Twice Blessed
By Erviniae

Title: Twice Blessed
Author: Erviniae
Pairing: Elrond/Celebrian
Warnings: M/F, AU, Romance
Rating: PG
Beta: Nikkiling
Disclaimer: No profit is made. All belong to the esteemed Tolkien.
Just playing with the pretty Elves.
Summary: Elrond makes a discovery.
A/N: Items/Rating Requested = G to PG, no higher than R.
Romantic, light, fluffy even. I want to see the deep love they had for
each other. If they have to have a crisis to get through, that would
be good too, as long as they end up all safe and sound and happy at
the end.

 

Elrond stretched as he rose from his seat. Dusk had long since fallen on their peaceful vale-bringing with it the sad song of nighthawk and the comforting sound of crickets playing their nightly repertoire. The air smelled crisp with the freshness of autumn, belying the shortening of daylight hours.

The dinner bell would soon ring out the promise of culinary delights to be had by all the hardworking residents within the safety of Imladris' walls. The clearing of a throat brought him out of his contemplations of the day. Looking over, Elrond watched as his friend and chief advisor, Erestor, entered his office quietly. "My Lord Elrond, shall you need me after evening meal or do I have my leave of you this night?"

"I think we shall call it a day." Elrond smiled as Erestor nodded his reply. Together they walked the halls until reaching their approaching chambers.

Entering his apartments, Elrond looked around for his beloved wife. He could smell the lingering of her perfume upon the air, causing him to breathe deeply and sigh longingly. He had not been able to see her all this day do to a pressing matter of importance to their land. He missed her. He missed her gentle nature, her soft touch, and her twinkling blue eyes that held both mirth and warmth for him. Sighing, he picked up her discarded nightdress, images of her breasts heaving in desire flashed before his vision as he beheld the fabric against his face. The softness caressed him gently as he remembered their lovemaking of the night before: the way her lips parted in invitation to his, the feel of her soft hands along the line of his back, and how she squeezed his firm buttocks as she pushed him in deeper. He found himself begin to grow aroused at the memory alone. Regretfully he let go of her nightdress and watched as it fluttered soundlessly in a silken heap upon their marriage bed. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he quickly dressed for dinner and eagerly strode to the dining hall.

The main doors to the hall were open in invitation to all who wished to dine this night. Walking soundlessly through, Elrond was greeted by most with either a nod, a smile or a kind word. Replying in kind, he continued on towards his destination: the head table that beheld his seat along with all the high-ranking Elves of Imladris. Espying her, a vision in flowing layers of yellow, he only stopped when within mere feet of her beauty. He watched her. Her long silver waves, which she wore lose this night, fell in a shimmering cascade down to the small of her back. Her sweet laughter reached his ears as if an aria of delight. He watched as slender hands lay gently against the slight swell of her abdomen, caressing the new life being formed within. Pride welled inside as he found himself overcome with emotion. Her presence filled the void in his soul; the void that was put there by years of loss and disappointment.

.... He remembered fondly the day he first laid eyes upon Galadriel and Celeborn's daughter. They had come to Imladris on their way to their new home in Lorķen. Elrond had been alerted to their presence and rushed to meet them at the clearing just outside of the main stairs. It was twilight, with a misty rain that proved it necessary for hoods to be worn by all the incoming party. The stable hands were ready to take each mount and see to the animals' every need. Quickly ushering the Elves in, Elrond had maids ready to take each cloak to dry, handing out warm blankets in turn. Greeting his weary travelers, Elrond personally took Galadriel and Celeborn's cloaks while then turning to take their daughter's. He watched as slender, graceful fingers reached for the soaked hood, pulling it down to reveal silver hair in tendrils of wet curls that gently caressed a face as fine as newly fallen snow. Eyes of twinkling blue sparkled with the fire of the life, while a full mouth of softest pink smiled shyly up at him. He hadn't realized he was staring, awestruck by her countenance, but her parents had.

"Elrond Eärendilion at your service, my lady." He bowed his head while never moving his eyes from her. Blushing sweetly, she smiled back at him and he was lost.

Celeborn stepped forward, the protectiveness of fatherhood asserting itself at that awkward moment. "My Lord Elrond, thank you for your hospitality at this hour. May I introduce to you our daughter, Celebrķan."

"It is no trouble at all, Lord Celeborn," bowed Elrond as this time, a slight blush crept upon his comely face. Galadriel found it all amusing and beheld a gentle smile throughout. "My seneschal Saelbeth shall show you to your accommodations that you may seek respite from your journey. Sustenance shall be sent to you as well. Please do not hesitate to request anything you have need of to either Saelbeth, myself or any other here in Imladris."

"You are most gracious Lord Elrond," smiled Galadriel as her blue eyes twinkled with mirth. "Come, Celebrķan, let us become acquainted with the famed hospitality of the Imladrian Elves."

