Kathrine: I know you all are probably angry with us…

JC: We do have a good defense! Jen and Kat have spent the last two weeks working our buts off on this story!

Kathrine: This was going to be a one-shot but it ended up sooo long that we cut it into chapters.

JC: Don't expect too much action. It's really going to really angsty though.

Kathrine: We have been thinking about this little idea for a long while and just couldn't get it out of our system until we wrote.

JC: Be glad that we are about three chapters away from finishing it! Most of it written and we'll post a chapter every few days, like every four or five.

Kathrine: This will probably be one of the fastest chapter stories we've ever written.

JC: So here ya, go hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: We do not own Lord of the Rings or its characters. We just don't plan on giving them back…ever.

Warnings: Slash, Angst, Romance, Mpreg, Slightly AU (not sure), Incest (Elladan/Elrohir), a Lemon later on MMOrg and AFFNet when they're back up and running. And even FFNet if they promise not to tell on us.

Weight of the Burden

By Jennifer and JC

Chapter 1

He stared out into the dimming light of the afternoon, his eyes weary and saddened. It was only when he was alone, when no other was there to see him cry. Very few could say they had seen him in the throws of sorrow and despair, for lately he had worn a mask of indifference, nothingness. A hand traveled down to rest against the swell of his stomach, taking in the feel of the kick that distracted him. A smile came to his lips, even if it was small, for the presence within him was the only reason why he sought life instead of grief, for the life he carried inside.

" Very soon little one," he spoke it. " Your time will come very soon, only three more months."

" Legolas."

He turned to the door, his eyes widening. " Estel!" his surprised was apparent. " What brings you here? Why have you come to Ithilien?"

" Can a poor weary Ranger not come to see his dearest friend?" the dark-haired man inquired. " And here I thought you would be glad to see me after nine months."

The blonde turned to the window once more. " You have a kingdom, people to care for," he replied. " The luxury of travel has been greatly limited for you. It is not that I do not appreciate your company."

" Then why will you not turn to me so I may see if you actually aged in all this time?" his friend asked.

" You know that Elves do not age greatly after their majority," the Lord of Ithilien stated coolly. " At most definitely not within the span of a few short months."

" Humor me?" the King requested. " I would love to believe I am not the only one of us that ages so. It is rather depressing, not even the halflings seem overly changed, but it has only been eleven months."

" I have not changed, as I have not done so in the last four hundred and more years since my own majority," he told him. " I do not see your point to this."

His heard rather than saw Elessar shifting on his feet. " Why do you hide from me, mellonamin?"

" Because I know why you ask and I know what it is you would say should I give in." He let out a deep sorrowful sigh before turning around the face the Man he had known for sixty years of his life. The prince wore a long pale green robe, the color of a fresh leaf bud on a tree in Tuile. But even so, it did not hide the busting swell of his abdomen.

Aragorn's eyes widened at the sight. He did not truly believe that the rumors of those passing through the Elven sect of Ithilien, but then he received the letter from the chief healer of Legolas' people himself. He had admitted to going against his lord's desire by calling upon his aide, but pointed out that there had been slight difficulties during the duration of his pregnancy, that he had not the skill to take on. And it was the hope of the healer, Mithfenor, that being trained by the great healer Lord Elrond would have given him teaching or at least access to books from Imladris so that they could find out what to do. Too many people speaking the same 'rumor', especially ones of great credibility, left him with nothing less to do than find out the truth firsthand. Now he knew that none of them had been wrong.

" I did not truly believe them," he spoke, ending the deafening silence within the room. " I thought they were mistaken by who they spoke of. I knew it was possible, for a Male Silvan Elf to bear a child, but did not believe that it was you who they all spoke of."

Legolas did not turn his eyes away, but stared straight into the other deep gray eyes. " Do you think less of me now, do you think me lower than before because I am with child?" His question was honest and yet unemotional, as if the blonde Edhel was trying so hard not to release how he felt.

" Nay! Never shall I ever think any less of you!" Estel strode quickly to the divan and sat down, placing a comforting hand on the Elf's shoulder. " If anything, I think more of you for having the courage to go through something that no Man would ever think of agreeing to." He then thought of the one question he was not sure if he could ask but knew if would be best if he did so now. " Who is its sire?"

" That I cannot tell you," he said softly. " That would only bring about more pain than you or I could deal with. 'Tis best that no one know the truth save myself." He didn't point out that ONE other knew…but said one had been sworn to a secrecy that he knew would not be broken.

