The old ways

Haldir awoke from a restless sleep. His mind had been on his husband for most of the night. What if his suspicions were true, what if he was in danger, what if......

Suddenly the door burst open and with unseemliness manner came in Merry, the Hobbit, his curls in a riot and a bright smile beaming on his face.

"I don’t believe it! But you were dead. Strider said so."

And to Haldir surprise, the small creature flung himself onto the bed Haldir was lying in, and embraced him forcefully.

"Oh my, Legolas will be so happy to hear. He was devastated, you know? He grew weaker with every day. I believe if it wouldn’t have been for Gimli, I don’t think he would have made it through the first night."

Haldir’s face had paled in a dramatic way. "When did you see him last?" he croaked.

"Oh that was a three days ago, when they left for the paths of the dead. He looked a bit better then, but... oh we have to tell him. I want to ride with Theoden to Gondor in a week, why don’t you come with us. I believe we will meet the others there."

"I am not sure if I can make it Merry." Haldir sighed.

Merry studied Haldir closely. Gandalf had been right. Beneath that arrogant exterior, lay a gentle caring soul. The old wizard had told Merry and Pippin more about Haldir and Legolas, to make them understand. Merry had been feeling guilty ever since, for judging the Lorien elf. He wanted to make up for it now.

"You must have been wounded very badly, then. Aragorn was telling us, that you had died in his arms. He was so sure."

"Maybe I did die, I do not know. All I can remember, is that pain in my back, my last thoughts on Legolas and then there was nothing. I believe my love for Legolas..." Haldir suddenly blushed and looked at the hobbit, but found nothing but joy in his eyes "forgive me, I don’t know if you know..."

"Yeah, Gandalf told us all about you two, so we would understand the situation Legolas was in."

"All? He told you all?" Haldir swallowed.

"Well, about your love, your marriage, your fights and so on." Merry smirked.

"Did you see any other changes in Legolas? Something strange?" Haldir did not speak that last sentence out loud.

"No, you mean apart from the grief he was in?" Merry’s brow furrowed.

"Yes, well, I don’t know how to put it really. What I meant was, was... ah.. his body. Anything unusual?"

"He wasn't injured or so. No, I don’t think so. Why?" the Hobbit moved into a more comfortable position on the bed and eyed the elf.

"It’s nothing. I just thought...." the silver haired elf leaned back against the headboard and worried his lower lip.

"Maybe if you asked me directly, I would be able to answer you."

"How much has Gandalf told you Merry?" Haldir cocked his head.

"Well, he didn’t get into details. Do you want to share a dirty secret with me then?" Merry laughed.

"No. I meant more about our relationship and what came out of it."

The Hobbit sent his brown curls flying. "No. What came out of it, apart from you being married to one another."

Haldir took a steadying breath, he wasn't sure if it was such a bright idea to initiate Merry with this, but he had to know. "Legolas, in the past that is, underwent a procedure to become fertile and thus being able to bear children."

Merry’s jaw dropped.

"I fear," Haldir continued "That Legolas might have become pregnant during your stay in Lothlorien. If that is so, I believe he needs help. I don’t know if he would tell the others, for surely they would stop him from continuing this journey, but he might want to keep going. It is dangerous for him and the child, and I don’t want them to come to any harm."

For a few minutes Merry said nothing but tried to comprehend what he had just heard. He had noticed Gimli and Aragorn fussing over the elf more than usual. And Gandalf had been also overly concerned for him. Merry and Pippin had believed it was because of the grief the elf was in, but now? Maybe there had been more. More than it meets the eye.

Suddenly the door opened and Eowyn stepped in carrying the all too familiar tray of herbs, bandages and a warm water.

"Oh, here you are." She smiled at the Hobbit.

"When I talked to Theoden about the fallen of Helm’s deep and about you and that you actually had survived, the little friend of yours came running out behind a tapestry and shook my arms asking me over and over again where you were. I hope I was right to tell him your whereabouts?"

Haldir smiled at her and nodded.

"Good," Eowyn sat down the tray and addressed Merry "While you are here now, I could use your help."

"Right, what do you want me to do?"

"Help Haldir to sit up and hold him steady while I redress the wound."

Once Haldir was sitting Merry knelt before him and held his shoulders to steady him.