Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. I am bringing this story to an end. A couple of more chapters and then this story will end. But now I need names for a boy, so post some. Let's begin.
Nienna gave a low moan as another contraction rippled through her. She felt Legolas's arms tighten around her as the elf kissed her cheek repeatedly in order to distract her. She opened her eyes and looked at her husband's face, which shimmered next to her. Tears blinded her vision as the pain reached its peak before passing away.
Legolas's heart clenched in concern when he saw the dull eyes of his wife close once more. Months had gone by in which he watched Nienna blossom even more with his child. They had finally moved to Ithilien and making sure everything was prepared for the arrival of the baby, Legolas had finally consented for Nienna to be moved as well. Elrond had gone back to Minas Tirith but had promised to be there in time for the birth. What the elf lord was up to nobody knew.
Legolas was jostled out his thoughts when another moan came from Nienna and he shifted her slightly so she was more comfortable. He could see the birth was taking its toll on her. She was sweaty and barely awake enough to even acknowledge any presence and still there had been no word from Elrond.
Legolas bit back his anger before once again reaching for the cup filled with water to give to her. She swallowed without any comments and relaxed once more against him. He shifted her again and closed his eyes to fight back tears only to snap them open again when she was removed from his arms. He wanted to cry out with fear and anger but found himself looking in the serene face of Elrohir as the elf pressed Nienna into Elrond's arms.
Both of the elves were still dressed in their travelling clothes and Elrond gave him a quick nod before moving in the bathing chamber and Legolas could clearly hear water running when another bucket was added to the rapidly cooling water in the tub. He rose quickly and expecting Elrohir to stop but he was surprised when the elf placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded at him before pushing him into the direction of the bathing room.
Legolas stepped inside to see Elrond had sat down on his knees next to Nienna, who was currently residing in the bath tub. The half elf was splashing water over Nienna's face, one hand supporting her from behind so she was resting comfortably. Elrond waved him over and softly said. "I am sorry I am late but I did not expect the birth to go this quickly. Continue to splash water on her face and I shall change and be back shortly." Legolas simply nodded as he took Elrond's place and resumed the actions the older elf had been doing.
He took up a wet cloth and rang it over her head, dipping it in the water time and time again. He stilled his movements when Nienna's hand came to rest upon his own. Her eyes were open and he smiled at her, hoping he could mask his concern and fear for her. She shivered slightly before moving closer to the edge and Legolas dropped the cloth to take her closer in his arms.
He pulled her close so she was resting against his chest and slowly said. "Elrond is here. He is changing into something less dusty and then he will come back. You will be fine…" Nienna held up her hand to interrupt him as she softly said. "I do not worry when you are with me, Legolas."
The elf felt his chest swell with pride and love for her as he kissed the top of her head. She tensed again when another contraction came and Legolas could feel the pain pass into him as well. He held her close and buried his lips in her hair while he softly said. "I thank you for sharing the pain with me, my beloved." Nienna merely nodded against him before Legolas felt a familiar presence within his soul.
He opened his eyes to find Elrond seated next to him, now dressed in a simply tunic and trousers and dust free. The healer had covered his hand over Nienna's and he did not smile while he allowed his grandchild to squeeze his hand. Elrond spoke to her in the high tongue and although Legolas could see Nienna did not understand the words, she appeared to become calmer and her breathing was less shallow.
Elrohir suddenly appeared at her other side with a dry towel and the elf gave her a brilliant smile while Elrond asked. "Do you wish to deliver this child in this tub or shall we move to the bed?" Legolas was surprised as he asked. "Is the child going to be delivered then?"
"No, not yet but it shall not be so long anymore. So it is best to move her while we still have the change." Elrohir answered in his father's place before he locked his eyes with those of Legolas and asked. "Do you mind if I take her?" Legolas felt the urge to say no but then Elrond's hand closed over his while the ancient half elf spoke. "I have a different task for you, Legolas. You need to release her in the care of her father now so I can instruct you."
The elf nodded reluctantly and allowed Elrohir to take his place and the youngest Imlandris son quickly yet gently lifted her in his arms while Elrond stayed behind with Legolas. The prince looked at the elf lord with barely controlled anxiety and Elrond smiled at him before he answered. "Do not worry, Legolas. We will not harm her or your child. I need you to be there for her so we can deliver the child. I need you to support her in the only way that combines you, through the bond you share with her. This is taking its toll on her and she cannot last much longer unless she can rely on your strength. Will you do this?"
