Something Evil This Way Comes.

Disclaimer/Author's Notes: I own nothing but the Original Characters and their adventures. Everything else belongs to JRR Tolkien, the Tolkien Estate, New Line Cinema/Peter Jackson, et. al. This was done purely for entertainment and as an exercise in creativity.

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The journey to Minas Tirith took a few days, as they were not riding very fast, what with all the luggage being brought for the week or so they would spend in the capital city. Charika rode with Rumil, so Alex could not ask her about her problem. From the way the Elf acted, however, he did not yet know the woman carried his enemy’s child.

When they stopped to rest, she sought out her friend. Charika was off from the rest of the group, and, fortunately, alone; Rumil had gone to talk with his brothers about something.

“How are you doing?”

“I am well, thank you,” the petite woman replied.

“Have you told him?”

She shook her head. “I cannot. I … just cannot, not yet.”

“Charika, you will begin to show soon. You are a small woman and cannot hide a pregnancy. You should tell him now, before he finds out you’ve been hiding it from him. Getting it out in the open is better than wondering what might happen.”

“That is easy for you to say, Alexandra. Legolas loves you dearly and you came to him as an equal. I am a simple abandoned concubine from my lord’s defeated enemy, who is now pregnant with the child of another enemy. I do not have the luxury of basking in the love of a doting husband.”

The vehemence of her words took Alex by surprise. It was true; she did not know how it was for Charika---she could not know. Still …

“Rumil loves you and you live as husband and wife, as equals. He does not see you as property, or a concubine or anyone’s castoff. You are the woman he loves. Don’t hide things from him. I know from experience, it can only lead to pain and heartbreak for both of you.” She saw Rumil approaching and turned to him with a smile.

“It’s good to get out and travel without having to worry about being attacked, isn’t it?” she asked. He smiled and bowed slightly.

“It is indeed different from our usual journeys together.” She watched as he lifted Charika onto their horse, then mounted behind her. The way he looked at her, the tenderness with which he touched her---Alex turned away and started back to where Legolas awaited. Rumil definitely loved Charika.

They arrived in a city bustling with activity. Most of the guard would be billeted in one of the halls of the palace. Charika would stay with Berrien, the chief steward of Aragorn, and his family. She had visited with them before, and was comfortable in their company.

Alex and Legolas went to their usual quarters. She could not help but smile every time she passed through the door to their rooms. It was from the balcony here, Legolas had shown her the beauty of the Pelennor stretching before them, Osgiliath shining like a jewel in the waning moonlight of the predawn hours. It was here a few short weeks later, she and Legolas had bonded and become husband and wife. She had never been very sentimental about places, having traveled for most of her life in the military. But after only a few short years in Middle Earth, she had become attached to many of the beautiful spots in this land. Again, she was amazed at how her former life had seemingly melted away, leaving her with nothing but this life among a people who were not her own, that had embraced her as one of their own.

They freshened up from their journey, then went to greet Aragorn and Arwen. The king and queen of Gondor considered Legolas one of their family, so he and Alex were free to come and go between the royal chambers and their own suite. Entering the private sitting room, Legolas and Alexandra were greeted by Aragorn and his queen, and to their delight, the queen’s brothers, Elladan and Elrohir. The handsome, dark-haired Elven twins greeted their friends with great enthusiasm, each of them picking Alex up and giving her a resounding kiss.

“So what have you two been doing?” She had not seen the twins in months, since shortly after their return from Rhun near the end of the war with the Eastern Alliance.

“Oh, nothing much,” said Elladan, resuming his relaxed sprawl on the couch. Elrohir kicked his brother’s leg out of the way and sat on the other end, grabbing Alex by the hand and pulling her down between them. “What about you?”

“The usual.”

“Ah.” Elrohir looked over to where Legolas was talking with Aragorn. “I’m surprised you haven’t worn Legolas out yet. The two of you---.”

“Are obviously quite happy and very much in love,” finished their sister. Arwen sat across from them, her ever-present needlework in hand. Alex liked the beautiful queen, but could not understand her contentment with doing needlework. It drove Alex crazy after a few moments, and she usually threw it down in frustration, threads knotted and cloth wrinkled.

The friends caught up on news. Alex did not mention their recent trip into Mordor, except to say she had caught a dreadful cold and been laid up for several days. She left the dissemination of such information to Legolas. He was the Lord of the Elves of Ithilien. What went on with his people was his business.

Later, the couple returned to their quarters for a simple supper of cheese, bread and fruit. The next few days would be full of receptions, formal dinners and various diplomatic functions as allies came to witness the treaty signing. Eomer and Lothiriel had come from Rohan with their newborn son; Legolas and Alexandra had sent the child a mithril chalice as a naming gift. Lords from throughout Gondor would also come for the celebration. The Haradrim would remain encamped outside the city on the battlefield where they had met their defeat in the War of the Ring.


