Hey all... Sorry this chapter is so damn short. I've been really blocked lately. Hopefully the next one will be longer and won't take so stinkin' long!


Title: How Does It Feel (53 of ?)

Author: palephoenix (palephoenix(undscore)6(at)yahoo.ca)

Genre: LOTR FP-het

Pairing: Legolas/OFC

Rating: NC-17 this chapter...

Warning: This story is a Mary Sue... I cannot fathom why anyone would waste their time reading it if they don't like Mary Sues... Well, go ahead and waste your time if you want, but don't waste mine by reviewing telling me my fic sucks.

Disclaimer: Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.

Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top?

Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, words in italics are in elvish, with the translation at the end of the paragraph. This chapter is more book verse, but I've changed things a bit. Words in bold are in French, with a translation at the end of the paragraph.Some dialogue (and only dialogue) is taken directly, word for word, from the book.

Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.

Chapter 53

"Ioreth!" Eilish called as she entered the Healing Houses.

"Yes, my lady?" The woman's voice preceded her entrance from the storeroom.

"Mordor has fallen! The Ring has been destroyed!"

"Oh, my lady, thank the Valar!" Ioreth exclaimed.

"And there are two eagles on their way here. They're carrying two injured Hobbits," Eilish explained. "I wanted to let you know so you could prepare. They'll probably have some injuries and they'll definitely be dehydrated."

"Of course, my lady," Ioreth nodded and hurried out to find the other healers.


Within fifteen minutes there was a small flurry of activity in the Healing Houses. Ioreth and two other healers were efficiently gathering bandages, healing herbs and readying two beds. Eilish had returned to the courtyard, where Eowyn, Faramir and Merry still remained, watching the progress of the eagles, who were now visible to human eyes. Eilish's new elven eyesight could now pick out which eagle carried which hobbit. Though they were not quite close enough for her to tell for sure, Eilish thought she saw movement from Sam. Frodo, though, remained limp in the eagle's grasp.

"Pip will be back soon, then, won't he?" Merry asked Eilish, his brow furrowed with worry.

"He will, Merry," She assured him. "All our friends will be back. I think it'll be about a week till they arrive, though."

"And you'll get your baby back," Merry brightened.

Faramir's head whipped around at the hobbit's words. "Baby? You have a baby, Lady Eilish?"

"Oh, no, it's not what you think, Faramir," Eilish said hastily. "At Theoden's request, Legolas and I adopted an orphaned newborn after the battle at Helm's Deep. Although, except for her ears, you would never guess she wasn't Legolas' daughter. She looks just like him, spun gold hair and blue eyes. We named her Skye. She's in Edoras with her wet nurse. "

"She is very young, then?" Faramir inquired.

"Yes," Eilish nodded. "She's only just three weeks old. I delivered her myself, you know."

"You are a midwife, as well as a healer?"

"Well, I didn't get to finish my course and get my certification, but yeah, I am. I figure I can finish training with someone here or with Lord Elrond."

"I am sure any of the midwives in the City would be pleased to have you apprenticed. Especially with your training nearly complete," Faramir mused, his eyes on the slowly nearing eagles.

"That would be great," Eilish said brightly. "I know Legolas and Gimli have promised each other they would go explore Fangorn and the Glittering Caves after the war is over and things get back to normal. And I don't think Skye and I will want to go with them, so it would be good to stay in Minas Tirith and work."

"Indeed," Faramir agreed, "A young child is not a good travelling companion."

"Exactly," Eilish nodded. "It was difficult enough getting back to Edoras from Helm's Deep with her. I certainly wouldn't choose to travel with an infant. Not here, at least. It's different in my home. We have climate controlled vehicles, so travelling with a baby isn't too bad, but going by horseback? I don't think so. I'm not good with horses yet, either. It was enough trouble for me to ride alone for the first time, when it was necessary, and that with a horse as well trained as Hasufel."

"You are quite unused to riding, then?"

"Very much! Before I came here it had been a good dozen years since I last rode. People ride for recreation in my home, not out of necessity."

"We don't ride much in the Shire, either," Merry remarked. "Only if you have a very long way to go. Hobbits would rather walk."

"Walking is good for you," Eilish smiled. "It's no wonder Hobbits are so long-lived. They're a very healthy group."

"I hope Frodo and Sam are okay," Merry worried his lower lip.

"I'm sure they'll be fine, Merry," She reassured him. "Probably need a good rest and a few good meals, but I'm sure they'll be back on their feet in no time. It might take a little longer for Frodo to recover, though, considering what he's been through this last year."

"Aye," Merry agreed. "The ring... and what happened at Weathertop."

"Exactly," Eilish nodded. "That's a lot to get over. But, look, they're nearly here!"

The two large birds were now winging their way high above the Pelennor Fields. Eilish jumped to her feet and fairly flew back to the Healing Houses to have the healers bring stretchers to carry the two injured Hobbits to the Houses.