The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 116

Legolas tentatively looked into the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. He had spent almost an hour in his chambers preening himself. Having spent some considerable time soaking in the bath Legolas had dried and braided his hair in a unique style using Glorfindel’s favourite knots beforessinssing himself in a slim fitting blue tunic and pair of silver leggings. Since he had fallen pregnant he had not worn such tight fitting clothing preferring the larger more flattering robes, which hid his swollen belly quite well. Still despite his slight uncomfortableness and fear of being stared at Legolas had dressed in the outfit Glorfindel had gifted upon him after their binding. Admittedly the leggings were a little tighter now with his girth and he could not quite do the last tie up of the tunic he still considered that he looked remarkably good. He was going to apologise to Glorfindel and he wanted to look good, at least for a little while. It would not be long before he would not fit into anything in his wardrobe and he wanted to make a good impression on Glorfindel before he got to fat to do so.

It was hot and steamy inside the kitchen, smells of fresh bread and delicious sweet meats wafting around him in a haze of aroma. Appreciatively his stomach grumbled at the smells reminding him of his missed breakfast but Legolas pushed the feeling of emptiness aside as he cautiously stepped into the busy bustling room. Legolas was sure Glorfindel would still be down here with Lindar, knowing there was still a lot to be done before Gwendolyn’s last rights. The servants seemed to be too busy with their work to even notice his presence as they rushed passed him carrying trays of food to and from the larder and ovens. Awkwardly moving out of the way of an elf with a sack full of flour Legolas spotted Lindar on the far side of the kitchen heatedly discussing something with the cook. Not able to catch the elf’s attention by waving Legolas reluctantly began his way across the room dodging elves that threatened to spill things on his clean outfit if he ran into them.

Finally without incident Legolas made it over to Lindar, who hardly noticed his arrival until the cook saw him and stopped his conversation mid sentence to bow low to the prince. Lindar spun around sharply to look at Legolas, having not expected to ever see the prince downstairs. A little shocked Lindar forgot himself for a moment and stared blatantly at the bulge of Legolas’ belly accentuated by the tight fitting leggings and tunic he wore.

“I apologise your highness, I had not expected…” Lindar stopped himself from babbling any further and lowered himself quickly to the prince knowing that his staring had caused the crimson blush that crept onto Legolas’ face.

“I am looking for Glorfindel, he said he would be down here.” Legolas spoke softly as he watched Lindar stand up straight again relieved that the prince had not chastised him for his rudeness. Lindar nodded and gestured out of the archway that lead from the kitchens into the vegetable and fruit gardens outside.

“Lord Glorfindel is outside over seeing the harvest of fruits for the meal this eve. I can show you to the orchid if you like.” Lindar went to move towards the garden but Legolas reached out and grabbed his arm halting the silver haired elf in his tracks.

“Nay I am capable of finding him myself but thank-you for the offer.” Legolas smiled at Lindar and the cook again both of them bowing lowly to him as he turned to head towards the gardens. Legolas was far to busy looking about himself in the kitchen and rows of vegetable patches outside to even notice the approaching elf, who carried a large basket full of apples freshly picked from the orchid Legolas was heading for. Legolas stepped out into the garden at exactly the same time as the elf carrying the basket stepped up to re enter the kitchens causing them to collide hard, neither of them having seen one another.

“Oww!” Legolas grunted loudly he hhe heavy basket the other elf was carrying collide with his stomach, making a pain shoot through him in agony. The breath taken from his lungs by the shock Legolas doubled over his hands clutching the impact sight on his stomach as the basket of apples fell to the ground and spilled onto the grass leaving the elf servant staring at Legolas in horror.

“Legolas!” Legolas squeezed his eyes closed tightly as he tried to regulate his breathing again, Lindar and the cook had seen the incident coming and although they were not quick enough to prevent it, they had however made it over to the prince in record time.

“You fool!” Although Legolas could feel Lindar’s hand gently supporting his back it was Glorfindel’s voice running towards him that took Legolas atten. “W. “Watch where you are going! Now get out of my sight!” Legolas managed to open his eyes enough to see Glorfindel scream at the frightened young servant who had run into him with the basket. “Legolas? Are you alright my love? Where does it hurt?” Legolas sighed heavily as he slowly righted himself with Glorfindel’s assistance, his breathing still a little laboured but the easing of the pain making breathing better.

