I was weak. By the time the gaping hole in my side had healed, I had been bedridden for over a month. My muscles had been significantly weakened by my time of apathy. It was hard even for me to walk, but I had to: Thranduil had summoned me to his chambers. I was extremely nervous. He knew of the pregnancy. He would think that I was not married, and would demand to know who the father was. I would have to tell him, he was the king. If that happened...I would be an outcast. I entered his rooms
. "Hello Captain." He said, acknowledging my presence.
"My lord." I said, bowing my head.
"I am glad to see you well. The men had been wondering where you were." He said.
"I am glad to know they cared so much." I said.
"It comes as no surprise. You fought with them for many years, and undoubtedly saved their life at one time or another." He stated. I wondered if he was avoiding the subject of my pregnancy. It was not all that noticeable, my stomach was swollen only the slightest bit.
"Thank you." I said. "Healer Sanwen told me that you were pregnant, and that was why you took so long to heal. Is this true?" He asked with an inquisitive tone.
"Yes...I believe so. She told me that I was pregnant when I woke up after the battle. I do not know if it affected my rate of healing. My wound was quite severe." I said. He nodded, taking in the information.
"Who is the father?" He suddenly blurted out.
"You will not be expecting a grandchild anytime soon, if that is what you are worried about." I said, meaning that the father was not Legolas.
"If not Legolas, then who? Surely not one of the men under your command." He said with a mixture of relief and disapproval.
"None of them either." I said, confirming his statement. "Then who?" He asked, obviously not going to be content until he knew the father. I stayed silent for a while, thinking. If I told him that the father was Kili, then he would not be pleased, and I may lose my command. However, I already confirmed that it was none of the men under my command, and I didn't usually talk to many people outside of the Guard due to my busy workload. Eventually, I came up with a question.
"Why does it matter to you? You are not carrying the child, and I am not related to you in anyway." I said. I only appeared to make him angry.
"It matters because you are the Captain of the Forest Guard. I cannot have a pregnant guard member, especially the captain! You are supposed to lead the men, instead you will have to stay behind! The guard was a mess when you were...otherwise occupied." He said with distaste lingering in the air. I knew he meant when I went to Laketown.
"My lord, I did what I had to do. The evil surround our lands is unceasing and we are only defending ever-shrinking borders! What—" He cut me off. "I will not take insolence. You are dismissed." He said, his voice hard. I walked out of the room, head bowed in shame. I had avoided betraying Kili's and my secret, but at what cost? Was I to be declared insubordinate and stripped of my rank? I walked to my room, full of questions.
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