Chapter 20

Innocent

The healer rushed into the room and had Haldir wait outside. After a while the healer asked me to push. With a scream I did so. I felt the baby slide out of me and I started to breathe again.

"~You have a son.~"

I smiled and she sliced the umbilical cord. After she got the baby cleaned up she let Haldir in.

"~You have a son Marchwarden.~"

A smile spread across his face and she handed him the baby.

"~Welcome to the world Tawarthion.~" he said.

He came and sat beside me. I looked at my son and smiled.

"~My beautiful baby boy.~" I said.

Haldir handed him to me and I smiled more.

"~Look what we did. He is so beautiful. Look what we did Haldir.~"

Haldir put his arm around me and I kissed my son's little head.

"~I see him. He is perfect.~"

When I was rested Haldir had our family come to meet out son. Eruraina held her cousin and smiled.

"~He is so little.~" she said.

I smiled and she handed Tawathion to her parents.

"~Good thing he does not look like Haldir.~"

Haldir narrowed his eyes.

"~And what do you mean by that?~"

Orophin looked up.

"~Do you really want all the elven maidens falling for him now brother?~" He asked seriously.

"~Absolutely not!~" I said.

There was a knock on the door and Sadron walked in. He smiled at me.

"~I heard that the famous Marchwarden's son had finally been born!~"

"~How did you hear that?~" Haldir asked.

"~My wife is the healer who delivered your baby.~"

I smiled and he walked over to see Tawathion.

"~Looks just like his father. All the maidens will be chasing him from her to Valinor.~"

I smiled and held my son to me.

"~He was just born. No talk of women chasing him.~"

Sadron laughed and wished us well before he left. Eruraina was watching him.

"~Is everything alright dear?~" Silivrenniel asked her.

She smiled and nodded. After they all left Tawathion opened his eyes. He had my eyes. I smiled and Haldir put his hand under his head. He started to cry and somehow I knew he needed to be fed. I pulled down my dress and sure he enough he started to suck.

Haldir's POV

I watched my wife feed our son. She looked so beautiful and happy. She gave him to me and I put him into his cradle.

"~Sleep well my little warrior. Dream of sweet things.~" I whispered.

I kissed his head and then got into bed next to my wife. She put her head on my chest and I smiled.

"~He will probably wake up again in an hour. My mum told me I woke up constantly at night.~"

I chuckled.

"~I am certain you did. You never can stay quiet.~"

She smacked my chest and I laugh.

"~Shhh! You will wake him up.~" She said.

I smiled and kissed her lips.

"~I love you Merida. You have given me a strong and handsome son. Perhaps one day we shall have a daughter as well. A beautiful daughter who can make us both proud.~" I said.

She looked up at me.

"~How many children do you want my love?~"

I smiled and thought for a moment.

"~Perhaps ten.~"

She smiled and laughed softly.

"~Ten children? That would mean one child a year my love.~"

I smiled and nodded.

"~I want to have many children with you. All I had were my brothers after my parents passed. And I was always away on duty. We were still children basically, I was of age but they were not. They lived with me until they were of age and even then we did not see each other often enough. I believe I want a big family because I never want our children to be alone.~" I said.

She took my hand and I looked into her eyes.

"~Our children will never be alone. I will give you as many children as you want Haldir. And as our family grows, so will my love for you. I could never love a man more than I love you. Every time I look at you I love you even more. Tawathion will never be without us, I promise you this.~"

I kissed her once more before going to bed.

Merida's POV

I woke up when Tawathion started to cry the next morning, but he was not in our room. I jumped up and ran outside with a dagger. Sitting in my front room was my mother, father, brother and sister. I smiled and ran forward. My father took me in his arms and I saw Thorin disappear into my room. I smiled and waited for it. Haldir shouted from the room and I laughed.

"~Merida! I think your brother ran from Erebor!~"

I went into the room and shook my head.

"Thorin go back out with mum and papa."