" This is why you left?" the dark-haired man asked. " Why? I would not have allowed it to become public information. Why hide yourself for so long? Unless… the sire is within the walls of the White City."

" Nay," Legolas shook his head. " Not anymore."

" Did he leave you?" Aragorn's voice was slightly edged. " Did he leave you when he found out of this? If he would leave knowing that you-"

Legolas placed his own hand on the arm of his friend to calm him while letting out a small laugh. " Always the valiant protector, eh Estel?" he questioned. " You seek to restore honor that has not truly been lost. My people are happy this has happened. They see that I finally have an heir and that my child will be the last true Edhel born to Middle Earth. I was not left, for the sire does not know."

" What?" Gray eyes were becoming accustomed to widening with the surprises his friend brought about. " Why? I know how you feel about family Legolas, especially your own, why would you deny such knowledge to your child's father?"

" Free spirits are not meant to be tied down, especially when it is not planned," the Lord of Ithilien spoke. " Would you seek to lock Arwen away within your stone walls forever, binding her to you so that she may never feel the beauty of the sun or see the golden trees of Lothlórien ever again? You would believe it was the right thing, but in the end she would learn to hate you for denying her the freedom she has always known."

" But Arwen and I are wed," he replied. " Our situation is different than yours."

" Not really, only some circumstances," he contradicted. " Or perhaps I am more inclined to see Arwen's side. You know that she is your Queen, your love until you lie upon your deathbed and even longer. She willing gave herself to you for your love. She chose to become Queen to those she barely knew, to forsake her immortality, to help you resurrect a near dead city, and to provide you heirs in the future. She did so because she loves you. And it is in love that I refuse to destroy a freedom that I have always cherished and loved. She gave up much to be your Queen and I in turn will not force another to give up what I know would hurt them, all for love."

Aragorn now understood the full depth of his beloved friend's sorrowful decision. He loved whoever's child he bore and it was out of love that he bore his situation alone. He would not do anything that might cause tension, hate, or unrest between the sire and himself. But he also saw that Legolas was paying for his decision. The blonde was pale, much paler than he had ever seen him, save when he was lying near death after being wounded, and it worried him. His hair had grown longer, most likely due to the hormones his body produced for the child, but was less kept. Eyes that would normally sparkle the blue of the starry sky at night were dull and tired. He was far thinner than the King had ever thought he would see him.

" Oh Legolas," he sighed sadly before bringing the blonde into his arms in a reassuring embrace. " You might believe you have to face this alone, but I am here for you as you have always been there for me. You must allow me to take care of you, even if only for a short amount of time. Come with me to Minas Tirith."

" Nay," the other declined. " It would only cause unwanted attention and speculations."

The Man sighed. " Your are right. But does your father know? What would he say to finding out his youngest child is with child?"

Legolas smiled at that. " I sent him a letter five months ago, I knew that if told no other save those in Ithilien, I would still have to tell him. My brothers and sister were most upset with me, for I did not come home myself, but we have only just now finished building our home at the ending of Yávie. I could not abandon the people who followed me here out of good faith. My father was more than somewhat angered because I am without proper mate or pending mate. He demanded the name of the sire and that I go the Eryn Lasgalen as soon as I am able. But…then he also wished my child well and told me that Glosshen and Goldhînen would be in Ithilien by the day of my conception."

" So he was not as angry as I would have thought him to be," Aragorn gave a small breath of relief.

" You?" Legolas repeated. " I was sure he would ride out of Eryn Lasgalen as if he were riding to battle Sauron himself and force me to return home so that I would give up my child upon birth."

Once again, Aragorn was confused. " Why would he demand of you such a thing? King Thranduil could not be so strict as to actually expect such a thing from you!"

" But most times he would," Legolas stated. " Had I gotten a maiden pregnant, he would believe what I had done to be unfaithful and disgraceful to the crown of our family and forced me to marry her, whether or not it was not a loving relationship. But that would have been if I had done such a thing with a maiden. I did not even know I was capable of carrying child and neither did he. And the fact that it gives Ithilien an heir should anything happen to me tempered his anger. But the days of Elves are indeed fading, I shall not leave you until your are no longer part of this world and it matters not the fact that my child has no sire. He will be a child of Ithilien and most likely the last of the line of Oropher born to Middle Earth."

Aragorn placed a hand upon his comrade's pale one. " I am here for you, mellonamin," he told him, his tone proving his seriousness. " Shall you need anything I will help you. Arwen would kill me if I did anything else."