Legolas and Alexandra were enjoying the quiet before the storm in their usual manner, when a knock at the door roused them from their post-coital slumber. Pulling on his leggings and throwing on a robe, Legolas got up and answered the summons. He was surprised---actually, stunned---to see King Thranduil of Eryn Lasgalen, formerly Mirkwood.

“Father,” he managed to say. “Please, come in.”

“It is good to see you, Legolas,” the king said, noting his son’s dishabille. “I hope I am not intruding.”

“Not at all, my lord. I did not know you would be attending the signing.”

“Since Mirkwood and East Lorien Elves fought with your forces in the war, and guarded the northern and northeastern borders of Gondor, King Elessar invited Celeborn and me to the ceremony. I … thought it a pleasant diversion to attend. After all, we will be sailing to Valinor in a century or so. I would very much like to know more about your friends, perhaps learn what it is you see in them.”

Legolas did not know what to say. His father had always been quite insular---at least with the people of the south; he had always had good dealings with the inhabitants of Laketown. Still, he had his reasons, protection of his realm and his people being one of them. Nonetheless, the young prince was happy to see the Elf who had raised him and made him what he was today.

Thranduil’s gaze shifted to a point behind his son and Legolas turned to see Alexandra lpeering around the doorframe to the sitting room.

“Hello, Alexandra.”

“Hello, my lord.”

“You are looking well.”

“Thank you,” she said, coming in and standing a bit behind her husband. The king could see a slight blush on her cheeks, and her hair was in disarray---well, that was normal for her; and her gown had obviously been thrown on hurriedly. Before he had wed Baliel, he had been quite accustomed to being the cause of such rushed dressing; and once Legolas reached the age where worldly pleasures held charm, the sight of elleth slipping from his son’s quarters, or even running through the halls of the palace in just such a condition, was a common one.

“I will not stay, but I did not know if I would have a chance to speak with you privately before the endless round of functions began; and I wanted to give Alexandra this. In case she wishes to use it here in Minas Tirith.” He handed his son a small flat wooden box. Legolas passed it on to his wife, curious as to its contents.

Alex looked at the beautiful workmanship. It was obviously of Elvish design. The dark wood was highly polished, and the beautiful grain showed to its best advantage. Delicate carving bordered the lid, the organic design common to Elven works. She opened the lid and let out an involuntary gasp.

“Try it on,” her father-in-law said and Legolas was surprised to see his wife remove from the box a delicate, but stunning crown.

It was not at all like the gold and mithril circlets and tiaras Elves usually wore as a sign of rank. It was a circlet, but not one which fitted about the forehead, as did the usual crowns of both Men and Elves. Instead, it sat atop the head standing a little over an inch in height. It was made of mithril, but was set with diamonds and the iridescent stones that also adorned Alexandra’s marriage ring. It sparkled in the light like a crown of stars, the design being that of a garland of vines and flowers, all wrought in mithril and gems.

Thranduil smiled at the woman’s obvious enthrallment with the beautiful piece. Taking it gently from her hands, he placed it atop her head, fitting it so that it sat comfortably. Legolas was amazed at how perfect it looked on his wife, as though she were meant to wear it.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, looking at herself in a mirror hung over one of the chests in the room. Turning to her father-in-law, she said, “Thank you, my lord. But, I can’t accept such a gift.”

“And why not? You are the wife of my son. I can think of no one else I would rather give his mother’s crown to.”

“This … was mother’s?” Legolas looked back at the beautiful ornament. He reached out, his fingers hovering just over the gem-encrusted band.

Alex reached up and took it off, handing it to her husband.

“Yes. It was hers before we married.” The king’s eyes softened in memory. “She wore it on our wedding day when we held the feast to celebrate our binding. She never wore it again, after she went to live in the Great Greenwood. She took to wearing crowns of leaves and flowers, like I did. But I always remember her shining as though the Valar had fashioned her a crown from the light of Earendil.”

He looked at his son and daughter-in-law and they could see the love he bore his wife in his gaze, intensifying when his eyes moved over Legolas. “Wear it if you so choose, Alexandra. I know she would want Legolas’ wife to have it, and so do I.”

Alex bowed her head respectfully. “Thank you, my lord. I … don’t know what else to say.”

Legolas accompanied his father to the door where Thranduil took his leave. “I shall let you get back to whatever it was you were doing.” He was amused to see Alexandra blush and look away. Legolas, on the other hand, was as serene as ever. “Goodnight, my son.”

“Goodnight, ada. And thank you.” Thranduil smiled and nodded, then vanished down the hall.