Title: Until We Reach Valinor

Chapter 25: Time Goes By

NOTE: This story is sequel to "A Teacher's Duty" and you'll have to read that one first to understand this. Also, this story does not contain slash, and it is not a romance, despite what the first chapter might suggest.

SPECIAL THANKS to Cassie, for beta-reading previous chapters, even though she seems to have disappeared on me again. She's probably fallen sick again, and I hope she gets well. And thanks to Kellen, too, for helping me to name Alanna.

…

"Your child is perfectly healthy," said the midwife during Alanna's five-monthly check-up, "Exceptionally so, in fact. For you grow brighter day by day. I have known Elves at the end of their pregnancy who do not have such bright auras."

Alanna beamed with pride. "Did you hear that?" She asked, speaking to the swell of her belly. "You are going to be the strongest, healthiest baby in the history of Elfkind. Do you like that, sweetheart?"

Legolas smiled as he saw her glow even brighter in her joy. "It's not just the baby, you know," He told her later, "It's you, too."

"What do you mean?" Alanna frowned.

He smiled again. "You're so happy that it's making you glow. It's not just the baby. It happens to all mothers- but more with you than others."

Alanna blushed. "Yes, well, I'm very happy," She muttered, half embarrassed by the turn the conversation had taken.

Another smile graced his features. "And so am I," He replied, and Alanna fell silent, because it was the first time he had admitted such a thing aloud.

…

"The Valar help me, that was one of the worst classes this year," Legolas sighed as he entered his bedchamber. Sighing again, he began to remove the armor he always wore for archery lessons (he had learnt the hard way how dangerous students could be when they were newly learning how to aim).

"Why, what happened?" Alanna asked, emerging from the recesses of her cupboard upon perceiving his entry.

"Doroth keeps picking on Eranon, and since that boy is too much of a mouse to stand up for himself, Eliya has to do it for him. And the others make fun of both of them- of Eranon for being so spineless, and Eliya for being so forward. And that only serves to make Eranon more withdrawn and Eliya more aggressive." He shook his head in exasperation and flopped down on the bed.

Alanna was silent for a moment. "Don't take them so seriously, Legolas," She said, "They're all equally bad in my class. We just have to tolerate it. And anyway, I think Eliya is very good for Eranon. Without her, he'd be mercilessly bullied. And from what I hear we still have it easier now than you did last year."

Legolas sat up. "How do you know about last year?"

Alanna shrugged, slightly self-conscious. "Many of the students talk to me outside of classes about things unrelated to studies," She said.

"They confide in you?" Legolas said, with a surge of exultation. She nodded in conformation, and his heart lifted even further. "Just as I hoped- just as I knew they would," He said.

"I'm sorry?" She asked, confused.

"I hoped for this even when I first proposed that you teach them," Legolas explained. "I actually expected it to happen. And you thought you'd be a terrible teacher and ruin all the children with your bad example." He shook his head. "When on earth are you going to start believing in yourself a little more?"

Alanna did not reply, or laugh off the question. She was quiet for a moment; her body tense as she sat down beside him. "You believed in me, even then?" She asked, and the plea in her eyes and her voice told him that his answer meant a great deal to her.

His face softened. "Yes," He said, "Yes, I believed in you, even then…"

…and I still do.

…

Legolas watched as Alanna huffed and puffed up the stairs to the landing where he, Aragorn, and Arwen were all waiting for her. "You're starting to waddle," He remarked.

Alanna stopped short. "I am not!" She squawked indignantly.

"Yes you are. Isn't she, Aragorn?"

"Well," Aragorn said, rather taken aback at being put on the spot like this, "She's six months pregnant, so it's only to be expected…"

"See? Straight from the horse's, or rather the healer's, mouth. I'm right."

Alanna drew herself up to her full height. "You don't know anything about it, Legolas Greenleaf," She declared, but her eyes were dancing with mischief.

"I know enough!" Legolas said, laughing. "And besides, can you see yourself walking, except if you're doing it in front of a mirror? But I can see you, and I say that you're waddling!"

As they continued up the stairs laughing and arguing good-naturedly, Aragorn turned to his wife. "He laughs so frequently now. He has ever since they got married. I've never seen him so at ease and happy in all the years I've known him." He said. "She's good for him."

"Yes," Arwen agreed, "Yes, she is."

…

"I'm very worried about Elano," were the first words out of Legolas's mouth when he returned to their bedchamber after another night spent by Elano's side.

"Yes," Alanna sighed, "Those letters…they're taking a terrible toll on him."

"And the worst thing is," Legolas said, "His mother's situation won't start to get critical for years to come. I'm afraid that at this rate, he'll fade even faster than she does."

Alanna's breath caught. "No, no, Legolas; of course he won't. You're letting your fears run away with you."

