The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chr 93r 93

Legolas stood staring at his naked reflection in the long bathing room mirror. He had just had a bath and was supposed to be preparing himself for anothinneinner with the guests from Gondor but something else was on his mind.

They had arrived back at the last homely house five days ago with the men from Gondor. Elrond had taken council with them as soon as they’d arrived but as yet still hadn’t made a formal decision on the matter. According to Erestor, Elrond had written letters to Thranduil and Celeborn asking advice on the matter and so the party of men would be hear at least another two weeks until the replies came b So So far Legolas had been subjected to Candolin’s conversations at least three times each day, at the meals they were all required to attend. He had tried to avoid seeing the younger man but no matter where he went the scruffy haired human turned up. Unlike other guests Legolas did not feel comfortable with Candolin, something in the man’s demure did not sit well with Legolas and made him feel a little sick to the stomach. Candolin always looked as if he was planning something too and it was that reason why Legolas had asked Glorfindel if he could sleep in Elrond’s wing of the house for the time being until the party of men left. Thankfully Glorfindel had agreed, stating that Elrond’s part of the house was far more secure and less easily penetrated by those not familiar with Imladris’ layout.
The second reason however was far more private and secret, something which Legolas was now staring at in the mirror. It had only dawned on him a couple of days ago what it wasd hod how serious a matter it would become. He had been still annoyed at Candolin for calling him fat and so in order to prove to himself that he wasn’t fat he’d taken all his clothes off and stood proudly naked in front of the mirrors in the bathing rooms. What had stared back at him almost made him faint but not before he had thrown up several times in realization of what was happening to him.

Turning to his side Legolas stared at the bump of his stomach that stood, clearly defined, a few inches out from the washboard flat chest he had once prided himself on. As if to see if it was really there Legolas ran his hand down his chest watching in the reflection of the mirror as his hand clearly rose and fell over the distinct bump of his stomach that was never there before. He had tried to ignore it at first, the slight tightening of all his clothes and the way he had stretched the leather bands that held his leggings up. Everything was beginning to fall into place, the sickness, the hot flushes, the over sensitivity in his private areas, his weak bladder, even his insatiable appetite and fluttering stomach were all symptoms he’d overheard Haldir telling Gandalf about when they were back in Lorien. All of those symptoms had been easily ignored and set aside but now as he stared at the bump, his hand resting over it like a protective layer there was no more denying it.

He was pregnant with Glorfindel’s child.

Legolas said the words to himself over and over again as he stared at the bump, his hand gently caressing the slightly stretched skin, wishing it away but at the same time admiring the comfortable feel of it inside him.

This was the reason alone that Legolas was more than happy to get a room to himself, even pushing for it at least until the men left. If he could see the bump there would be no doubting that Glorfindel would be able to feel it if he hadn’t already see and and not said anything. While the bump was not visible just yet under a loose robe or tunic and leggings it soon would be and then everyone would know. In angry embarrassment Legolas turned abruptly away from his reflection in the mirror to stare out of the small open window of the bathing room, to the slowly darkening sky outside.

He did not want to be carrying a child now, not when he had only just gained some semblance of respect from the patrol. If they found out now that he was pregnant they would just ridicule him and think of him as nothing less than a helpless maiden again. Legolas knew he would never get the respect of the patrol and become a feared warrior if he didn’t continue on how he was right now. There was no possible way he could tell anyone of his pregnancy until the last possible moment in which it could no longer be hidden. Love, a good home and family, freedom and a child were everything he had but they were nothing without respect of the people he now lived among. If reuniting the elvan realms was his destiny then he was willing to risk everything to try and bring it about and it all would start by gaining the respect of his fathers enemies. With his decision made the only hard part now was knowing how to hide his secret, although he’d done a find job until now Legolas had a feeling it was going to get harder as the weeks went on.

Legolas did not have time to contemplate this knew thought any further as a knock at the door made Legolas almost slip over in fright but he caught himself on the rock step preventing injury.

“Legolas? Are you ready, dinner has been called.” Standing quickly up Legolas grabbed his robe and quickly wrapped it around himself before calling back to Glorfindel, who had obviously let himself into the room.

“Nearly, go down without me I won’t be long.” Legolas held his breath as he listened to Glorfindel grumble about tardiness on the other side of the door before the seneschal reluctantly agreed.

“Fine, just don’t be long Legolas. You know Elrond likes his meals to be prompt.” Legolas rolled his eyes but politely agreed before listening intently as Glorfindel’s footsteps left the room, and the swish of the outer tapestry door indicated his lover’s final departure. Quickly Legolas opened the light wooden door to the bathing chamber and glanced cautiously out into the main room just in case. Relieved Legolas found the room empty and promptly skipped across the short distance to the bed where he had laid out his carefully chosen clothes for the evening. With quick hands Legolas dressed himself in the smallest pair of leggings he could find rejoicing as he pulled the laces tight which seemed to flatten his bump. Then on top he put the silver robe Glorfindel had given him as a gift earlier in their relationship. The robe was just a little bit too big for him but it hung perfectly nd hnd his middle making it look as if he was as thin as he ever was before. With quick hands Legolas braided his hair in the fashion Glorfindel liked before tying his braids and stray locks back with a leather strap so they were out of his face. Checking his appearance one last time in the mirror, Legolas slipped on his leather boots and headed towards the dinning room.

