Reasons to Hope, Reasons to live

Pairings: Legolas/Haldir for now



Rating: PG-13



Keys:



Dreams and flashbacks



“Common language”



‘Elvish language’



[Translations]



//Thoughts//



A/N: Special thanks to all who reviewed and to my bate-readers for their precious help ^__^



There is a small point I want to clear it up. Pregnancy among males is known for all the elves, however, it happens only through magic spell, which can only be preformed when the couples are bonded by marriage. However, in the Sindarin males, it happens naturally just like females.



I know it’s complicated but please humor me…



~~~~***~~~~



Mallorn sighed as he stared at the campfire. They had been searching for Legolas for two days now, and still there was no sign of his missing brother. He and Aredhel had chosen to search the west side while other scouts were sent to other directions. And now, they were still looking withany any clue for his little brother’s whereabouts.



Not that he wanted to find him, anyway. In his opinion, Legolas deserved that little chance of being happy again by keeping Haldir’s child. But his father and eldest brother had other thoughts. Numerous times, He had tried to convince his brother to give up the search and return to their father but Aredhel was determined to find their youngest brother and bring him back.



Sensing his brother sitting next to him, he looked up and asked, ‘have you found anything?’



‘No’ Aredhel shook his head. ‘I couldn’t find anything. He must be making his way through the trees and avoiding the main road.’



‘Smart thought.’ Mallorn murmured to himself. But Aredhel’s sharp ears heard it.



‘Yes, it is’ he replied, a little bit annoyed. ‘But it won’t prevent us from pursing him and bringing him back to the palace’



‘Aredhel, do we really have to do this?!’ Mallorn looked deeply in his brother’s eyes. ‘This is not fair…for Legolas at least. Haldir’s death was a great shock to him. It left him brokenhearted…it’s a miracle that he hasn't died yet. This child might be the thing that will bring the Legolas we all knew back again. Let’s go back to the palace and tell father that we haven’t found Legolas, and maybe try to change his mind about the baby.’



‘No, Mallorn. I can’t do that,’ Aredhel said in a firm tone. ‘You and Legolas often drift behind your emotions and refuse to listen to reason…Bearing a child without an official marriage will bring shame to our kingdom…I understand father’s reasons. In politics, my dear brother, there is no place for emotions. Mirkwood's reputation is at stake.’



‘So you’re saying that father would prefer Legolas to die from grief than risk our kingdom’s name,’ Mallorn snapped angrily.



‘I didn’t say that, Mallorn.’ Aredhel glared at his brother. ‘You know very well that father would give his life if that meant our happiness…especially, Legolas'. You know how much father loves him. But what he did isn’t acceptable. He threw our family and kingdom’s name behind his back and gave himself to his lover dishonoring the bond of marriage and its meaning to all the elves. Father is trying to protect our family’s name. Legolas will understand that once we find him and take him back to our father.’



‘How?’ Mallorn snorted, ‘he’s as stubborn as father. Neither of them will give up.’



Aredhel sighed deeply, ‘I don’t know…I just hope things won’t become bad between them.’



‘I hope that too,’ Mallorn whispered.



~~~~***~~~~



Three days later, near Mirkwood’s borders …



Legolas wiped the sweat from his forehead, breathing heavily. He had been riding through Mirkwood for five days, stopping only for short periods to give his horse some rest. He rode throughout the day and night, determined to reach the borders as fast as he could. Luckily, he hadn’t encountered any of the foul creatures that swarmed all over the dark woods.



However, he felt so tired and exhausted from riding for long hours; and his health was getting worse each day due to lack of rest and proper food, especially in his current condition.



