Nine months later

Winter

Lorraine stood outside on her snow covered balcony and watched the beautiful orange setting sun. As she did so Lorraine then put her hand endearingly on her now enormous stomach. Her thoughts wandered to that of her future child wondering what they would be and who they would be more similar to her or Thranduil. As she was lost in thought the king came behind her and wrapped his arms around his very pregnant wife.

"What are you doing out here my love it is winter you might catch cold." Thranduil said with a loving concern in his voice.

"Thranduil you know elves our age do not feel cold there's no need to worry." Lorraine scoffed at her over protective husband's worries.

Though Lorraine was not surprised for she knew all too well how overprotective her husband could be. It had gotten even worse since she had gotten pregnant, insisting he almost always was to be by her side and monitored her activities to make sure they weren't too dangerous.

"I know, I was simply thinking of…"

"The baby" Lorraine said knowing what was on her husband's mind all too well.

She knew this was the only thing on his mind lately, but why shouldn't it be it was both an exciting and scary thing to experience.

"I know I may seem ridiculous, but I just want to make sure I'll be a good adar." Thranduil admitted to his beloved wife

"Melethron, there is nothing to worry about. You are a wonderful husband to me and I know you will be a great Adar to our Pen tithen." Lorraine said, hoping to reassure her worrying husband.

"If you say so, but please come inside I have something to show you." Thranduil said as then kissed his wife's head and put his arms around her to guide her.

"Ohhh!" Lorraine winced as she grabbed her stomach feeling immense pain in there and also felt water run down her legs.

"What is it my love, what's wrong?" Thranduil asked almost in a panic.

Lorraine then looked up breathing very heavily.

"the baby's coming!"

Thranduil's face went pale and eyes went wide as he practically screamed "Guards help! The baby's coming!"

One hour later

Lorraine was in one of the beds of the healing room still breathing heavily as the intense pain started to truly hit her. She then took the hand of her husband and began to brace herself for childbirth.

"Alright my Queen get ready to push the first set of contractions will start in a few minutes" the healer said as she began to prep the tools, herbs, and staff needed for childbirth.

Lorraine prepared herself and looked at Thranduil who gave her a reassuring look. She then took a deep breath knowing all this pain would be worth it to see their child.

"Alright my Queen it's time, now push!" the healer practically ordered.

And then the long painful process began to bring a sweet little prince into the world.

Nine hours later

Lorraine looked at the tiny blond elf in her arms with such wonderment and love she didn't even know was possible. Her and Thranduil had been blessed with a baby boy, who was now the brand new prince of all Mirkwood.

"He's here Melethron, our pen tithen is at last here." Lorraine said unable to take her eyes off her new beautiful treasure.

"He is Melethril, by the grace of the Valar our blessing has finally arrived. And he's more beautiful than I ever could have imagined." Thranduil said with much pride and amazement in his eyes, absolutely enthralled by his new elfling son.

"That he is, but now we need a name for our pen tithen. Do you have anything in mind Thranduil?" Lorraine asked not sure what name would be worthy of her precious one.

"Something princely, something strong, something he can be proud of when he comes of age." Thranduil said as he rubbed his chin and paced around the room.

Suddenly the window blew open letting in a bitter blast of winter air and icy snow into the warm room. Lorraine instinctively shielded her child from the cold air and Thranduil shielded both as well, failing to notice a small rather colorful object fly in as well. Thranduil then quickly ran over and shut the window tight.

"Is he ok?!" Thranduil asked frantically.

He then crouched down, his heart racing to make sure his newborn son was alright. Quickly Lorraine checked inside the tightly wrapped bundle, and much to her relief found her son still peacefully sleeping.

"He is fine, he is still sleeping and warm."

"So this is how fatherhood feels, I fear I may gain silver hairs before my time at this rate." Thranduil said as all the first time Adar worries came rushing in.

Lorraine chuckled at her husband's commentary until she saw something that wasn't in the room before.

"Thranduil what is that?" Lorraine said as she pointed to the colorful object lying in the snow.

Thranduil got up to see the object his wife pointed to and picked it up.

"Why it's a…. fresh green leaf. Where does such a thing come from at this time of year?"

Thranduil was filled with much curiosity as he observed the bright green leaf. After a few moments suddenly an idea for those sons name popped into his head.

"Green leaf!"

"What?" the queen asked rather confused with her husband's statement.

