The Birth of Dawn and Twilight
Written By: Shelly LeBlanc
~Author's Note: Oooooh! I'm so, so sorry! Saturday had been such a tiring day and I spent all day Sunday catching up on what I was suppose to do Saturday, but could not because I was stuck in the music building learning music that did nothing for my voice (except shoot it to hell). I meant to post this chapter that day, I really, really did, but things came up and I never did it! *ducks coke bottles* I'm sorry! To make it up to you, I'm posting my Legolas poem I wrote a few days ago. It's called "Hands of a Warrior."
Erm, here is the next chapter now...please enjoy and don't hate me...meep!~
**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 Eight – The Golden Child
When Isawien was summoned to Celebrian and Elrond's room, she was sure something horrible had happened, for the look of despair on Elrond's face told her so. She did not question him, though, and left to do what he asked. Elrond stayed with Thranduil, who was sure to hear the news from the Lord of Rivendell while she heard it from the Lady.
As she walked the long halls of Lorien, her thoughts turned dark. Her first fear that one of the children had fallen ill, or has already died. Then it went to the Fair Lady of Imladris, perhaps the birthing of yet another pair of twins was too harsh on her and now she is fading. A sob fell from the lips of the Queen, for she feared both of these things and found that her sorrow would surly come back if one or both of those things happened.
Finally, she was in front of the doors she left earlier that day. But it was light then, and now that the sun has fallen yet again, the corridor was dark, except for the little light that the candles along the wall brought. She raised her fist and knocked on the door, not hard but loud enough to be heard. There was a moment's pause before a voice called from within.
"You may enter."
Isawien opened the door, and timidly stepped inside. She was greeted with a hopeful site, for the Lady of Imladris was dressed in a red gown that flattered her beautiful blonde hair so. She was standing at the opened window to her room and staring out into the starlit sky. Isawien stayed near the door until Celebrian turned her head, and gave her a gentle smile. "Come, sit. And take away that fearful look on your face. No harm has befallen my children or me. They are in deep slumbers. It is the most sleep they will get, as youngsters. They spend most of their adult life awake."
Isawien smiled in relief, but noticed how the Lady rambled. The smile on Celebrian's face did not totally reach her eyes. Her friend was not dying and neither were the twins, Celebrian's behavior told her that much, but it also hinted that something was amiss. Some sorrow lied in the hearts of the Lord and Lady of Rivendell, but what it was, Isawien could not tell.
The Queen of Mirkwood did what Celebrian requested and sat next one of the cradles. She dared a peak inside and saw it was the dark-haired daughter, indeed doing as her mother had said she was. Isawien's smile widened and placed a finger to the child's face, tracing her features with a feathery touch. The child gave a sigh and shifted, but did not awake.
Celebrian turned from the window fully then, and gave a heartfelt smile. "Meet Arwen Evenstar, our third child and so far only daughter." Isawien stared down at the beauty of the child, and even as she pulled away, her heart was not content. But she turned her gaze to Celebrian anyway, and put forth all of her attention. Celebrian had moved far from the window now and to the second bassinet. She then picked up the bundle that was her youngest son and child, and she brought him over to Isawien. The child was then placed in her waiting arms. Isawien's heart leaped when she felt the child enter her embrace, a little light of hope filled her. 'Perhaps one day I will hold one that is just as fair and healthy as this one,' she thought to herself. She drank in some of the child's beauty before asking his mother, "And what shall we call this babe?"
Celebrian sat down on the end of her bed before replying, "We have not came up with a proper name for him, yet. We were hoping that you could think of one."
Isawien tore her eyes from the infant's face to look up. She stared in disbelief at Celebrian for a moment. Finally, she found her voice again.
"What?" she asked, shocked still, "Oh, what an honor, but it really is the parent's job to name their children, or at least someone of their family. We are only related by our friendship and our husband's friendship, I cannot be a good Elf to name your son."
Celebrian laughed slightly. "Nay, you are perfect. I could think of no one better. It would be only one of the things I ask of you today."
