The old ways

They lay exhausted for a while, breathing ray any and holding each other close, ir sir still buried deep inside his husband. Suddenly a muffled sound tore Haldir from his dreamy state. “wu, ore crawy!”
His hand still covered Legolas mouth and he chuckled as he removed it to let the blond elf take a few deep breaths of cool night air.
“What?” Haldir inquired innocently.
“You are absolutely c!” L!” Legolas told him in a stern voice.
“Yes! I am absolutely crazy about you!” the marchwarden kissed the tip of Legolas’ ear.
Legolas snuggled deeper into Haldir’s embrace and frowned a little when Haldir’s sated sex slipped from him, leaving a wet trail on his thigh.
Both slipped easily into a deep slumber and did not wake again until Aragorn nudged Legolas carefully awake.

“Legolas. Please wake. The others are getting ready to leave and I want you arm and protect yourself properly for I t knt know what we are going to encounter today, when we will reach the black gate. I am still not too happy about you coming with us, but since you won’t change you mind, I want you to be as best as possibly prepared.”

They waited until Aragorn had left them again and carefully tried to redress beneath their blanket. Haldir was just taking care of Legolas extra armour when Gimli showed up and glared at them.
“You still are going with us, aren’t you?” he muttered.
Both s nos nodded in consent and the dwarf shook his head, taking the leather straps out of Haldir’ hands, strapping them around Legolas’ waist himself. Checking the fit and adjustment twice, making sure it worked properly. He put his hands on his hips and cocked his head up to Legolas.
“Now, laddie. I want you to understand clearly. You are not to engage into hand to hand battle, unless it is unavoidable. You are going to stay clear to the main field. And the same accounts for you, Haldir!” The dwarf gave the look of utter displeasure.

Aragorn called to his troops and Gimli moved along with Legolas, taking his usual seat behind him on Arod.

The sun stood high in the sky when they reached the menacing and towering black gate of Mordor.
To their utter surprise, no one was there. No guards, no trolls that were used to open the huge gates, nor any sworn allies to Sauron himself.
Not even the always present Nazgûls roamed the skies. Aragorn took Elrond’s sons, Gandalf as his herald, Eomer, Imrahil, Pippin, Gimli and Legolas and Haldir with him to the gate.e foe followers of Aragorn cried out their threat and announced the King. But still nothing happened.

Aragorn was still contemplating their next actions, when horns and trumpets sounded from the other side of the gate announcing the approaching of their enemies.
Aragorn’s army stood ready to fight and defend their king, when the gates opened.

Haldir unconsciously reached out a hand to Legolas, giving one slender pale hand a reassuring clasp.
Legolas looked over to his love and smiled at the tall silver haired elf.
“I love you.” He whispered and turned his eyes back to the black gate.

Not a large army, not a horde of orcs, nor any other enemies came marching through the large gate, but a lone figure, riding a huge and frightful looking horse and all stared in horror.
Licking from the eye sockets and nostrils, were flames, flickering and sending ghastly shadows over the distorted features of the skull like head. The rider wearing a black robe was fully hiding his features underneath a black and lofty helmet.
Accompanying him was a rather small troop of black harnessed soldiers, one of them carrying a single banner baring the evil eye.

As Gandalf addressed the black figure it sneered.
“I am the mouth of Sauron and I am here to tell you, that your quest will end here, for we found your spy and have ended his existence. You have no chance ranger King of Gondor.”
With that the creature threw a bundle on the ground thade tde the member of the fellowship wince and shudder.
There lay the sword that Sam had been carrying on their way through Moria and on down the Anduin, one grey elven cloak with the broach they had been given in Lorien and the shining mithril shirt of Frodo.

The messenger ordered Aragorn to retread and leave the dark lord the lands east of the Anduin as far as the Misty Mountains and the Gap of Rohan.
Gandalf declined in Aragorn’s name and Sauron’s messenger gl at at them. He turned his horse and urged it back to the gate and through it. His soldiers were following but instead of their silent behaviour during the short talks, they now sounded trumpets loudly.

Aragorn was overcome by a sense of foreboding and spun his horse around quickly, pulling the others with him.
But alas, it was too late. Out from the gate and the surrounding walls of the mountains came pouring orcs and easterlings.
They were many times more than the west man could offer and battle was close at hand.
Aragorn had no time to order his men and moved quickly over to Gandalf, but had no choice but to watch his loyal men being slaughtered.

