Chapter XV: Welcome News

Elerrina stumbled out of the washroom and walked unsteadily towards the couch. She had been retching violently all morning, and she was exhausted. She collapsed onto the couch and put a hand to her throbbing head. She sighed heavily, filled with fear and concern. I do not understand. Elves do not suffer from illness or disease. What is wrong with me?

Sleep threatened to overtake her, and she relaxed and allowed herself to succumb to it. As she drifted off into Elven slumber, the last thought on her mind was that she was late for something, but for what she could not recall.


Erestor walked quickly to Elerrina's home. She had not arrived at his study this morn, and he was deeply worried. It was terribly unlike her to be overdue at her position, and it was even more unlike her not to send word. He knocked on her door, and after several moments, Elerrina answered. Erestor stared at her in a mixture of surprise and concern. She was deathly pale and drawn, and she was leaning heavily against the doorframe, seemingly unable to stand without support. She looked at him, her eyes bleary and filled with exhaustion.

"Erestor? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"You did not arrive at work this morning, and I was concerned. Is everything all right?"

Her eyes widened in shock. "Oh, my! I am so sorry, Erestor! I completely forgot. Please come in. I will get my things."

She swayed as she moved from the doorway, and he caught her arm in an attempt to steady her.

"Elerrina, what is it? Are you unwell?"

She shook her head. "No. I am merely tired. I assure you, I am well."

He reluctantly released her arm, and she took several unsteady steps, before she swayed again and collapsed. Alarmed, Erestor caught her as she fell. Worry filled him, for her eyes were closed, and her body was limp in his arms. I must get her to the healers!

He carried her quickly to the palace and to the healers' ward. She did not rouse. As he entered, several healers rushed over to him.

"What happened, my lord?" one asked.

"I know not. She fainted."

"Follow me, my lord," she said, and motioned to him.

Erestor followed the healer into a small room, and gently laid Elerrina on the bed. He drew back as several healers surrounded her. The healer that he had originally spoken with took his arm and led him into a small room.

"You must wait here, my lord," she told him. "We will inform you when she awakens."

She left him, and Erestor sank into one of the chairs. He nervously ran his hand through his hair. He was worried about her, and he knew that he needed to inform Glorfindel of her condition. However, Glorfindel was out of the city with Lord Elrond and would not return until the evening. He sighed. He would wait here until he knew how Elerrina fared. He did not want to leave her alone.


Elerrina roused as she felt a cool hand on her forehead. She opened her eyes and winced at the bright light in the room. A pretty elleth smiled down at her.

"How do you feel, my dear?" she asked.

"Weak." Elerrina looked around the room in confusion. "Where am I?"

"In the healers' ward. Lord Erestor brought you here." The healer smiled. "Would you like to sit up?"

Elerrina nodded, and the healer helped her rise into a sitting position. Elerrina swayed slightly, but the elleth steadied her and handed her a glass of water. Elerrina thanked her, and the healer gave her a warm smile. Elerrina frowned slightly.

"What is wrong with me?" Elerrina asked.

"Nothing is wrong."

"Then why have I been so ill?"

The healer put a gentle hand on Elerrina's shoulder and smiled. "Because you are with child, my dear. Pregnancy often causes an expectant mother to become ill."

Elerrina stared at her in open shock. She opened her mouth to speak, but could find no words. It was several moments before her voice returned to her.

"I am what?" she whispered.

The healer grinned. "Pregnant. You are two months along."

Elerrina looked at her in concern. "Is the baby all right?"

"Yes. You and the baby are both healthy. Although, I would suggest that you get more rest."

Elerrina grinned. She was so excited and relieved. "I cannot believe it. Pregnant! I am so delighted by this wonderful news!"

"Having a little one is a blessed thing." She looked at Elerrina. "Do you feel well enough to return home?"

Elerrina nodded, and the healer smiled at her. "I will go and fetch Lord Erestor. He can escort you home."

The healer left the room, and returned momentarily with Erestor. "Farewell, my dear. Please return to see me in two weeks time."

The healer departed, and Erestor looked at Elerrina in concern.

"What did she say, Elerrina? Are you well?"

Elerrina grinned. "I am marvelous," she said dreamily. "I am pregnant."

Erestor stared at her for a moment, before his mouth curved into a huge smile. "That is wonderful, Elerrina! I am delighted for you and Glorfindel."

Glorfindel! She glanced at Erestor nervously. "How am I going to tell him, Erestor? He will not be expecting this. What if this does not please him?"

He reached out and took her hands. "He will be overjoyed by this news. Do not worry." He smiled at her. "Come. I will take you home."

Elerrina nodded, and Erestor helped her to her feet. He led her from the room, and several healers smiled at her as they passed. He walked her to her home, and as they entered, Nethwen rushed towards them, a concerned look on her face.

"My lady! Is everything all right?"

"Everything is fine, Nethwen. There is no need to worry."

Elerrina turned to Erestor and smiled. "Thank you for helping me today, Erestor."

"Of course, Elerrina. Now please go lie down. You need to rest."

Elerrina smiled and nodded, and Erestor left. She turned to Nethwen, who was staring at her, her eyes filled with confusion and concern.

"What happened today, my lady?"

Elerrina sat on the couch and motioned for Nethwen to sit beside her. She grinned at Nethwen and began to tell her of the day's events.


Glorfindel walked quickly towards his study. He was going to finish his manuscripts and hurry home to Elerrina. As he walked down the hall, the door to Erestor's study opened and Erestor emerged. Glorfindel called out to him in greeting, but Erestor just turned and looked at him, a strange glint in his eye.

"Have you been home yet, Glorfindel?"

Glorfindel frowned slightly. "No. I was going to finish my manuscripts and then begin home."

"You need to go home, now. I had to take Elerrina to the healers today."

Glorfindel looked at Erestor in alarm. "What happened? What is wrong?"

Erestor shook his head. "You need to go home, Glorfindel."

Before Erestor could utter another word, Glorfindel turned and ran down the hall. He ran to his home and burst in the door. He rushed over to his rather startled wife and grasped her hands.

"What is wrong, Elerrina? Erestor told me that he had to take you to the healers, but he would not say why."

She smiled. "Nothing is wrong."

"Then why did you have to go to the healers?"

"I fainted," she said nonchalantly, as if it were a normal occurrence.

"You fainted, and this does not concern you?"

She shrugged, and he gave a low growl. Why was she being so secretive about this? "Elerrina, what did the healer say was wrong?"

"Nothing that a year will not cure."

He frowned, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

She grinned and touched his cheek. "My love, I am with child. We are going to have a little one."

His eyes widened in shock. She smiled at him, but he could see the uncertainty in her eyes. He looked at her, an enormous grin on his face.

"A child? Oh, my love, I have never been so happy."

She sighed in relief, and he pulled her close to him in a tender embrace. After a moment, he drew back and looked into her eyes.

"Are the two of you all right?"

She smiled at him. "We are both fine. I am two months along, so the baby will come in another ten months."

He cupped her face in his hands and smiled tenderly into her eyes. "Oh, beloved. You are so precious to me, and now we are going to have a little one to adore and cherish. I love you so much."

He leaned down and kissed her soundly. He lightly broke the kiss and held her close to him. A child. This is wonderful! I cannot wait to hold the babe in my arms.

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I just wanted to tell those of you who didn't know that Elven pregnancies last for a year instead of 9 months like human pregnancies. Poor Elves!