Rebirth
TA 2610 - Spring
Gilriant stood at the window ledge in his room staring at the array of pots and their contents. “What . . . How . . . Why?” He sputtered even as the venomous tentacula rattled its leaves cheerfully. “Bob, just because others are having babies did not mean you needed to!” For that is exactly what they were. Seedlings sprouting from each of the pots, a dozen of them. Which wasn’t a bad thing necessarily considering the multiple uses for venomous tentacula plants. Just perhaps a bit excessive considering Bob’s role more as a houseplant and companion. “What are we even going to do with them all?”
Weasley had jumped up and was sniffing the pots. Thankfully they had established some sort of peace treaty so that only occasional disputes needed to be settled between the cat and plant. Like for example Bob taking up the prime sunshine spots. As he was doing right now. “Weasley, these are Bob’s babies so no knocking them off the ledge.” Thankfully his cat was oddly intelligent. So a flick of the tail and some interested sniffing, but no hostility.
Which still didn’t solve the issue in front of him. Which is what they were going to do with all the baby plants. “No, we are not putting them in Thranduil’s room. So don’t even try to suggest that.” While there was no outright aggression against the elven king, the grudge had yet to go away completely. Gilriant had no problem imagining Bob passing that along to whatever seedlings he produced.
“How did you even get the pots?” While in theory Bob could have somehow grabbed a pot or two and gotten them in the room with his little wheeled cart, not this many. Gilriant definitely would have noticed this. Which meant he had an accomplice. Going through the list of potential suspects and possible motivations. Haldir, Elladan, Elrohir, and Elrond were at the top of a far too long list. The marchwarden and his nephews for the obvious chaos factor. His brother also had a slight sly amount of pranking to him though it wasn’t widely seen. His nephews had to get it from somewhere after all.
“You know what, it doesn’t matter who did it. What’s going to matter is finding appropriate homes for them all.” Gilriant eyed the cat. “Weasley, do not get any ideas about the baby boom. You do not need to add to it by siring any kittens.” He was probably too late for that one but no one had come to him demanding help with orange kittens. So he wasn’t going to go looking for any. “I would make Haldir help but there is a high chance he had a hand in this.”
*
Summer
*
“Uncle, is Nemirchon okay?” Elladan had the aforementioned phoenix cradled in his arms. Elrohir trailed behind him, looking equally distressed. The water phoenix was looking a bit ragged and even as they stood there one of his feathers fell only to turn to a splash of water when it hit the ground. “He will be fine. He’s probably more miserable than typical as this will be his first time experiencing a rebirthing day.” Elrohir frowned, “Hedwig wasn’t this bad her first time.” Girlliant inclined his head. “True, but she also led a life before as a full adult and was more used to hardship. He has experienced none.
Turning his attention to the young phoenix, Gilriant kept his tone gentle as he addressed him. “Is there anyone you want to stay with you? Do you want your Nana, or your Ada?” Nemirchon gave a rather miserable trill in response and the young elf nodded. “Alright, take him down to the river, but don’t go in the river itself. Hedwig will meet you there and take charge of him. I’m going to check on Haldir and Legolas and make sure they are all set and grab some towels before I meet you down there. You are welcome to stay with him. However, if he does have his rebirth before I get there do not touch him without Hedwig’s approval.” The pair nodded and moved to follow his directions.
It was easy enough for him to find Haldir. Not that he was overly concerned on how the marchwarden would handle it. He was experienced with Hedwig’s and Fawkes burning days as both phoenixes stuck close to him then. Sartamar’s should be relatively simple. To his distinct lack of surprise he found them sitting near the garden under the shade of a tree. The earth phoenix looked as miserable as her brother. What was a slight surprise was that Arwen and Elrond already sat with them.
Kneeling down he pressed a kiss to Haldir’s temple, sending a wave of reassurance to his bondmate. “Good choice on location. I see you have some back up but I am sure you are perfectly capable of handling it.” The marchwarden’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Thank you.” “I have some blankets,” Arwen smiled softly. “Good plan, just remember not to touch her after. Let Haldir handle that as she has chosen him.” Elrond inclined his head. “Of course, we are just here to help if needed.”
