Lets talk about it
“Gilriant?” The young elf looked up to see Legolas approaching him. “Yes?” The older prince looked so uncertain that Gilriant almost wanted to just tell him everything was okay. Almost. “I believe you were correct to point out that I need to work on trusting you. What makes it difficult is there are times you are far more concerned with others than yourself. The idea that someone would take advantage of that is what bothers me the most.” Which was . . . . actually a fairly valid point.
“Fair enough. It doesn’t give you the right to snap at people that are being friendly, regardless of what you think of their motivations. If they push the boundaries that I am trying to enforce, or obviously try to take advantage, I can agree with you being rude or supporting me when I deal with it.” This was something that Legolas needed to understand. There may be one way to do so.
“One of the things I love about Haldir is that he allows me the space to make my own mistakes. His line is when I continue to do something that is hurting myself.” Legolas inclined his head to show his understanding. “There are many reasons I came to the Greenwood. One was in Imladris they were likely to continue to try and be overprotective of me. I may tolerate that from my family at times, I will not from you.” Gilriant took a moment to consider and smiled slightly. “Though I will accept there are times that might happen. I just retain the right to push you in the river again if you get too overbearing.” That at least got him a soft laugh from the older prince. “Fair enough.”
*
The two red-headed elleths perched on the ‘branches’ of the ‘trees’ of this room. While it was true Narinzel was not confined to one place, she did have this area to retreat to. The two did share a hair color of the same range, and elven features, but from there their appearance differed. No elf would look at them and assume them to be related. What other races would think all depended on their familiarity with elves. Tauriel found this form very useful for working with her friend. That and once the older elleth found out she could do that, all but demanded to see.
It triggered a good conversation about what it meant to Narinzel to be an elleth of the Greenwood. What it meant to be its queen. Her connection to the forest and how she used it to protect her people. Her hopes, fears, and what gave her motivation. It was more than just the burning desire to get back to her family, it was also what she left undone. The responsibilities that others were left to carry on in her place.
Which inevitably led to her asking about her family. “Thranduil keeps making strides forward in healing. He’s still an asshole though, just a nice one, mostly.” That just got a soft smile from Narinzel. “Yes, he is that. He’s arrogant, prideful, and rather insistent on everything being his way. Yet when he decides something is important, he will find a way to make it happen. If he decides that you are important, there is nothing he won’t do for you. He made me feel like the most precious and amazing person ever.” A sigh escaped her. “I miss him, so much.” Tauriel didn’t offer any platitudes, because that is not what she needed. Sometimes all that is needed is to just know that someone is listening.
“And of my son?”
“I may have shoved him into the river because he was being overprotective. I duly informed him I could take care of myself.” Narinzel paused and then laughed. “Really?” Tauriel gave her a sheepish smile. “It seemed like a good idea. Considering he did actually rethink what he was doing, ultimately successful.” Which just made her laugh even more. “Oh he really is taking after his father. I did the same thing to Thranduil, for a similar reason.” The younger elleth blinked, ”What?”
“Do you remember the original message I gave you for Thranduil? That if he didn’t like it to go soak his head in the river?” Tauriel gave a slow nod. “Yes, now that you mention it. I decided it must be some sort of inside joke between the two of you.” Narinzel’s smile was bright. “Oh it was. Thranduil thought he could dictate a few things because he was courting me. I decided to show him he needed to rethink that.” Her smile grew even wider. “For some reason it just made him more determined to court me.”
After each of these sessions, Narinzel needed time of quiet to reflect. No matter what kind of note they ended them on, deep emotions were often stirred. It was necessary in order to work through anything that might prevent her from being able to be reembodied once more. While the stubborn silvan didn’t necessarily enjoy facing down her emotional scars, she also knew that it was the key to winning free from the Halls. So she faced it as she did everything, head-on and fully. So Tauriel slipped away and left the older elleth to her quiet. Holding off on shifting as to not disturb anything until she got further away.