Legolas gave a laugh before a horn was sounded outside the window. He turned in confusion, not understanding the call. It was not the Warning Call for if Orcs or other creatures were near. It was urgent though, telling that someone was coming. He wondered momentarily why a call wasn't sounded when Aragorn arrived. There was a knock on his door and he looked to it. " Enter!" he called.

The door opened and an Elf-maiden entered, bowing respectfully. " Two riders come at high speed," she told them. " They are your brother and sister, my lord. But they have come early."

" Yes, a month early," he agreed. " But then something must be-" His words were halted by a sudden jolt of pain that went through his body, his hands going to abdomen instinctively."

" Legolas?" Aragorn steadied him, keeping him from tilting over.

" O-Oh n-no-o-o," Legolas gritted his teeth. " It's time…th-the ba-bab-by…Oh Vala-ar!"

" Now?!" Gray eyes widened. " But I believed that birth should only happen after reaching the day of conception?"

" T-Too soon," Legolas nodded shakily as he took in another deep breath. " Something is wrong! E-Estel! Something is wrong!"

Aragorn stood, pulling the blonde with him. " We have to get to the Healing wing!"

" Gol-dhînen…Glosssss-hen," he murmured. " They knnnnew…th-that's wh-why…" His voice was taken as he clenched his teeth, holding out as the next spasm past.

" No time for speaking, my friend," Aragorn told him. " You know you've become quite talkative since I last saw you. This pregnancy has done you some good indeed."

" I-I sh-shall h-hurrrrrt you!" the blonde Elf growled deep in his throat, his eyes pained but showing they intended to go through with their threat. He let out a small cry of pain then. " Some-th-thing is wrong!" The pain was beginning to overwhelm him as his eyes rolled in the back of his head and he collapsed limply against the dark-haired man.

" Nay, Legolas!" he caught the archer as he fell, and held him as carefully as he could with his condition. Now he could tell most definitely that the blonde had lost weight, for he felt lighter than before, even though he was carrying another within him. He looked to the Elf-maiden who waited for instructions by the door. " Have someone prepare a bed and the needed supplies when we get there. Have someone inform his siblings where to go. Now lead me to the Healing chambers." With that he carried the Edhel out of the room and down the halls, following after the obedient servant.

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He retuned to consciousness with a quiet cry of intense agony. His awareness came back to him all at once and his eyes regained focus. A hand was in his own and he gripped it as tight as he could, not caring whether or not he caused harm to the person it belonged to. All that mattered was the fact that he felt so weak and there was so much pain. My child! his mind cried. Is he all right? What has happened to my child?!

" Legolas?" a female's voice broke through the pain. " Muindor-tithen, answer me. It's is all right, little Leaf! We are here for you!"

" G-Gol-" he was assaulted by another bout of pain. His took a deep breath and letting it out slowly as he had been taught before. His eyes felt so tired! He wanted to return to his sleep, but knew that the pain wouldn't let him. I cannot lose myself to oblivion, not when my child needs me!

" He's too weak." Legolas heard Mithfenor. " The pregnancy had caused him problems with keeping down food since the second month. His body has lost much of its endurance, his tires too easily. I am an Elf from Lórien and know very little of such things concerning male begetting, that is why I sent for Lord Elessar. Perhaps you two will know more seeing as it runs in your own blood as well?"

" The birth will take hours, for a canal shall be formed much like that of a female," Glosshen told them. " But he very weak so it will take much longer than expected."

" Legolas," Goldhînen stroked her brother's sweat-streaked locks as his hand reached out to clench itself within her light auburn tresses as he'd done as a child. He would wrap his fingers within her hair whenever he was worried or frightened, seeking her out for comfort since their mother was dead. " You must prevail brother. Your child is in need of you!"

" Would it not be safer to cut out the child?" Aragorn inquired. " This birth will surely take away what little resistance he has left!"

" No, such things will only cause problems for the child, especially since it is early," Mithfenor told him. " Edhil-hyn are usually safe when born on or after their day of conception for it is when they have come a full year of age. To be born before then shows that something is wrong, which would be Lord Legolas' weak constitution and lack of resistance. The child cannot be cut out for it gains its full spirit by passing 'through' its birth parent's body into the world, taking strength from the parent's own fëar. Being born early only increases the need for such to be done. He must go through with this."

Legolas twisted his head to the side, acceptance in his eyes. " A-and I-I-I w-will," he spoke softly, but with resolve. " My ch-child-d wi-will live!"

