The old ways

In the middle of the clearing, not far from a small mountain side and a small waterfall, stood the most beautiful house they had ever laid their eyes on. Though made of stone it did not bear the heaviness of other stone building. It was the perfect symbiosis of stone and wood. The stonewalls were carved, fragile looking and adorned with the finest woodwork. They could see a small and shallow stream, that had been diverted from the pond at the foot of the waterfall, running towards the house, vanishing beneath it and coming back to the surface on the other side.

“I thought of it as a reminiscence of your rooms in Mirkwood. You know when you told me about them, you seemed to be especially taken by the water running through your rooms. And I thought it would make you feel more at home here.” Gimli’s soft voice broke the silence. The dwarf had quietly approached the two elves, enjoying their sparkling smiles and gleaming eyes. Also Gimli had been worried if the house was ready and how it would look finished. Both Rumil and Orophin seemed to have put quite a lot of work into it, since Gimli had been gone from the sight.

Now the dwarf could see the faint shimmer of tears in Legolas’ eyes and he gently took his friend’s hand in his and pulled him forward in direction of their new domicile.

Neither of the three ever noticed the rest of the party slowly advancing, so captured they were by the intricate work and the sheer seize of the house.

Gimli led them around to the entrance. There all of the elves and dwarves stood waiting, anxious of the reaction of the Prince and his husband. Orophin had seen the party advance and had called everyone to the front yard to greet them. Now they could see it with their own eyes. Their joy and astonishment. Loud cheers erupted and greetings were shouted from dwarves as well as from elves.

Legolas could make out familiar faces in the crowd, faces he knew from his home. Even some elves from Lothlorien. There were dwarves that did look a little bit familiar, maybe Gimli’s family and so many others he had never actually seen. And they all had come to build this? For them? He felt his chest tighten and stopped dead in his tracks. Gimli looked at him questioningly and suddenly saw Legolas dropping down to his knees, throwing his arms around the dwarf burying his face in his neck.

“Gimli,” he could hear Legolas sob into his long reddish hair “this is so wonderful. And you made this all for us? How can we ever thank you?”

“Just don’t leave me!” the dwarf whispered back and hugged Legolas tightly.

Legolas pulled back a little and looked deeply into the dwarf’s eyes. “Did you really believe I would leave you, just like this? I could never do that. But now you are going to live with us, aren’t you. Please tell me you will be staying here too.”

Not trusting his voice Gimli nodded and helped Legolas up into a standing position again.
After some silent moments they walked further to the house and stepped inside.

A large entry hall, decorated with large windows to either the front and to the back, given free the view to a large atrium that made up the entire middle section. Only now Legolas and Haldir understood that the house had been build around this atrium. Trees, bushes and paths were to be seen from here and invited everybody who looked at it, to take strolls, sit down and enjoy the peaceful harmony of nature.

Wooden doors led to left and right. Gimli moved towards the left and showed the elves all the other rooms. Main sitting room, a long and still cosy dining hall, the bedroom with all its romantic touches that clearly came from Mirkwood, the kitchen at the other end of the house and guest rooms. Then Gimli moved back to their main bedroom and opened another door that hardly was to be seen, so perfectly it was fitted into the wooden walls. It led to the bathroom. A round and deep marble bathtub had been placed deeply into the ground, tabs on opposite ends could supply it with hot and cold water, a plug in the middle between the tabs, to let the water run out again, wash basins and a hidden corner behind a movable screen with a toilet.
Gimli cocked his head and left the bathroom again turning to his right where another door was hidden in the wall.

The room behind this wall was decorated with flowing and light wall hangings and tapestries, showing pictures of Lothlorien and Mirkwood. Two identical cupboards and chest of drawers were placed at the facing walls and in the middle stood two wonderfully crafted cribs, beautifully carved and within were downy soft feather beds in a creamy cover.
At the heads of the cribs were two blank, oval shapes imbedded into the wood. “There, where the two blank spaces are, I wanted to place two little stone tablets with the names of the children, but I didn’t know the names, yet. So as soon as you tell them to me, I will make them.” Gimli explained.

Gimli had saved the atrium to the last and felt proud as he showed the elves around. The stream from the waterfall came back up here and was running in a little, winding stream to the middle into a small pond and back out at the other end. Just like the one in Legolas’ and Haldir’s room in Mirkwood. Legolas and Haldir marvelled at the planted trees and plants that grew here. In the summer, soft green grass was going to cover the ground and flowers in every shape and colour would fill the air with their scent.

All around the atrium the walls of the actual house were made of stone, but they were open, like the most delicate glasswork, never closing in on the inhabitants.

