The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 117

The fire licked and crept up into the night sky creating an orange glow from the forest, which surrounded it. In the darkness they all stood hidden in the shadows of the trees, the hoods of their black cloaks pulled down low to disguise their grief. The fire warmed their skin as its flames engulfed the two lives it held within…

Legolas had never witnessed last rights before and had been surprised that no one spoke. From the hall the black possession had carried Gwendolyn’s body into the forest, her husband, Hale leading with the only torch that guided the group. Lingering at the back Legolas had taken more care than the others fearful of falling in the pathless way through the forest. Gandalf too had walked with him occasionally breaking his staff into a dim light on the particularly rough patches, so that Legolas could see where he was going. In the crowd Legolas had lost Glorfindel before they’d even left the house, the cloaks they all wore making it virtually impossible for anyone to tell who was who.

When they’d reached the clearing Legolas had stood close to a tree with the wizard and watched sadly as the group began to build the fire, which would take Gwendolyn and her son’s body on the last passage to their resting place. Despite himself Legolas had found tears rolling down his cheeks as the flames had been lit from the singular torch Hale had carried with him. A song Legolas knew began softly with the first flames of the fire, growing in intensity as the flames continued to grow until the entire clearing was alive with the sad song and the bright orange flames. Legolas did not know how long he stood and watched ththerthered group sing, but it was as the flames began to lesson that Legolas felt the grumbling of his empty stomach. Dinner had been postponed until after the ceremony and Legolas had only managed a little slice of apple at lunch, so he was thoroughly hungry. Uncomfortable Legolas clutched at his stomach and leaned forward a little against the tree alerting Gandalf to the prince’s situation.

“Are you well?” Gandalf’s voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke in Quenyathe the young elf at his side. It was tradition that none spoke at last rights except to sing but Gandalf’s concern for the prince out weighted the silly rules. Reluctantly Legolas nodded only to mutter to himself as his stomach growled audibly alerting Gandalf to the real reason for Legolas’ discomfort. Gandalf chuckled at the sound and gently linked his arm through Legolas’ guiding the prince away from the gathered group who were still singing and watching the flames of the fire. “We will take the path back to the house instead, I do not want you falling over such uneven ground.” Legolas nodded in agreement, staying close to the wizard who tapped his staff on the ground and lit it’s end, illuminating the path ahead of him.

In the silence the wizard and prince walked side by side, Legolas enjoying the creatures of the night that seemed drawn to the Wizards’ staff of light. Moths fluttered past his vision and Legolas found himself chuckling softly as the occasional one brushed past his face, its wings tickling his sensitive skin. Mithrandir merely smiled with amusement at the prince’s innocent actions, admiring the way the warrior could look and act so innocent but still possess an heir of deadly authority. Haldir, the wizard had observed had never truly been able to pull the juxtaposition off but it seemed his son had perfected it completely.

“Mithrandir, will they be mad at me for not staying to see the last of the ceremony?” Legolas looked worriedly up at the Istari who huffed an unintelligible sound from beneath his beard.

“Do you care if they are little one?” Legolas was confused by Gandalf’s questioning and forced himself to actually think about what the Istari was asking for. The prince had been startled to find the answer to Gandalf’s question being not the one he thought he would say.

”No, not really. I did not know Gwendolyn very well, and while I am saddened for my brother and Taselion, I know there was nothing that could be done for her.” Legolas stumbled on a rand and caught hold of Gandalf’s arm tightly to stop himself falling. Silently Legolas cursed his pregnancy for taking his grace and elvan agility, with his growing girth his center of gravity was changing, and Legolas was struggling to compensate for the ges ges in his body. Gandalf halted their walking for a moment as Legolas regained his footing enough for them to continue on.

“I must confess I am surprised you are still struggling to balance Legolas. It took Haldir only a few weeks to learn how to compensate for his pregnancy. Are you not dedicating yourself to your training?” Gandalf looked down cautiously at the prince, knowing that Legolas had been prone to take offence at the simplest of things. Legolas pulled the Istari to a stop a little taken back by what Gandalf had just asked him. He had not been to any training at all since arriving back from the borders, Glorfindel and Elrond strictly forbidding it.

“Training? What training do you speak of? I am not allowed to partake in any activities of that nature, Elrond and Glorfindel have strictly forbidden it.” Gandalf frowned pensively at Legolas’ blank expression surprised that Legolas had been removed from all activities.

