Birth Marks

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Th
The following days where spent on horseback and I, as always, traveled in a tight protective circle of smelly men. Much to my annoyance, my husband would travel more freely amongst the ranks. He would circle around several times throughout the day before finally riding next to me and the men seemed to disperse.

Upon seeing my unhappy face, Aragorn started with his fretting. "What is my love? Do you need to call a halt?"

"Nay, I am fine." Of course that was only partly true. I was tired and sore from riding, but I would not allow a halt to be called because of me. I knew they would be making camp within the next few hours and truly I just wanted to get to Rivendell and get out of my travel clothes and take a nice hot bath.

"I know that you don't like traveling thus, but I'm only concerned for you and our child. We know not what remains of the fell forces and before you even say, I know that you are quite capable. But, Love, please allow me to take care of you in your final weeks." Aragorn eyes shown with love and what was an over round elf to say?

"I know." It was all I needed to say, and it was amusing to watch Aragorn sputter. He was so sure that he was in for a fight.

We traveled on in sie, ee, even past when I thought we would have halted and my aching backside and full bladder urged me to ask when we might stop.

"We are but a half days travel from Rivendell's borders, I had hoped to travel as far as possible," he looked at me then and held up his arm. All those near us stopped and those ahead soon heard the signal to halt.

"I need but just a minute," Id, sd, sliding off my horse and walking toward the woods.

As I finished my business, I could hear Aragorn talking in a quick, but hushed voice. As I came out of the canopy of trees I could see him with one of his men. A few soldiers mounted and rode on ahead of us.

"A scout has spotted a band of orcs. They have learned our position." Aragorn advanced toward me, taking the reins of my horse and urged me up. "You must go. I shall meet you in Rivendell."

I was already protesting before I was seated. "I must stay with you."

He shook his head and his eyes seemed angry. "You must go. I'm sending Janith and ten men. You can circle to the west and enter Rivendell's border by dawn if you go now."

"But..."

Aragorn used the bridle to pull himself up. "Legolas, nay, you must go. I will be fine and I will meet you there. You must go and take care of our child." There was no arguing, so I lowered my eyes. His hand under my chin lifted my face and a fierce kiss was pressed against my lips. "Now, go quickly."

He jumped to the ground, his men already heading into the surrounding forest. Janith headed out after and Aragorn met my eyes once more before slapping my mare's hindquarters.

Once in the forest, I was enclosed once more with Janith riding next to me. I could hear the cries of battle behind and it took everything within me not to turn around.

After riding several leagues, a new sound caught my ears and I immediately reached for my bow. "Orcs," I cried. "They come from the west."

The men all drew their swords and even Janith held a weapon. "Please, my Lord. Up into the trees." He urged.

"How many, my Lord?" another called.

I reached for a branch and swung up, looking to the west. "I see at least thirty. They must have broken off from the main band."

All made ready and within minutes we were overrun. I shot arrow after arrow and the men fought with loud clashing of swords. Janith stayed close to the horses, fighting off any orc who strayed his way. The ground was littered with dead orcs and humans alike and I was out of arrows. Janith caught my eye and seemed to be imploring me to stay in the safety of the trees. But how could I with the battle raging just below me?

Even before I could descend, a shrill voice called out. "I smell an elf."

Two of the creatures broke off fighting and began to climb the tree I was perched in. Suddenly I remembered the baby I carried and I only looked for escape, easily leaping to a neighboring tree. Not to be deterred, the creatures howled and followed, one scurrying back down and the other continued to climb and jumped into the same tree I was in.

I thought about dropping to the ground and taking a stand, but at least ten orcs still battled below and I was sure I would be overcome as soon as I landed. My only recourse was to jump to another tree. Below, the creature hissed that I would never get away, just to come down and theuld uld leave the rest of the men alone. I could feel the branches swaying as the other jumped into my tree, sneering and licking his lips. "Lookie at the pretty fat elf."

"I can taste him from here," the other screeched, scaling the tree I was in.

I jumped again, barely making the large leap, feeling the air rush from my l.
.

"Oh, we've got you now, pretty elf."

As I swung my legs up to g bet better hold, a bony hand landed on my shoulder. "Gotcha." I pushed back, pressing against the smaller body, hoping to knock it out of the tree. Before me the other rose, it's nostrils flaring. "You smell sooo gooood. Whatcha got in that fat belly of yours?"

Before they could close in, I tried to climb higher, drawing my knife with one hand and holding onto the branch with the other. I thought I could hear Janith yelling; telling those left that his Lord was about to be lost.

I slashed anything that came into my sight, satisfied with the grunts of pain and blood dripping from my knife. Suddenly, the hand holding onto the limb was grabbed and it took a second for me to realize I was falling. I reached for anything that might keep me in the tree, but I only managed to grab the other fell creature and pulled him with me. It seemed like a long time and only seconds before my body hit the mossy ground below.

In order to protect the child and myself, I relaxed as much as possible and tried to land flat, not taking to much impact on any one part of my body. I stayed very still, having ld ond on my side, not the best way, but better than some. The orc that fell with me lay a few feet away, its neck slashed open from one of the men's swords. I heard a sound behind me, but I somehow knew it was not a threat. "My Lord?"

