The old ways

Time seemed to slow down and even though the streets of Minas Tirith and the corridors and halls of the castle were buzzing with people, everything appeared to have quieted down to a more sedate life.

The people of Gondor were determined to help their future King in rebuilding the old glory of the white city as soon as possible. Legolas had written letters to his kin asking for their help in restoring the greenery and asked them to bring as many different plants as it was possible.
Gimli had, as promised; called for his own kind to work on the gates and houses.
All they could do for now was to wait for them to arrive.

Legolas tried to busy himself by mapping out the little gardens and somewhat larger parks, as well as designing some new wells and fountains. Haldir was nearly constantly at his side, carrying plans, papers and feather and quill after his love, only rarely slipping away to pay Eowyn a visit and to hear her news about Faramir.
To everybody’s great surprise and obvious disbelief, one could spot the proud King of Mirkwood sit together with the equally proud Gimli son of Gloin, their heads stuck together and sometimes bent low over some pieces of parchment. But every time that someone would come near, they would separate and take the parchment with them.

After about three weeks the first of the elven and dwarven kin arrived and met with Legolas and Gimli. Tasks were given out to each of them and soon the Gondorian people found elves and dwarves likewise, busy hammering, shovelling, planting and building among them in their city.

It was way past midday whegolagolas made his way down to the lowest level of the city. It had grown cold and even though he didn’t really feel the cold, he pulled the cloak faster around himself, relishing the warmth and comfort it gave. He hadn’t seen Gimli for the last few days and missed his friend. They hardly had time to sit down and talk for a while and the elf longed to hear the rough and somewhat grumpy voice of the dwarf. It made him smile to himself, that he as an elf had grown fed up with the constant easy and comfortable life at the castle. Arwen had already put a great elven touch to it and it started to resemble Rivendell more and more.
The court yard had been redesigned by her and Legolas and was now a garden of tranquillity and peace. Still it didn’t give the blond elf the peace he required.
So Legolas had sent Haldir off to Eowyn and had fetched his winter cloak and now moved his growing weight down the endless seeming and winding stairs that led through the city.

It took him longer than he had anticipated to reach the lowest level. Legolas had not thought of his much slower walk. Over were the days of skipping and jumping. He moved sedate and careful now, holding his eyes open for icy patches on the steps. For a second he wondered if he would still be able to walk on top on snow or if he would sink in hip deep, having to plough his way through it.
His light bell like laughter carried on through the streets and made the people who heard it smile.

The sun had nearly set when Legolas arrived at the large gates were Gimli and his people were usually working. A group of dwarves were crouching over a large slab of stone working the finest ornate into it. The sharp and metallic clatter of their tools carrying over the tall form of the elf.
As soon as Legolas had reached the group of dwarves, a younger somewhat more female voice called for him.
“Master Legolas! What a joy to see you here!” a dwarf with sparkling green eyes and a light brown beard hurriedly moved over to him.
“My cousin Gimli has told us so much about you. And now I finally meet you in person. But you shouldn’t have come down here all by yourself at this hour. The stone steps might be slippery with ice and in your condition,” the she dwarf smiled shyly, “it is simply not sensible, my lord.”
“Well met,” Legolas smiled at her “but I am sorry. I am at a disadvantage here, for I do not now you name, my La
S
Something that could have been a little suppressed giggle reached the elf’s ears.
“Oh, I’m no Lady, Master Legolas, I am just Bronwin Brockle. As I said a cousin of your friend Gimli. But, please do come and join us in the house we currently live in. It is warmer there and far more comfortable than out here. And it does look like it’s going to snow soon.” She reached out with her small and somewhat rough hand and pulled Legolas along to a nearby house. The warm light of candles and a lit fireside spilled through the windows and beckoned them welcome.

Once inside, Legolas was relieved of his coat and led to a stool near the fireside. He deliberately kept it to himself that he didn’t need to stay so near the fire in order to keep warm, not wanting to embarrass his hostess.
Soon he was in deep conversation with the small group of dwarves that had been sitting at a large table and after a while more and more dwarves came inside and joined them. Still Gimli was nowhere to be seen. It confused Legolas, but he was sure that his friend would show up sooner or later.
Legolas was just about to ask about the whereabouts of his favourite dwarf when suddenly a old and wise looking dwarf approached him carefully. With a look full of uncertainty the white bearded clasped his hands tightly behind his back, and tried not to stare too openly at Legolas rounded middle.
Legolas knew what was about to happen and he smiled reassuringly. He had seen this kind of reaction and that look before. Even though most people new about his condition by now, it never ceased to take them aback.

The old dwarf cleared his throat and looked carefully into Legolas’ open smile. “So, that is the famous child of the two male elves then?” he said gruffly, though his eyes were lit with curiosity and amazement.
Legolas nodded.
“Mhm, Does it hurt?” the dwarf pointed a finger at the middle of the, by now rather large belly.
“No, of course not.” Legolas laughed.
“It not just one isn’t it?” Bronwin interrupted.
“No, I bare twins.” The elf said with a smile.
With a slight tremble the old dwarf carefully placed his weathered hand on Legolas’ belly and looked pensive for a moment. Then a smile lit his face and he looked up at the elf.
“Rather lively aren’t they?” he still felt the pushes and well placed kicks underneath his fingers.
Legolas nodded. “Yes, a bit too lively sometimes.”
“So, your mate is still at the castle isn’t he? Why didn’t he accompany you here? You shouldn’t be wandering around alone in the darkness, you know?” the dwarf shook his head.
“Torkin! Don’t talk like that to Legolas!” Bronwin’s eyes were looking worried. “He still is a prince you know. And one doesn’t talk to a prince like that!”
“Prince or not. He shouldn’t be running around alone in the darkness. We don’t now if there aren’t any foul beasts still lurking around somewhere. So, my prince,” Torkin stretched the last word in friendly mocking “I will guide you up to the castle again. And you, “ he turned to two other dwarves “Glorin and Marok, you will come as well.”
“That is very kind of you, Torkin, but we elves are well able to see in the dark and....” Legolas was interrupted immediately.
“Nonsense! Don’t tell me anything about the ability to see in the dark. Did you forget you are talkinga dwa dwarf? Look at yourself. I see no weapons. You didn’t bring any, did you? And I doubt that you as light footed as you usually are. So don’t you dare to argue with me!”

