Author's Note:

Hi all! Welcome old friends and new! We're moving happily along in this here story...very excited. I wanted to thank my awesome reviewers and private message question senders. You all are spectacular!

Chapter Twenty-Five: Cuivie

Legolas sat across from his father, a look of disbelief, hurt, and disgust on his face. He lowered his face to his hands and said "I was conceived in a bed of hate."

"No, no my son. You were created-"

"You two attacked and fought each other during my conception. I was bred out of spite and hatred. I am a monster. One whom should not exist."

"Stop. You were created with love. Stop this." Thranduil said sitting next to his son.

" She used your love for her against you, to get what she wanted. Me." Legolas said.

"At first, yes...that is how it was. I was always blinded by my love and desire for your mother. "

"I do not believe it. How could I have been created in this way? I am a shameful thing. I understand why you and I have not been close in many years. I was born of deception and pain." Legolas said, angrily shutting the book.

"Son, after the initial act of the night we again lay together. It was in a bed of love that you were bred. There was no hatred in your creation. Our people cannot breed so. The creation and gifting of children is a sacred, special thing." Thranduil said, looking to his son full of love and admiration.

"Were you...pleased when you found out that I had been created?" Legolas nervously asked.

"It was the happiest I had ever been in my life, little leaf." he said, and in a rare display of affection took his sons hand in his own.

" I am...Glineth, can it be?" Thranduil said, struggling with emotion.
Glineth through her own tears said, "We have created life once more. Our son. Our son. Our Legolas has come. "
Thranduil cupped the cheek of his wife into his hand and gently kissed her lips, "I love you, Glineth. And you, Legolas. "
The newly re-bonded pair made love once again that morning, and as they lay in each others arms Glineth said, "I am sorry Thranduil."

"For what?" he asked.

"Last night. I was wrong to attack you. You only did-I regret that dagger."

"I do not. It brought us together once again. It was a gift, that dagger. That night on the grass...I will not soon forget it. " he smiled.

" We cannot keep doing this, husband. Fighting as we do, then falling back in love. It tires me."

"I fall in love with you each day, my Queen."

"Oh." Glineth sighed . She moved ever closer to him, kissing his neck, her hand wandering down his chest and to his stomach.
Thranduil quickly caught her hand before it met its goal and said, "No. Not now, Glineth. We must return. We have no time for this." he groaned.
"Very well." Glineth said lightly, hiding the disappointment in her voice.
Seeing her face, Thranduil laughed. "Oh, very well. You are insatiable, wife. How can I resist you?"
Glineth got out of the bed quickly, before the hands of her King could find her. "You had your chance, Thranduil. Now, get out of bed and dress."
They each helped each other into their many layers of clothing. Kisses and their touches making the process take much longer than usual.

As they neared the elk, Thranduil looked to his wife his eyes full of love and hope. "You take the reins. I wish to have my arms about you. "
Glineth bowed, and with his help, mounted the elk and slowly made her way out of the clearing and into the Wood. The two rode through the wood slowly, often stopping to kiss one another. "If you keep this up husband, we'll never make it back." Glineth laughed.
"So? Maybe I don't want to go back." Thranduil said, as he put his chin on Glienth's shoulder.
"The Gates are right there. If you ask it of me, we can ride off and never be seen again. " Glineth said, as she looked to the great doors of her kingdom.
"You would do this?" he asked.
"Only if you were to come with me. I cannot be parted from you now." Glineth said solemnly.
Thranduil considered her words for a minute. He did long to be free. He had always wanted to travel this world, see all of its wonders. But he knew, that as King, he could not. He knew that his duty lie within his Halls, and within the womb of his wife. He got down from the elk, and lead it to the Gate by its reins.
"We will travel North together one day, I swear it." he promised.
Glineth looked down at his as he lifted her from the mount and smiled. "I would love that, truly. Imagine, all three of us traveling the world together. There is much I would like to see."
"I will take you." Thranduil promised.

They entered their Hall, and was greeted by a very excited, but concerned Landir. The little Tauriel hid behind his legs, waving her hand at Glineth."Majesties! It is wonderful to see you two back so soon...and looking so...well." Landir said, looking over the two quickly, noting the wound that ran from the King's neck to collar bone, and Glineth's split and swollen lip.

