them to visit Mirkwood and help drive the darkness that has surrounded its boarders. I want you to give them a somebody to play with when they get there."
Isawien's smiled dimmed for a moment. "I do not know if that is possible . . . what you ask for . . . I want it so bad, but I do know if I can do it, Celebrian."
Celebrian smiled down at her. "It is only a request. You have until your return to health to decide. I just want you to think about it. Your time on Middle Earth is not done. You need to give it a child that is has the strength of Thranduil and kindness that symbolizes you. We need not have to ponder its fairness, for both of its parents are beautiful."
The smile slowly returned to Isawien's face, as did the hope in her eyes. "That is yet a beautiful wish. All right then, I promise to ponder your request, but lets not fight what Fate has already chosen. Let us now put you and your children in front. I want to spend my remaining days with you and your husband. I wish to see the birth of your children, for I have never seen one in many years."
"Then it is my will that you will see it. Nothing will make me happier right now than to see you happy." Celebrian laughed, sending Isawien into giggles. The Queen of Mirkwood then turned serious.
"The safe and healthy birth of your children will indeed make me happy."
It was a dark moment that quickly passed as Celebrian changed the subject. They spent the next few hours, and the next few days, in each other's company, until it was time for the birth of Celebrian and Elrond's second set of twins.
----------------------------------------
Review Thanks:
Elemental flair : Sorry that we don't agree on this. I know this isn't correct, but it was meant not to. In the books, Legolas is not introduced as a Prince, and nobody ever called him a Prince. He was introduced as the son of Thranduil, not the Prince of Mirkwood. And I also noticed that he didn't correct anyone by telling them that he was a Prince. The next story in the series will go into more detail.
I-like-chickens : Thanks again!
silvertoekee : Thank you! Pretty name! Here *gives silvertoekee a cookie for getting it right*
Gissela : Sorry! Hopefully the next few chapters will help you a little.
arwen721 : Thank you! Here is the next chapter.
Written By: Shelly LeBlanc
~Author's Note: Okay, let me say this again. This is fan fiction. Not real. And it is also A/U, alternate universe. For those who were offended due to the obvious change of the plot line, I am sorry that you do not like it, but I'm not rewriting it or changing it. If you do not like how the story is going, you don't have to continue.
And for those who are liking it, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Please keep reading! ~
**Disclaimer – I do not own any of the characters in this story except for Isawien, the Queen of Mirkwood, and some other random people. All characters are copyrighted by J.R.R. Tolkien, and who ever else owns the Lord of the Rings trilogy.**
Chapter Five – Isawien's Hope
The travelers were now standing at the top of grand staircase, staring in awe at what was around them. Even thought she had grown up with this staircase and no matter how many times she's seen it since she had left this home to make a new one with Elrond, she was still captivated by the beauty of this place. And she knew, it was not the many steps she had crossed getting to this point that took her breath away, it was the site that welcomed her with every footfall she made.
Surrounding her and her companions were trees, beautiful trees that rose far above their head. And they seemed to glow with a light so beautiful; one was tempted to believe what they saw was false. But Celebrian knew this was not the case.
The trees did glow, and they glowed because they were in the presence of Elves, who are by far the fairest creatures in the land. The Elves had a certain glow to themselves, which tend to attract Orks or other foul beasts, and many of these trees were as old as the Elves themselves. Being with the Elves those many years have allowed some of that light from the Elves to rub off on the trees.
Celebrian was taken from her thoughts by a stirring at her side. She moved her eyes away from the beautiful scene before her to her husband, who was giving her a smile.
"I think this is a perfect place for the birth of the children," he stated, which gave Celebrian much pride.
"Yes, two beautiful creatures as these should be could only be born in a place this beautiful," she replied, taking another look around. "I wish Elladan and Elrohir would have been born here."
"Yes, I was thinking the same thing, but lest not dwell in the past. Let us only look at the present and the future." Elrond said the last looking at their travel companion. King Thranduil was still looking around the place in awe, but he heard the passage between husband and wife. He turned his attention back to them, giving them a heartfelt smile.
"Indeed," the King said, "Sounds like it should be a toast, though."
Elrond gave groan. "Don't remind me. This travel has made me weary; a good glass of wine would help matters much."
