It was not long after the arrival of spring that King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm and his wife, Queen Adrianna left from the palace to enjoy a ride in the woods. Thranduil watched his wife closely as he hadn't thought it a good idea for her to be out in her condition. She was just days short of completing her ninth month carrying their first elfling.
Having endured an abnormally long winter indoors wrought with morning sickness and all the other ailments associated with pregnancy, Adrianna had proclaimed that she would go out with or without him. And as he could never really deny her anything, he found himself agreeing to escort her.
So that morning found the throne room empty and Thranduil and a contingent of guards taking a leisure ride in the forest. After a few moments, Thranduil actually found that he was enjoying his time away from advisors and the everyday hassle of the palace.
"Ah see now" Adrianna said as she saw the tension released from her husband's shoulders. "isn't this a lovely day to be amongst the trees." A broad smile gracing her lovely face.
"Yes my love. I must confess that this is quite relaxing." They found a spot in the clearing near the lake and stopped for a picnic. They sat and talked and took turns reading to one another.
The picnic had been relaxing break and as the day closed to an end, Thranduil was glad that they took the much needed time away.
"Alright dearest, I have indeed enjoyed this day, but now we must get home."
"Just a few moments more my love, to watch the sunset beyond the lake?"
"I am sorry, but it is too dangerous. We are too far away from the protection of the compound and the Spiders will be getting very active soon."
"Surely they will not attack such a large party." She asked clearly not ready to depart, but Thranduil would not be delayed and walked over to help her to her feet.
"It was a long winter for them as well my love. They are hungry and unpredictable.
Adrianna reluctantly made her way to her horse and Thranduil helped her up. He rested his hand on her belly and felt the elfling within her kick. "He's quite active today is he not." He smiled.
"Yes, she is. It seems that fresh air agrees with her."
Thranduil moved closer to her belly and whispered conspiratorially. "Don't worry ion nin. I know the truth and we shall have the last laugh, you and I."
Adrianna laughed as Thranduil gracefully mounted his stalling and they headed towards to palace. They hadn't gotten far when the captain of the Guard halted them. All of the other elves looked towards the trees having already felt the evil creeping around them and the warning of the trees.
"What is it Thranduil?"
"Adrianna" he looked nervously at his wife. "Spiders. Stay close to me." Thranduil pulled his bow from his back and fitted an arrow against the string. Soon there were arrows flying into the trees and hideous screeching sounds as black spiders fell dead from above.
The attack was fast as the spiders advanced from the above and from the forest floor. "Why are there so many?!" Adrianna called to Thranduil.
"A nest must have hatched nearby!" He called back to her. "Stay close"
"We need to get out of here!"
"Adrianna NO!" but Thranduil's shout came too late. In a moment of panic, the Queen spurred her mount forward bumping two of the guards and causing their shots to go askew. Thranduil rushed after her followed by Regalis, the Captain of the Guard. "Adrianna STOP!"
She plowed forward at full gallop unaware of the fact that Thranduil and Regalis were trailing behind her rapidly firing at the creatures that tried to harm her. Adrianna's mount came to a sudden halt as a somewhat large spider fell from the trees in front of them. Adrianna managed to hang on to the horse's mane, but lost her grip as the horse reared back in an attempt to trample the creature and protect his rider.
Thranduil was too far away to do anything but watch as his wife fell backwards onto the hard ground. The mount, unaware of his proximity to his fallen mistress continued to rear up to crush the spider under his hooves. As he took a step back, Adrianna was forced to roll to avoid the being kicked in her swollen belly. Unfortunately she was still dazed from the fall and while she avoided the full brunt of the kick, she was still hit with a glancing blow. She cried out in pain and fear for the life of her child.
Thranduil thought his heard would stop at the resounding thud of his wife hitting the ground. He hurried to get to her as the spider tried to get pass the mare to his vulnerable prey. Thranduil and Regalis pulled arrows from their quiver and fired. One arrow pierced the creature's body pinning it to the ground while the second hit it squarely in the head.
"My love!" Thranduil dropped to the ground beside her.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me. I should not have fled as I did." She cried.
"Everything will be well. Do not move." He tried to comfort her. "You will be fine."
"Ahhgh" she screamed as she felt cramps in her abdomen. "Oh Valar! Thranduil! The elfling!" she screamed again tried to curl her legs up to her body.
"Regalis, we will need a litter! We need to get her back to the palace now!"
