Nesting
The nest ended up looking rather fantastical. The base of it from the sticks Fawkes collected, along with the supply from the wiggentree Elladan and Elrohir, and canes from the whomping willow. The fire phoenix had no issues popping wherever he thought might have supplies Hedwig would want, he was wildly excited about the whole thing. Of course once he brought that in he started kidnapping hairbrushes. Gilriant ended up putting them on a table outside the family wing for people to claim and collect. Glorfindel just ended up leaving his hairbrush in the sitting room as it kept getting snatched again. The hair, ribbons, some strings from Maglor’s instruments and fabric scraps were used to help weave the nest together. Thranduil’s crown had been placed in the back corner and gave the whole nest the appearance of a crown. Inside the nest the bottom was filled with the clean carded wool and covered with silk scarves. Yes, multiple scarves as other elves were happy to contribute.
Then came the jewelry.
Gilriant walked into the bedroom that used to be his to see Elladan and Elrohir presenting Hedwig with a selection of different kinds of jewelry. While he technically still slept there the room seemed to feature Hedwig and her nest at the moment. Either way they had brought her bracelets, necklaces, hair adornments, broaches, all sorts of things. “Please tell me you asked permission before you took anyone’s jewelry.” The young elf asked in an amused if slightly exasperated tone. “Of course we did! People were only too happy to help.” Elrohir replied indignantly. “Pranks are one thing, but we would not do that to Lady Hedwig.” Elladan chimed in.
When he spotted Hedwig’s helper Gilriant had to pause. “Bob? I did not realize you liked jewelry so much.” The venomous tentacula gave a cheerful rattle, turning his ‘head’ towards the young elf then back to focus on adding to the nest. Which made zero sense since the plant didn’t have eyes but at this point Gilriant had given up on trying to make sense of the oddness of his life. “Right, carry on then.”
As Hewig was wrapped up in her task he moved over to the stand Fawkes was on and reached to give him a head scratch. The fire phoenix bent his head into the touch with a happy trill. “Looks like you did a good job helping fetch nesting materials for Hedwig. You do realize that was the easy part right?” The fire phoenix ignored his words in favor of enjoying the head scratch. Gilriant wasn’t actually upset about the way his bedroom had been taken over. In some ways it was nice because it would make it easy for him to keep an eye on things while he was resting. If he needed quiet time away from everyone he could always go up a tree or shift and go flying.
Looking over he saw Haldir and Legolas enter the room. Haldir had a bowl full of Hedwig’s favorite snacks which he set on the table by her. The latter also had something for the ice phoenix. “Silver wire and gold wire, I was able to get some so if you wanted to use it for your nest you could.” Gilriant sighed and just leaned the wacking stick on the wall by the nest. Hedwig didn't have hands, but it seemed only fair to have it stand guard. Also she seemed to enjoy all the fussing. At least it would be an added bit of decoration by her nest.
Yes, this was one fantastical nest.
*
Most birds laid their eggs within two to three days, phoenixes were not like most birds. It took a full four weeks before the first egg appeared. One of those rainy spring days that helped bring forth the flush of new life. That was the sound that Gilriant woke to, the hiss of the rain and the patter of it hitting buildings and walkways. Part of the music of the season and if he listened closely he could hear it.
The gentle melody brought a smile to his lips as he slid out of bed to check on Hedwig. There was heart to it, and hope, and a sort of upbeat thrum that made his fea sing. At that Haldir started to stir. A soft laugh escaped him, which almost caused Gilriant to lose the thread of the music, but only almost. It still sang to him and a part of him wanted to pick up his volin and join in. Yet he knew that would not be wise. Weather melodies should not be played lightly as they could cause great disruptions. It was better for him to just listen.
The soft knock at his door and a faint brush across his awareness had Gilriant silently bidding his brother to come in. Elrond quietly opened the door and moved inside to set it on the table that held Hedwig’s nest. With a trill of thanks she moved away to start in on the food and the young elf inhaled at what was revealed by that move. There nestled among the folds of silk scarves was a creamy white egg. At his inhale his brother who had turned to leave looked back, and Haldir moved swiftly over.
“Oh Hedwig, that is such a beautiful egg, but what else would I expect from you.” Gilriant didn’t try to touch it, instead he moved over to the ice phoenix who trilled at him. She paused in her eating to accept the offered scratch to her head. “Indeed a lovely looking egg.” Elrond didn’t attempt to touch it either. “How easily she moved off it I would say likely not the last,” Haldir offered. “If she was broody already she would have had Fawkes take her place or ask for the food to be brought to her.”
With one last scratch Gilriant drew his hand away and Hedwig got back to the important business of eating. “We will find out certainly.”
