The Birth of Dawn and Twilight
Written By: Shelly LeBlanc
~Author's Note: Duh duh duuuuh, this is the last chapter of this story. I will probably not start posting up the next story until I get a few more chapters done. I am only on chapter four and that chapter is very important, and it is kicking my arse. I will try and finish some of my one- shot fics for you guys to read in between, and possibly some more poetry (thank to all who read my first poem, I had such wonderful reviews!) Oooh, just enjoy! ~
**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 Nine – The Parting of Ways
The day had finally come when The Lord and Lady of Rivendell and the King and Queen of Mirkwood to part companies and bring their children home. It was also the time for Celebrian and Elrond must say good-bye to their son for the first and last time as his parents. It was indeed a sad farewell, for Celebrian had started to cry again. But the parting of ways had to be done. Legolas' birth mother and father kissed his forehead and whispered wishes of peace and health and turned away, taking his twin with them.
Thranduil and Isawien watched as the Lord and Lady of Imladris got into their carriage and started away. The infant child in their arms let out a small wail, as if he knew he was left behind, but Isawien was there to comfort his cries and soon he went back to peaceful dreams.
Then it was their turn to turn away, and walk to their own carriage. They lifted themselves up into it, and Isawien laid their child across her lap. She call him theirs because that is exactly what he was now, their child. They did not share blood, but they did share a bond. They both owed their life to the Lady and Lord who brought the child into the world.
Thranduil had just seated himself properly and was about to close the door of the carriage when an old hand placed it's hand on the handle bar and used it to lift up the body it was attached to up into the carriage.
Isawien smiled deeply when she saw who it was and gave a small cry, "Mithrandir! I had wondered where you had gone. We haven't seen you since after-"She stopped herself before she could continue, for the last time they saw him was after her husband and herself agreed to take in the Elfling that was now in her lap. "Are you here to wish us farewell?"
The old Wizard's eyes twinkled at her greeting. "Queen Isawien. King Thranduil," he said their names and nodded at each of them, he then turned to the sleeping being in the Queen's lap. "Price Legolas." He then returned his eyes to the King and Queen, who were waiting patiently for his explanation. "I do apologize for my lack of presence the past few days. I was tuckered out from my journey here, and I felt the need to take a long nap. Then, when I felt refreshed, I took a long walk. On that walk, I had many things running through my head. Being as old as I am, I needed a long time to sort through them. And I came to the decision to travel with you to Mirkwood. I realized it has been years since I stepped into your kingdom, Thranduil, and how much I missed it." With that, he entered himself into the carriage fully and closed the door. He then took the empty seat across from the King and Queen, sighing as he placed his old bones on the cushion.
Suddenly the pleasantness of his appeal disappeared and a solemn one replaced it. It was a look that mirrored Elrond's and Thranduil's almost a week ago. His voice was no longer merry and boisterous, but quiet and firm.
"And I think you will need the help of a Wizard to make sure the secret you keep shall remain what it is: secret." The "secret" they were talking about shifted his tiny body, but remained asleep. "What is the story you will be telling?"
Isawien was only slightly taken aback from the change of conversation and tone of their dear friend, but shook it off quickly. "I will say I had been hiding my pregnancy in fear that what had occurred before would happen again. I did not want my people to get their hopes up or treat me like I was more fragile than I already was."
"That is what we told the guards outside," Thranduil broke in, "They never got a good look at her before the babes were born, for I did not want to wound her pride any more than it already was. I think they think something is slightly amiss, but they are loyal. I trust them enough to keep them close."
"But not enough to tell them the truth?" Gandalf asked, his bushy eyebrows lifted slightly. Thranduil shook his head.
"We cannot afford to trust anyone with the truth, until the truth is allowed to be revealed," the King said with a sad look in his eyes.
Isawien placed her free hand on her husband's arm and squeezed gently. He smiled at his lively wife, the sadness diminishing slightly. Isawien returned her gaze to the Wizard in front of her.