"Aye My Lord." Regalis was very concerned. His wife had just given birth not too long ago and he could imagine the pain he would feel if he were in Thranduil's place. Running back to his stallion and pulled the a sling from his bag. As the rest of his elves arrived, things were set into motion quickly. An elf was sent ahead to alert the healers of the Queen's condition and their arrival. She was put on the sling and covered with a blanket to keep her warm as the night began to chill the woods. She was carried as quickly as possible without causing their Queen any more discomfort.
When they finally arrived at the palace she was taken into the healing rooms and the doors were shut. Thranduil was forced to wait while his wife was attended. The guilt he felt was eating away at him.
"I should never have let her go out." Thranduil proclaimed. "I should have protected her better."
"My Lord, I believe that she would have gone without you. She will be fine. They both will be. Do not worry so." Regalis tried to comfort him. "I should have protected you both better."
"You are a good friend." Thranduil managed a small smile. "I guess there is plenty of guilt to go around and no fault to be had."
"Aye My Lord."
Thranduil had no idea how much time had passed before Maglion, the chief healer came out. "My Lord." Thranduil's heart was pounding as a sense of dread overwhelmed him.
"How is she?"
"She is sleeping. She has three broken ribs and a broken wrist."
"What of the child?"
"I do not know if it was the fall or the kick from the horse, but the birth sac was ruptured. The child had to be taken. You have a son."
"He lives?" Thranduil asked not believing their good fortune.
"For now sire. We almost lost them both during the birth as we had to cut the child from her. The Queen is resting now and will heal in time. The elfling however, his lungs have not developed fully yet and you know that elflings do not have the healing capabilities that we have."
"What are his chances?"
"Very slim." the look on Thranduil's face showed that he hoped for more optimism from the healer. "I would not have you hold to false hope sire. The elfling is in a very fragile state. It was not due to arrive for another three months."
"Has she been told?"
"Yes. She is taking it much better than I had expected. I was a bit worried that the loss may cause her to succumb to grief. But it seems that she will be fine."
"At least that is good news. I would see her now."
"Of course." Maglion led Thranduil to a small quiet chamber where Adrianna lay resting. Her eyes were closed but he knew that she was not sleeping.
"My love" he said as he took her hand in his. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired." she gave him a wry grin which faded as she gave way to tears. "Oh Thranduil, I am so sorry. It is my fault..."
"Dearest please. I have already been through this with Regalis. What happened is done. There is no need to place blame. We will move forward." he tried to console her.
"But our child. Your son, he is lost."
Thranduil was confused. "No my darling, he yet lives."
She shook her head. "But not for long. Maglion has told me that he may yet die. More than likely he will not see the sun rise.
"I will not give up hope for him. We will be a family, the three of us, and one day we will tell him of how he survived though everyone else thought he would die."
Adrianna smiled again. "A strong King you may be my love, but this is not something that you can control. Nay, do not hold to him. He would drag you into despair and I would not lose you both. Just let him go."
"No my love. I will not do that. I cannot do it. I have known despair and survived it once, and I will do so again if I must. But I will not give up on my son." Thranduil onto her hand and waited for her to speak again but she did not. He put her hand to rest by her side and walked to where an elleth sat holding his child. When he was close enough, she rose and put the bundle into his arms.
"He is so small" Thranduil whispered as he looked upon his soon. He could hear a rasp in each breath the tiny one took. "Did she see him?"
"No my Lord. She would not seem him as she was afraid of becoming attached ere he pass away." The elleth answered.
Thranduil rubbed his finger across the tiny cheek. "He will not pass." He said to her before walking away with the child to a nearby window. "We have had many conversations you and I." He said lovingly to his son speaking of the times he had spoken to his wife's belly as she slept and other times when he whispered conspiratorially as they discussed whether he be male or female. "We have already put one over on your naneth and now we have others to put in their place." he smiled. "You will live and you will be strong my little one. I will name you for the young beech leaf; soft, pale and downy, and so fragile-looking that one feels the heat of the sun could melt it, or the merest breeze tear it to shreds. Gradually changing from pale green to the dark green of our land. And with the changing of the seasons you will grow and your strength will be that of the beech tree. Ion nin. My Legolas."
The young elleth was moved to tears as she listened to her King speak to the child and she knew that she would never forget his words that day and for they were not words spoken in despair but with the conviction of love.
Thranduil did not notice that he had an audience as he turned around to see that everyone in the healing looked on. It was not common for one to name a child directly after birth. A naming ceremony would normally be held and a great celebration would follow. Every elf was honored to have been present even though some still believed that the child would not survive the night.
