Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien! GAHAHA!

AN: I just wanted to let the "this blows dick" reviewer know that you are very, very rude (not to mention disgusting) and I would appreciate it that if you just don't like my story then LEAVE!! You don't have to waste you're time writing insults…haven't you heard of courtesy?

((((((((((((((((((Chapter 6)))))))))))))))))))))))

Five days after they first arrived, Legolas and Eressa were beginning to become accustomed to free living again. The elves, at Lord Elrond's orders, obliged to their every whim. Eressa was so flattered by this that she began to feel guilty…somehow. She wasn't used to be served like this. She was used to being the person that served, not the person that was served.

Legolas, on the other hand, was not phased by his cousin's behavior. He had known that this would happen. Lord Elrond and his people were among the most generous and welcoming creatures out there. He tried to make Eressa feel the same, but it looked as though she would need more time to get used to it.

But they didn't have very much time.

On the sixth day Estel arrived back from Mirkwood, and good news came with him. His Majesty the King of Mirkwood had begun to recover even as news that his youngest son had survived reached his ears. And the Woodelves were absolutely overjoyed to hear that their youngest Prince was alright.

"You should go to them soon, Legolas." Lord Elrond advised. "They cannot celebrate your return without you."

Legolas smiled. "I know. But Lord Elrond…what am I going to tell my father?"

"About Eressa…and your child?"

"Yes…about that."

The old elf lord smiled lightly. "Well, Legolas…I was hoping you'd tell him the truth. I'm certain your father will be overjoyed to hear he will be receiving a grandchild soon."

Legolas frowned. "But a human grandchild." He said. "The heir to the Mirkwood throne…my heir…it will be a human."

Lord Elrond looked at the elf Prince. "Look at me, Legolas. Am I human?"

Legolas was baffled. "Of course not."

"Right. Because I chose to become Immortal and founded this very city." The elf lord explained. "You know this."

"I do."

"Your child will have a choice too."

Legolas looked down. "Yes…I understand."

The elf lord put a comforting hand on the Prince's shoulders. "You mustn't worry yourself, Legolas. Your father will be thrilled."

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"Legolas…I'm not sure if I can fit all these in my bag."

Eressa stood in what had become their bedroom, looking at her clothing, which was lying out on the bed. They had begun packing, for they were leaving for Mirkwood in the morning. And Lord Elrond and his sons were escorting them there.

Legolas looked over and watched with amusement as Eressa tried to stuff one more dress into the many bags they had to pack. "I'm afraid you can't bring them all, Eressa." He said, smiling. "We only have one horse to carry all that."

Eressa looked at him, annoyed somewhat. "But I…" She stopped and crossed her arms in a huff.

Legolas smiled and came up behind her, reaching his arms around her. Eressa had been reluctant to receive anything from the kind Rivendell elves, but she had grown especially fond of the clothing that had been made for her. As of now the elves had made her three extravagant outfits…all made to fit Eressa's changing body, and all beautiful.

"You'll just have to leave on of the outfits here, darling." Legolas said to her. "Just choose the ones you most like."

"But I want to bring them all." She whined. "I like them all."

Legolas chuckled and planted a soft kiss on her cheek and then backed away, turning to his own bags. "Eressa, I assure you, the seamstresses at my home will make you many dresses…each more beautiful than the last."

Eressa turned to him, her arms still crossed and her lip stuck out. She would have looked very much like a child in that moment, had it not been for her pregnancy.

Legolas shoved his clothes into a bag and then approached her again. His hands rested on her upper arms and he placed his chin on the top of her hair, pressing her to him. Eressa didn't hesitate to unfold her arms and embrace his body.

"You'll like Mirkwood." He told her hopefully. "It's very beautiful in the spring."

Eressa smiled into his chest. "It's almost summer, silly."

"True." Legolas agreed. "Mirkwood looks beautiful in summer as well."

They separated and Eressa clutched her bulging stomach. "Lord Elrond says the baby should be due in late July." She said proudly.

Legolas grinned at her and nodded warmly. "You told me."

Eressa turned back to her clothes, but she continued talking. "My mother always used to tell me that the happiest children are born in the summer." She said, folding one of her outfits and placing it into the bag carefully.

She paused and looked up at Legolas, who hadn't averted his gaze from her. "Do you think our child will be happy, Legolas?"

Legolas smiled. "Of course."

Eressa grinned and folded another outfit. "I hope so."

As the girl turned and focused on packing the rest of her bags and sacks, Legolas continued to stare at her. A frown slowly formed on his face.

"Eressa?" He asked after some time had passed.

"Hm?" Eressa answered, not looking up at him.