"We will be getting a wet nurse when we get there. Galadriel supplied us enough nourishment for our son until we get back to our home."
"And what story will you tell her?"
The Queen gave a smile, that was a mixture of amusement and self-disgust. "I will take the blame upon myself. I will tell her that I can produce children, but somehow could not produce milk to feed the babe."
Gandalf nodded his head, the solemn look in his eyes was still there, but also contentment. "This should work. But for extra insurance, I shall place a small spell upon your kingdom, my King, my Queen, to ensure the it's inhabitants will be more willing to believe the lies we are forced to tell them."
"Do you think that is wise?" Thranduil asked, frowning, "What if it were to back fire?" But Gandalf shook his head.
"Nay, it is only small magic. It will only be a small dose of magic, for I dare not make it bigger. The spell will wear off in a few years, but hopefully by then, they will be too in love with their Princely to care. Indeed . . . I see this child bringing a change to your kingdom, Thranduil, Isawien. He shall be the light that could make the shadows that plague your once magnificent forest."
"Thank you, old friend." Isawien smiled at him. "Your magic and presence shall make this run much more smoothly. We are in your dept."
"Nay, fair Queen. You are in mine. You and your husband are in all of Middle Earth's dept."
There were no more words spoken in that matter. Thranduil stuck his head out of his window to tell his guards to start away. Isawien felt the carriage start to rock gently from movement and the King put his head back in. They spent the next few hours in silence, half the time taking glances at the curled up bundle in Isawien's lap.
* * *
Celebrian gave a weary smile as she felt the carriage finally stop in front of the gates of Rivendell. It had been a long two weeks. The ride was longer this time than it was before due to the fact they were not in as much of a hurry to return home than to get to the Golden Wood.
She cuddled her precious daughter in her arms and started humming an Elfish tune, as she watched the Gates of Imladris open from the window. The carriage started again, but only a few minutes until it reached the walkway of the palace. The carriage slowed to a halt for the final time and the door on the Lady's right side was opened, revealing a blond-haired Elf, in a traveling garment of green and brown.
"Hail, Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian!" the voice of the Elf cried in greetings, "I had hoped I would arrive before you so I could welcome you home."
"Glorfindel!" Celebrian cried with joy, "You are home. I had hoped you would have returned to Rivendell before we left for Lorien, but I am happy to see you nonetheless."
Elrond nodded his head, "Lord Glorfindel, a pleasure to see you in this happy hour." He then lifted himself up from his seat and exited the carriage, then turned to help his wife out. The infant in her arms awoke while the adults exchanged greetings and gave a great yawn. Elrond smiled down at her, "Please meet our daughter, Arwen Evenstar."
Glorfindel quickly went up to Celebrian, who offered the child to him, and picked her up. He held her gently and close to his face.
"My, look how fair this one is!" he exclaimed, and the child let out a wail. Glorfindel gave a bark of a laugh and handed the child back to her mother to be calmed down.
"And she has good taste in men, I see," Elrond joked, making Glorfindel threw him a mock scowl.
"She is a beauty, is she not?" Celebrian asked them, as her efforts to calm the infant worked and Baby Arwen was again fast asleep. "But you should have seen Legolas."
Beside her, Elrond froze slightly, but Glorfindel did not notice. He stared at her inquisitively. "Legolas?"
"Aye, Legolas Greenleaf. Isawien and Thranduil's new born son." Celebrian answered him, not daring to look at her husband. They had decided on the way home that no one was to know of this secret, not even their most trusted friends and advisers. "A miracle has finally happened in the Forest of Mirkwood. Oh, we will tell you more later," she said in a rush, not wanting to go into the detail now, "But he is quite beautiful. He has his father's hair and eyes."
Glorfindel smiled, "Aye, finally some good fortune has befallen King Thranduil and Queen Isawien. No doubt their son will grow up to be the handsomest Elf around, but it is a shame that your daughter doesn't share his hair. I would have liked a smaller replica of you running around causing terror."
