A/N This chapter contains descriptions of birthing. Thank you to Eldhoron for creating the names of the twins!

Legolas could not help the smile growing on his fair face when he beheld his beautiful wife singing to their unborn children. He had gone into their guest room with the intention of waking her up to get ready for the coronation which was to be in the next ten minutes. But instead, she was already dressed in a simple blue gown, her hair flowing freely past her waist appearing more beautiful than the day he first laid eyes on her.

She sure has grown from that scared elleth I first saw in Mirkwood. Walking up softly behind Estella, Legolas carefully placed his hands around her waist and laughed softly.

Estella jumped ever so slightly. "You startled me. I was not expecting you just yet," she said turning to face her husband.

"And I thought you would be resting after such a long journey, so we both are surprised," he replied kissing her gently on the lips. "You look absolutely beautiful, meleth nín."

Feeling her cheeks warm, she looked down at the floor. He always knew how to make her blush. "Well, you do not look too bad yourself." Suddenly, Estella flinched and placed her hand on her stomach.

Not missing the pained look on her face, the smile disappeared and was replaced with great concern. "Are you all right? Do I need to get your father?" Legolas asked holding his wife up carefully.

"No, I am fine. Just one of the babies kicking, tis all," she quickly lied heading to the door. The contractions had become more intense and closer together, and she knew it was only a matter of time before she was in full labor. "Now, let us be going, or we will miss your friend's coronation."

Legolas was not so easily fooled and knew when his wife was not being honest. "Not so fast, Estella," he said grabbing her by the arm to stop her. "You might be able to fool your father or even Lord Elrond, but you cannot fool me. Now either tell me what is really going on, or I will call for a healer at once."

Knowing it was futile to argue, Estella sighed frustratingly. "Okay, fine. I have been having small contractions for the past day. But, it is nothing really. Now please, can we go now?"

Legolas's eyes grew wide. "You have been having contractions for a day, and you want to still go to the coronation? Have you lost your mind? That is the most insane thing you have said?!"

Placing her hands on her hips, Estella glared at her husband. "Legolas, this is important to my Aunt. Her husband to be is being crowned king, and I will not have her day ruined." Not wanting to get into a fight, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths to calm herself before speaking once more. "Listen, yes, I am in the early stages of labor, but, the contractions are still far apart. If they begin to become closer or I feel anything change, I promise you, we will leave, and you can get my grandfather."

Legolas knew how much this meant for his wife to be at his friend's coronation, but he also knew how quickly labor could progress. Not only that, but if he allowed her to attend this and her father found out he let her go while in labor, Estella would more than likely become a widow. As disappointed—and angry—as Estella might be, he could not in good conscience allow her to go. Aragorn would understand as would Arwen.

"Estella, I am sorry, you know I would grant you anything you ask, but this is one request I just cannot allow. If you want to be angry at me, I understand, but you are not going to go to the coronation."

Just as he expected, Estella's eyes darkened and her lips pursed. She was not going to have any of this. "Just watch me Legolas Thranduilion." Turning on her heel, she stormed to the door. Just as she got to the door, she grabbed her stomach and nearly collapsed as a huge contraction ripped through her. Legolas was quickly by her side.

"I think our children have other plans."

As if in agreement, Estella felt something wet between her legs. "Legolas, I think my water broke."

Looking down, he saw a puddle on the floor. "As I said, our children have different plans." Opening the door, Legolas saw a guard walking by. "You!"

The guard stopped and looked at Legolas holding Estella up. "Go get Lord Elrond and let him know that Lady Elwen has gone into labor. Hurry!" The palace guard's eyes widened and wasting no time; he fled down the halls in search of the Elf Lord in question.

"Legolas, this cannot be happening. I cannot miss the coronation!" she said through gritted teeth as another contraction came on.

"Oh, for the love of the Valar! The coronation can wait. Besides, I do not think Aragorn will mind much if he must wait one more day to be crowned," Legolas answered as he led Estella to their bed.

Finally realizing she was not going to be going anywhere, Estella squeezed her eyes closed as she breathed through the contraction. When it passed, she opened her eyes, and for the first time in a long time, she felt fear. "Legolas? I am scared. I want my mother."

