Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own anything Tolkien created. Nope, not a thing.
Sanctuary
OIOIO
Warning: Yes this is an m-preg, as in male pregnancy. I know anatomically it is impossible in the real world but I like the idea (mainly for the Legolas suffering that goes with it). Please, if you are dead set against this kind of thing then don't read then complain that you weren't warned.
OIOI
Chapter 12 ~ Increasing Pressures
OIOI
Month 12…
"Good morning," Elrond smiled brightly when a rather ruffled-looking Legolas stepped from their bedroom.
"Is it?" he grumbled, sitting down heavily in an armchair. With less than a month left until the birth, the usually active prince found it difficult now to even walk around his rooms let alone do much else. Unfortunately, being stuck indoors and practically confined to his bedroom did nothing for the prince's mood. He missed his daily walks in the gardens – now all he could do was stand on his balcony and watch the beauty of Rivendell from above rather than being actively inside it. The one time he had tried to venture towards his favourite spot in the grounds he had only reached the entrance hall before he had found himself out of breath and longing for somewhere to lay down. Luckily, Elladan and Elrohir just happened to be returning from one of their trips and had supported him back to the comfort of his rooms. When Elrond had found out, he had been furious and forbidden him to go too far.
"Oh dear. Not in a good mood?" Elrond smiled, looking up from the papers he was reading. The prince just glared at him. "Did you not sleep well?"
"What do you think?" Legolas snapped. Upon Elrond's frown the prince sighed softly. "I'm sorry. It's just every time I lay down at night to sleep they start kicking. It's like they wait until I go to bed then decide to torture me."
Elrond considered this for a moment. "Then sleep when they are quiet," Elrond said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"What? During the day?" Legolas asked, stunned.
The Elven lord laughed softly, putting his papers down and shifting to the edge of the seat. "Yes, during the day. You can sleep whenever you like, you know." Legolas looked confused at this but Elrond refrained from laughing again. "Listen, whenever you're feeling tired, wait until the twins are quiet go and lie down and sleep for a while. At this stage of your pregnancy you have to take every opportunity you can to rest. It won't hurt you to take a nap during the day if you need to."
"Fine," Legolas snapped, looking even more miserable than before.
Taking the prince's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, Elrond said, "I know it's hard, my love." Legolas nodded and tried to work up a convincing smile, which Elrond appreciated. "Now, how about some breakfast? Are you hungry?"
This seemed to cheer the pregnant Elf significantly and he nodded. "Starving."
"Then I shall order us breakfast. You stay here and we'll eat together this morning." Legolas nodded again and Elrond went to retrieve a good breakfast for them both. As soon as he returned, Legolas hungrily tucked into the food, clearing his full plate then helping himself to some of the fruit placed between them. "So, this evening I thought we could meet up with the twins and Arwen in the Halls of Fire, just to spend some time together…as a family," Elrond suggested after a while of watching Legolas happily eating.
"Sounds good," Legolas said through a mouthful of apple.
"We could just sit, read – nothing strenuous."
Legolas nodded. "Can Glorfindel join us?"
Although a little surprised, Elrond knew that his seneschal had been a good friend to Legolas during his difficult pregnancy and for that he was grateful. "Yes, of course. If he's not too busy he can come."
"Thank you."
"Of course. Maybe we should invite Erestor as well."
Legolas pulled a face. "No, I don't think so. I know he's your advisor and he's valuable to you in the running of Imladris but…"
"Not friendship material?" Elrond laughed knowingly and Legolas smiled up at him. "I know he can be a bit cold sometimes but he had a good heart."
"I know," Legolas sighed heavily.
"So, shall I invite him too?"
"If you want," Legolas said vaguely. "Are you going to eat that?" he asked, pointing with his fork to Elrond's scrambled eggs.
"No. Help yourself," the Elven lord said, handing him the plate containing the remains of his breakfast. He liked to see Legolas' appetite at its peak and smiled as Legolas polished off his stolen eggs. "Right, I have to get to work," Elrond said, standing up. "Will you be all right until this evening?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. See you later."
