The Empty Vessel

Chapter 22

Of Mary Sues and Xena Warrior Princesses Or I don' nuttin' ‘bout birthin' no babies, Massa Haldir!

***

When you feel afraid
When you lose your way
I'll find you
Just try to smile
And dry your eyes
I will bring back the moon into your skies

Cody'sSong
Kenny Loggins


***

The trip back to the White City took longer, rather than the way they had come, even though the party of five made a direct beeline for it. The Elves made light of their slowness, but Bronwyn fully blamed herself.

"Why can't we just ditch the cart? Sea Spray is most offended pulling it and me."

"And how are we going to get your lovely tummy on top of your horse?" Elladan jovially answered, making sure he was well out of her reach. He and his brother rode beside her, sandwiching her between them.

"Elladan! That was horrid of you!" Elrohir scolded. "That is like telling her she is fat, when she is simply the size of the smallest Homely House because she is great with child!"

"Oh, very great with child indeed! Sweet Bronwyn, I did not mean it to sound as if you were... oh dear..."

"Look what you have done!" Elrohir admonished his twin. Tears began to well up in Bronwyn's eyes. She had become very emotional again upon leaving Baradur and it did not take much to get her in a full blown cry. And the twins had become very adept at not only making her laugh, but making her sob as well.

"You beasts!" she muttered. "Must you use me for... practice...for when we return to the White City?" She wiped her nose on her sleeve. "If you do this to Arwen, I hope Aragorn tears both of you scoundrels from limb to limb." Aragorn had proudly announced his wife's pregnancy to the group as they had left for Baradur, the twins elated that they would become uncles. Identical looks of concern passed over the bent head. "If Haldir were closer, he would thrash you. Shit! If he hadn't hidden my knives from me, I would have sent you both to the Halls of Waiting long ago."

That was when they realized they had truly hurt her feelings. Elrohir leaned over and took her reins from her, deflecting her stinging slaps. Elladan, taking advantage of the slowing cart, pulled up alongside and tying his reins to his saddlehorn, climbed over into the cart and helped his brother pull the small wagon to a stop.

"Lirimaer, I am truly sorry...."

"Stop... calling me... that!" She continued to wipe her nose on her sleeve. "I am not lovely! I am fat and... I am a cow!" She dragged her clean sleeve across her face and looked contemptuously at the twin next to her. "Moooooo."

For a short moment, nothing could be heard but the slow creaking of the wheels. Then, both twins burst into laughter at her joke. Elrohir climbed in with her and that was how Haldir found them, from his scouting. Two Peredhil and his wife, mooing at each other.

"Elrohir!" he motioned him with a crook of his finger. Elrond's son jumped from the cart and strode over the broad-shouldered Elf. "What is going on? Why are the three of you stopped and making animal sounds?"

Elrohir laughed at the stern look of Haldir's face. "Your lady-wife feels that she is a hindrance and wishes to be rid of the slow cart."

"And do what? Walk?"

ell,ell, no." He looked around rather abashedly. "We believe she wants to ride..." Haldir hissed at the thought. "But, my brother, sweet, gentle soul that he is, has softly reminded her that she would be most difficult to get on and off her horse."

"So, he told her she was too fat?" Haldir's eyes glinted in irritation at not only the insensitive remark, but to the time he would now spend trying to bolster his wife's feelings.

"Not in so many words. He did mention her stomach being so large." Elrohir did try to defend his twin. "But she did cry and when he tried to sweeten her, she called herself a.. cow and began to moo at us." Haldir's eyes closed, and he turned his head away, whether in vexation, laughter, or just disbelief was anyone's guess. Elrohir stumbled on. "I will be happy to hold him down, if you wish to beat him." Haldir opened his eyes to the smiling, joke-playing Elf.

"Ah, but for some reason, I have the feeling you were just as instrumental in the spilling of her tears as your brother." Haldir nudged His Arrogance around the Elf and rode up to the cart.

"Shall I kill them now, or would you prefer I wait until we reach the White City?" Bronwyn looked up from Elladan's lap and through tear-filled eyes, smiled at her beloved.

"Mooooo!"