Legolas felt his heart shatter. He could deal with just about any crisis and could help the most scared ellon who had been mortally wounded, but it soon became apparent to him, this was one thing he did not know how to deal with. "I know. Just try to stay calm. Your grandfather will be here any moment."

Just then, Elladan raced into the room followed by his brother, Thranduil, Arwen, Aragorn and Lord Elrond. "How is she?" Elladan asked kneeling by his daughter's side.

"Very upset. She feels like she ruined Aragorn's day."

"Are you serious?" Aragorn replied chuckling. It is not every day a baby is born, especially after a war. Kings are crowned all the time."

"Ada, it hurts," Estella cried out grabbing her father's hand tightly.

Elladan glanced up at his father who quickly flew into action. "Elrohir, I need you to boil some water, get fresh towels, and hurry." Elrohir nodded and left to do as he was asked. Looking at his daughter, Elrond continued, "Arwen, since Luiniel is not here, can you please step in as a motherly figure?"

"You do not even need to ask me, Adar, of course, I will." Arwen took one of Estella's hands and began to wipe the sweat off her niece's forehead with a wet cloth which Elrohir had brought in.

Elrond placed a hand on Legolas. "Legolas, I am going to need you to wait out in the hall." Legolas began to argue but was cut off by his own father. "Ion, it will be all right. Estella needs to concentrate now.

Hearing his wife scream out in pain, he hesitantly left with his father. Before Elrond could close the door, Legolas grabbed him by the sleeve of the robe. "Please, do not let anything happen to her or our children."

"Do not fear, Legolas. I have delivered many children including my own. Estella will be safe."

When the door closed, Thranduil took his son by the hand and led him to a nearby chair. "You know, I remember when your naneth delivered you. I do not think I had ever been more scared or uncertain then I was then."

Startled at his father's words, Legolas was speechless. "You were?" he was finally able to ask.

"Yes. There is nothing more frightening than witnessing your wife fight to deliver your child. I do not care what anyone else says."

"But Nana was fine in the end?" Legolas asked.

"Of course, she was. Your mother was a strong elleth, and in the end, you were just as strong as her. You are more like her than you realize."

Legolas could not remember the last time he heard his father speak about his mother. Many times he had attempted to breach the subject, but Thranduil had cut him off changing the topic or dismissing him. Remembering an earlier conversation he had with Estella, Legolas decided to ask the one question that had been weighing heavily on his mind since his mother's death. "Is that why you do not like looking at me?"

Thranduil's head shot up in his son's direction upon hearing his son. "Whatever do you mean Legolas?"

Legolas was not sure if he made the right decision in asking, but it was too late to take it back. "It is just that whenever we are together, you rarely look at me or talk about Nana, and I was wondering if it was because of me."

"Oh, my Greenleaf. Is that what you think?" Sitting next to his son, he lifted Legolas's chin to look at him. "It is true, that you do remind me of your mother and I miss her terribly. But, if you think for one second that I hold contempt because of it, you could not be more wrong. It is because you look so much like her that it is easy to live without her. You are the one thing that keeps me from fading and joining her across the Sea. I could never hate you."

Legolas could feel his eyes burn with tears. "Then why haven't you ever spoken to me of her whenever I tried asking you about her?"

Thranduil took a shaky breath. "It was just too painful to talk about her for me. I did not know how to talk about her. I was afraid if I did, I would break down, and you would think me weak."

"Father, I could never think you weak. You are the strongest bravest ellon I know, and I can only hope I can be half the father to my children that you have been to me."

Thranduil beamed with pride. "You will be and more. I love you, son, never doubt that for a second." Legolas swallowed a lump in his throat and embraced his father. "I love you too, Father."

Suddenly, the doors to his wife's chambers opened and Elladan beckoned him to follow. 'Legolas, Estella is fine; however, she is insisting that you be with her," he answered when he saw the look of concern on his friend's face.

