Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!
Lady Viola- lol I worry for about you sometimes- Katlin will be along in the next couple of chapters. We gotta do cute family scenes first.
Mia- sorry it just seemed like such a good place to leave the chapter- and I am wounded that you'd insinuate that I would kill the babies- well...
Angelhair- lol- I love your reviews! Has anybody told you- you think too much!- no I don't think it is actually water it's fluid...of some kind- that's as far as my medical knowledge goes.
Immortalwizardelf-fan- thanks, I thought about the length of the pregnancy but then decided to just let it flow around the writing.
~~~~~~~~
"Oh no",
Sighing she moved to the wash basin and picked up a towel to clean the mess on the floor. Shaking her head she threw the towel onto a nearby chair and retrieved another before kneeling on the cold floor. It didn't take her long to clean up but by then her nightdress was wet and she felt horrible, therefore deciding to have a bath before doing anything else.
She slid into the warm water, after the cold floor the water was bliss.
The ache in her stomach had lessened but had not ceased. It was more irritating than painful. She relaxed for a few minutes before getting out. Her body felt clean and soft.
Waking over to the sink she pulled the hair tie out of her hair and let it cascade down her back in waves.
She winced as another dull ache rippled through her body. Sighing she washed her face and made her way into the bedroom and to the wardrobe.
The dawn was just breaking, pink and orange streaks lined the sky in graceful waves.
Her slender hands touched each dress but made no move to remove one. Her eyes hands found a pale green cool cotton dress that would suit her needs for the moment.
As she dressed her eyes rested on the still sleeping figure of her husband. She was loath to wake him up and decided that as she would leave him asleep until she was in actual pain.
Wincing, she made her way over to the couch with a book. She had had a lot of spare time and had devoted it to learning the history of the elves. She was halfway though a large book about Feanor. It was more interesting than she accounted for.
Slowly a few hours passed and the aching became slightly worse but it still was not painful. She returned her gaze to the book, which she had discovered; she could place comfortably on her stomach.
A ripple went though her body, it wasn't an ache but it wasn't a pain either. She chewed her lip and raised her eyes with a groan.
In the bed Legolas stirred. Opening his eyes he realised two things, one- he had slept later than he normally did and two Thalia was missing. Enjoying the warmth and comfort of the bed he sunk further into the cushions, he had not noticed the figure on the couch.
He sat up and scanned the room with careful eyes, silently he studied his wife, her hair cascaded down her back in soft waves and shone as the light hit it. Her brow was furrowed and her lips were set in a firm line in concentration as she read the book that was amusingly resting on her bulging stomach.
Sighing inaudibly he rose from the bed and approached her. With a grin her snuck up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders suddenly, making her jump and throw the book, which missed him by an inch.
She winced and sat down, the dull ache had returned with more force than before.
"What did I do to deserve that?"
"You just looked so, peaceful, and I thought I'd bring you out of your book my love"
She shook her head smiling. She watched as he pulled out clean clothes and began to dress, he was like a cat, lithe and graceful but deadly and gorgeous.
He turned and caught her eyes.
"So what do you wish to do today?"
She bit her lip and gazed at the fire absentmindedly.
"Not much, I might have lunch with Haldir, or I might give birth, I've not decided which"
Legolas' eyes widened at her offhanded remark, not sure whether she was being serious or not.
She turned in her seat and slid down to make herself comfortable.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you"
She said waving a hand in the air,
"My waters broke"
She smirked as she heard him drop his boot in surprise.
With the boot in his hand he rushed to the couch and crouched in front of her with an adorable expression on his face.
"When, why did you not tell me?"
"They broke a good few hours ago and you were asleep"
"That does not explain why you did not wake me"
"There was no need, you were asleep and as you can see they are in no hurry to make an appearance. The contractions don't even hurt yet"
He looked flustered and harassed and nothing had happened yet. She winced and he was immediately by her side.
She glared at him playfully.
His eyes were soft but alert as he watched her face tense and then relax. Leaning forward he brushed his lips against her forehead and pulled her close to him.
She closed her eyes and settled against his bare chest, she had only just realised that he was only clad in a pair of leggings and one boot. Unable to hold it she burst into hysterical giggles.
He leaned back, a little put off at her sudden out burst.
"What are you laughing at?"
She placed a hand on his chest and held her stomach with the other.
