Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimers.
Diola lle, Evenstar Elanor (Elaine), Utsuri, and Suncatcher27
Elaine... You crack me up, man. Thanks for the "unsigned" review.
Utsuri... Welcome back! I thought I'd lost you along the way. There is more to come, I promise.
Suncatcher 27... Welcome! I'm always glad to have another reviewer. I'm glad you like the story so far. Once this one is done, you may want to read Sword of 'Lorien. Rekindled is actually the prequel to that story.
Chapter 15: Summoned Home
The summons tore Haldir out of a sound sleep.
:Haldir! Come swiftly home.: It was the Lady Galadriel's voice that boomed inside his head. :Runevalas' time has come. The labor is light now, but it will progress apace.:
Flinging aside the light blanket, Haldir leaped to his feet. The Archer on watch was by his side instantly, bow half drawn.
"Marchwarden?" The Elf looked quickly around the camp. "Has something happened?"
"Lady Galadriel has summoned me home. It appears my child has decided to come into the world earlier than we had expected."
I am not surprised, thought the Archer. You have never been late for an appointment in all your long years, Haldir of 'Lorien. Why would you think your child would be remiss in that area? Of course, the Archer kept that observation to himself.
Haldir pulled on his weapons as some of the other Archers began to stir. He told them of the summons and looked at Aradan, his second in command.
"It falls to you to complete the circuit, Aradan. Circle out to the river. That should take you all of today and tomorrow patrol the banks of the river home to the heart of Lothlorien." The put a hand on each other's shoulder in the traditional way of the Elves.
"It will be done as you command, Marchwarden," said Aradan. "Now it is my turn to order you. Leave the patrol to us and go back to your mate. Your first child will only come once and you will regret it if you are not there to greet him."
Haldir nodded. You assume the child will be a boy, he thought. I wonder how many bets have been placed between the Archers as to whether Runevalas has a boy or a girl. Little matter. Without another word, Haldir turned, left the camp, and started to run towards home.
Back in the birthing house, Runevalas grimaced as she slowly walked the length of the room. She pressed her hands against the small of her back. "How long will my labor last?" she asked Galadriel.
The Lady of the Wood smiled indulgently. "That I cannot say, my dear Runevalas. Each of us is different and we birth our children in our own unique way. I have seen babies delivered in a matter of hours; I have seen a labor last for two full days."
"Two days?" Runevalas was horrified. "Nay, Lady, tell me I will not go that long!"
"I don't think your labor will be as strenuous as that, but I cannot make promises, Runevalas. The wheels are in motion, but your child will come whenever he or she is ready."
"He or she," said Runevalas as she paused by the bed. "Do you know which it will be, Lady Galadriel? Have you seen my child in your Mirror?"
"I do not know if it is a boy or a girl, nor have I looked in my Mirror for your child's possible futures... I know Haldir does not relish the idea of seeing the future. I would respect that. If you wish me to look, then you will need to discuss it with Haldir. And then you will both need to come before me with your permission."
Runevalas gasped as a sharper pain darted through her middle and up her back. She sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed her swollen middle. "Where is Haldir, Lady? I wish for him to be here. I know he cannot be here in the room with us, but I want to know he is waiting just outside." Her voice was high, nervous.
"I have summoned him; your Haldir will be here as soon as he is able."
The next two hours crept by for Runevalas. Her labor pains began to come a little more frequently and a little more sharply, and as they did Runevalas became more fearful.
I know Haldir will need to wait until the baby is born before he is allowed in the birthing house, she thought, but I want to know he is there. I want to know he is waiting. What if something happens to the baby? What will I do?
"Runevalas, go no further into your own head," said Galadriel firmly but without raising her voice. "You are forgetting to breathe and calm yourself."
"Yes, Lady..." Runevalas' words disintegrated into a sharp cry and then trailed to a low moan as another contraction rolled over her. Galadriel took a damp linen cloth and patted Runevalas' forehead, and the expectant mother smiled at her for the gesture.
"It will pass soon," said Galadriel. "My first labor lasted for nearly a full day. I don't think you will need to endure for so long."
"A full day, Lady?" Oh, may the Valar grant me a shorter labor than that!
"Yes, a full day, and I forgot all about the pain of the day when I held my Celebrain."
Runevalas gave Galadriel as stern, sarcastic look and Galadriel laughed.
"You suspect me of fibbing?" she chuckled. "Nay, I do not, but I did think as you do, Runevalas. My own mother told me I would forget all the pain when I looked upon my own child, brought forth by my own sweat, effort, and blood. I did not believe her either. I told her if she chose to lie to me on such an important day, then she was not welcome in the birthing room."
Runevalas' eyes few open; she could not imagine for a moment the Lady Galadriel saying something like that to anyone, let alone her own mother! Galadriel kept laughing, amused by the memory.
The banter kept Runevalas' mind off of the pain for a short time, but soon her contractions became more painful, more demanding. Before, her body had been suggesting that the child be born; now her body was insisting that the child come out and there would be no negotiation.
Look at the way I behaved while I was pregnant, Runevalas thought. I was insecure, mean, demanding. What kind of things will I teach this child? What kind of mother will I be? This child will be my responsibility to raise. What if I am not equal to the task?
"Runevalas, I can feel your thoughts sliding to negative things. They darken the very air around you, and that is not the breath of the world you want your child born into. Turn your mind to happy thoughts. It will ease your pain somewhat and make a fitting welcome to your child."
"Yes, Lady," said Runevalas. "It is just that being a mother feels so overwhelming right now..."
"It is overwhelming, but you will never be alone. Haldir will share the burden of raising this child. To some extent I will help, for there will be days you and Haldir will need to be away, or need to be alone, and I will be happy to watch the baby. I think you will find my Lord Celeborn will be quite a doting surrogate grandfather when he has the chance."
"Thank you, Lady." Runevalas smiled a warm and sincere smile. "It was wrong of me to forget the support of those a round me."
Galadriel smiled again. "And I'm sure Rumil and Orophin will be eager to spend time with their nephew or niece."
With a laugh, Runevalas said, "I think that is what Haldir fears the most."
That's all for now folks. Hope you found some entertainment in the latest installment of Haldir and Runevalas' tale. Please read/review and let me know what you think!