Chapter One
~Legolas~
I watch Elora sleep and wonder if she'll ever wake up. Whatever dream Thalion has her in, she doesn't want to wake up from it. It has been four months. It was the night after Aragorn's crowning. All of us men we having a drinking contest and Elora was at my side when she passed out. We tried everything to wake her up. Aragorn hardly leaves her side, much less than I do. Lord Elrond had managed to save the baby, our son. Lord Elrond believes that Elora will wake up, and hope with all my heart that he is right.
~Elora~
I open my eyes and smile. What a lovely dream that was. I smile but then look around and see that I am in the house of healing. "Why am I here?" I ask and sit up slowly. I see Legolas at my bed side, in chair asleep. Ada comes over and stares at me as if he's seen a ghost.
"You're awake!" Ada grabs me and pulls me into a bear hug and cries.
"Ada what is wrong?" I ask and he sits up.
"You've been asleep for four months." Ada answers and my eyes widen.
"That's not possible. I...Thalion." I spit his name and then turn to Legolas. "Do not wake him ada, I will in a few minutes. I have to tell you though I had the most wonderful dream. I had two kids a boy and a girl, Thranduil and Arlayna. I also had two siblings, Eldarion and Lenna. It seemed so real." I explain and ada cups the back of my head.
"Your mother is worried sick about you. I will go get her. I have missed you so lellig." Ada says and kisses my forehead. He gets up and heads off.
I take the extra blanket from the edge of the bed and cover Legolas. "Melamin, I am so sorry I have worried you so much." I whisper as I notice the dark shadows under his eyes. I reach over and lightly kiss him.
"Elora?" Nana asks coming in the room. I look over and she comes to my side with tears trailing down her cheeks. It is a shock to see her still, I went so long without seeing her, in the dream I may have seen her but this feels so much different, because it's real. I cry and bury my face into her shoulder.
"Four months of my life are wasted because of Thalion." I sob and she rubs my back. The feeling of her arms around me became almost foreign while I was on the quest.
"Shh, baby, it's alright. Everything will be alright." Nana whispers soothingly while rubbing my back and kissing my head. I look to the side as Legolas groans in his sleep. I get up and rub his cheek and he relaxes again. "He and your father have barely left your side, when they did they did not sleep. This is the first time I have seen Legolas asleep so deeply." Nana says and I hold his hand. Nana's hand rests on my shoulder and I lean into her then feel something off.
"Nana are you pregnant?" I ask and she smiles.
"Yes I am." She answers and I smile. "Three months." Nana adds and I hug her, momentarily letting go of Legolas's hand. Then remember, I was pregnant. I put my hand on my stomach and there is nothing. Tears fill my eyes and slide down my cheeks. "Lellig, do not cry, your grandfather did not let Thalion take something so precious from you." Nana pulls me into her arms and I look at her.
"So my baby is alright?" I ask myself and feel a weight lift off my chest.
"My lady Arwen, King Elessar wishes to see you." A guard says and nana kisses my head.
"I will see you later Elora." Nana leaves and I turn my attention to Legolas.
I hold his hand tightly and rub my thumb across his knuckles. I think about the quest and memories of Legolas fighting and how he looked at me pop into my head. The concentration in his face, how agile he is and then how he looked at me after, his face full of confidence and a little bit of pride. When we were not in battle his eyes held only love as did his touch. You would think that his hands would have a slightly rough texture, like ada's, but no his hands have always been soft and warm. His lips, his lips are also soft but I think everybody's lips are soft. When he kisses me though, he kisses me like that's the only kiss he'll get and when he opens his eyes I'll be gone. When he holds me it's as if I'll break. Legolas Greenleaf, the only love I have ever had.
Legolas groans, drawing me from my thoughts. I don't think sleeping on a chair is very comfortable. I pick him up the best I can and bring him onto the bed. I lay his head in my lap and he relaxes again. I wonder if he's having a nightmare? My question is answered when his eyebrows knit together and he groans again.
"Legolas?" I shake his shoulder but no response. "Legolas!" I shake his shoulder again. He bolts upright hitting his head on mine. "Ow!" I shout and rub my forehead. He does the same. I meet his blue eyes and they're full of surprise and unshed tears. He sits up and pulls me into his arms and presses his lips to my cheek. He pulls away and wipe away his tears.
"Did you really think I would leave you for a dream?" I ask softly and rest my head on his chest.
"I have missed you so much." Legolas replies and I look up. He leans down and puts his lips on mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and sit up on my knees. The feeling of his lips on mine wakes up the rest of my body, as if it was still sleeping.