Legolas quickly dismounted his horse, helping Gimli down, readying his bow the same instant. Haldir was close by his side, a look of terror on his features. They couldn’t win this battle. There was no way out for they were surrounded and had no option to retreat.
Gimli was standing in front of Legolas, taking down any foe that would come to near this elf.
Behind him he could hear the long Lorien bow sing and hardly a shot missed. Any approaching enemy was taken down, an elven arrow producing from its neck or breast. Haldir had let go of his bow by now, for his quiver was empty and there was no time to collect still usable arrows that lay scattered around them.
He wielded his long sword slashing and hacking heads, arms and bodies.
Gimli just turned to Legolas when he heard Haldir cry out in dismay and anger, he spun around to look at Haldir and saw that he had lost his sword and try to ward off an orc wielding a mighty axe.
But before Gimli could step in between he was overtaken by Legolas, who had dropped his bow and had both shimmering white knives ready in his hands, screaming at the orc.
“You will not touch him. You will not win this battle. You will not take his life!”
The orc made the mistake of his life. He hesitated for a single moment. It had seen elves before, and had fought them, but never had he encountered a fierce one like this. It had just enough time to register something unusual about this one. It seemed to be distorted. The figure strangely shaped, as if it were female and carrying a young one.
It was the last thing the orc was able to think about.
Arms moving so fast that they seemed to blur, Legolas droves his knives through the body of the orc. Haldir gasped in or aor as arms, the head and parts of the lower body were flying past him and on the ground. The orc was no more.

Aragorn held a worried look out for his friends and comrades as the fight continued. What he saw somewhere in the middle of the battle field made him choke. It was Pippin taking onto a troll. Slicing its hide and burying the short sword deep inside its bowels, he actually slew the beast.
But before the Hobbit could jump to safety, the Troll toppled forward burying the little fellow beneath him.
He cried out, but when he wanted to move down onto the battle field he was held back by Gandalf who pointed up in the sky voicing his wonder and relief.
There high above them, there were the large eagles chasing after the Nazgûls that had threatened the men of the west as well.
The large black creatures turned towards Mount Doom and fled.
But it was only a little flare of hope, for down beneath them the bloody battle carried on.
Aragorn could see his foster brothers, fighting together along with Eomer and Imrahil. Both bleeding profusely, from wounds at their arms and heads.

Further away he could make out the stout figure of Gimli, standing firmly, wielding his axe, defending two elves. A blond and a silver haired one.
Both had let go of their bows, having no arrows left, fighting with knives and sword.
Luckily none of them had taken any serious wounds yet, but both were clearly at the end of their strength and Aragorn knew that it would only be a matter of time, before one of them would fall.
Suddenly the earth shook, smoke was gushing up from Mount Doom and a deafening rumble of thunder made everyone cringe.
Gandalf threw his arms up in the air and cried out. “The reign of Sauron has ended. They did it! The ring is destroyed!”
Aragorn closed his eyes for a second, relief washing over him like a tidal wave. And when he opened them again, their foes were flying. The evil hold on them ended and leaving them leaderless.
He rushed down to his freinds, hoping to find all them alive.
When he turned once more to Gandalf he could see the old wizard talking to the giant eagle Gwaihir, who had landed near him.

Aragorn darted over to where the troll lay, calling for someone to help him. Together with a few men he was able to drag the massive body away from the still, small form of Pippin.
The Hobbit’s face was deathly pale and his breathing shallow, but he was alive. The King of Gondor slumped down on his knees beside the huddled body and carefully cradled it in his arms.
A little further off, Gimli leaned heavily on his axe, trying to regain some of his remaining strength. This battle had worn out even his dwarven stamina and he was even too exhausted to utter his relief and happiness at this moment.
All he could was cock his head in direction of Legolas and Haldir, who were embracing each other firmly, undoubtedly whispering words of love and encouragement in each others ears.

Suddenly Legolas uttered a short and strangled gasp and with both hands held onto his swelling belly.
Haldir paled and held Legolas’ shoulders.
“Love what is it. Please speak to me. Legolas?!” his voice had taken a frantic tone.
Gimli had raised his head and looked confused at the elves.
Even Aragorn had heard the c stc stricken voice of the Lorien elf and looked over worriedly.
Legolas started to undo his tunic, tearing at the fastenings. “I don’t know. It was a weird feeling. No pain really, but something happening. I don’t know what!” he sounded confused
“Love, please. We have to go to Aragorn, or Gandalf. Legolas...!” Haldir looked at his husband, tearing at his clothes and couldn’t move a single muscle. It just couldn’t be. They had survived this battle. They weren’t even severely injured. Why did anything had to be obviously wrong with their child.
Suddenly Legolas stooped his frantic movements and gasped again. “There it is happening again. It’s like..., like...” he shook his head slightly and continued to rip off his additional armour.

