To Have Loved

Chapter Three

Elearion

--- Loraine Thranduillion ---

Bustling around frantically arranging decorations, I sighed. "Reyna!"

Reyna came running in with Gaelin on her hip and Eldarion's hand in hers. "What now?"

I shook my head. "How are the outside decorations going?"

She smiled. "They are fine, dear." Placing a delicate hand on my shoulder she smiled. "Everything will turn out fine, trust me."

Unsure of how to respond, I nodded politely. "Okay, and the kitchen is properly prepared?"

Reyna laughed slightly. "Yes Sister, do not stress so. Elearion and Legolas are being robed as we speak. You and Ariane need to get dressed soon too, you know?"

"Yes," I continued to play with a flower arrangement, "I will. Don't pester me!" Gaelin reached out to me with a whine.

"It would appear I don't have to." I took Gaelin. "He'll do it for me. Now find your husband and get ready Loraine!" Reyna playfully shooed me down the hall to the bedchambers.

"Fine, albeit something will go wrong if you don't check everything again!"

Reyna laughed. "Go!" Walking down the hall with Gaelin in my arms, I shook my head and laughed at my dear friend's anxiety.

---Point Of View Change – Elf Maiden---

It killed me to see Queen Reyna hold up that young boy over her head for all to see. That was not her babe, I would've noticed if she'd been pregnant. I knew that picture of perfection too well, as it was my son. How gay and content Reyna and her Other looked. King Legolas was literally glowing. I held my tongue as the child was consecrated as heir-apparent.

If Reyna was going to take my son from me, she would have to pay for it. With nothing more than a soft "excuse me" I departed from the crowd. Once I reached the stables, I saddled my horse and quickly departed for Glacia with nothing more than the clothes on my back and a small pouch of lembas. I was sure a Fae child would behave much better than that squabbling brat. After I took the child, Reyna would have to return to Glacia. She would have to leave Legolas alone and vulnerable. That was perfect for my plan.

---Point Of View Change – Legolas Thranduillion---

The festival had been grand, the feast had been unmatched and the dancing had been so entertaining. I lay in my bed, staring at the canopy with my hands folded beneath my head. Reyna was sleeping and the babe was in the nursery. How long had I waited for this day? Three years? I couldn't recall. Time had passed so quickly. I kissed her cheek as she slept. Reyna and I would have so long together... We would never part. Taking her hand in one of mine and pulling her close to me, I managed to drift off in to a pleasant sleep.

---

Two Years Later

---

"Legolas!" my wife's lilting voice trailed across the hills of Glacia as I sat on Arode's back with Elearion in my lap.

A sense of urgency filled her voice, causing me to turn quickly. "What is it?"

The biggest smile I'd seen on her yet was breaking across her face. "I am with child!"

Dread and elation both attacked my being as I climbed of my horse and embraced her, our son standing beside me and gripping my hand. "Is it true?"

She nodded, kissing me fervently. "Seven months and I shall deliver, according to Serina!"

"Seven months?" She nodded again. I hoisted her in to my arms and spun her around. "I'm going to be a father!"

Elearion tugged on my tunic, "What happun?"

Reyna knelt down and put her hands on his shoulders, "In seven months' time you shall have a brother or sister!"

The boy jumped in to his mother's arms excitedly as I watched with a smile. "Do you want a brother or sister?"

"Bote!" our son shouted excitedly.

Cathelle laughed merrily, "I'm not sure that will happen, Sweetheart, but I'll try." She kissed me once more and I hoisted her on to Arode with Elearion following, landing on her skirts. I led the horse back to the Bastion.

So she was with child... Our own child. It was as if I could not feel anything but this overwhelming glee. She dismounted with Elearion and ran in to the palace. "Loraine?!"

My lovely sister came out carrying Celebria, my six-month-old niece. Her lovely blue eyes fell upon Reyna and moved to me, wondering what was the reason for the unceasing smiles that coated both our mouths. "What is it, Sister?"