The following day brought about a gentle wind that swirled through the city. Imladris being situated on cliffs and by water was no stranger to such a thing. The residents were aware how it could ruffle clothes and gently tug on hair. While the wind could have a strong melody at times. Today it was more gentle, soft, much like the breeze that wound though the buildings. This time it was midday that revealed a second egg nestled against the first. The same creamy color. As there was no cloud cover this day they sparkled faintly in the light.
Next day was one of warmth and growing things. The rich and varied melodies of the earth as it continued to warm and grow. New life bursting from the ground and the trees gaining more leaves. While he often spent days like this barefoot wandering along the growing things today he listened to the song from his rooms. Bob was happy to spend the time with him as the designated plant. Even if he refused to grow bigger. While Gilriant knew that no one here would offer harm to the eggs, he still felt a need to stay close. Hedwig was his beloved first friend after all. So he stayed close.
It was at the end of the third day he saw it, a third egg. Hedwig carefully nudged into place with the other two before settling down in the nest. He would keep an eye on things, but the way she settled in place had an air about it that said she was starting to brood. “What a good Nanath you are.” He moved slowly towards her. While he didn’t think she would be aggressive towards any of them, it was still best not to try to trigger any instinct. She just trilled softly at him, closing her eyes at the brief scratch. With a smile he fetched his violin and started to play a simple lullabye.
*
Hedwig looked right at him and gave a demanding trill. Gilriant wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted but it was apparent she wanted it right now so he moved over to the nest. “What can I do to help your majesty?” He offered a smile but she just stared at him before fluffing up her feathers giving another demanding trill. He tilted his head considering the action. That wasn’t the food demand, or song demand, or a demand some form of attention. In fact it reminded him of when he was very young and she called for him to come get bird lessons. Not quite the same but familiar. So perhaps?
With a quick twist he shifted into his raven form and landed on the table. Ruffling his feathers he gave her a calm quork. With a satisfied nod she got up off of the nest and then nudged him towards it. She couldn’t want him to - When he didn’t immediately move she made a demanding squawk and a harder nudge. Apparently Hedwig did want him to. Ever so carefully he hopped up into the nest and slowly settled on the eggs. At her critical look he stood slightly, lifted up his wings and used his long beak to nudge the eggs more firmly underneath him before settling again.
Looking at her, Gilriant noted she still had an expectant look to her. So he contemplated what else she could want. Okay, he was keeping the eggs warm but she wasn’t leaving, at least not yet. So clearly there was something more needed here. Well phoenixes were magical birds so he closed his eyes and focused on the magical energies. He really had yet to practice much in raven form, so this was new and took him time. Then he could feel it, and opening his eyes he could see it. The ambient energy all around them was being drawn to the eggs. This must be part of the brooding process? Well, if they needed magical energy to incubate as much as warmth, he could try?
Closing his eyes to focus again on his inner strength, he drew that power to the surface. Feeling the silver start to rise. They could feel the strength of it surrounding them and the nest. Then in the next heartbeat the eggs started to absorb their magic as well. At her approving trill they opened their eyes briefly to see her groom their silver-gray feathers. Giving her a quiet quork they closed their eyes to focus on what they were doing. They had yet to try to manipulate their energies in their corvid form, so they would need to concentrate on that
The implications of this were interesting on many levels. It was very possible that larger clutches of eggs were inadvisable because if there were not enough magical adult birds around, the eggs might not fully mature. Or they might be weak. Possibly this was because the parents were of two different types of phoenixes which required more magical strength to incubate them. Another interesting thought, if they could do this as a corvid. What else might they be able to do? Something to experiment with, but not until later. They had the feeling they were going to be in for their share of nest-sitting now. It’s entirely possible this is why Hedwig built her nest here in their bedroom.
A flare of warmth and they felt a second beak running through their feathers. Fawkes arrived and was giving thanks for their aid as well. That pretty much solidified the thought they would be sharing in the brooding duties. If this was the case then they needed to see if one of the ravens would carry a letter to Thranduil. There would be no unnecessary expenditure of energy by either of the phoenixes, and perhaps not by Faircoivar either. Which meant no quick visits anywhere. Not that they intended to take Fawkes away from Hedwig and the nest anyways.
The fact they were staying put rather than taking advantage of the potential break warmed their heart. Their familiars were looking after them too. Of course also supervision to make sure they were doing it safely to help the precious eggs. Likely in the future they would take advantage of the ability to take a break, but for now the pair stayed closer. So Faircoivar kept their focus on nurturing the eggs.
It could have been hours or minutes, they weren’t sure, Fawkes nudged them and trilled softly. Opening up their eyes they saw the fire phoenix on the edge of the nest. He nudged them again and taking the hint Faircoivar carefully got up and climbed out. Fawkes promptly settled into place, taking his turn. It was tiring, having done that. They weren’t out of magic but they were not used to doing so in such a fashion. Moving to the edge of the table they hopped off and shifted to their elven form.