Sighing in relief, Legolas entered the room followed by Thranduil. Rushing over to his wife who was fighting to deliver, smiled weakly at Legolas just as a contraction had stopped. "They tell me, that I am nearly ready to push and I wanted you here when I do." Estella panted.

"Hold her hand and just comfort her," Arwen said softly as she stood to get fresh water.

Nodding, Legolas sat and caressed Estella's hand while she fought through another contraction. "You are doing so well, love, I am so proud of you."

"I can't do this anymore!" Estella screamed out. "I need to push!"

"It is not time yet, pen dithen," Elrond exclaimed as he channeled more of his healing energy into her. "Just a little longer."

"Legolas, I need to tell you something important," he heard her say. "It is about my choice."

Legolas was confused and looked at Elladan for clarification. Elladan paled knowing what his daughter meant and motioned toward his sister. It was at that point, Legolas understood what his wife was referring to. "Just concentrate on delivering our babies, Estella. We can discuss this later."

"No, we need to talk about it now. Just in case we do not have another chance."

"Do not be silly. You will survive this." Legolas was not liking how this conversation was going.

"That is it, Estella, breathe through the pain," Elrond said gently. "Legolas, if it helps her keep her mind off the pain, let her talk about it."

Legolas closed his eyes. "Estella, I love you. Whatever choice you make, I will support you. I am happy to spend whatever time I have with you. If you choose to become mortal, then…"

Estella cut him off. There was no doubt in her mind what race she wanted to belong to. She had intended on choosing to remain immortal, but after hearing her husband tell her, he would love her no matter what, the love she felt for him made her choice that much clearer. "You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear you say that," she cried out in between contractions. "I already made my choice before arriving, but you have just reassured the decision. I am choosing to be counted among the Elves. I can't imagine my life without you in it forever!"

Legolas felt elated and took Estella's lips in his. Next, to him, he heard Elladan sigh in relief. He knew from the sigh that Elladan had probably intentionally not told him or Estella that she would have to choose, and who could blame him?

"See muindor? I told you she would choose to become immortal. You worried for nothing."

Before Elladan could reply, Estella cried out in pain as her body was wracked with another contraction, this one more stronger than the last. It was at this time, Elrond gave his daughter the okay to begin pushing.

Estella had no idea how long she pushed for nor could she hear the voices encouraging her to push harder. All her energy was focused on bringing her children into the world. Just as she thought she could not push any longer, she heard the cry of a baby and her grandfather call out. "It is a boy!"

Opening her eyes, she saw her grandfather holding up a healthy ellon. "Legolas, we have a son!" Turning to look up at her husband, she noticed him start to cry at seeing his son for the first time. Estella only had moments to hold her son before she had to deliver her second child.

She thought she would have to work harder to bring this baby into the world, but the child had decided it wanted to join its brother and within moments the sound of a healthy baby girl could be heard joining her brother's cries. "Congratulations Estella, you have a daughter," she heard Elrond say.

When the cords had been tied off and the afterbirth delivered, Estella sat in her bed, holding her newborn children while Legolas beamed with pride. "What shall we call them Legolas?" Estella asked not taking her eyes off her children.

Looking from one baby to another, the proud father looked up at his wife and family. "I think we shall name our daughter Elvenel and our son Elothar."

"What do those names mean?" Estella asked.

"Elvenel means 'Heaven's Star,' and Elothar means 'Star from beyond,'" Elrond said placing a hand on his granddaughter.

"I think those are perfect names."

Sensing that the family needed to be alone, Elrond motioned for the others to follow before he closed the doors behind him. Neither she nor Legolas even noticed that the others had left.

"Well, I shall inform the kingdom that the coronation will take place in a few days. That should give Estella time to recover and the two parents to be a family a while," Aragorn told the others. "I must admit that witnessing this, has made me look forward to when we finally welcome our first child into the world."

Arwen laughed. That may be for you, meleth nín, but I for one am not eager to go through that."

Sighing happily, Elladan glanced back at his daughter's room one last time before following the rest of his family to announce the birth of his grandchildren.

*The babies are here! YAY! Next chapter, I will have more baby fluff, and we will see Legolas juggle being a daddy of two!