Chapter XVII: The Birth

Glorfindel walked over to Elerrina and drew her into his arms, startling her. He grinned and took her mouth in a passionate kiss. After a heady moment, he released her and smiled into her eyes.

"Good morning, beloved," he whispered.

She smiled at him. "Well! Good morning."

He leaned down and kissed her round abdomen. "Good morning to you too, little one."

Elerrina laughed and playfully kissed his nose. "She says 'good morning' to you as well."

"So it is a girl now? Not very long ago, the babe was a boy."

"I am certain that it is a girl. I do not know how, but I know that she is."

He smiled wryly. "We shall see." He looked at her and sighed. "Lord Elrond and I must travel to the outer borders today. Will you be all right?"

"Of course I will. Nethwen is here, and the baby is not due to arrive for another week."

"You are certain?"

"Yes." She tapped his arm playfully. "Now, you go. I will be fine."

He leaned forward and kissed her. "I will return before nightfall."

She smiled, and he left the house and headed for the stables. He hoped that they would not be gone long.


Elerrina rose from the couch and walked towards the kitchen. She felt so odd and thought that perhaps she was just hungry. She gasped as she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. The pain spread to her back, and she leaned forward and clutched her abdomen as the pain intensified. This cannot be happening! The babe is not due for another week! But happening it was, and she knew that she needed to go to the healers immediately.

"Nethwen!" she called.

The maiden came running out of the kitchen and rushed to Elerrina's side. "My lady! What is wrong?"

"The baby, Nethwen. She is coming," Elerrina panted. "Please help me to the healers."

Nethwen placed her arm around Elerrina's waist and supported her as they made their way to the healers. Elerrina stopped abruptly and groaned as another contraction shook her body. After it passed, they continued on and soon arrived at the healers' ward. Mereth, the healer who had attended Elerrina throughout her pregnancy, rushed forward and assisted Nethwen in helping Elerrina to the birthing chamber. Once they had helped her onto the bed, Elerrina reached out and grabbed Nethwen's hand.

"Glorfindel," she moaned. "Please find him. Take Rovain."

"I will, my lady."

Nethwen quickly left the room, and ran to the stables. Rovain eyed her warily but allowed her to mount. They rode from the stables and galloped toward the outer borders. The speed of the horse was remarkable. However, it would still take over an hour to reach the borders, and Nethwen still had to find Glorfindel once she did arrive.


Glorfindel and Elrond trotted through the forest and surveyed the outer borders. The guard count had been increased as of late, and the borders appeared to be secure. Elrond turned to Glorfindel and smiled.

"Your little one will be born soon, Glorfindel?" he asked.

Glorfindel grinned. "Yes. She is due to arrive in a week."

"She?"

"Yes. Elerrina is now convinced that it is a girl. However, a month ago it was a boy."

They both laughed and continued on, until a frantic voice interrupted them. Glorfindel turned and saw Nethwen riding furiously towards them. He looked at her in alarm. Something was wrong.

"What has happened, Nethwen? What is wrong?"

"It is Lady Elerrina, my lord. She is in labor!"

Glorfindel quickly turned Asfaloth and dashed towards the city. He dug his heels into the horse, urging him on. He arrived back in the city within the hour and rushed to the healers' ward. He burst in the door, and the healer took one look at him and pointed him to the birthing chamber. He ran down the hall and entered the room. Elerrina was lying on the bed and writhing in pain. Her face was red, and she was perspiring heavily. He went to her side and took her hand. She looked up at him, pain etched on her face.

"Glorfindel," she moaned.

"I am here, sweet one. Everything is going to be fine."

Just then, Elerrina cried out in pain and squeezed his hand. Her cries broke his heart, and he gently stroked her forehead in an attempt to soothe her. Mereth came and checked Elerrina, once the contraction had passed. She looked at Glorfindel and motioned for him to follow her outside.

"Her labor is progressing much more quickly than we had anticipated," Mereth told him. "However, there is a problem."

Glorfindel felt his heart stop. "What is it? What is wrong?"

"The baby is in the wrong position for birth. I am going to have to turn the child myself in order for it to be born."

"Will Elerrina be all right?"

"She is strong, my lord."

Elerrina screamed in pain, and he and Mereth went back into the chamber. Glorfindel took Elerrina's hand once again. Tears were coursing down her cheeks, and he forced himself to resist his own tears. He knew that her mother had died in childbirth, and that terrified him. I cannot lose her! She is everything to me. I love her so much.

Elerrina moaned as Mereth began to turn the child. "Glorfindel," she gasped. "I—"

She screamed once again, but this time it was different. Glorfindel glanced at Mereth in concern, but she just nodded. Elerrina panted heavily, and she squeezed his hand tightly.

"You need to push now, Elerrina," Mereth told her.

Glorfindel supported Elerrina from behind as she began to push. She cried out in pain, but continued to push. After several agonizing moments, the babe slid from her body, and she collapsed against him. A tiny cry met his ears, and he looked down at Mereth.

"You have a daughter," she said with a smile.

Elerrina smiled up at him, and he kissed her temple. She reached out, and Mereth placed the small bundle in her arms. The baby ceased her crying the moment she was in Elerrina's arms. Elerrina smiled at the babe and kissed her. Glorfindel smiled at his wife. She was still panting and her eyes were filled with exhaustion, but she had never been more beautiful to him.

"Hello, my love. I have been looking forward to meeting you," she whispered to the baby. "Elyndiriel."

She reached up and handed the baby to him. He looked at the little bundle in his arms and smiled. She was so beautiful. She had a tuft of golden hair and the most gorgeous blue eyes that he had ever seen. She looked so much like Elerrina, the same mouth and the same nose. He looked down at his wife and smiled as he saw that she had fallen asleep. He gently kissed her forehead, and sat in a nearby chair with his daughter.

"Hello, my beauty," he whispered and nuzzled her soft cheek. The baby grasped his finger, and he smiled. She drifted off into slumber, his finger still clutched in her tiny hand. He sat in the chair for hours, just watching his beloved wife and holding his precious daughter.