Authors Note: I hope I didn't keep you in to much suspense happy Christmas and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

Silence filled the room, it felt almost suffocating. Estel seemed to have let the shock overpower him; he sat totally still obviously completely stunned.

Legolas shifted uncomfortably on the bed, half wondering whether he should repeat himself to help the information sink in to the young mans mind.

"How?" Estel finally asked.

Legolas sighed in was relief. He was reassured that Estel was still at least willing to speak with him about the subject at hand. Even thought the question seemed slightly absurd.

"When we made love, my heart."

"I know how just not how." Estel let out a loud groan of frustration, annoyed with himself at not being able to get his question across efficiently. "How is it possible?"

"Lord Elrond said that you already know that some male elves are able to produce the gift of life."

"Yes but it is said that they all passed into legend."

"Do you know the original tale, how it all began?" Legolas asked. His eyes searching those of his partners looking for some sign that the shock had changed into interest.

"Only that two male elves had been lovers for a millennia's and after spending so many years in the service of the gods they had their life long dream of having a child of their own blood granted to them," Legolas nodded encouragingly. "But they both fell side by side in battle short time later."

"Yes, they were blessed with a daughter less than a year before they fell. She was then taken into the care of a childless couple in Mirkwood. My mother is one of her very few descendants." He paused, studying Estel's face carefully trying to judge his response before continuing. "The gift has been passed on to a few of us. I am the only one out of family of four male children that has been granted this blessing."

"Why did you not tell me when we first met, why leave it until after you became pregnant to tell me?" Estel spoke calmly, a hint of anger in his voice.

"Because I did not think that I would be able to carry a child for a few seasons or so."

"What do you mean?"

"If elves were fertile all the time this world would be over run. I am only able to conceive during a three day time span which occurs once every few years." Looking up to catch Estel's eyes he smiled tenderly. "Well that is what is supposed to happen."

"Then what did happen, why are you pregnant?"

Legolas shook his head gently from side to side.

"I really do not know Lord Elrond said that my body had found its soul mate, and because of that my body became fertile the first time we made love."

For the first time since Elrond had left them a small smile curved up the sides of Estel's mouth. Sighing loudly he reached out his good arm and pulled Legolas into a loose embrace, gently moving his fingers in soothing circles against the elf's lower back.

"So," He breathed. "A child, our child is beginning to grow with in you."

"Yes." Legolas almost giggled with relief, Estel seemed to be taking the news better than he had thought he would. "It is as much as a surprise for you as is was for me."

"I would think so." Estel was grinning now. "You do realise that this means that I will never let you go we are in this relationship for the long haul."

"I would not want it to be any other way."

~*~

They still lay in those positions when Lord Elrond personally brought them their morning meal on a silver tray.

"Since when have you delivered food father?" Estel teased as he watched the other elf place the tray down on a table to one side of the bed.

"Since I have had to tend to an injured son and his exhausted lover."

"And our child." Estel voice contained a hint of pride as he moved his hand round from Legolas's back to rest gently on the elf's stomach.

Elrond raised an eyebrow.

"You talked." The elf lord stated the obvious. "And you took the news well I see." He looked at his son.

"It was indeed a shock, but now I have had time to think about it yes the shock was a good one."

"As I expected." Elrond smile was soft and comforting. "If either of you have any questions that need answering the door to my study is always open."

"I thank you my Lord." Legolas smiled glancing back to look at Estel as the man shifted slightly.

"Father, before you leave can I ask you and Legolas both a question?" Sounding slightly unsure of himself.

"Of course." Elrond turned back and walked towards the bed.

"What is it love?" Legolas moved slightly in Estel's arms shifting so that he could look into his concerned graze.

"Will the pregnancy be different because I am from the race of men and Legolas is elf kind?"

"Yes." The elf lord sighed seating himself on the edge of their bed in order to appear less intimidating. "I have already discussed much of this yesterday with Legolas." He smiled. "Of course there will be some differences, the pregnancy will last for the standard one and a half seasons which is normal for elves but as the child is not all elf it will need to grow faster than a human child so that it is fully mature enough when it is time for it to be born. This will mean that it will be relying on far more of Legolas's energy and strength than a fully elven child would do."

"Will this cause any problems for Legolas or the child?" Estel sat up properly against the beds headboard, pulling the blond elf closer to him in an unconscious attempt at keeping him safe. Legolas sighed inwardly it had started already would Estel really try to protect him for the entire six or so months?

"Both will be fine as long as Legolas eats well and rests often." Elrond stated looking up at the blond elf as he sighed. "What is wrong?" He queried.

Legolas shock his head.

"Nothing is wrong my Lord I just fear for my freedom." He laughed half heartedly.

Elrond smiled.

"You will of course be expected to exercise as normal, at least for the first few months or so. You will need to keep up your strength forbidding you to partake in any sort of activity would only lead to you becoming weaker and so lacking in the strength you will need during and after the birth."

"How long will the labour last?" Estel reached his hand up to run through Legolas's silky hair, separating the braids which had come loose in the night.

"I could not tell you every pregnancy is different if you are lucky then it will be quick therefore reducing the strain on both parent and child but there is no way of knowing until the labour starts." He noticed the worried expression that now covered his foster sons face. "All we can do is hope and make sure that Legolas is fit and healthy when the time arises. I will reread and study the manuscripts we have in the library on male pregnancy to make sure and tell you of anything you need to be careful of."

"What should we do?" Estel breathed and looked up at his father. "IS there anything we can do to prepare for the birth, to make it easier for Legolas?"

"You are getting ahead of your self my son, you have plenty of time. The next thing I believe you should do young prince would be to alert your father of what has transpired." Legolas grimaced. "He needs to know from your own words rather from rumour which will undoubtedly reach Mirkwood at an inconceivable speed."

The blond prince sighed loudly.

"I will send word to my father but I do not wish this to become common knowledge at least not until after Arwen's bonding ceremony. The focus should be on her not me, I would not wish to ruin her celebrations."

Elrond nodded.

"That is very thoughtful of you Legolas of Mirkwood, although" The elder elf grinned. "It will be difficult to keep this news from the twins they will quickly notice that you with hold information from them and will pester you until you divulge it."

Estel exhaled noisily and groaned.

"We should probably just tell them straight away save us the excruciating pain they will put us through with their constant babbling."

"We should tell the twins and Arwen first anyway, they are your family Estel and they are like siblings to me also, it would not be fair if we did not tell them straight away." Legolas said, getting up from the bed and moving over to the table where Elrond had left the tray of food. Poring out two glasses of what looked like some kind of fruit juice he offered one to Elrond who gracefully declined. Before handing it to Estel and returning to the bed with his own glass.

"And what of your family?" Estel asked watching as Legolas returned to the bed and sipped his drink slowly.

"As I said I will send word via a messenger but it will take sometime to reach them, undoubtedly my father will insist in visiting me and of course meeting you Estel. I apologise Lord Elrond but in just over a weeks time you will be receiving a few more guests that will intrude on your hospitality." Legolas smiled regretfully at the elder elf.

"It will be no intrusion my prince, and we will be well prepared for their arrival." The Lord smiled gently before standing. "Now if you will both excuse me I have duties which must be attend to before mid day meal."

"Of course father." Estel nodded his head in respect. "Thank you for your time."

~*~ TBC.