"You...funny...what are...you wearing? That...is...not...a good look"
She managed to say though her giggles.
He chuckled at her absurdity and looked towards the bed. Shaking his head he rose and put on the remainder of his clothes.
She watched as he left the room with a suspicious grin on his face.
Despite her brave front the ache was slowly becoming a pain and after hours of an incessant ache she was loosing her mind. She sighed and turned her head just as a maid entered the room.
"Hello my Lady"
"Hello"
She smiled at the maid who's name she couldn't remember. She smiled faded to confusion as the maid stripped the sheets and replaced them with thicker ones.
"What are you doing?"
She asked quietly. The maid turned around, a knowing smile on her fair face.
"You cannot give birth on silk sheets my lady, they would be neither comfortable nor practical"
Thalia's face fell, it had just dawned on her. She was going to give birth, today.
Before her mind could fully digest everything Legolas entered the room followed by Elrond, who to her dismay was smiling. In her book there was nothing to smile about.
"How are you feeling?"
He said in a fatherly tone as he sat next to her.
"I'm alright"
He nodded knowingly.
"How long since your waters broke?"
"About five hours"
"Are you feeling any pain?"
She shook her head as her gaze fell on Legolas' concerned face. His eyes burned into hers. He was angry that she had not woken him but was more concerned about the next few hours.
"No, not yet"
He smiled and looked at Legolas,
"Legolas help her out of this dress and into a loose nightgown please, I shall return in a few moments"
Elrond left the room leaving the couple on their own.
Without a word Legolas made his way over to the wardrobe and returned with a nightgown in his hands.
His touch sent waves of calm down her spine as he helped her dress. As the dress slid down her figure he drank in the sight of her body, he had not seen her as she looked now. To his eyes she was perfect, her slender legs and her swollen stomach, the curve of her sides and the swell of her breasts. Smiling he kissed her gently.
"Next time my beautiful wife, there will be no hiding from me"
"Who say that there will be a next time?"
He chuckled and helped her slide the nightgown over her head. After adjusting the garment so that it was comfortable she caught his hands in hers.
"Legolas, what is it? What's wrong? I am sorry that I didn't wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully, it's been a long time since I've seen you look so peaceful. Forgive me"
He lifted his head to meet her gaze and captured her lips with his. A forceful but yielding kiss accompanied with soothing touches, were shared between the two. Thalia grimaced and moved away.
"Ok, that one hurt"
Legolas smiled, and pressed a hand to her stomach,
"It seems so long since we joined, yet it is not. And tonight we will finally have our children"
His eyes brimmed with emotion as he cradled her face in his slender hands. She could only nod at his words.
"Will you help me to sit down?"
He smiled at her request and instead helped her towards the bed where as she was about to sit she was bombarded with three sets of questions and earnest faces.
Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir all stood next to Legolas awaiting any news.
She rolled her eyes and sat propped up by pillows on the large bed.
Haldir stepped forward and kissed her cheek.
She laughed at their helpless expressions.
"I am fine, stop looking at me like I'm dying and scram, the lot of you, out!"
They grinned and hugged her before exchanging their good lucks and loving banter.
Elrond entered the room and with a smiling face ushered the loitering elves out of the room.
"Adar!"
Thalia nearly cried at the sight of Glorfindel. She hugged him tightly, communicating words that could not been spoken out loud.
He sat down with her still in her arms and stroked her hair until he felt her relax.
"You will be fine, Elrond is an excellent healer, he has delivered many children, Arwen among them. You will be in good hands"
She nodded against his chest feeling like a small child who didn't want an injection because it hurt but still knew it was inevitable.
"I am going to leave you now for a short while, Legolas will be here by your side, there is no need to worry" He lifted her chin with a slender finger and kissed her on the cheek before leaving the room to join the twins and Haldir.
With wide eyes she lay back and let Elrond examine her, Legolas never let go of her hand. His protective touch was what kept her where she was. Inside she was quivering with fright.
She winced as another pain wracked her body,
"What do they feel like now?"
Elrond asked her,
"Sharp. But they don't really hurt"
"The pain will not really start for another few hours yet. You have a long way to go yet"
He smiled but motioned for Legolas to join him by the fire so that Thalia couldn't hear them.
