The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 118

Legolas closed his eyes and breathed out raggedly as he tried to block out the loud noise of the arguments continuing around him. Supper had been relatively quiet until now and Legolas could feel himself becoming extremely flustered. With the last of the meal taken away and the bringing of canters of warm fey wine from the kitchens, the conversation had turned most dramatically to the security of the elvan realms. By invitation most of the councillors from Elrond’s realm were now in the hall, advisors, scouts and patrol captains were all heatedly arguing over the positions of men, orc attacks and alliances of old. Unlike the pleasant conversation of supper, which involved everyone as equal friends, the table had now been split into, Mirk, Lo, Lorien and Imladris, all the realms fighting to be heard over the others that argued the point. Most irritatingly the conversation had also gone from being spoken in common tongue to shouted in Quenya and Sindarian-leaving Legolas thoroughly confused as he tried to keep up with the constantly interchanging languages.

Legolas had not spoken two words together since he last asked Glorfindel to pass him a goblet of wine, the seneschal having fallen into the argument like all the others. Maps, books and parchments now scattered the banquet table everyone pushing their argument forward while not listening to any other.

Legolas had only managed to catch the basics of what had broken the argument between the realms. While Legolas knew the situation was serious he had not quite realized just how serious it was. The orc attacks it seemed were just preludes to a larger attempt by the orcs to take all the elvan realms. Words like war, death, destruction and the fall of the elvan race were being tossed back and forth across the banquet table like sweet cakes at a child’s birthing day ceremony. Between battle tactics, taunts and scout information Legolas had discerned the idea that although they all disagreed on how it would take place, there was agreement that war was coming whether they like it or not. Legolas hated the very word, his memories of a child having seen his friends and family march away to war now plag his his mind as he listened to all of them argue like spoilt children. Everyone who had been united in grief for Gwendolyn’s death a mere hour or so ago were now enemies again as if their friendships had just been an illusion.

There was going to be no resolution to the problem and although it saddened him Legolas knew that in reality the elvan races would go to this war just as they had the last alliance, divided and leaderless. Legolas did not want to think about the consequences of such a war. The visions of his friend’s bodies being brought back in pieces from battle, their faces still frozen in the fear of their death haunted his soul and make him queasy to the stomach. The arguing finally became too much and without thought Legolas stood from the table carelessly knocking his chair to the ground as he turned and left the hall, not even Glorfindel noticing he was gone.

Shaken a little by his haunted memories Legolas sought something to calm himself down and take his mind off the war that would ultimately come. It was obvious that Glorfindel would not be coming back to their chambers for sometime, Legolas knew all his plans for the evening had been ruined so he had to find something else to do. Having remembered the conversation he and Gandalf had shared that evening Legolas decided to go in search of the books the wizard had spoken to him of. There was little hope in the room he had just left and so he turned to the child he carried for solace and relaxation. Legolas assumed that everyone was in the hall still fighting downstairs and he did not expecting to find anyone in the Elrond’s great library, so he breezed in casually without announcement. Legolas was stunned to see Erestor sitting stoically behind Elrond’s desk delicately re-scribing some old flaking parchments. Legolas abrupt entrance made Erestor jump and the prince cringed as he heard Erestor cruse under his breath having dripped some ink onto the new parchment he was writing.

“My apologies Lord Erestor I had not expected………” Legolas trailed off as Erestor put the quill back into the glass ink vial and reclined back in the chair to smile sadly at Legolas.

“Are they still arguing like Gil-Galad and Thranduil’s sire are still with us?” Erestor sounded a little bitter and having never known Elrond’s advisor very well Legolas merely nodded his reply unsure how to react to Erestor’s mood. “I had thought it might be different this time but it seems we have not learnt the lessons of our past and we shall again lose many of our kin in needless mistakes and feuds.” Erestor shook his head sadly as he stood from the desk and moved over to the window, his back turned to Legolas who felt suddenly very awkward in the presence of Erestor. Legolas turned to leave deciding he would find other things to occupy his time but Erestor voice made him stop mid way across the room to the door. “What is it you are seeking Legolas? Unless it is solitude you seek and then I am more than happy to share this space with you, having myself escaped the mayhem of the hall in disgust of my own kin.” Erestor turned back from the window his hands still clasped behind his back as he looked questioningly at the prince. Having weighed up the unappealing options if he chose to leave the library, Legolas decided that it was best to stay here with Erestor and find the books he was looking for.

“I am looking for a book.” Legolas stepped back into the library and followed Erestor’s gesture and took the offered seat at the desk.

”Well thi whe where most books are kept in Imladris, perhaps I can help you search. What is the subject matter?” Erestor’s mood seemed to lighten a little and Legolas smiled in acceptance of the advisors offer as he rested his hand over the swell in his stomach.

