The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 84

“So what rules has he laid down? If they are anything like Eladdan’s and mine were when we first joined the patrols you will not know what to do with yourself.” Legolas rolled over on the grass and shook his head in mild amusement of his friend’s declaration. Glorfindel had only been home for two weeks and already he had given Legolas a list of things he was and wasn’t allowed to do while on patrol, with more being added each day. It was becoming a little ridiculous but with the prospect of having his privilege taken away at the slightest argument Legolas had remained passively accepting of his lovers over protection.

“He is incorrigible Elrohir! I am not allowed to do anything.” Legolas rolled his eyes as Elrohir tossed another of the pebbles into the bubbling spring watching as it skipped across the surface before disappearing into the blue depths. “He has said now that I must not even relieve myself alone, that I must take one of the centurions with me.” Elrohir burst out lang ang at Legolas’ situation having already heard from Erestor what rules the seneschal was setting down for his lover’s first journey to the borders. Nearly all of Imladris was now talking of the Prince of Mirkwood’s new responsibility and most unfortunately thought the whole thing a joke. Elrohir had seen how upset Legolas was becoming and had promptly taken Legolas out into the forest whenever possible to distance him from the chaos at the house.

“If you think you have it bad Legolas, you have not seen what rules Glorfindel is giving the patrols. They are not even allowed to look at you sideways without fear of being removed from their position.” Legolas groaned at Elrohir declaration and threw his hands up into the air in frustration. Had he known what joining the patrols would entail Legolas would never have asked for the responsibility in the first place.

“Aye Elrohir he is driving me insane! I am beginning to think it is not worth the hastle, if I am to be so restricted by rules. I was doing this to show my worth and trust as a warrior of Imladris but how can I do that when I am being treated like an elfling!” Elrohir nodded understandingly as Legolas rolled over again on the grass his arms folded angrily across his chest.

“Do not worry so much Legolas, after your first trip is over and you prove yourself just as capable as any other elf he will forget about the silly rules, so long as you are safe.” Legolas looked doubtfully at his friend but nodded all the same. For his own sake he hoped that Elrohir was right. Having Glorfindel love him and take care of him was one thing but being smothered like a child by his lover was another thing entirely.

“So what are you to do while I am at the borders?” Changing the subject Legolas sat up and kicked off his leather boots, in order to feel the soft grass in his toes. In the last few weeks he had grown accustomed to riding with Elrohir into the forest and enjoyed the freedom of being amongst nature.

“I am making preparations with Erestor for Elladan’s binding ceremony in the summer and I am to take healing lessons from tutor Filgree.” Following his friends lead Elrohir kicked off his boots and joined Legolas on the edge of the spring, to plunge his feet into the cool soothing water. The glade was beautiful like many Elrohir had showed Legolas in the last few weeks and was secluded enough to allow them to talk freely without interruption. Legolas had come to rely heavily on Elrohir’s advice and had confided in his friend things he would never dream of telling Filgree or Glorfindel. Legolas had never had such a close friend in Mirkwood and cherished Elrohir’s company as one closer to his own age he trusted and that understood him.

“Healing lessons? Are you to become a healer like Elrond?” Legolas looked questioningly across to his friend and watched with confusion as Elrohir swallowed hard and avoided eye contact with his friend.

“Sort of. Father has told me I must take these lessons from Filgree.” Elrohir looked cautiously at his friend hoping that his vague answer would sate Legolas’ interest in the topic. He had not realized it until now that he entered into a conversation he had promised, his elders he would not disclose to Legolas until they said so. Legolas cocked his head to the side in confusion and wondered silently why Elrohir seemed to suddenly back away from the conversation.

“What sort of healing techniques will you be learning from Filgree that you do not already know from your father’s teachings? I have seen you tend the wounds from the battlefield and all those you tended survived, I also know you are very knowledgeable in common healing herbs as well.” Elrohir swallowed awkwardly again as he glanced sadly up at his friend’s inquisitive look. Silently Elrohir wished he could go back ahanghange the conversation but it was just not possible. He could not lie to Legolas but he also feared his elder’s scorn of breaking his promise. “Elrohir? What are you hiding from me? I thought we were friends?” Legolas sounded hurt when Elrohir didn’t reply straight away and Elrohir cursed his father for putting such a responsibility upon his shoulders. Sighing heavily Elrohir decided to tell the truth, knowing the wrath that would fall upon him if anyone else found out he had told Legolas of the elders plans.

