Eternal Life, Eternal Pain Chapter 20: And It's, a lord of the rings fanfic

Eternal Life, Eternal Pain

XIX. And It's...

x o x o x

I'd walk halfway around the world
For just one kiss from you
Far beyond the call of love
The sun, the stars, the moon
As long as your love's there to lead me
I won't lose my way believe me
Even through the darkest night you know

x o x o x

Anya smiled to herself. The baby would be due any day now, and she was happy as possible. There was no way anything could ruin her life now. She looked over to where Legolas lay on the bed, asleep, and thought how wonderful it all was. The moment she could hold her baby, she knew her life would be fulfilled, and there could be nothing more she could ask for.

"Any day now," Anya said, looking down at her swollen belly. "Are you ready yet? I'm ready... I've been ready for a long time."

"Ready for what?" Legolas was awake.

"What do you think?" she replied.

"Oh, I don't know," he said sleepily.

Anya laughed. "I see," she said. She attempted to help herself out of the chair she was sitting in, but now, with considerable weight added to her body, she struggled and fell backwards. Immediately, Legolas's instincts kicked in. Almost habitually, he jumped out of bed to help his fiancé with whatever she needed.

"Thank you, but I think I could have managed on my own," she said.

"I think not," Legolas laughed. "Look at you - you shouldn't even be getting up. The baby will be due any day."

"Yes, so I know," Anya replied. She sighed and added, "I can't wait."

"Neither can I, but we must," Legolas said, making her sit down again. "Why don't you rest. What is it you need? I'll get it for you."

Anya pushed Legolas's arms away. "Stop it, I'm an adult. I can take care of myself."

Legolas sighed. "You're too stubborn."

"Sucks for you," Anya's voice faded as she walked out of the room and down the hallway.

Legolas smiled as he watched Anya walk gracefully down the stairs, even now with her heavy burden. He laughed, thinking that Anya looked like she were expecting four or five. There was that warm feeling inside of him that burned every time he thought about his baby and his wife to be. He got up and followed her down the stairs.

Currently, they were residing in a little home they'd rented in a tiny town off the road. Arwen had insisted they have a decent home until the baby was born, and as always, Aragorn relented to his wife's wishes. Legolas found Anya where she could be found every morning - sitting by the window, staring out at the garden.

Legolas walked up behind her and stood by her chair. Anya stirred and looked up to see who it was. Seeing Legolas, she smiled and gestured for him to sit down next to her. He smiled and shook his head. Instead, he opted to stand behind Anya and rest his arm around her shoulders. Anya relaxed against his arm and sighed with happiness.

Suddenly, she said, "Oh, Legolas, I almost forgot."

"Hm?" Legolas asked. He was watching two little birds in a tree singing together, chirping their song. They were singing the end of summer.

"Legolas..." Anya's voice dropped to a warning tone.

"Yes?" He now gave Anya his full attention, sending her a big, fake grin.

"Oh stop it!" Anya laughed. "It's just..."

"What?"

"I almost forgot. I meant to tell you..."

"It's nothing serious is it?" Legolas suddenly moved in front of Anya to look into her eyes.

Anya half laughed. "Oh, no, it's nothing like that. I just had a strange dream last night."

"Oh," Legolas said, slumping back so he sat on the floor. "What is this strange dream that you must tell me about?"

"You and I were sitting in a meadow..." she started. She squinted a bit, trying to remember. "It was spring, I think. The flowers hadn't quite bloomed yet. The grass was wet with morning dew, and we were watching the sun rise."

"How nice," Legolas said, smiling. "We haven't done that lately."

"Let me finish," Anya interrupted. "And suddenly... suddenly, the sun disappears."

"Maybe we were watching a sunset?"

"No, it was coming up, but then it went down. Then it got cold. So cold. It started to snow. In the spring. The snow made me freeze... and you disappeared. I was all alone, in the cold, I was so scared..." Anya shuddered.

Legolas got up and took her into his arms. "I'd never let you all alone, cold," he said consolingly. "Don't ever think I will."

Anya laughed quietly. "Yeah, it was just a dream."

"Exactly," Legolas said. He drew back and kissed her forehead. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Nothing much, I'm not really hungry..."

"Excuse me, but even if you're not hungry, my baby has to eat."

"Oh! So that's all you care about!" Anya laughed, getting up.

"Maybe..." Legolas teased.

"Uh huh," Anya said unbelieving. "Well, maybe I'll just go starve..."

Legolas laughed. "You wouldn't."

"Maybe I would."

Legolas's eyes narrowed. "You're joking, right?"

"Of course, silly," Anya said. "Come on, I'm hungry."

x o x o x

I'd go anywhere for you
Anywhere you asked me to
I'd do anything for you
Anything you want me to
Your love as far as I can see
Is all I'm ever gonna need
There's one thing for sure
I know it's true
Baby, I'd go anywhere for you

x o x o x

"Have you thought of what you want to name him or her?" Lixie asked.

"A bit," Anya said. The two elves gave her a look and finally she confessed, "OK, a lot! What difference does it make?"

"Not much," Arwen laughed. "I remember naming Allianie was very difficult, but the moment I saw her, I knew that had to be her name."

"Really?" Anya asked. "Maybe I should just wait until the baby is born."

"Maybe," Arwen agreed.