Legolas looked down uncertainly. "Why do you doubt that our child will be happy?" He asked.

Eressa blinked and looked up in surprise. He had seen right through her again. She should have known it. Sighing, she dropped her hands and walked towards him.

"I don't know why I doubt it, Legolas." She said. "I know I shouldn't …but…it is a possibility, isn't it?"

Legolas stared at her and shook his head vigorisly. "No, it's not."

"Why isn't it?"

Legolas frowned more deeply and countered her question with his own. "Why do you doubt it, Eressa? Do you doubt yourself?" He paused. "Do you doubt me?"

Eressa fell silent. She took a step back from him and suddenly it was as if the light that had always shone on her had been abruptly shut out.

"That is not what I think." She answered quietly.

Legolas looked at her sadly. "Then what do you think, Eressa? You know you can tell me anything."

Eressa looked at him, her emerald eyes seeming to comb Legolas's body from head to foot. Her gaze was sorrowful…fearful.

"Eressa," Legolas urged, stepping forward.

Eressa did not recoil back from him. "Legolas…" She pleaded as he embraced her. "I don't doubt you. I know you'll be a wonderful father. But myself…I'm only eighteen. I'm a child still, and having a child."

"That's not true." Legolas argued. "When I first saw you, when you were forced into my cell at Lord Curdolin's…that was when you were a little girl, a child. But since I've known you…you've grown into a strong, beautiful woman."

Legolas tenderly reached up a hand and brushed his fingers against her soft cheek. "You'll be a wonderful mother, Eressa." He said certainly.

Eressa reached up and clasped his hand in her own. "Do you think so?" She asked.

"Would I say it if I didn't?"

Eressa started to smile. "No."

Legolas pulled back and cupped her head in his hands. "Then there you go." He said, smiling now. "Finish packing quickly. Lord Elrond has invited us for dinner."

The elf stepped away, now tending to his own bags. But before he could, Eressa grabbed his arm. Slowly, he turned back.

"I love you, Legolas." She said, hugging him once again.

Legolas smiled and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I love you too." He replied. "I always will."

"As will I."

Legolas gave his lover one last smile and turned away. But Eressa continued to stand and gaze at the elf's back. She grinned. He always had a way to reassure her, even in the darkest times. How did he do it? Was it another form of elven magic that seemed to surround him? Eressa shook her head. She didn't know. But she was not so curious to find out either.

For now I'm just glad I'm here with him…and having his child. She thought happily.

She touched her stomach. Her hand rested comfortably on it for a moment when Eressa thought she felt a kick on the inside. She gasped, but quietly enough so that Legolas didn't notice.

He..he moved! She suddenly realized.

Eressa placed her other hand gingerly on the surface of her belly, next to the other. She concentrated on feeling any more movement from the baby. But none came.

Eventually Legolas turned to her. "Darling? I am ready." He said. "Are you?"

Eressa's head shot up. "Oh…yes." She said, quickly tossing the few items she had left into a random bag. "I'm ready."

"Then let's go." Legolas replied with a warm smile and a wave of his hand. "Lord Elrond will be waiting."

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The next morning, Legolas got up early to meet Lord Elrond and his sons. Elrohir and Elladan grinned when they saw him. Estel showed up, leading the horses.

"Where's Lady Eressa?" The young man asked, curious as always.

Legolas smiled. He hand become used to the human's constant questions by now, and they had even become quite good friends.

"She's still sleeping." He answered. "It is still quite early."

"Well, you got up early." Estel replied.

"I like to." Legolas explained. "I like to see the dawn."

"Be sure to awake her soon, Legolas." Lord Elrond cut in. "We plan to leave before eight o'clock."

Legolas nodded. "I will, sir." He said. "In fact, I'll go wake her now."

"Very well." The older elf replied calmly. With a wave of a hand he dismissed Legolas, and the younger elf bowed and walked off.

"I'll see you in a bit," He waved to Elrohir and Elladan.

"Don't wake her to quickly, Legolas!" Warned Elladan. "It's bad luck!"

"Sure." Legolas laughed and continued on.

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Eressa was up and ready in thirty minutes. The company assembled once again at Rivendell's gate and loaded their bags onto the horses. Eressa was shocked when she was told she'd be riding one of her own.

"My own horse? I don't know if I can do that…" She retorted uncertainly.

"Not to worry, milady." Replied Elrohir. "You will not have to lead it at all. There will be a rope tied around the necks of your horse and Legolas's horse. Your horse will go wherever Legolas's horse goes."

"Oh." Eressa said, calming down. "It's nice to know we won't be separated, Legolas."

