Authors Note: Thank you to everyone that reviewed, sorry it has taken me a while to update (had my first exam yesterday and still there are more to come.). Anyway here is the next chapter thank you for bearing with me.

Oh and thank you to those who have picked up on my dreadful spelling, over the next day or so I will go back over the last few chapters and change the errors.

Chapter Twenty

The next five days were very strained for Estel, and that was not solely due to the continued presence of Thranduil. Ever since feeling unwell the night of his father's arrival Legolas had slept almost constantly. Lord Elrond had confirmed that this was an effect of the stress and excitement that had been placed upon the pregnant elf that night and was quite a normal reaction, but this had little comfort for the man who was constantly battling for Legolas to remain awake long enough to ingest the necessary liquid and nutrients he and their unborn child needed.

"Will he be like this for the rest of the pregnancy?" Estel asked as his foster father entered the sleeping chamber holding a small silver tray, a fruit dish and two goblets carried on it. "Collapsing at random times?" He clarified.

"He needed rest and as he did not take it his body was forced to collapse at it did. He will recover soon as his body gradually gets used to the strain that the child is placing on him, he will be weary once he awakens but will regain his strength quickly, but towards the end of the pregnancy he will become very lethargic as his body beginning to try and store the energy needed for the birth." Elrond placed the tray on the small table nearest to the still sleeping blond elf. "This though should help." The elf lord held up one of the goblets. "It is a mixture of herbs which will hopefully boost his energy." He placed it back down on the table. "Try and get him to drink as much of it as possible when he next awakens."

Estel nodded before turning his gaze back towards Legolas.

"You can not stay in here watching him all the time Estel, it is not healthy." He sighed heavily, his voice full of concern and sympathy.

"I will not leave his side." Estel spoke adamantly.

"You will attend and take part in a sparing match with your brothers this afternoon whether you are willing or not. Legolas will not thank me for keeping you cooped up in here, and he may well be awake by then." He said softly, noticing the look of defeat in his son's features.

"Aye, I will go but I will not leave his side for long."

Smile Elrond handed him the other goblet, this once containing a steaming mixture. Estel took it with out question. The smell was strong and spicy, but at the same time calming.

"It will help you sleep." Elrond stated before turning to leave. "I will send someone for you shortly before the match begins."

Estel sighed as his father closed the door behind him and slowly sipped the tea, before finally laying down on the bed next to the sleeping form of his lover. Gently running his fingers in a soothing manner through the blond silken locks he smiled softly thinking of the bright and beautiful future he now had to look forward.

~*~

He woke a short time later, the sound of musical laughter interrupting his dreams of peace and love. He cracked open one eye at a time squinting as the full force of the suns rays hit him. Moving his hand to shelter his eyes he looked over to his side smiled as he noticed the source of the sound.

Legolas was sitting up on the bed watching him. The sun streaming past him from behind him gave him golden ethereal glow. His face lit up by a smile that threatened to release another round of laughter.

"And what my dear one is so amusing?" He grumbled good naturedly although his voice was still rough with sleep.

"You make the strangest noises in your sleep." Legolas grinned. "It is quite comical sitting here listening to you, murmuring and snoring."

"I do not snore!" He said trying his best to sound indignant; although his smile made it known that he was merely playing.

"I am afraid my love that you do." He purred before he leant down and plastered his lips to Estels. The kissed lasted until there was no option but to part to breath. Estel slowly opened his eyes and gasped, Legolas sat close to him, his lips swollen with passion and his skin flushed with excitement.

He looked stunning.

All memories of the last few days suddenly came flooding back to him and he sat up quickly, his expression changing to one of concern.

"How are you feeling?" He asked watching as the elf rolled his eyes and slumped back down on to him pillow.

"Yes Estel I have rested well and regained my strength now stop fretting over me."

"Fretting!" Estel exclaimed. "You collapsed with out warning in my fathers study and you say that there is no reason to fret!" He breathed deeply to calm himself. "I can not help but worry about you, you already know that well."

"Yes I know, but this will happen again surely Lord Elrond has spoken to you of this." Legolas sighed, turning to get up out of the bed.

"Yes he has."

"Well then, you can not let yourself get so anxious all the time otherwise you will just succeed in making yourself ill as well." Legolas smiled softly, slipping on a long robe, which had been hung on the back of a chair.

Shaking his head Estel made to stand, realizing that there was not point in continuing to discuss this, he would forever continue to worry and Legolas would continue to tell him not to.

Glancing up he noticed the tray Elrond had left earlier. Picking up the goblet he stepped across the room to where Legolas was standing looking out of the window and over the grounds.

"Here." He smiled pushing the drink in to Legolas's hands. "My father left this for you earlier with instructions to make sure that you drink it."

"What is it?" He asked curiously, lifting the cup to his nose and sniffing it. From his reaction Estel could tell that the blond did not think much of it.

"It is infused with nutrients to help you keep up your energy, to try and prevent you collapsing every time you get over excited." Estel grinned.

Legolas just glared in response before moving the drink to his lips and sipping the liquid slowly.

Grimacing with every mouthful.

"It would not taste so bad it you drank it quickly." Estel laughed.

But a scowl was his only answer.

~*~ TBC.

A/N: No cliff hanger this time, I couldn't be that mean!