New Beginnings

It was obvious when Eldarion nodded and was handed his son that it  was love at first sight. He didn’t cry or get weepy like some men did but he did smile. “He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he murmured and kissed his son’s head.

“Ok, lets get you in a bed Calista and get you cleaned up,” Nauriel said as Eldarion handed the babe back to Calista. “Eldarion...out,” Nauriel said. Eldarion was going to protest but Serethiel chimed in. “Out with you boy,” She said  and Eldarion gave Calista one last kiss and then stepped out into the hall. It took some time to clean up everything and lastly Nauriel helped wash Calista up. The placenta and after birth were cleaned up and the babes had been washed  as well. Serethiel scented the room with dried lavender, neroli and jasmine.

Outside Arlina and Einor spoke softly to one another and Eldarion and Conleth spoke. He had already told everyone that Calista had birthed 2 sons and they were perfect, healthy and strong. Einor congratulated him but had to take his leave to see to his duties and Arlina had to depart to see to Meliara which left Eldarion and Conleth alone outside the door.

“So, 2 new, great grandsons then. Well done Eldarion...well done,” Conleth said happily.

That evening an eerie quiet settled over the city. People had chose to stay inside their homes and the streets were empty save for soldiers and guards who now wore no helmets inside the walls. 9 men in all had been found either dead already or they fought to the death. No one recognized them and they had no distinguishing marks so it was impossible to know who sent them but Elessar thought he knew. Finally he himself had arrived to pay his respects. And he was very pleased to know Calista bore 2 sons. They were all waiting for the women to tell them they could enter and if it took all night they’d remain until they did gain entry.

Calista felt exhaustion unlike anything she had ever felt before. She knew her body needed rest, but at the same time she felt anxious about letting her two newborn sons out of her sight after everything that had happened in the last few hours. She knew that they were safe with their family, but her motherly instincts had kicked in and she had to be firmly convinced to lie down and rest. Her rest was short lived because soon the babies were hungry and she had to be awoken and then instructed on how to feed them. It took a few minutes, but finally she had one in one arm and one in the other and was feeding them both at the same time. It brought tears to her eyes to think about how a year ago she and Eldarion weren't even sure they would have one baby and now they had two.

Ariana wanted to spend more time with Einor, but she needed to check on Meliara and be sure she was alright. However, she promised to see him in the morning. Nauriel was relieved to hear that her husband was now there and alright. She knew that they would have much to discuss when in private. Finally, after Calista was finished feeding and the babies were settled Nauriel emerged from the bedroom and smiled at everyone. She was very tired herself, but she was happy to show off her grandsons.

"You all may enter now and meet the newest members of our family."

And so the weary men filed into Eldarion’s apartments then into their bedroom. Calista held a babe and Serethiel sat on the side of the bed and held one as well. Conleth came up first and touched the babe Serethiel held lightly on the cheek. He looked over at a weary Serethiel and touched her cheek affectionately as well. He smiled down at her, and the warmth that came from him made Serethiel smile as well. She nodded to him and he nodded back then leaned down and kissed her in front of everyone. That had never happened for the entire time they had been married. Conleth did not display his affection like that, not ever but he did just now then moved up to Calista and came down to a knee.

Elessar was next and he kissed Nauriel and she accompanied him on his way to see the babes. He touched the first with his thumb then leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Still bent over he moved and kissed Serethiel on the cheek. Another first for Serethiel, Elessar had never done that before. As Conleth stood and stepped away, Elessar knelt beside Calista and took up her hand.

“You’ve done well Calista,” he said as he kissed her hand. “Your work today has secured our family line and for that I am eternally grateful,” he said as he reached up to touch her cheek. He smiled as she shifted the babe for him to hold and Elessar took him into his arms. He smiled again and wiped a stray tear from his eye. He leaned down and kissed him on the forehead then handed him back to Calista. He stood and leaned over to kiss Calista on the cheek and whispered. “Thank you,” to her before he departed.

He patted Eldarion on the shoulder as he passed him and as he drew closer Serethiel stood and handed him his son. Eldarion took the babe and gingerly adjusted him in his arms. ‘Thank you grandmother,” Eldarion said and smiled at her then looked down and smiled at his son. Serethiel stepped away and took her place at Conleth’s side. Eldarion moved to side on the bed and he smiled over at Calista with tears in his eyes.

Calista felt as though she could sleep for an entire week and still be exhausted, but it was a good feeling. As she looked around and saw her family around her she felt safe and knew that her children would be loved and cared for. Her heart swelled with pride when the King, her father-in-law, expressed how happy he was and she smiled at Eldarion. All of the frustration and pain had been worth it and even though she had been forced to go to extreme measures to have these babies she would do it all over again if she had to. The end result was all that had ultimately mattered.

"We now have to name them," she said to Eldarion with a little smile.

“Later dearest,” he said as everyone departed. He kissed her lips, passionately. “I love you Calista. Forever and ever and ever,” he whispered into her ear. “I brought you my gift, for giving me my children,” he said softly and proffered a small, thin, black box and set it down upon the covers before her. He smiled when she looked up at him, wide-eyed and then shifted her gaze back down to the box. The lid came off easily and inside light glittered over a necklace. Not just any necklace, one tooled in Mithril with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and fire drops. The gems were oval in shape and smooth, unfaceted and held into the mithril settings...somehow. It must have cost a fortune though it could have been a piece that sat undiscovered in the King’s treasure rooms. Regardless of where it came from it was a gift for her and it likely was worth more than a village and maybe even a small city. He carefully took it out and helped her clasp it onto her neck. He took her face into his hands and kissed her passionately again, and wished he could make love to her. He saw tears in her eyes and he wiped them away with his thumbs as he looked at her. “Sleep my darling, while you can,” he said and smiled again. “God your beautiful,” he said then straightened and stepped out of the room.

OOC-New thread