//And I thought I could leave Mirkwood in one day. Fool of an Elf!// he thought sarcastically //Now, the borders are only two hours far away…I must hurry and get out…before they catch up with me.// with that thought in his mind, he re-mounted his horse and continued his journey.



~~~~***~~~~



Two days later, near Mirkwood’s borders…



‘I can see the borders ahead of us, Aredhel.’ Mallorn shouted to his brother in front of him. ‘If we go any further, we’ll leave Mirkwood.’



Aredhel pulled back the reins, urging his horse to stop. Mallorn stopped beside his brother and waited for him to say something.
r />r />
‘I fear that Legolas has left Mirkwood, Mallorn.’ Aredhel said, suddenly.



‘What?!!’ Mallorn asked, raising an eyebrow. ‘Left Mirkwood?!!!!’



‘Yes,’ Aredhel nodded, ‘If I were him, I would do the same. Staying in Mirkwood would only mean being caught eventually. So the only logical thing to do is to leave Mirkwoobr /br />


‘But where he would go in his present condition?!’ Mallorn stared at the road ahead of him.



‘He wouldn’t go to either Gondor or Rohan. They are cities of men, and going there in his condition may reveal Mirkwood’s secret,’ Aredhel reasoned. ‘The only places that I could think of are Lothlórien or Rivendell.’



‘What about Moria?’ Mallorn asked, ‘You know that Legolas has a dwarven friend there!!’



Aredhel shook his head. ‘I don’t think Legolas would go to that place again. Besides, the dwarves can’t take care of him. Legolas needs a place where he can receive heath care until the birth of his child.’



‘Then Rivendell is the perfect place.’ Mallorn said, ‘Lord Elrond is a healer, you know.’



‘Yes,’ Aredhel nodded. ‘But I won’t take any chances. Let’s separate. I’ll go to Rivendell, while you go to Lothlórien.’



‘As you wish, big brother.’ Mallorn nodded, sighing deeply.



‘Don’t worry, Mallorn.’ Aredhel placed a comforting hand on his brother’s shoulder. ‘We are doing the right thing.’



‘I hope so.’



With that, the two brothers parted ways; one heading towards Rivendell, while the other towards the Golden woods.



~~~~***~~~~



Two weeks later, near Rivendell’s borders…



Elladan and Elrohir were visiting their brother in his kingdom and when the time for them to leave had arrived, Aragorn found it a perfect chance for him to relax from his duties and visit the Last Homely House. So he assigned his steward Faramir to take care of the kingdom in his absence and left with his foster brothers.



Now, they were sitting around a warm campfire, waiting for their dinner to get ready. Suddenly, the twins jumped to their feet, bows ready to shoot whatever foe dared to attack them.



“What’s wrong?” Aragorn asked, unsheathing his sword, Anduril.



“A horse.” Elrohir whispered, “It’s riding very fast, coming in this direction.”



The three listened to theirrourroundings carefully. Soon enough, Aragorn's ears also caught the sound of hooves coming towards them. A white horse appeared from between the thick trees and bushes. Its rider fell from its back as soon as it stopped.



The three rushed to aid the fallen rider. Aragorn’s heart clenched as he recognized the horse and its golden-haired rider.



“Legolas!” he called his friend, gathering him from the ground to the safety of his arms. ‘Answer me, nîn Mellon [My friend]’



Aragorn’s concern rose when the woodelf didn’t answer him. He checked his friend’s body for any injuries. To his great fear, he located a deep cut in the archer’s left arm. And though his wound did not seem to be fatal, Legolas’ appearance wasn’t encouraging at all. His body lay motionless, cold sweat was starting to form on his forehead, his eyes were closed tightly and his breathing was shallow and barely noticeable.



“Estel, take him by the fire so you’ll be able to tend to his injuries,” Elladan suggested.



Aragorn moved his unconscious friend near the fire and removed his tunic, checking the wound.



“Luckily, it’s not life-threatening.” Aragorn sighed in relief. “And there isn’t any poison…he’ll be fine after a proper rest.”



“What do you think happened to him?” Elrohir asked, worried.



“He might have encountered a group of Orcs on his way,” Aragorn replied, tending the wound. “There are still groups of the foul creatures swarming in every direction of Middle-Earth.”



“That’s strange,” Elladan mused, noticing Legolas’ clothing. “His clothes aren’t suitable for traveling. They are much like formal clothes for court…He can’t be traveling with his royal costumes, can he?”



Aragorn looked down at his friend and raised an eyebrow. “You’re right…Legolas wouldn’t travel wearing his royal attires!!”



“If he wasn’t traveling, then why is he here now?” Elrohir asked.



“Do you think something urgent has happened in Mirkwood and Legolas managed to flee?” Elladan whispered, worriedly.



His two companions looked at him and then to the unconscious elf in Aragon's lap.



“Whatever has happened,” Aragorn tried to control his fears, “We’ll know it as soon as Legolas wakes up in the morning. Now, let’s eat and then go to sleep. We will reach Rivendell tomorrow before nightfall, if we leave in the early morning.”



