Author's Note: This one popped into my head at the end of last week. I've been in a bit of a writer's block slump lately and it was nice to stretch my fingers and imagination. It happens BEFORE chapter one, which will be obvious once you get into it.

Merry Christmas, dear readers. Here's my gift to you:

Elvellon

Anariel had been on the path of dreams for an immeasurable amount of time when she became vaguely aware that someone nearby was singing. She thought for a moment...

Legolas.

She found herself staring at the intricately-carved ceiling of their bedchamber, which took on a blue-ish hue in the light of the full moon which shone through the open windows and doors of their home on Tol Erëssea. She became aware of the dull ache of childbirth emanating throughout her lower body and grimaced, even while acknowledging to herself that from her limited knowledge on the topic, childbirth in Middle Earth would have been longer and far more painful. She considered herself lucky to have begun bearing children in Aman.

Legolas' singing caught her attention again and, sensing his presence nearby, rolled carefully onto her side to see him sitting at the end of her side of the bed, holding their newborn son in his arms as he sang softly. Anariel did not recognize the song - which was not unusual, as Legolas frequently sang his own compositions - so she remained quiet and listened.

Her husband's melody was very much like a lullaby, but his words outlined the story of the One Ring, and those named Elf-Friend for their accomplishments during the War of the Ring: Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam, the Ring-Bearers; Aragorn Elessar, heir of Elendil, husband of Arwen Undómiel, King of Gondor; and, finally, Gimli, Lock-Bearer and dearest to the elf-lord of Ithilien.

Anariel took in a deep breath through her nose and sat herself up with care when she saw tears gathering in Legolas' eyes. He did not take his eyes off of their son, but his fëa reached out to hers in acknowledgement. She maneuvered closer to him on the bed and came to sit at his side, slightly behind him, and rested her chin on his shoulder. Anariel peered down at their son, whose perfect blue eyes remained closed as he slumbered peacefully on. The new mother smiled as she leaned on her husband as she placed a kiss on his cheek.

Legolas' lullaby continued in an unwavering voice for a while longer, and Anariel remained there, listening with her eyes closed, until he finished. A comfortable silence settled over the three of them for a time.

"How do you feel, my love?" Legolas asked softly.

"Hmm," Anariel thought for a moment, "I am a little sore, but content. And you?"

"You should lie back down," he deflected, observing her from the corner of his eye.

"I am well, husband. Tell me of you," she said.

Legolas sighed through his nose, but was otherwise silent as brow furrowed as he considered his response. Anariel, content to wait until he was ready to speak, remained pressed against him, all the while covering his fëa in hers in the hopes of imparting solace and strength.

After a few moments of quiet, Legolas shifted so as to still support the babe resting in the crook of his arm, but to free the hand closest to Anariel. Without provocation, she reached around his shoulder and allowed him to take her hand in his. He lifted it to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles and a faint smile crossed his face.

"I remember, once, my father told me that to have children was to have your heart forever walking around outside your body," he commented. "Alas that he is right again."

Anariel smiled and a quiet chuckle escaped her lips, but she waited, knowing that her husband would continue if she allowed him.

"After... everything... I must confess I was very much afraid to meet our son," Legolas admitted.

Though he would not name it, Anariel understood Legolas was speaking of the many losses he'd endured over the centuries. Much time had passed since Gimli's death, which was the hardest parting of Legolas' life. He weathered his grief with help, and though Anariel knew he would never truly be the same, Legolas began to look towards the future again.

It had been Legolas who suggested they try for a child, though Anariel suspected it was because he sensed the desire in her. She wanted children, but did not bring it up out of deference to Legolas' healing. She wanted to ensure he was ready. He assured her he was. And a year ago to the day, Anariel conceived a son.

Anariel gave her husband's hand a supportive squeeze. Legolas squeezed back, smiling a little. He looked back down on the face of their sleeping child and Anariel noted how his entire demeanor changed – the shadow threatening to darken his face was gone, replaced with a warm, hopeful glow.

"Somehow," Legolas continued in a hushed voice, "that no longer seems to matter."

Anariel could not help the smile that grew on her face, for she understood him completely. Whatever concerns or fears she'd had about motherhood – whatever her past hurts – she knew when they welcomed their son into the world, they turned the page into a new chapter in both their lives.

Legolas could feel her rush of happiness and he turned to face her. Anariel's nose brushed against his and she closed her eyes as they came together in a kiss. Time stretched…

A burbling noise from Legolas' arms caused them to break apart as both of them turned their attention to the tiny elfling's whose blue eyes were now open, peering up at them in curiosity.

"Hello, little one," Anariel greeted.

The child stared up at them quietly for a moment more, but his expression began to fall as he grunted started to squirm impatiently.

"He is hungry," she commented. Obliging his wife's hypothesis, Legolas returned to supporting their son with both arms and he stood, allowing Anariel to move back to the headboard of their bed and arrange the pillows so she could sit up. Once she was ready, Legolas handed the now squirming elfling over to his mother and sat back down next to her on the edge of the bed. When Anariel was situated and their son satisfied to be feeding, a thought occurred to her.

"What was the song you were singing earlier?" She asked, looking into Legolas' eyes. He hummed thoughtfully as he looked down on their son again, reaching out a hand to stroke the elfling's cheek before answering. He was silent for a moment, and when he answered, he kept his eyes on the babe in his mother's arms. His voice was steady, deliberate, but full of emotion when he spoke:

"I thought he should know for whom he is named."

Anariel was surprised by the sudden presence of tears in her eyes. She smiled at her husband; proud of him for his loyalty and his love, and feeling immensely blessed to share her life with him.

"Yes," she said. She looked back down at their son, "Our Elvellon, and your namesakes. Forever in our hearts."

Elvellon made a happy noise in his throat and blinked up at his mother while he continued to eat, eliciting a laugh from both Anariel and Legolas.

"And what a joy he is," Legolas commented with a grin. In his eyes, Anariel caught a glimpse of something she'd not seen in an age: a spark of life, unmarred by grief, hopeful for the future.