"Really!?" Sylas's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression brighter and more animated than ever before.
Arwen radiated gentle warmth as she nodded, smiling so tenderly that it softened the air around her.
"It's been a month already," she said with a light laugh. "I only realized it yesterday."
Hearing her words, Sylas was struck with pure astonishment and joy. He gently placed a hand on his wife's still-flat belly and extended his magic to sense within.
A faint, fragile pulse of life responded, weak but unmistakably there.
Overwhelmed, Sylas broke into a wide, foolish grin and shouted ecstatically,
"I'm going to be a father! I'm going to be a father!"
He swept Arwen up into his arms, spinning her around several times in giddy excitement, yet holding her as carefully as if she were made of glass.
"I'm going to be a father!" he repeated, almost chanting it.
Watching her husband grin like a fool, Arwen only smiled and wrapped her arms lovingly around his neck, letting him release his happiness.
When his excitement finally began to settle, Sylas realized how roughly he had acted. His demeanor changed instantly, now he looked at her as though she were a priceless treasure.
He hurriedly helped her sit down, muttering to himself,
"No, you're pregnant now. You must rest! Everything else can wait, I'll stay by your side every moment. We'll inform Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel immediately. And I'll summon a few caretakers. Elenhis is good at potions, and Amanda's medical magic is unmatched. Yes, call them both to the castle..."
Hearing her husband rambling nonstop, Arwen couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Sylas," she said fondly, "I'm only pregnant, not made of crystal. Don't worry so much. When my mother was expecting me, she even crossed the Misty Mountains to visit my grandparents in Lothlórien."
It took quite a while for her to calm him down, and only then did Sylas reluctantly agree not to summon a full retinue of caretakers.
Still, he decided to put aside most of his affairs for the time being, devoting himself entirely to looking after her.
Even so, he still sent word to Amanda, the most skilled in medical magic, and Elenhis, the foremost expert in potion-making, inviting them both to the castle just in case.
Amanda and Elenhis were among the very first students from Sylas's accelerated magic academy.
Amanda had shown extraordinary talent in healing magic, and in the decade since graduation, she had not only mastered countless medical spells but had also, through Arwen's introduction, gone to study under Lord Elrond, the greatest healer in all Middle-earth.
Her abilities were now so refined that even Elrond himself praised her, Sylas often admitted that even he could not match Amanda in medical expertise.
Elenhis, on the other hand, possessed unparalleled talent in potions. After graduating, he had remained at the castle, continuing his studies under Sylas's personal guidance, aided by potion notes passed down from Professor Snape.
His progress had been astonishing. He was now only one step away from earning the title of Potions Master, for mastery required not just perfect brewing of advanced potions but also the creation or improvement of one's own.
Elenhis had already produced flawless-quality brews and even successfully replicated Felix Felicis, the fabled Liquid Luck.
Now, he was working on inventing a new potion inspired by the Ent-draught, aiming to merge its invigorating effects with sustained magical enhancement, a discovery that could earn him his title before long.
After sending for Amanda and Elenhis, Sylas also shared the joyful news of Arwen's pregnancy with Lord Elrond in Rivendell, and Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel in Lothlórien.
Upon hearing the news, Elrond immediately traveled to Hogwarts Castle via the Vanishing Cabinet.
Not long after, Galadriel and Celeborn arrived as well.
As the greatest healer in Middle-earth, Elrond personally examined his daughter.
As both father and healer, he was filled with deep emotion, joy mingled with concern.
After completing his examination, however, his worried expression eased into a smile.
Turning to his anxious son-in-law, Elrond said warmly,
"Arwen's health is excellent, and the children are doing fine as well. You need not worry too much."
"That's wonderful!" Sylas exclaimed in reliefs and then froze mid-sentence. His eyes widened.
"Wait, did you say children?"
Arwen blinked, startled.
"Father… you mean?"
Elrond chuckled softly and nodded.
"You heard right. Arwen is carrying twins. It's still early, so it isn't obvious yet."
Sylas was momentarily speechless then burst into d,elighted laughter.
"Twins!?" he repeated in disbelief. "Ha! Truly double the blessing!"
As he thought about it, it all made sense. The House of Elrond indeed had a long history of twins, Elrond himself and his brother Elros, the first King of Númenor, had been twins. So were Arwen's elder brothers, Elladan and Elrohir.
And now Arwen was carrying twins as well.
Sylas couldn't help but laugh again.
'The family genes really are strong.'
Elrond's expression grew solemn as he turned to Sylas and said gravely,
"Elves take far longer to bear children than humans, up to three years in some cases. During this time, the child constantly draws upon the mother's strength, both physical and magical.
With twins, the burden will be even greater. Arwen's body will grow weaker under the strain, so it is absolutely essential that nothing goes wrong during the pregnancy.
Her nutrition and magic reserves must be carefully maintained.
When I return to Rivendell, I will prepare special potions designed for Elven mothers. When Arwen reaches the later stages, you must ensure she takes them regularly."
Sylas nodded earnestly, his tone firm and serious.
"I understand. I'll follow your instructions to the letter."
At that moment, Lady Galadriel, who had arrived quietly beside them, spoke in her calm, ethereal voice,
"They are both first-time parents and have little experience. I will remain here at the castle until Arwen gives birth safely."
Hearing those words, both Elrond and Sylas smiled in relief and gratitude.
"Thank you, Lady Galadriel," Elrond said sincerely.
But Galadriel merely shook her head, her tall, graceful figure enveloping her granddaughter protectively as she replied,
"There's no need for thanks. Arwen is my granddaughter. Since Celebrian is no longer here to care for her, it is my duty to do so."
Indeed, both Sylas and Arwen were new to the experience of parenthood.
Sylas, an orphan, had no family of his own to guide him, and Arwen's mother, Celebrian, had long since sailed across the sea to the Blessed Realm.
Thus, Galadriel, as Arwen's grandmother, naturally took it upon herself to act in her daughter's stead, overseeing the pregnancy with the care and wisdom of an elder.
She remained at Hogwarts Castle, personally tending to Arwen's daily needs and ensuring her safety.
Lord Celeborn, after confirming his granddaughter's well-being, returned to Lothlórien to oversee the realm's affairs, though he frequently sent wagonloads of Elven food and rare nutrients from the Golden Wood to support Arwen's health.
With Galadriel present at her side, Elrond could finally return to Rivendell with peace of mind. There, he began crafting specialized Elven tonics and restorative potions, delivering them regularly to the castle while checking on his daughter's condition each visit.
Arwen's brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, interrupted their travels the moment they heard the news and hurried to the castle to see their sister.
Meanwhile, friends such as Bilbo and Gandalf also sent their blessings, some in person, others by way of enchanted gifts and messages of congratulations.
When word of the Lady's pregnancy spread throughout the realm, joyous celebration broke out across all lands under Sylas's rule.
The people of the territory decorated the castle with lanterns, ribbons, and colorful banners, celebrating the long-awaited arrival of an heir.
Wizards from Bree, Hogsmeade, and Isengard raised their wands high into the night sky, releasing brilliant magical fireworks that blossomed into stars and dragons and phoenixes overhead.
For a time, Breeze, Hogsmeade, and Isengard were all bustling with activity.