Chapter Ten: Labor of Love
The remaining seven months of Síriel's pregnancy passed slowly. Day by day, Legolas watched her silently suffer more and more. There was an air of patient waiting in their home's halls for their child. His wife busied herself with Celebrindal by sewing various items for the child: blankets, linens, and simple robes. Either a girl or boy could wear the robes, so it did not really matter that they were making them before the child's sex was known. The household was later informed of the truth of Síriel's pregnancy. They were honored at being informed and promised to keep it a secret from their kin in Eryn Lasgalen.
The final month of Síriel's pregnancy came and there was a feeling of expectancy as the Elves were all waiting for the day that Síriel would give birth. In Eryn Lasgalen King Thranduil and Síriel's sire, Gil-celeb, were tense with anxiety at being so far from their children during this most critical part of their lives. As a result, they spoke with each other quite often, exchanging whatever news they knew.
"I wish we were there, I am sure they need us." Gil-celeb said.
Thranduil sighed heavily and nodded as he put down the letter that he received from Legolas a few days before. He and Gil-celeb had read it so much that they both had it memorized by heart.
"I feel the same way, Gil-celeb." the King said.
Gil-celeb blinked away his tears rapidly.
"Poor Síriel, she is there all alone, without her mother or even myself to comfort her! Here is a time when I wish that her mother was still alive." he whispered. "Ai, my daughter!"
Thranduil placed his hands on the river-rafter's shoulders.
"Calm down. Legolas is there, and so is Celebrindal, her dearest friend, though I do agree that it would help her immensely if her mother were present with her. Alas, that is something beyond our control. Do not worry so much, Gil-celeb, she will be fine." he told him.
Gil-celeb smiled.
"That is true. Celebrindal will help her tremendously." he said.
Síriel herself wished that her mother was alive and at her side. There are some things in the life of a daughter were the presence of her mother is a great benefit. Yet, since her mother was dead, Síriel could not benefit from her at all. All she had was Celebrindal, and she was once again thankful that she was with her. This is not to say that Celebrindal was the only one Síriel was relying on for comfort. There was also Legolas, who was beside himself with worry. He did not dare to leave his beloved wife's side at all during this time, fearful that something would happen to her if he did. As a result, the household rarely saw any of them, Legolas, Síriel, or Celebrindal, during this time.
At last, the fated time came, during the night. Síriel awoke Legolas from his rest. Immediately he went and brought Celebrindal.
"She is ready." the handmaiden said after she examined her friend. "I will need a basin with hot water and some cloths."
Síriel moaned with pain. Legolas watched helplessly from the background as Celebrindal prepared everything that she needed.
"Legolas…" Síriel called.
He hurried over to her side as Celebrindal helped her into the proper position for delivering a child.
"What is it you want, my dear?" Legolas said quietly.
"Will you stay here beside me?" Síriel asked him.
He nodded, took hold of her hand, and kissed it.
"Of course. I will remain here with you. Right now, there is nothing that will take me from your side at all, meleth nín (my love)." he told her.
She smiled weakly at him, grateful that he was there beside her. In a few moments, her labor contractions began. It was not that painful during the beginning, but later it became quite intense. Legolas sensed that she was holding herself from screaming.
"Here, squeeze my hand." he said, his voice dry and shaky.
"No reason to worry, ernil (prince), this is normal." Celebrindal said.
Síriel nodded between her painful gasps. Her eyes began to tear from the pain's intensity that she was feeling. At first, she refused to squeeze her husband's hand, but after some time she found that she had to do it or else she would not be able to go through with the delivery of their child. Legolas closed his eyes as he felt Síriel squeeze hard on his hand, and he felt terrible for putting her through so much pain.
It took Síriel an entire day before she finally gave birth. At the very end, she was weeping from the pain's intensity. Legolas could not stand hearing his wife being put through so much pain that he began to weep silently with her. One would not have noted that he was weeping were it not for his tears that streamed down his face.
"Almost, Síriel! One more push!" Celebrindal called.
She moaned.
"I cannot, I cannot!" she breathed.
"You must, Síriel! Only one!" Celebrindal called again.
Síriel let out a terrible wailing cry, and at the same time she pushed with all her might, or what was left of it. As she collapsed back against the pillows, there came the sound of a newborn's cry. A few moments later, there was the sound of another newborn's crying. Legolas lifted his golden head with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Híril nín (my lady), hîr nín (my lord), they are girls!" Celebrindal cried in delight.
Síriel managed a small smile. She remained in the bed as Legolas went to Celebrindal and took from her his newborn daughters. He made his slowly back to his wife's side, cradling the small infants in his arms.
"They are so beautiful!" Legolas said softly. "Praise Eru!"
"Celebrindal, come and raise me, please." Síriel called.
The handmaiden did as she was told, then watched with a smile on her face as Legolas placed the newborns in his wife's trembling arms.
"In all of Arda (Earth), I swear I have never seen more beautiful children!" the newly made half elven mother whispered as she stroked her infants' soft skin. "Oh, Legolas, are they not perfect?"
Celebrindal felt that it was time for her to leave. Her part was over.
"I shall go now. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call me again. My congratulations, mellon nín (my friend—indicating Síriel), hîr nín (my lord)." she told the parents.
They nodded their thanks to her, and Legolas saw her to the door. He repeated his thanks to her again before closing the door behind her.
Then he returned swiftly to Síriel, who was occupied with their infants.
There was a long period of silence in which they watched their daughter.
After awhile, Legolas cleared his throat in an attempt to speak.
"Síriel, I apologize for what I put you through tonight." he began. "I had no idea at all how painful it would be for you. If I knew—"
She reached up and silenced him with one hand.
"Ú-moe edaved (it is not necessary to forgive), Legolas! It was worth it, all this pain for the entire year I carried them within me. I regret it not." she told him softly. "It was a labor of love, Legolas. I will gladly repeat it many times over."