"Very." Her lover agreed. He stepped to her and held out his hands. "Let me help you."

Eressa blinked. "With what?"

"Getting on your horse, silly." Legolas teased.

Eressa realized her mistake and laughed. She let Legolas help her up and shifted in the small saddle, her legs to one side.

"That saddle used to belong to my daughter, when she was younger." Lord Elrond said to her.

Eressa smiled warmly at the old elf. "You have a daughter? I did not know that."

"She's in Lothlorien now." Lord Elrond explained.

"Where is that?"

"Across the mountains, and to the south."

Eressa paused. "What is your daughter's name, Lord Elrond?"

The elf lord smiled kindly at her as he mounted his own horse. "Arwen."

The two looked at each other in silence for a moment before Lord Elrond turned his gaze away. Eressa sucked in a breath of sweet air and looked back over her shoulder at the elven city.

"Legolas was right." She whispered to herself. "I am going to miss it here."

"Eressa?" Legolas's voice suddenly spoke to her.

"Yes?" Eressa turned back, her face graced with a smile.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"I suppose."

Legolas grinned. He stepped to his own horse and gracefully leaped up onto it's back, with seemingly no effort. Unlike Eressa, he rode bareback. "Then lets be off." He said merrily.

Eressa watched as he leaned forward and whispered something elvish into his horses ear. The horse started to walk. Eressa was amazed.

"Can they understand you?" She asked. "The horses, I mean?"

Legolas turned to her as the company passed under the ivory gate. "Well…these are elf-steeds, so they can. But elves do have a way with all horses."

Eressa looked down at the neck of her horse, at its soft, long mane. Her horse was very beautiful, with a black coat but a mane of snow. "Can you ask my horse what her name is?"

Legolas smiled at her. "It's a 'he'." He corrected.

Eressa rolled her eyes. "Fine. Ask him what is name is."

"Is that an order?" Legolas teased, cocking his head to the side and raising an eyebrow.

Eressa leaned forward and smirked. "Yes, it is."

Legolas chucked softly before he leaned impossibly far out, whispering into Eressa's steed's ear. Eressa gasped in surprise when the horse snickered and threw it's head back.

Legolas leaned back. "His name is Agoroth."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Eressa smiled as she petted Agoroth's mane. "That's amazing. I wish I could do that."

Legolas turned and looked ahead to the wooded path ahead of them. The mountains loomed up on either side and peaked through the clouds that swirled around them.

"You could." He answered after a moment. "If you learn to speak elvish, the horses will understand you too."

Eressa looked at him, her eyes widened considerably. "Really?" She repeated.

Legolas looked back at her and grinned. "Yes, Eressa."

Eressa looked back down at the neck of Agoroth and pondered the thought for a bit. She supposed that she would have to learn elvish sometime, if she and Legolas were to be married and living together in Mirkwood. She did know a few phrases he had taught her, but not much. Eressa looked towards Legolas and wondered what it must be like to be bilingual.

Legolas pretended not to notice as Eressa gazed curiously at him. Her wonder about elvish customs and culture was amusing to him. But he slowly began to realize that converting Eressa to the slave she had once been to his wife would be harder than he had thought. He had had a difficult time just trying to get her used to being waited on. What on earth was she going to do when she was in his palace, being treated like a royal, not just a guest?

"We'll see." He said to himself. Naturally, Eressa heard him.

"What?" She asked.

Legolas turned his head to her slightly, looking at her from the side. His mouth gracefully curved into a delicate smile. "It's nothing." He said.

Normally Eressa would have complained about Legolas's reluctance to speak to her, but for now she was satisfied. She trusted his word, that it was just a meaningless thought he happened to speak aloud.

"Legolas?" She then asked.

"Yes, Eressa?"

"How long until we arrive at Mirkwood?"

Legolas sighed. He had learned, that when it came to travel, Eressa was not a patient person. "We'll reach it's border in two and a half days. But then we must pass through it, to where my people live on the other side." He turned to his lover. "I warn you, Eressa, this journey will not be an easy one. We must pass…"

"Yes, I know." Eressa interrupted. "Through the mountains and the forest. Elrohir told me." She paused. "Are there really giant spiders there?"

"Elrohir?" Legolas repeated, confused. "Why'd he tell you about the spiders?"

Eressa didn't answer. Instead she continued. "He told me once that your brother dared you to catch a hatchling one, but instead you got caught by the hatchlings themselves and they strung you up in a tree."

