Disclaimer: As always, please see Chapter 1 for a full disclaimer on what's mine and what's not.
Diola lle, Mercury Gray, Evenstar Elanor, and Utsuri!
Mercury... Thank you for all the reviews. Each brought a smile to my face... in particular: "start running, boys."
Evenstar/Elaine... Oops! You caught me in a typo on that name. Bad Roisin! Yes, I did take a LOT of liberties with the Galadriel/Mom comments, but I needed her to bond with Runevalas a little. That seemed the best way.
Utsuri... Galadriel as a god-mother. I could live with that.
Chapter 16: Haldir's Firstborn
Haldir rushed up the stairs, taking two and three steps at a time. When he reached the top, he was stopped by Lord Celeborn. Behind him was Rumil.
"You'll need to wait here, Marchwarden," said Celeborn, "and when..."
A sharp scream interrupted the Lord of Lothlorien. Haldir took a step forward, his face ashen. Runevalas! He had heard cries of pain on the field of battle less strident than hers. Celeborn and Rumil both put their hands to his chest to keep Haldir from rushing into the birthing house.
"No," repeated Celeborn. "Runevalas is in heavy labor. My Lady Galadriel will remain with her until the baby is born. You must wait."
"We will wait with you," said Rumil. "You would only be underfoot inside, Haldir." He looked at his brother's stricken face and felt his heart go out. Haldir stared at the room where Runevalas was and then from Celeborn to Rumil and back again. He was an Elf of action, an Elf of command; being made to sit did not make him happy. Footsteps on the stairs made him turn and Orophin appeared.
"Hail, brother," he said. "Is there news?"
Another scream that ended in a low rolling moan split the 'Lorien air.
"No," said Haldir, his voice tense, "there is no news yet."
Runevalas' labor lasted through the night and into the dawn. Haldir would take no food or drink. He paced and watched, each cry from his mate driving into his heart. Rumil watched him and wished he could do something to make him feel better, but he knew that was impossible until Haldir could see Runevalas was alive and well. With a whispered word he sent Orophin away, and a short time later, Orophin returned with a basket of fruit, some cheese, and – of course – some of Galadriel's best wine.
"I thought you would appreciate this vintage," he said with a grin as he handed the bottle to Haldir. The Marchwarden looked at it blankly and then turned his face back towards the birthing room as he heard Runevalas moan. Orophin waited until Haldir looked back at them.
"It is from the same year as the wine we had at your handfasting," Orophin finally said. Rumil started to laugh. Orophin joined him and a moment later, even Celeborn was laughing with them.
Haldir scowled. This is no time for merriment! Not while Runevalas has been brought to bed with her labor.
"Do you even remember what we're laughing at, Haldir?" asked Rumil.
"He must," said Orophin. "If he were too drunk to remember, then he would have been too drunk to... celebrate... on the eve of his handfasting. I think we would have been taken to task by Runevalas if that had been the case."
"You are not amusing. Not amusing in the slightest," said Haldir, but Rumil noticed the skin at the corners of his eyes was the tiniest bit wrinkled, betraying the smile that Haldir tried so hard to suppress.
"But you were quite amusing," laughed Orophin.
One of the she-Elves assisting Galadriel came outside and all four of them stood at the same time.
"Is there news? Has Runevalas delivered the child?" asked Haldir.
"Not yet, Marchwarden. Lady Galadriel asked me to let you know that the baby had been positioned the wrong way, but she has managed to turn the little one. She expects it will only be a few more hours."
"A few HOURS?" growled Haldir. He was not pleased with that information and the young she-Elf paled.
"He doesn't mean to be so gruff," said Rumil. He deliberately stepped on Haldir's foot as he stepped by them. "The Marchwarden merely chafes under the wait; he worries for his mate."
"Of course," said the she-Elf and she disappeared back into the birthing house. Haldir sat back down and rubbed his temples with his fingers. Orophin ripped off a cluster of grapes and a chunk of the cheese. He held them out.
"Eat something, at least," he said to Haldir.
The Marchwarden took the food and looked up at his brother. "Thank you," he said with a smile. He took a few bites of the food and then Runevalas screamed again as the last of her labor began.
:I am here, Runevalas. You are not alone!: He projected his thoughts to her, hoping that she could hear him. He knew she wouldn't answer even if she could hear him. All of her attention and energy and focus centered on the baby. The next hour was agony for Haldir as Runevalas cries became more frequent and more intense. Then a discontented wail rent the air and the four anxious Elves jumped to their feet. A few moments later, the door opened to reveal a radiant Lady Galadriel.
"You may come in now," she said, holding the door open. Haldir hurried in, but not without taking a moment for a bow to his sworn liege-lady. Two other she-Elves hurried past, carrying armfuls of bedding. The Marchwarden's head snapped around when he saw blood on the sheets.
"Runevalas? The child?" There was fear in his voice.
"They are fine, Haldir," said the Lady. "It was a hard labor, but all is well."
Inside the bedroom, Runevalas sat in the bed, reclining on soft down pillows. In her arms, was a small bundle wrapped in fine white linen. Haldir came to the side of the bed slowly and looked down at Runevalas.
"Runevalas? You're well?"
She nodded. "Exhausted, but yes, I am well." She raised the bundle in her arms up to him. "Come and meet your daughter, Marchwarden of Lothlorien."
He took the swaddled bundle carefully, forcing himself to look confident despite his misgivings. He was trained to wield sword and bow, not a tiny infant, and his new daughter was barely the length of his forearm. There was a soft covering of blond, downy hair on her head and a delicate curve to her ear. She moved a hand and yawned, opening deep, velvety eyes for only a brief moment before shutting them again with a sigh. Haldir was mesmerized.
"She is... beautiful." He said it with amazement. He had seen infants before and had never been overly impressed. Now he understood completely why it was said that your own child changed everything.
"She is," said Runevalas confidently.
"Look at him," whispered Orophin, "the steel Marchwarden of 'Lorien, bane of Orcs and Dwarves, rendered nearly speechless by a little she-Elf."
Rumil smiled but didn't answer for Runevalas did that for him. "Jest while you will, Orophin. The daughter of Haldir will humble you soon enough."
"And I will relish the day," said Haldir with a sideways glance at his brother.
Amid the laughter, Lady Galadriel drew close to the bed again. "What will you name her?" she asked.
Haldir looked down at Runevalas. They had agreed months before the birth that if Runevalas delivered a boy, then Haldir would choose the name. If the child was a girl, the choice belonged to Runevalas.
"When you are gone from my side, Haldir, my constant prayers are to the Valar to keep you safe." She turned her head and smiled at Galadriel and Celeborn. "My Lord Celeborn, you welcomed me - a cousin you had never seen - with an open heart... and the Lady Galadriel has been like a second mother to me." She smiled, and then raised a hand to gently touch the baby in Haldir's arms.
"This child will be known as Valariel, daughter of Haldir and Runevalas."
Hope this was worth the wait. I have been singularly uninspired as of late, in all of my writing endeavors. Hopefully this dry spell will pass soon! As always, please read & review; I do like to hear from everyone!