Leaning down to kiss him, Elrond smiled gently. "I love you." The prince smiled up at him through his eating but didn't say anything, knowing Elrond understood that he returned the sentiment.
Once more, Legolas spent the day alone in his rooms, sitting on the balcony for most of the morning. At lunch time, Glorfindel stopped by to bring him lunch as he did most afternoons when Elrond couldn't make it and they ate together, talking about all manner of things – the upcoming parents, the on-going human negotiations that continued to drag on, the general goings on in Imladris and anything else that came into mind. Legolas enjoyed these lunches and talks. Really, besides Elrond's children, Glorfindel was his only friend in Rivendell and he valued that friendship greatly. The seneschal also enjoyed Legolas' company. The prince was always good companionship; easy to talk to, sharp-minded and witty when appropriate. The two had always gotten along during Legolas' extended stays in Rivendell although unshakeable responsibilities and difference in rank had never really permitted a friendship but now Legolas was free of all that and it turned out that a friendship was blooming.
Duty called Glorfindel back to his office and Legolas spent the afternoon tweaking the furniture in the nursery until he was satisfied – for today, anyway. No doubt tomorrow it would need changing again. Elrond merely teased him about his 'nesting' but allowed him to fiddle with the nursery all he liked. In Legolas' mind, it had to be perfect – his children deserved perfection.
Just before Elrond was due back, Legolas changed into his fine robe and retrieved a book from Elrond's shelf to read, knowing it would be a quiet evening after dinner.
He was proven correct. Elladan and Elrohir were always far too excitable for dinner to become boring and Legolas happily laughed at their stories. When the party – which happily included Glorfindel and not so happily also contained Erestor – moved to the Halls of Fire, chatting quietly to each other, things started to calm down amongst them. Whilst Glorfindel, Erestor and Legolas took comfortable armchairs between them, Elrond and Arwen reclined on the divan, Elrond holding his daughter close. Soon they were all settled, either talking quietly or reading.
All the tension drained from them as they sat in the cosy but spacious hall, firelight flickering gently. Usually, the Hall was used for events during the day and in the evening people gathered there freely, talking, singing, telling stories and generally mingling. Tonight though it was off limits to the general public for the lord's private use.
By ten that night, just as the twins and Arwen were regaling the others with comedic tales of their childhood, Legolas lowered his book and tried to stifle a yawn behind his raised hand. He didn't notice Glorfindel's sharp eyes on him as he continued reading, fighting to keep his eyelids from drooping.
When a few minutes later his book nearly slipped from his hand as sleep almost took him, Glorfindel smiled. Standing, he walked over to Elrond, who was speaking softly to Arwen. He placed his hand on his lord's shoulder and Elrond looked up at him.
"Excuse me, sir, but I think perhaps you should take the prince back to his rooms," Glorfindel said, nodding over to Legolas.
Elrond turned to see his love trying to conceal another yawn behind his hand. "Right. Thank you, Glorfindel." He placed a kiss on his daughter's cheek before standing up and going over to the prince who was trying to concentrate on his reading.
"Legolas?" Elrond asked, laying his hand on Legolas' arm and the blonde Elf looked up. "Ready for bed?"
The prince looked around at the others, who were watching them with small smiles. "You don't have to leave," Legolas said quietly.
"I want to. I'm exhausted after all these Human negotiations. Come on, let's go." Legolas nodded so Elrond held out his hand to help Legolas up out of the chair. "Goodnight, everyone," Elrond called back as they left to a chorus of 'goodnight's'. "You weren't too bored tonight, were you?"
"Not at all," Legolas smiled, leaning into Elrond as an arm went around him. "I enjoyed it actually."
"Good. I'm glad."
When they reached their rooms, both immediately got into his nightclothes and climbed into bed. It didn't take long for Elrond to drift off into a peaceful sleep with Legolas laid against him. Sleep did not come so easily for Legolas though. Despite being tired, he just couldn't settle, no matter how often he shifted position in bed. Closing his eyes with a heavy sigh, Legolas decided to attempt to force his mind into rest and ignore the bodily complaints that bothered him.