“What’s this then?” At least that was the plan until she was intercepted by two platinum blonde mirror images of each other. “I thought it was Gilriant down here, but this elleth looks like some Feanorians we have been making peace with.” Tauriel managed a wry smile. “Hello uncles, you did indeed find the one you were seeking. I just happen to have figured out more about my gifts.”
Part of Elured and Elurin’s progress, and that of her other Uncles’ progress in healing had involved dealing with Doriath. Having family between them helped them be able to face and deal with each other. Gilirant had assisted them making that connection, for neither wanted to disappoint their nephew. Who now was also their niece.
With a pair of bright smiles each grabbed one of her arms and started maneuvering her though the halls. “Well then, I do think there are some others that should see this don’t you brother?” While it may have pleased them to find another pair of mischievous twins within the halls, it didn’t exactly please the rest. “Oh I agree completely. In fact I do believe we know where to find them all right now. Wasn’t Nerdanel visiting today?” “I do believe you are right.” Tauriel sighed and gave up on the ineffectual attempt to shake off their hands. “You know this is why Namo tried to keep you two, and Amrod and Amras from interacting too much. Something about not wanting his halls to be engulfed in complete chaos,” She complained. “Us?” “Chaos?”
“Why do all the twins I know have a knack for mischief?”
“Just lucky I think, don’t you agree?” “Oh of course, our niece is very lucky to have us and the rest. After all, we help give her ideas.” Of course that was true, but Tauriel wasn’t going to admit that to them.
“Ah, here we are!” The pair cheerfully shoved her in front of them into a room where a mix of ellons were oriented around a red-headed elleth in their midst. They all looked over at her entry, most expressions morphing to one of surprise and shock even as Nerdanel brightened and moved forward. “Grand-daughter!” Tauriel resigned herself into another session of explanations and exclamations as her Grandmother swept her up in a warm embrace. She looked over the elleth’s shoulder to her oldest uncle’s. “I did tell you Uncle that you looked like my mother.”
“We should go get Gil.”
“I agree completely.”
*
Tauriel tilted her head to the side. “So, what gave me away? Or should I ask how long did it take you to figure it out.” Thranduil lifted his eyebrows. “You may be able to change your physical appearance, and even shutter away some of the power you carry, but not all of it. You cannot hide the light that you are in the world. Any elf of sufficient enough age or strength can see it, feel it. Nor can you hide your connection to the forest and how it loves you.” Digesting that, a rueful grin twisted her lips. “So not long at all then.” There was the suggestion of a smirk to the king’s expression. “No.”
“You did, however, seem to want to keep it discreet, so I decided to allow you.” Tauriel’s gaze narrowed. “And also use it as an excuse to run me ragged?” Thranduil lifted an eyebrow. “I was just assisting you in hiding the truth in plain sight. Plus it was excellent stamina training for you.” She didn’t scoff, but the elleth did lift an eyebrow right back at him. “Somehow with the stories I’ve heard about you, I don’t think it was all just to benefit me.”
“And exactly what stories have you heard?” With a thoughtful um, Tauriel moved to examine the blade. “Many, from various sources.” A faint smile formed on her face. “Your people know that you will protect them, that you value their lives. Their pride in your strength and their own.” Of course the bulk of the stories she knew about Thranduil came from his wife. Unfortunately she could not yet share that with him. “A few about your younger years, what you have endured. You have inspired loyalty, which is no small thing.” She looked over and smiled at him.
“I have seen far too much blood spilled, far too many lives lost to want to put them at risk.” His voice was softer, eyes more distant in that moment. Thranduil, over time, had been showing his more vulnerable side. Perhaps he was also responding to that part of the Keeper that cleansed and kept things in balance. His isolationist attitude had relaxed a degree, but not an overwhelming one. Yet now was not the time to point out the potential cost of that. That discussion waited for another day.