Thranduil made his way back to his wife's side. "Adrianna, look at him. He is beautiful."
"I cannot" she said refusing to open her eyes to see her sons face. "I cannot look upon him knowing that soon he shall be in Mandos Hall."
"Nay My Love. He will not. He will be well. Please just look at him."
"No!" She became upset and tried to turned her head away. "Take him away! I will not see him! My son is dead!"
It was then that the Maglion came over and placed a hand on the King's shoulder. "Sire. Please. We mustn't upset her. She has been through a great ordeal."
Thranduil looked again at his wife as she wept over the death of her living child. He returned the child to the nursemaid and went to talk the healer. "Why is she doing this? This cannot be normal. The child still lives."
"I have seen it only once before sire. But the situation was different. An elleth who had no desire to have elflings agreed to a conception for the sake of her bond mate. She became very despondent after the birth of the child and began to give into despair. She refused to care for the child as her highness has done leaving her bond mate to care for it. Then her despair turned to jealousy over the time her husband spent with the child instead of with her." The healer stopped as he remembered how this sordid tale ended and said a quick prayer to the Valar that this would not be the outcome here. "But as I said, that was a totally different circumstance. We all know how much our Queen desired the child. Maybe she does the right thing by not becoming attached. Only time will tell, but she should not be pushed. She will need you to be there for her."
"I will be there for her and as well as for my son. I want you to do all in your power to save him."
"Of course I will do what I can, but sire, there is not much that can be done. We can only keep him confortable, and wait and see, but as I said, there isn't much hope."
"There is hope while he yet breathes." Thranduil did not think he could tolerate much more negative talk about his son's survival. "Is there anything that I can do that will help."
"I do not know if the Queen will agree to supplying milk to be fed through a water bladder as I am sure if she will not see him she will not feed him directly. Otherwise, we could use goat's milk. It's a fine alternative, but a poor substitute to an ailing infant."
"I do not think she will agree to feeding or supplying the milk and I would not upset her further by asking it of her. Is there any other alternative?"
"Nay sire except maybe a wet-nurse. As fragile as he is now, a wet-nurse would be preferable."
"Do you know of an elleth who would be agreeable to this?" Thranduil asked hopefully.
"My wife has recently given birth sire." Came the voice of his Captain. "I'm sure she would be glad to help if asked."
"You are indeed a very good friend." Thranduil placed an appreciative hand on the soldiers shoulder. "I would be honored and actually I will be comfortable knowing that your lady was caring for him."
Regalis beamed with pride. "By your leave sire. I will go now and speak with her."
"By all means saes go. If she is amenable, bring her with you when you come back and your own babe as well. I will not have him suffer her loss while she tends to Legolas."
Regalis moved quickly to place his lieutenant in charge of the King's protection while he ran home to speak to his wife. He did not stop until he reached his doorway. He entered at a more civil pace and stopped when he saw his wife nursing their own elfling. "Regalis, what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you until evening meal. I haven't prepared anything for midday, if you will but wait until I have finished with your son, I will prepare something for you."
A broad smile spread across his face. His son was but 3 cycles old and large for an elfling. He went to his knees and put a soothing hand on the child's dark head. He kissed him gently as he gave thanks to the Valar for him. "There is no need. I came to ask for your help. Actually, tis more for the King and Queen, than for me."
"What could I possibly do for the royal family? This bundle has quite some time before he can go into service." She said with a smile that lit up his heart.
"No this one will not be picking up a bow for a few hundred years to come." He smiled back. He sobered as he revealed to her all that had come to pass. A tear fell down her cheek as she thought about the babe and the emptiness she would feel as she thought about losing her own child. "The babe is not expected to survive, but his highness is certain that he will and wants to give him every opportunity. The Queen-mother refuses to care for the him fearing what she believes to be his eminent death."
Gredalia's expression hardened to one of anger. "How can she not care for him?! He is her own! I would not care what anyone told me, if Tharion held but one breath in his lungs I would hold on to him."
"You sound much like Thranduil. He too refuses to give into despair."
"What can I do to help?"
"The child needs a wet-nurse. I hope you that do not mind but I suggested you and the King was all too happy for the offer. He even said that he would feel much better knowing that it was you caring for the young prince."
"I would be glad to of course. But what of Tharion?"
Thranduil asked that you bring him as well. He does not wish for him to miss a moment of your time."
"Then let us not dally. Has the Queen fed him at all since his birth?"
"No, she refuses to even look upon him."