"It is good to see you as well, friend. I am feeling very well." Glineth said, smiling mischievously.
A brave and bold Tauriel walked from behind Landir and said, "Hello, Queen Glineth and King Thranduil. I am glad that you are back."
Glineth kneeled so that she could meet the child's eyes. "I am glad to see you too, little one. " she said, hugging the girl close.
"I made you something. Landir taught me how." the child said, swinging her closed fist nervously.
"Ohh, can I see?" Glineth asked, as she waved Thranduil and Landir away.
The red headed beauty laughed, and opened her palm. In it lay a small wooden figure carved into the shape of a spider. "Landir told me that you like them."
"This one is my favorite." Glineth said, as she lifted the child into her arms. "You do so remind me of your mother, child."
" You were her friend." Tauriel stated.
"I was, yes. She was the best one I ever had." Glineth said, as she walked towards where Landir and Thranduil stood, each talking rapidly in their native tongue.
" Can I be your friend?" the child innocently asked.
"You always will be, love." Glineth said kissing the top of her head.
Glineth set the girl down, and Landir took her hand and led her away to her bedchamber. Thranduil waited for Glineth to pass him by, so that he may grab her and pull her into a secluded alcove.
"Thranduil. What are you doing?" Glineth asked.
"Landir is to meet us in a little while, we must tell him of our son." he said, looking her over.
"You could have told me this when we were in our room, Thranduil." she laughed.
"I could have. But, I could not let another hour pass without doing this."
They then shared a quick but passion filled kiss, leaving them each breathless and drowning in their desire for the other.

As the King and Queen made their way through their home, all were happy to see their Queen returned. They marveled at her beauty, and forgiveness of the King's treatment towards her. They bowed to her, and she bowed her head back to each of them. When they entered their chamber, they found that Landir was already waiting for them.
"You're late." he said.
"I was delayed." Thranduil said.
Landir raised his brow and said, "I am sure you were."
Glineth groaned and lightly punched her friend in the arm. "Don't tease him, Landir."
All three friends laughed, and took their places on the couch before the great fireplace. "So. What is it that I need to know, Majesties?" he asked.
Thranduil motioned for Glineth to answer. "We have...I...we're...We have created another child."
Landir smiled and through his laughter said, "I know. The whole kingdom knows. We heard you two carrying on all the way from here. We share your happiness. Legolas will be a fierce fighter indeed."
"Why do you say that, Landir?" Thranduil asked.
"Judging by the wounds you both have, you two fought the night of his conception. That is all. He will be a great warrior."
"I already know that he will be a being of great skill." Glineth said, looking out to the Wood.
Glineth stood, and the two males followed her as she walked out on to the balcony. She looked to them and said, "I do not wish to birth this child here. He needs to be born among the trees. In the Green. Not here. He was created in the wood, he shall be birthed there."
Thranduil took her hand and said "It shall be as you wish, my Queen."
"This will be an event that will affect the lives of many, and I will not interfere. I leave your sons birth to your care, Thranduil. It will be you that pulls him into this world. It is how it must be done."
Thranduil bowed to his friend, knowing the gravity of the task before him.
"Now. Come back into the light so that I may tend to the wounds you gave each other." Landir laughed, taking their hands and gently pulling them inside.

The people of Mirkwood greeted the news of the coming child with great happiness. As each month passed, there was a celebration. The people were looking forward to the birth of this gift of a child. It was said that no one could equal the happiness of the King and Queen. They were living a life filled with love, peace, and happiness. All came to admire the strength of their rule as well. Days after their return from their re-unification, Thranduil dismissed his council, ordering them to leave Mirkwood. Many were wary of this untested pair, but as the months passed by they proved to be capable and just rulers. All were content with their peaceful and prosperous lives among the Wood. All was well.

"Glineth. Come now. It is time. You must wake." Thanduil said, gently shaking his wife, who was asleep on a couch.

"Thranduil. Let me sleep. I'll meet you at the Gate. Five more minutes." she said, stretching.

"If you wish to give birth on this couch, then so be it. I will leave you." he teased.

Glineth groaned and opened one eye, to look at her husband. "Fine. You can at least help me up." she said.
Thranduil smiled at her and helped Glineth to her feet. "He has grown large. You must be uncomfortable." Thranduil said, gently placing his hand on her belly. "Ah, he is awake!" he exclaimed as he felt his son shift and kick his way about her womb.
"Are we leaving, or do you wish to stand her all day?" Glineth laughed.
Thanduil laughed, and motioned for his wife to begin to walk towards the Gate. As they made their way through their Halls the people all waved and bowed to them. Glineth bowed her head to each of her people, and accepted their wishes of good luck and happiness. At first the people of the Wood did not understand why they would choose to have their child in the forest, not in the comfort of their bedchamber, or the safety of the Healing House. Though, as they came to know the pair better, they understood that there was magic in the Wood for the King and Queen.