" Amin hiraetha, Ernil-nin," Mithfenor apologized. " We can give you nothing for the pain, it could harm the child." Legolas turned glazed eyes onto him, giving a short nod that he had heard and understood. It was then that he let out another gasp of pain before biting into his bottom lip.

" Don't hold it in," Aragorn told him. " You'll only make it hurt more."

" He is right," Glosshen kneeled by his brother's side. " You must take breaths and let them out in huffs, do not try to fight the pain, let it pass through you. It will only become worse for you." The laboring Elf decided to give in, a loud, piercing cry breaking through and echoing around the room.

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" Adar!"

He gave a warm smile as he watched the young Elf jumped agilely from the tree. " We have returned!" He bowed respectfully, but his gray eyes were filled with happiness.

" Andúnel," he pulled his son up and gave him a loving embrace. " I see you found your trip to your Ata'da quite enjoyable?"

" Yes father," he agreed. " Grandfather wished for us to return home as soon as possible though. I believe it was the black coal around his favorite wine glasses that finally proved our need to go home."

" Andu!" he cried out. " Oh I am quite pleased that he did not ship you to the dungeons for a week!" He then looked about. " Now where is Amúntel?"

" He is remained behind with the patrol," his son explained. " I went on ahead as a scout and seeing as there was no danger, I decided to be the first here." The blonde Elf smiled as he looked his son over. His long, wavy hair was pulled back into a low ponytail while the few braids he wore hung down against his cheeks, most partially unraveled. Legolas would only guess at how he could have gotten such hair. It was silky and shiny, yet a bright auburn color with golden streaks, much like the color of the sky at sunset or sunrise. It reminded him of his mother's hair at times. His silvery grey eyes often shined when the light struck them, appearing as pale stars to his father. It was where he had gotten his name.

" There they are now!" The Lord of Eryn Gael stared out at the approaching company and smiled at the sight of a particular elf near the front of the line. The Edhel in question was speaking quite excitedly to the elder guard next to him.

He is trying to impress Ithinor again, he smiled.

The Elf finally turn towards him and immediately leapt from the back of his horse and rushed forward. Before he knew it, he was trapped within a warm embrace that he had missed the past year. " Mae govannen, Ada!" As always, the twins gave him fierce welcomes whenever they rejoined after being parted. His sons, both happy and free-spirited, were very affectionate towards him and he cherished that, for the love of his children meant the most to him.

" To you as well, ion-nin," Legolas replied. " I swear, you and your brother do enjoy to give hugs, don't you? It must be from being around Goldhînen and her lot for so long."

" Or it could perhaps be due to the fact that you yourself would hug us whenever you had the opportunity," Andúnel countered. " I could also remember as children-"

" Hush now," Legolas told him. " Come, you will bathe, for you surely need it, and then we have a well set lunch ready for all of you."

" Great!" Amúntel beamed. " Andúnel thought it was funny to pour water on my lembas to 'fatten' it up for me this morning."

His mirror image only shrugged. " You seemed rather thin, you haven't been eating as much lately. Actually, you seemed rather 'distracted' during the entire journey." A cough exited his son's throat as he glanced momentarily towards the raven-haired Elf he had spoke with for much of their trip home. The dark-haired captain of the guard was the age of their Uncle, Glosshen, four hundred years their father's senior, but that meant very little to Amúntel after knowing him all his life. Ithinor noticed his gaze and gave him a smile, nodding to him before taking his horse and that of the twins' to the stables.

" 'Tis only because you show too much patience in going after what you want, brother," he replied. " I prefer to not waste my life merely because we Edhil are 'immortal'."

" Immortality only goes so far," Legolas spoke. " Do not believe you have as much time as we often believe. We may have more time than other races, but that also gives us time to cherish what we have."

" See?" Amúntel smirked at his brother, believing he was in the right.

" But…" Legolas continued with a small grin, " that does not mean that you should rush either. Love, and all things concerned with it, comes with time. It may come fast and abrupt, or even take years to develop, but it all comes down to Time and how the Valar wish it to proceed."

" So we were both right," Andúnel figured.

" Aye," the blond nodded. " But you must follow your hearts. Love is also at times fleeting." He then cast a curious gaze towards his elder son. " But who would it mean when Amun speaks of your own 'want' of something?"

Amúntel snickered as a slight flush crept over his twin's cheeks. " He has a thing for a certain blonde we met within Ata'da's realm," he spoke conspiratorially.

" Quiet!" the older of the two warned him.

" Is there something the matter?" their father inquired. " Is there something wrong with your father knowing who your heart has sought to take interest in?"