Elrond found himself staring after their retreating forms. As they neared the top of landing that lead to the guest suites, Celebrķan turned and peeked over her shoulder towards Elrond. She smiled shyly while looking upon him under long silver lashes. He found he could not look away for her beauty shone deep into his very soul......

Celebrķan turned to see the love shining from her husband's eyes for her. Blushing sweetly, she pardoned herself from the company she was with, walked slowly up to her husband who took her hand in his. Bringing her hand to his lips, he placed a gentle kiss upon the back of her hand while his eyes never left hers. "You look radiant, my love."

"Thank you," she blushed some more, "I feel wonderful. I am so very happy Elrond." This last statement was rewarded with a huge smile from him and a quick kiss upon her pink lips. A very rare display in public for them as a couple, for Elrond was a very private Elf. His life was so full of hardship and disappointment in his youth, that he found he closed himself off from most seeing him for who he really was. Celebrķan, along with the stability of Imladris and a few good friends, enabled him to find the peace within that he had so desperately sought after for hundreds of years.

The meal progressed easily between courses, with much discussion at the table between Elrond's inner circle. None had realized that Celebrķan had become quiet throughout the remainder of the meal. Though still within her first trimester, she had started to show at a fast pace. Tonight she began to feel strange sensations throughout her abdomen, as if tiny butterflies were trying to escape from within. Touching Elrond's thigh gently, she attempted to get his attention while he was talking animatedly with Lord Glorfindel about an expected shipment of long-sought after bows from Mirkwood. Not noticing her touch, he continued on until she let out a little gasp, her fingers digging instinctively into his thigh. This he noticed. Turning to her, he looked into those blue eyes in question.

"What is wrong?" He asked as he immediately stood. All at the table stopped what they were doing and stared at their lord and lady. Celebrķan looked directly at Elrond, "Take me to our chambers, my lord, something is amiss." Elrond helped her stand, the healer in him taking command at once.

"My lord, may I be of assistance?" asked a worried Glorfindel.

"Yes, help me get Celebrķan to our rooms." Elrond did not hesitate in his answer. Together they carried her through the house. Upon reaching their rooms, they laid her upon the bed gently as Glorfindel waited outside for privacy.

Once more the Lady of Imladris gasped while her hands flew to her abdomen. She knew it was too soon to feel the life within, so she thought it must be something far worse...she thought she must be loosing the unborn child.

"My love, what is it?" Elrond asked fraught with worry. "Are you in pain?"

Eyes now wet with tears, Celebrķan whispered no to the question.

"May I check you my love?" he asked sweetly, trying to calm her. She nodded her answer as a little sound of such sadness left her lips. He felt his heart would break at that sound. Gently he lifted her gown to just over her swollen belly, his expert hands feeling and pressing, checking for anything amiss. As he pressed once more, he was met with slight resistance and a fluttering back against his questing fingers. Again a gasp came forth from her lips.

"That is it Elrond. That is what I am feeling" Doing so again, he was once more rewarded with the same sensations against his hand. He prodded around some more only to be rewarded with flutterings from both sides of her abdomen. He watched enraptured as he could see the movements within. A huge smile came to his face even as his chin wavered from the depth of his feelings.
"Give me your hands, my love." He took the offered hands and placed them upon her swollen belly once more. He pressed with the expert hands of a healer; hands she knew not only brought healing but much pleasure as well. Seeing the expression on his face, she watched cautiously; and this time as the flutterings came once more, he spoke to her softly.

"My dearest wife, you are feeling our children...you are caring twins, my love." His eyes shone with all the love he felt at that moment for his wife, and for his family to be.

This time Celebrķan cried outright, tears of joy falling about her face and neck. She looked deep inside herself and sensed the two separate souls within. Elrond lay beside her on the bed, gathering her in his arms while rocking her against his strong chest as his face began to ache from the smile that would not leave. He rained soft kisses upon her fragrant hair all the while speaking words of love to her. "You have made me the happiest Elf upon Arda," he whispered against a perfect ear.

"That is impossible, for I am the happiest Elf to walk upon Middle Earth. Thank you for this gift, Elrond." She leaned up to receive a passionate kiss from her beloved mate.

A knock at the door broke the enchantment of the moment as Elrond excused himself to answer the call. Glorfindel stood on the other side along with Erestor and Saelbeth. Worry was written all over their faces.

"My friends, today I have found that I will not have one child, because the Valar have gifted us with two." Elrond's whole face was alight with pride as the three before him, trusted comrades all, gave a shout of joy that brought a smile to Celebrķan's face in the next room.

"Well done, my lord."

"Indeed!"

"Blessings abound." Were some of the replies heard the next day as Elrond and Celebrķan stood upon the dais in the dining hall, hands held tightly, as they told all of those within the vale of their wonderful news.

 

THE END