“Female pregnancies.” Legolas was a little nervous about asking for such a book but when Erestor merely nodded in understanding without judgement Legolas relaxed again. “Mithrandir said I might find some teachings on how elp elp the birth when it happens. Do you know of any books which speak of that sort of thing?” Legolas watched Erestor ponder the question for a moment his eyes scanning the walls of books that lined Elrond’s library.

“Yes I think they are over here if I remember right. Elrond has had little use for them considering his extensive knowledge in the subject. There are not many female pregnancies he oversees now, most women giving birth in their homes with a midwife.” Legolas nodded understandingly as he watched Erestor climb the ladder on the far wall to reach a section of books a few shelves across. Erestor pulled one book from the section and read it’s title before smiling in success. “Ah yes I knew they were here, will two be suffice? I can get you some more when you’ve finished these if you like?” Legolas rose from the chair and met Erestor half way across the room, the advisor easily handing over the two books he’d removed from the shelves. Legolas turned the books over in his hand inspecting the beautiful elvan script on the outside. “If you have trouble reading some of the Quenya I will be more than happy to help you translate the passages, but there are diagrams in parts which may help your understanding.”

“Thank-you Erestor I shall take these to my room immediately.” Legolas smiled his thanks at the advisor and tucked the books under his arm ready to leave. The prince halted however as Erestor reached out and gestured at the small round bump at the front of Legolas’ tunic.

“May I………” Erestor trailed off as Legolas smiled and nodded, before taking hold of the advisor’s hand and bringing it down to rest softly on his stomach. Legolas watched in amazement as Erestor smoothed his hand gently across the bump, the shinny glistening of tears swelling in his eyes. “I pray every eve for you Legolas. I have believed in you from the moment I knew your true parentage. You are my hope Legolas that this battle will not be in vein as the last was. Take care little one.” Erestor swept his hand gently across Legolas stomach again before the advisor turned and walked silently across to the balcony again, his back turned to Legolas. Unsure of what had just happened Legolas took Erestor’s silence as time to go and so crept lightly from the library and into the corridor leaving Erestor to himself.

Legolas cringed as he heard the fighting and shouting downstairs continuing; it was now certain Glorfindel would not return till late in the morning. With his books tucked safely in his arm Legolas ran to the chambers he shared with Glorfindel. Putting the books at the foot of the bed Legolas quickly went about changing into his night robe before crawling into the covers of the freshly cleaned bed. With a pillow behind him for support Legolas sat and began to read the first of the books Erestor had given him delighting in the ease at which the text was written which made translations far easier.

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Elladan frowned in curiosity as he drew closer to Legolas and Glorfindel’s private chambers. It was very late at night and Elladan had finally managed to excuse himself from the chaos downstairs in the hall in order to relieve himself. Unlike most of those in the hall Elladan and Elrohir had seen Legolas l ear early and having told his brother of his leaving Imladris, Elladan thought he would take the opportunity to inform Legolas of it as well. Elladan had half expected Legolas not to be awake still but when he heard deep breathing and the shuffling of bed sheets Elladan realized that Legolas was certainly awake. Pausing at the entrance to the chambers Elladan listened to the movements and deep laboured breathing from inside the room. At first Elladan considered that perhaps Glorfindel had returned and the prince and he were making love but then Elladan remember seeing the seneschal in heated discussion with Thranduil still in the hall. Elladan bit his lip as he pressed his ear closer to the side of the tapestry trying to make out what Legolas was doing. For a brief moment Elladan had the most horrifying thought that Legolas was with another in the room but when Legolas let out a guttural moan as if in pain Elladan panicked.

Thinking the prince was in some kind of pain Elladan burst into the chamber and was stunned to see the prince on all fours on the bed, breathing deeply, with one hand supporting the small bump at the front of his night robe. For a moment Legolas didn’t seem to notice Elladan’s presence and continued his strange breathing before removing his hand from his stomach to turn the page of a book that was resting against the headboard in front of him. It was obvious that the prince was very ived ved with reading his book and breathing with horrible sounds and so Elladan cleared his throat audibly to announce his arrival.

Legolas all but jumped out of his skin as he heard the voice behind him, spinning around with the knife from beneath Glorfindel’s pillow clutched firmly in his hand.

“Saes Legolas, it is only me. Elladan.” Elladan watched as the prince let out a sigh of relief and slipped the knife back beneath his lover’s pillow. Elladan approached the bed as Legolas shifted back down to sit cross-legged on the bed again. “I apologise for not announcing myself Legolas, I came to talk to you but when I heard those strange sounds I thought you were in pain and needed help.” Legolas blushed and closed the book he had been reading, making sure to mark the page where he had been up to.