By now Gimli had reached them and even though he was on the verge of panic himself, tried to stay calm.
“Come, let me help you.” The dwarf pushed Legolas hands away and untied the leather straps holding the piece of armour in place.
Freed at last, Legolas laid a trembling hand against his swollen flesh and took a few calming breaths.
Aragorn had left Pippin with one of the healers that had travelled with them and hurried over to the dwarf and the elves.
Just when he reached them, Legolas looked up in surprise and an unsure smile brightened his face,
“What?” Haldir looked at him helplessly.
“Here!” Legolas smiled at his husband and took hold of one hand still holding him by the shoulders. He placed it on his stomach and applied a little pressure.
At first nothing happened and Haldir frowned, his eyes asking the same question over and over again. ‘What is wrong?’
But then all of a sudden, Haldir felt a strange fluttering movement against his fingers. Something was pushing against his hand, like a faint kick.
He furrowed his brow in wonder and Legolas beamed at him. “Can you feel it? Can you feel our child?”
Tears were pricking at his eyes as Haldir kept his hand on his husband’ body embracing him firmly.

Gimli sniffled a bit and turned away, so the elves wouldn’t see his reddened eyes. He found Aragorn standing beside him, clasping his sturdy shoulder with a firm hand and a smile of wonder on his features.
“Come, Master Dwarf. I think we are not needed here right in this moment.” The ranger tried to pull the dwarf along with him, but he wouldn’t budge.
“No, wait.” Legolas crystal clear voice stopped them. “Come here Gimli. If it hadn’t been for you, I surely wouldn’t be here to experience this. We owe you more than you can possibly imagine.”
But Gimli just stared at the, by now rather large, elven belly producing from the slim body.
“Can...I...” he muttered under his breath.
Haldir smiled at him and moved away from Legolas.
“Come!” Legolas reached out a hand to the dwarf, who moved closer reluctantly.
Like he had done with Haldir, he took hold of one of the dwarf’s hand and placed it on his body.
Gimli beamed up at his friend and suddenly rumbled something in dwarvish. He was clearly speaking to the unborn child and when he finished, tilted his head back to look up at Legolas. “No, I am not going to tell you, what I just told the little one.”

Some hours later they had moved away from the Black Gate, set up some tents, in which the wounded could be treated and campfires were lit to prepare some meals for the remaining troops.
Gwiahis and two fellow eagles had returned, bearing the two missing Hobbits, Frodo and Sam, carefully within their large ts.
s.
They were treated in one of the tents and the other members of the fellowship would not leave their sides.

Arn wan was reluctant to disturb the happy couple sitting at the bedside of Frodo and Sam, telling them of their journey and patiently answering their questions about their relationship and Legolas’ wondrous pregnancy.
“Legolas, my friend. As much as it pains me to disturb you, I would like you to come over here and let me have a look at you. I want to check on the child as well.”
Legolas nodded and excused himself from the Hobbits and his other friends.

Aragorn made him lay down on one of the makeshift beds and freed the swollen flesh from the clothes the elf was wearing. In his hand he was already holding that wooden device that would allow him to listen to the child’s heartbeat.
“I wish Elrond was here.” He mumbled. “He knows much more about these matters than I do.”
Legolas smiled at him encouragingly and relaxed his abdominal muscles.
Aragorn sighed quietly and placed the wooden toll against Legolas’ belly. Like before he adjusted it several times. Only this time his face became more and more worried.
Legolas didn’t even notice that he was holding his breath by now and his heartbeat increased rapidly. Sweat of panic broke out on his body as he watched the ranger try again and again to find the child’s heartbeat.
He didn’t dare to ask Aragorn if he couldn’t find it at all, not wanting to hear the painful news.
Tears were streaming down the sides of his pale face, wetting the tangled blond hair, leaving his vision blurred and unfocused, when Aragorn raised his head and stroked the fair features of his dear friend.
“Legolas, listen. I cannot make out the heartbeat very clearly.” He spoke softly to the elf.
A sob came from the slightly parted lips, which were trembling ever so slightly.
“I can hear the heartbeat, but it is somewhat irregular and fluttering. We will have to move back to Minas Tirith quickly. Maybe a healer there can be of more help than I am. Please do not despair. Please, Legolas. Don’t put more strain on you than you already have. Listen maybe it’s just bec the the child is moving about.”
But Legolas new better than that. He hadn’t felt the child move, while Aragorn had been examining him.
“Haldir!” was all he could whisper, his voice choking