Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. Any names and genders will be welcome for the child and ideas are welcome too. This will focus mostly on Legolas and Gimli. Let's begin.
Elrond kept a firm eye on Aragorn as the man stabbed the food on his plate with his fork. The elf did not meet his sons' bemused glances from across the table nor was he aware of the others who looked at him. The king was idly picking up all the vegetables, leaving the meat untouched and bringing them to his mouth.
When Aragorn picked up his napkin and dapped at his mouth before taking a sip of the water that stood before him, he then picked up his fork again to attack the potatoes.
Elrond was baffled by how quickly the human king finished what little was on his plate. Aragorn then pushed his plate away, leaning back, eyes searching hungrily it seemed over the table. Elrond leaned in, wanting to whisper into the man's ear to eat more that what little he had eaten was enough to sustain a five month old fetus.
Yet Aragorn's head veered up and Elrond could see that the man drew Legolas' attention to himself by placing a hand underneath the table on his lover's knee. Legolas leaned in closer, surprise written on the fair face as Aragorn whispered something in his ear.
Elrond could see the beautiful smile on the face of the golden prince as Legolas pushed his plate towards Aragorn. He was not the only one who watched amazed as Aragorn picked up his fork and began picking the vegetables and fruit off the plate of the amused golden elf.
Legolas began to eat the meat, leaving the vegetables for the obviously hungry king. Bringing some of the meat closer to the man's lips, Elrond watched as Aragorn turned away, paling slightly and pushing weakly against the prince's side. Only Legolas' hand came to rest upon the man's tight as the elf took the plate back with the meat.
Aragorn leaned back, taking another sip of water before he turned to his left, meeting Elrond's eyes as the man searched for more food from his father and brothers. Elrond looked across the table to see two raised platters as the twins tried to mask their surprise and reacted pleasantly to the new change.
A gentle glance from him had them taking back their plates but a small bread roll was passed across the table to Aragorn, which the man took happily, munching on it as he leaned back in his seat contently.
Legolas took a second helping, offering the vegetables to Aragorn but the man shook his head. Elrond knew that Aragorn was full. The man had eaten his fill for the first time in many weeks and the elf felt strangely proud.
Aragorn finished the roll, drowning the rest with the water before the sharp eyes swept the hallway, a smile pulling at his lips as he heard the laughter coming from across the table. He looked at Legolas as the hobbits drew the fair elf into a conversation, Legolas smiling easily as he was caught up in the tale.
Only Gimli did not join in but Aragorn could see the looks that the dwarf send his elf's way. Legolas was doing a very good job of ignoring Gimli and Aragorn knew the elf was still angry with the dwarf for thinking it was a joke.
You need to speak to Gimli, beloved. He deserves to explain himself. Your friendship is too strong and too deep to quarrel over such a little thing, Aragorn thought through their connection.
The brilliant blue eyes turned to him in surprise and Aragorn could see the set of the jaw until Legolas' face relaxed into a smile. He could see the relief in the eyes that he loved and smiled himself, knowing that Legolas only needed a suggestion.
He then leaned towards his left, saying,
"Do we still need to discuss my eating habits?" He could hear the soft chuckle coming from his father as Elrond smiled at him. The grey eyes sparkled with mischief and then he felt the brief touch of his father's warm hand on his stomach before the gentle fingers touched the back on his hand and Elrond answered.
"Only if you do not eat anymore."
There was a soft threat in there somewhere but Aragorn felt too content to voice it. He relaxed in his seat as he turned his hand to catch Elrond's. His father allowed the touch, smiling at him before continuing to eat.
The dinner was over soon as Aragorn rose together with Legolas. The king extended the invitation for them all to come join them in the family sitting room to catch up. Yet Legolas' eyes pierced Gimli's and the elven prince could see how the dwarf gulped, expecting a tongue lashing.
The elf made a gesture with his hands and Gimli only nodded, walking after the elf into the hallway. Legolas waited until Gimli caught up with him as he looked over the dwarf's head to Aragorn disappearing up the stairs with the hobbits close behind him.
"Aragorn made a good suggestion, one I intend to follow."
Gimli was silent and finally Legolas dropped down to rest a hand upon the stout dwarf's mail-clad shoulder.
"Our friendship is strong and runs deep, Gimli. We should not be quarrelling over such a small thing. I own you so much that hopefully you can explain about this little joke of yours."
