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Chapter Twenty-six: Síriel's Heart Turns Cold

Síriel stared at Celebrindal, stricken speechless. How could it be that she was pregnant? Surely her friend was playing a trick on her.

Turning to her with a knowing smile on her face, she said:

"That was a wonderful trick!"

Celebrindal looked at her.

"You think I am fooling you? I am not!" she said.

Síriel then knew that her friend was not lying. She knew Celebrindal would never play such a serious prank on her. But, how did she become pregnant? She had never been intimate with anyone.

'But indeed you have. Have you forgotten Legolas?' a small voice said in her mind. 'Twice you made love to each other!'

"Legolas…" Síriel whispered.

Celebrindal looked at her knowingly.

"I knew it was him. Did he force you?" she asked.

"He did not. I gave him my consent." Síriel replied.

"Well then, as long as no one else has…touched you, then he is the sire. At least this matter is cleared."

Síriel nodded.

"Is it not strange that he has not written to me?" she asked.

Celebrindal hesitated momentarily before replying:

"You do not know his circumstances. Perhaps he cannot write to you."

Her friend nodded her head slowly.

"I wonder," she mused, "what he shall think when he learns the news. One thing I ask of you: tell not Thranduil."

Celebrindal smiled.

"I would never dream of telling him." she said soothingly.

She rose to leave.

"I will prepare a special drink for you to take to reduce the pain. I fear that, because you are half-elven, your childbearing pain will be the same as that of a mortal and elven woman." she said.

"When will it be ready?" Síriel asked.

"In the evening. Come and get it."

"Very well. My sire should be coming. He must not know."

"Not by me shall anyone hear of this. Gweston."

The two friends embraced. Síriel saw Celebrindal to the door. Then she sank slowly into a nearby chair to think.

So, her pain was not because she had skipped a meal, rather, it was because she was bearing Legolas' unborn child. A thrill coursed through her as she thought affectionately of the being within her. She and Legolas had managed to create, through their love, a child. Her mind strayed to the two nights of passion she had shared with him and she wondered on which night she had managed to conceive.

Yet, where was Legolas? He had not told her where he was going or how long he was to be away, and apparently Celebrindal did not know. Síriel was sure that if she knew she would tell her. Celebrindal would never hide something like that from her.

She turned at the sound of footsteps outside the door and saw, to her utter joy, that it was her sire. She opened the door quickly for him.

"Adar!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms.

The Elf staggered slightly at the unexpected action. He patted his daughter's back affectionately and stroked her hair.

"So good to see you!" Síriel said as he stepped inside their cottage.

"Indeed, and the same here." he replied.

He sat down at the small table in the kitchen as his daughter went to prepare him a small meal. He was glad to be home.

"How is Legolas?" he asked her.

She told him about The Choosing, and how she had spent several days in the palace after he had left. He was quite surprised at the news.

"Indeed? Well, congratulations!" he told her proudly.

She blushed.

"But he is gone, now. I know not where he left, or how long he will be gone. He only promised to return." she added, sitting beside him.

"I am sure he will return." he told her comfortingly as he ate.

She really hoped so. It was a little over a month now since his departure, and still there was no sign or word of him yet. When evening came, she excused herself from him to go and get the drink from Celebrindal.

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The next two months passed quickly. Since Gil-celeb had returned, it meant that Síriel was once again helping him with the rafts and related matters. Only once did they go to Lake-town, for the palace's cellars were still quite full, save for several necessary items.

Síriel did not discuss her feelings about Legolas with anyone. She doubted that he loved her. In her mind, a suspicion was growing. She knew now the reason why he had left without telling her where he was going or how long he would be away: he knew she was pregnant and had deserted her. It was the only logical reason she could think of. All of his supposed sweet words meant nothing to her now. If he truly loved her, would he not at least send a message to her? Since he did not, this only confirmed her suspicions about him. She felt her love for him leave her.

Her visits with Celebrindal became more frequent. The kitchen maiden sensed something was amiss. She could see that Síriel was different, but she did not know how. She intended to find out.

"What is wrong?" she asked her one day.

Síriel was silent.

"Does it have something to do with Legolas?" Celebrindal asked.

To her complete surprise, Síriel's eyes blazed at his name.

"Do not mention his name in my presence again!" she seethed.

"Why? What has happened?" Celebrindal said.

"Happened?" Síriel said with a cold laugh. "Nothing has happened! That is the problem. I have spent much time deep in thought about why he has not told me anything about his sudden departure, and I have found out the reason. He knows I am pregnant, and so he deserted me. He does not wish to bear any of the responsibilities."

Celebrindal attempted to calm her friend.

"He does not know you are pregnant. How could he have known? Do not be absurd. I am sure he has a legitimate reason with him. When in doubt, do not judge a person until you see them." she said.

"If I see him again!" Síriel screamed. "Can you not see? He made up this tale that he has important business to attend to. But he does, he has to desert me and leave me to care for the child alone."

Celebrindal placed her hands around her shoulders.

"Do not think like that, Síriel. He loves you!" she said.

Síriel laughed sadly.

"Or so he claims. I tell you, my friend, that once more I have made a dreadful mistake. I have tried to establish a relationship with the elite again. As if the lesson that I learned from Amorith, Elenath, Giliath, and Forfirith was not painful enough." she said quietly, as she clutched her abdomen, "This time, I shall learn much more painfully. There is no going back. In my heart I understand. I do not love Legolas anymore. I opened myself up to him, and see my reward? I thought he was different than all the others, but I see I am gravely mistaken. He is no better than his friends who tried to violate me. He did violate me, through slyness."

She rose and left the kitchens. Celebrindal sat in shock. She did not know what to do. She feared for Síriel, but especially for Legolas. Who knew what would happen when he returned.

"Ernil, please come back soon!" she silently pleaded.