He ran out and I smiled at Haldir.

"~My family is out in the front room. They came to see the baby. We need to get dressed before Thorin comes back in.~" I said.

He nodded but before we got dressed, he kissed me good morning. I smiled and we dressed. We walked out and Haldir took our son. He slowly looked at my papa and I did too.

"~You have a beautiful child. You have given me a fine, strong grandson.~" he said.

I smiled and so did Haldir. Thorin and Tawariell loved their nephew. Though they were still too young to completely understood what that meant. My mother spoiled her grandson, and I think it made Tawariell a bit jealous. They stayed with us for about a month before they had to return home. My father hugged me tightly.

"~Protect your family Merida. And you shall have to come home for a visit soon. The rest of the family and the company are dying to meet your son.~"

I nodded and he kissed my forehead.

"~Haldir take care of my daughter and your son. If anything happens to them you will answer to me. And then what is left of you shall be for my wife.~"

"Legolas!"

He cringed at my mother's voice and left. I laughed a little and handed Tawathion to Haldir. He held him up in the air and Tawathion laughed. Haldir usually only ever smiled for me, seeing him smile for someone else brought joy to my heart.

A month later we received an anonymous baby gift. It was a silk blanket with the leaf of Lorien on it. I smiled and wrapped Tawathion in it. There a note with no name.

For baby Marchwarden. May your life be free of harm and sorrow.

I smiled and

Tawathion grew every day. He was not walking yet but he was no longer the tiny baby I once had. Rumil made him toys that he loved to play with and Verya made him cloths as he grew. They loved their nephew and Eruraina loved her cousin. She would sing my lullaby for him. One day when I was talking to Haldir about my mum, Tawathion said,

"Mum!"

I looked at my son. He sat on the floor smiling up at us. He crawled to me and I picked him up. I stroked the soft blond curls on his head and kissed his forehead.

"~Yes! Can you say 'mum' again?~" I asked.

"Mum!"

I smiled and held him up in the air.

"~Tawathion can you say papa?~" Haldir asked.

"Muma!"

I laughed at Haldir's expense and he shook his head.

"~It looks like the mother's are more persuasive.~"

Haldir frowned and I looked at my son.

"~Come now Tawathion….say papa.~"

"Nana"

I chuckled and so did Haldir. I turned him to look at Haldir.

"Papa." I repeated.

"Pa."

"~Almost! Try again, papa.~"

"Papa!"

The biggest smile came to Haldir's face. Our son was learning to speak and I knew soon he would be walking.

One morning, when Tawathion was 6 months old, he was gone. I jumped up and called his name but he did not answer. Haldir ran from the talan to search and I slowly sat down. I had failed as a mother! My son was taken from me!

"~Merida where are you?~"

Vanya, Silivrenniel and Eruraina came into the room.

"~Someone took him! Someone took my son!~" I cried.

"~I will help find him!~" Eruraina said.

"~No! You are only 16 Eruraina.~" Silivrenniel said.

"~I care not! He is my little cousin!~"

She ran from the talan and none could stop her. Vanya and Silivrenniel stayed with me, trying to comfort me. However I would not be comforted until I had my son back in my arms. I looked up suddenly. I changed into my riding cloths and took my sword and bow.

"~Merida where are you going?~" Silivrenniel asked.

"~I know who took my son! I am going to take him back.~" I hissed.

"~We shall go with you!~"

"~No. I need you to stay here in case the culprit grows a conscious. I will be back and I shall have my son with me.~"

They nodded and I went towards Beleg's talan. As I approached I saw him leaving. I decided to follow him and find where he was keeping my son. I followed him deep into the woods and to a waterfall. He walked behind it and disappeared. I followed him and found a hidden cavern. As I went deeper I heard voices.

"~Why would you take a child!? He is innocent!~"

That was Beleg's voice.

"~He is a stain! Something that tarnishes the purity of the elves!~

My eyes widened. I knew that voice, but I did not want to believe it.