The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 103

“I lost him in the gardens.” Glorfindel panted heavily as he fell bonelessly into the chair in Elrond’s study. Although he was getting better from his mysterious illness he was still not perfect and the exertion of the run after his lover had tired him considerably. Elladan had brought Legolas home only a few hours ago and while the house had been in chaos with Gwendolyn no one had givenolasolas a second thought. Glorfindel had every intention of moving Legolas back to their own room but Elladan had flatly refused saying that Legolas needed to be kept isolated so that he could sleep. The elder twin’s attentiveness and protectiveness of Legolas had come quite as a shock to Glorfindel, who had assumed his lover and past student didn’t get on very well. Now however they had all gathered in Elrond’s study having scoured the house looking for the prince with no success.

“He obviously does not want to be found.” Erestor handed his friend a cool glass of spring water as before sitting cautiously down next to Elrond.

“I knew he would react badly to hearing of Gwendolyn’s death but I did not think it would affect him so quickly. I am quite at a loss to explain the prince’s behaviour, surely he does not yet understand the mechanics of pregnancy to understand Gwendolyn’s death?” Elrond turned his attention pensively across to Glorfindel who was reclined uncomfortably in the chair the worry for his lover clear.

“We have not discussed such a subject my Lord. I have avoided conversation about it knowing he is not ready.” Glorfindel spoke calmly but everyone could see the slight blush in Glorfindel’s cheeks about having to openly discuss what he and Legolas were doing.

“And Filgree have you discussed the matter of pregnancy with Legolas yet?” Elrond turned his attention to Legolas’ old tutor who was sitting quietly beside Thranduil.

“Nay he knows very little about the subject I believe my Lord. Though he is aware of the changes his body will go through, there has been no mention of more detailed events.” Filgree answered quietly and Elrond furrowed his brow in further worry. Before anymore could be said however there was a short knock at the door before a timid young maid entered the room and bowed low to all of the Lords.

“My Lord Elrond, Haldir of Lothlorien has arrived with the last of the patrol.” Elrond stood up from his seat beside Erestor and nodded understandingly to the young elf.

“Thank-you you may inform him we shall be down immediately. Was there anything else?” Elrond saw the hesitation in the young elf’s eyes as he glanced cautiously across at Thranduil.

“Prince Hale of Mirkwood is refusing to let the ladies tend to their tasks in the ladies room, and we are finding it difficult to find a wet nurse for the babe.” The young maiden’s voice trailed off as she looked sadly down at where her hands were clasped in front of her.

“I will deal with my son but surely there are women with new born elflings within the healing houses are there not? What is the problem with using one of them?” Thranduil stood up from his own seat and approached younyoung maiden who seemed to cower away from the King who towered above her. Nervously the young maiden looked to Elrond beyond king Thranduil before biting her lip in worry.

“Aye there are mothers in the nursery but they all refuse to nurse a babe of Mirkwood. They say it is against their duty to nurse the enemies child.” Thranduil growled deep in the back of his throat as he spun around to glare at Elrond who was not surprised at hearing the maiden’s reply. He knew when he had received the letter that there would be little chance Thranduil and his party would be accepted in Imladris, even Legolas had been finding it hard to gain trust among the people. Sighing heavily Elrond dismissed the young maiden before he turned calmly to Thranduil who was turning an unattractive shade of red in anger.

“They are right Thranduil they have no duty to nurse your granddaughter and do not have to.” Elrond beckoned calmly to Elrohir who had been standing silently off to the side with Elladan, who had guiltily been watching Glorfindel the entire time. “Go with Thranduil to the kitchens and brew the milk formula I showed you how to. Between yourself and tutor Filgree, you will nurse the babe until we can find a willing nanny to do the same.” Elrohir went to protest but the scowl on his fathers face made him hold his tongue. “Do not argue with me Elrohir I do not have patients or the time to do so. There is too much to do and I am extremely concerned for Legolas’ health now do as I say, it will be good practice for you.” Elrond’s words were final and despite his furious look upon his face Elrohir nodded his agreement. Spinning around Elrohir stormed from the room barely waiting for Thranduil who tentatively followed without a sound.

