Chapter 10:

Years later, a small carriage passed through the gates of Imladris flanked by Rangers on horseback. Galadriel and Celeborn stepped out to be met by a harried Elrond, his hair in disarray and his eyes red with weeping. Ignoring him, Galadriel swept past and hurried to the birthing chamber as Elrond wept on his father-in-law's shoulder and screams pierced the air from inside. Celeborn rolled his eyes discreetly and walked Elrond down the path towards a pool, where they talked for many hours. As Celeborn sat there, the screams stopped and the two rushed up the paths and into the Homely House. There in the entrance stood Galadriel with a baby in her arms. Smiling, she offered the bundle to Elrond, who took it with wide eyes and stroked the top away. There, lay a small elleth, her black eyes shining up at her father as she wriggled gently. Smiling down at her in love, Elrond handed the baby back to her grandmother and went in to his wife, who lay still against the pillows half-asleep.

Handing the baby to her husband, Galadriel beckoned Morié out from the birthing chamber and handed the baby to her. Smiling without a word, Morié and the baby looked at each other in awe but the spell was broken when the baby began to cry. Rocking her gently, Morie watched as she fell asleep. Walking in, she handed the sleeping elleth to her aunt and listened as the two whispered about the wrinkly babe in Sindarin. Curtsying, Morié walked out and looked at her grandparents quizzically.

"When will the baby be named, grandfather?"

"She will be named in three days, mell nin," spoke Celeborn as he looked to his wife for confirmation.

Nodding, Galadriel smiled at her grand-daughter and spoke "Celeborn is right, my dear. The baby will be named in three days at the Feast of Elbereth. People from all races will be invited, including that young Prince Legolas that so obviously took to you. And no wonder, if your cousin is anything like you."

As Morié was about to retort back, the sound of running feet came as Elladan and Elrohir raced down the corridor towards their family. Smiling, the three let them enter and stare at their new sister in awe. Then, they took their leave and walked in the Gardens of Imladris as the sun rose....

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mell nin - My dear