At nearly two in the morning, Legolas finally admitted defeat and opened his eyes. Forcing himself to rest wasn't working either. Turning his head to the side he saw Elrond sound asleep beside him, untroubled by his bed-mate's discomfort. Although he wanted nothing more than for Elrond to move into a position where he could lie against him with the needed support as they had done previously, Legolas would never consider purposefully disturbing his rest for his own gain, especially not as Elrond had already confessed to his own tiredness. So he suffered in silence, lying quietly until his body ached so much that he honestly felt that he couldn't lie in bed any longer.
Levering himself up, Legolas carefully climbed out of bed, being cautious of waking his partner. His extra weight meant it was impossible to do smoothly and he suddenly felt Elrond's hand on his arm.
"Legolas? What are you doing?" Elrond asked sleepily.
"I can't sleep."
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. Go back to sleep," Legolas urged quietly, getting out of bed.
"Come back to bed."
Pulling on his dressing gown, Legolas shook his head. "I can't sleep," he said with a false, weak smile.
"Let me help," Elrond said, going to sit up and rearrange the pillows so Legolas could lay against him again to aid him in sleep.
"No, it's fine," Legolas said, holding up his hand to stop Elrond. "Really, I think I just need to walk around for a while."
"Being on your feet won't help you sleep. You need to lie down."
"I don't want to keep you up as well. There's no point in both of us being kept awake. You go back to sleep."
"Legolas…" Elrond sighed.
"I'll be fine, Elrond. I'll be back soon. I'll be more tired after a walk."
Concerned for his love, Elrond asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Legolas smiled, despite wanting nothing more than to crawl back into bed, be enveloped in Elrond's comforting arm and cry himself into a much-needed, exhausted sleep but his conscience, not to mention his pride, kept him from doing so. "I'll be back soon. Go to sleep."
As Legolas left the bedroom, Elrond reluctantly laid down and despite his worry for Legolas' well-being and quickly fell back to sleep.
Legolas, meanwhile, wandered around the lounge on silent feet. Unfortunately, Elrond was correct in that the movement did little to alleviate his discomfort and it only put more pressure on his aching legs and ankles. Giving up entirely on the idea of going back to bed that night, Legolas picked up the book he had started in the Halls of Fire that night and sat down in front of the fire. Settling himself in for a long, once more sleepless night, Legolas propped his elbow up on the arm of the chair and tried to lose himself in his book. Reading by firelight was at least relaxing and the enchanting words did distract him from the pain.
Elrond woke to the sound of pouring rain pounding against the windows and he sat up in bed. Casting a confused look to Legolas' side of the bed, Elrond climbed out of bed and pulled on his dressing gown. Despite the grey, dismal outlook over Imladris, Elrond knew it was no later than seven in the morning. Usually, Legolas was still asleep at this time of morning despite being an early riser in the past.
Frowning slightly, Elrond padded across the room and opened the door to the lounge, his eyes immediately lighting on Legolas sitting in the armchair by the lit fire, fully dressed for the day ahead. He walked over and smiled when Legolas looked up at him.
"You're up early," Elrond said, sitting down in the chair opposite him. Although Legolas smiled at him Elrond could clearly see how pale he was and how tired he looked. The prince's pale face remained impassive but his eyes clearly showed how much discomfort he was in. "Did you get any sleep at all last night?" the older Elf asked, leaning forwards and putting his hands on Legolas' knees. Legolas merely smiled meekly, confirming his suspicions. "Melleth nin," Elrond sighed sympathetically. "You should have come in and woken me."
"You looked so peaceful that I didn't like to disturb you. Besides, I was fine sat here. I read," Legolas told him, displaying the book he still held in his hand.
Despite Legolas' nonchalance about it, Elrond could see that he was suffering still. "Oh, Legolas," he sighed, his warm hand caressing the pale cheek. Although he wanted nothing more than to stay with his love all day, he knew that soon Erestor would come searching for him to start the day. "I really have to get dressed," he told Legolas, standing from his seat. "You really should keep your feet up; it'll help reduce the swelling and ease the ache," he said gently, lifting Legolas' feet up and taking his boots off for him. He pulled the footstool close and put a soft cushion on it before carefully placing Legolas' feet up on it, making certain he was comfortable.
