The old ways

Legolas had to keep himself from fidgeting upon the bed.
“Blocked, Elrond?” Haldir looked at the Lord of Imladris in total puzzlement.
“Yes, blocked. In some way. Come here Haldir.” The raven haired elf beckoned the marchwarden to him.
Haldir quickly stepped over to Elrond and gazed at him in anticipation, as Elrond took one hand in his.
“Don’t you think, that your husband has indeed grown quite large hasn’t he?” smirked Elrond.
“I don’t know, I haven’t seen many pregnant elves in my life. Maybe, if you say so.” Haldir muttered.
“Quite large?” Legolas sounded hurt.
“Now, now Legolas. I didn’t mean to offend yoElroElrond placed a caring hand onto Legolas’ roundness.
He turned back to Haldir. “Here,” he placed Haldir’s hand on the growing belly and applied some amount of pressure. “Can you feel anything?” Lord Elrond asked.
Haldir thought for a moment. “Something round shaped.”
“Aye, that would be the child’s back. It is not fully developed yet, and in a few weeks time we will be able to feel more, but now try here.” Elrond guided Haldir’s hand over to the other side of the round belly. Again he pushed down Haldir’s hand.
“What do you feel?”
Haldir looked up in surprise and his eyes grew large. “Something round?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes, exactly!” Elrond beamed.

Legolas had been very still the whole time, but now he couldn’t hold himself back any longer. “Elrond! Tell us what the matter is. Why could Aragorn not make out the heartbeat, but you can. And why all this groping around?”
“My, dear Legolas,” Elrond chided him “I think Haldir can tell you, can you not Haldir?”
The proud marchwarden still looked a little shaken, but a light shone in his eyes that told a different story. “Two children?” his voice trembled with emotion.
Elrond only nodded and moved aside when Haldir swooped down to gather Legolas in his arms.
He gave then a few minutes and then sat down on a chair beside the bed.
“Aragorn must have had difficulties to tell apart the two different heartbeats. Well, you came from a battle, it was loud, he was nervous. No one could blame him and he did what was right. It was very caring to let you travel to Minas Tirith with some guards. But now there is no more need for you to lay down all the time. All is well and I think the only thing you will have to worry about, is the fact that you will need new clothes from time to time and back trouble further along you pregnancy. Oh and I must say, now that the worst fears are over, I am somewhat proud of myself. It is wonderful to see you two together again and the fact that the procedure was not wasted and worked so well. I will leave you now, for I have to return to my own people and arrive here officially in two days time with Arwen and my entourage.”

Elrond turned a smile lingering on his face and headed out of Minas Tirith, hoping no one would stop him.

Thranduil sat dumbstruck on his horse while he and his fellow elves rode slowly further south. He had a lot to think about. How had his son found out about the treatment for fertility? Then it dawned him, a very, very long time ago, when Legolas had made it clear that his heart belonged to Haldir, Thranduil had indeed read about this kind of treatment and the possibilities for male elves to carry children. Had Legolas known?
And now? Now he was actually carrying a child. No, not only one. Two children, two grandchildren. The King felt butterflies flying loops inside his belly.
After a while he noticed some of his guards throwing smiles and astonished glances at him. Unnoticed to him, a broad and slightly silly smile was spread across his face and his eyes were dancing with delight. As hard as Thranduil tried he was not able to hold it back and put a stlooklook on his face.
‘Let them grin and wonder’ he thought to himself and kept on smiling.

The royal entourage was surprised when the King did not order a stop at nightfall, and rather kept on riding towards Gondor.
Rumour spread among his people that something was wrong with the crown prince, but the rumour was in a strong contrast to the King’s happy appearance. Many then gathered that the princes consort Haldir of Lorien must have returned to Legolas, and that surely was enough reason to be happy.
Two days later only interrupted by very short rest they came near the planes leading down to the Anduin that flowed steadily towards Minas Tirith.
Thranduil sighed happily. Only a day or two more and he would embrace his son again.


