20. It runs in the family
I kiss my wife soundly, knowing that I am a blessed man. Now I do not merely have one child, but two children. A son for me, and a daughter for my wife. How sweet they are when they sleep, so innocent.
But soon Haldar will be grown, I will teach him how to fight and he will be a brave man.
Haleth will be a beautiful woman and she will marry a good man.
When I look at you now, so small, I wonder if your lives will be as easy as your father wishes. But for now you will have my protection.
I shake my head, twins with different genders.
You look so perfect in your mother's arms, my little half-elf, so at peace. She lets me hold you and I count ten little fingers and ten little toes. Finally your eyes open and I see that they are the colour of the grey sea, intelligent eyes in a soft face framed by a tiny bit of black hair.
I look at my lovely Elwing who is smiling at me, then back at you and decide that I will always be there for you.
"I name you..."
I look at the nurse and realize that she holds something that looks suspiciously like a baby.
You will bring joy into this valley, my firstborn son. And you will grow up in peace far away from war together with your mother and me. You will grow up like a prince, my dear pen-neth, but neither must you forget your legacy. I will name you Elladan, for you are descendant from the Edain as well. This reminds me that I have to tell Valandil, he will want to know.
"Elrond? Elrond!" I must not have heard her the first time. "I want you to meet someone, my dear. And as I look at her I see another baby in her arms.
"Ai Valar, twins?"
Today I can rightfully consider myself as the happiest man in Arda. I have been waiting for you for so many years, and now I hold you in my arms. Is this not a wonder? You are so beautiful, ion-nin.
I caress your ear and your nose, and as I look up I see your beautiful mother smile at us. Just like her. Suddenly a wave of protection washes over me and I never want to let you go again.
"Just like you, Estel. But there is someone else who craves for your attention, Ada."
At my look of surprise she begins to laugh wholeheartedly.
Well, a boy and a girl! I join in her laughter. This is not unheard of in this family.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.