Legolas smiled at him as Elrond returned to the bedroom and quickly readied himself for the day within thirty minutes he was fully dressed in burgundy and gold formal robes and stepped back into the warm lounge to collect his papers.
"Promise me you'll get some rest today," he said from his desk and Legolas nodded in response. "I have a few meetings this morning but maybe I can get free long enough to have lunch with you later."
"Sounds good," Legolas smiled, watching Elrond move gracefully around the room.
"The maids should be here in a few minutes to tidy the rooms so you can ask them to bring you some breakfast. Unless you want me to order you something before I go."
"I'm fine, thank you."
"All right," Elrond said, finally turning to the pregnant Elf. "I have to go. Get some rest and send for me if you need me. I'll see you later." He kissed Legolas deeply on the lips and hurried out the door to meet with his advisors.
Now alone, Legolas let his façade slide away and his shoulders stooped and a sigh escaped him. He rubbed his aching eyes as he let his head fall back. With nothing else to do, he opened his eyes and started reading. The maids did indeed come by and made the bed, tidying up as they went but Legolas didn't bother asking them to bring him any food, he didn't think he had the energy to eat anyway.
He remained in the same chair all morning, too tired to bother moving. He read his book until he reached the end then, not being able to sleep, started from the beginning again. Every hour or so he would lower his novel, shift position, lay his head back and close his eyes, hoping sleep might suddenly take him but he always found himself once more alert.
At around midday, a respected knock came from the door, causing him to look up in surprise. No one had bothered him all morning. "Come in," he called, not wanting to get up to answer it. The door opened cautiously and the visitor stepped inside. "Glorfindel, what are you doing here?" Legolas smiled politely, not having expected his friend today.
"Good afternoon, Legolas. I didn't want to disturb you if you were resting," Glorfindel smiled, closing the door behind him.
"Not much chance of that," the prince laughed, gesturing to his belly.
"I brought you lunch. Lord Elrond is stuck in a meeting with the Humans. He sends his apologies that he couldn't be here." Legolas forced a smile onto his face, despite his disappointment. "I'm afraid I can't stay long either. I'm swamped in paperwork today," Glorfindel said, placing the plate of food he was carrying on a table and dragging it closer to the chair. "There. It is your favourite according to Elrond."
"Glorfindel, before you go could you please give me a hand up?" Legolas asked, laying his book down.
"Of course," the captain said, holding out his hand for Legolas to take and carefully pulling him up. He ensured Legolas was steady before releasing him and Legolas immediately shuffled into the bathroom. Whilst the prince was out of the room, Glorfindel busied himself stoking the fire and fluffing up the pillows on the chair.
"Thank you," Legolas said when he returned.
"You are welcome." Glorfindel watched Legolas stretch his cramped muscles uneasily then asked, "Is there anything I can get you?"
"I wouldn't mind a new book to read," Legolas replied, easing himself awkwardly back down into the chair. "I'm afraid this one is losing its appeal the second time around."
"Then I shall raid Elrond's library for you to find something more entertaining."
"And maybe some tea," Legolas added as the seneschal walked to the door.
"Book and tea. Got it."
It didn't take long for Glorfindel to fetch back a selection of books for Legolas to choose from. "Reading material," Glorfindel said, placing the books on the table. "And a mug of Rivendell's finest herbal tea." He handed the mug to Legolas who accepted it gratefully.
"Thank you."
"Would you like me to help you to bed? You look like you could use some sleep."
"No, thank you. I'm fine here."
"Are you sure? I could get some more pillows to prop you up, then you could just sit in bed. That way you could sleep if you wanted to."
"I prefer sitting here."
Glorfindel sighed, regarding the prince with a sharp gaze. "I feel bad just leaving you here with no help."
"I'll be fine, Glorfindel. Although if it would make you feel better you could put my feet up on the stool for me," Legolas smiled.
