The old ways

"No, I didn't." Legolas hesitantly placed a hand on his belly. To his shock he could clearly feel an ever so slight bulge there. Suddenly he got up from the ground still keeping his hand in place. A gasp escaped him. Even when standing he could feel it. If it kept on growing at this rate it would show sooner than he would have liked.

"It looks like we have to do something about that soon, right?" Gimli pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Does it show, yet?" Legolas voice was unsteady.

"No, but I know it is there." Gimli cocked his head. "Come, sit down again. Tell me your tale. Unburden your heart and free your mind of unhappy thoughts."

Like a puppet the elf sat down again and closed his eyes for some seconds, as if to recall the past. "In the beginning I pondered about it, without asking anybody about it. The more time passed the more sure I was. But the moment I knew for certain happened a few years later, after that. A cousin of Haldir had been pregnant and had given a birth the night before. We all went to see her to bring gifts, congratulate her and her husband and to see the little one. When I saw Haldir holding the infant and how his eyes sparkled, I knew I could give him no greater gift than the child of his own. It was very difficult to keep it to myself, I was so eager and full of anxiety but I managed to keep it a secret. I had to get more information about it first anyway. So, when we went to Mirkwood the next time, I stole into my father's study in search of the books and scrolls I had seen there first time. It took me three nights in a row to find them. It became exceedingly difficult to fill Haldir with so much wine each night, that he wouldn't notice my absence. When I had gathered all the books and scrolls I could find, I started studying them whenever I had the possibility. Again, I was taken aback by the treatment and the measures that were involved. But I had sat my mind on this and after I read all that was there, my journey began. First I had to see an experienced Healer to see if I was able to undergo such a change. To be honest that was the worst part. I didn't want to go to Theon, as much as I liked him, but I knew he was loyal to my father and I didn't want anything to slip out. So I made up a dozen excuses to ride to Rivendell. No matter how hard I tried, Haldir was not letting me go on my own and so we both rode off together. In Rivendell, again, I had to find a ways to sneak off on my own to meet Lord Elrond in private. Much to my surprise it was Glorfindel who came to my rescue. He asked Haldir if he would join him for a ride to the Bruinen to check the borders. Haldir inclined and went with Glorfindel. I found Lolronlrond in his study and asked him for help with my problem. At first he was not very forthcoming and riedried to talk me out of it. Telling me how dangerous it all was and how stressing for my body. But in the end I won. Once set on his task Elrond was my pilla str strength through it all.

He asked me to come with him to healing rooms where he would examine me. Suddenly I felt anything but sure and was very ashamed. He took his time with me and in the end he told me that he couldn't find anything that would object the procedure. He wanted to know when I wanted it to be . I . I remember flushing terribly. I had never considered, the where and when. Should I tell Haldir in advance or should I surprise him?"

"I hope you told him beforehand. It wouldn't have been fair to him." Gimli looked at the elf questioningly.

Legolas drew a deep breath and shook his head silently. "At first I didn't tell him anything. I held onto the thought that if anything went wrong I would stop the whole thing altogether and if everything went as planned ouldould be a great surprise for him."

Gimli shook his head in disbelief "I am not surprised you two had fights from time to time. Both stubborn. What made you change your mind?"

"He found out."