The Last Othellan

Epilogue

I had rarely felt more content than in that moment, as I lay propped against the pillows, exhausted, between freshly changed sheets. Legolas had given me his night shirt, as my own clothes were wet, and it smelled comfortingly of safety and peace.

He himself was sitting in the chair next to me that he had occupied for the last 13 hours, staring in wonder at the warm little bundle nestled sweetly in between his elbow and wrist. A perfect miniature hand pushed out of the blankets and he smiled softly, his eyes sparkling as the hand reached out for his little finger.

"Aúthiel, look, she's gripping my finger, just like Aelin did when he was born", Legolas muttered, smiling in pride and still sounding as if he could barely believe the child in his arms was ours. A little girl this time, with eyes just like her father's and a dark mop of hair already present on her head.

"I remember" I muttered, my voice quiet, trying not to disturb my girl. She seemed to be drifting off to sleep, and Legolas sat on the bed, gently placing the baby into my arms. She barely stirred as she was passed from father to mother, turning her head and nestling into my chest. I brushed my finger through her dark hair softly and hummed a tune to calm her, enjoying the rush of pride and adoration for this tiny, beautiful being. As with Aelin before her, I could barely comprehend that something so incredible could be a part of me.

Legolas settled his back against the intricate wood pattern of the headboard and wrapped an arm slowly around me, careful to avoid moving either me or our child. He kissed my hair, then my forehead, then bent to kiss our daughter too.

"I am so proud of you. Both of you."

It had been a difficult birth. Not as gruelling as my first child, our little boy, but it had seemed to last forever. The healers had told me that I endured the pain better than most, but that's not what it felt like for me. However, just as with the first, it was all worth it to see a perfect life, one coming from so much love and trust between two people, sleeping in my arms.

I rested my head on Legolas' chest. "Thank you for being here again" I muttered, my speech weak from tiredness. Legolas held me a little tighter, but still took care to be as gentle as he could.

"I would not leave you to do this alone. After all, our children are at least half my fault".

I giggled weakly, closing my eyes. "You don't know how unusual you are, do you? Many men are terrified of this process".

"Aragorn stayed with Arwen through all of her births, even though it is not common practice for a king to do so".

"That is because he is a good man, and so are you".

I had little remaining energy, but I stretched up to kiss Legolas gently on the lips, ensuring the one in my arms was not disturbed.

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door. Legolas brushed his lips against my cheek and got up to answer it. "Ada?" a familiar voice asked, "Has nana had her baby now?" Legolas stepped back, and none other than Aragorn stepped through the door holding our son, Aelin, by the hand. Our boy had been allowed to stay up late tonight to meet his little sister, as I had been far too exhausted to see anyone just after she was born a few hours before. (Papa, Mama)