Chapter Three
Lady Celabeth and King Thranduil were in the gardens of Lothlorien for the umpteenth time. It had been a favorite place to visit for Celabeth even in the earlier years of their union, and it now remained a kind of paradisiacal haven for them both. Thranduil, who hadn't been appreciative of the gardens at first, had grown to love it eventually, after long walks with Celabeth. He only loved it because she did; because he felt that all the plants that were rooted in these gardens belonged to her.
How terribly excited he was, that it was within these gardens that they would witness the birth of their child. At nightfall, Elrond had foretold, you will see that the star bearing your child has vanished. Do not despair- it needs to receive its blessings from the Star of Eaerendil first. Therefore it will into the sky away from your sight. Be patient, and a shooting star will arrive at your feet. Celabeth will need to endure great pain on this night. It is on the day of its birth that the Elf receives a part of his mother. A part of her soul and a bit of her strength. The transition from mother to child will require pain. Celabeth's very soul will be torn, which, as you know, means agonizing pain for an Elf. You must stand by her, noble Thranduil. You must make sure that she survives. If there is not enough support, Celabeth will be in danger of losing too much energy…should this happen, only you can save her. The light the star will be blinding, but do not turn away from it. Instead, embrace it with open arms. In the first few hours of birth, a newborn Elf is weak; it needs the guidance of its parents. Welcome the child into the world with warmth and love so that it can begin its life on firm ground. If you do not do as I ask you, if you refuse the Light of Eaerendil, you will lose your child. The birth of a new Elf is a rarity. When it does happen, we must do all that we can to ensure its health and safety.
"I'm nervous, Thranduil," Celabeth said with a shaky grin.
Thranduil clasped his wife's hand. "What is so strong, what Light is so blinding, that we cannot face it together? My beloved, you know that I am here for you." Thranduil gave her a confident smile this time, in doing so getting rid of his own fears. Celabeth smiled back at him. This night, this place, this atmosphere… it all looked so familiar to Thranduil…
"Do you remember when we first met?" she whispered, in such a way that made Thranduil shiver.
"How can I ever forget?" He answered, guarding her from the evening chill by lifting up her hood over her head. "You were like a sorceress, enchanting me with your singing."
"When you came my heart was never the same. So often all I wanted was to run away somewhere, be as free as the notes in the songs of my people… but when you came to me, all I wanted was to stay there…" saying this, she placed a warm hand on her husband's chest.
Thranduil stared long and deep into Celabeth's eyes, and for a moment, it was almost as if they were meeting for the very first time. She was glowing like an angel tonight, as she always did. She never stopped being amazing.
"You are everything I could have wanted, and so much more, my love. You set me free." Thranduil held her face between his hands, drawing her closer to him. Their lips touched.
The King opened his lips, inviting her to a passionate kiss they alone could share. She hung on tightly to him, her eyes gently closed in bliss. He felt as if his lips were stuck onto hers, and he only wanted to stay like that longer, even when he couldn't breathe…
Yet he didn't want to let go. At long last, they broke away, gasping desperately for air. Oh, how he was reminded of days past, when they were a bit younger and life experiences had not affected their complexions.
Suddenly, he saw a light from the corner of his eye. "Celabeth, look!" Thranduil turned towards the night sky glittered with stars, his eyes fixed on the one shooting star, slowly making its way onto the ground. He did not forget Elrond's words for a moment. The star was coming whether he was ready or not; he had to prepare himself for what was to come. He placed two hands on his wife's shoulders for reassurance. It was really happening now, what they had been waiting for for so long...
"Cela...Celabeth?" Thranduil stammered, feeling his wife go limp in his embrace. She collapsed in his arms. Her hands were cold to the touch, and Thranduil was at a loss at what to do. But her hands had not lost its grip. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Strength, my beloved; strength," he murmured, offering what warmth he could through his cloak. Please, Celabeth, you cannot falter now, he thought. He could slowly feel his heart sink at the mere thought of what Elrond had told him.
He shook his head to rid himself of those horrid thoughts. She was still here, and the star was getting closer. Twinkling above him, the star shot out a hot ray of light. Yes, it was almost blinding, but it was the most incredible sight Thranduil had seen in his life. Awestruck, he gazed at it, his eyes fixed on the illuminated being within, never allowing his eyes to dart anywhere else. He was fighting the light- it was extremely painful for his eyes- but he knew he could not give up now.
The light the star will be blinding, but do not turn away from it. Instead, embrace it with open arms.
And to that he kept. Holding Celabeth tighter than ever, he spread his cloak on the grass for the star to land on. Celabeth was tossing and turning in his embrace in silent pain; Thranduil felt it all, but he knew it was most important to keep her close. He tried his best to calm her. The moment the star had contact with the cloak he heard a slight fizzing sound. The star was burning, melting. Tiny shards of it broke off like debris. Within seconds, the thick star casing revealed a most extraordinary sight.
Having hatched out of its shell, the tiny Elf squirmed on the cloak. It glanced up at Thranduil with innocent curiosity. It made a whining sound, which stirred Thranduil a bit; he quickly hushed him. The King gave the child a wide smile; yes, it was a son. He had known all along. "Hush, little one. Quiet, now. I'm not going to hurt you." Thranduil wrapped his son in his cloak, making sure that he did not feel the evening chill. Even with his nimble fingers, he was extra careful when holding his son. He seemed so fragile. He lifted the child for Celabeth to see. She was conscious, although her eyes were half closed.
"Celabeth! This is our son," Thranduil announced, holding him out for his wife to hold. "Will you not look at him? It is all over now. We have a son, Celabeth!" Tears came to Thranduil's eyes as his wife struggled a bit to sit up. He quickly lent her his arm on her back for support.
Exhausted yet overjoyed, the Queen smiled. "He's beautiful, Thranduil. His eyes are like deep oceans." She cradled the child, humming incomplete versions of lullabies. The Melody of the Stars. Thranduil and Celabeth looked on together for a long, gracious moment, watching their son fall asleep under the moonlight.
"What should we name him?" Celabeth asked. "What name is suitable for an honorable heir of Mirkwood?"
"You must name him, Celabeth. Go on."
She contemplated for a bit, and said, "His shall be called Legolas Greenleaf, from the Tree in which he grew and lived before his birth."
"Legolas?" Thranduil said. "Legolas." He repeated, letting the word roll on his tongue. "It is a fine name, and very well does it suit the heir of the Woodland Realm. Yes, then he shall be Legolas, son of Thranduil and Celabeth, Prince of the Woodland Realm in the years to come," Thranduil declared.
"Legolas," Celabeth muttered again.
Thranduil wrapped his arms around his wife and child; they were now a true family. He vowed to himself that day that he wouldn't let anything come between them. Never.