So so sorry about the chapter mix up, but it's fixed now so hopefully I have redeemed myself by getting this chapter up so quickly. If you don't mind can you review each chapter please? I just love to see the numbers, I'm a spoiled little brat…
"Gimli calm yourself." Galadriel said quickly, rising with feline agility. " There is an explanation for everything." Gimli turned towards her his anger momentarily clouding over with love but soon he fixed his gaze on Aragorn.
" You sir are in trouble if I've heard right! Doing that to an Elf, to LEGOLAS! Elves are beautiful and pure and-" "
" Gimli where did you learn of this?" Gandalf asked getting up and inviting Gimli to sit in his chair. The dwarf regarded the wizard momentarily before seating himself, the anger in his eyes flaring anew.
" I was sitting by the fire and Mr. Merry and Pippin came running in blubbering about Legolas and a baby! And then I learn that you-" He pointed his ax menacingly at Aragorn who backed up against the desk even further much to Elladan and Elrohir's amusement. They had rarely seen their brother afraid of something so small, yet both also knew that Gimli was not one to be underestimated. "Have taken advantage of him!"
" I did not take advantage of anyone!" Aragorn answered. Elrond sighed.
" Gimli this is beyond your control." He said. " What's done is done and though you mayn't see it now you will soon realize it was a consequence of love..."
" Aragorn and Legolas? In love? But how?"
" It's just the same as when others fall in love Gimli, no different. I intend to take care of this, I will wed Legolas. I have already asked him." A hush fell over the room.
" Wed him, Aragorn you cannot wed him, you are already married." Gimli said angrily. " Which also brings the fact that you have been quite unfaithful to your chosen." Aragorn's eyes lit up.
" Legolas is my chosen!"
" What about Arwen!"
" They are no longer married." Elladan spoke up. " Both were unfaithful and have broken their vows. In the custom of Elves their union is no longer valid." Aragorn turned towards his brother.
" You speak the truth?"
" Nay, I lie." Elladan retorted grinning. " I only divulge this information to heighten your hopes and then dash them to pieces dear brother." Elrohir withheld a laugh and turned away to hide his smile. Aragorn was glaring daggers at the older twin.
" Elladan! Be quiet and keep yourself that way!" Elrond snapped. " This is no time for jokes." Elladan quieted under his father's stare and contented himself with smirking at Aragorn. Galadriel had laid a hand on Gimli's shoulder and it seemed to calm the dwarf dramatically allowing a brief pause for a regaining of composure about the room.
" Now what is this business about marriage?" Gandalf had intervened once more and was making a spectacle in a desperate attempt to draw peoples attention together towards a common goal. Galadriel looked amused at the antics of her friend and made no sign to stop the aged Istari when he banged his staff on the floor.
" I-I plan to marry Legolas." Aragorn spoke again, his voice clear though the initial tremor that betrayed his fear.
* * * *
Legolas moaned softly burying his face in the pillow. He knew he would find no rest. The pain in his sides and the churning of his stomach prevented any such thing. The light hurt his eyes and he hid aware that it was one thing he had at one point never seen himself doing. The sun was something he embraced and invited. " Why is this happening to me?" He mumbled tiredly trying to force the image of the man from his mind. The hateful eyes, greedy hands and hungry lips that had nearly taken him. He felt alone and vulnerable in his room and curled up once more, a hand resting protectively on his stomach. No one would ever harm his child. The shock though it had been at first he now found that he had a fierce love growing for the unborn babe despite the problems it would undoubtedly cause. Aragorn's smiling face flitted across his mind's eyes and he smiled softly at his lover's dedication.
Pushing back a wave of nausea he glanced up at a chalice of water sitting decorously on the edge of the nightstand. Suddenly craving the clear cool substance he reached his hand upwards but instead of grasping the silver goblet he knocked it from it's place and it landed with a crash, the contents spilling across the tiled floor. " It is not fair!" He moaned, the emotions pulsing through his mind at an amazing rate. He glowered at anything his eyes landed on and then sighed burying his face in his hands, a feeling of despair settling over him. " This is very unprincly of me…I should be strong and brave and…my father is going to kill me…oh by the Valar what have I gotten myself into?"
" Quite a lot actually." Legolas jumped at the sudden voice and looked towards the door, cursing himself for not hearing the intruder. Glorfindel stood in the corner, a soft sympathetic smile on his lips. Legolas nodded.
