The old ways

Haldir was satisfied with their visit at the tailor and couldn’t help but hum a little to himself on their way back to the castle. He had picked totally different colours for Legolas this time and even his still sulking husband had been pleased with them, even though he didn’t show it that openly.

It had upset the blond elf, that neither Gimli nor his father had been around for the last few days. Legolas ducked his head further into his cloak and mumbled something about unpleasant weather and dampness of the surrounding air. Sure, he as an elf didn’t have to depend on warm clothes and roaring fires, was it was a vast difference between being able to stand cold and ice and being comfortable.

His mood became even fouler when they entered their rond fnd found the fire out and the air nearly as cold as the outside. Haldir threw his arms up in defeat at Legolas’ sour expression and immediately started to light a new fire in the fireside. He knew it would take some time unthe rhe room was warm and dry again, so he decided to persuade Legolas to join him visiting their friends in the great hall.

Near to the large fireside were the four Hobbits sitting close to Gandalf and Elrond, obviously deeply in discussion about something concerning food and drink. Sam was busily writing down details and information, Pippin’s eyes were glinting and Merry seemed to be lost in a world of his own imagination. Gandalf was smacking his lips from time to time and Frodo was smiling a little smile to himself. Elrond was constantly talking and unlike usu usual restrained self, he was gesturing wildly with his hands and arms.

Only Frodo noticed Legolas and Haldir moving towards them and beamed at them. “Legolas! Haldir!” the little Hobbit immediately got off his chair and quickly shoved it more to the right to create a larger space between his chair and Gandalf.
Haldir fetched two more chairs and manoeuvred them into the gap and gracefully sat down, while Legolas rather slumped than easing himself down with the usual grace of an elf.

Sam quickly finished his last words on a large scroll of paper and all glanced at the young elves with curiosity.
In the end it was Frodo who broke the ice, by gently laying his hand on Legolas’ swollen abdomen “How much longer do you think?” he asked carefully.
Legolas looked at Elrond for confirmation when he answered “About eight weeks, I think.”
Elrond nodded.
Suddenly Pippin started shifting uneasily on his seat. It was clear to all that a question was wanting to get out, but obviously the young Hobbit didn’t dare ask it.
“Pippin, stop twitching and ask what you want to ask.” Gandalf looked at the Hobbit sternly.
A blush made its way across Pippin’s cheeks and he looked flustered. His voice was barely audible when he whispered with a bowed head “I mean, I know what a male Hobbit looks like, and I presume an elf to be build likewise. Just how is Legolas going to give birth to his children?”
Merry snickered and Sam hit him on the head. Gandalf grinned and leaned back, while Frodo looked up at Legolas and Haldir with big eyes.

Elrond cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Legolas eyed him carefully, he knew that it was going to be hard and painful, but Elrond had so far not told him everything.
“They will have to be cut out.” The elf Lord said curtly. “It’s the only drawback for a male. It will be as painful and strenuous as for a female, but Legolas will not be able to give birth to his children the natural way, so we will provide the way out for the children.”
Haldir had grown a shade paler than usual, Gandalf nodded knowingly and the Hobbit’s all looked slightly shocked. Legolas swallowed hard and interrupted Elrond.
“As painful? Do I get contractions,?” w?” without noticing Legolas had placed both hands on his belly.

Elrond nodded solemnly “Yes, even though the contractions are not needed for the actual delivery, they do indicate when it is time. But they will different to the ones a female does experience. Yours will be shorter in duration but in a more frequent interval. You will feel rather uncomfortable and might experience nausea. The contraction of your womb are important to itself than to the delivery. They are necessary, so that your womb will be reduce itself to its original seize. It will have to do that faster than that of a female, for your body will not tolerate the larger seize, unless your body knows that it holds life. So when the time has come, I will give you a plant extract to drink, that will take most of the pain away and you will fall into a slight slumber. I will open your body about four fingers beneath your navel to help the children into the world.”

Haldir swallowed hard. “You will actually cut him open?”
“Yes, and I did hope that you would be present, so that the children immediately have a chance to bond to you. But from the looks of it, you don’t look like you are up to it.” Elrond finished with a smirk.
Legolas looked pleadingly at Haldir. “I want you to be present. I want to know that you are near if anything happens. Please, if...”
“Nothing is going to happen!” Elrond interrupted Legolas’ worries. “It has been done before!”

Pippin who had been staring at Haldir and Legolas with an open mouth, suddenly giggled quietly.
Gandalf furrowed his brow at the Hobbit. “So, Peregrim Took, you obviously find it funny then?”
Pippin’s laughter died immediately. “No! No, I just wondered..... how.... I mean....” the Hobbit’s next words were hardly more than a whisper “He doesn’t have any breasts, does he?”
Even Gandalf had to smile at this statement.
“No thanks to the Valar he hasn’t!” Haldir laughed.
“Young Pippin, am I right to believe that your are referring to the fact that Legolas somehow has to feed his children?” Elrond smiled.
Pippin nodded.
“Even though there are ways to make a male elf become fertile, there is no possible way that a male elf can provide nourishment for children. Within the elven society one would usually ask a wet nurse to feed the child. If there is none available you can feed the children with milk from goats, that has to be filtered and cleansed mixed with a special essence of herbs and plants. I will give you the lists of ingredients.” Elrond nodded at Legolas and Haldir.

Legolas was feeling a little uncomfortable about the direction this conversation was taking and was desperately thinking of a way to change the subject. He felt it becoming far too personal.
Frodo, who had noticed Legolas uneasiness interrupted the chatter still going on between Elrond Merry and Pippin.
“Have you thought of names , yet?” he asked carefully.
The idle chatter died and everybody looked curiously at the couple. Haldir and Legolas looked at each other and blushed.
Haldir murmured embarrassed “No, actually not yet.”
“What?” Merry nearly jumped of his chair.
“You haven’t even thought about names? And you need two of each, if you don’t mind me reminding you!” Pippin exclaimed.
“Don’t worry we will help you find some beautiful names Frodo assured Haldir and Legolas.
Elrond and Gandalf exchanged worried glances.


Thranduil rubbed his stiff back. It had been ages since he had to sleep on an uncomfortable bunk. There were muscles hurting, he didn’t even know he had. But then again, he enjoyed working in the fresh air, loved working with the plants and the fresh wood they carved and worked into shape.
He even enjoyed the company of Gimli and his fellow dwarves. What had become of this world? Yes, it had become a peaceful world, like it had been so many years ago, when elves and dwarves had lived in peace and harmony. And he was so very proud knowing that his {on had had his hand in it and that it had been Legolas who had become friends with a dwarf, thus levelling the path for others to follow.

When Thranduil overlooked the building site a wide smile spread on his face. Yes, it would be a wonderful and lovely place once finished.
But tonight it would be timr hir him to return the Minas Tirith. He missed his son and Haldir and even though he had been parted from Legolas so many times before, now was a special time and he didn’t want to miss a single day of it.

t.b.c.