"Ten moons," Dawn said as looked at herself in the mirror. "Ten long moons I've waited for you, and now you are almost here." She smiled to herself as she stroked her very large stomach. At first, she didn't want the baby. She wanted to jump from the highest tower, or poison herself. She wanted to die rather than be a mother. However, over time she figured that if she had to stay here for the rest of her life, she might as well have someone to care for and love. Of course she did have Legolas, who was her only friend. He would walk with her in the garden every afternoon, and every evening after diner they would stand outside on the balcony and talk while looking up at the stars.

But now she tired and restless. Her baby was due any day now and she had very little to keep her busy. She stood and went outside to the garden. When she got there she saw Idril picking flowers. She turned to leave, but before she could, Idril spotted her.

"The garden was not made for only one," Idril said. Dawn turned to look at her and gave her a small smile.

"I did not want to disturb you."

"You are not. Come and sit with me." Dawn slowly made her way over and sat next to her. "I do like you. It is just Dearon who does not. He does not like anyone really."

"Why not?"

"I am not sure. As obvious as most things are, this is not. In time, he may change."

"Possibly, but it does not seem likely."

"You may be right." She handed Dawn the flowers before helping her stand. "Come, it is almost time for diner."

"I am hungry. I could eat three pigs and a cow." They laughed as they made their way inside.

Dawn was not happy at diner though. They were eating salad and other vegetables. Sometimes she wondered if Thranduil forgot that she was eating for two. Legolas sensed this and called over a servant.

"Bring the queen some sausage," he ordered. "And be quick about it. She is quite unpleasant when she is hungry." The servant nodded before rushing towards the kitchen. Dawn smiled at him. He smiled back before returning to his salad.

"Was that really necessary?" Legolas looked over at his brother. "She can eat salad just like the rest of us. She is not that important."

"Do not speak about her like that. If you were eating for yourself and someone else, you would expect the same treatment."

"The babe is due any day now. She no longer needs to eat like a pig." Legolas slammed his fist on the table.

"Do not compare her to a pig!"

"I can do whatever I want! And not you, not Ada, not Idril, and not that foul witch can make me do otherwise!"

"Enough!" They both turned to look at their father. "That is enough Dearon. Apologize this instant."

"Or else what? What can you do to me? Lock me away for eternity? I don't believe you will." He stood and went to his room. Before anyone else could say anything, Dawn quickly got up and left. Thranduil sighed and looked at Legolas.

"Give her a few hours before going to her. She needs time to be alone."

"And how do you know what she needs?" Both men looked at Idril. "You do not even talk to her. The only thing you have done is give her child that she did not want in the first place." She too got up left. The servant came back with the sausage, but looked confused at the sight in front of him.

"Was I too long?" he asked.

"No, replied Legolas. "Leave the sausage and go." The servant did as he requested and left. Legolas and father sat there for hours. Neither wanted to say what they truly wanted so that there would be some peace. When the rays of the first light began to shine through the windows, Thranduil sighed and looked over at his son.

"Go and talk to her," he said. "She likes and trusts you." Legolas nodded before making his way to his parents' room.

"Dawn," he called, but she did not answer. He knocked and still no reply. "Dawn?" He opened the door and looked inside. Dawn was on the floor, bent over in pain. Legolas rushed over to her and helped her over to the bed. "Guards bring me a healer!"

Screams were heard though out Woodland Realm as the queen gave birth. The royal family sat down the hall, not wanting to be so close. Thranduil and Idril were sitting and occasionally talked to each other. Legolas paced around, worried for his stepmother. Dearon was leaning against the wall, waiting for the chance to leave.

"How much longer?" he complained. "It has been over ten hours."

"This is not an easy thing," said Legolas. "It takes time and patience, qualities you obviously do not have."

"Obviously not. And you obviously do not understand that I do not give a damn." Before Legolas could reply, a loud cry came from the room. They all stopped and waited. A servant came out and quickly walked over to them.

"It is a boy," she said with a small smile. "And the queen will be just fine. You may see them now, if you would like." Idril stood and pulled Dearon down the hall, and the two others followed. Dawn lay in bed; all clean but still tired, cradling a small blanket. Inside the blanket, was a small, pink babe. Thranduil pulled back the blanket and looked at its ears to see that, yes, it was an elfling. Even for a newborn, it was obvious that he look exactly like his mother. His father wondered if he would act like her too. His siblings smiled at him, even Dearon.

"What is his name?" he asked.

"His name is Cílion," Dawn replied. The elfling opened his eyes and looked around at his family. "Do you want to hold him, my lord?" Thranduil nodded and Dawn carefully placed him in his arms. Cílion looked up at his father and cried.

"Hush now little one. You are alright." But the elfling kept crying until he was placed back in his mother's arms, where he quickly fell asleep. And at that moment Thranduil knew that his son would always care more for his mother than himself.