She blew off a quick sigh of anger and stood with her son resting on her shoulder. "The child must be starved and if his lungs are weak as you say, he should not be made to cry much longer. Let us leave now." She turned to face her husband and wondered at the expression on his face. "What is it?"
"The child does not cry."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I have not heard even a whimper from him. He sleeps contently although his breathing is labored."
"But he must be extremely hungry. I have not seen a birthing yet where the child does not quiet until it nurses." Gredalia pondered for only a moment. " It matters not. This little one is contented. Let us make way to the palace quickly."
The way back to the palace progressed a bit slower as they would not jostle the infant by running, but still they arrived quickly.
As they entered the healing room, Thranduil greeted them immediately. She bowed properly to him. "Your highness."
"Thank you so much for coming. I know that Regalis has told you what I need, but I will feel better to ask this of you myself." Thranduil bent down on one knee and took the Lady's hand in his own. "My son is in need of a wet-nurse and though it is thought that he may not live to see the morrow, I will not give up on him. So I ask this not as your King but as an Adar. Will you help my son? Please know that neither you nor your husband shall suffer should you refuse as this is a big favor to ask."
"I would be honored to help in anyway possible and sire, I am sure that this will be only a short-term favor as her highness will probably take over once she realizes that the prince is no longer in danger of passing. Which will not be long I am sure. We will have him a picture of absolute health in no time." Thranduil rose and hugged the Lady tightly and which much gratitude.
"Hannon le" he whispered in her ear. "Hannon le" He had a huge smile on his face as he drew back. "Anything you ask of me that is within my power to grant, you need but ask my lady and it shall be yours."
"I want nothing more than to see to my charge as I am sure he is quite hungry."
"He has been taken to the nursery. I will show you the way." Thranduil led them through the halls to the room that was to serve as Legolas' nursery. When Gredalia walked into the room she noticed that there were two cribs set up. "I hope you do not mind, but I wanted to be prepared should you be agreeable. I had a second crib placed in here for your son. He will be afforded every comfort. This is Haslana, she has been watching over Legolas and will be here to assist you with both of the elflings."
Haslana bowed to Gredalia who offered her own short curtsy. She walked over to the cribs and placed Tharion in the empty one. Then she looked into the other and saw the small elfling wrapped tightly in a blanket. Her eyes watered as she looked upon the little one with his eyes shut tightly against the world. She reached down and picked him up and held him tightly to her chest and began to sing a lullaby as she made her way over to a rocking chair a few feet away. She sat and rocked him gently and coaxed him to suckle at her breast. She gasped a bit at the strong sucking of the obviously hungry child.
Thranduil moved quickly thinking that something was wrong. "What is wrong? Will he not feed?"
She laughed a bit. "No, everthing is fine. I just did not expect him to clasp on so strongly. Do not worry sire. If the way he feeds is any indication, you and the Queen have nothing to worry about. This little one is stronger than he looks."
Thranduil was so happy he could have jumped for joy. His little Green Leaf would be fine. He just knew it. He may have hard times for a bit, but eventually, he would be as well as any other elfling. "Hannon Le. My Lady." Thranduil hated to leave now, but he had other things to attend to. "My Lady, I have to go and check on her Highness. She should be settled into our room by now. I will return as soon as I can."
"We will be just fine. Go attend to your Lady." Gredalia could not turn her face away from the tiny bundle in her arms. She would stick her finger in the babe's mouth to break the suction every couple draws as not to tax the child's lungs. She expected him to get frustrated and cry out, but he never did. It wasn't long before the child had his fill and she turned him to her shoulder to burp him. She was very gentle and used only enough pressure to elicit the needed response. After she was satisfied that there was no gas left in the child's stomach, she returned him to his crib. A loving naneth she was but she had no tolerance for spoiled ellon's. She did not even hold her own son when it was not required for feeding or changing. She even had scheduled playtimes for him. The only exception was when his adar wanted to spend time with him. As he was away from home often, she had not the heart to restrict his bonding time with his son.
Try as she might, she could not understand how any naneth could turn their back on their offspring, whether they be sickly or not. Especially when they were ill as that is when they are needed to most. Elflings were much like human children for a time in that they are just as prone to illness as the Edan. This little one needed a Naneth's love and she would give it to him even after his own naneth had decided to claim him.
"I will hold him Madame if you are tired." The nursemaid went to pick up the child.
"No. Leave him be. He does not need to be held, he is sleeping."
"But Madame, would he not sleep more comfortably if he was held."