"Legolas do not leave her and watch her carefully"
"What is wrong?" Legolas demanded softly
"Her waters broke hours ago and the birth canal should have opened more than it has done. I am concerned, I will have to keep a close eye on her over the next few hours"
Elrond's eyes studied the seemingly small figure on the overly large bed. She had turned on her side and was hugging Legolas' pillow for comfort. He smiled at Legolas' anxious gaze and his thoughts drifted to the birth of his own twins. He had been just as nervous as Legolas obviously was. Shaking his head he left the room to go and inform the waiting elves of the slow progress.
Legolas sighed before making his way over to his wife who lay still on the bed. She shifted over and let him slide onto the bed next to her. With a smile he enveloped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. He moved back when he felt her body tense.
"I'm fine"
Her voice was guarded.
He let it slide and lay back down. They lay like that until Elrond returned to check on her. This time he was happier with her progress.
He then once again left the couple to enjoy some time alone before their world was turned upside down.
After a few hours and a few more visits from Elrond things were finally beginning to take their course.
Thalia sat slumped against the cushions and pillows, a thin sheen of sweat covering her.
She squeezed Legolas' hand as a sharp contraction washed over her.
"Only a little while longer melamin, shh"
"How much longer is this going to take?!"
She cried into his shoulder. Sighing he rested his chin on her head.
"A few more hours"
He felt her nod and tense once more. He gently stroked her hair and murmured words of comfort to her.
She sat up and looked at him with a smile. Her eyes danced despite the intense feelings that raged within her.
He looked up at her, the very epitome of beauty. He saw his wife as every husband should. He sat up and turned her head to face him, his slender hand cradled her cheek. There had never been a stronger connection between the two of them. His azure eyes burned into hers. She closed her eyes and leaned into his comforting touch. With a smile he lent down and tenderly grazed her lips with his. Another pain hit her but he held onto her, swallowing her soft cry.
He broke away and laid her down once more. He lay propped up on one elbow watching her.
His thoughts travelled back to the late night conversations that they had shared and the laughter that they had shared. Without noticing his hand travelled up Thalia's arm, over the scars. Together they had banished her demons. And amongst the arguments and tears they had found love and happiness. He felt a strange sadness descend upon him as he thought, there would be no more late night conversations or baths. They would not be alone anymore, but the excitement and joy that he felt about the impending change in his life overrode the sadness. There would be many more moments of love and happiness to come. It was merely the end and beginning of something else. His gaze turned back to his irritated wife.
She leaned heavily against the pillows once more and gazed out into the snow covered treetops.
The hour was getting late and the winter sun was setting as the first of the more serious pains struck her.
"Oh my God!"
She grimaced as she held Legolas hand tightly.
Legolas was becoming restless. He did not know what to do. For the time being Thalia was content for him to sit beside her but as the time was passing she was becoming more demanding and irritable.
His heart soared at the sight of her, her strength and her vulnerability shone though her controlled demeanour.
She was beautiful to him, the darkness set in and lamps were lit without his realizing. She looked up at him with heavy lidded eyes. She was not tired, but she felt weary.
"It will not be long melamin"
"Hmm, I've been in labour for hours and you said that at least four hours ago and they're still not here"
"How far apart are they?" Elrond asked as he entered the room once more.
"About this far"
She said cheekily holding her hands twenty centimetres apart.
Legolas laughed, pleased to hear her laughter rather than the soft cries that she had let from her throat over the past hour.
~
Three hours later Thalia was lay heavily panting and sweating more than she thought was possible.
Her cheeks were red and her fists balled. Well one was, the other hand was squeezing Legolas' hand, very tightly.
Though he had watched his wife transform from the soft spoken woman to a screaming...orc, he still found it impossible to leave her. She was in pain and he felt it, not only physically.
He looked at her with warm, loving eyes that any woman would melt at, any woman but his wife.
He went to press the cold cloth on her brow when she swatted his hands away.
"No"
She whined, she had resorted to only using full sentences when she was in pain. She grabbed Legolas' tunic and pulled him down to meet her,
"Get me drugs, get me anything, I don't really care, make it go away"
She said through clenched teeth.
Legolas drew back and shared a look at Elrond who was making sure that the babes were alright. Elrond nodded at him,
"Alright in a few moments I need you to push and then rest until I tell you, the first is crowning"
Legolas lifted her shoulders from the bed and slid behind her, resting her upper body on his chest. He crossed her arms encircling her in his arms, she still held tight to his hands.