They wobbled and might have fallen over if Haldir had not caught them. “Helping out, were you?” They let themselves lean into Haldir. “Hmm yes, apparently phoenix eggs need magic too. So I have been deemed suitable to help.” Faircovar let themselves drape over the marchwarden. “Mostly tired because I have never used my magic like that before.”
“I see.” Haldir steered them towards the door. Probably a good idea to get something to eat before the nap. They tended to feel better when they did that. So they didn’t pay any particular direction to where the marchwarden was steering them. They did however note that Atya seemed to be shadowing them. Ah well, he could likely use a snack too, it didn’t matter. At least it didn’t until they realized they were in the Healing Halls with their brother standing there. With a huff they gave Haldir an accusing look. “Is this really necessary?”
“Well you slept for the three days straight the last time you exhausted yourself so yes,” Elrond replied dryly. “First, that was almost four years ago at this point. Second, I’m not magically exhausted, just tired out from learning how to do something new as a raven. Something I didn’t even consider might be possible if you please.” Faircoivar countered even as they took the seat that was provided for them. “All the more reason to make sure you are fine after doing something new Hinya. Especially if it is something that you are going to be repeating.” The concern in Maglor’s voice made it difficult not to cave. It looked like they weren’t getting out of this one.
“After you all see I am fine I am going to get a snack and then will take a nap.” Elrond inclined his head. “Of course I am having something brought and you can rest here where I can monitor you.” Well right now they were missing the Greenwood as they would have just gotten a snack and a nap there. Without all the supervision tacked on. “I need to be there for the nest.”
“I’ll sit with them.” Legolas was leaning in the doorway. “I do not mind, especially if that will help you rest better.” Faircoivar did their best to sigh. “Fine, if it will make you all feel better I’ll do it this way this time. But when you see all is well, less fuss next time. Agreed?” Elrond just smiled, “We’ll see.”
At least they knew that people cared, and would not just assume they were fine. A stark contrast from their first life. There must be a middle to either extreme though. They just needed to find a way to get their family there.
*
“Gilriant, Gilriant, are the baby birds here yet?” The patter of small feet slapping the ground heralded the presence of the youngest of them. Gilriant laughed and scooped up small elleth. “Sorry Little Song, they have not hatched yet. Do you want to help me bring Hedwig some fresh berries?” Aliramdir wiggled in happiness before settling in his hold. “Yes! Can Ada come too?” Gilriant spotted Lindir coming down the hallway towards them. Where the little elfling went there was always at least one adult minder nearby. Often more than one as this elfling was born into the close watch and didn’t find it onerous. At least not yet.
“Of course your Ada can come.” Gilriant offered Lindir a smile but didn’t relinquish his hold on Aliramdir. The master of the household just smiled, falling into step with him. “When are they going to hatch? It has been weeks and weeks already.” The elfling complained. “I don’t know. There are some things I’m still learning about phoenixes. So we will have to be patient.” Her bottom lip stuck out. “But I want to see the babies.”
“It is as I told you,” Lindir smiled at his daughter, “Many things come in their own time, not ours.” She sighed and flopped against Gilriant’s shoulder. “But I don’t want to wait.” The young elf grinned at her, “Learning to be patient is difficult I know. Your Ada is just much older than us so he had more time to practice it.” She played with his hair, taking some of the loose parts of it to practice her braiding. “The prince is quite correct, he’s only 119, and the next oldest elf is more than 2,000 years older. So all of us have had plenty of time to learn, and you will too.”
She paused looking between them both. “That is a really long time! Why so long?” Gilriant tipped his head to the side considering how to answer it. “No one really knows for sure. But they are hopeful since we have you, that maybe there will be more elflings born soon.” Aliramdir considered this and then asked, “Well can’t you just go get more? How do you get more elflings?” Okay this part was definitely not part of his job description and he looked over to Lindir with a raised eyebrow. “Love, little one. While there are other things we will talk about when you get older, love and a special kind of magic are involved.” That was a semi decent answer.
“Do you know why I like to call you Little Song?” Turning fully back towards him Aliramdir asked, “Why?” Gilriant smiled, “Because we are all part of the greater song of Ea. Each of us has our own melody, so it might just be that it has not been the right time for melodies to appear.” She scrunched her nose in thought. “Like when Ada is working with the musicians and they play different parts at different times?” The young ellon inclined his head, “Just so. If they all played all the different parts at the same time it would sound like a jumble.” “Ada says they sound like that sometimes anyways!” Gilriant tried not to laugh, “Well, then you understand why we have to let the new melodies play when it is right for them to come.”