Cocking his golden head to the side in question, Glorfindel did as instructed, carefully placing Legolas' feet on the fluffed up pillow. "I sincerely hope you are teasing me, Your Highness." Legolas just smiled at him, not answering the suspicious question. "There. How is that?"
"Beautifully done, Captain. Elrond would be proud."
Glorfindel laughed and said, "Now you are definitely teasing. Is there anything else before I go?"
"I think that's it for now."
"Right, I'll be around all afternoon so you can send someone to my office to fetch me if you need anything at all," Glorfindel said seriously, going to the door.
"Thank you, Glorfindel."
"See you later." And with that he was left alone again. He drained his tea, happily reading the new book then finished off half the lunch Glorfindel had brought him.
Sitting quietly before the fireplace was certainly relaxing and it apparently also relaxed the children inside him as they finally stopped moving about as the afternoon crawled on. By the time evening was drawing in, Legolas' body had reached its limit and without even realising it, his eyes fell closed, his head leaned back against the wing of the armchair and the book lay precariously balanced in his lax fingers, the other hand resting protectively over his swollen stomach.
When Elrond returned to his rooms at around nine that night, his eyes immediately found the sleeping prince. Smiling softly, he closed the door, wincing even at the quiet click the latch made. Silent feet took him across the lounge and into the bathroom where he quickly shed his formal robes for something more comfortable. He retrieved a soft blanket from the bed and padded back to the lounge.
Another smile played across his lips when he noticed the awkward angle at which Legolas was laid in the chair. It couldn't possibly have been comfortable and yet the prince looked peaceful enough. Carefully, Elrond took the open book from between limp fingers and placed it on the table then he gently laid the blanket over the blonde Elf. Legolas stirred and shifted slightly but he didn't wake so Elrond stepped back, deciding to leave his love to sleep while he could. Satisfied that Legolas was resting easy, Elrond went to his desk to sign the papers Erestor had left with him earlier.
OIOI
Hushed voices filled Legolas' mind and he frowned slightly before opening his eyes and looking about blearily. He saw Elrond stood in the doorway speaking in a low voice to an Elf Legolas didn't recognise, although he assumed from the formal robes and harrowed look – not to mention the annoyance in Elrond's voice – that he was one of the lord's advisors.
Clearly, Elrond wasn't happy and after a minute he waved the advisor away, at which the tall Elf bowed and stepped back as Elrond carefully closed the door with a heavy sigh.
When the Elven lord turned around he noticed beautiful blue eyes watching him tiredly. He sighed again, apologetically this time, and walked over to his partner. "Legolas, I am so sorry. I was trying not to wake you," he said quietly.
"You're back," Legolas croaked unnecessarily.
"For about an hour now. Maybe you should move to the bed so you can…"
"No, Elrond. Please, I am fine here. It doesn't hurt so much in this position," the pregnant Elf pleaded. It had, after all, taken all day to find a position that didn't cause red hot pain to shoot down his strained back and sides.
Elrond looked rather doubtful as he took in the awkward angle at which Legolas was reclined back in the old armchair. To his eyes it couldn't possibly have been comfortable but he wasn't going to argue with the prince so he nodded. "All right, melleth nin. Whatever you want; wherever you feel at ease. Try to sleep some more."
The younger Elf didn't argue with this and closed his eyes in the hope of returning to his slumber. He heard Elrond moving quietly around their chambers, clearly trying hard not to make any loud noise that might disturb his partner. The soft sounds moved to the bathroom as the prince followed them with his sharp hearing.
Unfortunately, whatever comfort Legolas had previously found in his odd position had by now vanished and he found that he couldn't force his mind back into sleep nor push back the aching in his back. With a sigh, he opened his eyes again and sat up straight in the chair. A groan escaped his lips at the increased pain in his lower back, ironically having been exacerbated by his 'comfortable' position.
Elrond was instantly at his side when he heard the sound. "Legolas, are you all right?" he asked in concern as Legolas painfully pulled his blanketed feet off the footstool.
The prince nodded and forced a smile onto his lips despite the aching. "Sleep once more eludes me, it seems."