"But perhaps the dark tresses will suit her better. I do not care, as long as she is with us." Elrond spoke then, placing an arm around his wife and smiled at her. She smiled back up at him and then down at their daughter. Their precious secret.
A sudden noise filled the air that drew the attention of all three adult Elves. Glorfindel gave a smirk, and turned back to Lord Elrond. "Looks like your sons' have finally realized you are home."
Elrond gave a mock sigh, and smiled again at Celebrian. "Come, my Lady. It is time for our sons to meet their sister."
Celebrian nodded and they walked a head towards the palace. In front of them, they saw two figures running towards them, shouting out in joy. Elrond cried out to them.
"Sons! Come forth and meet your sister!"
***
Isawien awoke from her daze as she felt her husband tap her arm. She turned to him, and gave him a questioning look. All he did was smile and point out the window. She moved her eyes to the window and smiled, joy filling her eyes.
There stood the gates of Mirkwood, guarded by the Wood-Elves that inhabited this forest. Isawien motioned to her husband to give her the baby so she could show him the forest. She held up little Legolas and pointed out to him.
"Look, my sweet son, this is your home. Welcome to Mirkwood, Prince Legolas Greenleaf."
To be continued with "Dawn's Journey"
--------------------------------------
Review Thanks:
I-like-chickens: Thank you, as always.
silvertoekee: yeah, I have problems with the lurking also. I read all these wonderful fics, but I never have enough time to review for them because I am reading them between classes (college, ai!) Anyway, more will develop in the next story! Thank you!
Gissela: Thank you. Weird is good, because I am weird!
littlesaiyangirl: *pats head* Thank you, again. And I will try!
Lady Lenna: was this soon enough? If it wasn't, my apologies! Thank you!
Kitsune: I cannot truly know how it is to loose a child, even if they are still alive but living somewhere else, but one can only hope that they could portray at least one tenth of the pain. Thank you!
Written By: Shelly LeBlanc
~Author's Note: Duh duh duuuuh, this is the last chapter of this story. I will probably not start posting up the next story until I get a few more chapters done. I am only on chapter four and that chapter is very important, and it is kicking my arse. I will try and finish some of my one- shot fics for you guys to read in between, and possibly some more poetry (thank to all who read my first poem, I had such wonderful reviews!) Oooh, just enjoy! ~
**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 Nine – The Parting of Ways
The day had finally come when The Lord and Lady of Rivendell and the King and Queen of Mirkwood to part companies and bring their children home. It was also the time for Celebrian and Elrond must say good-bye to their son for the first and last time as his parents. It was indeed a sad farewell, for Celebrian had started to cry again. But the parting of ways had to be done. Legolas' birth mother and father kissed his forehead and whispered wishes of peace and health and turned away, taking his twin with them.
Thranduil and Isawien watched as the Lord and Lady of Imladris got into their carriage and started away. The infant child in their arms let out a small wail, as if he knew he was left behind, but Isawien was there to comfort his cries and soon he went back to peaceful dreams.
Then it was their turn to turn away, and walk to their own carriage. They lifted themselves up into it, and Isawien laid their child across her lap. She call him theirs because that is exactly what he was now, their child. They did not share blood, but they did share a bond. They both owed their life to the Lady and Lord who brought the child into the world.
Thranduil had just seated himself properly and was about to close the door of the carriage when an old hand placed it's hand on the handle bar and used it to lift up the body it was attached to up into the carriage.
Isawien smiled deeply when she saw who it was and gave a small cry, "Mithrandir! I had wondered where you had gone. We haven't seen you since after-"She stopped herself before she could continue, for the last time they saw him was after her husband and herself agreed to take in the Elfling that was now in her lap. "Are you here to wish us farewell?"
