Authors' Note: Here is my eighth chapter. Thank you so much for the reviews, I cannot tell you how much they mean to me. This is a happy chapter I suppose, but don't worry. The story will resume its normal depressing manner soon. I know that I also disregarded the rule that elves have to make a joint decision on becoming pregnant, but it was the only way that I could get Elenwen to have a child. I do apologize for this. Thanks again! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work.
Chapter 8 Reaction
"I'm what?"
"Pregnant dear, you are with child," the healer smiled warmly at me. I felt numb, completely shocked. I was pregnant? I was going to have an elfling in a matter of mere months. So many different emotions began to bombard me that I was overwhelmed. I was happy, yet nervous, excited yet full of foreboding. Pregnancy and child bearing was hard on my race, making our numbers scarce and children even rarer. But it was a time of peace, no war ravaged our land and the forest was well protected. A baby, a baby was inside of me now. Tears welled in the corners of my eyes. In a year I would be cradling my child in my arms, my child and Haldir's. Oh Haldir! What would he think? Would he be happy, would he be overjoyed? Would he be a good father? No, I knew the answer to that, of course he would be. But then, I would have to leave my post, no longer be by his side. But that would be a small price to pay in exchange for becoming a mother. The tears were spilling over my eyes now. I felt them fall upon my cheeks. "There, there my dear," the healer patted me softly on the back. "I know how emotional this can be for a young elleth like you." She handed me a small handkerchief but I refused it and instead wiped my eyes on my sleeve. Suddenly, questions came to mind.
"How far along am I? When will I deliver? Is the baby healthy? I'm I healthy?" The motherly elf laughed at my barrage of inquiries.
"I have only just determined the fact that you are pregnant, I cannot answer so many questions just yet. You are only a few weeks pregnant and from what my skills have told me, the baby seems in good health as do you. I do not know when you will deliver exactly but it will probably be in twelve months, unless you start labor early. But I do highly doubt that." I sighed when she had finished, my head swimming with thoughts, worries and new feelings I had never thought existed. I looked back up at the healer, confusion clearly written upon my face and in the depths of my eyes. "But come, dear child, now is not the time for worries now is the time for celebration. I believe you are the only female in the wood that is with child at this moment, the Lady must know, I will tell her immediately. You should return to your home and rest. I am sure you will need to think over exactly what you wish to tell the March Warden when he gets home." I nodded dumbly and allowed myself to be led to the door. What was I going to tell Haldir?
I walked home, taking my time as I observed the beauties of my home. There was a small bird in a branch above me. In her beak she carried a worm to her nest. The hatchlings squawked and opened their mouths to be fed. Oh to be a mother! What kind of mother would I be? I knew that I would be a gently and loving as my mother had been. I would compose lullabies just for my child and soothe the babe to sleep with music from my own mouth. And when the child grew older I vowed to not smother him or her, but let them grow and spread their own wings in flight if they wished to. But then, that brought another question to my mind. Would the baby be a female or male? Did I even care? No, whatever sex the child was it would bring me joy. How would Haldir raise the child? If it was a male, would he take him on hunting trips? What if it was a female? Would he be overprotective of her? My mind was fogged, so fogged that I did not even realize that I stood in the main room of my flet. It was near nightfall and Haldir would be returning home soon. Tonight I did not feel like cooking, still tired was I so I brought out the leftovers from last night and a few pieces of fresh bread that I had baked before training. Then I went to lie down sorting through the different ways I could tell him the news. My ears listened for the door and I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard it creak open.
"Elenwen! Elenwen!" his masculine voice called through the rooms.
"I am in the bedroom," I chorused back and his footsteps sounded in the room.
"Are you ill? What did the healer say?" the bed dipped down as he sat besides me.
"No, I am not ill," I reached up and stroked his face. "You know that elves do not fall prey to disease meleth nin." He smiled down, the guilt in his eyes still present, but now it was edged with concern.
"Then what is wrong? You were so dreadfully pale this afternoon."
"Nothing," I smiled coyly not knowing why. Pushing him gently aside I stood and made my way into the kitchen.
"But you seem different," he followed me. "The air about you is filled with joy and you have not been very joyful of late." I shrugged further irritating him. I loved to be difficult sometimes, only the Valar knew why. "Please tell me," he moved quickly in front of me, his arms upon my shoulders.
"Well," I sighed, "if you must now." I had to laugh at the expression that crossed his face when I had finished my statement. It was one of utter pleading, not very much unlike the one a dog wears when he is out in the rain and wishes to come in. But now seeing this look upon his fair features caused me to find great amusement in it. He however did not find it funny and crossed his arms over his chest with a scowl before returning them to my shoulders once more. My giggles ceased and I looked him in the eye. "Haldir I am pregnant."
Meleth nin: My love
Elleth: Female elf