Hey everyone! Thanks so much for your reviews! I tried to post yesterday, but my computer was acting up and the power went out in my area for a little while so I lost my connection for a while. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, and the next one I'm sad to say will be the last one for my Haldir story, but take heart because I am working on a new one that I'll probably post the first chapter to in a few days! Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings, oh, and the vows that were in Chapter 43 are not mine either, I found them ona Celtic wedding site, one that I can't remember the name of at the moment.

Chapter 44: Valadhiel

Ana sighed heavily and put her hand on the rather large mound that was now her stomach. Nearly eight months along and she had a small watermelon under her dress. She tucked some of her hair behind her ear and looked out over the trees as she sat in her and Haldir's clearing, however, instead of laying against a tree she sat on the stone bench. Haldir had left for the border as scheduled but instead of his usual length of duty he would be returning to the city in two weeks and she couldn't wait.

"Ana?" Sanya asked and Ana looked over at her as she led Sadie into the clearing. Ana smiled up at her and Sanya sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?" she asked and Ana laughed softly and petted Sadie's head.

"Fine," she said quietly and Sanya nodded. "I-," she stopped when the baby inside her kicked. Ana laughed. "She's kicking," Ana said before she took Sanya's hand and placed it on her stomach. Sanya laughed as well when the baby kicked her palm soundly.

"So, you think it is a girl?" Sanya asked as she took her hand away. The baby was still moving about and Ana couldn't help but smile brightly.

"I think so, I caught myself calling her a 'her' while I folded the clothes I had made, and while I talked to the healers about the delivery," Ana said with a sigh and Sanya nodded.

"Do you think Haldir shall be surprised to see how far along you are?" Sanya asked and Ana laughed once more.

"More than likely. He has not seen me in almost six months."

"Indeed, he probably will also be surprised to know you have now taken to walking from your talan when the healers have advised against it," Rumil said from behind the pair. Ana winced and closed her eyes.

"You are not supposed to leave your talan?" Sanya asked surprised and Ana nodded as she opened her eyes and looked to her brother.

"That she is not. Raina told you that since you've been so weak lately, it is not wise for you to travel so far from your talan, and the stairs are not good for you right now either," Rumil said.

"Rumil, I cannot just sit at home! I'm going stir crazy, especially since Sadie has taken a liking to Sanya and likes to keep her company." Ana looked to Sadie who only barked and put her head on Ana's lap. Ana smiled and petted her head once again and looked back up at Rumil. "I'm going stir crazy in there."

"Still, Ana, Raina advised against it and Haldir shall be returning soon. Until then I shall keep you company while Sanya continues to care for Sadie," he said as he took her hand. Ana sighed and looked to Sanya who gave her a small smile.

"I'll visit you for the evening meal and we can chat," Sanya said. Ana returned her smile and nodded her head before she allowed Rumil to lead her from the clearing and to her talan.

Rumil and Ana sat at the kitchen table in Ana's talan playing a game that reminded Ana of dominos. Of course Rumil was winning, but Ana was slowly getting the hang of it after all they had been playing it for the last week and a half. Ana smirked at Rumil before she placed a disc, it was a move that she knew would elicit several ungentlemanly like words from the elf. As her hand moved away, just as she predicted, Rumil cursed and sighed.

"You win," he said as he mock glared at her. Ana laughed softly and raised her hands.

"It is about time!" she called. "This is the first game I have ever won!" Rumil laughed and nodded his head as he gathered the discs to put them away.

"Would you care for anything to eat?" he asked and she shook her head and put her hand on her stomach.

"No, all I care for is Haldir to return and soon," she said quietly. Rumil tied the satchel and looked at her with a knowing smile.

"I know, but in the mean time –," Rumil was cut off by Ana's loud cry and she clutched at her stomach. "Ana?" he asked in alarm as he moved to her side casting the satchel on the table. He kneeled down next to her and pushed her hair from her face. Tears came to Ana's eyes as the pain persisted. It slowly dissipated and she took slow deep breaths as she looked to Rumil. The elf had a fear filled look on his face and Ana licked her lips as she willed away her tears.

"Rumil, something's wrong," she whispered and the elf quickly stood.

"Can you walk?" he asked and she slowly stood with a nod. "I will take you to Raina, come," he said softly as he took her arm. However, before they even reached the doorway to the kitchen another severe pain ripped through her stomach. Her legs nearly buckled under her as she cried out and if Rumil had not been holding onto her, she would have fallen. When the pain subsided she looked up at him.

"I don't think I can make it," she whispered and Rumil sighed.

"Then I shall get you to your bed and retrieve Raina myself," he said and carefully led her to the bedroom. Once Ana was laying down he quickly left to find Raina and only hoped that nothing was wrong and that the child and Ana were in no danger.

Haldir sighed contentedly as he neared the city. He was a few days earlier in his return, only because the Marchwarden that came to replace him was early as well, which he did not mind in the least. He knew Ana was probably wishing he was home, just as much as he was and he could not wait to see her or the large bump he knew would be her stomach.