“There is a lot to be done Elrond perhaps we can aid you in some way?” Celeborn was the next to speak having observed the entire scene from the window seat beside a large stack of books.

“Aye we must arrange rooms for everyone and attended to the injured who have arrived with Haldir. There is Gwendolyn’s passing to consider and the men from Gondor still require a decision on their request for our aid. Then there is Legolas, of whI amI am most concerned for, he does not seem himself.” Elrond frowned as Erestor moved silently over to support him, as he noticed the fatigue and frustration pass over the Lord’s face. Do nDo not worry about Legolas Elrond, I will find him and speak with him before breakfast.” Glorfindel rose from the chair having finally recovered after his chase of his lover.

“Very well but do no tax yourself Glorfindel I will need you in discussions with the men.” Glorfindel nodded understandingly and slowly rose from his seat to leave.

“Elladan and I shall insure the men are kept well occupied and guarded while you are busy with the arriving patrol Elrond.” Celeborn stood next to his grandson and smiled gently down at him.

“Thank-you. We shall all meet in the hall for lunch and perhaps if things are a little less chaotic we can perhaps start discussions with the men.” At Elrond’s quiet dismissal everyone left the room leaving Elrond standing drained in the center of his library, with Erestor holding him supportively around the waist. For a moment the pair stood in silence staring into one another’s eyes.

“You think that Legolas is ill don’t you?” Erestor swept his hand gently across Elrond’s forehead creasing out the frown lines. Elrond nodded sadly the feeling of danger again swelling in his body.

“Aye he is not yet a full year from his majority so it can be nothing else but sickness. He and Glorfindel need to be returned to the same room their closeness is vital, no matter what the risk to Legolas from Candolin.” Erestor sighed heavily as he listened to Elrond’s voice already sensing the fatigue behind his lover’s tone. Gwendolyn’s death had taken its toll on Elrond, who had tried desperately to save the young woman’s life but lost the battle. They had been lucky to save the child’s life and if Elrond had not cut her open when he did Thranduil’s only grandchild would be dead also.

“I will see to it then that he is moved back to their chambers.” Erestor softly kissed Elrond on the cheek reassuring his lover that he would take care of that matter. “Now come and lie down for a little while my love. You are tired and I am quite capable of organizing the household in your absence, a few hours to yourself is what you need.” Elrond sighed wearily knowing that he could not refuse Erestor’s urging even if he tried. Slowly the pair of them wandered to Elrond’s private chambers and the Lord watched silently as Erestor turned down the bed and fluffed the pillows for Elrond to lie down on.

“You know Erestor. It will be a valar sent relief when Legolas is with child. You must tell Glorfindel to work a little harder to achieving that goal, for there will be no peace in Imladris until Legolas belly is full.” Reluctantly Elrond let Erestor help him off with his robe before loosening the ties of his nightshirt. None of them had been given a chance to change from their sleeping attire since Thranduil had arrived with Gwendolyn in the late evening and so Elrond was still dressed as he was went he had gotten into bed that very evening. Erestor pressed a soft kiss to Elrond’s forehead before covering his lover with the blanket.

“And are their any suggestions for how Glorfindel may help this process my love? For I am sure he will ask my.” Erestor smiled as Elrond curled up beneath the blankets his gaze beginning to fall vacant even as he answered Erestor’s question.

“Tell him to take Legolas more than once at a time and that when he spills his seed to be in as deep as he can and not to pull out immediately. There is little chance Legolas will conceive before his body is ready to take the child but we must assume he is ready now and continue to press the matter until we have success.” Erestor sighed heavily as Elrond’s voice trailed off and the elder elf’s eyes fell vacant indicating that he was lost to his dreamscape. Erestor had never heard Elrond speak so bluntly about Legolas’ situation and it concerned him that Elrond was getting anxious and worried for the fate of the elves, which balanced so precariously in Legolas’ fragile hands. Still Erestor would talk to Glorfindel as Elrond requested but with a little more tact that his lover had just portrayed. Legolas was touchy about his situation as was Glorfindel about discussing his private life and with them both confused and sick neither of them would take the discussion well. Now however Erestor had other slightly more important things to take care off, so quickly he got himself changed and headed down into chaos of Imladris. It was going to be a very long spring.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>