Her eyes sought his, after a moment she looked away feeling stronger.
"Alright, you can push"
With all her strength she screamed and pushed. She fell back against Legolas who kissed her temple, her face red and hot. She cried out and panted but lay still as she had been told.
"Oh, I have to push!"
She screamed at Elrond, feeling as if she was slowly being split in half. The pain was unbearable.
"Alright, you can push"
Once again she pushed hard this time nearly breaking Legolas' fingers.
She stopped again, the pain bringing tears to her eyes as she lay back.
"Once more"
With a massive scream she pushed with everything she had, tears ran down her face and her knuckles were white, she fell down onto Legolas chest just as she heard the cry of her first child.
"You have a son"
Elrond quickly passed the crying babe to the healer that had been assisting and turned back to Thalia who still lay in a great amount of pain.
"Oh my god, get it out of me!"
She cried, half delirious.
Legolas peeled his eyes from his newborn son and focused on his wife.
After a great amount of pushing the babe had still not arrived.
"Oh my god, cut it out, I don't care- get it out of me now it hurts, it hurts"
She cried, not noticing the skilled hands of Elrond already trying to ease the child out from the top of her birth canal.
She screamed as he righted the shoulders,
"Push Thalia"
She did so, but with less strength than she had with the first child.
"Thalia listen to me, in order for both you and your child to survive you must push, we need to deliver this child fast"
She nodded at Elrond's stern words. Her face was red and her hair stuck to her face as the sweat poured down her face. Legolas sat behind her, a worried frown on his face. He could not stand to loose both of them, but it would not come to that, that much he knew.
Thalia lay back, gathering all the strength that she possibly could before pushing hard. This time the babe moved, the head was out, Thalia screamed at the pain of having to keep still while the childs shoulders remained within her, stretching her to her limits.
Upon Elrond's command she pushed for the last time.
She fell upon her husband's chest with relief. It suddenly occurred to her that she had not heard the second child cry.
"Elrond, what's wrong, what's wrong with my baby"
He had to ignore her pleas while he worked to clear the baby's lungs.
Thalia and Legolas clutched each other as they waited for the cry from their child.
The room filled with a cry, and was then joined by another as the two children made their presence known.
Elrond smiled as he passed their son to Thalia who took him lovingly into the safety of her arms. Legolas watched with delight as their son cried softy.
He turned his attention to Elrond, who handed him the second bundle,
"You daughter"
Legolas beamed at the small child. She was smaller than her brother, she did not measure the length of her fathers forearm.
Elrond and the assistant healer stood and watched the new proud parents with their children.
Both Thalia and Legolas ignored the blood and sweat that clung to them and simply looked at their babies.
"Look what we made Legolas, look at them"
Thalia whispered tears running down her face.
She did not even notice the removal of the after birth and the cool cloth on her thighs as the two overjoyed healers cleaned the mess from her.
Legolas laughed, joy filling the room as he gazed down at his small daughter. With a slender finger he caressed the smooth cheek. She already had light dusting of golden blond hair.
While Legolas was admiring his new daughter Elrond was showing Thalia how to breast feed, despite her exhaustion she was more than willing to learn how to feed her babies.
He leaned forward and gazed at his son and his wife who now lay with her eyes closed in exhaustion, her son at her breast, suckling already. Thalia opened her eyes and smiled at him before opening her arms and setting her daughter at her other breast, Legolas took his son from her and held him for the first time. As he gazed at his family, an immense feeling of pride filled him. He shook his head, unable to rid himself of the huge grin as he looked at the child in his arms.
His son had a light dusting of silver hair, the same as his mother.
The two barely noticed as the spoiled sheets were removed from beneath them. Their eyes were fixed and would not move.
The assistant healer left the room to get rid of the sheets and inform the waiting elves of the newest arrivals. Sharing a look, Legolas and Elrond took the babes and placed them in their separate cribs before making sure that the already dozing Thalia was comfortable and doing well.
Elrond left the two with his congratulations and blessings and telling them that he would visit regularly during the night to make sure that all was well.
Legolas crouched before the two cradles that now held the most precious jewels he had ever come across. His loving blue eyes gazed at them for many minutes before joining his exhausted wife on the bed.
Still smiling the two of them fell into a much needed but alert sleep, ready to tend to their children at any moment.
In their cribs the babes stirred before falling into a sleep that would carry them into their first day in the world.