Glineth was sat across the lap of her King as he slowly took her to their clearing. Fearing for her safety, Thranduil made the elk go as slow as he could manage. They reached the clearing a few hours later, and as they did, they both felt the familiar feelings of love, peace, and happiness.
As Thranduil helped Gineth down, Landir came striding from their tent and made his way towards them.
"You look well, Glineth." he said looking down to her belly.
"I feel well. My time is near." Glineth said placing her hands on her large belly.
"Indeed it is." hranduil said, fatherly pride in his voice.
"Majesty, you have everything you need in the tent. Fear not, you will know what to do when the time comes, Thranduil. This is how it is meant to be, it was written in the stars this way. All will be well. My love goes with you three." Landir said, as he disappeared into the Wood.
"Do not worry Thranduil. He will remain close by." Glineth said as she put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Come, let us go inside." Thranduil said, a sudden nervousness coming over him. "Do you need me to carry you?"
"It is only a small distance. I can manage it."
"Ah. I do not care. I want to carry you." he said easily lifting her into his arms and into the tent. He gently placed his heavily burdened wife on the large bed, and drew the blankets up to her chin.
Glineth groaned and pushed the blankets lower, and looked at her surroundings. "It is different." she said.
Thanduil smiled. "Oh, yes. The bed is larger, and look there," he pointed to a small crib, made of whitewood. "a bed for our son."
"This is the perfect place." Glineth smiled. "Could you?" she asked, motioning to her clothes she was still in.
"Of course. I am sorry, you must be uncomfortable." he said, finally placing his focus on his eased her of her clothing, and placed her in a thin sleeping gown.
"That is much better, thank you husband." Glineth sighed, laying back down.
Thranduil then lay beside his wife, and placed his hand on her belly. " I am excited to meet you, my son. " he whispered.
"He will be here in the morning, my love." Glineth said, stroking his head.
"Truly? How do you know this?" he asked.
"You know I have my ways." she smiled. "You had better rest, Thranduil. I may need your help come morning."

As dawn broke, Glineth reached out her hand and gripped the arm of her husband. He stirred, and placed his hand on hers and mumbled, "Get some rest, love."
Frustrated, she walked out onto the cool, dew covered grass and let out a small yelp of surprise as her water broke.
Her pains came swift and often, but to her surprise did not trouble her much. "Thranduil!" she cried out. 'He cannot miss this' she thought.
Eyes still heavy with rest, he ran towards the sound of his wife, and was at her side in moments. "I what...do you want to go back?"
"There is no time. You need to go get the linens from the tent. Hurry, please." she said. Glineth let out a small cry of pain as she watched Thranduil run to the tent.
Moments later, he was back at her side with linens and a pillow for her head. He placed the pillow beneath her head and drew her legs up. "Glineth. I need to look, to see if..."
"I know." she said, allowing him to examine her.
"It won't be long now, love. It won't be long. I need to lift you up a bit, to place this beneath you." he said, as he gently lifted her hip, and placed some linens beneath her.
She cried out in pain once more and reached out for her husbands hand. "It is time." she said.
"I will be right here. I will help you ease him into this world."
With a great groan, Glineth bore down upon herself, trying to ease Legolas from within her. She did such three more times, until Thranduil cried out "I can see his face, Glienth, he is...just once more. Once more, and he will be here." he placed his hands on the slick, bloody head of his son and nodded to his wife. "Now."
With great effort and force she pushed once more, freeing the child's shoulders. She began to cry as she felt the rest of her son being pulled from her.
"He is perfect, Glineth. He is..."
Glineth wanted to see her son, but Thranduil was busy cleaning the child and changing the linens underneath her. As he finished, she heard the most beautiful cry from that of her child. "Please, bring him to me. Please. I need him." she cried.
Thranduil slowly walked towards his wife who still lay upon the grass, exhausted from her ordeal. "Come, meet your mother, my son. " he said, kneeling beside her.
She slowly and weakly reached over to look at her child, and marveled at his beauty. "He has, your hair." she said as a wave of tears flowed down her face.
"Glineth. You did it. We have our son. We have been given this beautiful child." Thranduil said kissing her forehead.
Legolas let out a small cry and both parents looked to him, nervously. "He is just hungry, Thranduil." she laughed as she set the child to her breast. Thranduil placed his hand on Legolas' small back, and looked to him and his mother, full of love and peace. Finally, he was whole. He had a purpose. He had a family once again.

Landir atop a tree, watched as the King and Queen shared in the peaceful, loving moments that followed after the birth of their son. Never had three beings been more happy to be a part of this world. The joy they felt touched all parts of the Wood, and cleared it of all sickness. It was the beginning of a new era. A time for peace, love, and happiness.

'Welcome to the world, Legolas of the Green, Laiqualassë, one born beneath the leaves of green. Your destiny has been written. May you live long, and well. Prince of Mirkwood.' Landir whispered.

A/N:

He's finally here! So happy to have gotten this done. I am truly looking forward to the next part of their lives, together! Thanks for all the support, ladies and always, feel free to send me your thoughts, story suggestions, or recipes! I kid, don't be shy! Thanks for reading! -M