He swung off the large stallion and tied him to the back of the cart. "I will take that as a ‘wait until we reach the city'. You!" he pointed to Elladan, "Off!" He flicked his thumb in the direction of the Peredhel's horse.

Elladan quickly removed himself from the seat and swung back onto his steed. "I am truly sorry, Haldir. She has been so very glum and we just want..."

"She is glum because she is burdened."

"I heard that! Moooooo!"

Haldir pulled the horse and Elf to him, out of her earshot. "She is large, cumbersome, and feels very insecure in her appearance at this time." He looked towards her, watching her quickly wipe her eyes and nose on her sleeves. "She does not feel lovable. Rather than tease her about her stomach, you would be better served pointing out the scenery or better yet, telling her of your lives growing up in Rivendell and your exploits as Rangers!" He swung himself up next to Bronwyn and taking the reins, clucked to her horse, moving them forward.

"Why?" she whispered. "You hate driving this cart, hate being in it. I can..."

"But I enjoy your company more than I hate driving this cart." His free hand caressed her curls. He could sense, feel her exhaustion. "Lay your head down, Baraermin. Rest."

Her size made it impossible for her to lie down in his lap, so she settled for cuddling against him. "I feel like such a Mary Sue." she whispered.

Haldir's eyebrows furrowed together. "A Mary Sue? What is a Mary Sue?" Bronwyn sighed.

"In my world, a Mary Sue is a character written to be either totally helpless and insipid, perfect, or Xena, Warrior Princess."

Haldir's eyes never left the landscape. "And who is this Xena Warrior Princess?"

Bronwyn's arms tucked tighter around him, their babe jostling between them. "Xena doesn't need anybody. She has awesome sword skills, this round blade that she throws and she yells ‘Ayiaiaiaiaiaiaia' !" Haldir scrunched his eyes in pain at the pitch she produced.

"You are no Mary Sue, Baraer. You are no Xena..."

"Duh!"

"You are not perfect..."

She punched him.

"And, you are not helpless."

She sniffed. "I feel helpless."

"You FEEL pregnant." He hugged her close. "Helpless, my eye! You are the same woman who stood in the Dol Guldur and ordered a dragon to stand down! Called him an ass-wipe! Questioned his aim! You are the same woman who fought at my side in the fields of Mirkwood, stomped on Thranduil's foot, told him no, fought by my side in the flets of Lothlórien, impaled herself on a sword to save Heridil, brought that same Elf closure and completion with his father, called upon the powerful deities Beevis and Cornholio to aid you in your fight with the Uruk hai and Wargs." He looked deep in her eyes. "You put up with me. You, Baraermin, are not helpless."

She began to cry all over again. When she finished, he whispered quietly, asking a question that had plagued him for over a year, "Who are Beevis and Cornholio?"

She laughingly attempted to explain MTV.

***

Whenever you will
Remember Darlin'
I'll be there, to sing to you
I promise you, I promise to
Comfort you and sing to you

Cody's Song
KL


***

An hour later, Bronwyn noticed the dust rising ahead of them and pointed it out to Haldir. He peered into the rising sand.

"Heridil."

The Elf pulled up on his gelding and proudly lifted his hands. "Look! I found a brace of conies! Seven! We will eat well tonight, my friends." His smile was huge. Bronwyn nev never seen him this free, this happy. Haldir pulled the cart to a stop as the Elf pulled alongside.

"There is a decent sized settlement a days ride from here. We should reach it tomorrow." His warm gaze took in a tired Bronwyn. "With luck, you will sleep in a real bed tomorrow night." She whispered her thanks as she lumbered from the pilot seat. A real bed...

"If someone will build a fire, I will cook this fine catch!" She reached for the rabbits.

"Oh no, you do not!" Haldir reached over her head and took them from Heridil. "The last time we found conies, you became ill skinning them." Bronwyn suddenly remembered the smell of raw flesh and her stomach lurched. Oh yeah... "So, I will skin these and set them to roast and you," he pointed to a small copse of trees and bushes "may go over into those shrubs and do womanly hidden things! After Elladan and Elrohir check them out and clear any hidden Orcs from them!"