After some time of open mouthed walking around and gaping at the wonders of this place, everybody sat down in the dining hall and enjoyed food and drink. Thranduil was beaming for the first time in days and joked openly with the Lorien twins and Theon, his head healer who from time to time was quietly discussing the procedures of the babies delivery with Elrond.

When Haldir noticed Legolas growing more and more tired, he politely explained to their guests that he and his husband were in dire need to have another closer look at their wonderful bedroom once more and led Legolas out of the room, the laughter of their guests following them.


During the next few days Legolas and Haldir enjoyed exploring their house, sitting outside in the atrium even though snow was covering up most part of it and feasting with their friends in the evening in front of one of the large firesides. Life was defiantly a peaceful one now.

Every day the Hobbits would hand in a new list of names, they had made up for their children, Rumil and Orophin had some ideas of their own and Arwen and Aragorn rather took up some of the name suggestions for their children, they would hopefully have themselves one day.

Elrond and Theon were monitoring the young Prince even more closely now and were reminding Haldir every day to tell them immediately if something was going to happen. Thranduil healed quickly and was able to walk on his own again by the end of the first week.


Haldir hummed softly as he shaved off the last of the newly grown hair around Legolas genitals and smiled softly at the faint panting coming from his husband. He was astonished how much it aroused Legolas. Haldir had already decided that he would ask the blond elf to shave him in return. He really wanted to find out how it felt. Maybe it would have the same effect on him, and he had to admit the shaven sack and groin of his husband felt so unbelievingly sexy that Haldir had a hard time not jumping on him right there and then.

After he had washed the last of the soap off, Haldir bent down low and ran his tongue along the freshly shaven area. “Yes, nice and smooth.” He exclaimed before he climbed off the bed and smirked at the disappointed expression on Legolas’ face.

“Are you sure you were thorough enough? Maybe you should check every bit you just shaved.” The pregnant elf suggested with an hopeful undertone.

“Well, maybe. But not right now. I know something more relaxing and I’ll bet you will like it too.” Haldir put away their shaving utensils and left the room.

Legolas rolled his eyes and moved his right hand further down his swollen belly. He could still touch himself quite well, but it wasn’t as much fun. It was rather uncomfortable after some minutes and even if he really needed some release, like now, he refrained from it. He wasn’t quite sure if it was the pregnancy or the new house, but he felt more lustful then ever. To his disappointment, Haldir was more the opposite. Always being afraid for Legolas welfare and comfort, the march warden seemed to have put a self restrain on himself.

Letting his abdominal muscles relax and trying to shift into a more comfortable position on the bed, Legolas decided that he didn’t care about a cramp in his arm this time and started toying with his very aroused member. Just when the warm and stimulating feeling was building up in his lower body, the door opened again and Haldir stepped in carrying a large tray. Quickly letting go of his arousal, Legolas looked innocently at his husband.

Haldir smiled lovingly at the well rounded body of Legolas and put his tray down on a bed side table. “I brought you something to nibble. I thought you might like it.” He picked some of the evenly cut fruit, dipped it into a bowl that also stood on the tray and started hand feeding his husband with it.

“Mhm, fresh whipped cream.” Legolas beamed at Haldir. Some of his frustration vanished instantly.

Tossing his long silver hair over his shoulders, Haldir got down on the bed beside Legolas and both enjoyed the well tasting treats.

It didn’t take Legolas long to grow drowsy and he lay his head back onto the pillow, closing his eyes in utter contentment. He felt loved, warm and happy. What more could he want? Suddenly something cold and slick touched the sensitive skin of his belly. With a shriek Legolas opened his eyes and stared at his body.

Haldir was wearing a mischievous grin on his face as he ran his cream covered finger over the soft but stretched skin. With languid movements he draw the most delicate floral designs on Legolas belly, decorating it with small pieces of fruit.
“Hey, what do you think you are doing there?” the blond elf demanded with a humorous twinkle in his eyes.

“Turning you into a piece of art. And later I am going to eat you. Alive!” Haldir countered and with that he bent down and flicked his tongue over a piece of warm flesh licking up the cream.

Legolas laughed, but also felt life and need streaming back into his penis without any hesitation. Well, maybe he would get his release after all.

Haldir worked his way leisurely across his artistic drawings, at first completely ignoring the needy whimpers coming form Legolas and the, by now, straining arousal that jutted up proudly between the pale thighs. Only when he had cleaned all of his husband’s rounded belly, Haldir took pity on him and moved lower. Without Legolas noticing it, Haldir dipped his fingers into the cream again and then smeared it gently over the heated skin of Legolas member. A deep moan escaped the Prince’s lips and when he could feel Haldir lips closing over his sack and one hand lasciviously stroking him his whole body started trembling. Within seconds his pelvis bucked and with a loud groan, Legolas orgasmed, shooting his seed over his body and some onto the sheets.