"We will name him green leaf"

"Hmm I don't know that's rather odd" Lorraine said unsure of her husband's suggestion.

"It would be in elvish of course, so his name would be Legolas." Thranduil clarified.

"Legolas?"

The queen pondered on the name as she put her free hand up to her chin.

"Think about what this name, even based on such a tiny seemingly insignificant object, could stand for. It could be a sign of hope, a sign of life, or even a sign of the light still left in these darkening times. There is so much significance that could come from such a name Lorraine. From the uniqueness of both this green leaf in the dead of winter to an elfling being born in winter. A time where there is supposed to be no life. It would be such a strong name and a way to bring hope for the future to our people." Thranduil explained feeling very proud of his name choice.

Lorraine thought for a moment but as she looked at her precious son, the name just seemed so fitting to her.

"Alright, Legolas it is." Lorraine announced proudly.

"Yes" Thranduil said as he then got close to his wife "our son and prince, Legolas."

Thranduil saw the tiredness in his wife's eyes causing him to extend his loving arms to her.

"How about I take him for a bit so you can rest" Thranduil offered gladly, having yet to hold his precious son.

Lorraine seemed hesitant at first but knew she couldn't let her first time nana fears prevent her husband from holding his own child.

"Alright, but be careful with him, and be sure to support his head"

Lorraine's eyes were filled with concern as she then handed her precious bundle to her husband. Soon after Thranduil took Legolas, she closed her eyes for some much needed rest. This left the proud new Adar Thranduil all alone with his son.

Thranduil looked at his pen tithen lying peacefully in his arms as thoughts of love and worry entered his head. Could I be a good adar, will I be anything like my adar, will I show love towards my son, will I be able to protect him, what will I do when he's older, can I see him off to battle, could I survive the possibility of having to bury my own child? As tears streamed out of his eyes and wild adar fears flooded his mind Thranduil elt a tiny hand touch his wet face. Thranduil looked down to find the cutest sight he'd ever seen. His son, eyes wide open, and smiling at him as he reached his tiny arms up for him. Thranduil couldn't help but smile as he lovingly brought Legolas up closer to his face and kissed him on the forehead. Legolas giggled uncontrollably making all the previous irrational thoughts in Thranduil's head practically disappear. Never had anything besides his wife brought Thranduil so much joy even when Legolas pulled at his hair.

"You my little leaf already have your adas heart in your tiny little hands. I promise never to take that from you little leaf, for I will love you forever and ever ion-nin." Thranduil told his precious son as he then kissed his forehead once more.

Legolas giggles happily once more already able to tell his ada, whom he'd only seen for a few minutes, loved him dearly.

Three hours later

"Where are you taking me?" Lorraine asked as Thranduil led her to a part of the castle she'd never seen.

"Well my love, I intended to show you this before Legolas was born, but our little elfling couldn't seem to wait any longer" Thranduil said as he eyed the bundle in his wife's arms.

They arrived at a large set of doors decorated with carved shapes of tree branches, wildlife, and elves.

"What is this?" Lorraine asked as she observed the highly decorated doors.

"Well this is the nursery." Thranduil said as he looked at the doors.

"What! Why didn't you tell me you were making the nursery? I could've helped."

"Well I wanted it to be a surprise, which believe me was not easy hiding it from you, would you like to see it" Thranduil said quite nervously.

"Yes!" Lorraine said ecstatically.

Thranduil opened the doors to reveal a bright white room decorated with paintings and murals of vines, lyre playing elves, trees, and wildlife. There was also a dark oak crib in the middle of the room with plenty of elfling toys surrounding it. As well as a large window leading to a balcony in the back of the room letting in plenty of sunshine and light.

"It's beautiful, I can't believe you did this!"

Lorraine was in awe and tears of joy flooded from her eyes.

"I wanted to make something fitting for a royal elfling." Thranduil said as he got closer to his wife and put his arm around pulling her into a tight embrace.

A quiet whine was heard from the prince in Lorraine's arms signaling it was time for a much needed nap. Lorraine quickly lulled the elfling to sleep and placed him in his new crib. The couple then took one last glance at their little treasure, quietly led the room and then closed the doors.

The Queen and king walked down the hall hand in hand both very tired but elated at the same time. For their kingdom at last had an heir, a beautiful, strong, and healthy little prince, who would no doubt be adored by all.