“I am not hurt, I was not expecting it and was a little shocked that is all.” Legolas consciously rubbed his belly insuring that what he’d just told his concerned lover was the truth. Most likely he would bruise a little tomorrow but the impact was not hard enough to be life threatening to the child.

“I will take you to Elrond just in case.” Glorfindel went to guide Legolas out of the kitchens but Legolas hastily pulled his arm free of Glorfindel’s grasp and shook his head determinedly, having regained his composure after the accident.

“Nay I am fine Glorfindel, I am not so weak I will break under the slightest of accidents.” Legolas frowned pointedly at Glorfindel who looked to be on the brink of loosing his temper, obviously upset by Legolas previous ignoring him.

“It was an accident which might have been prevented if he had paid more attention to where he was going.” Glorfindel growled at the servant who was now on his knees collecting the apples, which had been spilt. Legolas sighed and wrapped his arm softly into Glorfindel’s knowing that the seneschal’s anger would not be so severe had Legolas not been so childish earlier to him. In order to take them away from the kitchens and the audience that now had gathered around them Legolas steered his lover towards the garden.

“This was just as much my fault as his, I should have been looking where I was going, and he is forgiven for his mistake. I will hear no more of this incident. Now please take me into the garden Glorfindel so I may sit down a little while.” Although reluctant to let the issue go Glorfindel obediently escorted his mate outside into the vegetable garden where they found a small bench that was shaded by a hedge and secluded with woven willow lattice. Supported by Glorfindel Legolas sat awkwardly down on the bench wincing a little at the slight ache in his stomach. Legolas had expected Glorfindel to sit down beside him but the seneschal did not however, merely turning his back to look out into the orchid where the servants were continuing to harvest the best of the fruits. Silently Legolas sighed as he stared at his lovers back. He had not realised he would cause so much pain in Glorfindel by turning his back on his mate and desperately wanted to apologise for his behaviour. “Why don’t you sit down Glorfindel and rest a little.” Legolas patted the stone bench next to him but Glorfindel did not react continuing to stare out at the orchid and workers.

“I do not wish to sit down.” Legolas sighed again as he heard Glorfindel’s curt tone of voice. It was obvious his lover was angry with him, his stiff shoulders telling of the blond’s sadness and confusion in not knowing what he had done to cause Legolas not to speak to him. Legolas realised quickly that no amount of softness would help his situation and the only option was to tell Glorfindel the truth. Taking a deep breath Legolas rested his hand on his stomach and began to speak.

“Last night when we made love you hurt me.” Legolas trailed off as he watched Glorfindel flinch a little at hearing the words, the seneschal’s posture relaxing a little in concern.

“You should have told me.” Glorfindel’s tone had lost its edge of anger and Legolas smiled a little in relief that Glorfindel was now more concerned for him than angry.

“I did not know how to. You are my first and only love Glorfindel and until now I have trusted the decisions regarding our love making to you, knowing you have years of experience over my own limited knowledge.” Legolas paused as he watched Glorfindel glance back at him over his shoulder, concern and fear that he had hurt his lover shining in his eyes. “Not knowing what else to do I sought guidance on the subject from my father. Ada and I were discussing the matter when you turned up unexpectedly this morning.” Glorfindel now turned completely around to face Legolas, to watch as the prince twisted his hands nervously in his lap. “I was ashamed and embarrassed that I had gone to my father for help on a matter private to our relationship and I did not want to face you in case you were angry that I was discussing such intimate things with my father without your permission.” Legolas could feel the tears that he’d previously held back in front of his father begin to fall from his cheeks again. “I am sorry I turned my back on you but I did not realise I was doing it until it was too late. I did not mean to hurt you and I will not do it again, I just did not know what to say that would not hurt your feelings.” Finally Legolas came to the end of his apology and looked up sheepishly from behind the cascades of golden hair that spilled over his face having come loose from their braids. Glorfindel stood silently in front of him staring down at him directly.