Haldir had to suppress a giggle and again moved with long, but soft strokes his tongue over Legolas’ skin. “I know not what tastes better, my love. The cream or you.” He teased between licks.

Just as Haldir had reached the belly button, Legolas body convulsed. “Mhm, did you not have enough yet. You want more?” the march warden mocked the blond elf and moved his hand lower, between the legs again.

Legolas panted and looked slightly confused when another shock shook his body. “No, Haldir. Stop. It’s not that. It’s just that…..” he gripped his belly hard and his body seemed to spasm again.

“Legolas?” Haldir looked irritated and then it hit him. “Do you think…., are you….. I mean…”

“Get Elrond.” Legolas moaned between clenched teeth. “Now!”

Haldir jumped off the bed and swiftly ran to the door and out to fetch the Elf Lord and Theon, Thranduil’s personal healer. He was calling out their names and in no time several elves came running in his direction. Thranduil was leading them, his face somewhat pale and looking rather distressed. Elrond was at his heels and simply pushed Haldir aside, storming into their bedroom without having asked a single question.

Haldir remained standing, utterly dumbfounded, staring at the door and watching the rest of the elves vanishing through it. Only when everybody else had simply entered their bedroom Haldir followed somewhat slower and a whole lot more anxious.

What he saw when he peered carefully into the room made his heart sink even deeper. Elrond and Theon were bent low over Legolas body and were gently but continuously probing and examining him. Haldir could see Legolas’ pale and sweaty face, the tremors that were shaking his body and somewhere in the distance he heard the clam and hushed voices, giving out orders and calming the patient. Thranduil was standing at the head of the bed holding one of Legolas’ hands in his, whispering to him.

Legolas was having difficulties breathing. The cramps were coming in regular intervals, growing stronger and stronger. Elrond had told him that this would happen, but to be honest, he hadn’t been quite prepared for this. His father’s voice was telling him to relax, not to tense his muscles and breath deeply. ‘Easier said than done.’ Legolas mused and tried to look out for Haldir, but the elves surrounding his bed blocked his view.

At one stage the prince was to lift his pelvis a little and sheets of a different material were pushed beneath him. He heard Elrond mumble something about the nice and freshly shaven state of his body an felt a deep blush creeping up across his face. Theon laughed and continued washing Legolas’ lower body with a weirdly coloured, faintly fowl smelling liquid.

Thranduil gently shook his shoulder and when Legolas focused on his father again, he saw that he was holding a beaker in his hand, gesturing to his son to drink it. But before Legolas obliged he asked weakly “Haldir? Where is Haldir?”

“Shhh.., ion nín. He will be here. But now drink this. It will ease the pain.” Thranduil helped Legolas to sip the tea.

“Father, that is revolting!” the prince exclaimed and had to restrain himself from spitting it out again.
“Do you want to ease the pain or not, my son? I promise, there will be a lot of it in a few minutes.” Thranduil laughed quietly.

Elrond ushered some of the helping elves out of the room and waved Haldir inside. With hesitant steps the march warden walked over to the bed and tried to smiled reassuringly at his husband but failed miserably. “Hey you look worse then I feel.” Joked Legolas weekly at the sight of Haldir, when yet another cramp shook his delicate frame.

Haldir kissed his husband lovingly on the cheek and looked at Elrond. “What can I do?” he asked nervously and squirmed a little.

“Hold Legolas’ hand and try to calm him whenever it is necessary. He will encounter quite an amount of pain and will need all the help he can get to get through it. Legolas,” Elrond turned his attention to the panting elf on the bed “in a few minutes you will feel a numbing sensation in your lower body. Do not fear, it is from the tincture Theon has put on you skin there. It will ease everything a bit. And now drink the herbal tea. I know it tastes awful, but it will put you in a light sleep where you will not feel as much pain as you would without it. Haldir will always be here at your side as will Thranduil. Don’t worry it will not affect you thus, that you will miss the most important part. You will know when your children are here.”

Reluctantly Legolas drank the tea in large gulps, as to get it over with quickly and tried to relax back onto the bed until the tea would weave its own m and and pull him into that promised sleep. All the while he kept his eyes on Haldir and the love that radiated from his husband’s body.


Haldir could hear the excited shuffle of feet outside the door, high voices and the unmistakable giggle of Pippin. The rougher voice of Gimli telling him to be quiet and Arwen’s soothing on luring them all away into some other area of the house.

Elrond was busy laying out all the instruments he needed with the help of Thranduil’s healer. Legolas was getting drowsy and he felt himself drifting away feeling protected and calm. All the fear and nervousness were gone. Obviously the tea did not only lure him to sleep but was also a drug of some sort. Had he not been as sleepy, he would have laughed about it.

