Authors Note: Hi all I wish you all a happy new year and thank you all for your encouraging reviews I really appreciate them.

(Slightly longer chapter this time :) )

Chapter Sixteen

Legolas tired to block out the questions that instantly flew from the mouths of those around the table. Leaving both Estel and Elrond to explain how, why and when.

After a few moments he began to feel a single pair of eyes boring into him.

It made his skin crawl.

Glancing up he instantly met the dark eyes of Lysander. The dark haired elf was staring straight at him. His expression was one that Legolas could not read almost a cross between contempt and dismay. But why would Lysander be feeling disappointment at the news of his pregnancy? Just what was the other elf thinking? What was he hiding?

He was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as he was swept up into two pairs of arms. The twins had pulled him almost unwillingly into an unyielding embrace and it seemed as though they were refusing to ever let him go.

"Congratulations Leggy." Elrohir whispered in his ear pulling impossibly closer.

"Or should we now call you brother?" Elladan laughed. "You will of course have to bond to Estel before the birth of the child we can not have an illegitimate elfling on the loose now can we."

That made Legolas's mind race, this was all going far too quickly. He was barely past his majority, pregnant and about to be pressured into a bonding ceremony. He was not ready for this most elves waited many millennia before settling down, usually after having travelled through most of middle earth. He could count the number of different places that he had travelled to on the fingers of one hand.

He pushed back from the twins with a sudden bust of strength.

"I need to be on my own for a while." He murmured and turned and raced out of the room with as much dignity as he could muster.

Estel instantly moved to go after him, but the hand on his arm held him back.

"Let him go Estel." Lord Glorfindel smiled gently. "He has a lot to think about and I do not believe that he has quite come to terms with what is happening yet."

Beside him Elrond nodded.

"This is a shock for him that is going to take along time to over come. This child means that the next few decades of Legolas's life are going to be taken up with caring for a helpless infant." Elrond led both Estel and Glorfindel back to their chairs. "You have to remember that he is still young, you see how your brothers behave. Seeking adventure is at the fore front of their minds. Legolas must now face the prospect of watching them and others take off in search of exciting quests will he must stay behind."

"I.., I had not thought of that." Estel slumped down into his chair.

"It seems as though you have not thought at all." Lysander sneered quietly in Estel's ear before standing, bowing hurriedly to Arwen and left the room.

Estel stood quickly aiming to follow him; he would not have that elf interfering with his mate any longer.

"Aragorn you will stay!" He froze. It was not often that his foster father called him by his human name, and in that tone of voice it left little room for argument.

He all but growled at the elven lord and through himself back into his chair almost similar to a stroppy human teenager.

The twins and Arwen glanced at each other wondering whether or not it would be best for them to leave.

"Stay." Their father said to them smiling gently. "Finish your meal all things will sort themselves out in time." He tried to reassure them, but it was clear that Estel was having none of it. His body was tense and eager to race after the other two.

"I will not have that elf near Legolas!" Estel glared at his father.

"You will let this subject drop." Elrond look was fierce daring his youngest son to continue. "Legolas is not a child and can speak with whom he wishes."

"Why do you loathe him so?" Arwen asked, ignoring her father's comments and continuing the conversation. "You used to get on well with him before Legolas arrived what has changed since then?"

"Many things."

"ENOUGH!" Elrond brought his fist down upon the wooden surface of the table with such force that the sound echoed around the room.

Everyone instantly fell silent.

"Estel once you have finished behaving as though you are a human boy of 14 years you will help me with the preparations for Arwen's bonding ceremony there is still much to be done in the next few days and I would value your help." He turned to the twins. "Elladan and Elrohir you will locate Lysander and make sure that he is prepared for tomorrow."

"Yes father." They murmured as one.

"Arwen." His voice softer now. "Lord Glorfindel will escort you to collect your robes and other necessary items that you will need for the ceremony. Make sure that they fit and are comfortable as you will be required to ware them from dawn till dusk if not longer."

"Yes Ada." She answered. "Would you like us to go now or."

"Finish your meal first and then go, I would not have you leave here hungry you have a long day ahead of you."

~*~

Legolas wondered aimlessly through the corridors before eventually finding himself out in the court yard. Many warriors were preparing for patrols. Some stable hands were readying horses while others scurried about carrying out the wishes of soldiers.

Not for the first time in the last few days Legolas wished for a simple life, it would be a long time before he would be able to join the patrol again he doubted that Estel would even allow him to join a hunt before the child was born.

He loved the human he really did, and scolded himself for blaming Estel so. It was his fault, not really if their positions were switched he would probably feel as Estel did now but all the same he was beginning to feel trapped.

Moving away across the court yard he continued down through the main gates and dropped to his knees in the shadow of a small group of tall, leafy trees.

"What a lot of trouble little Thranduilion has got himself into."

Legolas sighed at the voice and laid his head in his hands.

"I remember clearly saying that I wished to be alone Lysander."

"Yes I do remember that but when have I ever obeyed your instructions Princeling?" The Dark elf smirked before sitting himself down next to Legolas.

"What do you want Lysander, just say it quickly and then leave." Legolas refused to meet the other eyes and continued to stare at his hands.

"I was just wondering at how an elf such as you, a highly educated prince could get himself in to such as mess, what will dear ada say when he finds out about your pregnancy."

"I do not see how that will affect you so I fail to see how it is any of your business." Legolas sighed in frustration, finally lifting his head and turning to glare at the other elf.

"Forgive me young prince." He grinned; his expression was anything but apologetic. "I am merely curious, and the father is a human no less I am sure that your family will be thrilled."

"Do you have anything of use to tell me or did you come here solely to antagonize me?" Legolas let out a low growl indicating his annoyance before standing up.

Lysander watched as he roughly brushed down his leggings before storming off in the direction of the palace, most likely in search of his lover, Lysander surmised. After a few moments he to stood up and brushed his leggings to get rid of the dirt before heading off to find Arwen.

~*~

"Legolas!" Estel called out as he noticed the blond standing in the door way to his fathers study. Estel was currently trying to organise of his fathers arrangements for the ceremony, his arms were full of different papers and parchments for various events.

Legolas smiled softly and walked towards him.

"I am sorry for walking out on you earlier I just needed time on my own to think." He sighed gently and lifted the papers from Estels arms before placing them upon the nearest desk.

"There is no need for you to apologise it is me who should be sorry, I spoke with others before I had properly consulted with you and that was wrong of me to do so."

"We are both sorry and all is forgotten." Legolas smiled stepping into Estels embrace and resting his head against Estel's good shoulder.

"I could not bare to have you agree with me." Estel whispered softly into his ear. "Especially if we are to spend the rest of our lives together." The smile in Estel's voice was evident.

"Do not rush things my heart. We have much to discuss before then and Arwen's bonding to attend first."

~*~

TBC.