"One?" Isawien asked, but did not receive an answer, for Celebrian was waiting for Isawien to speak again. "All right, I shall name this child, since it being one of your requests."
Isawien looked down at the baby in her arms and was again taken in by his beauty. How could she name something as perfect as this? What right did she have? But it was Celebrian's wish, and Isawien would not turn her down. It took only a few moments before a name came to mind.
"Oh, Celebrian. He reminds me of the sunlight! I could almost swear his glow is unnatural, warm and bright as the Sun itself! Just looking at him gives me hope and he is so warm to hold, I feel like a flower under his watch. A leaf, for they need the Suns power and warmth to say alive. And Mirkwood needs this sunlight. I shall name him Greenleaf, Legolas Greenleaf, and he shall give hope to all things that need the sunlight to live! And perhaps not just to live, but to see and to gain it's warmth."
And as she finished speaking, the infant in her arms opened his eyes and stared at her. Isawien took this that he had no objections to his name. "Ah, alas! He likes it!"
Isawien looked up from the child and saw another smile on Celebrian's face, but it was a sad one. The Queen took note of it, yet as she opened her mouth to ask her what was the matter when Celebrian spoke.
"Indeed, his name is fitting . . . perhaps when ever he goes to Mirkwood, he will be enough light to drive away the shadows."
Isawien thought the sentence was slightly odd, but shook the thought away. "Yes, when you all shall visit, we shall make sure he shows his presence to the forest, and they shall take comfort in his being there."
There was a silence for a moment and Isawien watched as the young Elfling fell asleep again. Then Celebrian spoke again, "Have you and Thranduil thought about trying for another child?"
The Mirkwood Queen spirits lifted slightly, though her heart had a since of foreboding. "Indeed, we shall wait until my strength has returned in full, then we shall try again. For indeed, these Elflings will want someone to play with when they visit."
Celebrian turned her eyes away from Isawien and placed them on her son. "I do not think you should wait."
Isawien blinked in surprise. "What?" she asked, uncertain of what her friend was saying. She noticed that all traces of a smile were gone completely from her friend's face and the sorrow in her eyes shined bright with unshed tears.
"One of these babes you can take as your own. You shall claim one it as your child and heir. You have been unseen for a long amount of time, enough time to hide a pregnancy. You and Mirkwood will have your sunshine earlier than planned."
Isawien stared at her in silence for a good few moments, trying to digest what was just told to her. Then she laughed, thinking her friend was fooling. 'She is only doing this because she feels bad that she has four children and I have none,' She thought and grinned at her friend.
"Oh, Celebrian. You almost had me fooled. I could not take one of your children away from you. Mirkwood will not be long without a babe, do not fear." Isawien expected a smile to return to her friend's face, but none came. Instead, Celebrian moved from the bed and knelt before her, tears finally falling down her face.
"No, dear friend. I jest not. Have you ever heard of the Prophecy of Dawn and Twilight, and do you know the back story to it?"
Isawien nodded, for it was a story she had heard other Elf maidens tell their youngsters. Only once did she hear the back story, and that was from her husband himself. "It is suppose to be a prophecy about the final end of the One Ring. And that two Elves, one born at daylight and one born at twilight, will one day come and will be of aid to the Hope of Man. But surely . . . it is only a wives tale?"
Celebrian sadly shook her head, "Nay, for my mother saw this coming. The child you hold in your arms and the other child in the bassinet are the children of the prophecy. And do you realize what danger they may be in when evil finds out about them?"
Terror filled Isawien's heart. Indeed, if the dark forces of Mordor found out about the birth of these babes and that the prophecy is true, they would stop at nothing to make sure the future a prophet had seen will not come to pass. The horrified Elf looked down at the child in her arms and came to a decision that came quickly, but she knew it was the right one.
"I shall do whatever you say, my friend. For the safety of these Elflings and our future."
Both relief and sorrow were now present in Celebrian's eyes and her shoulders fell slightly from both of these emotions. "Then I ask you to take Legolas into your home and claim him as your son. The future will be safe then, you will have your hope, and Mirkwood will have its prince. No doubt they call him the Light of Dawn for something, for he will give hope to your land, hope that it needs to drive away the shadows."