Gilriant smiled, “Thank you. Sartamar’s should be relatively simple, all things considered. Unfortunately I cannot be in all places at once. Next year should be easier on all three of them, but this year they each need a spot suited to their element. I think.” In this world he was the only expert on phoenixes but his knowledge had distinct gaps. They would all learn from this experience.
“We’ll be fine,” Haldir gave the young elf a reassuring smile. “Go check on Legolas.” Gilriant gently squeezed his bondmate’s shoulder. “As you wish.” They could easily reach him if they needed assistance. He had faith in Haldir.
Following his connection to Legolas, he found the prince up in an open area on top of the cliffs. Standing with him were Celebrian, Glorfindel and Maglor with Fawkes on his shoulder. Like her siblings Agalospen’s plumage was looking ragged. Unlike them, she looked rather ridiculously excited about the whole thing, feathers puffed out in every direction. A bright laugh escaped him. “Oh you will definitely be fine with this crowd. I do hope you all are prepared for at least a little bit of a windstorm.” The air phoenix trilled happily at her ‘brother’. The elven archer smiled, turning his head towards Gilriant. While he typically just kept to archer’s braids or warrior’s braids leaving the rest free-flowing, this time all his hair had been tied back in preparation. “Aye, I did think that would be occurring for this.”
“Well I doubt I have much to add to your preparations. Fawkes can catch her if there are any issues, I see Celebrian has the blankets. Maglor has been through this plenty of times with assisting me with Hedwig and Fawkes. Glorfindel, if nothing else, serves as an excellent anchor to keep everyone from being blown away.” While Legolas had the least amount of experience, he did have excellent back up and a fledgling that seemed to be rather upbeat about the whole thing. “Just one more adventure, Agalospen?” She trilled again in answer to Gilriant, bobbing her head.
“Don’t worry hinya, we know what to do. And we know not to touch her without her, Legolas’ or Fawkes okay.” Maglor of all them knew how much Gilriant abhorred the thought of someone being bound even accidently against their will. This would be the moment the hatchlings would be most vulnerable. Which is why they were with the person of their choice. Or in Nemirchon’s case with his mother. It would be safe enough for the young elf to assist the water phoenix as he currently fell into the category of a sibling of sorts. His magical energy helped nurture all of them while they were still in shell. So a bond of that type already existed.
In time, Nemirchon might choose a person of his own. Or he may never choose anyone. That would be entirely up to him. While all rebirths held a point of vulnerability, it was this, the first rebirth, that was speculated for them to be the most at risk. All that were here would do their best to protect and aid the young phoenixes. That is what mattered most.
“Alright I am going.” Gilriant reached to lightly squeeze Legolas’ shoulder and boop the end of Agalospen’s beak. “You know how to get me if you need me. I have faith in you my friend.” The archer smiled. “Thank you.” Turning Gilriant made his way to the river, with a short side trip to pick up an armful of soft towels.
Even as he made his way down the path to the river Gilriant could feel the first stirring of the elements. Their hair started to gleam red in the sun as they felt the elements rising. Wind wound its way through Imladris. Just a whisper of a breeze at first. Then more strongly it swirled to the clifftops. Until it found those gathered there and centered on the young phoenix. Agalospen greeted it with a happy cry and widespread wings as Legolas held her out. The wind tugged at his clothes and hair but offered him no harm.
It focused on the air phoenix spinning around Agalospen and lifted her into the air. It was as if the edges of her very being were disintegrating in the wind. Tattered bits pulling off and flying away. Spinning, spinning, spinning, the air spinner settled into Legolas outstretched hands and when the wind died down, a fuzzy pale yellow-green phoenix chick was deposited there. Cheerfully she chirruped at her elf, and he drew her in close. Fawkes trilled a happy greeting on this, her first rebirthing day.