Lady Viola- lol I worry for about you sometimes- Katlin will be along in the next couple of chapters. We gotta do cute family scenes first.
Mia- sorry it just seemed like such a good place to leave the chapter- and I am wounded that you'd insinuate that I would kill the babies- well...
Angelhair- lol- I love your reviews! Has anybody told you- you think too much!- no I don't think it is actually water it's fluid...of some kind- that's as far as my medical knowledge goes.
Immortalwizardelf-fan- thanks, I thought about the length of the pregnancy but then decided to just let it flow around the writing.
~~~~~~~~
"Oh no",
Sighing she moved to the wash basin and picked up a towel to clean the mess on the floor. Shaking her head she threw the towel onto a nearby chair and retrieved another before kneeling on the cold floor. It didn't take her long to clean up but by then her nightdress was wet and she felt horrible, therefore deciding to have a bath before doing anything else.
She slid into the warm water, after the cold floor the water was bliss.
The ache in her stomach had lessened but had not ceased. It was more irritating than painful. She relaxed for a few minutes before getting out. Her body felt clean and soft.
Waking over to the sink she pulled the hair tie out of her hair and let it cascade down her back in waves.
She winced as another dull ache rippled through her body. Sighing she washed her face and made her way into the bedroom and to the wardrobe.
The dawn was just breaking, pink and orange streaks lined the sky in graceful waves.
Her slender hands touched each dress but made no move to remove one. Her eyes hands found a pale green cool cotton dress that would suit her needs for the moment.
As she dressed her eyes rested on the still sleeping figure of her husband. She was loath to wake him up and decided that as she would leave him asleep until she was in actual pain.
Wincing, she made her way over to the couch with a book. She had had a lot of spare time and had devoted it to learning the history of the elves. She was halfway though a large book about Feanor. It was more interesting than she accounted for.
Slowly a few hours passed and the aching became slightly worse but it still was not painful. She returned her gaze to the book, which she had discovered; she could place comfortably on her stomach.
A ripple went though her body, it wasn't an ache but it wasn't a pain either. She chewed her lip and raised her eyes with a groan.
In the bed Legolas stirred. Opening his eyes he realised two things, one- he had slept later than he normally did and two Thalia was missing. Enjoying the warmth and comfort of the bed he sunk further into the cushions, he had not noticed the figure on the couch.
He sat up and scanned the room with careful eyes, silently he studied his wife, her hair cascaded down her back in soft waves and shone as the light hit it. Her brow was furrowed and her lips were set in a firm line in concentration as she read the book that was amusingly resting on her bulging stomach.
Sighing inaudibly he rose from the bed and approached her. With a grin her snuck up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders suddenly, making her jump and throw the book, which missed him by an inch.
She winced and sat down, the dull ache had returned with more force than before.
"What did I do to deserve that?"
"You just looked so, peaceful, and I thought I'd bring you out of your book my love"
She shook her head smiling. She watched as he pulled out clean clothes and began to dress, he was like a cat, lithe and graceful but deadly and gorgeous.
He turned and caught her eyes.
"So what do you wish to do today?"
She bit her lip and gazed at the fire absentmindedly.
"Not much, I might have lunch with Haldir, or I might give birth, I've not decided which"
Legolas' eyes widened at her offhanded remark, not sure whether she was being serious or not.
She turned in her seat and slid down to make herself comfortable.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you"
She said waving a hand in the air,
"My waters broke"
She smirked as she heard him drop his boot in surprise.
With the boot in his hand he rushed to the couch and crouched in front of her with an adorable expression on his face.
"When, why did you not tell me?"
"They broke a good few hours ago and you were asleep"
"That does not explain why you did not wake me"
"There was no need, you were asleep and as you can see they are in no hurry to make an appearance. The contractions don't even hurt yet"
He looked flustered and harassed and nothing had happened yet. She winced and he was immediately by her side.
She glared at him playfully.
His eyes were soft but alert as he watched her face tense and then relax. Leaning forward he brushed his lips against her forehead and pulled her close to him.
She closed her eyes and settled against his bare chest, she had only just realised that he was only clad in a pair of leggings and one boot. Unable to hold it she burst into hysterical giggles.
He leaned back, a little put off at her sudden out burst.
"What are you laughing at?"
She placed a hand on his chest and held her stomach with the other.