When the sharp, thin bladed knife flashed in Elrond’s hand Haldir quickly turned his head away. It was strange, he had seen so much blood and wounded in battle, had seen men and elves die, seen bodies burn to death and what a sword or axe could do to unmarred flesh, but seeing Legolas cut open was too much for him. So he held on to Legolas’ rather limp hand for dear life and inwardly hoped it would be over soon.

A his of pain escaped the Princes’ lips as the first cut was placed only inches about his pubic bone. It was a searing pain, but his body could not react to it. All he could do was utter his discomfort and squeeze whose ever hand he was clutching.

Elrond was working quick and with the ease of millennia of experience as he worked through the layers of skin, fat, abdominal muscles and bowls. Then it lay before him. Legolas womb, the muscle stretched to its limits and hard as stone. Gently probing for the right point to place the next cut, he instructed Thranduil, who had gone as white as a sheet, to let go of Legolas hand and fetch one of the pre warmed, soft linen cloths, that were laying ready on a nearby table.
Raising his voice slightly, Theon called in one of the elf maidens that had been helping before to prepare Legolas, back into the room. It was clear that Haldir was not up to it to stand here beside him and Elrond, right at the open wound to take one of the children off Elrond’s hands.

The young she elf closed the door quietly and moved over to them. Without any hesitation she took the other cloth and stood beside them, never flinching. It was obvious that she was used to this.

Thranduil sighed and gulped. From here it looked ghastly. Not as if a cunning surgeon had placed well aimed cuts. No, it looked like one of the worst battle injuries he had ever seen. But to his amassment there was less blood than he had expected. Maybe it had something to do with the tincture, but he didn’t dare to ask.

Haldir felt sweat running down his spine and sides as he held on to Legolas hand. He was hardly able to feel his own anymore. The fierceness with that the blond elf was gripping him was painful, very painful. The awful sounds coming form the other end of the bed were frightening him and Legolas constant moans and small cries were taking their toll on him.

With a quick flick of his wrist Elrond positioned the final section across the hard muscle before him. Theon was quick to hold a large piece of linen in between Legolas slightly spread legs to catch the vast amount of amniotic fluid that now welled out generously from the open womb.

Thranduil felt his throat constricting and had to fight down the urge to gag, but held his place.

Elrond quickly dropped his knife onto the small table beside him and drove both hands rather violently through the cut into the body of Legolas. With skilled little twists and turns, he gently pulled the first of the babies free.

“Here Thranduil, take it. Oh, look a little boy. Congratulations. Grandfather.” Elrond mocked his old friend gently. He smiled at the sudden gleam of unshed tears in the old King’s eyes and turned back to fetch the second child.

Haldir had turned his head immediately as he heard Elrond announce the first child and now stood transfixed, tears streaming down his face, smiling like an idiot.
All of a sudden he didn’t mind watching and stared at Elrond who had again pushed his hands inside his husbands body, waiting for his next child to be pulled out into this world.

Theon had let go of the linen he had been holding and gently cut the umbilical cord of the first child. Thranduil immediately wrapped the tiny form into the warm blanket and moved to the head of the bed, softly humming to the child, whose soft and complaining wails filled the room.

Haldir had hardly time to register Elrond pulling out the second child handing it to the young she elf beside him, Theon cutting the cord and Elrond’s soft sigh “Oh my, now you are in for it, my dear Haldir. Identical twins. I can tell you a few stories about that.”

Ignoring the pain in his hand, Haldir let go off his husband and took his second son from the young elf, staring at this small wonder in disbelieve. Eyes tightly screwed shut, it filled his lunges for the first time and let go such a loud and annoyed wail, that everybody laughed.

The tension left every person in the room and while Elrond tenderly and carefully closed Legolas body again, everybody was talking, laughing and shaking their heads at those two little beauties that had just been brought into this world.

A very soft voice interrupted the merry talk “Haldir, I hear we have two little warriors now?”

“Legolas, love.” Haldir quickly turned to Legolas who smiled weakly at him. “Yes, two absolutely gorgeous boys. Look.” He held the child he was holding in his arms near to Legolas head. “There, see. He has your eyes.”

Legolas smiled lovingly at the child and then at his husband. “Yes, you are right. Yours are far more bloodshot.” The Prince tried to joke but the pain he was feeling was still too great to appreciate anything around him. Thranduil showed him the second child and soon, everybody could see the sparkling blue becoming distant again as Legolas drifted off into a deep sleep.


While Elrond and Theon were putting the last stitches to the deep cuts, the young nurse helped Thranduil and Haldir to wash the babies and properly wrap them into soft warm linen. When they were finished Elrond was clearing away his instruments and covered Legolas with a light but warm blanket. “Don’t you want to tell your friends, Haldir?” he asked “I think I hear some commotion in the hallway.”


t.b.c