AN: Thanks to my 2 beta readers for this chapter, Varda_Tinalle7 and k.l miller. Many, many thanks to them and my reviewers.
Chapter 18
Months had passed and peace reigned in the Westlands. Elrond drummed his fingers on his lips.
*She cannot see it, yet it is as plain as the growth in her belly.
Elrond pulled out a parchment, scribbling a note. He bid a messenger nearby forward.
" Take this with great haste to Celeborn."
~*~
Elrond glanced up at the timid knock.
" Come inside, Erestor."
Elrond went back to his work. He glanced up, watching Erestor pace a little and then leaned back in his chair.
" Close the door and sit down."
Erestor sighed in relief, following the instructions.
" What is it, Erestor?" Elrond put aside his work.
Erestor looked uncertain.
" I came to ask you about Celebrisse. You are her guardian and I would like to ask for her hand."
Elrond leaned back, not entirely surprised. He had expected this.
" Her hand belongs to whomever has her heart. If she agrees to it, then I have no place to interfere. I wish you well," Elrond replied.
Erestor looked overly relieved.
" Thank you, Elrond."
Elrond picked back up his paper.
" I do hope the two of you remain in Imladris. I could never find another to fill my head counselor's position."
Erestor smiled, flushing slightly under the praise.
" I do not think we would wish to leave."
~*~
Galadriel put a hand to her stomach. The flutters made her gasp slightly. She assumed she must have an upset stomach, though it felt as if there was something dancing within her abdomen. She smiled at her pupil reassuringly, ignoring the butterflies and continued her teaching.
~*~
The rider nearly collapsed off his horse. Ereinion came quickly, seeing the mark of Imladris upon the beast.
" What is it?" Ereinion steadied the weary messenger as Celeborn exited also, noting the mark. " You come at Elrond's bidding."
" I have a message for Master Celeborn." The messenger fumbled for the parchment. "Elrond sent it with the utmost importance."
Celeborn snatched it, unfolding the message. Only three words graced the paper: Come to Imladris.
" Ready my horse."
~*~
Galadriel looked up with surprise as Elrond touched her shoulder. She had been too busy concentrating on her tipsy stomach to notice his entrance.
" Are you well?"
She shook her head.
" My stomach feels…odd."
" Have you seen a healer about it?" Elrond nearly sighed in relief.
At least he did not have to break his suspicions to her.
" No, I guess I should have one look at it. Would you?"
Elrond shook his head.
" I believe a female healer should perform such an act."
~*~
Elrond smiled, seeing the twin silver rings upon his head counselor's hand.
" 'Tis wonderful, is it not?"
Elrond glanced back at Glorfindel.
" Aye, though now it turns all attention your way."
Glorfindel grimaced.
" You are still unwed. Many pursue your hand."
Elrond laughed.
" I believe the one meant for me either waits across the Sea or is still unborn."
~*~
Galadriel exited the healing house and just stared at Elrond, seeming to sway like a limp noodle. Elrond quickly supported her with a concerned look.
" I just, I, I…" she trailed off, " I must-"
Hooves could be heard and then voices.
" Elrond?"
Celeborn strode into their sight. He bent before his shaken wife.
" Elrond sent for me. What is it?"
Galadriel glanced at the lord of Imladris.
" You knew?"
Elrond merely smiled, standing and leaving them alone.
Galadriel pulled Celeborn up to Elrond's empty seat. Her husband sent her a questioning gaze when she took his hand and placed it on her stomach.
" I do not understand what you are trying to tell me."
She merely arched her eyebrows. Celeborn stood.
" I am not in the mood for games, Galadriel. I am worried about you."
She stood also with a smile.
" Think back to before you left Imladris."
" 'Twas over seven months ago…" Celeborn trailed off.
She wore a beautiful dress of virgin white with a high cut waistline. It was not her usual dress, but now Celeborn realized why she wore it. The beginnings of a belly protruded from the fabric. He looked up at her, eyes wide.
" Galadriel, tell me this is what I think it is."
Galadriel clapped her hands with a smile.
" A baby, Celeborn."
Celeborn swept her up, loving her laughter.
A silence fell between them. Celeborn tipped up her chin.
" Nothing you hold dear shall fade."
Galadriel buried her face into his chest. Celeborn was content to just hold her. She finally looked up.
" The two before were boys," Galadriel whispered, speaking of the children they had lost at birth.
" And all we have cared for have been boys," Celeborn finished.
Galadriel shook her head, her hair rippling in gold and silver waves.
" You forget Idril, Lúthien and Elwing. They were girls."
" Well, I still pray it is a boy."
Galadriel looked up with her eyebrows cocked.
" 'Tis my child. I wish a girl."
Celeborn's forehead connected with hers.
" 'Tis my child as well and I wish a boy."
Galadriel laughed, smiling against his lips before pulling back.
" Then we are at odds, Verno (husband-Q)," Galadriel smiled, " We will just have to see to whom Eru grants their wish."
Celeborn hugged her closely, kissing her hair.
*As long as the child lives, I care not its gender.
~*~
Ereinion entered, smiling at the couple that had acted as his foster parents. Celeborn's hand laid on her large belly, the couple softly laughing over something.
" So this is why you never returned last month?"
Celeborn looked up lazily.
" I had no wish to disobey the laws of the Eldar. You know them," Celeborn replied.
Galadriel sat up on her elbows.
" We are taking bets upon what it will be, Ereinion. What do you think?"
Ereinion held up his hands.
" I will not answer on grounds that may incriminate me."
Galadriel slumped back down.
" Fine, side with Elrond as usual. Why are you here?"
" I came to wish Erestor well. I have heard of the betrothal and I know not if I shall get away for the wedding." Ereinion clasped is hands behind his back. "You two shall bear Imladris' first child and they shall be Imladris' first marriage."
" Imladris is flourishing."
" There have been other pregnancies. I am beginning to wonder if this is swiftly becoming a mating ground." A disgusted Elrond entered. "It seems all eligible maidens are flocking here and throwing themselves at the nearest unwed male."
Ereinion chuckled.
" I was lucky to have Celebrisse escort me in. I guess all maidens know better than to make advances on any she escorts."
Elrond nodded.
" Celebrisse is protective of what is hers. All know better than to side up to Erestor now."
Elrond rubbed his head.
" I am going to go and sleep till Arda's end. At least then no woman shall bother me."
Galadriel laughed.
" One day, Elrond, some woman shall ensnare you."
Elrond laughed.
" Oh yes and from what I hear, most think it to be some young maiden from Lothlórien. I have even heard the story that my beloved died tragically for she was a Númenórean."
Ereinion laughed.
" If you ever looked at an Edain woman, your eyes would be scourged from your head. Leastways, some would be of your blood."
Elrond made a face. Galadriel shook her head.
" Someday, Elrond. I would like to see both you and Ereinion happily settled with wives."
" Excuse us."
Both Elrond and Ereinion left. Their smothered chuckles were heard retreating down the hallway. Celeborn just shook his head, leaning it against his wife's stomach.
" She kicks insistently at Elrond's voice," Galadriel murmured.
Celeborn laughed.
" Must be because he is unwed."