"I'm sorry, my love," Elrond whispered as he perched on the arm of the chair. His hand came to Legolas' face and gentle fingers smoothed messy hair from the pale features.
Running his hands down his face and tired eyes, Legolas yawned. "It's not your fault." He leaned into Elrond's embrace, feeling a tender kiss being pressed into his hair. For a moment, he closed his eyes and simply basked in Elrond's freely-given love. He listened to the beating of the heart beneath his ear, comforted by the strength that laid there.
Suddenly, Elrond's deep voice rumbled beneath his ear and he opened his eyes. "Have you eaten today? I could go get you some honey bread with oranges. That is your latest craving, is it not?"
Pulling back, Legolas replied, "Honey bread does sound good – but oranges? Lemon sounds far nicer." The prince smiled at Elrond's grimace of disgust.
"Your wish is my command, no matter how unpleasant it may be," Elrond chuckled, kissing Legolas once more before standing to leave. "I'll be right back."
Whilst the Elven lord retrieved them some food, Legolas levered himself out of the chair, not bothering to disguise his wince of pain now that there was no one around to see it. He carefully folded the blanket Elrond had placed over him and laid it neatly on the back of the chair.
After nearly fifteen minutes of waiting for Elrond's return, the prince strolled into the bathroom and set the water running. He was just starting to unbutton his shirt when the lounge door opened and Elrond called his name.
"In the bathroom," he responded over the sound of running water.
"Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Elrond's head peered around the door and he quirked a smile. "I'm sorry I was so long. Erestor waylaid me again. I got your honey bread, drizzled with bitter lemon and even the smell of it is turning my stomach."
"Oh, I was hoping to…" Legolas smiled dismissively, turning his water off.
"You can eat and bathe at the same time. Get in your bath, eat your vile food and relax."
"What about you?"
"I have some work to finish off." Elrond moved close and pressed his firm body against that of his love. "I'll leave you to rest for a while." He deeply kissed the prince, laid the plate of honey bread on the side then backed out of the bathroom, pulling the door closed behind him and leaving Legolas to his food and his bath, for which the prince was secretly grateful.
He lowered himself into the bath and leaned back with a satisfied murmur of pleasure. The warm water soothed his painful body and he laid back further, enjoying the nearly weightless feeling it created, easing away all the pressure the pregnancy was forcing his body to endure. He idly picked at his bitter-sweet treat until nothing but soggy crumbs remained on the plate. Closing his eyes, Legolas focused only on the liquid warmth surrounding him and after a few minutes, despite the cooling water, he found himself drifting off into sleep.
Elrond, meanwhile, sat cross-legged on the large double bed, reading through yet more work on the trade negotiations that Erestor insisted he complete, only occasionally taking a mouthful of his own snack, which lay on the plate at his side.
After nearly an hour and a half, Elrond looked up in concern at the bathroom door. Surely Legolas should have been done by now. Climbing carefully up so he didn't knock his pile of papers to the floor, Elrond went to the bathroom door and knocked gently. Although he received no response, he entered anyway and found Legolas had fallen asleep in the water.
"Legolas?" he asked, perching on the edge of the tub. He let his fingers dangle in the water and was not really surprised to find it stone cold. Raising his fingers to caress Legolas' slightly damp hair, Elrond called his name again. This time Legolas stirred but did not wake. "Come on, melleth nin. Time to wake up. Open your eyes."
Blue orbs, slightly dazed, fluttered open but he mumbled, "Go away."
"I can't, my love. You have to get out of there now," Elrond said kindly, taking Legolas' arm to help him up.
"No," the prince whimpered.
"Yes. Come, this water is cold."
"Just run fresh water, then," Legolas murmured, his eyes slipping closed again.
"No, Legolas, you have to get out now."
"Please."
"You have been in there for hours, we have to get you dry," Elrond told him in sympathy.
"But it's nice."
"I know, but you can't stay in the water all night."
"Why?"
"Because it's cold and it won't be good for the children if you get sick. The pregnancy has weakened your immune system so it's easier now for you to catch a chill," the Elven lord explained patiently.