“I promised them I would not tell you Legolas but I can not lie to you and I think it is wrong that they try and keep it from you.” Legolas frowned in confusion as Elrohir pulled his feet out of the water and crossed his legs as he turned to face his blonde friend. “Filgree is to teach me the ways of looking after a pregnant male before, during and after the birth.” Elrohir winced as he lowered his gaze from Legolas’ as he continued in a regretful whisper. “If you ever fall pregnant I am to look after you, if my father or Filgree are unavailable.” Elrohir dared to glance up from his lap as his voice trailed off. Elrohir watched on in curiosity as Legolas instantly reached for his stomach his hand strangely settling over his abdomen, his emotionless face unreadable. The silence however only lasted a moment and Elrohir was shocked to see the fury that swept into Legolas’ eyes as he stood hastily from the side of the pool, his unusual gesture forgotten as his hands dropped to his side and formed tightly clenched fists.

“How dare they presume such things of me! I am not pregnant and have no desire to be so! What do they think I am? Breeding stock to be pampered and mollycoddled like a wet nurse until I am full with child! I do not need a healer nor do I want any of you fussing over me if I become pregnant. If Haldir can stay at the borders until a month before he gave birth so too can I participate in activities, when I am not even pregnant yet!” Elrohir silently backed away a little as Legolas began pacing his angry voice disturbing all the creatures that were around the previously peaceful glade.

“Legolas don’t be angry, they are only concerned for you and they mean no harm. Glorfindel said…….” The instant Elrohir mentioned the elder seneschals name he regretted it as Legolas spun around and glared at him with hatred.

“Glorfindel! Oh he takes delight in restraining me does he not with his rules and protections. Had I known that I would be thought as nothing more than breeding material I would not have given my life to him. I had less restrictions under my fathers hand and I was never pressured into producing a child. I will not be pushed into something I do not want, and I do not care whether the valar predicted it or not. My body is mine and I won’t be stopped or restricted from doing things, just because I might fall pregnant each night I lie beneath my husband.” Elrohir could only stare opened mouthed as he watched tears begin falling down Legolas cheeks before the younger elf spun around quickly and fell to the soft grass. For a long time Elrohir could only sit and watch stunned as Legolas’ shoulders shuddered with tears and the younger elf’s arms wrapped protectively around his own waist. Slowly rising from his own seat on the edge of the spring Elrohir crawled over to his nd and and tentatively placed a hand on the younger elf’s shuddering shoulders. Elrohir was all to aware of what happened last time he attempted to calm one of Legolas’ moods and braced himself for another sharp punch. The hit never came though and Elrohir relaxed as Legolas leaned into him with little effort.

”Shhh Legolas I am sure it is not all as sinister as you make it out to be.” Legolas sniffled and shook his head definitely at Elrohir’s reasoning, still upset about everything that had happened.

“No I am right in what I say, Elrohir don’t you see it.” Reluctantly Elrohir had to shake his head in agreement, he did not see what Legolas seemed to. “ As much as I love Glorfindel he is scared like the rest of them. Scared that I am not the one and that this is all a terrible mistake. He lies with me each night in fear knowing that his seed could cause the fall of the elves. He tries to hide it but I see it in his eyes and feel it in my heart. It hurts me too, knowing I am the one that causes so many people such grief.” Elrohir sighed heavily and wrapped his arms protectively around his friend suddenly realizing just how much weight rested upon Legolas’ shoulders. The prince had been doomed from birth to carry the hopes of the entire race and even in love he was not free from that responsibility.

“I grieve for you Legolas. I do not know how I would cope having that sort of responsibility over myd. Id. I had thought that being Elrond’s son was a great responsibility, being expected to follow in his footsteps both in battle and in leading our people to peace but my grievances are little in comparison to your own. While I share my responsibility with Elladan, you alone must bare this as best you can.” Elrohir cuddled Legolas tighter as he reached up and brushed a stray tear from the prince’s eyes before pulling a rogue braid back behind the prince’s delicately pointed ear. “Perhaps they are scared just as you say they are but I am not. I have faith in you and your heart; I know you have not been led astray in choosing Glorfindel as your partner. I believe what Erestor speaks of, and that one-day Mirkwood, Imladris and Lorien will fight side by side as allies once again.” Elrohir smiled as he felt Legolas let out a strained chuckle.