"You...funny...what are...you wearing? That...is...not...a good look"
She managed to say though her giggles.
He chuckled at her absurdity and looked towards the bed. Shaking his head he rose and put on the remainder of his clothes.
She watched as he left the room with a suspicious grin on his face.
Despite her brave front the ache was slowly becoming a pain and after hours of an incessant ache she was loosing her mind. She sighed and turned her head just as a maid entered the room.
"Hello my Lady"
"Hello"
She smiled at the maid who's name she couldn't remember. She smiled faded to confusion as the maid stripped the sheets and replaced them with thicker ones.
"What are you doing?"
She asked quietly. The maid turned around, a knowing smile on her fair face.
"You cannot give birth on silk sheets my lady, they would be neither comfortable nor practical"
Thalia's face fell, it had just dawned on her. She was going to give birth, today.
Before her mind could fully digest everything Legolas entered the room followed by Elrond, who to her dismay was smiling. In her book there was nothing to smile about.
"How are you feeling?"
He said in a fatherly tone as he sat next to her.
"I'm alright"
He nodded knowingly.
"How long since your waters broke?"
"About five hours"
"Are you feeling any pain?"
She shook her head as her gaze fell on Legolas' concerned face. His eyes burned into hers. He was angry that she had not woken him but was more concerned about the next few hours.
"No, not yet"
He smiled and looked at Legolas,
"Legolas help her out of this dress and into a loose nightgown please, I shall return in a few moments"
Elrond left the room leaving the couple on their own.
Without a word Legolas made his way over to the wardrobe and returned with a nightgown in his hands.
His touch sent waves of calm down her spine as he helped her dress. As the dress slid down her figure he drank in the sight of her body, he had not seen her as she looked now. To his eyes she was perfect, her slender legs and her swollen stomach, the curve of her sides and the swell of her breasts. Smiling he kissed her gently.
"Next time my beautiful wife, there will be no hiding from me"
"Who say that there will be a next time?"
He chuckled and helped her slide the nightgown over her head. After adjusting the garment so that it was comfortable she caught his hands in hers.
"Legolas, what is it? What's wrong? I am sorry that I didn't wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully, it's been a long time since I've seen you look so peaceful. Forgive me"
He lifted his head to meet her gaze and captured her lips with his. A forceful but yielding kiss accompanied with soothing touches, were shared between the two. Thalia grimaced and moved away.
"Ok, that one hurt"
Legolas smiled, and pressed a hand to her stomach,
"It seems so long since we joined, yet it is not. And tonight we will finally have our children"
His eyes brimmed with emotion as he cradled her face in his slender hands. She could only nod at his words.
"Will you help me to sit down?"
He smiled at her request and instead helped her towards the bed where as she was about to sit she was bombarded with three sets of questions and earnest faces.
Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir all stood next to Legolas awaiting any news.
She rolled her eyes and sat propped up by pillows on the large bed.
Haldir stepped forward and kissed her cheek.
She laughed at their helpless expressions.
"I am fine, stop looking at me like I'm dying and scram, the lot of you, out!"
They grinned and hugged her before exchanging their good lucks and loving banter.
Elrond entered the room and with a smiling face ushered the loitering elves out of the room.
"Adar!"
Thalia nearly cried at the sight of Glorfindel. She hugged him tightly, communicating words that could not been spoken out loud.
He sat down with her still in her arms and stroked her hair until he felt her relax.
"You will be fine, Elrond is an excellent healer, he has delivered many children, Arwen among them. You will be in good hands"
She nodded against his chest feeling like a small child who didn't want an injection because it hurt but still knew it was inevitable.
"I am going to leave you now for a short while, Legolas will be here by your side, there is no need to worry" He lifted her chin with a slender finger and kissed her on the cheek before leaving the room to join the twins and Haldir.
With wide eyes she lay back and let Elrond examine her, Legolas never let go of her hand. His protective touch was what kept her where she was. Inside she was quivering with fright.
She winced as another pain wracked her body,
"What do they feel like now?"
Elrond asked her,
"Sharp. But they don't really hurt"
"The pain will not really start for another few hours yet. You have a long way to go yet"
He smiled but motioned for Legolas to join him by the fire so that Thalia couldn't hear them.