He really wasn’t looking forward to an evening spent with the men again but at least they had bathed since he last ate with them and so they were far less pungent on the nose. Legolas sighed as he ran down the corridor towards the formal dining room knowing that he was late as the servants passed him by carrying trays of food with them. Reaching the dinning room doors Legolas was about to go inside when out of the corner of his eye he noticed a young she elf servant, carrying a tray ofsed sed napkins. She was a pretty thing with, jet-black hair and a pale complexion but it wasn’t her features that took Legolas attention. Instead it was her large stomach clearly identifiable below the apron tied round her waist. An idea seemed to dawn on Legolas, and so braving his lover’s scorn followed the young pregnant servant to the kitchens.

“Excuse me may I please have a private word with you.” No one seemed to even notice Legolas’ entrance into the hot busy kitchens and it was only when he addressed the young maiden in an effort to get her attention that the entire room fell eerily silent.

“My lord.” Legolas winced as the young female elf turned around to stare at him shocked before everyone was bowing to him. Feeling suddenly very awkward and foolish Legolas looked sheepishly at the young servant.

“Please may we talk, I have something to ask you.” Legolas watched as the young girl nodded before gesturing for Legolas to join her outside in the kitchens’ private herb garden. It was slightly cooler outside than in the heat of the kitchens and Legolas felt better the moment he stepped out away from the shocked gazes of the servants.

“What would you ask of me my lord?” The young woman looked positively frightened under Legolas’ gaze and the prince cursed himself for being so abrupt and acting so rashly.

“You are with child are you not?” Nervously Legolas gestured to the large bump beneath the young maidens dress and watched as she nodded silently her hand come to rest over it, as Legolas had done his own bump in the privacy of his rooms.

“Aye my lord. This is my first and I am expecting at the end of the month.” Legolas nodded understandingly and smiled warmly at the young women who seemed to relax a little.

“Tell me. There is a garment that expectant women wear that helps them retain their figure what is it called?” Legolas swallowed around the rising lump in his throat as he realised that perhaps he had not made the right decision in discussing such a thing with a servant. Cautiously Legolas glanced about him insuring that no one else was listening to their conversation in case they should become enlightened on his situation.

“It does not have a name my lord, it is not a reputable garment among respece ele elvan women but is more commonly worn by whores who wish to conceal their mistakes.” Legolas twitched at the calm resolve of the young women’s tone of voice.

“Oh.” Not knowing what else to say Legolas merely nodded in understanding, before nervously continuing desperate now to remove himself from the situation he had so foolishly gotten himself into. “I am guessing you do not wear one then.” Legolas silently cursed himself as he stumbled through another stupid comment, that almost bordered on being an insult to the young servant. However Legolas watch as the young woman simply shook her head and smiled at him knowingly.

“No my lord. My husband and I have been trying for a child for 50 years with no success. This child is a gift from the valar and we are not ashamed of it.” Again Legolas nodded in understanding before sighing heavily and turning to leave the garden, sensing the end of the conversation. He had not taken a step however when he felt a hand upon his arm pulling him back around to face the young woman who was now not more than a pace away from him. “If you please my lord. They say the Lady of Imladris once wore the garment while carrying her twins, she wished to conceal her pregnancy from the Lord so she could travel without hindrance from him about her state.” Legolas was a little shocked as the young woman leant forward her hand coming to rest upon his stomach where his own small bump was hidden. “You will find two of them inside the Lady’s old cupboard in the west wing but please put them back when you are through with them.” The woman’s whisper was barely audible but Legolas heard it all the same.

“Thank-you.” Legolas whispered back as he pressed his own hand to the woman’s stomach smiling as he felt an appreciative kick from the child growing inside.

“You have my secrecy my lord.” With that the woman left the garden and disappeared back inside the kitchens leaving Legolas feeling thoroughly drained. There was no time for rest however and turning on his heel Legolas jogged back into the house and towards the dinner hall. There was no telling how angry Glorfindel would be but for the sake of hearingh coh comforting information Legolas would brave even a balrog’s temper….

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

(A/n) Well that is where I leave you today ladies and gents. I'm off to dip my fingers into ice cold water cause they're so sore from typing all those bloody chapters. Hope they were interesting and as always a few more surprises in store. Oh and who ever mentioned Thranduil & Haldir pairing, yeah I kind of liked them too so you cxpecxpect a return sometime in the coming chapters. As I've said before we're nearing the end, so stick with me on this and you'll be well rewarded.

Thanks to all the reviewers and this entire update is dedicated to all those readers I made late to work, miss assignments and dates with BF's and so forth because you couldn't stop reading. (Sorry guys)