Having paused on the steps, Faircoivar resumed their path to the river as the wing gave one last friendly tug on their clothes. Finally they reached the spot where the twins and the phoenixes waited. Nemirchon gave a soft trill from his spot tucked under Hedwig’s wing. “I take it you felt the air stir?” Setting the towels to the side, they knelt down in front of the phoenixes. Elrohir nodded. “Yes, we did. So it has started?” They inclined their head in affirment. “Aye it has. Though we do have a little time left.” They kept their focus on the phoenixes. “Well little one, it will be over soon enough and you will be renewed.”
The ripples of energy moved through the earth next. While there was no movement of the ground, warmth and growth stirred. Plants becoming even more lush and green and flowers blooming. Crops reach towards the sun, their fruits growing full if not yet ripened. Elves paused in admiration of the life that spread through their city. It flowed through the gardens to the small group that waited there.
Flowers grew and bloomed around Haldir and the earth phoenix that rested in his lap. Poking up around his cross legged seat on the ground. Letting their sweet scent flavor the air and warm the senses. Sartamar trilled softly before starting to crumble away. Slowly reducing into a pile of dry dirt. The land breathed and from the dust emerged a fuzzy golden-brown chick who looked up at Haldir with a happy chirrup. He smiled and gathered her up, holding the young earth phoenix close. “Hello again little one.”
Faicoivar’s eyes had closed at the first ripple of energy through the earth, now they opened them again. “The earth has spoken and rejoiced.” They smiled at Nemirchon, “The waters will rise and embrace you as their own.” The river rippled, almost twisting in its bed. Hedwig did not move away from her son but she did retract her wing from its place over him as the water climbed up the bank. The very edge of the river rose causing Elladan and Elrohir to shift backwards, taking the towels with them.
The water swirled up the ground and around the knees of the elf that knelt there. It headed towards the water phoenix, embracing him in its grip. Whirling, swirling, a shallow puddle that brushed Hedwig and Faircoivar but did not threaten to sweep either away. With a melodic cry, Nemirchon almost seemed to melt into the small whirlpool. Converting to water that flowed downward. After a beat the river’s edge started to retreat, but not before the rather wet blue feathered head of a chick popped up. Ignoring her own damp feathers Hedwig started to preen her son
Looking over, Elladan anticipated what Faircovar needed and tossed them one of the towels. As the water drained away, he moved to gather up Nemirchon, not touching him directly as they gently helped dry the young water phoenix as best as he could. Hedwig had hopped up on their shoulder, dripping water on it as she watched. She sang a song of greeting as the blue chick picked up his head and chirruped at them. “Good thing I don’t like wearing shoes. They’d be soaked right now.” Their nephews laughed as they started back up the path.
*
Thranduil was sitting in his office when the familiar and long missed burst of snowflakes announced Hedwig’s arrival. He immediately dropped his quill and stood up as she settled on the back of a chair. “I have missed you my dear. Look at those l lovely feathers. I love the dark blue you have added to your tips.” Moving to the door he commanded his staff to bring some treats for his friend.
Then he took a step towards her only to pause as some very unfamiliar elemental swirls started to form. First was a misty swirl of water from which a royal blue phoenix emerged. While blue was the primary color, there also many accent shades of it. The feathers had sea-green iridescence to it. With a proud trill this new phoenix settled next to Hedwig. Next swirl of air was doubled. One seemed to be pure air and the second was more of a dust spinner. From the dust spinner a golden-brown phoenix emerged, with deep green sparkle to their feathers. The pure air produced a pale yellow phoenix with a lighter green sparkle. The pair settled on his desk with cheerful trills.
“You brought your children, and they look just lovely.” He smiled and moved towards Hedwig's chosen perch, giving her a scratch first. Then turned to address the blue phoenix. “I do believe you are Nemirchon then, well your name suits you young lord.” The phoenix bobbed his head, giving a trill in greeting as he raised his crest feathers. With a smile he turned towards the other pair. “And we have Sartamar and Agalospen, you young ladies are quite lovely as well. I am very happy to meet you all.”
When the red orange and gold feathered menace winged his way through the door Thranduil sighed. “I have seen plenty of you. You can stay if you must, but I would much rather visit with these four.” Turning back to Hedwig he commented, “I suppose he has some worth as you do have these lovely children. Yet I retain the right to carry out my previous statement if he upsets you.” She gave him an amused trill. Nemirchon leapt off the chair back to join his sisters on the desk allowing space for Fawkes to settle next to Hedwig.
