Chapter 44
Elrond sat back down beside Celebrían, taking her hand. Celebrían's brow furrowed slightly, seeing her son searching the medicine cabinets.
*What is he doing?
Elrond shrugged.
*My mind is far too full to act as healer.
His hand gently brushed her sweaty hair away from her face.
*I will find it an honor to act only as your husband and not healer at this moment.
Celebrían's eyes shone with tears. She clasped his hand.
" I love thee, Elrond Peredhil; even if this is your fault."
Elrond chuckled a bit before his attention fell to his son. Elladan bent by the bed.
" Try to drink this, Nana."
" What is it?" Celebrían asked warily.
" A small potion to help move the delivery along faster. I doubt you wish to refuse this, Nana."
Celebrían almost eagerly allowed the glass to her lips. She made a face when it was finished.
Elladan then turned, talking in low tones with Celebrisse. Elrond's eyes trailed his son.'
*I never noticed how much he resembles me.
Elladan's head turned, assessing the situation before glancing back at Celebrisse.
*When did my children grow up? It seems it went by far too quickly.
Elrond turned his eyes back to his panting wife. Some color had returned to her pale face as Celebrisse urged her to push. Elrond could feel Celebrían's last shred of strength leaving.
Celebrían felt a small ball of energy flow into her. She glanced at her husband with a worn smile.
*Thank you.
Elrond just squeezed her hand. Celebrían turned her eyes back down to Celebrisse. A second later, Elrond found his hand in a tourniquet hold. Celebrían let out a pained cry before another louder one overpowered it.
Celebrían looked up at her husband, her face beaming. Celebrisse handed the child to Elladan. Elrond stood, curious to know the sex of the child. Elladan glanced at his father with a grin.
" Girl."
" Girl?" Elrond's mouth fell open.
Elladan nodded, finishing his cleaning and gently depoisting it in his father's arms.
" Elrohir owes me."
~*~
Elrohir sat outside the room, oblivious to the goings inside. Two hands fell on his knees. He glanced up before looking away with an offended look. A soft sigh came.
" I did not mean to hurt you."
Elrohir glanced scornfully at her.
" Of course, Princess." He replied sarcastically.
Kalaina forced him to look at her.
" I came here to ask you to forgive me. My attitude was wrong when I wanted to bring you down a notch. I do not regret beating you, but I should have been less cocky."
Elrohir rubbed his hands together, glancing up at her.
" All is forgiven." A small smile formed. " I guess I can count on you to keep me in check when you are around."
Kalaina nodded, sending a mischievous smile his way.
" Tis my calling in life, Son of Elrond."
Elladan burst out of the healing room with a grin.
" We have a sister."
~*~
Elrond leaned back in a chair, content to observe as his sons entered. He watched them, seeing the beam on his wife's face as she talked in low tones with the twins. A small smile formed, seeing their worried faces as they regarded her.
*They adore her.
Elrond's face fell then as he looked away.
*Yet the call on her heart grows stronger with every moment. Stronger than even the bond we share it is and it will be the death of her.
Someone touched his shoulder.
" I take it she had the child?"
Elrond glanced up, before his eyes lit up slightly.
" Aye, Daernana."
Galadriel playfully swatted at him.
" You make me feel old, Elrond, with all these children." She glanced at him as her husband moved to Celebrían's side. " What is it? Another boy?"
Elrond shook his head.
" A girl."
Celeborn cleared his throat suddenly, causing Galadriel to glance at him. His face was overly pale as he regarded the babe. Galadriel came to his side worriedly, afraid he would keel over at any moment.
" What is it, Celeborn?"
Celeborn shook his head, glancing at Elrond before shaking his head again. He motioned to the baby.
" The child." He finally choked out. " Tis Lúthien all over again."
~*~
Celebrían watched the dark haired infant sleep. Tiny little fingers curled into a tiny hand; a tiny rosebud mouth that bore an uncanny resemblance to hers moved with every breath. This child looked so small and frail against the vastness of the cradle that had housed her brothers. A warm hand fell on Celebrían's back.
" Now see who watches the babe."
Celebrían smiled at her husband's teasing murmur. She gave a small sigh, turning. Elrond saw the grief in her eyes. He turned his own downward.
*So the call has become too hard to ignore.
" What is it, Celebrían? I have seen you begin to fall into a shadow of your former self."
Celebrían sighed, looking out the window.
" Lórien calls to me."
Elrond looked down again, carefully concealing his emotions.
" Then you must follow your heart. We shall manage here in Imladris as we always have."
Celebrían tugged on his loose outer robe, hearing his disapproval.
" You do not understand, Elrond. Lórien beckons for me. If I go another day without journeying towards it, I'll," She threw her hand down, moving away. " I'll surely die."
Elrond looked at her emotionlessly.
" You are tired, Celebrían. You are becoming overly dramatic." He motioned to the sleeping baby. " She is not yet a day old. You would forsake her?"
Celebrían had tears in her eyes.
" I knew you would not understand. You are an old fool set in his ways. Imladris is all you have ever wanted and you will never be sundered from it."
Elrond could not keep his surprise at bay. He walked back to the bed, seizing a pillow and a blanket off a chair.
" If that is truly the way you feel, then this old fool shall leave you be. I will sleep in my study, for I am sure my books will enjoy my presence."
Celebrían watched him go with an angry look.
*Infuriating old man…