"I don't want to."
"Well, you have to," Elrond told him bluntly, reaching into the water and pulling out the plug, so the cold water drained away.
"No, Elrond, please," the prince cried pleadingly.
"I'm sorry, my love, but you cannot stay in here. Come on, before you get cold."
The blonde Elf finally opened his eyes as the last of the water drained away, leaving him sitting in only a cold, shallow puddle. "It's not fair. It hurts."
Smoothing Legolas' hair back, Elrond said softly, "I know it does. Come on, let's get you dry then you can go to bed and get some sleep, all right?"
"I want to stay here," Legolas whined, his tone resembling that of a pleading child. "Please let me stay," he begged as Elrond reached for a towel.
"With no water? Not the best idea you have ever had, Legolas. Give me your hands and I'll help you out."
"I want to stay."
"Legolas, I love you and I would do anything for you but would you please stop being so difficult and get out of the bath." The prince lowered his head, although Elrond wasn't sure whether it was in shame or petulance. Not that it really mattered either way.
A small whimper escaped Legolas, which Elrond took to mean that he was admitting defeat. Taking Legolas' arms in a firm grip, Elrond carefully pulled him up until he was standing, not commenting on the fact that Legolas did very little to help. He finally, unwillingly, stepped out of the bath but made no move to dry himself off, so Elrond wrapped the large fluffy towel around him, a little concerned that the blonde Elf was starting to shiver slightly, and tenderly began to rub him dry.
He stopped suddenly when he heard a sob from the prince and he looked up to see tears running down pale cheeks.
"Oh, Legolas," he cooed sympathetically, wrapping the large towel around shuddering shoulders and pulling him into a hug. The prince laid his head on Elrond's shoulder and leaned against him as he continued to cry out his pain. Rubbing his back soothingly, Elrond said, "Shh, it's all right, sweetheart. I know you're uncomfortable right now but there is only another month left to go and then you will have two beautiful babies in your arms and all this will have been totally worth it. I promise you. You just have to hold on until then. Can you do that?" Elrond asked kindly, glancing down at the pregnant Elf, whose cries had dissolved into just the occasional sniff. The prince nodded gently, closing his eyes. "It'll be all right," he continued, holding his love carefully and swaying gently on the spot.
Closing his eyes, Legolas whispered, "I'm so tired, Elrond."
"I know you are, my love. I know. Let's get you dressed, warm and then get you into bed." Legolas raised his head, ready to protest but Elrond stared him down. "No arguing. I'll make you as comfortable as I possibly can so you can rest." The prince found that he couldn't argue so just nodded, offering a shaky smile as Elrond wiped his tears away with the edge of the towel.
Quickly, he finished drying Legolas off and helped the pregnant Elf into the most comfortable set of nightclothes he owned and led him out of the bathroom and into the warm bedroom. Elrond quickly collected up his papers, which were still spread all over the bed, then gestured for Legolas to come to him. "Come on, melleth nin. Come to bed."
Reluctantly, Legolas did as he was told and allowed Elrond to help him lie down, groaning softly to himself as his back protested. "Lie down," Elrond coaxed and Legolas did so, wincing as the babies kicked him. The Elven lord smiled as he saw this and bent to place a soothing kiss on Legolas' stomach, which the prince couldn't help but chuckle at.
Within minutes, Elrond had closed the drapes, extinguished the lamps and climbed into bed behind Legolas. He pulled the younger Elf into his arms, letting Legolas rest against him until he heard a soft sigh in the darkness.
"Go to sleep if you can, my love," Elrond whispered into a delicate ear as he ran his fingers through Legolas' hair and across his scalp, knowing it soothed him. Soon enough, under his own loving attentions, he felt Legolas' breathing becoming slower as he drifted off into an exhausted sleep, his worn out body giving in to its needs. He stayed awake all night, attuned to his love's every movement in case he should show any signs of his previous discomfort. The prince barely stirred though, only once releasing a sigh and snuggling closer to his protector.
