Chapter 42
The snow began to diminish at the end of February, although traces of it could still be found in the trees and in small piles upon the ground. The time had come for the trip to Rivendell. It was a very delicate time. Aragorn and Adette would soon be wed and Adette was now nearly nine months pregnant. Because I did not want to risk inducing her labor by trusting someone else to drive the carriage, I did it myself.
Arwen rode in the carriage with Adette while Aragorn rode Brego at a steady pace beside me. He held his head high as he rode with a grin plastered onto his face that was so contagious I found myself grinning as well. He seemed fairly confident in himself for the upcoming wedding.
"Where is the wedding taking place mellon?" I asked, steering Herenvardo around a bump.
"The garden near the pavilion. It will be much like your wedding."
"You plan to wed at twilight?"
"Yes, which torches and lanterns. The only difference will be the bride and groom. Arwen was always hinting to me that she wanted our wedding to be like yours." He chuckled.
"I am sure it will be just as beautiful." I turned my head towards him. "I only hope that you two do not doubt as much as Adette and I."
He turned towards me.
"You heard Adette?"
"Aragorn, I hear everything." I turned to face forward. "She did not think that she could marry me just as I thought I could not marry her. Luckily you were there to comfort her."
"And who comforted you?"
"The knowledge that if I decided to back out, both of you would slaughter me."
Aragorn laughed out loud and I heard Arwen laughing inside of the carriage followed by Adette's, "What are you laughing at?"
"You would have been correct."
We reached Rivendell in two days time. Aragorn and Arwen were greeted with open arms and giggling from the elf maidens.
The next week was filled with preparing for the wedding. We were all fitted for the clothes we would wear, decorations were collected, the ceremony was rehearsed, and all that was left after all of that was to wait.
Three mornings before the wedding, Aragorn came to Adette and I's room. Adette and I were up and dressing when he knocked on the door.
"Come in." I said once Adette had scrambled into the bathroom.
Aragorn opened the door and walked in looking frazzled. I knew at once that he was nervous about the wedding and I could not help but chuckle. A week ago he was all smiles and now he looked as though he were ready to run. He frowned.
"Daur lín lalaith." He commanded. I did as I was asked and put a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.
(Stop your laughter.)
"Let us go for a ride mellon. We can talk then." When he nodded in agreement I took my tunic from the bed. "I will meet you at the stables."
Adette emerged from the bathroom dressed in the tunic I had given her. She had hardly taken it off for it was the only one that fit her. She looked at me quizzically.
"Who was at the door?"
"Aragorn and I are going riding. We will return soon." I went to Adette and bent down, kissing her burgeoning belly and then standing to kiss her quickly. "Remember to stay off of your feet."
"Just go." She punched me in the arm and I was not surprised that it hurt. I rubbed the spot and pretended to look hurt as I went to the door.
Adette's POV
I went to the mirror and pulled all of my hair back. It had grown down a few inches below my chest and both Legolas and I were happy for that. I tied it back with a ribbon so it did not get into my face and then made for the door. Legolas was insane if he thought that I was going to stay off of my feet.
I walked along the halls, remembering that day almost two years ago when I had run into Merry and Pippin. I wondered if they were as happy as I was. I wondered if Sam and Frodo were alright as well. The last I had seen Frodo, he seemed so distressed and troubled.
As I came to the garden I looked around and tried to envision Aragorn and Arwen's wedding. It would be simply stunning I just knew it would be. It would be held in the evening with the light of lanterns to guide Arwen down the aisle. She would look beautiful, more beautiful than even Lady Galadriel herself.
I traced the rim of the birdbath with two fingers, looking around at all of the flowers and shrubs. They would help to paint a beautiful picture with their vibrant colors and enticing scents. The glow from the lanterns would make the garden look enchanted, almost like the painting on the ceiling in the great hall.
"Adette?" Arwen's voice floated in the wind and I looked up to see her standing in the archway. She smiled when I caught her eyes. "Come with me."
I nodded and went to take a step forward when a tickling sensation on my legs cause me to look down. Liquid was trickling down my legs and collecting in a pool around my feet. My water had broken. I could feel the shock in my face as I continued to stare at the water around my feet, sinking into the grass.
Whether or not Arwen saw that something was wrong I didn't know, but when the first contraction hit me seconds after I had realized my water had broken, she knew. I gripped the rim of the birdbath, my knees buckling from the sudden pain. I felt myself slip to the ground on my knees and the birdbath toppled over with a crash.
