Meleth-nin

Disclaimer: Not mine but J.R.R. Tolkien’s.
A/N: Thanks for reading this far.

thoughts


Chapter nine

Legolas locked the door behind him and leaned against it. His whole body was shaking with suppressed sobs. He raised his right hand and touched carefully the spot where Aragorn’s hand had hit. It felt hot, sore and swollen and Legolas knew it was badly bruised.

Estel… How could you betray me like this? He cried silently. He felt like his heart was shattered in pieces. After a moment of uncontrollable sobs he decided to pull himself together and act like the Prince he was. He wiped the tears off of his beautiful face and set his jaw determinedly. He had a child to think about. He couldn’t afford dwelling in his husband’s betrayal right now.

Legolas pulled his robes, leggings and tunics out of his closet and threw them on his bed. Tears blinded his eyes and the pain in his heart was almost unbearable. His husband had hit him. His husband had accused him of cheating and called him a slut. His husband didn’t love him anymore. It was better for everyone if he left for Mirkwood immediately and never returned. The baby in his belly sensed his unease and gave a few powerful kicks. Legolas rubbed his stomach whispering in Elvish, trying to soothe his son.

“I am sorry that you will not meet your father, little one. His actions have ensured the end of our marriage. In the eyes of my kin he no longer is my husband, for he raised his hand against me while I was pregnant. Noone will chastise me for leaving him, quite the contrary”, Legolas spoke softly. His eyes were red and swollen from all the crying. However his voice was even and determined. “My Ada will welcome us and take care of you. Aragorn cannot claim you as his once we’ve crossed the borders of Eryn Lasgalen. From that moment on you will have only one Ada.”

It was almost like the baby understood his words, for he kicked once after Legolas had stopped speaking and calmed down. Legolas couldn’t help smiling despite the horrible situation he was in.

You’re so brave, pen-neth… I wish I had your courage, he thought fondly, a small smile adorning his lips. I don’t want to face Aragorn but flee unnoticed instead. ‘Tis not a very courageous thing to do but there is no other way. I cannot meet him, not now, when all I feel is anger and contempt. He has dishonoured me and our marriage and I’m never going to forgive him. Alas, I wish I had heeded my father’s advise to never marry a Human.

Legolas grabbed his old traveling bag and stuffed the clothes in it without giving them much thought. They were his old leggings and tunics so what would’ve been the point? When the bag was full he tossed it on the floor gracelessly and looked around him. On a nearby table were his few circlets, the ones that marked his status as the Prince Consort of Gondor. Suddenly Legolas felt a strong urge to throw them out of the window. He decided against it, though and left them where they were. He wasn’t going to give Aragorn the satisfaction to be able to call him a thief.

“I should probably inform Lord Elrond about my departure”, Legolas thought aloud. “He wouldn’t be too happy to find out that I left without consulting him first.”

Legolas was very fond of his father-in-law, for he had always supported him and been there for him. Legolas would never have admitted it to anyone - even to himself - but Elrond was closer to him than his own father. Whereas King Thranduil was a strict and stern ruler, Lord Elrond was kind and compassionate.

Legolas grabbed his twin knives and put them in their sheaths. He took his bag and left his chambers without looking back. He had no intention to return. He reached Lord Elrond’s chambers and knocked the door carefully. “Please enter”, he heard Elrond say and did as he was asked.

“Legolas, what are you doing here in this hour?” He asked and stood up from the stuffed chair in front of the fireplace. Elrond gasped aloud as he saw Legolas’ bruised cheek. “What has happened to you?”

“I came to tell you that I’m leaving tonight. And I’m not coming back.” Legolas forced back tears. He needed to be strong now, for both himself and his unborn child. “I didn’t want to go before talking to you first. You are like father to me, Lord Elrond.”

“And I consider you one of my children, young Greenleaf”, Elrond said gently and came to him. “Would you please sit down. I can see you’re highly upset. And that bruise on your cheek… What has happened?”

Legolas sat on a chair and closed his eyes for a moment. “Aragorn”, he finally said. “He and I had a fight and he hit me. I’m leaving to Eryn Lasgalen tonight. I shall give birth to my child there and raise him together with my father.”

“What about Aragorn?” Elrond asked. “What about his rights?”

Legolas’ eyes flared. “What about his rights, indeed! He gave up those rights when he raised his hand against me! He shall never meet my son, never. As far as I’m concerned my son has only one father.”

Elrond sighed. “You’re right. By hitting you Aragorn broke his wedding vow to protect you and keep you from harm. I don’t need to tell you what that means. But please Legolas, listen to me. You cannot leave alone in the middle of the night. You cannot protect yourself if you’re attacked. There still are some Orcs left who would like nothing better than to attack the Prince of Elves.”

“You don’t understand”, Legolas cried. “I cannot stay within these walls a minute longer. My marriage has failed and there’s nothing left for me here. I long for my kin.”

“I do understand, better than you know. But here’s what we are going to do. We shall arise three of your trusted guards and leave at dawn to Imladris for it is nearer than Eryn Lasgalen. After the child is born I shall escort you to your father’s kingdom myself. How does that sound?” Elrond asked. He eyed the blond-haired beauty concerned. Legolas looked exhausted. Elrond wasn’t sure if he was in any condition to ride a horse.

Legolas couldn’t stop the tears that fell down his face. “You’re going to leave with me? Oh Lord Elrond, I can never thank you enough for your kindness.” He leaped up from his chair and hugged the Elf Lord tight. “But what are we going to tell Aragorn?” He asked worriedly.

“Leave that to me, young one”, Elrond said. “I shall take care of Aragorn.” He smiled grimly to himself. He loved his foster son dearly, but this time he had gone too far.