Reyna set Elearion down and took Loraine's hands. "I am with child!"

Shock overcame my sister, then surprise and a smile followed that. "I am so happy for you!" Loraine embraced Reyna happily, wrapping her arms around her, smiling at me. "When are you due?"

"Seven months," the smile would not fade from her face. The grey that was once so predominant in her eyes seemed to give way to that comely brown that I loved so much.

Loraine grinned broadly, "We must prepare! Only seven months!"

I laughed heartily, "Seven months is not so short a time... Though we must set up a nursery here and at Eryn Lasgallen..."

Reyna nodded slowly. "Do you want a girl or a boy?"

"Whichever, it does not matter to me. Having a child with you is blessing enough," I took her hands in mine and looked in to her eyes sincerely. 'A boy would be best... Then the curse would not take effect...' Though, at this point, I had no idea if there even was a curse still... Things had gone so well for two full years, Elearion was fine, none of our friends were ailing... Everything was perfect and I wanted it to stay that way. Sighing softly, I kissed her. "Come, let us get you and our son something for lunch."

Elearion pleaded to be in his mother's arms and I watched nostalgically as she hoisted him on to her hip. "Mother won't be able to do that for too much longer, Pen neth..." (Little One)

He frowned, "Okay. Is it bucuz of da baby?"

I chuckled softly, "Yes, your little brother or sister is growing in Ata's stomach..."

Elearion put a hand on his mother's stomach. "Risah?" (Truly?)

"Uma," Reyna sat him in her lap as she settled on of the benches in the Hall. Her eyes were still on me, "Melamin, amin mela lle." (My love, I love you.)

I repeated the same words to her, my eyes unblinking.

---Point of View Change - Reyna Thranduillion--- (Some time later)

Sitting down slowly, I smiled at my companion. "Elearion wants twins..."

"That would be impressive..." Arwen laughed, letting Eldarion and Vanyawen play in garden.

I sighed, watching them. "You are Aragorn are well?"

She nodded, "Very much so. Aragorn, Legolas and Haldir are going hunting after the festival, you know?"

"I had heard something to that respect, Elladan and Elrohir will go as well?" I rested a hand on my stomach, which was now obviously growing.

Arwen smiled, "Would they pass up such a chance?"

"Sisters?" A soft elven voice traveled through the garden. Arwen and I both turned around. An elven maiden with lovely black hair and eyes like violets stood before us.

"Lirawen?" my voice broke skeptically.

She smiled, embracing us both in turn as she approached. Her stomach was swollen as well, though hardly more than mine. "I have missed you both..."

Arwen was masking tears, "After the battle, it was rumored that you had passed..."

Lirawen sighed, "I was not well for many years. But Haldir stayed by me and I recovered."

"When are you due?" I took in her every inch, marveling in the healthy glow of her skin.

Her hand instinctively cradled her stomach, "A month or so, no more than two."

Glee overcame me, excited to see her so well. "Haldir did not let you ride after him alone, did he?"

Arwen look alarmed, "He wouldn't dare!"

The sound of Lirawen's laughter was rich and content, "No. No. I traveled with the Lord and Lady... They have gone to the Grey Havens."

My mouth parted a moment in shock. They hadn't said fairwell... I was hurt. "I see. Who shall be commanding those left in the Golden Wood, then?"

"Haldir has been granted the honor of leading the elves of Caras Galadhon."

I embraced her tightly, "Congratulations, mellonamin!" Arwen embraced her also.

Her face was beaming, "Thank you both."

"So shall we call you Queen Lirawen henceforth?" Lady Arwen beamed lightheartedly.

Lirawen shook her head, "Such is not needed." Her eyes fell to my stomach, "Sister! When will your child be delivered!"

I blushed softly, "Three months time." Then my mind recalled something. "You have not met Elearion!"

Arwen called her children to her as we departed from the gardens for the Hall. Pilin was watching Elearion. I would be able to introduce them both in one sitting.

End Chapter Three