"Legolas do not leave her and watch her carefully"
"What is wrong?" Legolas demanded softly
"Her waters broke hours ago and the birth canal should have opened more than it has done. I am concerned, I will have to keep a close eye on her over the next few hours"
Elrond's eyes studied the seemingly small figure on the overly large bed. She had turned on her side and was hugging Legolas' pillow for comfort. He smiled at Legolas' anxious gaze and his thoughts drifted to the birth of his own twins. He had been just as nervous as Legolas obviously was. Shaking his head he left the room to go and inform the waiting elves of the slow progress.
Legolas sighed before making his way over to his wife who lay still on the bed. She shifted over and let him slide onto the bed next to her. With a smile he enveloped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. He moved back when he felt her body tense.
"I'm fine"
Her voice was guarded.
He let it slide and lay back down. They lay like that until Elrond returned to check on her. This time he was happier with her progress.
He then once again left the couple to enjoy some time alone before their world was turned upside down.
After a few hours and a few more visits from Elrond things were finally beginning to take their course.
Thalia sat slumped against the cushions and pillows, a thin sheen of sweat covering her.
She squeezed Legolas' hand as a sharp contraction washed over her.
"Only a little while longer melamin, shh"
"How much longer is this going to take?!"
She cried into his shoulder. Sighing he rested his chin on her head.
"A few more hours"
He felt her nod and tense once more. He gently stroked her hair and murmured words of comfort to her.
She sat up and looked at him with a smile. Her eyes danced despite the intense feelings that raged within her.
He looked up at her, the very epitome of beauty. He saw his wife as every husband should. He sat up and turned her head to face him, his slender hand cradled her cheek. There had never been a stronger connection between the two of them. His azure eyes burned into hers. She closed her eyes and leaned into his comforting touch. With a smile he lent down and tenderly grazed her lips with his. Another pain hit her but he held onto her, swallowing her soft cry.
He broke away and laid her down once more. He lay propped up on one elbow watching her.
His thoughts travelled back to the late night conversations that they had shared and the laughter that they had shared. Without noticing his hand travelled up Thalia's arm, over the scars. Together they had banished her demons. And amongst the arguments and tears they had found love and happiness. He felt a strange sadness descend upon him as he thought, there would be no more late night conversations or baths. They would not be alone anymore, but the excitement and joy that he felt about the impending change in his life overrode the sadness. There would be many more moments of love and happiness to come. It was merely the end and beginning of something else. His gaze turned back to his irritated wife.
She leaned heavily against the pillows once more and gazed out into the snow covered treetops.
The hour was getting late and the winter sun was setting as the first of the more serious pains struck her.
"Oh my God!"
She grimaced as she held Legolas hand tightly.
Legolas was becoming restless. He did not know what to do. For the time being Thalia was content for him to sit beside her but as the time was passing she was becoming more demanding and irritable.
His heart soared at the sight of her, her strength and her vulnerability shone though her controlled demeanour.
She was beautiful to him, the darkness set in and lamps were lit without his realizing. She looked up at him with heavy lidded eyes. She was not tired, but she felt weary.
"It will not be long melamin"
"Hmm, I've been in labour for hours and you said that at least four hours ago and they're still not here"
"How far apart are they?" Elrond asked as he entered the room once more.
"About this far"
She said cheekily holding her hands twenty centimetres apart.
Legolas laughed, pleased to hear her laughter rather than the soft cries that she had let from her throat over the past hour.
~
Three hours later Thalia was lay heavily panting and sweating more than she thought was possible.
Her cheeks were red and her fists balled. Well one was, the other hand was squeezing Legolas' hand, very tightly.
Though he had watched his wife transform from the soft spoken woman to a screaming...orc, he still found it impossible to leave her. She was in pain and he felt it, not only physically.
He looked at her with warm, loving eyes that any woman would melt at, any woman but his wife.
He went to press the cold cloth on her brow when she swatted his hands away.
"No"
She whined, she had resorted to only using full sentences when she was in pain. She grabbed Legolas' tunic and pulled him down to meet her,
"Get me drugs, get me anything, I don't really care, make it go away"
She said through clenched teeth.
Legolas drew back and shared a look at Elrond who was making sure that the babes were alright. Elrond nodded at him,
"Alright in a few moments I need you to push and then rest until I tell you, the first is crowning"
Legolas lifted her shoulders from the bed and slid behind her, resting her upper body on his chest. He crossed her arms encircling her in his arms, she still held tight to his hands.