“You believe the words of a fool. Erestor, bless his heart, is a little excentric Elrohir And it is said that any elf who believes they have spoken with the valar must surely have been into the wine cellars.” Elrohir chuckled also and nuzzled comfortingly into his friends shoulder relived that he had managed to draw Legolas from his depression.

“Aye Erestor is a fool but a wise one at that. He may not have spoken to the valar but his faith in you and Glorfindel has never wavered and it is that alone that you must respect, if all his other faults can not be forgiven.” Legolas nodded understandingly knowing that indeed Elrond’s advisor was among the few who had truly never lost faith in him and Glorfindel. “Now you must promise me Legolas not to mention I have told you about my teachings wil will be punished for breaking my word.” Again Legolas nodded as he wiped the rest of the tears from his cheeks and lessoned his grip on Elrohir’s body. It was then that Legolas felt it again. The fire in his stomach seemed to ignite itself and he had to force down a gasp as he brought his hands down to his stomach in an effort to sooth the sensation. Since the first time he’d felt it Legolas had been battling the strange sensation for two weeks. It would lay dormant for a while and at the most inappropriate moments it would flare again. Not that it was a painful sensation just uncomfortable. It seemed to lesson with food and so Legolas had been snacking secretly during the past week in an effort to stem the sensation. It was also worse during his nights spent with Glorfindel, and while the gasps were easily disguised as groans of desire and lust during sex, the rush trips to the toilet were less easily hidden. Legolas did not know why he had suddenly become incapable of holding his bladder but had done his best to hide the fact by creeping to the bathroom while Glorfindel was asleep or out of the room. Still he had not told anyone about the feelings, for they were minor and didn’t seem to bother him. Besides the fact Legolas knew that if he mentioned any sort of ill health both, Glorfindel and Elrond would formally end his trip to the borders and that was something he did not want.

Elrohir pulled back slightly from Legolas as he felt the younger elf’s hand descend down to his stomach and begin rubbing at it soothingly. Confused by the other elf’s actions Elrohir cocked his head sideways in question of his friend.

“I am just hungry Elrohir I did not have breakfast.” Conscious of his audience Legolas stopped rubbing his stomach and offered a weak excuse to his curious friend. Thank-fully Elrohir seemed to take the excuse and nodded understandingly, his own stomach groaning in sympathy.

“Very well let us get back to the house, I am sure dinner will be ready by the time we get home.” Elrohir stood from the grass and offered down a hand to his friend. Legolas eagerly accepted the gesture and with the help of Elrohir stood up. The sensation in Legolas stomach seemed to lesson a little but the pressure in his bladder became the focus of his attention instead. There was no way he would be able to ride all the way back to the house feeling as he did and there was only one direct way to excuse himself. “We will take a different way home Legolas, I will show you my mothers favourite waterfall.” Elrohir glanced back over his shoulder as he realised that Legolas was not following him to where the horses were standing freely grazing on the lush grass.

“I must relive myself first Elrohir, I have drunk to much water due to the heat of the day.” Legolas watched pensively as Elrohir nodded and gestured for him to go about his business.

“Fine I shall get the horses ready.” Elrohir acknowledged his friend with a smile and watched cautiously as Legolas darted off into the trees. Frowning slightly Elrohir thought back to the days ride and realized that he had not seen Legolas take one swig of the cool spring water in his leather bladders. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure Legolas was not watching him Elrohir quickly walked over to Iest and pulled Legolas’ water skins from the saddlebags. As Elrohir had suspected the skins were both still full. Hearing the rustling of Legolas returning Elrohir quickly put the water skins back in the bags and caught both his and Legolas’ reigns drawing the horses back into the open glade. Legolas smiled widely at his friend not suspecting anything as he took Iest’s reigns and hauled himself easily into the saddle as Elrohir did the same. Elrohir did not mention what he had discovered and decided it best he forgot the incident. It was obvious that Legolas had enough on his mind without having Elrohir question him about his bodily functions, no matter how strange they seemed to be. If Legolas had problems of some sort Elrohir was sure Legolas would come to him about them. “Follow me Legolas, the track gets rough in parts.” With a wave of his hand Elrohir turned his horse around and headed into the forest. Legolas smiled and spurred Iest forward to follow his companion. The sensation in his stomach had not abated but he would soon forget about it again with the wind in his face and the forest smells invading his senses as he and Elrohir wove their way through paths and streams heading towards home.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

(A/N) I can guess you know what this is leading up to right??????????