Legolas nodded, feeling faintly surprised on how to do this. He cast his eyes down on the floor beneath his feet before a hand on his cheek brought his gaze back to Elrond's concerned eyes. "She will be fine, Legolas, this I promise you. You will not lose another person if I can help it." The healer declared passionate and Legolas could easily feel the grief beneath those words.
Grief he knew was not for Nienna or even for Moriethel but for his own daughter, who he was sure to lose to mortality sometime and all for a man she loved. Elrond blinked before he adverted his eyes away from Legolas's gaze and the younger elf spoke softly. "You may not be glad with the choice Arwen made but she is with the one she loves and that is all that matters. But the grief does not lessen, nor does it ever fade…" Legolas stopped and forced himself not to turn away when Elrond's intense gaze burned into his.
He thought the elven lord was going to shout at him but much to his surprise Elrond hugged him close. In turn Legolas wrapped his own arms around Elrond. He could feel the ancient elf tremble. "I would not have done things differently if I was given another change." Legolas eventually offered and Elrond pulled away with a smile on his face as he said. "Well you are being given another change, so let us go and guide this child into the world."
Legolas allowed Elrond to lead him back into the bedroom with an arm firmly around his shoulder. He smiled at Nienna when he saw that she lifted up her eyes to meet his. She was barely sitting upright and he slipped behind her, closing his hand over her own and squeezed it.
He briefly felt the touch of her mind and found a nearly overwhelming grief. "It will be alright, meleth, we shall not fail with this child." He assured her but he was left stunned when she answered. "But it means Moriethel is really gone and I am not sure if I wish for that. She is my firstborn but how do we tell our child that we are cautions because of his dead sister?"
Legolas shook his head, indicating he did not know the answer. Elrond did not look at him while the healer checked Nienna once more; he briefly spoke with Elrohir as Legolas focussed all of his attention on Nienna. The two lovers looked up when a knock on the door interrupted their train of thoughts.
Elrohir opened the door to admit Thranduil. The elven king nodded at his son before handing Legolas a pitcher of water the elf did not even remember asking for. He helped Nienna drink it before taking a firm swallow himself before he closed his eyes once again, wincing slightly when a contraction passed through him as well.
"Legolas, Nienna, it is time. Nienna, push when I say so." Elrond watched as Nienna nodded briefly before Legolas tucked her head underneath his chin, keeping her body locked to his. The prince hands were placed over her own and on both their faces great concentration was shown. Elrond could clearly feel the bond that they shared and even if they were still two people for this moment they were one.
"Yes, Nienna push." Elrond encouraged, surprised at how easily he grew detached as a healer even through this was his own grandchild. He did not pay attention as Elrohir took a clean cloth to wash the child with as soon as it was born.
Legolas could clearly feel his own strength swaying when Nienna tapped into him. He held tight to her as she clung to him when a fresh wave of pain reached its climax. This was not the pain of birth but of loss. The pain of accepting another life and another change was what brought tears to Legolas's eyes. He wished nothing more then to leave the pain and the memories of the past months behind him but he did not wipe away the tears but another hand did.
He opened his eyes and mind to hear joyous cries erupt around the room including the healthy cry of a child, of his child. He smiled when Nienna brushed away the tears that streaked his cheeks, tears standing in her own eyes as well. She gave him as startling bright smile and Legolas felt love flow from his heart. They both turned when Elrohir approached with in his hands a small bundle.
Legolas sat up a little bit straighter so Elrohir could place the baby in Nienna's arms. He watched with satisfaction as his wife softly crooned to their new child and he shared a smile with Elrohir as the elf watched his daughter and first grandson with pride. The next moment Elrohir pressed him forward so he could look over Nienna's shoulder and the sight startled him.
Looking like a smaller version of Legolas with soft golden hair and pale skin his own son looked back up at him with knowing brown eyes. Eyes that held wisdom and would one day sway the hearts of every elf maiden that would ever found herself looking in those eyes. Legolas swallowed thickly before whispered in a hoarse voice. "Welcome to this world, my son, may you never lose your joy for life as I once had. But I thank you for bringing it back to me. Together with your mother you are most precious to me, ion nin. (My son)"
Legolas only released Nienna when she passed the child into his arms and it was not long until a chubby hand reached up to grab a strand of Legolas's hair. Legolas shared a smile with Nienna as their newborn looked at them and Nienna grabbed his hand, her child holding on to her finger. It was not long before the child gave a content yawn and closed his eyes, connected to his parents and his parents through him.
Hope you liked it and please post a name. I myself was thinking about the name Nithron which means young. But let me know if you have a different name. And review of course.