"Aye, he would sleep comfortably being constantly rocked and hearing a constant heart beat. But believe me when I say, that neither you nor the Queen would appreciate it later when the child will not sleep unless he is held and rocked." Gredalia had been the oldest of three siblings and had made this same mistake with her younger brother. She had lived to regret it as her naneth made her tend to the child and nap and bed times when no one could console him other then to rock him to sleep. "Believe me, there will be plenty of time to hold the young prince. Let him sleep. He is content."
"Should we not make him feel loved for his short time here." Haslana questioned further.
"I will not have that kind of talk around the elfling and he will feel loved for now and for a long time yet to come."
"Well, believe what you may. Maglion has appointed me his nursemaid, I believe that I know what is best for him." Haslana tried to assert her authority. "You have no say in this matter."
"Oh really, the King has entrusted him into my care and as he pointed out, you are here to assist me; therefore, he will stay where he is." Gredalia fixed her eyes on the nursemaid daring her to defy her.
"As you wish." Haslana conceded. She picked up a small bottle from a nearby table. "I have been instructed by Maglion to give this to the child before every feeding. Will you be handling this as well?"
"Of course. It would be better for me to do this as his feeding schedule is set."
"You do not have to do that with me."
"Do what dear?" Gredalia asked as she checked on her sleeping son.
"Pretend that this is not for naught. I understand you wanting to gain some favor with the King, but he is not here now to hear your pleasantries." She said with a knowing smile.
"I am here to help this child and for no other reason than that. Your reasons for being here are your own, I care not. But maybe you should not be if you truly feel your work to be in vain."
"You insult me Madame. I may not have completed my healers training, but I am a good nursemaid. I would do nothing to bring harm to Prince, but I, like the Queen, am accepting of the facts in this matter"
Gredalia was well aware of that Maglion's training did not encourage believing past the obvious facts, which was one of the reasons why she had discontinued her training with him. She was quite empathic and had a strong connection to nature which Maglion did not agree was a useful quality, but it was not in her nature to condemn one to just the facts of a situation. The strength of one's fea and the resilience of their mind was always a factor in healing and recovery. "Well we shall have to agree to disagree in this matter." She decided not to argue her points. It was not necessary for her to understand. "Let us discuss the necessary details for dealing with these two little ones and any other instructions Maglion may have left for the prince's care."
Haslana tilted her head and bowed her head slightly in agreement.
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As Regalis escorted Thranduil to his rooms. Thranduil stopped before entering and took a calming breath. "I hope that your wife is right and that Adrianna will come to herself soon. The elfling needs his naneth."
"I'm sure that once it becomes clear to her that the child will live, she will take to him."
He nodded silently and pushed open the door to his chambers. His wife was in bed, her color was returning and she was beginning to look more herself. He sat beside the bed and took her hand. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yes my love. Do not worry for me, I will be fine."
"That is good. I am happy for that." Thranduil smiled.
Adrianna looked up into his face and she could see what she thought was sadness in his eyes. "Do not be sad my love."
"I am not sad. I am merely concerned for you and for our son."
"So you still dare to hope." She stated. "You must accept that he is lost." I have spoken to Maglion and he expects that it would be only a matter of weeks before I am back to my self. We can try again then."
Thranduil was confused. "Try again?"
"For another child."
"So you have truly given up on him them, though he still clings to this life."
"But for how long, you would have me to hold on to a thin shred of hope."
"If you would but see him..."
"Nay I will not do that. I have already released my bond to the elfling."
"You did what?" Thranduil would have fallen if he was not already sitting.
"I could feel him calling to me through our bond. Trying to draw on my strength. I could not allow him to continue to weaken me unnecessarily. I had to let him go."
"what...how could you do that...you are his naneth."
"My son is dead."
Thranduil did not know how to respond. He had never heard of one cutting their bond to a child except under the most dire circumstance. "And if he lives, when he continues to live...then what...will you then seek to reestablish the bond between you?"
"Even if he were to survive, he would not be as other elflings. He would be mentally slow and physically weak. Not a fitting heir to the throne. We must try again my love. You must have a suitable heir."
Thranduil brought his elbows to rest on his knees and lowered his face to his hands. He began to rub small circles starting at the top of his forehead and over to his temples. He was trying desperately to remain calm. He his was throbbing, the ache having started at the base of his skull earlier and was now pounding steadily behind his eyes. He was not known for his having a calm demeanor, but he did not want to upset Adrianna again as he knew it was not condusive to her recovery. He took a deep calming breath. "I will not abandon him." He managed to hiss out.