A sob escaped Celebrian's fair lips and her resolve broke. She cried her tears of sorrow again, for it was official. She would be losing her youngest son to protect him and the rest of the good in Middle Earth from harm. She knew he would be going to a good place, a place where he was needed desperately, but it did not make it hurt any less.
Isawien moved quickly, for she caught the signs of her distress earlier. She gently placed the baby into the crib he came from and rushed to his mother. She then wrapped her arms around her friend and rocked her gently. She muttered words of condolences and hope.
"Shhh, my friend. It is all right. You have every right to cry, for tears may very well lessen the load in your heart. But they will not help you later. You still have your daughter, she will need your health. And be comforted that your son will not be left abandoned with strangers, but with friends. And these friends will take good care of your son, and give him a good life. And it is not that you will never see him again, you can visit as often as you are able, and we will take leave as often as we are able. I know you would never let him go if it was not for his best interest, for I would not have taken him from you for any other reason. I thank you for your brave gift, for it will surely lighten my heart. This will be one trial we must endure, I am afraid, but in the end we will get our just rewards. Peace and the end of evil are worth this price. Their future is worth this price."
As the melodic words left Isawien's voice, they entered Celebrian's mind and heart, and her tears slowed, eventually stopping. And in the end, she just knelt there in silence in the embrace of her friend. The Queen's words were already known in Celebrian's soul, yet it was more comforting to hear them spoke aloud and from a reasonable voice. She was giving her child a future, and that is all she had every wanted from life, the happiness of her children. In the end, all the pain they had to endure will be paid off in full, and then some.
The two Elf women were still in the same position when a soft knock came to the door and was then opened shortly afterwards. The two moved their heads towards it and found their husbands standing there, solemn looks to their faces.
Isawien smiled at the two Elves, hoping it would brighten their sorrowful faces. She eased Celebrian to her feet and placed her in the chair she had been sitting in just moments ago. She then turned to Elrond and bowed to him. The bow was deep. It showed him her respect and thankfulness of the gift he and his wife had just given to them. She then lifted herself up and gave him a hug. Softly, she whispered into his ear before she drew away.
"Thank you so much for the honor of raising the son of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian. We shall protect him and make sure he is safe. He will be loved twice as much now, for no matter where he lives, he will have two sets of parents to love him."
The Lord of Imladris returned her hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "No," he whispered back to her, "Thank you for agreeing to look after our son . . . You will be putting yourselves in danger if this will ever come out. I thank you for taking that risk."
Isawien backed out of the embrace slightly to look at the Lord in the face. "The future is worth this risk."
Elrond could only nod, in fear that his emotions would show and ruin the brave front he had set for himself. Isawien stepped back fully and turned to her husband. No words were spoken between the husband and wife for a few moments, for none were needed. They entered each other's arms, and their body was only parted enough for them to look into each other's eyes. Hope and happiness was shown through their eyes, as well as sorrow and sympathy for their friends. Agreements were made without speaking and they turned to the other couple, who had drifted towards each other while Thranduil and Isawien were hugging. Elrond gave a smile to them, and turned to the bassinet next to him and lifted up the blond Elfling from his bed. Isawien stepped forward and grasped the child, and turned her arms towards her husband.
"Thranduil, meet our golden child, Legolas Greenleaf."
----------------------------------
Review Thanks:
Kitsune: Thank you, sorry it took so long to update.
crystal-rose15: Thank you again! You are such a wonderful reviewer!
I-like-chickens: You are too good to me. I swear! Thank you and here's the next chapter. I think I actually cried writing this chapter (at least when I reread it for mistakes.)
Gionareth: It is sad, and they will not know for a very, very long time. I feel so sorry for them...I must be evil to put them in this situation...
littlesaiyangirl: Yeah! Another review from the cool name reviewer! *hands tissue* Thank you!
Bb: I had wondered where you gone, thank you for reviewing, nonetheless! Best chapter? I thought so to...