The twins sat up tall in their saddles, mirrored mock sternness in their faces.

"A quest, brother!"

"An important assignment! We shall not fail you, Fair Lady of the Future!" They took off to the small copse, where they made much show and noise tearing through the bushes.

Bronwyn smiled. "One cannot stay mad at them for long, my love." she looked endearingly at Haldir. "They did not mean to upset me earlier. Honestly. They are just... rambunctious."

"They are pains in the ass!" he replied.

Within minutes, the two were back. "The bushes and trees are cleared and rid of all birds and small rodents. It is safe for Haldir's fair lady to go do... secret womanly things." Elladan announced proudly.

Bronwyn waddled off in giggles. "Who can pee after that?"

***

The small group pulled into the moderate sized town late in the afternoon. Haldir had sent the twins ahead to procure rooms and a place to stable their horses and wagon. If it was clean, he planned to stay several days, giving Bronwyn time to rest.

She was not traveling well.

Her ankles and legs had swollen until one could no longer see the bones of her feet. Her toes and her fingers looked like sausages and she could not play her guitar.

She was beyond uncomfortable.

Iluvatar's Balls, she was cranky!

Haldir had pulled the twins aside before he sent them ahead. "See if there is a healer in the town, one who specializes in women carrying. I worry for Bronwyn and I wish to have her looked at." The twins, seeing his concern, made no jokes, but merely nodded at his request.

They were met by Elrohir.

"Mae Govannen! We have found rooms at a boarding house and a place for our beasts. The rooms are clean and they are not over or near any drinking establishments, so Tel' Lindar," he smiled at Bronwyn, "may rest easy and not have to worry about performing." He helped Bronwyn down from the seat and set her gently on the ground.

Elladan held Heridil's mount as he dismounted and retrieved his pack. "The owner is a healer and has assisted the birth of many of the young ones here. I have checked her reputation. It is spotless. She is respected and well thought of." He nodded to Bronwyn. "We have told her of your condition. She said she would have a bath and hot meal waiting for you. With your permission, she said she would check the babe, check Bronwyn. Make sure all was alright. You will like her, Tithen Lindar."

"Thank you. You have done well." Haldir stepped from the wagon as well, watching Bronwyn rub a kink in her back. "Will you..."

"No worries, mate!" Elrohir laughed. In their time at Baradur and traveling, Bronwyn tau taught them many slang terms, which they got such a kick at tossing about appropriately and inappropriately.
"We will take care of the animals. Heridil has already begun to gather the things taken from Baradur as we do not want them to fall into the wrong hands. You take care of your lady." He motioned to Bronwyn, who was waddling towards the front of the boarding house.

The inside was cool, shaded and her stomach rolled painfully at the smells coming from the kitchen. Suddenly, from the shadows, a dark slender form materialized at her side.

"You are she. I was told of your coming. Please, I have your room and bath waiting." The voice was melodious, soft and Bronwyn followed the figure behind the dining area to a spacious room in the back of the boarding house. The figured opened high windows that allowed in the light. She turned to Bronwyn...

"You're an Elf."

The woman had a tinkling laugh. "No. My great-grandfather was an Elf, so it is written in my grandmother's diary. For some reason, the ears skipped her generation, but my father had them and he, in turn, gave them to me. Step into the light, allow me to look at you."

Bronwyn stepped into the ray of sunshine, coming through the window. She perused the woman as the woman looked at her, felt her stomach.

The boarding house mistress had long curling dark hair, her pointed ears peaking through the mass of waves. Her features were not sharp, like the Elves, but rather rounded, soft. Her eyes were a sparkling sapphire blue. Her hands, with their long fingers, were firm, feeling, measuring...

"I will let you bathe, before I check you further. Your child is large and you near the end of your time."

"Thank Iluvatar!" The two women laughed. The woman took Bronwyn by the hand and led her to an adjoining room with a tub, full of steaming water. Additional buckets were sitting next to it. "I have given you rooms on the ground floor. The Elf who procured your rooms said you were far along with child and I did not wish for you to climb up and down stairs. The back or the house is well off the ground, so you should not worry of anyone peeking in the windows. My name is Lera. Lera Maere. Please let me know when you are ready." She saw Haldir standing in the doorway and she smiled at the tall Elf.

