Okay, I was going to write about what Aragorn's ambassadors learned from their travels. But I am still working on the details and trying to come up with them. So, for now, let's join Thranduil and his traveling party.

The wood elves' journey was going positively peaceful, with no enemies or troublesome terrain. "Well, for our first day, it is turning out to be very favorable." Legolas mentioned encouragingly.

"Indeed. But we must keep alert, Ion nin." Thranduil agreed. "The Shadow is gone, but as Mithrandir has said before, there will still always be creatures or persons of evil intent as long as the world endures. And do not forget how that vermin managed to produce his own Orcs, even though Sauron is no more."

"I do not forget, Ada. However, I believe we should be grateful for good fortune while we have it." Legolas interjected. "Especially after how difficult it was for us to keep our home alive."

"You are right, of course. I need reminders of the good and beautiful still in this world. That is why I have you." Thranduil grinned fondly.

Alasse wept softly for most of the duration of their trip that day. She could not stop it, no matter how much she tried, those pregnant hormones would not relent. Even when they stopped sometimes to give the horses water, and she stretched her legs, the tears kept coming. Tatsu held her closely, stroking her hair. Alasse hugged her stomach tightly, wishing she could see her baby face to face, and hold the infant in her arms.

Thranduil had Legolas periodically check on Alasse and report to him how she was doing. By late afternoon, Thranduil commanded they make camp under the trees. Alasse had had enough travel for one day. He had his personal tent set up with an extra bed for her in the adjoining room separated by a screen. Alasse sat by the small stream, soaking her bare feet, letting the soothing water trickle around her ankles. It was refreshing. "Here." Legolas smiled as he knelt next to her, handing out a cake of Lembas.

"Thank you, brother." She nodded.

"You must keep up your strength." Legolas said.

"Ai." Alasse sighed, greedily biting a huge chunk of the waybread. Legolas chuckled.

"You are about as bad as Gimli the first time he tried Lembas." He teased.

"Yes, well. Having to eat for two tends to do that, you know." Alasse glared.

"How is the baby?" Legolas asked.

"Famished!" Alasse exclaimed. "I do miss Gimli. It does not seem right, trekking cross-country without him." She stated, tears coming to her eyes.

"Ai. I keep expecting to point some rare tree or creature out to him. Or have to tell him to shut it from his endless barrel of stories." Legolas nodded sadly. "Oh." He noticed Alasse was crying, again. "You miss him that much?"

"Of course I do!" Alasse blurted out.

"As do I, but you do not see me crying like an elfling about it." Legolas said lightly. Alasse threw him a dark look.

"That's because you're an ellon, who always has to hide everything!" Alasse snapped with hot tears. "Well, other people have feelings and aren't afraid to show it!" She leaned on her hands, weeping.

"Alasse, sister. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cross. I was only teasing." Legolas quivered.

"Just because I have to leave my husband like a brave queen doesn't mean I'm not allowed to miss him!"

"I didn't say anything like that!" Legolas retorted. "What's the matter with you, Muinthel nin? You are speaking nonsense."

"Well, that's fine. Because that's all I can do anymore!" Alasse hissed, shaking with sobbing.

"Alasse, what is the matter?" Arwen asked as she appeared, hurrying to her sister's side.

"I do not know!" Legolas declared, bewildered.

Arwen helped Alasse to her feet and walked her to Thranduil's tent. Thranduil marched over to his son. "What has occurred?" He asked casually, with his hands behind his back.

"Adar, I did not mean to upset her!" Legolas complained. "I was only teasing a little and she blew it out of proportion."

Thranduil cringed with dread. "Please tell me you did not jest about her excessive weight." He said gruffly, pinning his son with a most disapproving gaze.

"Never!" Legolas gaped in disbelief. "I only mentioned Gimli, how sadly different this trip is without his company, and she started crying. Then she became mad at me for no reason. Adar, what is wrong with her?" Legolas panted, exasperated.

Thranduil chuckled and threw an arm around his son's shoulder. "Nothing, my son. There is nothing wrong with her. She is just pregnant, that's all." He said calmly. He could not help being amused at the completely dismayed look on Legolas's face.

"Ada, is it going to be like this the entire journey?" Legolas whined dreadfully.

"I'm afraid so, young one." Thranduil grinned evilly.

"Valar preserve us!" Legolas groaned dramatically.

"Oh, you just wait until Arwen is carrying your child. Then you shall be in store for much more fun." Thranduil teased. "Legolas, you fought alongside Mithrandir and Estel at the Black Gate itself. I think you will survive this storm, Ion." Thranduil smiled.