Written By: Shelly LeBlanc
~Author's Note: Oooooh! I'm so, so sorry! Saturday had been such a tiring day and I spent all day Sunday catching up on what I was suppose to do Saturday, but could not because I was stuck in the music building learning music that did nothing for my voice (except shoot it to hell). I meant to post this chapter that day, I really, really did, but things came up and I never did it! *ducks coke bottles* I'm sorry! To make it up to you, I'm posting my Legolas poem I wrote a few days ago. It's called "Hands of a Warrior."
Erm, here is the next chapter now...please enjoy and don't hate me...meep!~
**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 Eight – The Golden Child
When Isawien was summoned to Celebrian and Elrond's room, she was sure something horrible had happened, for the look of despair on Elrond's face told her so. She did not question him, though, and left to do what he asked. Elrond stayed with Thranduil, who was sure to hear the news from the Lord of Rivendell while she heard it from the Lady.
As she walked the long halls of Lorien, her thoughts turned dark. Her first fear that one of the children had fallen ill, or has already died. Then it went to the Fair Lady of Imladris, perhaps the birthing of yet another pair of twins was too harsh on her and now she is fading. A sob fell from the lips of the Queen, for she feared both of these things and found that her sorrow would surly come back if one or both of those things happened.
Finally, she was in front of the doors she left earlier that day. But it was light then, and now that the sun has fallen yet again, the corridor was dark, except for the little light that the candles along the wall brought. She raised her fist and knocked on the door, not hard but loud enough to be heard. There was a moment's pause before a voice called from within.
"You may enter."
Isawien opened the door, and timidly stepped inside. She was greeted with a hopeful site, for the Lady of Imladris was dressed in a red gown that flattered her beautiful blonde hair so. She was standing at the opened window to her room and staring out into the starlit sky. Isawien stayed near the door until Celebrian turned her head, and gave her a gentle smile. "Come, sit. And take away that fearful look on your face. No harm has befallen my children or me. They are in deep slumbers. It is the most sleep they will get, as youngsters. They spend most of their adult life awake."
Isawien smiled in relief, but noticed how the Lady rambled. The smile on Celebrian's face did not totally reach her eyes. Her friend was not dying and neither were the twins, Celebrian's behavior told her that much, but it also hinted that something was amiss. Some sorrow lied in the hearts of the Lord and Lady of Rivendell, but what it was, Isawien could not tell.
The Queen of Mirkwood did what Celebrian requested and sat next one of the cradles. She dared a peak inside and saw it was the dark-haired daughter, indeed doing as her mother had said she was. Isawien's smile widened and placed a finger to the child's face, tracing her features with a feathery touch. The child gave a sigh and shifted, but did not awake.
Celebrian turned from the window fully then, and gave a heartfelt smile. "Meet Arwen Evenstar, our third child and so far only daughter." Isawien stared down at the beauty of the child, and even as she pulled away, her heart was not content. But she turned her gaze to Celebrian anyway, and put forth all of her attention. Celebrian had moved far from the window now and to the second bassinet. She then picked up the bundle that was her youngest son and child, and she brought him over to Isawien. The child was then placed in her waiting arms. Isawien's heart leaped when she felt the child enter her embrace, a little light of hope filled her. 'Perhaps one day I will hold one that is just as fair and healthy as this one,' she thought to herself. She drank in some of the child's beauty before asking his mother, "And what shall we call this babe?"
Celebrian sat down on the end of her bed before replying, "We have not came up with a proper name for him, yet. We were hoping that you could think of one."
Isawien tore her eyes from the infant's face to look up. She stared in disbelief at Celebrian for a moment. Finally, she found her voice again.
"What?" she asked, shocked still, "Oh, what an honor, but it really is the parent's job to name their children, or at least someone of their family. We are only related by our friendship and our husband's friendship, I cannot be a good Elf to name your son."
Celebrian laughed slightly. "Nay, you are perfect. I could think of no one better. It would be only one of the things I ask of you today."