Legolas had stayed very quiet while Elrond explained the situation. The inner turmoil was to great. The child was not in any danger. No corrections, the children. Two? Two children. By the Valar, how big would he grow? Was he going to be able to move at all in the end?
Had he been tied and forced to a litter for long days for nothing? Did anybody ever ask what his back was saying to that? That he had felt nauseous most of the way? That the horses did not only smell, but literally stink? He had never noticed that as long as he was on top of one. Then again his nose was far more sensitive now.
Two children? Legolas thoughts whirled in his head and always came back to this one fact he could not believe.
Suddenly he noticed the quiet in the room and when his eyes refocused, he saw Haldir standing beside the bed, beaming down at him.
“Legolas, love! Everything is alright! Did you hear Elrond? Not only one, but two! We are going to have two little, pretty, small adorable children. They are going to be as strong, beautiful and t ast as you. I love you so much!” Haldir tenderly caressed Legolas face.

“Oh, yes. I heard Elrond. But I am not sure if I am really happy right now. Will you still love me when I look like an old water barrel? Worn out, massive and wet because moving will be so strenuous that I will always be sweaty?” Legolas was in a foul mood. He should have been beside himself with happiness and joy, but right now, he just wanted to vent all his anger , frustration and pain.
“I will always love you! No matter what you might look like. You are doing the most wonderful thing I can think of. You are giving me children. Legolas, how can I ever repay anything like that, other than with my undying love for you?” Haldir looked taken aback.

“With backrubs, a massage from time to time and by getting up af night and bringing me whatever I crave for. And besides, I am not going to lay down any longer!” Legolas pushed himself up, but when Haldir reached out to help him he pushed the helping hand away.” No! Let me be! I am not an invalid, I am not ill, nor am I that fat yet. I can still move on my own. And as Elrond was so kind to point out, I will need new clothes again soon, so I will take a walk and visit the tailor again.” Legolas answered roughly stressing the last word.

Before Legolas could storm out of the room, Gimli entered looking curious.

“Now, what is the matter with our elf?” the dwarf noticed that Legolas was up and about and glared at him in a most menacing way “Shouldn’t you be laying down?”
“No, I don’t need to anymore!” Legolas shot back and made for the door.
“What?” Gimli could only stare and suddenly two strong arms had encircled him and he was lifted up from the ground and twirled around.
Haldir’s voice carried all the happiness of this world “We are going to have two children, Gimli! Twins! And they are perfectly alright! Do you think you can hold both of them at once, my stout little friend?”

It was already very late and had grown dark outside a long time ago, when Legolas at last returned to Haldir’s and his room. His bad conscious was weighing heavily on him, but he had needed some time alone to think and compensate all that had happened.

The desperation and sadness he had felt for the last days had put him through a treadmill of pent up emotions and pain. And sudy evy everything was alright and perfect. Then the fact that he did not only bore one child but two. He had felt like screaming, letting it all out, but he couldn’t. So he had taken long walks throughout the city, had avoided other people and had ended up in a small, withering and untidy park. The pain of seeing plants and trees so carelessly and loveless planted in the middle of this city had ceased his own foul mood and he had sung to the little plants, which were struggling to stay alive. He had touched the rough and chipped bark of the trees and spoken in comfort to them.
A long time nothing had happened, but then suddenly they had answered his call and he had promised them to return and care for them.

Later on his way back to the main castle, his heart had felt lighter, his troubles had lessened and for the first time a happy and beautiful feeling had trickled into his veins. His hand had wandered down to his swelling belly and for the first time he acknowledged his two children and quietly sung to them as well.

When he entered their room, he found Haldir already in bed, apparently fast asleep. Legolas was sad that he had been so harsh towards his husband, for the way back to Minas Tirith must have been as painful for Haldir as it had been for him.
His clothes were quickly discarded and Legolas slipped silently beneath the covers, snuggling up to Haldir as close as it was possible. Careful not to wake him, Legolas leaned over and whispered into a delicately shaped ear.
“I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Nothing will ever change that. And I am sorry. Sorry for leaving you standing alone this afternoon. Please forgive me.”