“Your training, archery, sword play, horse riding and the like. Surely you have continued to train and practise with the other warriors?” Legolas shook his head vehemently at Gandalf whose frown now turned into an angry scowl. “They are fools, if I knew they would keep you locked up like a fragile maiden I might have come here sooner.” Legolas smiled brightly as Gandalf grumped angrily and tapped his staff on the ground a littler harder than necessary in his rage, before gesturing for Legolas to take his arm again as they continued towards the house. “You will take up your training and practise where you left off first thing in the morning. It is no wonder you are loosing your balance if they are not allowing you to explore your bodies capabilities.” Legolas could only smile widely at the prospect of rejoining the patrols for their training sessions. Legolas had longed to pick up his bow again, and spar with some of the older warriors in order to learn new skills, but Glorfindel had expressly forbidden any such strenuous activity.

“Glorfindel and Elrond will not approve.” Legolas spoke matter of flatly to the wizard already foreseeing the argument, which would come tomorrow morning. Gandalf merely huffed contemptibly and shook his head in refute.

“They do not have to approve Legolas. For you to carry this child in such times as we are to face in the coming months you must be allowed to keep yourself fit, healthy and able to defend yourself at all times. It is only through practise and training that you will be able to find your limits and as Haldir has proved you are quite capable of remaining an active member of the patrols until your last few months of pregnancy.” Legolas again was shocked at the determination he heard in Gandalf’s voice unsure what had provoked such a reaction from the Istari. “Now tell me has Elrond discussed the birth with you yet?” It was obvious Gandalf was severely displeased with Legolas’ progression and preparation for his pregnancy and birth and Legolas was more than welcoming the information the Istari was providing him with, having had so many others ignoring him and keeping things from him.

“Nay they have not Mithrandir, although I would like to know how it is to happen so I am not unprepared.” Gandalf nodded knowingly and rolled his eyes at the mere thought of those he’d left to look after Legolas.

“Very well I shall tell you now.” Gandalf held his torch up above his head and surveyed the sides of the darkened woodland path. There was a fallen tree by the side of the path a few steps ahead and Gandalf easily led Legolas over to it where the pair of them sat down on it. Legolas removed the hood of his cloak from his head to allow the fresh breeze of the night to greet his face as he turned to listen to Gandalf. “When your times comes you will feel waves of pain in your stomach, which grow sharper and closer together as you progress through labour. Unfortunately unlike females who are equipped to deliver babes, your body will create the opening through which the babe will be born.” Legolas screwed up his nose a little as Gandalf gestured to his stomach and drew an imaginary line from one side of his stomach to the other, directly under the bulge. “It will take sometime to develop and is painful and your blood loss will be heavy but so long as you are in a safe environment with a skilled healer you will be fine.” Gandalf reassuringly placed a hand on the worried young elf’s shoulder. “When the opening is wide enough you will have to push the baby out which depending on your strength after enduring the labour can take anywhere between a few minutes or several hours.” Again Legolas cringed sympathetically running his hand across the swell in his stomach as he thought of what was to come. Again Gandalf gently soothed his hand over Legolas shoulder ensuring that while the prince was informed he was not frightened. “There is no easy way to give birth my young elf friend especially in males when there is little we can do but allow the body to do its work but we can prepare ourselves for it. That is why you must continue your training for your strength is vital in ensuring a safe birth.” Legolas nodded understandingly now more determined than ever to resume his practise and training no matter what Glorfindel or Elrond demanded of him. If he alone was to endure such pain and suffering during labour and birth then he was going to demand that he could prepare himself for it in anyway he wished. Gandalf smiled as he saw the wash of determination flood Legolas features, the prince’s shoulders straightening as he turned to Gandalf with a smile.

“Is there anything else I should be doing to prepare myself for this that they have not told me about?” Legolas questioned the Istari for more information as Gandalf stood up from the fallen log and graciously helped the prince up as well.

“Practising some breathing exercises might come help you combat the pain and perhaps reading some literature on female pregnancies might give you some ideas on how else to ease your situation.” Again Legolas took Gandalf’s arm as they began the short path back to the house. Most of the mourning party would be back in the hall by now and Legolas stomach was again protesting its lack of food.

“Thank-you Mithrandir, I am so glad you have told me what to expect for I no longer fear the unknown.” Legolas rubbed his belly with his hand as the pair of them walked into the last homely house and relinquished their cloaks to the servants who waited patiently at the entrance to the hall. From the smells and conversation inside the belated supper had already started.

“You are welcome Greenleaf for I believe there will be far greater things to fear in the coming seasons than the birth of your child.” Legolas did not miss the grave concerned look that Gandalf gave him before the Istari entered the hall and followed Elrond’s instructions to sit at the table leaving Legolas to trail after him over to his usual seat beside Glorfindel.

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