"Adette!" Arwen flew to my side, a hand on my back. "Can you stand?"
"I-I think so." I breathed when the pain had subsided. On shaky feet I got up with Arwen's help. I leaned against her for support while she helped me to wobble out of the garden and into the pavilion.
"Arwen!" We turned around to see that Lord Elrond had appeared behind us.
"Adar, Adette's nen-" Arwen was cut off when I suddenly began to fall forward on my knees again. Lord Elrond reached out and took hold of my arms, preventing me from falling. He then turned to Arwen.
(Father, Adette's water-)
"Arwen, glenno a rado Legolas." Lord Elrond spoke in his calm voice but with great authority. Arwen nodded and flew from our presence. "Everything will be fine Adette."
(Arwen, go and find Legolas.)
He then guided me into the pavilion and into the birthing room. Nearly everything inside was white, and I guessed it was used as a calming device. The bed was large and looked very inviting with my weak legs and the impending birth. Lord Elrond helped me to lie down.
"I will fetch the healers and midwives. I will return soon." He squeezed my hand gently before fleeing from the room. He had propped up the pillows so that I could lean back against them. I laid my head back and sighed, waiting for the next contraction.
I prayed that Legolas would come soon as I finally felt the next wave of pain pass through me. I gripped the sheets tightly in my fists and clenched my teeth to keep from crying out. It felt as though someone was pressing down with great force on my stomach with both hands.
Just as the contraction passed, Lord Elrond returned with the elf maidens who served as midwives and healers. They leapt into action, piling towels on the bed beside my legs and preparing hot water.
"Adette, I will be outside." Lord Elrond said from beside me. He must have seen the distress in my eyes for he placed a hand on my forehead. "Legolas is on his way."
When Lord Elrond had gone, one of the midwives began to instruct the other two midwives to spread my legs. I watched as they did so, pulling the sheet back so that I could be checked.
"It is certainly not time yet, Princess Adette. But do not worry, you are in good hands." One of the midwives told me, squeezing my hand as Lord Elrond had done. She had the same color hair as Arwen and the same blue eyes but was nowhere near as lovely.
"What is your name?" I asked her as she let go of my hand.
"My name is Eámanë, Princess Adette."
"Eámanë, will you please wait outside for my husband?" I then fisted the sheets once more and felt hot tears rising in my eyes. Why did I feel as though someone was cutting off my circulation at the neck?
"Of course." She bowed respectively to me and glided through the door. The other midwives continued readying everything and told the healers that they were not needed at the moment. Just as the healers were leaving, a familiar face appeared in the doorway.
"Prince Legolas," the light haired midwife put a hand on Legolas's chest, "we do not permit men in the birthing room."
He brushed her hand off and stared her square in the eye.
"Make an exception."
As he made his way to my side I wanted to greet him but was stricken with another contraction. Legolas took one of my hands and did not seem to mind when I began to crush it in my grasp. He did, however, look troubled while I laid there in pain. When the pain passed I sighed and turned towards him.
"Could you not wait for me?" He asked, a small smile appearing on his face. He then leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "How are you?"
"I feel better now that you are here."
"Udún turoal hebi nin o lle. Remember?" He scooted the chair closer towards me, still holding onto my hand. He then seemed to take notice of something, his brow furrowed. He turned his head towards they midwives. "Why are her lips blue?"
(Hell cannot keep me from you.)
"It is normal for that to happen Prince Legolas." Eámanë assured him, coming to the foot of the bed. "Is there anything that you require?"
"No." After I had answered I felt the pain once more, pressure building upon my stomach. Legolas held my hand tighter in his and softly spoke to me.
"Soon nana, soon. I am right here and I will not leave you." He said soothingly in his singsong voice. "Adette, don't hold back your cries."
"I don't want to upset you." I said through my teeth.
"Adette-"
Before he could scold me I screamed and just as I had predicted, Legolas was upset by it. He continued to hold my hand but shot to his feet, overturning the chair. He then turned towards the midwives as they hurried with the water to the foot of the bed.
"Is there nothing you can do to ease her pain?" He snapped.
"We are doing our best Prince Legolas. Childbirth is painful." The other dark haired midwife said solemnly.
Legolas wasn't pleased with her answer and so he began to take matters into his own hands. He promised he'd return soon and left the room, the door slamming shut behind him.
"Princess Adette, are you not the one giving birth?" Eámanë asked in an amused tone, trying to lighten the mood. I laughed tiredly despite the pain it caused in my stomach.
"He has a temper."
"So I see."