" Aye…tis true…I know."
" And how are you feeling? I heard about your attack." Glorfindel's tone was fatherly and Legolas relaxed, leaning back against the pillows.
" I will be well…it is nothing time will not heal. So what brings you to my chambers?"
" An announcement made by certain Halflings only a quarter of an hour ago." Legolas' ears perked up.
" An announcement?" He repeated softly, a hint of fear in his musical voice.
" Yes…an announcement concerning certain conditions of certain Mirkwood Elves." Glorfindel nodded his head delicately towards the prince's stomach, his hair glinting. Legolas' eyes widened and he gasped.
" To the entire household?"
" To all those present at the table." All the color drained from his face at the implications of the words.
" And how came those said Halflings to know the truth?" His voice was faint and Glorfindel smiled apologetically.
" Apparently they are skilled in eavesdropping and in their shock blurted out the said condition." Legolas nodded silently.
" I think I will be ill."
" By all means." Glorfindel reached down, his hand disappearing from Legolas' view only to return seconds later with a silver bowl. " Elrond placed it here for such a purpose." He set it down gently in the Prince's lap. Legolas retched before bowing over the bowl in a direction away from Glorfindel. The older Elf turned away out of respect. When the sounds ceased and a tired breath was heard Glorfindel turned back as Legolas placed the bowl on the floor, his cheeks flushed. " My presence here is to serve two purposes. The first I have fulfilled by warning you of the developments of the household and to prepare you for any reactions and the second is a personal reason." Guilt seemed to wash over his face as he stared at the young Prince. " As you know Arwen is very displeased with your relationship with Estel." Legolas nodded. " And she has been very busy as of late, with matters she will not confide in me. When I heard of the attack I feared the worst. It is widely known that no mortal can enter this land without the permission of an Elf and although I love her dearly I suspect Arwen had a part in letting that cursed man in."
" Have you any proof?"
" Nay…only my own suspicions. I felt I should warn you if my guess is correct. The man failed his purpose and I believe it will only fuel her rage." Legolas nodded once more.
" I thank you for your thoughtfulness on my behalf. I can clearly understand how my presence here may be causing considerable damage to your happiness as it sends Arwen into a rage."
" On the contrary our relationship is the same as yours and I do not understand why she can't simply let go as has Aragorn…You must understand she is a very beautiful and loving person in nature, she is only like this when angered."
" I understand…I hope things will be better but thank you for your words." Glorfindel nodded.
" I only felt it right to alleviate my guilty conscience…and I will try to thwart her attempts as best I can." Legolas laughed.
" Thank you mellon nin." Glorfindel nodded and rested his hand on Legolas' momentarily.
" Your welcome…now you should rest." Legolas nodded in his turn and lay still as Glorfindel exited the room.
* * * * *
" Merry he's going to kill us." Pippin moaned burying his face in his hands. " They both are…what were we thinking?"
" You're the one who told Frodo!" Merry retorted angrily. The dinning hall was now deserted and Merry and Pippin were sitting by the fire.
" Well you're the one who told the whole room you ass…" Merry glared at Pippin but did not answer. He could hear footsteps approaching and looked fearfully at the open door. A tall shadow loomed and the irate face of Aragorn peered in at them.
" You two have no idea what you've caused do you!" He growled angrily. Merry and Pippin's eyes widened in fear.
" Now your majesty…we didn't mean any harm…it was an honest mistake. And shame on you for keeping a secret like that." Merry held his hands up in a defensive manner.
" Merry no…" Pippin whispered. " No…" He groaned as Aragorn came into the room. " We're in for it now we are…thank you so much Merry, this is all your fault. It was your idea to spy and you're the one who told everybody and you're the-"
" Pippin be quiet!" Merry shouted angrily. " Now is not the time!" Pippin hid behind Merry, a petrified look on his face as the King of Gondor towered over them.
" Murder isn't a nice thing to do Aragorn…Elessar…your highness…" Pippin's voice trailed off. "We didn't mean to. It just happened." Aragorn said nothing. " I mean we just found out accidentally…and we're oh so sorry. You won't hurt us will you? We'll do anything you want…we promise." Aragorn's face seemed to soften.
" Anything?" He questioned with a smirk.
Oh and I love you all.