The city was welcoming and part of him knew that the day he and Ana left to sail to Valinor he would miss the trees until he sat foot in Valinor with Ana and their child at his side. He was at the base of the tree that housed his and Ana's talan when the sounds that met his ears he never expected to hear. Ana was crying out, practically screaming. He bolted up the stairs with lightning speed and as he entered the talan he saw Rumil standing in the middle of the living room with Sadie sitting next to him.

"What is going on?" Haldir bellowed. "Ana screams and you only stand here!" Haldir said as another cry echoed. Haldir moved to go to her when Rumil stopped him.

"She is giving birth," Rumil said in a heated whisper. Haldir frowned and shook his head.

"She is not due for another month," he said and Rumil sighed. Haldir's frown only deepened as he looked to the door. "Who is in there with her?" he asked as he looked to his brother.

"Raina, Sanya, and Lady Galadriel," he said and Haldir nodded his head.

"I must go to her," Haldir said and Rumil shook his head and put his hands on his brother's shoulders.

"She has been in labor for almost twelve hours, she is stressed and Raina said no more in the room, even when-," Rumil was cut off by Ana crying out louder than all the times she had. Rumil turned quickly and looked to the door. He felt Haldir stiffen under his hands and he let go as the looked to the door.

"Do not fear, Marchwarden," echoed Galadriel's voice in Haldir's mind and he eased slightly. Silence followed for several minutes until tiny small cries came from the room. Haldir could not help but smile and Rumil sighed softly as he smiled as well.

Ana laid her head back against the many pillows behind her and sighed quietly until she caught her breath and heard the cries of the child. "Is she alright?" she asked as she weakly raised her head. Sanya and Lady Galadriel were tending to her while Raina finished up with Ana. Sanya turned and looked at her with a bright smile.

"She is just fine, my friend," she said firmly reassuring her friend that indeed her baby was well. Ana smiled and sighed contentedly.

"Yes, her lungs sound strong. It appears as though she just wished to come early," Raina said and Ana laughed softly.

Soon, the linens were changed and Raina had washed Ana's face and form. The baby was still crying slightly and Galadriel smiled at Ana as she handed her the small bundle. As soon as she was in Ana's arms the baby girl stopped crying.

"She is beautiful," Galadriel said and Ana looked down at her baby. A dark mass of hair was already on her head and as her eyes slowly opened clear blue eyes glanced at her in wonder. Ana sighed and kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes wishing that Haldir was there with her.

Sanya opened the door and went into the sitting room to tell Rumil that Ana and the baby were well and for him to come in and see when she got a slight surprise. "Haldir?" she asked with a smile and Haldir and Rumil quickly stood from the sofa.

"Is she alright? Is Ana alright? What of the baby?" Haldir asked quickly as he moved to Sanya. The elleth laughed and held up her hands.

"They are both fine, Haldir! Do come and see for yourselves," she said as she looked in between the pair. Haldir walked past her quickly and Sanya chuckled and Rumil smiled at her. Sanya blushed as she looked at Rumil before she turned and quickly went into the bedroom. Rumil's smile only grew as he followed her into the room to see his new niece or nephew.

Ana heard someone come into the room and looked up from her baby. She was shocked and overjoyed to see Haldir standing there. "Haldir?" she asked and the ellon quickly moved and sat down next to her on their bed. He raised his left hand to her face and she looked at him with tear filled eyes. He smiled and looked down at the warmly wrapped baby in his wife's arms. He raised his right hand to the baby's head and let it hover of it. He looked up at Ana as he lowered his hand from her face and she smiled at him.

"Boy or girl?" he asked and she laughed softly.

"Girl," she said and Haldir's smile grew as he looked down at his daughter. She was beautiful with Ana's raven dark hair but as she glanced at him, equally blue eyes looked back at him and he smiled.

"She is beautiful," he whispered as he looked back up at Ana. He leaned in and kissed her lips tenderly. As he pulled back he rested his forehead against hers. "You are beautiful," he whispered and Ana sighed relishing his touch after he had been gone for so long. A throat clearing behind them broke the pair away and Raina looked at Haldir.

"Her labor was hard and drained much of her strength. She will be weak and will be unable to do much other than nurse and hold . . ." Raina trailed off, not certain as to what name they had selected for the child. Ana smiled and looked down at her baby.

"Valadhiel," she said and Haldir looked at her and smiled. She looked up at him and he nodded at her.

"She will be able to little except to nurse and hold Valadhiel," Raina finished with a smile. Haldir nodded.

"I would not expect much of her and I am more then capable of caring for . . . for them both," Haldir said. Raina nodded.

"But don't get used to it," Ana said. "Once I'm well again, I will go back to taking care of myself and the both of you." Haldir looked at her and smiled, however, before he could say much more Rumil broke in.

"Well, do I get to see my niece?" he asked. Ana laughed and motioned him over. Rumil smiled and moved over to the bed and smiled down at Valadhiel. "Something tells me she shall be much like her mother, but let us hope she isn't like her father," he said teasingly and Ana, Sanya, and Raina laughed while Galadriel only smiled and Haldir glared mockingly at his brother.