The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 140

Haldir scrambled the last few rocks up into the entrance of the cave. Never in his life had he been so scared having heard Legolas pained cries, his elvan gracefulness gone as he scrambled hurriedly up to his son. The scene upon entering the cave was not as drastic as Haldir had thought. To his surprise Legolas was now lying on a small litter, his body covered with several blankets while Thranduil sat in the dirt beside him. Elrond, Valendil and Elrohir were readying the party to leave and Haldir was relived to see Legolas’ eyes open as he spoke softly to his father.

”Ah march warden! Your coming is timed just right you may help carry this down.” Haldir was almost instantly pulled to his feet by Elrond who unceremoniously dumped a large pack onto his back.

“Legolas? Is he well?” Looking from Legolas to Elrond and back again Haldir inquired quickly after his son’s health. Elrond smiled gently and placed a comforting hand upon Haldir’s shoulder as they watched the four guards that had accompanied them up to the cave now ease Legolas litter up from the ground.

“He is fine Haldir, weak and fighting an infection bith ith Glorfindel’s comfort he should recover f.” H.” Haldir sighed heavily in relief as he wandered slowly over to where the guards were now supporting Legolas’ litter as Thranduil again re-tucked the blanket covering his son.

“Legolas?” Pained green eyes turned slowly to Haldir and the march warden smiled distantly as Legolas smiled weakly back at him. With his own dirtied and bloodied hand Haldir passed his fingers gently across Legolas’ forehead brushing a stray golden lock from the prince’s forehead before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to the tender skin. “You did well nin tuthenlass.” Legolas went to speak but Haldir silenced him with a gentle shake of his head. “Shhh, Glorfindel is waiting for you.” Stepping back from Legolas Haldir allowed the guards to pass by with Legolas, their steps down the rocky cliff face guided by Valendil, Amour, Elrond and Elrohir. Allowing the small party to go down the hill first Haldir lingered back at tntrantrance to the cave watching in aw as the fog began to lift leaving the soft rays of the morning sun to begin piercing through the cloudy sky. For the first time in weeks light had returned to middle earth.

Haldir had not realised it but he was not alone in the cave. A soft hand came to rest at the base of his neck and without having to turn around the march warden knew who it was that had joined him in watching the party slowly wind their way down the cliff face.

“It makes you feel old doesn’t it?” Haldir allowed himself to be pulled gently back into the embrace of his lover as Thranduil whispered softly against his cheek. For the first time since they had first made love soy miy millennia ago did Haldir finally feel complete inside as Thranduil softly kissed his cheek.

“Aye it does.” Thranduil chuckled softly as Haldir whispered in reply. For a long time the pair merely stood in silent reflection watching as the first sunrise of the new age broke across the world before them.

“It will be a good day I think Haldir, a good day indeed.” Seeing how far they had fallen behind Thranduil gently took Haldir’s hand in his own and with one last glance back at the cave in which his grandson had been born began to slowly lead Haldir down the rocky path…

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Legolas took deep steadying breaths of the fresh air around him happy finally to be able to see the blue sky above him. The guards while trying to be careful could not avoid the bumps and jarring movements of the litter that Legolas lay upon but the prince bit his lip and channelled the pain elsewhere. Whad had happened to him was still hazy in his mind but one feeling in particular could not be pushed aside. It was a presence in his mind that while always being there was never as strong as it seemed to be now. Glorfindel was there as always but this new presence was younger, and more determined to have his attention. With each step down the cliff face that the guards took the stronger Legolas felt and it was only when he was being lowered to the ground beneath the canopy of trees that Legolas knew he would be well. As if a torch had been lit in his mind Legolas felt tears begin streaming down his cheeks as an extremely familiar face came to hover above him.

“Glorfindel?” Still weak with fatigue and infection Legolas could hardly speak but forced himself t so so as the golden locks of his lover fell into his face as Glorfindel all but threw himself down upon him, the proud seneschal shaking and shivering with emotion as he wrapped his arms tightly about Legolas slight frame. Unable to return the hug Legolas lay completely still his eyes closing automatically as the familiar scent of his lover engulfed his body drawing from him a strength he had not had in months.

“Legolas, I was so frightened that I would loose you.” Falling into Quenya Glorfindel pressed his face against Legolas body ignoring the audience that now stood around the reunited couple. Glorfindel would never have admitted his fear to anyone up until now all tll those that watched on were instantly touched as the seneschal pressed a chaste kiss against Legolas’ soft lips. Moving his hands up to either side of the prince’s face Glorfindel held Legolas’ head in his hands supporting his lover as the stared into one another’s gazes after so long a time apart. “He is beautiful my love.” Again Glorfindel spoke in Quenya a smile on his face as proud as a warrior could be. Swallowing his pain and weakness again Legolas whispered back usedused and still a little disorientated.

“Who is beautiful?” Glorfindel chuckled softly and gently helped Legolas turn his head to his side as Filgree knelt quickly down on the grass beside them the crying bundle still wrapped in the blanket. Legolas’ eyes were as wide as saucers as Filgree gently helped Glorfindel roll Legolas over so that the child could share the soft canvass litter with its parent.

“Our son is beautiful that’s who.” In aw Legolas drew his shaking hands up to the child that lay squirming by his side. Everyone watched on in amazement as the young elfling stopped crying for the first time since it had been born. The babe seemed to smile at its parents and Legolas chuckled unbelievingly as he brushed his weak hand across the soft golden tuffs of hair on his son’s head. “See he is beautiful isn’t he, just like you.” Glorfindel whispered softly against Legolas neck as he watched Legolas’ hands softly exploring his son’s features in amazement, the babe merely cooing in contentment at its fathers touch.

The intimate moment however was broken as Legolas felt the pain in his stomach rip through his body again, sending him rolling backwards in agony as it made him convulse. Swooping the child up quickly from Legolas side Filgree stepped back from the litter as Elrond and Elrohir knelt quickly beside the prince soothing his pain as best they could until Legolas calmed down again. Glorfindel very reluctantly let go of Legolas hand as Elrond instructed the guards to arrange the litter so that it hung securely between two horses for the journey back to the camp. It would be a long journey back to the camp on the western plains and longer still until they reached Imladris again but Elrond was silently confident that all would be well now that Legolas and Glorfindel were back together.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..