The old Wizard's eyes twinkled at her greeting. "Queen Isawien. King Thranduil," he said their names and nodded at each of them, he then turned to the sleeping being in the Queen's lap. "Price Legolas." He then returned his eyes to the King and Queen, who were waiting patiently for his explanation. "I do apologize for my lack of presence the past few days. I was tuckered out from my journey here, and I felt the need to take a long nap. Then, when I felt refreshed, I took a long walk. On that walk, I had many things running through my head. Being as old as I am, I needed a long time to sort through them. And I came to the decision to travel with you to Mirkwood. I realized it has been years since I stepped into your kingdom, Thranduil, and how much I missed it." With that, he entered himself into the carriage fully and closed the door. He then took the empty seat across from the King and Queen, sighing as he placed his old bones on the cushion.
Suddenly the pleasantness of his appeal disappeared and a solemn one replaced it. It was a look that mirrored Elrond's and Thranduil's almost a week ago. His voice was no longer merry and boisterous, but quiet and firm.
"And I think you will need the help of a Wizard to make sure the secret you keep shall remain what it is: secret." The "secret" they were talking about shifted his tiny body, but remained asleep. "What is the story you will be telling?"
Isawien was only slightly taken aback from the change of conversation and tone of their dear friend, but shook it off quickly. "I will say I had been hiding my pregnancy in fear that what had occurred before would happen again. I did not want my people to get their hopes up or treat me like I was more fragile than I already was."
"That is what we told the guards outside," Thranduil broke in, "They never got a good look at her before the babes were born, for I did not want to wound her pride any more than it already was. I think they think something is slightly amiss, but they are loyal. I trust them enough to keep them close."
"But not enough to tell them the truth?" Gandalf asked, his bushy eyebrows lifted slightly. Thranduil shook his head.
"We cannot afford to trust anyone with the truth, until the truth is allowed to be revealed," the King said with a sad look in his eyes.
Isawien placed her free hand on her husband's arm and squeezed gently. He smiled at his lively wife, the sadness diminishing slightly. Isawien returned her gaze to the Wizard in front of her.
"We will be getting a wet nurse when we get there. Galadriel supplied us enough nourishment for our son until we get back to our home."
"And what story will you tell her?"
The Queen gave a smile, that was a mixture of amusement and self-disgust. "I will take the blame upon myself. I will tell her that I can produce children, but somehow could not produce milk to feed the babe."
Gandalf nodded his head, the solemn look in his eyes was still there, but also contentment. "This should work. But for extra insurance, I shall place a small spell upon your kingdom, my King, my Queen, to ensure the it's inhabitants will be more willing to believe the lies we are forced to tell them."
"Do you think that is wise?" Thranduil asked, frowning, "What if it were to back fire?" But Gandalf shook his head.
"Nay, it is only small magic. It will only be a small dose of magic, for I dare not make it bigger. The spell will wear off in a few years, but hopefully by then, they will be too in love with their Princely to care. Indeed . . . I see this child bringing a change to your kingdom, Thranduil, Isawien. He shall be the light that could make the shadows that plague your once magnificent forest."
"Thank you, old friend." Isawien smiled at him. "Your magic and presence shall make this run much more smoothly. We are in your dept."
"Nay, fair Queen. You are in mine. You and your husband are in all of Middle Earth's dept."
There were no more words spoken in that matter. Thranduil stuck his head out of his window to tell his guards to start away. Isawien felt the carriage start to rock gently from movement and the King put his head back in. They spent the next few hours in silence, half the time taking glances at the curled up bundle in Isawien's lap.
* * *
Celebrian gave a weary smile as she felt the carriage finally stop in front of the gates of Rivendell. It had been a long two weeks. The ride was longer this time than it was before due to the fact they were not in as much of a hurry to return home than to get to the Golden Wood.
She cuddled her precious daughter in her arms and started humming an Elfish tune, as she watched the Gates of Imladris open from the window. The carriage started again, but only a few minutes until it reached the walkway of the palace. The carriage slowed to a halt for the final time and the door on the Lady's right side was opened, revealing a blond-haired Elf, in a traveling garment of green and brown.