"That is a beautiful name." He strode towards he and placed his hand to his heart.

"I was named after my grandmother." She nodded to Bronwyn and walked from the room.

Haldir looked at Bronwyn, who, while looking longingly at the steaming tub, was struggling with her dress. With an inward grin, he strode over to her side, hands turning her, to reach the fasteners on the back.

"Allow me, Baraermin." Her dress pooled around her feet. It took every ounce of energy he had not to hiss at the red, angry welts stretched across her hips and abdomen. Very gently, he helped her into the waist high tub.

"Oh God, bbbllllrrrb!" She sank gratefully, totally submerging into the soothing liquid. She came back up, spitting. "I wish I were not so huge, so that you could join me." She leaned her head back, as Haldir began to soap the locks of her hair.

"Not to much bathing would be done, Baraer. And you would not smell like roses when we finished, as you will not put the oils in when I join you. Sit up, so I may rinse." He picked up a bucket and poured it over her head.

She sighed with sincere veneration as the warm water cascaded down her head and neck. "How long? How long as it been since I enjoyed a real bath! And no, those roots and Elven cleansers we brought do not count!"


Haldir smiled at her finger, stabbing in the air. She stayed in the tub until the water cooled. After helping her towel off, he went to retrieve their landlady, before retreating to the dining room to find the twins and Heridil.

Lera took an appraising look at Bronwyn. "Well, let us see how this babe fares?"

***
IF you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
You want to change the world, There's nothing to it

Pure Imagination
Anthony Newly and Elsie Bricuse
***

Thirty minutes later, the healer joined the Elves in her dining area. Haldir motioned for tho leo leave and they took what baggage was left and went upstairs to their rooms. Lera sighed deeply and sat across from him, pitcher and glasses in hand.

"My wife..."

"Your wife," she said, pouring two goblets of berry wine, "is healthy, strong, and mouthy. She is also tiny and carrying a large babe, as I suspect, " she eyed Haldir appraisingly, "as was his or her father. The child is still quite high, although according to her, she has carried up under her bts fts for the majority of the time, therefore she is beginning to drop." She handed a glass to Haldir. "I would say she has approximately six weeks left to term, but I would not think she will last past four. Wherever you travel, you need to get there fast. She cannot travel the way you have been much longer."

Lera took a breath and then continued.

"She is swollen, holding water. She needs to drink plenty of fluids, plenty of water. If you insist on travel thus with her in this state, you must carry much water for her and you might as well put a bucket in the back of the cart and just let her sit on it." Haldir's head dropped to his hands and Lera could have sworn she heard him keening. "At the very least, have her keep her feet propped up so as they do not swell. She must cut back on salt. That is not helping. She tries to hide it from you, but she is bone weary and unless you reach your destination soon, she will be too tired to birth this child." Her hand reached across and grasped his gently. "She has said this is not her first child, but this will not be an easy birth." She took a long drink from her glass. "May I ask how long you plan to stay?" She noticed Haldir had been listening intently and had yet to take a drink of his wine.

"It is my intention to stay several days. I am worried for my wife's condition and I wish to allow her to rest." Finally, he picked up the glass and took a drink. "We travel to the Minas Tirith. We have friends, family there, who await our arrival."

Lera was thoughtful. "Five days out, traveling slowly, which I imagine you must. When you leave, I will supply you with provisions, water. It will be hard to find between here and the White City." She looked at him closely, noticing the constant movement of his fingers against his goblet. "Do you have questions for me, my lord?"

Haldir looked up, smiled. Lera's breath caught. He was beautiful and if it wasn't so obvious that he was besotted with the feisty termagant in the back, she would have easily forgotten her personal rule of not getting involved with her tenants. "I have several... questions. First, the marks on her stomach..." The angry, red welts bothered him greatly. When they first showed up on her hips, he had been afraid he had been to rough in their lovemaking the night before.