Legolas lowered his eyebrows and looked ahead to Elrohir's place in the line. No doubt his friend was listening but holding back his laughs. "Did he?" He asked, purposely raising his voice. "Well, did I ever tell you about the time Elrohir spilled wine on his father's best robe and then buried it in the garden to hide what he had done?"

Elrohir's brown head whirled around, a shocked look on his face. Lord Elrond also turned and looked at his son. Legolas shot them both a mischievous grin. Eressa giggled.

"Did he really do that?" She asked in a hushed whisper once their companion's glances strayed away.

"Yes."

"That's very…interesting." Eressa giggled one more time.

Legolas smiled lovingly at her, as he always did. "Wait until we get to Mirkwood." He told her. "I'm sure my father will be able to recall many great stories about me when I was a child."

"That must have been thousands of years ago." Eressa said. "You are two thousand years old."

"Two-thousand-eight-hundred and eighty-nine." Legolas answered. "It seems like it was just yesterday I was a child."

Legolas lowered his head in thought, and Eressa fingered Agoroth's long mane. "You know, Legolas," She began. "I think you'll feel like you're a child again once you have one."

Legolas looked up at her, surprised. He had never thought of it that way before. "You might be right." He answered.

Suddenly, Lord Elrond's voice called out. "Prince Legolas!"

"Yes, my Lord?" Legolas answered politely.

The elf lord turned slightly in his saddle. "We are now leaving the elf-controlled lands. I encourage you to be on your guard."

"Yes, sir."

Eressa looked at Legolas once Lord Elrond turned back around. She leaned slightly out of her saddle and whispered to him. "What are you supposed to be on guard for?" She asked curiously.

Legolas bit his lip. "Orcs. Goblins. Evil things."

Eressa gasped—not loudly—but loudly enough. "Orcs?" She repeated.

"They seem to like the mountains." Legolas explained briefly. "We have to be on the look-out."

Eressa began to get nervous. "You can fight them off, can't you?" She looked around at the other four bodies riding horses. "You can defeat them if they attack us?"

Legolas turned his eyes on her. "Eressa, I don't mean to scare you. We rarely ever run into orcs on this path. It is possible, however, and if that is so, we want to see them before they see us."

"I understand."

Legolas looked back and smiled. "Besides, even if we were attacked, I'm sure we could defeat them. Lord Elrond was once a great warrior."

"Was he?"

"Yes. He was there when Sauron was defeated, many ages ago."

"Are you serious, Legolas?"

"Yes. My father fought in that war as well as my grandfather. In fact, my grandfather was killed during the Great War."

Eressa frowned, sad. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Legolas smiled slightly. "I never knew him. I was not yet born."

"I never knew my father either." Eressa told him. "I don't believe I ever told you that."

Legolas looked at her, his smile faded. "No, you didn't. All you ever told me about your family was your mother and Eredor."

"I don't even know his name." Eressa confessed. "I don't know if my mother did, either. She never spoke of him, and I never asked about it."

Eressa sighed. "We always seem to learn more and more about each other, don't we, Legolas?"

"I like learning about you."

"As do I." Eressa paused, a question on the tip of her tongue. "Legolas, now that I think of it, you never mention your mother either."

Legolas blinked, and he saw Lord Elrond turn his head slightly towards them. He was listening. "My mother is in Valinor, Eressa." He said. "She left many years ago."

"Why did she leave?"

Legolas looked down at the passing ground. "She had to. She had seen the sea, and the sea-longing was awoken within her. Had she stayed in the forests of Mirkwood, she would have died."

"Have you ever seen the sea, Legolas?"

"No. I don't wish to." Legolas answered strongly. "Once an elf sees it, the sea-longing cannot be tamed. If I did, I would also wish to go to Valinor. But then I would have to leave you."

"I couldn't come with you?"

Legolas frowned. "Humans are not permitted to cross the sea and enter the White Land."

"Why?"

Legolas realized he didn't know. "I cannot say." He answered.

"Oh." Eressa said. Perhaps it was one of those things…those laws…that just were never questioned.

"We're coming up to the mountain pass." Elladan shouted.

Legolas stared ahead at the iron sides of the mountains that were growing closer and higher. They were dark, the light from the sun glinting off them like a fire.

Beyond these walls of rock is my home…He thought. How wonderful it will be to sleep in my own bed again.

Legolas turned his head slightly to the side, glancing on Eressa once more.

And I won't be sleeping alone. Not alone.

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That was a longer chapter than some others. I hope you liked it. It ended kind of abrubtly. And here's a note to Legolasgurl88: Legolas still has scars because he's still in the process of healing. His scars will eventually disappear, like all scars do for elves. Thanks for making me aware of that, though! Love all you guys, and keep them reviews coming!