Haldir's Nightmare

Many months had passed since Haldir and Celeborn had been told they would soon be the proud parents of twins. In just four short weeks Elrond would deliver the babies. Since Haldir's body was not equipped to give birth, Elrond would have to cut them out. This scared Celeborn more then it did Haldir. In five weeks Elrohir and Legolas would undergo the same surgery and in just a month and a half all four babies would be born. All the elven realms would then rejoice and be forever united by this strange occurance.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Haldir woke up suddenly and he looked around wondering what had woken him up. Looking around he saw Celeborn was sound asleep next to him and nothing was amiss. Suddenly a bolt of pain shot though him and he cried out. At once Celeborn was awake.

"Are you all right?" he asked concerned.

"Nay...something is wrong!" Haldir said panicked.

Another pain sliced through him and Haldir bit back a scream as tears fell down his face. Frightened Celeborn left the room and ran down the hall to wake Elrond. Haldir sobbed as the pain kept coming. It was relentless. He vaguely heard the door open and felt soft hands brush across his forehead. Before he could wonder who was here with him a soft cloth was placed over his nose and mouth. He inhaled sharply, breifly terrified before the drugs made him pass out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Elrond and Erestor worked hard as they delivered the babies but they could sense something terrible was wrong. Haldir should not have been in pain! There were no other documented cases of males giving birth so they prayed to the Valar that everything would be ok. But their prayers fell upon deaf ears. Elrond gently took the first child from Erestor and wanted to cry. The child was not breathing. Saddened Elrond sat the baby down and concentrated on saving the other child. This time the prayers were awsered with a lusty cry. Erestor cradled the living twin to his breast as Elrond closed Haldir back up. Erestor cleaned the child up and wrapped her in a soft blanket before he turned back to Elrond. He had cleaned Haldir up and made sure he was well covered before he turned to the dead child. Whispering a prayer so the child's fea would rech Mando's Elrond cleaned up the baby and dressed him in a white gown and blanket. Erestor handed the girl child to Elrond and they exchanged sad smiles as Elrond opened the door and went out to see Celeborn.

Celeborn jumped to his feet when he saw Elrond coming towars him, his heart beat faster when he saw only one child in the half elf's arms. Elrond handed the child to his father before stepping back. Celeborn stared in awe at his second daughter before the dared to look at Elrond.

"I'm so sorry..." Elrond started but the rest stuck in his throat.

"The other child....Haldir?" Celeborn needed to know who had died!

"Haldir is well and resting but the other child, a boy, was dead when we delivered him." tears fell down the half elf's face as he looked away.

Celeborn was in shock. All he could do was sit down and gently rock his daughter as the information slowly penetrated his mind. The sound of scurrying feet made him look up. Legolas, Esel, Elladan, and Elrohir paused when they saw the tears on both elf lord's faces.

"I need to see Haldir..." Celeborn handed his daughter to legolas before he entered the room where Haldir lay.

~*~*~*~*~*

Legolas was taken aback when the baby was placed in his arms and he akwardly cradled the baby as they all looked at Elrond expectantly.

"The other twin, a boy, was dead. Haldir is ok...for now." Elrond said as he wiped his face.

Elrohir and Legolas tried not to think how they would react should their children be born dead. Seeing the fear int heir eyes Elrond did his best to placate them.

"I beleive his illness at the beginning had something to do with it. Please do not be scared I donot see this happeneing to you two."

Elladan watched all this from afar and he turned on his heel and stormed out. Estel followed him.

"Where are you going?" the human panted as he tried to keep up.

"Celeborn has done everything the Valar set out for him to do! He has done nothing to deserve this and neither has Haldir! I am going to challenge Mandos and bring the baby back with me!" Elladan said fiercely.

They paused outside the door to the main storage room and Elladan picked the lock as only his Ada had the key.

"Well....you'll need help.." Estel stated as they entered the room.

Elladan smiled and kissed the human. "I was hoping you'd say that!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Celeborn sat beside Haldir for many many hours. Legolas had brought the girl child in and placed her in the cradle next to the fire. Celeborn smiled his thanks as Legolas slipped out to give him some privacy. He sat there unmoving untill hours later Haldir woke up.

"Celeborn..?" Haldir said as he tried to sit up.

"I am here and do not try to sit up. You need to stay laying down to let your body heal."

Heldir nodded and slumped against the pillows. His sharp eyes saw one cradle next to the fire. One but not two. Celebron saw where his love was looking and he got up and picked up their c. He. He gently placed her in Haldir's arms. Haldir immedaitly set about couting her fingers and toes awed that he had created a life.

"Where is her twin...?" he asked innocently.

Celeborn sat on the bed and bit his lip.

"Celeborn...?" Haldir said fear inhis voice.

"He did not make it."

Once the words sunk in Haldir looked at his daughter.

"I am sorry..." he said hating himself for letting his daughter and mate down.

"Nay Haldir it was not your fault! Do not blame yourself!" Celeborn said vehemently. "This was the will of the Valar..."

Haldir nodded as he held his daughter closer to his breast, with his other hand he held Celeborn's hand. The small family was together but would never be quite complete. Haldir looked up as the sky darkened and thunder rent the sky. He prayed silently that his son's fea had reached Mandos as he relaxed against his lover.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Unknown to anyone else in Imaldris Estel and Elladan were putting their plans in motion. Soon they would challenge Mandos and they would not take no for an awnser!

TBC.