"The stretch marks. You have been rubbing her with oils, she says?" The big Elf nodded. "That is the best you can do for her. As I stated, she is a small woman, carrying a large child. The marks will fade over time." Haldir remembered when her first laid eyes on the silvery streaks on her body, when she first came to him. She watched as the Elf fidgeted with the stem of the goblet, looking for words. "Is there anything else, my lord?"

"Yes. No." She watched as unconsciously, his hand moved to his back braid and begin to gently tug. She waited for several minutes.

"My lord?"

"She wants to... but I am afraid that... I do not want to harm our... " Lera smiled. The Elf was even more becoming when he blushed and she had a feeling he did not do it often. This one was used to being in charge.

"She wishes to continue relations with you and you are afraid you will cause harm to your babe." Haldir exhaled gratefully and nodded. "Well, I wouldn't suggest throwing any wild parties and having sex while hanging from the rafters!" His head jerked up.

"Madam! I do not know where you got your information, but we are not wild..."

"Oh stop!" She reached over and patted his hand. "All I have to go by is what my grandmother wrote in her diary. Sometimes, I wonder about your kind. Apparently, my great-grandfather, gave my great-grandmother a night she remembered fondly for her entire life. And I do NOT mean the daughter he gave her!" She stood up. "Anything else?" Haldir stood up with her.

"One thing. You may tell me no, if you wish." Lera looked at him expectantly. "My wife is a historian of sorts. The reading material with have with us at the time is, shall we say, dark in nature. You said you have your grandmother's diary. Would you mind allowing her to read it? Discuss it and anything else you have with her?"

"Your wife is more than a historian." Haldir's breath caught. "She radiates great power. I saw her aura. She glows and it pulses like one I have never seen before. So does yours." She drew up next to him, almost looking him in the eye. "She is Tel' Lindar, is she not?"

She heard him inhale sharply. "How did you..."

"You have nothing to fear from me. I will share my grandmother's diary and other ts wis with her. For many years, her coming has been whispered among those who wait, whispered in the wind. With the fall of Sauron and her coming, we may rest peacefully now. We will have a future. We have hope."

She began to leave the room. "Wait. Lera Maere." She turned to his voice. "Lera Maere. How did you get your name?" Haldir was standing next to her, his fingers gently cupping her chin.

"It was my grandmother's name. According to her, the Elf that fathered her called my great-grandmother that. She thought it pretty and named her first daughter that."

Steely indigo eyes bore into the shimmering sapphires. "In our language, do you know what it means?" She looked at him, waiting. "Lera Maere. Lirimaer. It means ‘lovely one'." She closed her eyes, as she felt gentle lips kiss her brow. "You were named well."

Lera stayed rooted to the spot she stood in as she heard the Elf move past her and down the hall.


***

They stayed in the small hamlet for four days. Bronwyn spent most of the time on her back, her feet propped up on pillows. Lera, not only shared the diary with her, but talked of her growing up, the stories of the people who lived there. She talked of the sisterhood of healers, how they exchanged information, learned from each other, how they kept the tales of their ancestors, kept the past, kept knowledge alive. Lera was fascinated that, after reading the diary, Bronwyn knew her great-grandfather, that the twin Elves who kept her laughing, were his children as well. She had no desire to meet him - he never knew she existed - but the twins, ecstatic to finding more siblings, enjoyed her company, filling in the questions she had about Elrond. Through the years, they would stay in touch and visit with the woman and her children. They took personal delight in introducing her to the love of her life.

In the meantime, Bronwyn drank water.

And drank water.

And drank more water.

She joked that she spent more time in the water closet than anywhere else, but slowly, the swelling in her feet and hands went down and when they finally left the small town, with many skins of water loaded in the back of the cart, she could pluck her guitar again.


***
So Help me if you can
I've got to get back
To the House of Pooh Corner by One
You'd be surprised
There's so much to be done...

Return to Pooh Corner
Kenny Loggins
***

"Haldir?" It was late in the night and he though she had fallen asleep.

"Rest, Baraermin. You need to sleep."

"But I have a questions." She slowly rolled over and propped up on his chest. "Why is it that we had to agree to create a child, yet in the span of a one night stand, Elrond gave an unsuspecting barmaid a child?"