"You will do what you must as I have done what I must. Forgive me if it sounds cold and unfeeling but I am merely being realistic in this." She cupped his face in both of her hands. "I love you Thranduil. I will always love you. Say that we will try again."
"Nay, I cannot say now. I will think on it."
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"Nay, I cannot say now. I will think on it."
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As time went on it became apparent to all that the young prince would indeed live. It also became apparent that he was not as strong as the King had hoped he would become. He continued to take the elixir which was prepared by the master healer to help to heal his lungs, but it did not seem to Thranduil that is was helping. He could play for small periods of time, but he would become tired quickly. He was still on the small side and he was uncoordinated, more so than most toddlers, especially elven toddlers, and slow to understand.
Adrianna still would not see him or acknowledge in any way that the elfling existed. Though it broke his heart, Thranduil finally had to admit to himself that she would never accept Legolas. So he spent as much time with the child as he could setting aside at least an hour every morning to take the child riding and an hour in the evenings to read to him before bed. A small place was set aside in his private chambers so that any free moments he had he could spend his ion in some way. On their rides he would teach him about the forest and all the animals within. Before he read to him at night he would go over letters and numbers for as long as his short attention span would allow. Legolas took his many of his meals alone in his room or Thranduil would allow him to go home with Regalis and take meals with their family.
Thranduil finally gave in to his beloved and they conceived a second child. When Adrianna gave birth to a second son. She was extremely happy. "Look at him Thranduil, he is perfect."
"Aye, he is indeed. Legolas will be glad to have a little brother to keep company with him."
"Nay, I will not suffer that child around my darling ion."
"That child is your ion as well."
"My ion died 13 cycles ago and I will not have that dim-witted shell of a child that you insist upon spending your time with, around my darling." Adrianna was angry that her husband could suggest such a thing, but she was well matched with the wrath of Thranduil.
"This has gone on long enough! I never should have agreed to this child but as he is here now I cannot hold that against him, but I will not allow you to continue to deny our first born. Legolas is a good elfling, who has done nothing to earn your ire except to survive an accident that would never have occurred had his parents had the common sense that the Valar gave to squirrels!"
"You would blame me…"
"I blame us both! You should never have been riding that day, and I was wrong to allow you to go, but no longer will I allow Legolas to suffer for our mistake. I agree that he may not be quick to understand, but he is by no means a dim-wit. You are his naneth, how could you say such a thing about your own elfling."
"I can say it because it is true. You should have let him die Thranduil. Cut your bond to him as I did, but you let your heart cloud your judgment."
"If that is true, then the same can be said about my choice in a Queen. I never would have thought you to be so cruel Adrianna."
Adrianna felt as if she had been slapped. "You don't mean that."
"I love you with all my heart and yet I let you cloud my judgment on more than one occasion. If you would condemn my heart for loving our first born, then you must condemn its other decisions as well, including your choice as my wife and that bundle you hold now in your arms. Be careful what you wish for when you ask me to lead with just my head. You may not like the outcome."
Adrianna realized then that she had pushed to far and tried to make amends. "Forgive me my love. I did not intend to upset you, and you are right. Mayhap after things get a bit more settled, I will try to spend more time with the elfling."
"You promise. You will try?" Thranduil asked hopefully.
"Aye, I will try. Now, back to this little one, we need to make plans for his naming ceremony."
"There will be no naming ceremony as one was not held for Legolas. I propose instead a celebration in both their honor."
"Is it right to deny one for the other? Besides he would not know that difference."
"As this penneth will not know the difference. There will be no more discussion on this matter. As King, it is my duty to introduce my sons, their princes, both of them, to their people. Something that is long overdue in Legolas' case as he is rightfully my heir." Placing a kiss to both of their heads, Thranduil left the room leaving in his wake a very shocked wife contemplating his words. He had never spoken to her so. She had but to ask him and he would give her the world, now he was different and she knew the cause. "That child!"
The elfling in her arms startled at the loud noise and began to cry. "Hush now my little one. Do not worry." She comforted him. "Your adar is just confused. Sentimental he may be but a fool he is not. He will not name the village idiot to sit on the throne. You will be the Crown Prince of the Woodland Realm. I will see to that."
------------ tbc?
So! What do you all think? Let me know!
Please forgive my character naming as I am horrible with names. I have a few other characters left to introduce, so if anyone has some names they wouldn't mind parting with, both male and female, I will be glad to put them to use.