He breaks the kiss and cups my face. He's crying as he puts his forehead on mine. "Can we go for a walk? After all I haven't moved in four months." I state and he nods. Carefully Legolas helps me stand. My legs feel like jelly.
"Hang on to me and let's get you legs used to moving again." I take his elbow and we carefully walk out of the house of healing. I cool summer breeze blows my hair back, which has gotten significantly longer, and fills my nose. I hear birds chirping and laughter of the towns people. Two children run past us laughing and I smile.
"Has it been peaceful?" I ask looking around as people bow their heads to Legolas and I as we pass.
"So far yes. I would like to show you something." Legolas leads me around a corner to where we come upon a garden, with a little pond in it.
I look around and spot white roses. I let go of Legolas's arm and make my way over to them. My legs still feel numb and tingly but I can't rely on Legolas for everything, no matter how much he'd like me to.
"Wow! It's amazing." I state then walk over to the violets.
"I knew you would like it." Legolas wraps his arm around my waist and picks a violet putting it behind my ear. "Come, I think you would like to meet someone." Legolas leads me inside and King Thranduil stands with his back to us.
"Now, you're going to grow up to be a wonderful king." King Thranduil says down into his arms and my mood brightens.
"Ada!" Legolas calls out. King Thranduil turns around and in his arms is a small infant wrapped in a blue blanket.
"Elora, come and meet your son, Thranduil." I let go of Legolas's hand and run over to my soon-to-be father in law. He hands me the baby who has his father's blue eyes and my grandfather's brown hair. He smiles and holds his hand up to my face. He makes happy baby noises and I smile and bounce him.
"Hey there little man, I'm so happy I get to meet you, you have to thank your great grandfather Lord Elrond for saving you and thank your grandfather for taking care of you." I say and then look up at King Thranduil.
"Thank-you so much." I say and he smiles.
"Anything for my family." He replies and I turn around to Legolas who comes over and puts his hand on his son's head.
"When he was first born he didn't stop crying until Lord Elrond put him on your chest. After that he wouldn't stay in one person's arms too long, he likes being passed around." Legolas explains and I pout.
"But I want to hog him today." I whine and Legolas laughs.
"You can, I'm sure he will be fine if you do. Let us go see our friends." I look up at him curiously. "They didn't want to leave until you woke up." He explains and I nod then look back down at my son.
Legolas puts his hand on my lower back and I keep my shoulder pressed into his side. "Elora!" I hear Merry and Pippin yell. I look up and they come running and hug me.
"Hello, I am sorry for worrying you all." I state as Frodo, Sam, Faramir, and Eowyn come over to us.
"There is nothing to apologize for, it is not your fault. We have sent out soldiers to see of they can find, at least a trace, of where Thalion is hiding." Faramir replies and I nod.
"Is my grandfather still here?" I ask wanting to thank him for saving my son.
"Yes, he should be in the throne room with King Elessar and queen Arwen." Eowyn says and I smile. I go over and hug her the best I can.
"Thank you all for staying here, I hope it did not cause you any inconvenience." I say and they all shake their heads.
"No, but we will all be leaving in the morning since you have woken up." Frodo says and I kneel down to my friend's height.
"Alright, and I hope you all find someone back home. And Sam, I hope you and Rosie hit it off and I hope to receive an invitation to the wedding." I tease and Sam blushes.
"You will my lady. I am glad to see you are alright, and your son is a cute one." Sam compliments and I smile.
"Thank-you Sam, I will see you all later for dinner then. Have a good day." I state and they all nod.
"As you my lady, enjoy your day prince Legolas." Faramir replies.
"I will, thank-you." Legolas looks down at our son and I smile.
"Sorry but I already told you I am hogging him." I tease and Legolas pouts. "I am kidding Legolas." I hand Thranduil to him and Thranduil grabs his finger.
"Is nana smothering you?" Legolas asks and I lightly hit his arm.
"Elora." I turn to my right and see grandfather standing there. I run over to him and wrap my arms around him. He returns the hug and flattens my hair.
"Thank-you for saving my son." I say, crying happy tears.
"I would not have it any other way. He is only a month old." Grandfather replies and I step back. "I am leaving now but heard you woke up and I had to see my granddaughter smiling one last time before I left. I will see you again in a few months when your younger sibling is born." Grandfather says and I nod.
"I will wait for that day with as much patience I can muster. I love you grandfather." I hug him again.
"I love you to Elora." With those parting words I head back to Legolas who sits on a bench, talking baby talk to Thranduil.
