Chapter Twenty-Two

It was not until late evening that Estel found Legolas. The meeting with his father had taken far longer than any of them had expected, but when he turned up of evening meal Legolas was no where to be seen. King Thranduil had been of little help when he had asked as to the whereabouts of the blond prince, his only answer was that Legolas had need time alone.

Estel eventually found him in their now shared chambers. Legolas's weapons, his knives and bow with quiver full of arrows lay across the bed and the elf's riding tunic and leggings lay to one side.

"Legolas." He spoke sounding slightly nervous, unsure what to make of what was seeing.

"Yes." The elf walked out of the door to the bathing chamber his hair still damp, clinging in places to the sides of his face and neck, wearing only his sleep robe.

"What is this?" Estel pointed towards the items upon the bed. "Why do you have your arms scattered across the bed." He spoke carefully not wanting to sound confrontational.

"I am preparing." Legolas answered simply and clearly, stepping closer to the bed and picking up one of his knives checking the blade.

"Preparing for what?" But he knew what the answer would be; he just hoped the blond elf would prove him otherwise.

"Do we not ride into battle tomorrow?" Legolas looked surprised at Estel's continued questioning.

"No I ride in the morn, you do not. Surely your father has already made this clear." Estel closed his eyes and grimaced in waiting for Legolas's reaction, expecting anger and shouting in response. Instead all he heard was a loud exhalation of breath. He reopened his eyes and watched and Legolas turned and sat on the edge of the bed a defeated look appearing in his eyes.

"Legolas?" He asked moving closer.

"So this is how it will be, I am only a few weeks or so in to the pregnancy and already my status has changed from that of fearless warrior to helpless maiden."

It broke his heart to hear the near acceptance in the elf's voice.

"That is not it dear heart." He made his way to stand directly in front Legolas and the dropped to his knees resting his hands on the elf's thighs.

Legolas turned his head away, looking anywhere but towards Estel.

"I do not wish to argue with you, but how do you expect me to feel. I will be left behind to simply sit and await the birth of my child while my friends and lover run away to war to excitement and to possibly meet their deaths."

Before Estel could formulate a response the door opened with out a knock. Thranduil strode in side holding a glass containing a herbal drink and closed the door.

"You found him them." The king remarked noticing Estel on the floor. "What is wrong?" He said taking-in Legolas dejected appearance.

Legolas did not answer and so instead Estel spoke for him.

"He wishes to ride with the patrols into war tomorrow." He sighed softly.

"I think not!" Thranduil said sternly, before almost pushing Estel out of the way placing the glass in the mans hand and pulling his son into an embrace although Legolas did not return it. "You have been in and out of sleep for days you know well that we would not allow you to join the patrols."

"I know but I could not let them go with out making them feel guiltily for leaving me here with only Arwen, Lord Elrond and the maids for company."

Estel looked up at Legolas in shock which quickly turned to anger as he noticed the gleam of triumph in the prince's eyes.

"Why you." He stumbled over his words very conscious of Thranduil's presence. "That all a show!"

"You will leave in the morning to adventure and excitement, you could be gone for day's even weeks if things do not go well while *I* will spend much of my time being prodded and poked by healers while being confined to a bed and force fed unpleasant concoctions." He said sounding equally as annoyed as Estel appeared to be.

"Do not exaggerate." Estel mumbled thrusting the glass he had been given into Legolas's opens hands that lay in his lap, before standing and walking back across the room.

"See!" Legolas held up the glass before placing it on the bedside table. "It is happening already but you do not see it, would you like to prove me wrong taste this and see how you appreciate it!"

Estel ignored Legolas offer and shook his head attempting to clear it, they should not be arguing he would be leaving in a matter of hours.

"I will leave you to debate this I myself am going to bed." Thranduil said before he stood releasing his son from his arms. Stopping for a moment he turned back and leaned down to whisper in Legolas's ear, aware that Estel could still hear him. "If this arm of darkness is as formidable as they say it is my son you will get your chance when they break through Rivendell's barriers. It may end up being just you that stands between them and success."

"Your faith in us my King is encouraging." Estel said glaring at the king, sarcasm lacing his voice.

Thranduil just smirked in response and left the room.

"Legolas." Estel sighed returning to the bed. "I know you must feel frustrated but do you not feel any amount of pride that you carry our child."

"Of course I do." Legolas snapped suddenly feeling guilty that he had put Estel through this.

"Then surely you feel somewhere deep down the need to protect it I could not bear it if you were to follow me in to battle and then were mortally injured, I could not lose you and our child my heart for I would surely then follow you." Estel let the concern he felt be seen in his eyes and then smiled softly as Legolas reached out for him.

"I do not wish to endanger myself or our child but it worries me that I have to rely on the likes of Elladan to protect you."

Kissing the elf gently Estel smiled again.

"You do not have to rely on anyone for I am quite able to take care of myself." He frowned when Legolas snorted with contained laughter.

"And the injury you gain in the last battle that was taking care of yourself!" Legolas asked grinning.

Shaking his head for he had no answer Estel simply pulled Legolas closer to him placing one hand softly upon Legolas's stomach content for now in the presence of his lover.

Smirking he reached suddenly for the glass on the table, handing to Legolas who groaned.

"I simply refuse to drink this for the months until the child is born." He growled before sipping the liquid scrunching up his face for effect, Estel just laughed.

~*~

TBC.