"Why don't you narrow it down to a few?" Lixie suggested. "So when the baby is born, you won't be really wandering for names."

"Legolas and I agreed that if it's a boy, he'll name it. If it's a girl, the name is mine to choose."

"Have you any ideas?" Lixie asked, leaning forward. "Neria is a nice name."

Anya made a face. "You can name your daughter that."

"Are you insulting that name?"

"Maybe."

"Oh stop you two," Arwen said. "You two are ADULTS, why don't you act like it?"

"Because," Anya started.

"... we don't want to," Lixie finished.

"How about... Oh, there was this flower my mother used to always have... It was called... a Laelia or something..."

"That's a lovely name," Arwen said.

"Yeah," Lixie said, "but I still like Neria better."

"Oh you would..."

"Yes, now be quiet."

Anya looked at the sun... it was starting to set, and darkness was setting over the earth, but everything seemed so perfect she didn't want to move. If she moved, she'd disturb the world, she'd disturb the serenty... and ruin it. She couldn't do that, could she? Feeling perfectly happy, Anya lay on the grass, smelling the fresh air.

"When do you think the baby will come?" Lixie asked.

Anya said nothing.

"Anya?" Arwen looked over to where Anya lay still. "Anya are you all right?"

"I think..." Anya gasped out. "The baby will come... now..."

"Now?!" Lixie jumped up. "Oh... oh..."

Arwen took over. "Lixie, help me take Anya back inside, into her room. Get water and towels once we're inside, and tell the men what's happening so they aren't worried about where we are."

Lixie nodded and took one of Anya's arms over her shoulders. "Cmon Anya, let's go," she said as Arwen took Anya's other arm. Anya shook her head. She couldn't find the strength to go on.

"Oh stop it Anya, you're better than that," chided Lixie. Anya finally strugged to walk. "There you go," Lixie laughed. "Come on, let's get this baby out."

x o x o x

I used to think that dreams were just
For sentimental fools
And I'd never find someone
Who'd give their love so true
But I knew the very minute
Couldn't live my life without you in it
And now I want the whole world
To know

x o x o x

Legolas sat, unmoving, staring at the closed door. Despite his pleas to be with Anya, Arwen had firmly turned him down and kicked him out. He sat there, thinking, letting his thoughts wander. What if something wrong happened? What if Anya died, and he wasn't there? What if the baby didn't make it? What if BOTH OF THEM DIDN'T MAKE IT? What if...

"Legolas, everything will be all right," Aragorn said, putting his hand on the elf's shoulder.

"Huh?" Legolas nearly jumped out of his skin. "What are you talking about, Aragorn?" he asked nervously.

Aragorn chuckled. "I remember when Allianie and Eldarion were born. You have no need to pretend, Legolas. I know how you feel. Anya is strong; she will be fine."

"I hope so," Legolas said quietly. Almost as if on cue, Anya let out an anguished scream. Legolas winced.

Aragorn laughed. "That's a good sign. She's still alive and kicking... probably Arwen."

Legolas looked outside. "The sun's almost about to rise. She's been in there for almost 12 hours. I have the right to be worried."

Anya screamed again. "I think she's almost done," Aragorn said.

"How can you tell?" Legolas asked.

"The louder they scream, the closer they are," Aragorn laughed. "Just wait, Lixie will come out with the news that you're a father sometime soon."

Legolas went pale. "I don't think I am ready..."

Gimli cut in, "Oh suck it up Legolas! Where's your pride?"

Legolas stuttered, "But... but me a father...?"

Anya's screaming suddenly ceased, and a baby's wail filled the air.

"Too bad, Legolas," Byron said. "Ready or not, you're now a father."

x o x o x

Legolas entered, finding his fiancée holding a tiny bundle.

"Our firstborn," Anya said smiling.

Legolas bent down. "Oh Anya..."

"Boy," Anya said.

"I don't know what to say..." Legolas whispered. "He's so perfect."

The little baby had golden brown hair, almost a mix of his mother and father's hair colors. Though he had yet to open his eyes, Legolas knew this child had blue eyes like his and Anya's.

"Name?" Anya prompted.

Legolas looked at his little son and pondered for a moment. His son. Of all things... Shaking his head slightly, he saw his little boy had opened his eyes. Looking into them, Legolas's mind traveled back several years and he smiled somewhat bitterly. "How about... Brayden?" he finally suggested.

"All right," Anya agreed. "Now there is another matter... Arwen?"

Arwen, who Legolas had not noticed when entering the room, stood up and put another tiny bundle into Legolas's arms. Legolas's mouth dropped wide open. "Uh..."

"Her name is Laelia Sunrise," Anya said, nodding toward the window, where the sun was beginning to shine its rays over the world. "Our secondborn," Anya added, with a bit of a mischevious grin.

"You had... two?" Legolas gasped, trying hard to maintain his dignity. "How... how did you do that?"

Anya smiled. "Don't worry about it Legolas. Just worry about raising these two right."

"Oh..." Legolas still stared at the little girl in his arms. She looked just like Anya. Both babies lay in their parents arms, still, not stirring, but fast asleep.

"Congratulations, Legolas," Aragorn smiled.

"Cheers, mate!" Gimli said.

- - -

"Two, master."

"Take both; we may need both."

"Yes, master. As always, your wish is my command."

A/N: Reposting of this chapter. Heh. Fixed up a few things.