A frantic Janith reached my side and insisted I stay still, but I could hear the creature climbing down the tree. The battle around us was won, the remaining orc ran when I fell and a few men gave chase; but most stayed behind and now stood around us.

I lifted my head, feeling like I had no broken bones. The healer tried to push me back down, but I easily pushed off his assistance and stood on slightly wobbly legs. A strange burning twisted through my belly and I looked down, noticing blood on my leggings.

The creature hit the ground and shrieked, trying to get away. Before I could stop myself, rage swept through me and I stepped forward, to muroterotesting, and grabbed the creature by the head, swinging its body around and lifting my other arm. The satisfy snap and crunch of it's neck was the only sound before I let its body slide to the ground.

Before I could do anything else, think upon my actions, Janith rushed forward, pulling me away from the carnage, and bid me to sit below a large tree. "Please, my Lord, let me look you over."

He looked down at my bloody leggings and than back up to my eyes. I wasn't sure why he seemed worried, I felt fine and I could still feel the babe move within me. But it was hard to think, my head hurt and my side was sore, but even still, I was sure I was fine.

The remaining men went about piling the bodies of orcs and burying the four of their own that were lost. Janith had procured a few blankets and had me laid out before I could protest. I could hear him instructing one of the men to bring him some fresh water and some clean clothes from my saddlebag.

"Now, just be still and tell me if anything hurts." I nd and and allowed him to open my tunic. His hands roamed over my belly and I hissed when he hit a tender spot. The baby kicked madly, over and over, and the brief burning from before was back, bringing tears to my eyes. "I'm sorry. I shall try to be more gentle." His hands moved lower, pulling my boots and leggings off and covering me with a blanket. My soiled clothes where handed off and clean clothes and some bandages where set beside me. I hadn't realized that my body was shaking until Janith tucked the blanket closer around my shoulders. He was speaking with someone and then I could hear two horses riding off.

I raised my head to ask what was happening, but he shushed me with a kind smile and that's when I knew something was terribly wrong. "I've sent a meger ger ahead to Lord Elrond and one to see how fares the rest of our men. We will rest here tonight and leave first thing in the morning. Do not worry, we are safe."

I wanted to question our safety, but I feared I was the reason we were staying instead of mounting up and moving forward to Rivendell. He pulled back the blanket from my left side and poured fresh water over my hip and thigh. I vaguely felt the stinging, but it seemed that the baby decided to be more active. I could feel the child moving around as if restless.

"You have a wound on your side, from a knife, I'm going to put on a salve to help you heal." Again I nodded, feeling the baby settle down and the cool touch of the healer. "I must check more intimately, my Lord. I must see if you are bleeding."

Bleeding?

"Janith?" My eyes closed as a swift wave of heat burned up my back, my head pounding in concert with my heart.

I could feel his hands between my thighs, pushing my legs aside so he could see. "Tis just a little blood." He was saying, but ringing in my ears made it hard to listen. I know he was calling for help, because someone placed a cold cloth on my brow and a warm hand pick up mine.

I looked as the man sat down, his back to Janith. It was Benfeld, Aragorn's first commander and a good friend to us both. "Rest easy, Legolas, all will be well. I will keep a good watch." His smiling face did little to relax me, but I did start to breathe easier once my legs were positioned back and the covers pulled down over me.

Janith washed his hands and disposed of the soiled bandages before coming to sit on my other side. He felt my neck and head, asking if my back hurt.

"No, but my belly feels odd and the baby was very active, but now..." My frighten eyes moved from one man to the other.

"Can you feel the babe?" Benfeld asked, taking the cloth from my brow and soaking it in cool water before wringing it out again and wiping my face.

"Yes." Another cloth was placed under my neck and my legs were raised, some packs placed under them.

"Then sleep now and heal, my friend. I will watch over you tonight." Benfeld rose and spoke quietly to Janith before bidding me goodnight.

"My Lord, you must rest." His eyes met mine and I tried to relax. "I will be here if you need me."

Despite his words, I tried to stay awake, to figure out what was happening ad med me, listening as the men spoke. But before long, I slipped into a deep healing sleep.

*`*`*`*

When I awoke, my body was stiff, but not unbearably so. Janith brought me a quick meal of fruit and bread before he examined my belly. I was uneasy, having not felt the babe move since falling asleep the night before.

Janith seemed uneasy as well; but as he poked and squeezed my round flesh, I felt a slight fluttering within. It was not the usual strong kicks and jabs of the baby, but it did put me more at ease.

As I was getting dressed for the day, I was handed a flap of bandage and Janith instructed me to place it in my undergarments. He said that if I bled anymore today, that the bandage would help keep me comfortable, but I suspected it was also to gage the amount of loss.

Later that morning I was helped into my saddle. Usually I prefer to ride without it, but today I was glad for the extra support. I waited, my mind not really taking in what was happening around me. Janith pulled his steed along side of mine, but today I was glad for his presence.