“Nay I am fine Elladan, I mer merely attempting to recreate the techniques I have just read about.” Legolas gestured to the book now resting on the side table as Elladan climbed up onto the bed at the prince’s insistence to sit upon it with him.

“What techniques are you reading my friend? You sounded as if an orc had its foot upon your chest.” Legolas chuckled and rolled his eyes as Elladan leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to the bump of Legolas stomact wat was a small gesture nearly everyone had begun doing to Legolas and the prince had found it all quite amusing to have strangers kissing his belly.

“They are breathing techniques to lesson the pain of child birth, although I can not see the point in breathing so deeply when your energy is best served for other things, and that position is quite uncomfortable.” Elladan smirked at the prince’s dislike of what he had read. Legolas had become quite fussy during his pregnancy and although none spoke of it Legolas’ dislike and like of things had caused quite a stir among the lower ranks of the household. “Well enough about that, what have you come to talk to me about?” Legolas changed the subject quickly still a little embarrassed at having been caught in such a silly position.

“I have come to tell you I will be leaving Imladris at the end of this week.” Elladan fiddled with the corner of a blanket as he avoided eye contact with Legolas, feeling a little guilty at the reason behind his departure from Imladris.

“Leaving? Leaving to go where?” Legolas was stunned by Elladan’s revelation. The prince had only just become friends with Elladan and now for him to be going away would put further distance between their growing friendship.

“I am going to Lorien with Celeborn and Haldir, to join their border patrols.” Elladan continued to twist the blanket between his fingers still avoiding eye contact with the prince. Although Elladan had not said it Legolas knew immediately what was going on having seen the guilt in his friends expression.

“You are going because of Glorfindel aren’t you?” Elladan was not in the least surprised that Legolas had worked out what the real reason behind his leaving was and merely nodded his reply.

“Yes. I will find no peace here Legolas. My slumber is ever plagued by his vision and although my heart wishes you the best together I cannot stop my body from rebelling against it. I must remove myself from the situation and hopefully find other things to occupy my thoughts in Lorien. I hope you understand.” Legolas nodded silently his hand coming up to rest over Elladan’s, which sat nervously in his lap.

“I understand Elladan. In time you will learn to love others and the pain in your heart will lesson, but your body will always long for his touch.” Elladan smiled sadly as he silently thanked the valar for having such an understanding friend. For a while the pair merely sat in front of one another their hands entwined in friendship and support. “If you are for Lorien who is to take pla place at Imladris’ borders?” Legolas looked curiously at his friend wondering if the decision had been made down stairs in the hall after he had gone. Elladan shook his head and rolled his eyes in contempt.

”They do not know yet, although decisions have already been made to arm every able bodied male elf in all of Imladris, so I am sure my place will be well covered.” Legolas sighed heavily having heard the news.

“So it is true then, we are going to war?” Legolas shifted out of bed and wandered easily over to the decanter of fresh spring water by the window, to take a swig for himself.

“We are not at war yet Legolas and there are still some of us who hope not to but if the orcs mass ready for an attack then we having nothing else but to retaliate.” Elladan followed Legolas over to the window and stood beside his friend as they stared out into the night sky, the stars and mooning ing brightly down upon the valley and it’s waterfalls.

“I lost so many friends to war Elladan, I can not bear to lose so many more again.” Soothingly Elladan placed a hand on Legolas shoulder and hugged the prince close to him in sympathy. He too had lost friends in the last alliance and although he had been only young at the time he knew just as Legolas did the pain of grief.

“It will be different this time Legolas, I am sure of it. Although it does not seem like that now, there is hope for even the most argumentative of our elders.” Legolas managed a small smile at Elladan’s joke although it was the best he could have manage considering the topic. “Now come along and get some rest. I am sure Glorfindel will be up soon and you do not want me here when he arrives.” Legolas blushed a little as he remembered his plan for the evening that had been ruined. Reluctantly Legolas allowed Elladan to help him into bed before accepting the gentle kiss to the cheek from his friend. “Good night Legolas, sleep well.”

“Good night Elladan and thank-you.” Legolas watched as Elladan blew out the last few candles of the room leaving the chamber lit only by the glowing fireplace. Elladan smiled at the prince once more as he drew the sheer curtaining about the bed before disappearing from the room. Legolas sighed heavily once Elladan’s figure had left and turned over onto his side tore ore out of the window again. Legolas could not get Elladan’s news out of his mind and although he knew that the twin’s departure was for the best, it still saddened him to know he would be losing a friend. Eventually fatigue overcame the young prince and with Elladan’s name whispered on his lips Legolas fell silently into slumber.

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

(A/N) WEll that's all I've got for today but I shall be back soon with more chapters and the closer we draw to war the more heated the drama will become. Hope you enjoyed the update and please I appreciate all reviews especially those who have been reading this story from the begining

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