Having reached the kitchen he accepted the bowl for the staff, “Here you can help me hold it.” She brightened and put one hand on it as they held it close to his body. “Okay!” Aliramdir was still thinking over what he said. “So the chicks are like that too? Just waiting for the right time for them to hatch?” Gilriant dipped his head in a nod. “Exactly so.” She turned her head to look at her father. “Ada! You need to tell them to start!” Lindir gave her a small simile, “I am not the conductor of living things. That’s Eru’s job.”
She thought about it, “Then tell Eru to tell them.” One of the nearby elves coughed, which Gilriant was pretty sure was a smothered laugh. “Sorry my daughter, I cannot. Eru has so many melodies to keep track of we can’t rush any of them. Remember what happens when the musicians rush?” Aliramdir nodded, “The songs get off tempo and don’t sound right. Oh. So we have to wait. It’s going to take forever.” Lindir just smiled. “Time will pass quickly enough. You will have plenty to do while you wait.”
“You can help feed Hedwig these berries if you want.” Aliramdir brightened again, “Yes please!” Gilriant smiled at her. “Then we shall do so. Do you want to know something special that I found out today?”
“What?”
“Well we will have to see if Hedwig will let us look, but the eggs are starting to get some color to them. Swirls of it.” While Aliramdir was wide eyed, so was Lindir at hearing that. “Really? What color?” Gilriant was well aware that Lindir was part of the betting pool. So that the question immediately came from the adult elf and not the elfling was not that much of a surprise. But it was amusing. “They each have a different color. One has blue swirls, one has green and yellow, and the last one has a pretty golden brown color.”
“I want to see!” The elfing was on the verge of wiggling again but it seemed her grip on the bowl and not wanting to spill the berries tempered it some. “We will have to see if it is time to turn the eggs or if it is time for one of the birds to switch who is sitting on them.” Gilriant answered gently. “They are protective so it may not be today that you can see them.”
“Soon?”
“That’s up to Hedwig.”
“I will feed her lots of berries!”
“I am sure she will enjoy it.”
*
It was sixteen weeks after the Spring Solstice when Gilriant finally heard the sound of faint peeping and the tap tap tap of little beaks working on shells. His head snapped up from the book he was reading to see a crack across the egg with the golden brown swirls. As he watched the green and yellow swirled egg started to rock. Both Hedwig and Fawkes sat on the edges of the nest giving encouraging trills to their babies.
They were well into summer at this point and the heat would be beneficial, as would the faint humidity that came from being by a river. Even so the young elf sent a curl of power into the nest, letting the bleed off of it to produce more heat to keep the babies warm as they did their hard work of hatching. He set the book to the side, leaning forward to watch.
It didn’t surprise him to see Haldir in the doorway shortly. Gilriant knew that his excitement was leaking along the bonds he held to others. Legolas was also an expected arrival. Slightly less expected where Maethel and Gonben but by the looks of practice armor they had been training together. “Come on in, take a seat where you can find one.” The young elf fully expected the room to be filled soon.
Turning his attention back towards the nest he felt his Atya come up behind him. When he put a hand on his shoulder Gilriant reached up to clasp it. “This is going to take time, likely.” “And I am certain you have no intention of moving from that chair until it is over.” The young elf just smiled. “Would you?” Maglor pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “No.” A crack appeared across the rocking egg. “These are Hedwig’s babies, unless she wants us out, I’m staying.” “You can’t help them hatch, they have to do it all on their own.”
“I know. I’ve learned how to be patient.”
It didn’t take long for elves to fill their section of the family wing. Not all could fit inside the room so they took turns. Though no one dared to displodge Gilriant from his place. Haldir did at one point decide to share the armchair with him, sliding in next to the younger elf but he didn’t mind. Legolas managed to claim a spot nearby and most of his personal guard was perched on his bed. It didn’t take long for all three eggs to have cracks across them. They seemed to all take turns progressing. Gilriant was aware of the betting going on around him, but as that seemed to keep people entertained he let it be.
It was the green and yellow swirled egg that the first chick emerged from. A loud crack and the damp chick covered in downy feathers that stuck to it made an appearance. They rested as Hedwig continued to trill encouragement. When they finally struggled completely free, Gilriant got up, and at Hedwig’s nod cleared the pieces of shell from the nest, setting them to the side for now.
An hour later, the second chick broke free from the egg with the golden brown swirls. The final one emerged an hour and a half after. It was clear, even with their feathers in process of drying out that each would be a different color. After he cleared the last bit of shell from the nest Hedwig carefully climbed back in and tucked the babies under her wings.
As she did so Gilriant turned to the crowd of elves. “Alright, the show is over. They need to rest and you rowdy bunch are not going to help with that. You can all clear out now.” There was some soft laughter, and they cheerfully complied. Haldir was standing next to him and Gilriant caught Legolas’ wrist before he could move past them to the door. Instead he stood with them, watching. This would be the start of yet another new adventure.