Haldir tucked errant locks of hair behind tiny, rounded ears. "Because, we have been joined as First Born by the Valar since the day they decided you as to be the Vessel. Our souls have been Elven bonded for only they know how long and our union pre-ordained. Lera's great-grandmother was human and her reproductive cycles were pre-ordained by hormonal and short life-span. An Elf's cycle is not."

She thought deeply for a moment. "So, you are saying that although I am of Man, because I am the Vessel and have been joined to you, I enjoy First-Born privileges? "

Haldir thought for a moment. "That sounds right."

Her eyebrows raised in delight. "Kewl!"

***
Winnie the Pooh Doesn't know what to do
Got a honey jar stuck on his nose......
*
So I sent him to ask of the Owl if he's there
How to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear...

Pooh Corner
KL
***

Haldir and Aragorn stood against the wall, heads tipped together, arms crossed, watching in amusement, the scene unfold before them. The table was piled, stacked with plunder from Baradur. Bronwyn and Gandalf sat, while Elrond, holding a scroll, circled the table like an anxious lion.

"This is insane! He could have never had gotten away with it!" Elrond flung the rolled parchment on the pile.

"Yes, he could have. And would have, if we had not bound together to fight him and had the Ring not been destroyed." Gandalf's voice was tinged with good humor. "Tithen Lindar. What do you think?"

She shook her head, leaning back and rubbing her distended belly. "Not my call, folks! I just read the stuff, remember it. The two of you can hash it out until the cows come home for all I care."

Elrond looked Haldir. "What did she say?"

Haldir's intake of breath was very audible, his arms rising with his chest. "I believe she said she worries not over it. Her task is to read and remember, not to make a decision on whether Sauron could have succeeded with his plan."

Bronwyn stretched and cheered! "Good one, Dude!" Her back cracked and she suddenly froze. "Uh-oh!"

All eyes were on the woman, immobile in the strange position.

"Baraermin?" "Bronwyn?" "Tithen Lindar?" Four male voices raised in concern.

She looked at the nearest to her... Gandalf. "Help me stand," she whispered. "Just help me up."

Haldir reached her first, pulling her out her chair. As he pulled her to her feet, a rush of water pooled down her legs onto tloorloor.

"Well, Heru en Cormmin." she smiled up at Haldir. "Are you ready to become a father?"

***

Count all the bees in the Hive
Chase all the clouds from the sky
Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh...

Pooh Corner
KL

***

Haldir paced the floor, surrounded by his brothers, the twins, Heridil, Elrond, Aragorn, Celeborn, and Gandalf.

The screaming in his head was getting worse and the screams were getting closer and closer together.

"Sit down, brother and have a drink. Please!" For the fourth time that hour, Rumil attempted to press a glass of wine into Haldir's hand.

"No. She is in pain."

"Of course she is in pain!" Orophin chirped. "Just last week, she likened o ‘so ‘shitting a ten pound gourd'! Sounds very painful to me!"

"Makes me glad I am not a she-Elf!" Elladan whispered to Elrohir.

"Haldir." Aragorn placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Please sit. You are wearing a hole in my carpet." He took the goblet from Rumil. "Take and drink this and sit. Please. There is nothing you can do, but wait." Haldir reluctantly took the glass and started to follow Aragorn's advice, when another piercing scream ripped through his skull. Shoving the goblet back, he threw off restraining hands and stormed through the door. Elrond motioned them to stay, and followed behind the worried Elf.

Quickly, they threaded their way up the stairs, to hers and Haldir's rooms. The corridors were deathly quiet. Haldir flung the doors open. Arwen looked up the bed, Galadriel next to her, her face, lined with worry. The healer's assistant met him at the door, attempted to restrain him.

"My Lord, this is no place for you. This is woman's..."

"Get out of my way." Haldir went straight to Bronwyn. She was pale, the bed clothes were soaked in perspiration and birthing fluids. She turned exhausted eyes towards her husband.

"Your son does not wish to come."

Haldir climbed on the bed, motioning to Elrond, and pulled her into his lap. "Your daughter is as stubborn as you."