"Hail, Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian!" the voice of the Elf cried in greetings, "I had hoped I would arrive before you so I could welcome you home."
"Glorfindel!" Celebrian cried with joy, "You are home. I had hoped you would have returned to Rivendell before we left for Lorien, but I am happy to see you nonetheless."
Elrond nodded his head, "Lord Glorfindel, a pleasure to see you in this happy hour." He then lifted himself up from his seat and exited the carriage, then turned to help his wife out. The infant in her arms awoke while the adults exchanged greetings and gave a great yawn. Elrond smiled down at her, "Please meet our daughter, Arwen Evenstar."
Glorfindel quickly went up to Celebrian, who offered the child to him, and picked her up. He held her gently and close to his face.
"My, look how fair this one is!" he exclaimed, and the child let out a wail. Glorfindel gave a bark of a laugh and handed the child back to her mother to be calmed down.
"And she has good taste in men, I see," Elrond joked, making Glorfindel threw him a mock scowl.
"She is a beauty, is she not?" Celebrian asked them, as her efforts to calm the infant worked and Baby Arwen was again fast asleep. "But you should have seen Legolas."
Beside her, Elrond froze slightly, but Glorfindel did not notice. He stared at her inquisitively. "Legolas?"
"Aye, Legolas Greenleaf. Isawien and Thranduil's new born son." Celebrian answered him, not daring to look at her husband. They had decided on the way home that no one was to know of this secret, not even their most trusted friends and advisers. "A miracle has finally happened in the Forest of Mirkwood. Oh, we will tell you more later," she said in a rush, not wanting to go into the detail now, "But he is quite beautiful. He has his father's hair and eyes."
Glorfindel smiled, "Aye, finally some good fortune has befallen King Thranduil and Queen Isawien. No doubt their son will grow up to be the handsomest Elf around, but it is a shame that your daughter doesn't share his hair. I would have liked a smaller replica of you running around causing terror."
"But perhaps the dark tresses will suit her better. I do not care, as long as she is with us." Elrond spoke then, placing an arm around his wife and smiled at her. She smiled back up at him and then down at their daughter. Their precious secret.
A sudden noise filled the air that drew the attention of all three adult Elves. Glorfindel gave a smirk, and turned back to Lord Elrond. "Looks like your sons' have finally realized you are home."
Elrond gave a mock sigh, and smiled again at Celebrian. "Come, my Lady. It is time for our sons to meet their sister."
Celebrian nodded and they walked a head towards the palace. In front of them, they saw two figures running towards them, shouting out in joy. Elrond cried out to them.
"Sons! Come forth and meet your sister!"
***
Isawien awoke from her daze as she felt her husband tap her arm. She turned to him, and gave him a questioning look. All he did was smile and point out the window. She moved her eyes to the window and smiled, joy filling her eyes.
There stood the gates of Mirkwood, guarded by the Wood-Elves that inhabited this forest. Isawien motioned to her husband to give her the baby so she could show him the forest. She held up little Legolas and pointed out to him.
"Look, my sweet son, this is your home. Welcome to Mirkwood, Prince Legolas Greenleaf."
To be continued with "Dawn's Journey"
--------------------------------------
Review Thanks:
I-like-chickens: Thank you, as always.
silvertoekee: yeah, I have problems with the lurking also. I read all these wonderful fics, but I never have enough time to review for them because I am reading them between classes (college, ai!) Anyway, more will develop in the next story! Thank you!
Gissela: Thank you. Weird is good, because I am weird!
littlesaiyangirl: *pats head* Thank you, again. And I will try!
Lady Lenna: was this soon enough? If it wasn't, my apologies! Thank you!
Kitsune: I cannot truly know how it is to loose a child, even if they are still alive but living somewhere else, but one can only hope that they could portray at least one tenth of the pain. Thank you!