“Before we leave, Torkin, where is Gimli. I long to speak to him, but I haven’t seen him
for a while. I had hoped that he was here with you or would show up later, but it seems I was mistaken. So can you tell me where I might find him?” Legolas carefully fastened the warm winter cloak around his shoulders.
Had he pmoremore attention to Torkin instead of his cloak he would have seen the sudden, careful glance the old dwarf threw in direction of Bronwin.
“Sorry, but I don’t now where Gimli is at the moment.”

Legolas inclined his had sadly and followed Torkin outside. A cold and fierce wind was blowing and Legolas cloak billowed around his body, letting the icy air in. The elf frowned and pulled the cloak tighter around his form.
The stone steps and streets had become slippery and Legolas could make out the typical dull patches where a fine sheen of ice covered the ground.
But Torkin was leading Legolas and his fellow dwarves securely around it, always finding the safest patches for them to tread on. Legolas smiled to himself because of these safety measures the dwarf was taking. He may be more round and heavier than before, but Legolas was still light footed and would have had no bigger problems walking across the ice, but he didn’t want to upset the dwarves and so he obediently followed the track of the old dwarf.

After at least an hour the castle came into view and with it, a lone figure, marching up and down in front of the large entrance doors, worry clearly written all over his face.
Haldir’s cheeks had a reddened in the harsh wind and he looked miserable.
A pang of guilt hit Legolas, when he saw his husband moving helplessly around like that and he called out at him.
“Haldir, melamin!”
Haldir’s head whipped around and he glared at the blond elf. But only a split second later, his eyes lit up with a teasing smile as he became aware of Legolas personal guard.
“Legolas! I see at least some people are more sensible than you are!”
Legolas shot a warning glance at Haldir. “Haldir, may I introduce Torkin, Glorin and Marok to you?”
Haldir inclined his head with a welcoming smile.
“You should keep a better eye on him!” Torkin remarked roughly towards Haldir. “He shouldn’t be up and about like that on his own!”

Anbrowbrow climbed up as Haldir turned his gaze back to his husband. “Yes, yes. You are absolutely right, Master dwarf. But it is hard to keep an eye on someone like my husband. He is like a young horse. Long legs, no manners and no discipline. Only mischief in his head.”
Legolas rolled his eyes and threw his arms up. “I am only pregnant. Not life threateningly wounded or ill!”
“I thank you, Torkin for returning him home to me safely. Do you wish to stay here with us in the castle for tonight?" Haldir ignored Legolas muttered curses and bowed down to the dwarf.
“No, thank you. We rather stick with our own kind. No offence intended, but we want to start working early tomorrow and so it will be wiser for us to return to the lower level. Please tell your mate that I will tell Gimli of his visit as soon as I see him again.” With that the dwarves turned and headed back the way they had come.

Legolas stood in their room, his arms crossed before his chest and tried to ignore Haldir’s ongoing tirade. He found it unnecessary and tiring, but wisely kept quiet. Yes, alright, he was growing bigger by the day, yes; Haldir had to help him from time to time with his shoes and yes; he was not as mobile as before, but he wasn't an invalid.
Suddenly he noticed that Haldir had obviously stopped talking some time ago and was now staring at him with annoyance at him.
“You weren’t listening to one word I said, weren’t you?” the marchwarden stated.
For a second Legolas was tempted to raise his voice and vent his anger, but quickly restrained himself. It had only got him into trouble and it really wasn’t worth a fight, which they both would regret sooner or later.
So Legolas smiled at Haldir and moved towards him, placing his slender arms around his husband’s neck. He looked apologetically up into the eyes of the silver haired elf and cocked his head slightly.
“I am sorry, love. I now I should have told you where I hea heading. But I thought I would be back earlier. I miscalculated the time I needed to get down to the gates. Please, forgive me. I didn’t want to upset you.”

Haldir’s anger dissolved into nothingness. He had expected complaints and defensive words. But never would he have thought that Legolas would simply apologise to him. His stern face broke into a smile and he hugged the form of the Mirkwood prince tightly.
“Are you hungry?” the marchwarden asked between kisses, he placed along the jaw line of Legolas.
A wicked glint appeared in Legolas’ eyes. “Mhm, rather. It was a long walk. Maybe I should take something slightly salty and sticky.”
“I was thinking of something more in the line of fruit, bread, meat and fresh juice.” Haldir tried to look sternly at his pregnant husband.
“Fresh juice?” Legolas put on a nearly convincing shock. “Juice? What about a decent glass of wine?”
“No! No wine. I promised your father to keep an eye on you and I will stick to that. Juice or clear water, or nothing.” Haldir held Legolas’ shoulders.
The blond prince bowed his hen mon mock defeat and mumbled “Juice it is then. But only if I get to take a bite out of you later on.”

t.b.c