"You know I'm going to help you grow up strong, so you can protect your naneth and younger siblings, and one day the girl you love." I smile and watch silently, not wanting to disturb the moment. "You nana is amazing Thranduil and she brought you into this world, such a wonderful little elfing you are, my special son." Legolas says and Thranduil makes happy baby noises and pats Legolas's cheek. I go over and sit beside him.
"You two make wonderful children, I must say." Legolas hands Thranduil to me and stands in front of us.
"Thalion leave!" Legolas orders angrily, drawing his sword.
"Oh such a pity it would be to leave without doing some damage." Thalion relies.
"Ada!" I scream as Thalion pulls out his own sword.
Ada comes running out with Anduin drawn. "Thalion! Leave!" Ada demands as he takes up arms beside Legolas.
"Um, no." Thalion turns and swings his sword so fast it's almost inhuman. His sword connects with ada's side.
"Ada!" I shout and Legolas cuts Thalion's arm, getting his attention on him. I go to ada's side and put Thranduil in one arm while holding ada up with the other. I look and Thalion disappears. Legolas turns to me, he has a cut on his left cheek and one on his right collarbone
"Let me.I'll take him down to the house of healing, you go get your mother." Legolas puts one of ada's arms over his shoulder and takes him down to the house of healing.
I quickly head inside and find naneth in the kitchen, helping to prepare dinner. "Nana, Thalion attacked us and cut ada, Legolas took him down to the house of healing." I state and nana picks up her dress and follows me down to the house of healing.
Once we get there nana goes to ada's side and I go to Legolas's, his cuts are being treated and he looks over at me. "After this, I am going down to the archery fields, would you like to come?" Legolas asks and I shake my head.
"I think I will walk around the halls to figure out where everything is." I answer and he nods. Legolas gets up and grabs my hips.
"If I do not come to you in an hour I will be checking on Aragorn." He says and I nod. He leans down and presses his lips to mine. I kiss back. He breaks the kiss and heads out of the healing house.
I go over to nana and see that ada is resting now. "I will walking the halls, probably with King Thranduil, I will see you later nana." I lean down and kiss her cheek then ada's.
"I will be here with your father." She replies softly.
"Do not stress or worry too much nana, after all, he survived falling off a cliff I don't think a cut will do much damage." I state and nana laughs.
"Your father is reckless. I will see you later." Nana kisses my cheek then I head out and into the palace.
Later that night I stand on the roof looking out over the land with nana at my side. King Thranduil took his grandson after dinner and Legolas went to check on ada. "Your father should be on his feet again tomorrow." Nana says and I smile.
"Ah, do you think I would let a cut keep me off my feet that long? I feel off a cliff and fought the war at helm's deep the same day." Ada states, coming up behind nana. I laugh as nana shakes her head.
"You are too reckless for your own good, whatever luck you live by is a rare one." Nana replies and I smile.
I feel hands on my hips and lean back into the arms. "We will leave you two be, goodnight." Ada says and kisses my cheek.
"Goodnight ada, nana." They leave and Legolas puts his chin on my shoulder and kisses my neck.
"Why don't we celebrate the fact that you have woken up today." He whispers, his breath hot on my neck sending shivers down my spine.
"Our son is only a month old and you already want to have another one?" I ask and he kisses my cheek.
"It would be a year before the baby is born, Thranduil is an elf, they grow faster in mentality than that of a child of man." Legolas points out and I sigh.
"You are one naughty elf boy, we aren't even married yet." I point out and he kisses my cheek again.
"That didn't stop is from having Thranduil." He says and I turn and kiss him. He kisses back and I smile into the kiss. He pulls away and kisses my nose.
"You and your words get me everytime Greenleaf." I say and he smiles a confident smile. "That smile makes you look like an ass." I point out and he laughs.
"Well isn't this cute." I voice states from the shadows. Legolas pushes me behind him and draws his sword. My eyes widen in realization, this is my premonition with a few minor changes.
"Thalion! Show yourself instead of hiding in the shadow like a coward!" Legolas shouts and Thalion appears in front of him.
"You want a fight? It will come, in due time but not tonight." Thalion disappears but a rose falls to the ground. This rose is black. I go over and pick it up then turn to Legolas.
"What is he planning?" I ask and Legolas pulls me close.
"I do not know melamin, but it is not good. Come, let's get rid of that." He answers then takes the rose.
We head in and toss the rose into the fire place then head to our room. It is safe to say that, this night we did not sleep but found a distraction from the Thalion's threat.