Her eyes sought his, after a moment she looked away feeling stronger.
"Alright, you can push"
With all her strength she screamed and pushed. She fell back against Legolas who kissed her temple, her face red and hot. She cried out and panted but lay still as she had been told.
"Oh, I have to push!"
She screamed at Elrond, feeling as if she was slowly being split in half. The pain was unbearable.
"Alright, you can push"
Once again she pushed hard this time nearly breaking Legolas' fingers.
She stopped again, the pain bringing tears to her eyes as she lay back.
"Once more"
With a massive scream she pushed with everything she had, tears ran down her face and her knuckles were white, she fell down onto Legolas chest just as she heard the cry of her first child.
"You have a son"
Elrond quickly passed the crying babe to the healer that had been assisting and turned back to Thalia who still lay in a great amount of pain.
"Oh my god, get it out of me!"
She cried, half delirious.
Legolas peeled his eyes from his newborn son and focused on his wife.
After a great amount of pushing the babe had still not arrived.
"Oh my god, cut it out, I don't care- get it out of me now it hurts, it hurts"
She cried, not noticing the skilled hands of Elrond already trying to ease the child out from the top of her birth canal.
She screamed as he righted the shoulders,
"Push Thalia"
She did so, but with less strength than she had with the first child.
"Thalia listen to me, in order for both you and your child to survive you must push, we need to deliver this child fast"
She nodded at Elrond's stern words. Her face was red and her hair stuck to her face as the sweat poured down her face. Legolas sat behind her, a worried frown on his face. He could not stand to loose both of them, but it would not come to that, that much he knew.
Thalia lay back, gathering all the strength that she possibly could before pushing hard. This time the babe moved, the head was out, Thalia screamed at the pain of having to keep still while the childs shoulders remained within her, stretching her to her limits.
Upon Elrond's command she pushed for the last time.
She fell upon her husband's chest with relief. It suddenly occurred to her that she had not heard the second child cry.
"Elrond, what's wrong, what's wrong with my baby"
He had to ignore her pleas while he worked to clear the baby's lungs.
Thalia and Legolas clutched each other as they waited for the cry from their child.
The room filled with a cry, and was then joined by another as the two children made their presence known.
Elrond smiled as he passed their son to Thalia who took him lovingly into the safety of her arms. Legolas watched with delight as their son cried softy.
He turned his attention to Elrond, who handed him the second bundle,
"You daughter"
Legolas beamed at the small child. She was smaller than her brother, she did not measure the length of her fathers forearm.
Elrond and the assistant healer stood and watched the new proud parents with their children.
Both Thalia and Legolas ignored the blood and sweat that clung to them and simply looked at their babies.
"Look what we made Legolas, look at them"
Thalia whispered tears running down her face.
She did not even notice the removal of the after birth and the cool cloth on her thighs as the two overjoyed healers cleaned the mess from her.
Legolas laughed, joy filling the room as he gazed down at his small daughter. With a slender finger he caressed the smooth cheek. She already had light dusting of golden blond hair.
While Legolas was admiring his new daughter Elrond was showing Thalia how to breast feed, despite her exhaustion she was more than willing to learn how to feed her babies.
He leaned forward and gazed at his son and his wife who now lay with her eyes closed in exhaustion, her son at her breast, suckling already. Thalia opened her eyes and smiled at him before opening her arms and setting her daughter at her other breast, Legolas took his son from her and held him for the first time. As he gazed at his family, an immense feeling of pride filled him. He shook his head, unable to rid himself of the huge grin as he looked at the child in his arms.
His son had a light dusting of silver hair, the same as his mother.
The two barely noticed as the spoiled sheets were removed from beneath them. Their eyes were fixed and would not move.
The assistant healer left the room to get rid of the sheets and inform the waiting elves of the newest arrivals. Sharing a look, Legolas and Elrond took the babes and placed them in their separate cribs before making sure that the already dozing Thalia was comfortable and doing well.
Elrond left the two with his congratulations and blessings and telling them that he would visit regularly during the night to make sure that all was well.
Legolas crouched before the two cradles that now held the most precious jewels he had ever come across. His loving blue eyes gazed at them for many minutes before joining his exhausted wife on the bed.
Still smiling the two of them fell into a much needed but alert sleep, ready to tend to their children at any moment.
In their cribs the babes stirred before falling into a sleep that would carry them into their first day in the world.