"One?" Isawien asked, but did not receive an answer, for Celebrian was waiting for Isawien to speak again. "All right, I shall name this child, since it being one of your requests."
Isawien looked down at the baby in her arms and was again taken in by his beauty. How could she name something as perfect as this? What right did she have? But it was Celebrian's wish, and Isawien would not turn her down. It took only a few moments before a name came to mind.
"Oh, Celebrian. He reminds me of the sunlight! I could almost swear his glow is unnatural, warm and bright as the Sun itself! Just looking at him gives me hope and he is so warm to hold, I feel like a flower under his watch. A leaf, for they need the Suns power and warmth to say alive. And Mirkwood needs this sunlight. I shall name him Greenleaf, Legolas Greenleaf, and he shall give hope to all things that need the sunlight to live! And perhaps not just to live, but to see and to gain it's warmth."
And as she finished speaking, the infant in her arms opened his eyes and stared at her. Isawien took this that he had no objections to his name. "Ah, alas! He likes it!"
Isawien looked up from the child and saw another smile on Celebrian's face, but it was a sad one. The Queen took note of it, yet as she opened her mouth to ask her what was the matter when Celebrian spoke.
"Indeed, his name is fitting . . . perhaps when ever he goes to Mirkwood, he will be enough light to drive away the shadows."
Isawien thought the sentence was slightly odd, but shook the thought away. "Yes, when you all shall visit, we shall make sure he shows his presence to the forest, and they shall take comfort in his being there."
There was a silence for a moment and Isawien watched as the young Elfling fell asleep again. Then Celebrian spoke again, "Have you and Thranduil thought about trying for another child?"
The Mirkwood Queen spirits lifted slightly, though her heart had a since of foreboding. "Indeed, we shall wait until my strength has returned in full, then we shall try again. For indeed, these Elflings will want someone to play with when they visit."
Celebrian turned her eyes away from Isawien and placed them on her son. "I do not think you should wait."
Isawien blinked in surprise. "What?" she asked, uncertain of what her friend was saying. She noticed that all traces of a smile were gone completely from her friend's face and the sorrow in her eyes shined bright with unshed tears.
"One of these babes you can take as your own. You shall claim one it as your child and heir. You have been unseen for a long amount of time, enough time to hide a pregnancy. You and Mirkwood will have your sunshine earlier than planned."
Isawien stared at her in silence for a good few moments, trying to digest what was just told to her. Then she laughed, thinking her friend was fooling. 'She is only doing this because she feels bad that she has four children and I have none,' She thought and grinned at her friend.
"Oh, Celebrian. You almost had me fooled. I could not take one of your children away from you. Mirkwood will not be long without a babe, do not fear." Isawien expected a smile to return to her friend's face, but none came. Instead, Celebrian moved from the bed and knelt before her, tears finally falling down her face.
"No, dear friend. I jest not. Have you ever heard of the Prophecy of Dawn and Twilight, and do you know the back story to it?"
Isawien nodded, for it was a story she had heard other Elf maidens tell their youngsters. Only once did she hear the back story, and that was from her husband himself. "It is suppose to be a prophecy about the final end of the One Ring. And that two Elves, one born at daylight and one born at twilight, will one day come and will be of aid to the Hope of Man. But surely . . . it is only a wives tale?"
Celebrian sadly shook her head, "Nay, for my mother saw this coming. The child you hold in your arms and the other child in the bassinet are the children of the prophecy. And do you realize what danger they may be in when evil finds out about them?"
Terror filled Isawien's heart. Indeed, if the dark forces of Mordor found out about the birth of these babes and that the prophecy is true, they would stop at nothing to make sure the future a prophet had seen will not come to pass. The horrified Elf looked down at the child in her arms and came to a decision that came quickly, but she knew it was the right one.
"I shall do whatever you say, my friend. For the safety of these Elflings and our future."
Both relief and sorrow were now present in Celebrian's eyes and her shoulders fell slightly from both of these emotions. "Then I ask you to take Legolas into your home and claim him as your son. The future will be safe then, you will have your hope, and Mirkwood will have its prince. No doubt they call him the Light of Dawn for something, for he will give hope to your land, hope that it needs to drive away the shadows."
