FALLING LEAVES

Chapter 14- Shades of Purple

Legolas awoke to the sweet sound of birdsong and the rustle of their tent in the gentle breeze. He heard that many of the soldiers had already woken and were chatting outside; the occasional clank of pots and pans meant breakfast was probably ready. His eyes shifted downwards where he saw Amélie lying on her side curled up peacefully beside him. He didn't want to move and watched her for a while, she seemed serene. He suddenly noticed something odd; her pendant had changed to a peculiar purple shade.

"Amélie" he nudged her awake, in fear that this meant something terrible. "Mmm" she snuggled closer into his chest. "Amélie, wake up!" he nudged her again, this time startling her. "What? What's wrong?" she sat up, forgetting that she was completely naked. The sheet slid down her body exposing her chest, Legolas blushed. She quickly grabbed the sheets and covered herself. "You don't need to hide" he teased causing her cheeks to also turn crimson.

"Why did you wake me so?" she seemed aggravated. "Be not angry my beautiful wife" he embraced her and kissed her cheek. He noticed that her skin felt warmer than usual. "Are you well?" he asked, his smiling face replaced with concern. "I am fine, I think" she cuddled him back. "I must ask why your pendant glows a different colour?" Amélie looked down at the pendant, a look of befuddlement. "I honestly have no idea what that means" she shook her head.

"Maybe goblins are near" he looked alert. "No, I don't think so; Galadriel told me that it would change colour sometimes and that it was for me to figure out what that meant." She pondered "maybe it's because we are married!" she seemed doubtful when she saw Legolas' expression. "Well we will find out eventually" she sighed. "Shall we get some breakfast, we have another long march ahead and we must prepare for the next battle". "You mean I can fight this time?" Amélie asked, surprised. "I would not you behind even again" he held her tightly "I only ask you to be careful, I don't think I could bear to lose you". He kissed her cheek once more "Are you sure you are well?" he asked once more. "I am fine, let's get some breakfast".

Amélie and Legolas got dressed and headed out. A few of the soldiers whistled as they walked out the tent together, hand in hand. Gimli was awake and by the fire sipping his bowl of stew. He sniggered and winked at Legolas. "Morning, care for breakfast m' lady" he addressed Amélie, "I'm actually not too hungry" she felt off. "Aye', you'd better get some food in your belly or you won't be fit for the fight!". Amélie looked at the pot of stew, the smell made her stomach turn. "I'm okay thanks, I'll just have some lembas bread and water" she sat next to Legolas who was eating the stew. "How can you eat that awful stuff" she whispered to him "I think it's quite good" he looked at her blankly. "Oh" she continued to nibble on the lembas bread.

Although she felt odd Amélie was so happy to be beside her companion. It seemed unreal what had happened last night, she felt her cheeks turn pink again just thinking about it. Legolas seemed to sense what she was thinking, he looked at her sweetly and smiled; nudging closer to her and putting his arm around her.

They had finished breakfast and packed up their things. Amélie mounted her horse but felt still a little dizzy. Legolas decided to ride with her as he was worried she might fall. She felt him slip behind her, his legs resting against her thighs, his chest against her back; his strong arms holding her securely. As the horse trotted she felt his body moving in rhythm to hers and it reminded her of the night before. It seemed she could not stop thinking about it. At that moment she felt his warm lips kiss her head soflty "Does it make me a bad man that I am enjoying this ride" he whispered "that I can't wait until we are alone again!" he grinned. "I was thinking the same thing" she replied shyly. At that moment she felt him squeeze closer to her.

As they approached Minas Tirith Amélie knew she would not be able to fight. She felt very dizzy and unwell. It felt as if her bones were changing and her head was ringing. Legolas' concern for her grew and he carried her to a bedroom of pale stone, a small bed nestled in the corner of the room next to a tall window, she would be able to watch the battle with this view. It was bigger and colder than the room she had in Edoras.

"Legolas I am so sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me" Legolas appeared anxious, "I have called for aid, someone should be here soon to see what is wrong with you" he sat in the chair beside her. "I will be fine, I only need to sleep a little" she said weakly. "Go, you must prepare for the battle. Just…. Promise me you will return safely". "I promise I will never leave you alone" he kissed her head, and pulled the sheets over her "I will stay with you here until someone comes to help you". He didn't want to leave her, but he had to fight.

Amélie woke up and saw an unlikely visitor. "Imladrien!" she sat up and suddenly remembered how dizzy it made her to move. "Amélie, it is so good to see you again" she smiled "and I have heard the great news" she giggled. "I knew you two had chemistry!" she sighed. "Imladrien, please tell me what is wrong with me, I feel awful and my pendant has changed to purple. What does this mean?" she had so many questions for the elf. "Do you not know?" Imladrien looked at her with a gleam in her eye. "You are changing Amélie" she smiled. "You bear the light of a life inside you" Amélie gasped. "How? It has only been 2 days since…" Imladrien giggled "Oh Amélie! Elvish pregnancies are almost immediate. And your human body seems to be adapting for your child. Do you not feel different?"

Amélie couldn't believe what the elf was telling her. She reached up slowly and touched her ears, no longer rounded but pointing slightly. "I am… an elf?" she stared at Imladrien with wide eyes. "Not yet, but you will be soon." Amélie suddenly felt it; the pain in her body was not an illness. It was a blessing. She would be a mother, and immortal. She would never have to leave Legolas, and he would never have to lament her loss. She would live forever.