Andúnel gave a short shake of his head. Their father had always been honest and open with them, never wanting things to come between them . They in turn had always been open with him as well. They loved how their father was very much their authority figure when it was called for and yet also their friend and confidant. He kept them on the right path while never being too overbearing or unfair, while also wise and informative.

" It is just…" he didn't know how to say it.

" Hold on," Legolas stalled him as they opened the door to his study and then went it, the blonde shutting it behind them. " Now you may speak without others hearing our conversation. You do not have to feel embarrassed. Amúntel will not speak out." Blue eyes glanced assertively towards their younger offspring.

" Aye, Ada," he nodded in consent, sighing dramatically.

" Well…" Andúnel sighed. " It's…well…It's just that he's so noble and lives so far away in Imladris. And he's practically the oldest Edhel left on Arda, save Cirdan!"

Their father was silent for a moment, thinking of the what his son could mean. All of the Edhil that had survived the First and Second Ages who dwelled in Rivendell had left for the Undying Lands. That was, all except… Bright blue eyes widened. " You mean you fallen for the Balrog Slayer?" Legolas guessed and knew he was correct from the blush deepening on his son's cheeks. " But Glorfindel is quite a catch! Why do you feel so apprehensive at being attracted to him. I admit that I myself had a short-lived crush on him when I was an Elfling."

" You did?" the twin's spoke in unison.

" Aye," Legolas nodded. " Only, as I said, it was short lived. My attention was drawn elsewhere after he kindly turned me down."

" He turned you down?!" They were even more shocked. How could anyone REJECT their father?!

" I was only thirty years with a childhood infatuation on my first visit to Imladris," he told them. " I couldn't believe that I had finally met the legendary hero of all my favorite bedtime tales. But that was nearly eight hundred years ago."

" But he is much older now," Andúnel's spirits were dampened. " He would surely think of me as nothing more than a babe!"

" Calm, ion nin," the blonde soothed his child. " Believe me, Glorfindel may indeed be aged, but that only shows the lonely life he has lived. He has spent all of the millennia since his return from Mandos' Halls watching over the family of Elrond and Imladris. Maybe now is the best time for you to relieve him of his loneliness."

" Adar!" his son was blushing at his suggestive words.

" Believe my words," he told him. " Glorfindel is not as unattainable as you fear. Do not think so little of yourself, heir to Eryn Gael." He had thought of that long ago. He knew not how long he would live with the continuous attacks on Ithilien, so he made sure that both his children were recognized as the conjoined heirs, working together as co-leaders of their realm should anything befall him. He would fight to live, but he would not have his people or his children left uncared. They would have been taken in by his most trusted advisor, Tauron, and his family, raised well until their time to take rule of Eryn Gael.

" Is it quite odd that we have been speaking of love and life when we bring a message of such importance," Andúnel decided quickly to change the subject.

" Oh yes!" Amúntel remembered. " We were caught by a messenger from Uncle Elessar. He has requested our presence within a month's time to attend the wedding of his youngest daughter, Mirien, to a newly appointed Lord of Gondor and Ithilien, Paladin, son of Boromir."

" He is indeed of good man, much like his father and grandfather before him," Legolas smiled. " She was quiet smitten with him when she was younger and he very fond in return, I almost expected this to come sooner. We shall be there, 'twill be good to see Aragorn and Arwen once more."

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Translations:

Mellonamin - my friend

Tuile - Spring

Edhel/Edhil - Elf (sing)/Elves (pl)

Yávie - Autumn

Muindor-tithen - little brother

Edhil hyn - Elven children (hope we got that right)

Fëar - spirit

Amin hiraetha, Ernil-nin - I am sorry, my Prince

Adar/Ada- Father/Dad, Daddy

Ata'da - Grandfather

Mae govannen, Ada - Well met, Dad

Ion-nin - my son

Andúnel - Starry sunset (rough translation)

Amúntel - Starry sunrise (rough translation)

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JC: See? 'Lass has kids now!

Kathrine: We're going to try and finish typing up the story as soon as possible, but you'll have quite a few chapters to keep you occupied until then.

JC: Just drop us a review and tell us what you think.

Kathrine: We'll be back in a few days with the next chapter.

JC: Hopefully with this out of our system we can finish the next chapter to BTS or SCB.

Kathrine: We can always hope.

JC: Oh, and if you're wondering why we use a lot of the same names in out stories…we spend a LOT of time just coming up with them so we 'recycle' the ones we like best. Until next time!