“It could be amusing to not let Legolas know that you know.” A mischievous grin flickered into life on Tauriel’s face. “I’m not saying we lie, or take it too far. Just see how long it takes.” Thrandul cocked his head. “Perhaps, it certainly would test his observational skills.” A soft laugh escaped her. “He does have good ones, he made the connection between my two sides easily enough. Merely waited for me to be ready to tell him.” “Did he?” A small smile of pride slid into place on the king’s face. “Well there is hope for him yet. Though there are other things in front of him that he has yet to grasp.”
She would ask, but that was a very leading statement. “Perhaps it is not the right time for them? Some things require the fullness of time in order to be fully seen.”
*
Thranduil had not exactly been thrilled they wanted to go spend a couple of months in Imladris, yet he also understood. The opportunity to be there for the first actual birth of an elfling in millenia was quite the draw. Gilriant was brought there rather than born. Or it could be considered his second birth in some fashion. This would be the first real newborn. The fact that the soon to be mother wanted the young elf there also made a difference.
Having been on his best behavior and talked to Gilriant about things, meant Legolas was welcome to come along. His father would not deny him the opportunity to be there. Nor did he want to have to deal with his son’s moodiness if he got left behind. “If there is to be a celebration, Lady Hedwig will assist my travel there.” With a smile he reached to scratch the ice phoenix’s crest. She trilled in happy agreement. “Of course.”
In a flare of snowflakes and fire the two phoenixes each brought a group of elves to Imladris. “Hinya!” Gilriant laughed, quickly handing Weasley to Haldir before Maglor engulfed him in a hug. “Atya, I talked to you last night.” Drawing back, the older bard just smiled. “That is not the same as being in your direct presence. I like not being parted from you when I am supposed to be looking out for you.” The young elf smiled, “Even when we are parted, you are still looking out for me with the skills and knowledge you have taught me.”
“That still is not the same.”
After a collection of greetings, Elrond took his brother to see Mellessin. Though he really didn’t need much of a guide as Hedwig was happy to tell him where to go with her happy trills. She had been very pleased that they were planning on being here when the elleth had her hatchling. As much as Gilriant tried to explain the process was a little different for elves, the ice phoenix insisted on her own descriptors. After she very tartly informed him that she was well aware of the difference and would he please not insult her intelligence.
While he had heard it said that pregnant people were glowing, that was a pale comparison to a pregnant elf. The young elf could feel and see the life energies as they got close. She was seated in a comfortable chair and he noted with not little amusement that the whacking stick was within easy reach. “If I promise not to be overbearing, is it safe to approach?” Her head turned in his direction with a bright smile on her face. “Gilriant! And Hedwig, oh come give me a hug. I know you enjoy them and getting up is a little more difficult these days.” With a soft laugh he did as she bid, Hedwig taking the opportunity to preen her hair. “You wanted me here, so here I am.”
“Thank you, I know it might just be my worries speaking for me but . . . “ Gilriant reached to put hand over hers. “But nothing. You are my friend. If I can help, I want to. Though I think for the actual delivery you should have my brother. He might hurt me otherwise.” “Oh I wouldn’t hurt you, I would just give the twins some tips on how to successfully prank you.” Elrond’s dry response earned him a smile from both. “As they are good enough to do so on their own, I would prefer you did not.” After straightening up, Gilriant found a chair to pull closer and sit.
It wasn’t difficult to see why and how elven pregnancies could be dangerous and hard on the mother. While he didn’t know what other elves could pick up, Gilriant could see how intense it could be. The babe growing inside the soon-to-be mother took nourishment both from the body, but the fea of their mother. Which is why having the other parent close for the pregnancy mattered to. Having family close mattered. “Here, everyone else has, you should too.” Mellessin reached for his hand and put it over her extended mid-section. Up close he could feel even more of this gift to the elves. “I feel very privileged that you want me here for this.”
They could feel themselves shift to the more neutral version of themselves. The pull wasn’t to one side or the other, but both. For both played a role in elven pregnancies. Or perhaps because they were becoming more comfortable with both sides that the blend would come even if the keeper wasn’t invoked. No silver edged power, just simple joy in the moment. Faircoivar they were, and this was a moment for life. They could feel a bit of their energy being absorbed by the new life. Nothing dangerous about it, in fact it made them smile as they sat back. “You have a strong one there.”
