"We could leave everything behind. We could just run. Live by ourselves, the dream of us we never achieved. We could live alone in these forests, raise a child to be better than either of us. It would be paradise."
"... Do you mean that?"
"With all my heart."
She awoke with a moan. The old, stone dwarf beds were reinforced with pre-packed elven blankets and freshly fluffed animal skins, but the layers of soft fabrics and materials still did not give the impression of a proper elf bed. Her back still hurt. The past six months of this pregnancy were not lived out in the comfort of Lindon. No. She was hiding away in the long abandoned ruins of Firebeards fleeing the destruction of Beleriand. It was in the dead of winter above her, and beneath her were the half flooded half apocalyptically rugged underbellies of the ruined city. Hiding out in an abandoned dwarf home, she heard the roaring of forge fires and fireplaces throughout the chamber. She and her one companion were doing everything they could to stay warm.
Speaking of her friend...
Aurthiel blinked her dreary eyes open and looked around the bedroom. The cold, dwarvern architecture of stone was gray and bland. This place was a far cry from the dwarf style and craftsmanship of Khazad-Dum. The bland, etched walls reflected the roaring fires as she listened for any noise.
There was the snapping and popping of all those fires. Yet a familiar humming also echoed through the underground house. Aurthiel could not help but smile. Of course Mythrenniel was singing quietly to herself as she cleaned one of the other rooms. A broom's sweeping whispered like the tiny scratching of a beetle. Still, Aurthiel was content to listen to her friend humming and the fires crackling in silence. She could also smell food cooking from the kitchen. Ah, delicious food! Mythrenniel was an incredible cook. She lifted a hand and placed it on her swollen stomach, bittersweet emotions flooding her as she whispered...
"You will have the most wonderful mother."
Aurthiel frowned. She sadly rubbed her belly with a somber expression. As if sensing her sorrow, the little baby kicked. Aurthiel could not help but gasp and smile the smallest of smiles.
"Good morning, Aurthiel!"
Aurthiel looked up to see Mythrenniel nearly dancing into the room with a tray of food. Roasted mountain aurochs she had caught outside, as well as some berries and herbs from the overgrown greenhouse below. Mythrenniel gracefully set the tray next to Aurthiel's bedside, "You are coming closer and closer to labor, you do need to keep your strength up."
Aurthiel nodded, head still buried in her pillows, "I know."
Mythrenniel reached and helped Aurthiel to sit up. It was uncomfortable and burdensome, as her body was heavy with child. Being an elf, an immortal being with vigor and might, she definitely knew she could be doing worse. Yet, as she was sat up in the mound of furs, blankets, and pillows, she was still wishing things could be better.
"How did you do it?" Aurthiel asked with a groan, "Two children, and likely to have more."
Mythrenniel chuckled, "It was very difficult. Yet, I managed. Unlike me, however, you do not have the comfort and proper support I had."
Aurthiel sighed, plopping her head in the pillows, "How encouraging."
Mythrenniel offered a sad smile, "On the bright side, you do have me. And I did promise to do everything in my power to protect and care for you both."
Aurthiel looked up to Mythrenniel with an equally sad look, "Forever, right?"
Mythrenniel leaned down and offered a gentle hug, "Indeed."
As her best friend broke the hug, Aurthiel reached up and wiped away a tear. She tugged at the black scarf she wore, (yes, in bed) and looked over to see Mythrenniel dishing out the meal.
"I think a hot meal would do you good, friend."
Aurthiel snickered, rolling her eyes. "In winter? In a winter in the Blue Mountains? Anything hot would be nice!"