“I am sorry I hurt you Meleth nín.” Legolas wiped the tean thn the sleave of his clean tunic as Glorfindel finally sat down beside him on the bench the seneschal gently wrapping his arms around the small frame of his lover having pressed a chaste kiss to Legolas’ salty lips. “I did not understand what I had done to cause such a reaction from you and I feared that something had happened that I did not know about.” Glorfindel gently tucked the stray pieces of hair from Legolas face back into the intricate braids Legolas had woven into his hair, admiring the effort the prince had gone to make things better between them. “I am not angry with you for discussing our private affairs with your Ada, for I admit I too seek guidance from Elrond and Erestor on occasions. I just wish you had told me my love that I had hurt you and then we might have sought some advice together.” Legolas clutched tightly to Glorfindel’s body taking comfort from his r’s r’s presence, as Glorfindel forgave him his mistake. For a moment the pair merely hugged one another Glorfindel gently peppering apologetic kisses to Legolas lips until the prince obliged him with a deeply passionate kiss that made them both a little breathless. “Now tell me little one, what have you learnt from your investigation?” Legolas blushed a little as Glorfindel pulled him onto his lap so that they sat facinch och other Legolas belly the only thing between them.

“Ada said that it hurts because I am not supported enough and the child is bouncing with the movement.” Legolas swallowed nervously slightly embarrassed to be talking about such intimate things, despite Glorfindel intently listening as if it were the last words of a dying elf.

“And does your Ada suggest something to fix our problem?” Glorfindel cocked his head a little to the side intent on hearing what Thranduil had to say on such a topic, especially considering his involvement with Haldir.

“He and Haldir discovered a……”Legolas hesitate unsure of how do describe what he needed to without sounding vulgar or crude. “….a position that is better for me and still allows you to…deepen the………” Legolas trailed off having thoroughly mucked up what he was about to say through his stuttering. Glorfindel smirked as he watched the bright pink blush creep up from the collar of Legolas’ tunic all the way up to the prince’s delicately pointed ears. The seneschal found it extremely amusing that his lover, despite all they had been through still became embarrassed about such topics of conversation.

“A new position we have not tried yet, I am intrigued my love. Tell me of it.” Glorfindel enjoyed stringing out Legolas’ embarrassment liking the way the prince squirmed in his lap and tried to avoid eye contact by making distracting hand movements. Legolas was about to reply when he distantly remembered his father’s words of advice. Having seen the way Glorfindel enjoyed the power of making him blush Legolas considered it was time to change things a little on his father’s guidance.

“No.” Legolas stiffened a little and glared determinedly at Glorfindel who was a little taken back by Legolas change of mood.

“No?” Confused Glorfindel shook his head and smiled questioningly at his lover. “You are not going to tell me about this new position?” Legolas shook his head in reply a smug smile threatening to break upon his face. “Then what am I to do? Are you punishing me for last night? Or do you want me to research this position myself.” Glorfindel furrowed his brow in confusion as Legolas took hold of his hand and brought it down between them so the seneschal could feel the bulge between Legolas legs.

“No, I’m going to show you tonight.” Cheekily Legolas leaned forward and licked a long wet trail up from the corner of Glorfindel’s mouth, all the way up his cheek to end with a nip at the very tip of the seneschal’s ear. Glorfindel shuddered at touch and leant forward to capture Legolas lips in a kiss but the prince pulled away and stood from Glorfindel’s lap leaving his lover a little breathless and with a considerable bulge beneath his chocolate brown leggings.

“Legolas.” Glorfindel growled a warning to his lover as the prince swept a hand down his own body as he stood in front of his lover. Legolas delighted in the way Glorfindel’s eyes trailed after his hand lingering just as his hand did on the tightness of his leggings. Legolas could clearly see the way his lover desired him, the fire in his eyes the usual sign that Glorfindel wanted it now. Yet Legolas ignored his lover’s need and merely stepped up to press a chaste kiss on Glorfindel’s forehead before hastily stepping away before the seneschal could grab him. Legolas turned to walk away but paused just as he came to the edge of the secluded little seating area and glanced back over his shoulder at Glorfindel.

“I don’t suggest you touch yourself or I won’t show you anything.” Legolas could not contain the smug smirk on his face as he heard Glorfindel groan in frustration at Legolas softly spoken command. Legolas did not know if what he had planned would work out but he knew he would have fun finding out if it did.

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