A sob escaped Celebrian's fair lips and her resolve broke. She cried her tears of sorrow again, for it was official. She would be losing her youngest son to protect him and the rest of the good in Middle Earth from harm. She knew he would be going to a good place, a place where he was needed desperately, but it did not make it hurt any less.
Isawien moved quickly, for she caught the signs of her distress earlier. She gently placed the baby into the crib he came from and rushed to his mother. She then wrapped her arms around her friend and rocked her gently. She muttered words of condolences and hope.
"Shhh, my friend. It is all right. You have every right to cry, for tears may very well lessen the load in your heart. But they will not help you later. You still have your daughter, she will need your health. And be comforted that your son will not be left abandoned with strangers, but with friends. And these friends will take good care of your son, and give him a good life. And it is not that you will never see him again, you can visit as often as you are able, and we will take leave as often as we are able. I know you would never let him go if it was not for his best interest, for I would not have taken him from you for any other reason. I thank you for your brave gift, for it will surely lighten my heart. This will be one trial we must endure, I am afraid, but in the end we will get our just rewards. Peace and the end of evil are worth this price. Their future is worth this price."
As the melodic words left Isawien's voice, they entered Celebrian's mind and heart, and her tears slowed, eventually stopping. And in the end, she just knelt there in silence in the embrace of her friend. The Queen's words were already known in Celebrian's soul, yet it was more comforting to hear them spoke aloud and from a reasonable voice. She was giving her child a future, and that is all she had every wanted from life, the happiness of her children. In the end, all the pain they had to endure will be paid off in full, and then some.
The two Elf women were still in the same position when a soft knock came to the door and was then opened shortly afterwards. The two moved their heads towards it and found their husbands standing there, solemn looks to their faces.
Isawien smiled at the two Elves, hoping it would brighten their sorrowful faces. She eased Celebrian to her feet and placed her in the chair she had been sitting in just moments ago. She then turned to Elrond and bowed to him. The bow was deep. It showed him her respect and thankfulness of the gift he and his wife had just given to them. She then lifted herself up and gave him a hug. Softly, she whispered into his ear before she drew away.
"Thank you so much for the honor of raising the son of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian. We shall protect him and make sure he is safe. He will be loved twice as much now, for no matter where he lives, he will have two sets of parents to love him."
The Lord of Imladris returned her hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "No," he whispered back to her, "Thank you for agreeing to look after our son . . . You will be putting yourselves in danger if this will ever come out. I thank you for taking that risk."
Isawien backed out of the embrace slightly to look at the Lord in the face. "The future is worth this risk."
Elrond could only nod, in fear that his emotions would show and ruin the brave front he had set for himself. Isawien stepped back fully and turned to her husband. No words were spoken between the husband and wife for a few moments, for none were needed. They entered each other's arms, and their body was only parted enough for them to look into each other's eyes. Hope and happiness was shown through their eyes, as well as sorrow and sympathy for their friends. Agreements were made without speaking and they turned to the other couple, who had drifted towards each other while Thranduil and Isawien were hugging. Elrond gave a smile to them, and turned to the bassinet next to him and lifted up the blond Elfling from his bed. Isawien stepped forward and grasped the child, and turned her arms towards her husband.
"Thranduil, meet our golden child, Legolas Greenleaf."
----------------------------------
Review Thanks:
Kitsune: Thank you, sorry it took so long to update.
crystal-rose15: Thank you again! You are such a wonderful reviewer!
I-like-chickens: You are too good to me. I swear! Thank you and here's the next chapter. I think I actually cried writing this chapter (at least when I reread it for mistakes.)
Gionareth: It is sad, and they will not know for a very, very long time. I feel so sorry for them...I must be evil to put them in this situation...
littlesaiyangirl: Yeah! Another review from the cool name reviewer! *hands tissue* Thank you!
Bb: I had wondered where you gone, thank you for reviewing, nonetheless! Best chapter? I thought so to...