Chapter 16

Life Song Concerto

S.A. 551

Soft light filtered in through the opening to their ice house. Groggy, still from sleep, Elarinya rolled on her back, eyes flickering open. Instantly, she lost the warmth that had previously surrounded her. Mumbling, she quickly turned back, burying into the warmth. A rumbling laugh sounded as arms wrapped around her pulling her close.

"Cold?" a deep voice chuckled.

"Mmmhm," she mumbled, burying her face into his bare chest, his skin like fire against her own. The body she pressed into, suddenly moved, her cocoon of warmth disappearing. Elarinya, scrambled to grab the thick covers they fell away from her shoulders. She was lifted off the bed and sat back down as the furs were draped back over her shoulders. Strong hands adjusted her legs as she straddled his lap, running lightly up her thighs then back, sending shivers down her spine. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Elarinya leaned forward, placing her lips against his.

Maglor smiled against her lips, pulling her as close as her swollen belly would allow. He slipped his tongue between her satin lips, eliciting a moan. He growled against her mouth, bringing his hands to rest on her stomach, he got rewarded with a swift kick. Elarinya squirmed against him, causing him to let lose a moan of his own. She finally broke their kiss and rested her forehead against him.

"Can we not stay here all day?" she asked, her breath tickling his neck as she spoke.

"You, my dear, have every reason to stay here all day, I on the other hand, do not. I do not think the Lossoth would take kindly to me slacking in my duties." He reasoned, knowing she could go into labor any day now. The women of the village had already taken over many of her chores, allowing her just the easiest of jobs, usually cooking as she did not have to carrying anything heavy and was off her feet for most of the day.

Reluctantly, he eased her off his lap, admiring her rounded stomach and swollen breast as the night dress she wore swished around her. She caught him staring and raised an eyebrow as a predatory smile crept over his face.

"Do not look at me that way, unless you plan to act on those ideas in your head."

"You do make it hard." He replied, as he began dressing for the day. Although it was summer, the bay unfroze, the air kept its chill, remnants of the last snow still lingering on the ground. After buttoning his thick fur lined outer tunic, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead before he left their home.

She tried to stay focused, she really did, but she found it an impossible task this afternoon. Her lower back was throbbing, and her feet swollen. She silently cursed Maglor as another small contraction gripped her. Pushing up from the chair she began walking through the small village, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach. Through the pain and her ability to only waddle made it a daunting task but sitting still seemed a worse option. The stew would not need to be tended to for another hour or so, she had plenty of time.

It was her fifth circuit and she was making her way back to the kettle, when a sharp stabbing pain ripped through her belly, causing her double over, hands gripping her stomach as she gasped. The women around her looked up from their tasks as Meldiriel rushed to her side. No sooner had the elleth touch her shoulder that Elarinya felt something shift inside her and fluid pooled around her feet. "By the Valar," She whispered, taking her friend's offered arm, as another contraction rippled through her. Ellethwen had found them and with the help of the other women they got her back to her ice house.

Meldiriel, having been through her own pregnancy just a few years before, began barking orders. Not that the women of the Lossoth were ignorant in such matters, their healers were actually quite adept for their more primitive ways, however they were not familiar with the ways of elves and let them take the lead, offering assistance wherever they could.

"Prepare the bed," She spoke to no one in particular as she and Ellethwen began stripping Elarinya of her clothes and cleaning her from where her water broke. She gasped and stumbled as another contraction came and went. "Go and find Maglor." More women scurried around to do her bidding. Quickly, between Elarinya and her companions, they were able to get her situated on the prepared bed. "We need someone to tend to the kettle, and to keep the children occupied."

She was not sure how much time had passed since the contractions had started, but she was covered in a cold sweat as she burned up, and it felt like hours. "Where is Maglor?" she implored, groaning as the contractions become more frequent.

"The women have gone to fetch him, he will be here shortly." Ellethwen spoke, wiping her forehead with a cool rag. "Do not worry,"

"I am not worried," she gasped, "I am going to kill him." Her friends snorted, holding back their laughter, remembering when Meldiriel said much the same during her own labor. It was just moments later that the ellon in question burst through the doorway, eyes wild with both excitement and anxiety. He was instantly by her side, taking over Ellethwen's job with the cool cloth, but soon found his hand in a death grip. Her calloused fingers crushing his own. By Valar the woman was strong, he held back his grimace as she cried out not having the chance to scream at her mate.

"Maglor," Meldiriel spoke, "I need you to tell her to push."

Leaning over her, still gripping her hand, he stroked her face, leaning his forehead against hers, "Elarinya, my love, you need to push now." He coaxed, trying to keep his fear from showing. A small part of him worried the Valar would take them both from him, that his punishment was not yet over. He sent up a silent plea to the Valar pleading for their lives, no matter the cost to him. He would gladly forfeit his life to ensure they lived. Elarinya's tensing body drew him back to the present as he cupped her face facing the coming contraction together. Her scream pierced the air as she pushed with everything she had, at her mates urging, her eyes never leaving his. Silence followed, her gasping breaths all that could be heard in the room.

Then a wail filled the room, and they both released the breaths they did not realize they were holding, as Meldiriel walked to their sides, a tiny bundle in her arms and a bright smile on her face. Maglor sat on the side of the bed, helping Elarinya to sit up as Ellethwen propped her with pillows.

"Your daughter," she informed them, handing over the squalling babe. Both mom and dad were filled with joy at the tiny baby they held, laughing in delight at the new life they had created, and she had brought into the world.

"What shall we call her?" Maglor asked, lightly touching the small fingers reaching into the air.

Elarinya looked into her mates' eyes, "Aeroniel."

"Of the sea," He translated, leaning against his wife as he wrapped them in his embrace. The others slowly left the room and the new family as his voiced lifted in song.

I sat watching my heart drifting in melodious notes around me.

There was a time not so very long ago I was unable to listen

to hear the message of the melody

for my heart was buried, bruised and fragile

It was as if one note, one moment of tenderness would be its undoing

It would shatter it to crumbled shreds falling like the mist of today's tears.

But today the stars have realigned.

The slivered moon hangs just so the sky no longer falling

And I realize it beats a gentle melody of its own sonata. It can hear, can embrace, can survive

There's the ethereal melody of each note breaking, crashing, upon the soul

becoming the strings that sing the violin's song

She is the Concerto of self, beautifully alive, composer of the hearts most tender melody, each note a flutter, each stanza a life song.

…

Song revised from a poem from A. Freeman

A/N: I have decided to end this story here, previously it continued starting into Aeroniel's life and journey. After much debate and thinking, I have decided to create her own story and where it leads her up unto the LOTR. I had always intended this to just be a novella. Sorry for any confusion this may cause! I will be posting the new story shortly, it will contain the last chapters of this as its start!