After eating dinner and checking on Legolas, the twins went to sleep, while Aragorn took the first watch.



~~~~***~~~~



The next morning Legolas woke to very loud sounds around him. Looking up, he saw the twins of Rivendell fighting with each other over something. He tried to get up but sharp pain went through him when he put his weight on his wounded arm. A cry of pain escaped from his lips, catching the twins’ attention.



“Legolas…lay down.” Elladan rushed towards his friend; followed by his brother “Your arm hasn’t healed completely.”



“Elladan, Elrohir…I'm glad to see you again,” Legolas smiled weakly at his friends.



“We're glad to see you too, dear Legolas” Elrohir replied, helping Legolas to sit up and sitting next to him. “It has been a long time since our last meeting.”



“Long time, indeed. What are you two doing here in the wild?” Legolas asked.



“We are not here by ourselves, Legolas,” Elladan said, sitting near his brother. “Estel is with us. We were visiting him in Gondor and…”



“He found it an opportunity to run away from his kingdom,” Legolas completed. The twins grinned.



“Is that how you see me as, my friend? The Irresponsible King?” Aragorn mocked, with a pout as he appeared from behind some trees.



Legolas grinned back. “Haven’t you proved it numerous times during our last quest, by ignoring my warnings and following your stubborn mind?”



“What can I do? I’ve took it after my best friend.” Aragorn shrugged, joining the three elves.



“Great minds think alike, King Elessar.” Legolas winked.



The four friends laughed merrily, enjoying their long-awaited reunion.



“You haven’t told us yet, Legolas,” Elrohir asked. “What brought you to Imladris?”



Legolas turned his face away, but none of his companions missed the endless sadness that showed in his eyes.



“Legolas, what’s wrong?” Aragorn asked, placing his hand on the blond elf’s shoulder. “Has something happened in Mirkwood?”



“No” Legolas shook his head, “Everything in Mirkwood is fine. It just…” his voice trailed off.



“What, Legolas?” Elladan asked, worry obvious in his voice. “What happened?”



“I had an argument with my father and I ran away,” Legolas said his eyes downcast. “He sent scouts to bring me to the palace…they’ve been pursuing me ever since I've left Mirkwood.”



“WHAT?” the twins gasped in horror.



“Has your father lost his mind or what?” Elrohir snapped. “And what about your brothers? Do they agree with this madness? Why didn’t they…”



“Wait, Elrohir.” Aragorn cut off his brother’s sentence, “Legolas, what was that argument about?”



He wanted to know. Aragorn knew how King Thranduil adores his youngest son, but if something caused him to send scouts after his favorite son, then it must be something big. Something that cannot be ignored or disregarded.



Legolas shook his head once more, “I can’t tell you, Aragorn. Not yet. I must see lord Elrond first, for I need his help.”



“Legolas, whatever that argument was about, Ada won’t support you in disobeying your father.”



“I know, Aragorn.” Legolas looked into his friend’s grey eyes. “But maybe he can help me convince father to agree. Please, Aragorn. I need to see lord Elrond. If I obey father’s verdict, I will surely die…I need lord Elrond's help.”



Aragorn looked into Legolas’ pleading violet-blue eyes and sighed. He could never deny Legolas anything. Not when sadness was shining clearly in his beautiful eyes.



“OK, let’s go then.” Aragorn stood up. “We may reach Rivendell before nightfall…do you think you can handle a long ride in your state?”



Legolas smiled warmly at his friend. “Don’t worry about me…I've been riding hardly without a break for three weeks..”



“And you weren’t eating properly, I assume.” Elladan gave him a firm look, “You have to take some lessons about health, my dear friend.”



Legolas chuckled, as he walked to his horse. “Don’t worry about that, Elladan. I've been hearing lessons about health from my father and brothers for the past three months.”



“Which were all forgotten the moment they stopped” Aragorn shook his head disapprovingly. “When we reach Imladris, I’ll make sure that you take care of your health properly”



//When we reach Imladris, I’ll make sure that Haldir's child will live with or without father’s permission// Legolas thought, placing one hand on his stomach where his child was growing.



And so the four friends set off towards Rivendell, the last elven refuge…







To Be Continued…