Legolas returned two contractions later with a basin underneath his arm. He set it down beside the chair he had been sitting in and left the room again, only to reappear seconds later with one of the healers. He instructed her to say any incantations she could to try and lessen my pain before returning to his chair.
"Will you please calm down?" I begged as he dunked a rag into the basin. He wrung the rag over the top of my head and cold water flooded from it, dripping down my face and neck. I had to admit, it helped a little. He then gently massaged my neck and arms with the wet rag.
"Princess Adette, I am going to check you again." Eámanë told me, the other two midwives ready to spread my legs. As they began to move my legs up I screamed out in pain, nearly flying upwards.
"Daur!" Legolas shouted.
(Stop!)
"Princess Adette," Eámanë ignored Legolas, "I know that it causes you pain but I must check you. If the baby is ready to come then you will have to push, but I won't know unless I check you."
"Do it." I nodded, and reached out my other arm as if to grasp the air as they moved my legs up and then spread them. Legolas's other hand shot out and took mine, lacing our fingers together.
Thirteen hours of agonizing labor passed by and soon it was into the night. Legolas refused to leave my side, although he had left only once more to bring Arwen in to help comfort me. She sat on my other side, holding a rag to my forehead.
"Princess Adette, you are ready." Eámanë said tiredly, but with a smile on her face. The other midwives spread my legs for a final time and Eámanë went into action, instructing Legolas and Arwen. Legolas gently sat me up, holding me around the waist while Arwen held my shoulders.
"Le turo ceri hé nana. Tulo Eruanna na en peth." Legolas's lips brushed against my temple as he held me upright. He then turned his face forward, looking at Eámanë as she readied herself.
(You can do this mommy. Bring Eruanna to the world.)
"Alright, it is time to push." She told me. Once the words left her lips I balled up my fists and pushed with all of my might, feeling as though someone had reached inside of me and was ripping out my stomach. I screamed louder than I ever had before.
"Come on dúlinn, come on." Legolas urged me on.
I began to feel faint but refused to give up. I continued to push, willing my daughter to leave my womb and join us. I became vaguely aware of my surroundings as I finally heard a sharp cry echo through the room.
I turned my head slightly to see Legolas's overjoyed face as tears of happiness poured down his cheeks. I then saw his face turn to concern as the world became black.
When I regained consciousness I heard a baby crying. Remembering what had happened I jolted forward, a searing pain rushing through my stomach and legs. A hand pushed me back down.
"Lie back Adette." Legolas's voice told me gently. "You are still weak from birthing."
It was then that I opened my eyes. I realized that I was no longer in the birthing room, but had been returned to the room Legolas and I had been staying in while in Rivendell. I saw him sitting beside me in a chair, cradling a crying bundle in his arms.
"Legolas?" My voice was weak when I spoke.
He looked away from the bundle, a wide smile on his face. He moved forward and laid it in my arms. When I looked down I was awe struck. In my arms was the most wondrous thing I had ever seen – my daughter. I could see that she was going to have my dark hair right away, but was pleased to see her ears were pointed. Her eyes opened then, and I gasped when her wide eyes settled upon my face. My lips curled into a smile when I saw that they were blue.
"What do you think nana?" Legolas asked quietly, looking down at her with me. I looked up with tears falling from my eyes.
"He's bein." I whispered. I gently rocked Eruanna in my arms before realizing that she was probably starving. When my arm twitched, Legolas noticed.
(She's beautiful.)
"What can I do for you?" He asked, pushing back a strand of hair from my face.
"I need to feed Eruanna. Could you…?"
He understood and gently pulled down the top of my singlet so that on of my breasts was exposed, and propped up the pillows so that I could sit up. He then sat back in the chair and watched as I fed Eruanna with a loving gaze. I could see that he already loved being a father.
"I was scared when you lost consciousness dúlinn." He said suddenly, his eyes not leaving the place where Eruanna suckled. "There was so much blood."
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Just one day. You need to go back to sleep once Eruanna has finished."
"Don't ruin this. Now come and sit beside me." He slowly got up and sat next to me on the bed, his back against the headboard. He fluffed my pillows carefully before wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"Eruanna Thranduilion." He murmured, looking down as Eruanna finished feeding and slipped off to sleep. Although Legolas's title was Prince Legolas Thranduilion of Mirkwood, most referred to him as Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood.
"No, Eruanna Greenleafion." I corrected him. He chuckled softly before kissing my hair.
"I am so proud of you."
I laid my head against his shoulder and felt myself following after my daughter into sleep.