The mid-wife, perturbed at being pushed aside, stood up to Elrond. "My Lord, she is having a difficult time. This is not a place for men or male -Elves. Please leave." Elrond was not to be swayed and gently turned the woman away from Bronwyn.

"Madam, I am only here to assist. Why do you not go make Haldir's wife some weak tea. Very weak tea. Arwen," he turned his commanding gaze to his daughter, her babe showing clearly. "Go to my rooms, get my herbs and bags. You know which ones."

Arwen squeaked and with a "Yes, Ada." moved quickly from the room. Elrond moved to the bowl and pitcher by the bed and carefully scrubbed his hands.

"My Lord, I must insist that you and the Husband..."

"NO!" Bronwyn screeched! "No! No! And oh HELL NO!" She leaned back into Haldir's arms. "He placed the order! By God, he is staying for dessert! He's not going any-" And with that, another pain wracked through her body. Haldir watched her eyes glaze and he could feel yet another silent scream tear through his soul. He turned pleading eyes to Elrond.

"Madam," Elrond's voice was short. "You are not making the tea I asked for. Please do not have me ask again!" With a huff, the woman, flounced off. Elrond settled himself at the foot of the bed. "Tithen Aras, move down to the end here. I need to check you."

Bronwyn eagerly complied, using Haldir as a back prop. Elrond motioned the assistant and Galadriel to hold her legs, and gently probed the passageway that would lead her child to life. The Elf-Lord motioned for a towel.

"It is as I fear, Tithen Aras. You are not relaxed and very tense. Your passage will not open wide enough for your babe to pass. You must calm down and yield to your child's passage."

"I wanna epidural!"

Elrond looked perplexed. "She wants a what?" Haldir shrugged, confused. "You want a what?"

"I want an Epidural!"

Haldir's hands went to her belly, stroking. She could feel gentle heat, saturating her body, healing, rejuvenating her exhaustion. "I promise to find you an epidural as soon as I can after our babe arrives."

"NOOOOOO! I want it now! I neeeed it now!" Her wail was siren-like in it's intensity. "Oh, shit, anot-- " her body convulsed again.

Screaming wailing guitars of ‘Quiet Riot' erupted in the room.

Come on, feel the noise, Girls, rock your boys
We'll get wild, wild, wild...


"Bronwyn, you must relax!" Elrond's voice was raised above the din. Arwen came racing into the room, a satchel in her hands. Elrond threw it open, digging through herbs, vials of strange liquids. "Where is that tea, woman!"

The mid-wife rushed forward, a small pot in her hands. The Elf-Lord carefully measured and poured two vials of liquid and some herbs into the tea. He spoke to Galadrial quietly, while mixing. "We will need clean bedclothes, a clean gown for her and blankets for the babe." He handed Bronwyn the entire pot. "Sip this, slowly."

Bronwyn took a swig and made a face. "It is nasty."

"It will aid you. Drink." His voice was stern. She took another sip.

"Haldir! He sounds like you when you are angry!"

"Drink it, Baraermin!"

A few minutes and two contractions later, Bronwyn finished the pot.

"Now what?"

"Now," Elrond intoned. "We wait. You relax, play beautiful music and in less than thirty minutes, you will have a beautiful child to hold in your arms."

The sounds of Mozart filled the air. At times, the music was strained, but Haldir stroked her stomach, whispering in her ear, persuading her to relax, so their daughter would be born safely.

"Boy." she retorted.

"If it is a boy, you may name him." Haldir whispered back.

Elrond looked up from between her legs. "Are you ready to push, Tithen Aras? Your babe has a fine head of your dark hair."

To the strains of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony and two pushes later, the room erupted with a furious bellow.

"Your son has your temper, Heru."

"Heh! Your daughter has your lungs, Baraermin!" Haldir looked down, straining to see. "Well, Elrond? Which of us is correct?"

"Your babe," Elrond stated matter-of-factly, his and Galadriel's hands working to clean the squalling babe "has all ten fingers, all ten toes, has pointed ears, is very large, " and handing the squirming, screaming bundle of furious Elfling to Bronwyn's outstretched arms, "and has the lungs of both of HIS parents."