The household staff member that brought in the bowls of treats was delighted to help feed Hedwig and Fawkes. Thranduil for his part had set the other bowls down on the desk, apparently indifferent to the state of his papers as he offered up treats to the trio. Nemirchon bobbed his head in thanks as the three accepted his offerings.
When Hedwig was satisfied she hopped over to land on Thranduil’s shoulder giving his hair a small preen. “I missed you too. Well now, shall we give your children a tour?” She bobbed her head with a cheerful trill. The three on the desk churred and trilled happily. Nemirchon shuffled over Thranduil, trilling a question and holding up his foot. “Of course. Your sisters can have a perch as well.” He waved the household staff that had helped with the treats over to serve as mobile perch for the two young ladies. Far from behind offended, the staff member just seemed thrilled to continue with the birds. Holding out his arm the elven king smiled as Nemirchon stepped up on it.
As he rose he eyed Fawkes. “You can just go do . . . . whatever it is you like to do.” Then he swept out of the room, calming talking to Hedwig and the children about his halls.
*
Autumn
*
It was a break between his turns at entertaining everyone. For rather obvious reasons Atya would not be doing so tonight and Lindir had his hands full with the group musicians most of the day. Though, Alirmandir seemed rather intent on helping him much to everyone’s amusement and enjoyment. Now that it was much later, the small family had retired for the evening. Which more or less left the young elf as the main entertainer with what few others that still had the energy and desire.
Right now Gilriant had zero desire to go anywhere near his rooms considering they were close to Atya’s. He was having a difficult enough time making sure that his connection with his father was muted enough. In the future it shouldn’t be an issue. Tonight, however, was likely to have some intensity with their bonding that would be difficult to ignore. Getting closer in proximity may make it more difficult. There were some things he decidedly did not want to be privy to.
So spending most of the time entertaining and when the celebrations finally ended finding a calm spot to just relax sounded perfect to him. It gave him something to focus on and a reason to need a quiet space away from everyone later. Gilriant took a sip from the offered glass of wine he had been offered. He decidedly was a lightweight when it came to alcohol so always drank it carefully. So it didn’t exactly explain the flush he felt running through him.
While the younger phoenixes had already sought out rest, thankfully Hedwig came and sat on his shoulder. While his heat tolerance was far greater as an elf there were times she helped him cool off. Like doing forge work, or after intense practice. Having an ice phoenix as a companion was extremely helpful when it came to moments like this. Though for a change it was only providing a small bit of comfort. Somewhat perplexed, Gilriant sat next to Haldir and leaned into him. Oddly enough, that was helping settle him. This was confusing and he rubbed the center of his forehead as he tried to work out what was going on.
“Are you alright?” Legolas sat down near them, an expression of concern on his face. “Just feeling a little warm.” Gilriant frowned. “A little off, though I am not entirely sure why. Probably just starting to get tired.”
Haldir studied him, then looked around at who was left. Which was mostly the unwedded. Considering with a tilt of his head an idea flickered through his head. “Let me try something.” Closing his eyes to better focus he reached for his connection to Gilriant he concentrated on opening it more fully. Almost like he was wrapping a part of himself around his bondmate. In part to shield him from potential outside influence. Almost immediately he felt some of the discomfort ease away from the young elf. “Better?” Haldir opened his eyes with a smile.
“Much!” Beaming a smile Gilriant pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks, what did you do?” Haldir tilted his head, considering how to explain. “Served as another kind of anchor for you. I’ll explain more later. For now, do you want to continue entertaining or go find a quiet space? I am am content either way.” Almost bouncing up out of his seat the young bard smiled. “Entertain for a little longer. Then quiet space time. Thank you.” Picking up his violin he strode out to resume playing.