"I shan't count too much on it if I were you." Legolas shook his head.

"You and Arwen will surely have twins, and then you will have double the..."

"Nerves. Nerves!" Not fun, Legolas interrupted.

"Why don't you take a scouting party? That should put your nervous energy to good use." Thranduil patted his shoulder. Legolas cocked his head for a moment as his father stepped away. Perhaps he was right.

"Bellethiel!" He called. The tall, beautiful, black-haired captain of the Woodland Army instantly floated to her prince's side.

"Hir nin?" She bowed.

"Assemble the scouts. We are riding out to survey the terrain."

Inside the tent, Alasse had settled, and kept apologizing to Arwen for her outburst, begging her to tell Legolas that she was sorry. Arwen grinned and assured her it would be alright. She convinced Alasse to lie down for a while and sat with her until Alasse told her she'd like to be alone to think. Alasse gently ran her hand around on her distended belly. "I am sorry, little one." She groaned. "I didn't mean to bite your Uncle Legolas's head off. I made such a scene, especially about dear Gimli. I just...really want you to be safe, my love. And I want your father to be safe! I want us to be together, but that is not for now. I do hope he will be the victor."

Alasse fell into an extremely light sleep when she heard infamous steps approaching. She felt her father's tall form hovering in the entrance. She slightly glanced toward his direction. "I am sorry, Alasse. I did not mean to disturb you." Thranduil said quietly.

"You didn't, Ada. I am not truly asleep." Alasse replied. Thranduil sighed. She looked exhausted already, and this was only their fist day of travel! All that accumulative weeping hadn't helped. Alasse tried to shift herself to a sitting position.

"No, lie down, Iell. You need to rest before we set out again tomorrow." Thranduil held his hand up. "You've had a long and painful day. Rest."

Tears slid down her face again. She rubbed her face hard, trying to brush away the tears. "Drat these roiling emotions!" She blubbered. "I keep crying out of nowhere."

"That is to be expected with your condition." Thranduil smiled and came to sit in a chair beside the bed.

"This is what is best, I know. I need to bear it bravely." Alasse scolded herself.

"You miss Estel." Thranduil murmured. Alasse began weeping again.

"Estel...it means hope. Is there hope? Can Aragorn do this, alone?" She sputtered.

"Alasse, my dear child, calm yourself." Thranduil said, gripping her shoulder. "Aragorn is not alone. He has family and friends who will fight alongside him no matter what. Do you not remember? He challenged the Dark Lord to his face! When you compare the two, Merlyn is merely a locust."

"But one that leaves an unforgettable sting. I'm worried, Ada. I'm really worried! Merlyn is as devious as they come! And maliciously clever. What if he attacks so shrewdly and...suddenly, that Aragorn...won't know until it's too late?!"

"He won't, Alasse. I can assure you of that." Thranduil said firmly. "Aragorn is keen and observant, and has remarkable instincts. You will see, my love. He will win this fight."

"Every mile, every hour, every step takes me-us," Alasse swallowed, stroking her stomach, "further away from Aragorn and closer to the baby's due date. And further away from knowing the outcome of the confrontation. And closer to him most likely missing the birth of our child! Ada, I'm afraid for him! What if he-"

"Hush." Thranduil interjected gently, rubbing her shoulder. "Rest, Alasse. Go to sleep, little one. Let your mind go for a while."

"I cannot." Alasse closed her eyes but shook her head, protesting. She hugged her stomach tightly. Thranduil took her hand.

"You can." He said.

"But, Ada, what if-"

"Go to sleep, daughter."

"But..."

"Rest!"

"Ada..."

"Rest now, my love. Rest." Thranduil commanded softly. Alasse was instantly asleep. "That's it." Thranduil approved. "Sleep, child." Then he leaned closer to her and spoke to her stomach.

"You mother is overwrought, little one. I do not blame her, but she must keep her wits on this trip. So I would appreciate it if you did not go around waking her at the most inopportune times. We have a long trip. So, please don't kicking your Nana until we retire from the day's traveling. It would be most helpful." Thranduil said quietly to the baby.

"And don't you worry about your father, my little love. He will see you when the time is right. In the meantime, we must keep moving if we are to reach Eryn Lasgalen on time. I know you wish to come out and greet the world, as the rest of us also anticipate. But could you endure a bit longer and wait until we reach my halls?"

Thranduil acts like Legolas is being a drama queen. Well, little do they know! Legolas has a significant role to play later in this story!