The Jewel of Mirkwood

Chapter 96

Legolas quietly snuck down the corridor of the east wing of the house. It was still very early in the morning and hardly anyone was about. The night guards said nothing as he passed them by heading towards the chambers once used by Elrond’s wife. As far as Legolas knew it the ladies chambers had been empty for millennia and so there was little chance of him running in to anyone along the way. Reaching the last tapestry along the hall Legolas cautiously looked about him before slipping easily into the room. It was dark in the room no fire of candles having been lit. Dust clung to the air and the smell of untouched linen permeated the gloom. Pushing down his guilt Legolas cautiously glanced around the room. For a moment he couldn’t make out anything but as his eyes adjusted to the darkness they focused on the large bed and the wardrobe that stood next to it on the far side of the room. With quick feet Legolas ran across the room to the wardrobe and carefully opened the doors. They creaked loudly in the silence and Legolas bit his lip in worry that someone would have heard him. Pausing Legolas listened closely for signs someone was coming but when he heard nothing but the creatures out he he continued on with his task. Inside the wardrobe hung a multitude of gowns all of them lovingly ordered in colour but left untouched for years. Pushing the gowns aside a little Legolas pushed to the back of the wardrobe and found what he was looking fore une undergarments of the once lady of Imladris were folded nearly on shelves at the back of the wardrobe. In the darkness it was hard to tell what Legolas was putting his hands on but when he found the familiar feel of laces beneath a large pile of other things he pulled the garments out into the light of the moon shining in through the window.

There were two undergarments one considerably larger than the other but both with the same purpose. With thick laces down the back and thin strips of metal woven into the fabric at the front and down the sides it looked more like an article of torture than an undergarment of comfort. Still it would do the trick for what Legolas was using it for. After a few moments of consideration Legolas chose the smaller of the two garments and carefully put the other back into it’s place. Moving the gowns back into their places in front of the shelves Legolas then proceeded to close the wardrobe doors again. Yet again they creakndernder the pressure but Legolas didn’t both to worry about who had heard them. Folding the garment in half Legolas then proceeded to conceal the item beneath his night robe. When he was sure know one cotelltell what he was carrying Legolas then hastily left the room and began aback towards his own chambers. It had grown lighter outside since his arrival at the ladies chambers and unfortunately more people were up and about than previously. Legolas had avoided several of the upper servants who would surely question his early rising.

Out of luck more than anything else Legolas made it back to his room unchallenged and quickly gathered his things for his morning bath. Breakfast would be served soon and he still had to work out how to put the undergarment on let alone how he was going to do it without some help. Still he was determined to conceal his pregnancy and if this was the only way he could do it then that was what he was going to do.

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Glorfindel lay perfectly still on the examination bed as Elrond prodded and felt his lower abdomen and stomach a pensive frown on his face. Erestor stood not far away merely observing proceedings as Elrond stood up and washed his hands in the warm basin of water beside the bed.

“I can feel nothing that would concern me Glorfindel, yet it is obvious my touch in places causes you pain. Perhaps it is just stress or a pulled muscle.” At Elrond’s gesture Glorfindel stood up from the bed and proceeded to relace his leggings and tunic. Again he had received little sleep last night and the pain had returned earlier in the morning causing him to be violently ill in the bathroom.

“That does not explain why Legolas is not feeling this pain Elrond?” Erestor spoke up for Glorfindel who was now propping himself up tiredly against the wall.

“Yes that is strange. Maybe Legolas is experiencing this pain but not as severe so has not said anything to us about it. I will have to talk to him this morning and see what he has to say. Apart from that I will give you some herbs to rub into your skin they will help lesson the pain you feel, and I will brew a tea that will help you sleep Glorfindel.” The blonde seneschal nodded his head thankfully just as the bell was rung downstairs to announce breakfast. Luckily with Candolin injured and in the healer’s wing of the house the men had decided not to attend the formal breakfast, much to the relief of all elves participating.

Elrond left the room ahead of his friends leaving Glorfindel and Erestor to slowly follow on. In silence the pair walked both lost in their own thoughts of theningning and the day ahead. Neither noticed the prince of Mirkwood scurrying from his room towards the hall for breakfast.

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Legolas coulrdlyrdly breathe let alone sit down in his ncquicquirement of his wardrobe. In the bathing room he had struggled in vain to tighten the article of clothing so that it held him flat. In the end he had loosely tied the ends of the laces to the metal towel ring and simply walked in the opposite direction essentially tightening the laces down his back with ease. Despite it’s uncomfortable nature and it’s restrictions on movement the garment did a perfect job of hiding his stomach. With a tunic and leggings on it was hardly noticeable that he had put on some weight, let alone was carrying a child. It had hurt a little being pushed into such a small thing but it was a small discomfort for such a big secret.

Fearing he would be late for breakfast Legolas quickly braided his hair be rue running off down the corridor to the hall. He had been late for dinner last night and was not going to push Glorfindel’s anger by being late to breakfast as well. Plus Legolas wanted to desperately know how his beloved was after this duel with Candolin. Although Legolas assumed that Glorfindel was still alive because no one had woken him during the night, and he hadn’t felt any pain through their connection. At the though Legolas froze in the middle of the hallway. Up u now now he had not thought of his connection with Glorfindel and a fear ran down his spine that perhaps Glorfindel could feel the child growing inside of Legolas through their bond. The good mood he had woken up with suddenly took a plummeting dive as he gingerly pushed open the doors to the hall and stepped inside.