OIOI
TWO DAYS LATER…
Elrond sighed heavily and rolled over in bed, his hand instinctively searching for his love but his fingers were met with only smooth sheets and no prince. Cracking his eyes open, Elrond discovered that the pregnant Elf's side of the bed was indeed empty. As he stifled a yawn, the Elven lord sat up and looked around the dark room. No light shone from the lounge so he knew that Legolas had not retreated to his chair by the fire as he did when he couldn't sleep. In fact, none of the lamps were lit so Elrond lit a candle. He noticed, with the light shining, that the bathroom door was open a crack. Concern nagging at his mind, Elrond slipped out from under the warm sheets and padded across the room, intending to check that his partner was all right.
Reaching the bathroom door, Elrond tapped lightly to let Legolas know he was coming in, then pushed the door open to reveal his love. Elrond's heart clenched in sympathy when he found Legolas sitting on the floor, leaned up against the bathtub, one arm draped over the edge so his fingers dangled near the base of the tub whilst the other was loosely wrapped around his stomach. His head was resting against the bath as if exhaustion had claimed him too suddenly to even lie down in a more comfortable position. Obviously, his stomach had betrayed him during the night as a basin was sat at his side. How the noise of Legolas vomiting had not woken him, Elrond didn't know, as the prince had clearly been in here for quite a while as it was gone four in the morning and the young prince looked exhausted.
Placing the candle on the side, Elrond retrieved the basin and quickly washed it out just in case it was needed again, then put it in the bedroom. He returned to the bathroom and gently removed Legolas' arm from the tub and instead placed it around his own neck. He pulled Legolas back up against him, causing the prince to groan softly, and then slipped his arm around Legolas' back and beneath his legs then lifted him carefully up, wincing only slightly at the weight of his prince.
Legolas groaned more deeply at the feel of movement as he was carried from the bathroom and he cracked his eyes open to see Elrond looking down at him in the relative darkness. "Shh, I'm just moving you back to bed," Elrond explained in a whisper.
His hand wrapped around the collar of Elrond's nightshirt as he protested wearily, "Don't. Put me down, you'll hurt yourself."
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine," he assured his love even as his arms ached under the prince's weight.
"I didn't want to wake you," Legolas mumbled, his eyes closing again and he head falling back tiredly against Elrond's shoulder.
"Well, you should have," Elrond admonished lightly, placing the prince down carefully on the bed.
Almost immediately, Legolas groaned again and struggled to sit upright. "I'm going to…"
Before he could even finish, the basin had appeared before him and what little remained in his stomach emptied itself. Elrond held the basin unflinchingly before him, kneeling on the bed and tenderly pulling long, blonde hair back, stroking it gently as the pregnant Elf retched. He whispered soothing nonsense until Legolas' stomach had calmed and he was able to safely sit back.
"All right?" Elrond asked kindly, easing Legolas back down with his free arm and the prince nodded tiredly. Elrond got up and rinsed the basin out in the bathroom, also pausing to wet a flannel with cold water. He returned to Legolas' side, putting the basin back down just in case, then sat on the bed and gently wiped Legolas' face with the cool cloth. "Shh, shh, it's all right," Elrond soothed as the young Elf continued to cry softly.
When Legolas rested his head against the Elven lord's shoulder, Elrond took the hint and sat back, pulling the trembling prince close to him and wrapping him up in strong arms. The young Elf relaxed slightly under Elrond's touch, laying his head against the healer's chest, relishing the feel of the cool fabric against his warm cheek. He snuggled until he had found the perfect position and then closed his eyes, concentrating solely on the feel of Elrond's gently rising and falling chest.
"How much longer will this continue?" he asked his love and healer in a whisper.
Glancing down, Elrond answered, "Truthfully, I don't know, melleth nin." He smiled softly. "Although, I think no longer than a month."
Legolas snorted softly at the joke. "One more month," he sighed to himself as he felt sleep coming up to claim him and he surrendered gratefully to it. Elrond's fingers still working through his hair and down his back and he melted into the comfort offered to him by his partner. For a moment at least it felt good.
To Be Continued…
