Chapter Text
Prologue: A Long Awaited Birth
Middle Earth Date (MED) Third Age (TA): August 1st 2998, Location: The Elven Realm of Rivendell in the Misty Mountains.
Hot, still air permeated the silent corridors and walkways of the House of Elrond. Not a harp or voice dared to cut into the atmosphere. The whole house was waiting. Outside of a chamber, a small group of Dunedain rangers waited expectantly. From behind the door, a woman’s cries and moans came from within. One ranger nervously paced up and down. The smoke from his pipe made long trails as he walked.
The door opened, drawing his attention, and a mortal woman exited the chamber. She wore a white kerchief over her dark brown hair that matched the bloody apron she wore. The ranger quickly approached her. “What news, Labes?”
The woman smiled. “Aye, my Lord. my Lady is progressing well. Lord Elrond believes the babe will be with us before daybreak.” She bowed slightly, then quickly returned to the chamber.
His companions gathered about him, offering encouragement. A one-armed man patted him on the back. “See, my Lord Beren, you will soon be a father. A fine son, I am sure, and he will be as princely as his father.”
“Thank you Tolben. If he is as good a lad as your Rodon, then I shall be content.”
The woman’s cries became more intense. Beren could not bear it any longer and made for the chamber door. “Naerien, I must go to her!” But another of his companions barred his way.
“The birthing chamber is no place for a man, Beren! Naerien’s mother, Labes and the Elves are assisting her. Calm yourself, cousin, Elrond has never lost a woman or child yet.”
“I know Aragorn, but to hear her and be unable to comfort her. After all she has endured over the years.”
Aragorn placed a reassuring hand on Beren’s shoulder. “It will all be forgotten at the child’s first cries. Before you know it, they will be placing your son in your arms.”
“Have you a name yet, Beren?” asked another Ranger.
“Aye, I have Halbarad. I shall name him Berenion, son of Beren.”
Halbarad patted him on the back. “A fine name. We shall soon be toasting his arrival.”
The tapping of a stick on the floor caught the men’s attention, and they turned to see an old man approaching from the other end of the corridor.
“Gandalf, what a pleasant surprise. You have arrived just in time, old friend,” said Aragorn.
Gandalf’s bushy eyebrows rose as he chuckled. “I always do.”
Naerien’s cries suddenly ceased and an eerie silence fell over those gathered as all eyes turned towards the door. Beren swallowed painfully. His mouth was dry, and he was lightheaded. Seconds crept by like hours before a piercing cry announced a child’s entry into the world. All present breathed a sigh of relief. Tears welled in Beren’s eyes and his lips quivered. The crying softened, then ceased, and shortly after, the door to the chamber opened.
Lord Elrond emerged carrying a tiny bundle, his face a picture of wonder and joy as he gazed down at his precious charge. “She is perfect,” he whispered.
Beren looked at him with a confused expression. “She?”
Elrond beamed as he turned to Beren. “Naerien was delivered of a fine and healthy daughter.”
All the men gasped in surprise.
“And Naerien?”
“She is resting. The birth went very well. You will be able to see her soon.”
Beren looked upon the angelic face of the sleeping baby, and his heart leapt. He let out a nervous laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “A daughter? But no girl has been born into the royal line since my mother some ninety years past.”
“And she, too, was an unexpected surprise. Congratulations Beren, you have been truly blessed this day.”
Beren held out his arms to receive the baby, and Elrond carefully placed her in his arms. At first, Beren thought he seemed a little reluctant, but soon his attention turned to his baby daughter. “Twenty years. Your mother and I have waited for you. We feared this day would never come. You are truly a gift to us,” he whispered. Beren kissed her forehead and let the tears run down his cheeks. His kinsmen and companions all drew out their drinking horns and an Elven lady filled each with her pitcher of wine.
“What will you name the young lady, my Lord?” asked Tolben.
Halbarad laughed. “Aye, you can hardly call her Berenion.”
Beren was silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “We have finally been blessed with a child after twenty years of longing. My wife, Lady Naerien, endured much grief and humiliation for her childlessness. Now, none may call her barren. It is said that a daughter is a blessing to her mother and a gift to her father. For a son may die without issue, but a daughter may yet live to bear her father thrice a grandson. I name my precious daughter, Anberenien, ‘Gift daughter of Beren’. Because my daughter is a gift, not only to her family but to all the Dúnedain!”
His kinsmen and companions responded with cheer as they toasted the baby’s name and welcomed her into the world. The noise woke the sleeping infant and she let out a wail. All those present laughed. Then Beren noticed the child’s eyes. He had expected her to have his grey eyes, as do all who carried the royal bloodline of Elendil in their veins. Instead, her eyes were as bright as pools of molten silver.
Silence fell over the company as they beheld this curious sight. Then some of the company whispered that the child was strange. Gandalf approached and examined the baby, who stopped crying and cooed at him. He and Elrond exchanged looks. Beren was fearful that something was wrong. But they assured him that his daughter was perfectly healthy and, though her eye colour was unusual, there was nothing to be concerned about. Then Aragorn spoke before the company of rangers.
“Kinsmen, good friends, I like not the strange whispers I hear among you. Yes, the child’s eyes are bright, but does she not share the royal bloodline of her father and myself? A bloodline that stretches as far back as Elros, first King of Númenor and brother of our beloved Lord Elrond. Elros, who took the gift of men instead of immortality. The sons of Eärendil, whose light guides us in the sky every night. Therefore, it is hardly strange to me that one with such a lineage is blessed with such a light in her eyes. It is a sign. The time has come for me to make ready to take my rightful place on the throne in Gondor and restore our people to their homeland. We shall be wanderers no longer. We shall rebuild our cities and our lives. This child shall one day play her part in joining our sister country, Gondor, with our restored homeland Arnor and it will be a glorious thing. The shadow's days shall be numbered as we, the Dúnedain, prevail!”
The company rallied at his words, praising their wise chieftain and shaking the hand of Beren in congratulation as they dispersed to their resting places. Beren handed Anberenien back to Elrond, who returned her to the chamber. “That was some speech cousin,” said Beren.
“I only spoke the truth, Beren. Your daughter will have an important role when she is of age. But now is not the time to speak of such things. Go and rest, Beren. You will need it. For when the night is young again, the birthing feast shall be ready. And the two of them wandered up the corridor and into the darkness.
Gandalf alone remained outside the birthing chamber. Shortly after, he heard footsteps coming towards him from the other end of the corridor. Two old men, each carrying a staff, came into view. One dressed in brown robes, the other in white. Gandalf raised his bushy eyebrows. “I was wondering if you two would show up.”
The man in white smiled thinly. “As soon as I received word, I made my way from Isengard with all haste.”
“By portal? I hope you took precautions, Saruman,” replied Gandalf.
Saruman rolled his eyes. “I am always discreet Gandalf.”
“May we see the baby?” asked the man in brown excitedly.
Gandalf explained that all were at rest and they could visit the baby later. “But for now we shall retire to Elrond’s study, where he will join us in due course.” The other two nodded in agreement and the three of them made their way along the corridor.
“I hope you have both brought an appropriate gift for the occasion,” said Saruman as they turned the corner and out of sight.