Elrond was already sitting in his usual seat as were the twins. Erestor, Glorfindel and Filgree sat in their usual spots, as did Lindar and the other few councillors permitted to attend Elrond’s meals. Sheepishly Legolas lowered his gaze as everyone looked towards him. All but running to his seat beside Glorfindel Legolas nearly forgot about his new undergarment and went to sit down as he usually did. The metal rods, which lined the garment instantly, stuck into him an gro groaned and yelped, as he had to sit down slower and at a slightly different angle. Everyone at the table looked to him in concern and Legolas silently cursed to himself for having been so foolish. With a look of indifference Legolas reached for the bowl of fruits he so favoured for his morning meal, shrugging off the other elves concerned glances.

“I fell asleep in the chair last night I have a stiff back.” For affect Legolas rubbed his back as he sat straight at the table, unable to bend with the belt in place. Legolas glanced sheepishly up from his bowl of fruit to see if anyone had seen through his lie and while he was relieved everyone seemed to believe him a confused glance from Filgree told him everything he needed to know. Filgree had actually put him to bed last night and it was obvious the tutor wasn’t buying the lie for a moment. Still the tutor did not say anything publicly but merely stared pointedly at his old charge, making Legolas extremely uncomfortable. Trying to ignore Filgree’s questioning glare Legolas continued to eat his meal as the ritual morning conversation began around the table as plans for the day ahead began to take shape.

For a while Legolas remained apart from the conversation somewhat distracted by Glorfindel’s lack of enthusiasm and life next to him. Glorfindel looked tired and pale and Legolas dearly wanted to reach out and take his lover in a hug but to do that would risk Glorfindel discovering his secret. So instead Legolas reached across and placed a hand over Glorfindel’s resting on the table, and entwined his fingers with his lovers in sympathy. Glorfindel smiled at him and Legolas returned it sweetly. Their intimate moment was interrupted however by Elrond clearing his throat at the head of the table. Immediately Legolas turned back to the general company and swallowed hard when he realised that Elrond was staring directly at him, an unreadable expression on his face

“Are you feeling alright Legolas?” The question came out of the blue and Legolas had to swallow around the large lump in his throat that so quickly formed. Unsure of what answer Elrond was eluding to Legolas looked sheepishly across the table at Elrohir and Elladan for any signs they knew what their father was speaking of. Neither twin seemed even remotely sure of their father’s inquiry but both were waiting just as everyone else around the table for Legolas answer.

“Legolas? Please you must tell us if you are not well.” Glorfindel was the next to speak before Legolas could form his reply. Looking back to his lover Legolas was surprised at how drained and sad Glorfindel seemed to sound by tried to ignore it as he took the only course of action he knew to deflect the attention from himself.

“I am well and I feel just fine thank-you. Not that my health is any of your business” Defensively Legolas stood up from the table and glared angrily at Lord Elrond. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have duties to perform.” Desperate to be out of everyone’s questioning glances Legolas turned and began swiftly towards the doors. On his way Legolas caught the knowing gaze of Elladan, the elder twin’s hazel eyes never leaving him until he was out of sight. Once safely outside in the hallway Legolas stopped and breathed in as deeply as the belt beneath his tunic would allow. The familiar twinge of pain in his lower abdomen caught him a little off guard and he gasped audibly and reached his hand down to rub his belly soothingly. Almost instantly Legolas heard Glorfindel cry out in agony from within the hall and quickly turned around to peek through the crack in the large wooden doors. Continuing to sooth his own small pain with his hand Legolas watched as Elrond and Erestor were quickly at Glorfindel’s side, holding the blonde seneschal upright in his chair as he clutched agonizingly to his own stomach, his eyes clenched tightly closed. It took but a moment for Legolas to realise that Glorfindel was clutching at his stomach in exactly the same spot that Legolas was now rubbing on his own. In shock Legolas tore his hand from his stomach and stepped back away from the door. Glorfindel could feel it just as Legolas could and that meant it was only a matter of time before his lover or someone else realised what was going on. Hearing voices inside the hall Legolas stepped quickly back to the door and pressed his face lightly against it in order to listen to the conversation inside.

“Glorfindel you must rest. It is obvious you are too weak to fight whatever this illness is.” Elrond’s voice was clearly distinguishable above the other concerned murmurs.

“I have the patrol…” Glorfindel’s voice trailed off into another helpless cry of pain and Legolas felt tears begin to fall down his face the guilt over being the cause of his lovers agony chewing at him from the inside.

“Nay Glorfindel you are too ill to join the patrol. I am confining you to your room and that is an order.” Elrond’s voice n stn sternly asserted his authority over all in the room and Legolas could almost see in his mind Glorfindel weakly nodding his head in acceptance.

“Do not worry Glorfindel I will take your patrol. Legolas can come along as well if you wish it.” Legolas was surprised to hear Elladan’s caring voice as he accepted Glorfindel’s duties before forwardly suggesting that he go along as well.

“I do not want him going alone.” Glorfindel’s voice wavered on a whisper and Legolas couldn’t help but frown at his lovers over protectiveness again.

“He won’t be going alone, I will go with him. Now please Glorfindel do as father tells you.” Elrohir jumped quickly to Legolas’ defence and Legolas wondered why all of them still thought he needed protecting. That thought alone was what set his resolve yet again. On hearing Glorfindel’s agony Legolas had been almost ready to burst back into the room and announce everything but he’d held himself back, knowing that this would be his last chance to gain Imaldris’ respect and trust.

“Very well.” Legolas heard Glorfindel’s tired acceptance before there was movement in the room. Quickly Legolas scampered away towards the stores for his day’s chores more determined than he ever was to keep his secret and reach his self appointed goal. It was now or never to prove his worth to Imladris.

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