Bronwyn looked up at her husband, her son in her arms. Haldir reached around and gently pulling the blanket from his child's head, revealed a wild mass of auburn hair.

And looked into a mirror of his own face.

***
It's hard to explain
How a few precious things
Seem to follow throughout all our lives
When all's said and done
I was watching my son
Sleeping there, with my bear
By his side..

Pooh Corner
KL
***

"Those are mine, young Beckett!" Haldir's voice was mockingly stern as he lounged next to Bronwyn, who lay on her side, nursing their son.

"Yours? Yours?" she smiled. "They are attached to MY body, thank you very much!"

Haldir reached out a finger, mesmerized by the already strong grip of the Elfling. "Aye, but they are mine! I am loaning them to you, Beckett! Do not forget it!"

"Oh? Now my breasts are ‘loaners'?"

Haldir scowled playfully at her, waving the finger his son griped tightly. "He will be a strong archer! A fine addition to the March Wardens of Lothlorien!"

In the past twenty-four hours, they had been visited by all their friends, Rumil and Orophin threatening to set up their sleep sacks at the foot of young Beckett's crib, to stand guard. Haldir's furious stare had quelled that plan.

"You are disappointed?" Bronwyn asked, Beckett suckling noisily at her breast.

"Nay. We have other chances for girls."

Bronwyn snorted. "Not anytime soon!" Haldir shook his head. Oh no. He did not want to repeat the performance of the previous evening anytime soon. His mock-dourness returned. "You are enjoying those a bit much for my tastes, young Elfling!" He wiggled the gripped finger again. Bronwyn's laughter almost dislodged the child.

"He is his Ada's son, no doubt!"

Oh - no doubt! Haldir silently agreed.

When Beckett finished, she handed him to his father. "He burps so much better for you."

Haldir had placed Beckett over his shoulder and was gently patting. "I am good!" he stated smugly. A few seconds later, the awaited belch produced itself and Haldir nuzzled the baby soft hair in the crook of his neck. He looked at his wife. Color had returned to her face and she looked her normal self again.

The ritual needed to be done.

"Bronwyn, are you up to walking a short ways?"

She looked at him askance. "Define ‘short -ways'."

He nodded over her shoulder. "To the balcony." She nodded her assent. Still holding Beckett on his shoulder, he held out a hand and helped her from the bed. He noticed she walked gingerly, carefully and he reminded himself to ask Elrond for herbs and potions to ease her healing. The two headed out to the balcony.

Looking up to the stars, he pulled her close. Tipping her head up, he kissed her reverently.

"Thank you. Thank you for agreeing."

"My pleasure, Heru. We will do it again, someday."

It was quiet for several minutes, while the two held each other in their arms, looking at the contented, sleeping child in his father's arms.

"Bronwyn. We need to present Beckett."

"Present him? Present him to who?"

Haldir looked at the stars. "Iluvatar. The Valar."

She nodded her assent and held onto his waist. In a strong voice, Haldir thanked Iluvatar, the Valar, for soul-bonding him with the most exasperating of women, (she snorted) one who kept him on his toes, one who challenged him and made him complete. (She snorted some more.). He thanked them for allowing them to bring forth new life and promised that between the two of them, they would do everything in their power to raise the Elfling to be worthy in their eyes, to raise him to his full potential, to raise him and guide him to grasp the future and his destiny with all the strength he possessed. As Haldir reached the end of his prayer, he unbundled the Elfling, exposing him in his nakedness. Gently, cradled in powerful hands, he lifted the squirming babe to the stars, to the heavens.

"Beckett, son of Haldir, son of Tel' Lindar, behold. The only thing greater than yourself.

***
tbc
***

Okay - I admit, I did not make up the presentation thingy. Many years ago, I was watching "Roots" (yes, I'm that old) and Kunte Kinte did that with his first born. I found it amazing and wonderful and true and on a cold night in December, I did the same thing (although, I let him stay dressed) with my son.


Lirimaer - Lovely one
Baraermin - My Fiery One
Tel' Lindar - The Bard
Tithen Lindar - Little Bard
Heru en Cormmin -Lord of my heart.