“Your hair looks pretty that way.” Mellessin comment had Hedwig giving an approving trill and a quick preen of Faircoivar’s red-sheened dark hair. “Thank you, this is my in-between. When I am both and neither.” “You are getting more comfortable with this part of yourself.” It was more of a statement by Elrond, then a question, but they answered it all the same. “Yes. I do still tend to spend most of my time male, because I am accustomed to it, but that is not all I am. I just happen to be lucky enough to be able to shift these ways.
*
“So, you are the one responsible for helping our Aunt with refining her archery skills?” The question wasn’t exactly unexpected. The twins had decided that the current tea party was a great time to drag the two archers to the range for practice. “The first time Haldir wouldn’t stop laughing. In retrospect it is understandable why.” Legolas’ replied in an amused tone as he took his next shot. “In my defense, the anger, confusion, and swearing was very amusing.”
“I have to hand it to our Aunt, she got us good with the little bet she made.” Elladan commented idly, moving to line up a shot of his own. “We took it slightly easy on her, so she won easily.” Elrohir watched his brother as he commented. “It was a beautiful thing to see.” Haldir's voice was laced with pride “The archery or that she got one over on us?” Elladan asked.
“Yes.”
Good natured laughter followed that response. “Between us, Haldir and his brothers, Ada, Arwen, well basically the whole family, whomever catches their interest is going to be in for quite the adventure.” Elrohir quipped. Legolas’ shot went wide. “What do you mean by that?” Elladan bit back a smile. “Oh nothing much, you missed your shot there little prince, you okay?” “Fine, fine.” Legolas moved to line up another shot. “Do you think they are interested in someone?”
The three exchanged an amused look at that response, “Oh difficult to say. They are rather insistent that they won’t be looking to court anyone anytime soon. Doesn’t mean that there won’t be interest. Just means they are going to have to recognize it and be patient.” Legolas was concentrating rather intensely on making his shots.
“You know I’m sure if Legolas is good enough to actually teach Tauriel something, he may even be capable of getting through the ordeal.” Elladan offered with a tip of his head. “Oh I wouldn’t be so sure of that brother mine, only the toughest of our scouts manage to complete that accurately.” “I’m not falling for that.” Greenwood’s prince didn’t even bother to look at them. “Fall for what? Would we try to trick you?” Elrohir’s tone was mock offended.
“You absolutely would.”
*
In the pre-dawn light, Gilriant stirred and woke from his rest. Something was tugging at his awareness. Drawing him forth from his rest. Haldir woke when he did, watching the younger elf as he swifting dressed. Wordlessly he moved over to their gear, pulling out the violin that Legolas had gifted the young bard with and offered it. Both could hear that the household was stirring, far earlier than it normally would. Taking the instrument with a smile, he pressed a kiss to Haldir’s forehead before heading towards the healing halls.
As he got closer, it was clear this was where all the activity was, and it was centered around Mellessin. Gilriant already knew she wanted him here, so he simply wove his way around the other elves. Considering what their primary focus was, it aided him in remaining unobtrusive. Slipping into the healing ward she was in, it did not surprise him to see his brother already here along with Lindir. Their backs were to him as he made his way to a corner. Taking the violin out of its carrying case he swiftly checked that it was in tune.
Though this instrument was newer to him, he had practiced with it over and over again. While it was true he wanted to keep the instrument his father gave him safe, there was another factor to be considered. This instrument was made of materials here in Arda. Entirely of this world and crafted in this world. So an even greater potential connection to the world song. What better instrument to use to aid his friend and perhaps help welcome a new life into the world.
Setting the bow on the strings they closed their eyes and concentrated. They wove this intent first, for it would hardly do to startle or draw attention away to the matter at hand. Though they was fairly certain Mt. Doom could explode next to their brother and Elrond’s focus would remain on Mellessin and her needs. Either way, the point was they were here to provide support. So people would be aware of their playing, of the power within the songs, but it wouldn’t register as something they needed to pay attention to. Not unlike the enchantments on their first circlet, their crown. People were aware of the heraldry, but most would simply accept it as is, rather than something of importance.