"Am I?" He asked, and even though his expression was blank as always, she read the stark fear in his eyes. "I'm not so sure."

"Legolas, Elano loves you," Alanna said earnestly, "More than you realize. He won't leave you so easily."

"How can you be so sure?" He asked. "You weren't the last time we spoke of this. You said he had lost so much that there was probably little I could do to make him stay. How can you be sure now?"

"I'm sure because I know him now," Alanna replied, "He's always talking to me about you. He thinks the world of you." She placed a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him. "I'm not saying that he may not be in danger of fading after his mother passes- but before? Certainly not, Legolas. He would never lose his will while both she and you are alive. You can be sure of that."

Legolas's shoulders rose as he inhaled deeply, and then relaxed perceptibly as he exhaled. "I'm still very concerned about him," He said, but this time, his voice was a little less taut, and she knew that he had taken heart from her words.

"And I'm concerned, too," She said, squeezing his shoulder gently before letting go. "But we can't let it become fear, Legolas. There's no reason. Not yet."

"No," He repeated softly. "Not yet." He was silent for a moment, thinking. Then, "Thank you, Alanna."

She smiled. "You're very welcome."

…

"Legolas?"

"Yes?"

She fidgeted slightly. "You know when a baby is born…custom dictates that the father should be present at the birth."

Legolas froze for a moment. "And do you not wish me to be present?" He asked carefully.

"It's…I don't want you to see me like that," She said in rush, "I know that you've already seen me…unclothed…but I'm still not comfortable with...well, you understand what I mean."

"Yes, I do," He said, "But Alanna, it's a very painful thing, from what I've heard. It will tax your body and your mind. You'll need someone there to support you. Someone who isn't the midwife," He added when she opened her mouth to argue. "I suppose Arwen could…" He suggested, though rather doubtfully.

"No! No, I don't want Arwen there." She blushed at his raised eyebrows. "I don't mean that she wouldn't be able to support me competently," She said hurriedly. "But I just don't know her well enough to share such an intimate experience with her."

"And who do you know well enough?" He asked.

Her answer was almost inaudible, because she was shocked to realize that it would have been the same even if Rilian had been alive. Legolas was, after all, the father of her baby. She'd never thought it would matter so much…but it did. "You," She whispered.

He sat back. "So you want me there to support you, but you don't want me to actually see you giving birth," He said flatly.

"I know it sounds ridiculous," She said, her cheeks crimson with embarrassment.

"No, it doesn't," He replied, his understanding tone instantly calming her. He thought for a moment. "What would you say to a cloth screen? I wouldn't be able to see you, but I'd be able to hear and speak to you. And if you needed me, I would be right there."

"That sounds perfect," She said, sighing in relief. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

…

"Legolas! Legolas! Wake up!"

The excitement in her voice woke him immediately. "What is it?"

"He kicked! Legolas, he kicked, for the first time...!"

She quickly took hold of his hand and laid it, palm down, against her stomach. They hadn't long to wait before Legolas, too, felt the solid bump against his hand. His heart filled with awe and wonder, as for the first time, he felt the movement of his child. His child. "Oh…" He whispered.

Alanna had tears of joy in her eyes. "My baby. My sweetheart. Little one…"

Legolas couldn't tear his eyes away from her stomach. "Oh, Alanna…"

"I know. I know."

The baby kicked again, and Legolas looked up, his eyes shining with joy and love for his unborn child. "We're going to be parents," He whispered. It was the first time it had really hit him; sunk in, like it never had before.

She took his hands in hers, and squeezed them gently. "Yes," She said softly, "Yes we are."

…

The rider arrived in the evening. Dread clogged Elano's senses. The letters were only supposed to arrive in the morning, and it had only been a week since he had received the last one. He walked numbly out to meet the horseman at the palace gates, one thought alone echoing in his mind.

Please don't let her be dead…

The horseman handed him the letter, his face somber.

No, she isn't dead; she can't be dead…

Numbly, he took the letter, barely noticing the Elf riding off.

She wouldn't leave me all alone, not like this, not so soon…

His hands clasped tightly around the letter, he walked blindly to wherever his feet were carrying him. He was aware only of his heart beating painfully in his chest. Finally, after endless moments of directionless walking, he worked up the courage to open it. His eyes pursued the words agonizingly, pleading with them for some hope, some reprieve... For a moment he stood frozen, the letter clutched loosely in his hands. Then his breath caught, and his eyes closed, and his hands clenched tightly around the letter, and he sank, slowly, painfully to the ground.

…

TBC…

And so the angst begins…

A shorter chapter than usually, I know, but it was a logical ending point. And anyway, I'm putting it up quite quickly this time, so I'm sure you won't mind too much. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review!