Legolas looked at him, raising an eyebrow in question. “Something he is not quite ready to focus on at the moment. He can be sensitive to the energies and moods people are putting out,even if he has not identified what it is.” When that didn’t appear to clear up the confusion Haldir continued. “It was a marriage ceremony, which may make couples nostalgic about their own and then want to go celebrate.” That caused the elven prince to smile lightly. “Ah, I understand.” While certainly not a taboo topic people often had varying levels of comfort with it.
“It is a good thing that he has you to help shield him.” Haldir inclined his head towards Legolas. “And you as well. I have noticed you intervening a time or two when he was not quite understanding other’s intent.” The slightly alarmed expression on the woodland prince’s face surprised the marchwarden. “I have not overtly been doing that have I?” Bemused, Haldir shook his head. “Not that I could tell. Why?”
“I do not want to get pushed into another river.” When Haldir’s eyebrows went up, Legolas expanded. “It was some time ago. I was apparently being too overbearing and overprotective. Tauriel pushed me into the river to cool off.” Considering the marchwarden asked, “Apparently?” At the question Legolas winced. “I was being too overprotective. While I may have some grounds for doing so at that time, I do not wish to cross a line. Again.”
Haldir considered that for a moment. “It is difficult not to be protective especially when you know their past. What you need to remember is that they need the freedom to live and learn. I tend to let them make their own choices, even if I think they are mistakes. So when I do step in, they listen.” Everyone needed a chance to learn and grow. Perhaps especially Gilriant because of how many people in their early years tried to control them. “I save stepping in for when they are hurting themselves, truly unaware of the danger, are in danger, or when they ask. Otherwise I just make sure they know I am there to back them up.”
Legolas nodded his head slowly. “Perhaps especially the best of intentions can be a cage, when it is unwanted.” He looked to Gilriant, who was happily playing music and entertaining those that were left. “A caged bird only has sad songs. I do not want that for him.”
*
Gilriant stood between the two starlight deer, eyes closed, a hand resting between each of their anchors. While most female deer did not grow anchors, this one was a guardian. Just as fierce as her male counterpart. Their antlers shone silver-bright and he smiled before opening his eyes. “You have both done very well. I am very proud of you.” When Tindil wandered up to touch noses with them the young elf called out without looking back. “You can come forward, Legolas. If you were not welcome here Tindil would not have brought you.” The Greenwood’s prince silently stepped up to his side. “Prongs and Naurcunneth, yes? I have not seen them in some time.”
“Most of the area immediately around Imladris is relatively safe. It is also less area for the patrols to guard so the risk is lower. They tend to range further out. Especially to the North. There are still pockets of damage they can help heal. They can help protect the innocent.” His lips twitched in a smile. “Sometimes they rescue the Dunedain. The Rangers know these deer very well.” Legolas returned his smile and stepped forward to scratch Prongs around the antlers, leaving Naurcunneth to Gilriant.
“Have I told you who they are named after?” Legolas considered the question. “I know all of your constructs are named after people that died far too young in your world.” Tindel nudged under the archer’s arm for his share of attention. “Prongs was the nickname of my birth father. He had the ability to turn into a deer, much like how I gained the ability to turn into a raven.” Nodding to show he understood, the older prince remained quiet. “My birth mother, she had a fiery spirit. Which is why I gave this one the name Naurcunneth in honor of her.” Gilriant kept his eyes trained on the doe. “She also had hair that was red like fire, which is one of the reasons I have red hair when I am Tauriel. Her name was Lily.”
Legolas’ motions slowed for a moment, before resuming his attention to the two bucks. “A beautiful name,” He offered quietly. “Yes. She was very strong.” While Gilriant had shared his parents were killed he didn’t often discuss the exact details. “While my birth father was simply cut down, she was told to stand aside. Three times this was offered, and three times she offered her life in place of mine. Magic accepted her sacrifice when she was killed and protected me from her killer.” A small smile remained on his face. “Only him, but still it saved my life more than once.”
“So her namesake helps you protect people now.” Gilriant inclined his head in agreement. “A way to honor her. From the stories I do know about her, she was fierce, loving, and protective. I think she would approve of this.” Legolas’ voice was soft. “I do not need to know her, to know she would. I know her son. That is enough to tell me that she would be proud of you.”
“Thank you.”