He could see the uncertain smile on the bearded face and finally he rose, motioning for Gimli to follow him. They came across the throne room and with a wave of his hand, Legolas dismissed the guards. The prince sat down, fingering the mithril circlet that was woven into his hair. He gestured for Gimli to sit beside him but the dwarf nervously rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet.
"I did not mean to call your heir a joke, laddie…. I suppose one might say that it kind of slipped…" Gimli fidgeted with his hands and while Legolas folded his own in his lap, the elf interrupted.
"Do you understand the dangers of a male pregnancy?" At seeing the shake of the red head Legolas sighed and looked away for a moment, before meeting his friend's gaze again. "Aragorn bears a child unnaturally. I have somehow managed the impossible, to impregnate a child of the race of Men. His body is not built to handle childbirth, least of all carrying a child for a year. I love him more than anything in this world, as you know, and to see my mate suffer because of something I did… it is unnerving…. I understand war and battles but this, I do not. I cannot help him, only guide him. Nor can I share in his pain and burden. A burden he carries for me. Aragorn is strong but even the strong need protection…."
"The lad will pull through. He has you to stand by his side and Elrond is tending to him. Most people would be jealous of such a thing…" Gimli softly said, and the dwarf was rewarded with a bright smile from Legolas.
"Thank you, Gimli. But I worry for Estel. Once he nearly lost the child and then to see him in so much pain, it was my undoing…." The elf took a ragged breath, remembering the fear of those times. He had haunted Aragorn's steps, staying in the shadows long before they knew what was ailing the young king. Then Legolas had stepped into the open, risking his relationship with Aragorn to protect the man but Aragorn had accepted, allowing Legolas to be the strong one, knowing he was in safe hands with his elf.
"I know I am not alone in carrying this burden, that Elrond and his sons are with me but you are my closest friend and I need you to understand…"
Legolas was never this honest with Gimli. They bantered and looked out for one another on the battlefield but even in the short time that they had known each other, Legolas had not confided in Gimli about his love for Aragorn. The man would always remain his sole companion but as they progressed as lovers and eventually married life, their relationships changed and Gimli became what Aragorn used to be, in the shady days of the ex ranger's childhood in the north when they had been too afraid to voice their love for one another.
It was a sign how deep and strong their friendship was as the woodland elf said these things to the dwarf standing in front of him. Gimli looked at the pale face before him, no merry twinkling in the blue eyes of his friend but naked honesty. Legolas was frightened of what might happen to Aragorn.
"I will try to understand, Legolas. I promise you as a child of Durin. And if that lad of yours gives you any problems tell him that he shall meet the blunt end of my axe."
At this the searched for smile finally burst forth.
"Do be careful with him, he does carry the heir to the throne of Gondor, after all," the elf remarked dryly. He knew Gimli had tried in his own way to apologize and that was all that mattered; standing up, he took a moment to rest a hand on Gimli's shoulder, smiling at the dwarf and then he walked away, hearing the heavy footfall behind him.
He opened the door to their private sitting area see the four hobbits sprawled in front of the fireplace while Aragorn was sitting on the couch, leaning contently against Elrohir as the younger twin was absentmindedly massaging the king's back. The man's feet were propped up on the table as he watched the hobbits play one of their board games.
Elladan was looking at the books and Elrond's eyes were trained on Frodo. The old ring bearer seemed happy and at peace with his friends here beside him, but Legolas could see the tell tale signs of weariness that Frodo might not even be aware of.
On soft feet he walked in, coming to stand behind Aragorn and rested his hands on the man's shoulders. Aragorn merely raised his head, gracing him with a smile before relaxing again. Legolas could tell Aragorn was tired but he knew that the man valued the company too much to go to bed now. He squeezed gently and then the man's hand came up to cover his own. Legolas met Gimli's eyes and smiled, earning himself a grin in return.
Everything is well. He softly countered as he felt the soft brush of Aragorn's mind. He sensed contentment from the man until a soft rapping on the door had them all looking up. Legolas called out for the person to enter and a servant did, handing the elf a letter.
Recognizing the handwriting, Legolas tore open the seal, feeling Aragorn sit up straighter.
"My father will arrive in the city by tomorrow." The delightful gasp came from him but he could see the worry in Aragorn's eyes, but he knew that if they had the support of their family and friends they would be alright.
Hope you liked it. So how should Thranduil react? Please review of course.
Editor's note: My internet is being funky. I only had a chance to copy/paste this chapter once, and then the internet failed, so I did not have the proper paragraph spacings to look at. So I apologize to both Laurenk1 and all readers if the paragraphs are not as they should be. -Lady of the Willows