"If it is wine you need, Lord Elrond of Imladris," a voice from ahead of them interrupted their conversation and all heads moved towards its direction. Lady Galadriel smiled warmly at the three Elves, "Then wine you shall receive. For it is both good news and bad news which bring your to my realm. I believe we will all need something to calm our nerves for what is to come."
The White Lady stopped just a few feet away from her guests, watching them bow with respect (the Lady of Rivendell could only nod) while she returned the gesture. Then the formality ended as Galadriel step forward and embraced her daughter.
"It is so good to see you, my daughter." Celebrian returned the embrace, the small of her gut twisting. It wasn't until she was in her mother's arms did she realize how much she missed this fair Lady.
"And it is good to see you, as well, Mother. I have missed you," she replied, backing up slightly to take a better look at her mother. Her mother smiled at her, and then glanced down at the belly that separated them. Galadriel placed her hands on her child's stomach and the smiled widened.
"And how are my soon-to-be grandchildren?" she asked, a sparkle in her eye telling Celebrian everything she needed to know. She stared at the Elf before in shock.
"You knew?" Galadriel's answer was a nod. She moved her head closer to Celebrian's own and whispered so softly, that only she and her mother could possibly hear, even with her companions' Elf ears.
"And I know that no one else knows either, so it shall remain quite for now." Galadriel removed her mouth from near her daughter's ear and faced the other two Elves. She spoke in her normal voice. "Come, the journey has been long, and you will need rest before dinner."
The two male Elves nodded, and Galadriel continued, "Isawien is resting in her chambers. She was up earlier and was very pleased to hear that you have already entered the Lorien realm."
Thranduil looked shocked, but it was quickly replaced by something else; hope. "My Lady, does this mean . . ."
Galadriel smiled, "The light in her is getting stronger. It is a small change, but we are hopeful nonetheless."
The King of Mirkwood grinned, years dropped from his handsome face. He moved to the Lady of Golden Woods and kneeled at her feet. She let out her hand and he kissed it. "Thank you, my Lady."
Thranduil then lifted himself off of his knee and stood tall. "I will visit my wife now, and I will join you for dinner."
"Good plan," Elrond said, smiling at his mother-in-law, who smiled back at him. "We will go to our regular room now."
Celebrian smiled at her mother and the King of Mirkwood and turned with her husband, towards the rooms that she had occupied when she was a child.
***
Dinner that night was uneventful, yet pleasant. The Elven Royals talked about mild things: the weather, the trees, their every day lives. They avoided at all cost the dark topics that plagued their existence. Everyone knew the dark shadows that roamed over Middle Earth, and the heart of the absent Queen of Mirkwood.
Celeborn had not welcomed his daughter, her husband, and the King of Mirkwood when they arrived, nor was he present at supper. Galadriel had informed them that he had other matters to attend to in Gondor and left shortly before they had arrived.
"He wanted to so much to be here when you arrived, but there is trouble in the Land of Man. It is unlikely that he will be here for the birth of your children."
That was the only time during their meal that the mention of both the dark times that were upon them and the children inside Celebrian's body.
When the supper had ended, Celebrian excused herself, and lifted herself up from the table before anyone could even think of assisting. She moved with a grace that not normal full-termed Elves possessed and headed towards a hall that was not her own. They all knew where she was heading and none too action to stop her. They just sat at the table a few moments before following her lead and left the table. Lady Galadriel headed towards her quarters and the two male Elves moved to Elrond and Celebrian's quarters, leaving their respected wives in peace.
When the Lady of Rivendell came upon the chambers that held the ailing Queen, she paused only but a moment before letting her delicate knuckles rap upon the wood door. There was no answer at first, but when Celebrian raised her hand to knock again; a weak sound came from the room, a call asking the visitor to come in.
Celebrian opened the door quietly and entered. She was first put off by the darkness that inhabited the room, but soon ignored it. Here Elven eyes soon adjusted to the lack of light, and saw the outline of the bed and it's occupant. She slowly drew closer, careful not to bump into anything. While she still had her grace, the belly in front of her sometimes tended to throw her off balance one and a while.