I shifted in my seat, feeling the unusual cloth against my flesh, but it was a small price to pay. When we stopped, I would be able to see if I did indeed bleed and it was somewhat of a comfort when we made our first halt and I found the bandage clean.

As the day grew on someone on horseback approached us from the west. Our little band stopped, waiting to see if we would need to move into cover, but I heard the signal before the soldiers. One of the messengers was returning. I, from my position in the middle, was blocked from seeing who had returned. Benfeld soon made his way back to me telling me that Lord Elrond was sending an escort and that we should meet up with them in the next hours.

"What word have you of the King?" I needed to know that my husband was safe.

"The battle was won, My Lord. He will meet us as planned." I was so relieved and my heart was lighter to know that he was well. Now my thoughts returned to our child and if I had done any harm.

A shadow of some foreboding was with me all throughout the morning and my need to reach Rivendell was great. I was sure that all would be well if I could be reunited with my mate and I felt that our child would be safe once we reached Lord Elrond.

"My Lord, are you well?" Janith's voice shook me from my thoughts. I hadn't even really realized that we now moved forward again.

"I will be." He smiled, but I could see his confusion and concern.

For the next hours we traveled in silence, waiting to meet up with our escort. Off into the distance I could hear horses and carriages. "They approach."

The men in the front of our group halted, sending one out to meet the advancing group.

I took the opportunity to dismount and look for a place to relieve myself. Janith was watchful, but gave me my privacy. I wanted to check the bandage; for the last several leagues, I could feel a small amount of wet stickiness and was taken back by the amount of bright red that had sunk into the crisp whiteness of the cloth.

The babe still moved within me, but I knew that this was not a good sign. Cleaning up the best I could, I went back to the horses and prepared to mount; but to my utter surprise, I nearly slid from the stirrup. If not for Janith, I would have landed in a heap he dhe dirt-covered road.

The galloping hooves of the fast approaching elves were nearly drowned out by the ringing in my ears.

"Legolas?" The panicked call of my name stopped cacocacophony of sounds and soon my husband stooped over me.

"My Love, what has happened?" He demanded, but I could not seem to answer, my mouth dry and my eyes unable to adjust to the glare of sun over his right shoulder, blurring his worried face.

Janith lowered me the rest of way way to the ground and kneeled next to me, holding my wrist as Aragorn leaned in, kissing my lips frantically.

"I was so worried." I could feel his hot breath on my face. "I was shocked to find you not in Rivendell. The messenger arrived shortly after and I road out as soon as a new horse could be saddled." His hands ghosted over my face and down my front, as if he were unable to decide were to touch me. His eyes filled with tears as they settled on my belly. "Please tell me you are well."

"I fell." My words were blurted and strained, my eyes unable to hold my tears back.

"I know, Love. I should not have sent you ahead, I should have kept you safe." He ran his hands up my sides, looking for injury, and stopped over my hip.

I wanted to rebuff his words, give him some small measure of comfort. As I opened my mouth to tell him thus, a group of elves moved forward. Aragorn looked up briefly, before sweeping me up into his strong arms. "What are you doing?"

"We must get you situated in the carriage, than we can ride onward." I was deposited on the edge, hard wood biting into my tender side. Aragorn bounded up and lifted me again, moving me to a bedded area piled with comfortable looking blankets and pillows, a canopy over us to block the unusual heat.

Janith scurried in before the flap was pulled down, blocking out the noonday sun. A pack was handed though the small opening that was our only source of light. "I must check you again. I will be gentle."

His hand moved deftly under the blanket that my beloved had just pulled up. I felt him unlatching my tunic and laces, pulling open and down any garment in the way of his hands. He felt my belly and as he pressed the underside I felt a small stab of pain.

A small noise escaped me and Aragorn immediately moved closer. "What is wrong?"

"I can not be sure, but I fear for the child." Janith did not look at me, his eyes going directly to my mate, his King. "We must make haste to Lord Elrond."

Aragorn moved swiftly to the front, opening the flaps that separated us from the driver. I could not make out what he was saying, my mind numb. So lost in thought was I, that even the healers hand removing the bandage did not cause me to stir.

Soon the carriage lurched forward, moving at a fast clip but not so fast that I was jostled overly much.

My husband's small gasp focused my attention once again. He was helping Janith fold a fresh bandage and pressed it between my slightly bent legs. "Oh, Legolas."

Janith hands moved steadily, lacing my leggings and covering me with an extra blanket. I shivered again, feeling so cold.

My hand was squeezed and I tried to smile for my mate, but it was tight and forced.

What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?

"We will be there soon, within a few hours. Rest, Love." Aragorn petted my face and neck, kissing my nose and eyelids. "Dt bet be afraid. We will arrive soon."

Soft pillows were shoved under my knees and Janith held my wrist again. My heart beat in a frenzy and I worried that I could not get in enough air, the cool of the carriage becoming stifling hot.

"We will arrive soon. All is well." The strain of Aragorn's voice was my undoing. I turned my head away and soon wet, fat tears trailed my face.

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