Then they listened, as they drew their bow lightly across the strings. Slowly, but then with more confidence as the music synched into Song. Strength, hope, love, weaving around mother, father, and the healer as they worked to bring the new life forth. Flowing up and down empowering especially the mother. Siphoning off pain and giving strength. They could feel the faint acknowledgement and appreciation from both Elrond and Mellessin, even as they focused on the task at hand. Lindir’s awareness was exactly where it should be, wrapped up in his wife and soon to be born child. Faircoivar poured everything they could into the song and supporting the ones that labored, mother and babe.
Time was meaningless, it would take as long as it took. Labor was no short thing, not even for elves. Mellessin had been moved here as soon as she started showing signs, that is what woke them. The hours of the day slipping by the world breathing around them. Life and hope ever growing even as the day waned. They could feel it when the first stars shone against the dark curtain of night. Could hear their song even as the one taking shape started to crescendo. A final burst of effort, and the first cry of life. With a faint smile to their lips they didn’t immediately finish. Instead wrapping mother and child with strength and healing as they started to weave the song’s end. Hope, healing, and love.
Slowly his focus eased from inward to outward as they let their bow pull away from the strings. Apparently they did open their eyes at some point, because they could see Elrohir carefully take the instrument from them even as Haldir steadied them. Exhaling, they leaned into their bonded, feeling the marchwarden wrap an arm around them. There was the murmur of quiet voices but they did not bother to try to comprehend the meaning. Perhaps they had poured too much into the song, or perhaps it was because of the length of it, but now they were tired. Though they begrudged not a bit of it, for it was worth it to aid in the new miracle for the elves. They did register faintly the insistent voice of Mellessin. Then Haldir moved him over to a bed on the other end of the ward and laid them both down. Harpsong of a familiar lullaby, and the sound of the beat of the heart under their head eased them into sleep.
When next they woke, late morning light slanted through the windows. With a faintly grumbled complaint they rubbed their hands over their eyes. “Awake are you?” Haldir’s voice held a smile in it. “Mmmph.” “I’ll take that as a mostly yes.” With a yawn they sat up and stretched, the red fading away from his hair. The marchwarden pressed a kiss to the top of his head as he got up. “I’lll fetch you something to eat.” Gilriant knew better than to argue against it. Especially as he could tell his brother was lurking nearby.
Instead he turned to focus on the other occupants in the room. Mellessin had cradled in her arms a precious bundle. The elfling would remain held by their parents almost constantly for the first year. Only a trusted few family members would be allowed to hold the infant within the first month. She looked up at him and smiled, freeing one arm to reach out to her friend. At the invitation he moved over, sitting on the edge of her bed when she tugged him down. Gilriant peered at the little one, smiling softly. “Good job, nanath.” The new mother beamed a smile at him.
At the distinct of the child’s adar in the room, he couldn’t help but to ask, “I take it Elladan has Lindir? Again?” Mellessin’s musical giggle answered him. “I think so, yes. I’m afraid he has had a rather trying time of it all. I feel a little bad about it.” Gilriant laughed lightly in response. “I’m sure he doesn’t mind at all, he loves you, and this little new life with all his heart. I could always tell.” His gaze flicked over and then back to his friend. “I’m afraid my brother likely has plans of lurking in whatever room you are in. I’ll make sure Celebrian drags him away periodically. You may need to keep the stick around at least for a little bit longer.”
Her bright laughter answered him, before Mellessin’s expression grew more serious. “Lindir and I have spoken, and we are in agreement.” To Gilriant’s wide-eyed astonishment, she started to carefully shift the infant into his arms, which automatically came up to hold the cherished new life. “To you, who have helped make this possible, I make known Aliramdir, our daughter.” Even as the elfling slept, he could feel the strength of small fea. Blessed song hope, a beautiful name, for a beautiful new life.