"Queen Isawien?" Celebrian asked softly, now at the side of the bed. The figure in the bed turned it's head towards the Lady's voice, the barely visible moonlight that shown through the cracks in the window splashed upon her face, making the once Elven beauty look pale and ghostly. But the little light that shown did wonders on her eyes. The dark eyes looked like to stars from the sky, staring at Celebrian's own blue ones.
"Celebrian?" the hesitant voice of Isawien asked, disbelief in her voice. Suddenly the seemingly frail creature sat up in bed (yet ungracefully) and hugged the Lady of Rivendell. Celebrian was taken by surprised by the act from the Queen of Mirkwood, and it took a few moments to get over her shock to return the gesture. That is how they spent the next few minutes before Isawien released her friend from her hug and laid back into bed, staring at the pregnant woman. A smiled graced her face, and Celebrian could tell that this might have been one of the first ones in a long time. The skin around her once lovely face was taunt, no meat on her cheeks. Her mouth stretched, frown lines barely visible under the weight of the smile, but they were noticeable.
"It has been too long, my friend," Isawien's once melodic voice was slightly hoarse for not being used as often as it should have. "But I at least get to see you before my husband and I sail over to the West."
Celebrian smiled, running a hand in the pale hair of her friend. "I would not let you go before saying a proper good-bye. Had I known that your sadness had taken a turn for the worse, I would have come sooner."
"I know," her companion said, giving her a sad look. "But it is too late . . . do not blame my husband for this, it was my own doing."
"I blame no one, my Queen. 'Twas nothing that could be helped. I had only wished I were there to help you out of your grief."
"But you are here now, which is all that matters." Isawien removed her eyes away from her friend to her friend's middle section, "And with a child. To see you with child is a happy moment, for another miracle of life is about be brought into this would."
Celebrian took hold of Isawien's hands and placed in upon the hump in her stomach. "Then your happiness will be doubled," she found herself saying, without the hesitation she had for telling her sons, "for I am again carrying twins. Another miracle to be born, in your presence."
Celebrian had no idea what made her think that it was the moon that caused the lights in her friend's eyes, for truly, the stars became brighter and fuller. It was happiness of seeing an old friend and the news of miracles. It was also something the Queen of Mirkwood hadn't had in a long time. Hope.
"Twins," Isawien said in disbelief, a smiled still on her face.
"Yes, twins. And I want you to be there when they grow up. I want them to visit Mirkwood and help drive the darkness that has surrounded its boarders. I want you to give them a somebody to play with when they get there."
Isawien's smiled dimmed for a moment. "I do not know if that is possible . . . what you ask for . . . I want it so bad, but I do know if I can do it, Celebrian."
Celebrian smiled down at her. "It is only a request. You have until your return to health to decide. I just want you to think about it. Your time on Middle Earth is not done. You need to give it a child that is has the strength of Thranduil and kindness that symbolizes you. We need not have to ponder its fairness, for both of its parents are beautiful."
The smile slowly returned to Isawien's face, as did the hope in her eyes. "That is yet a beautiful wish. All right then, I promise to ponder your request, but lets not fight what Fate has already chosen. Let us now put you and your children in front. I want to spend my remaining days with you and your husband. I wish to see the birth of your children, for I have never seen one in many years."
"Then it is my will that you will see it. Nothing will make me happier right now than to see you happy." Celebrian laughed, sending Isawien into giggles. The Queen of Mirkwood then turned serious.
"The safe and healthy birth of your children will indeed make me happy."
It was a dark moment that quickly passed as Celebrian changed the subject. They spent the next few hours, and the next few days, in each other's company, until it was time for the birth of Celebrian and Elrond's second set of twins.
----------------------------------------
Review Thanks:
Elemental flair : Sorry that we don't agree on this. I know this isn't correct, but it was meant not to. In the books, Legolas is not introduced as a Prince, and nobody ever called him a Prince. He was introduced as the son of Thranduil, not the Prince of Mirkwood. And I also noticed that he didn't correct anyone by telling them that he was a Prince. The next story in the series will go into more detail.
I-like-chickens : Thanks again!
silvertoekee : Thank you! Pretty name! Here *gives silvertoekee a cookie for getting it right*
Gissela : Sorry! Hopefully the next few chapters will help you a little.
arwen721 : Thank you! Here is the next chapter.