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(((((((((((((((Chapter 9))))))))))))))))))))
Legolas drank up his glass of wine. He then proceeded to drink another glass. And a few more. Then he decided that standing around waiting for Eressa to come to him was hopeless. Hathol hadn't gotten her halfway across the dance hall before Estel had rushed up and asked her to dance. Still, when Legolas watched her, she was smiling. And that made him forget that he wasn't the one she was dancing with.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. A strong, familiar hand.
"Yes, Ada?" He asked, looking up.
His father smiled warmly at him. "How are you, Legolas?"
Legolas chuckled merrily. "Well, it's hard to say at the moment."
Thranduil nodded towards Eressa and Estel dancing. "Haven't danced with her yet?"
"No." His son grunted.
The King patted his son's shoulder a few times and laughed. "Come on. Let's take a walk."
Legolas blinked and stared at his wine. "To where?"
"Wherever you like, Legolas. Have you seen the gardens yet?" The King asked. "They bloomed most beautifully this year."
"No, I haven't." Legolas confirmed. "Let's go there, Father, but first I'm telling Eressa I'm leaving."
Legolas got up and rushed across the hall to where Estel and Eressa were still swaying towards the music. Estel saw him approach first and frowned.
"I asked her!" He explained before Legolas had a chance to say anything.
Eressa looked over her shoulder at her fiancé. "Legolas, is something wrong?"
"No, Melamin." Legolas smiled. "But my father and I are going to go for a walk in the gardens, so if you can't find me, that's where I'll be."
"Will you come back?"
"Of course I will."
The blonde haired girl's mouth curved into the perfect smile. "Alright." She said, before turning back to her dance partner.
Legolas shot Estel a nod and a grin before he turned around and made his way back to where Thranduil was waiting.
"Shall we be off, Father?" He asked.
"Yes." The King replied. "Let us go."
The two elves walked out of the crowded hall and into the near empty hallways. Legolas breathed in evenly and looked at his surroundings…huge stone pillars polished to mirror-like perfection, floors inlaid with the finest marble, and tapestries depicting the ancient past covering the walls. It all looked so familiar, yet to so alien to him. He hadn't been here in such a long time. It was then that Thranduil decided to speak.
"Legolas, I would like to talk to you about Eressa." He said in a tone that was hard to read.
Legolas lowered his eyebrows. "What about her?" He asked, concerned and confused.
The King sighed. "I like her…and I know you love her…but you know what she is."
"What she is…" Legolas didn't understand, but then realized. "…oh. She's human."
"Exactly." The King answered.
Legolas frowned. "What does that matter?"
The King stopped and turned to face his son, a serious look on his face. "Legolas, I know this must be hard for you to realize, but her time will pass much quicker than yours will. She will die in a matter of years."
Legolas lowered his voice to a whisper. "I know that, Father." He said.
The King nodded. "I…almost lost you once. I suppose I'm afraid I will lose you again."
"You mean if I lose her?" Legolas inquired.
"Yes. Legolas you love her with all your heart, I see that. But…" Thranduil sighed again. "But when she leaves, will you leave as well? Will you follow?"
Legolas's breath seemed stuck in his throat, and he couldn't answer that question for a moment. Finally, it was as if the invisible hands that choked him let go, and he whispered a few short words. "I do not know that, Father."
"Legolas…"
"Father, I don't know. It's the Valar's truth." Legolas sounded hurt. "I would never lie to you about such a thing."
The younger elf hitched in a shaky breath. "Father, what would you have done if Mother had ever died?"
Thranduil stared at him and then shook his head. "You are right, Legolas. I don't know what I would do either. I wouldn't want to leave you behind."
"I know, and I won't want to leave my child behind either." Legolas said. "But my heart will be broken. You see now why everyone says the Valar works in mysterious ways."
The King's eyes fluttered down to the floor. He blinked a few times, as if trying to push back unshed tears, and then looked up at his son again. "Legolas, I've tried my best to be a good father to you and Ithilion since you're mother left. Now I'm beginning to feel like I've failed."
Legolas shook his head. "You haven't failed, Ada! You've loved Ithilion and I and taught us everything we know. It is not your fault that I was captured and Ithilion protected his honor! It's not your fault!"
Legolas reached forward and embraced his father then, tears slipped silently down his cheeks. He couldn't see it, but he knew his father was crying too.
That night, the gardens remained untouched by their eyes.
(((((((((((((
After their emotional confessions in the hallway, Legolas returned to the dance. Thranduil decided to check and see how the wedding preparations were going.
Legolas walked slowly and listened to the echo of his footfalls against the ground. He stopped by a large tapestry that had been hung on this wall since his Grandfather, Oropher had ruled. In fact, it was a portrait of him.
Legolas stared at the artwork curiously. He had never known his Grandfather. He had been killed in the Great War, ages before. It had been then that his father had had to take up his father's crown and lead Mirkwood's armies to battle.
Would I have done that? He asked himself.
Legolas smiled and shook his head. It was a stupid question. Going to battle meant keeping his wife and children safe. And Legolas knew that he would face Sauron himself before he would leave Eressa and their unborn child in peril.
Legolas sighed, turned away, and walked the rest of the way back to the hall. But the tapestry and stirred up some past memories…unpleasant ones.
Sauron…He thought. He's not plagued my dreams nor Eressa's since…not since the writing on the wall.
Legolas remembered that memory more clearly than ever, even thought it had probably been more that six months ago. Sauron had somehow taken control of his body and written a message for them on the wall.
The Child will bring The End…It had said. That was Sauron's message. What did it mean?"
Legolas stopped dead in his tracks. The child…
My child?He wondered, fear gripping his heart. No, no, no…that just can't be…
Legolas knew that wasn't it. It couldn't be. That was the night he and Eressa had first made love…he couldn't have known she would become pregnant…how could Sauron know such things?
Legolas shook his head, trying to throw his tangle thoughts free. That could not be it. That could not be it.
He turned and looked back at the tapestry. What had Sauron been implying? And why did he suddenly disappear?
"I…I need more wine." He said aloud. "I need to forget this."
Still, this feeling of dread inside me…he thought secretly. If it persists, I will have to do something.
Legolas sighed. He reached the end of the hall, and looked out upon the swirling figures of the elves as they danced merrily in the Great Hall in front of him. Legolas frowned and looked around. He did not see Eressa anywhere.
Somehow finding his way through the tangled crowd, Legolas made his way to the table that held food and drink. There were chairs against the wall, and sitting in one of those chairs was Eressa. Next to her sat Lord Elrond.
Legolas stood for a moment before realizing that she actually didn't have a trail of elves scrambling to ask her for a dance. Now was his chance. He approached hastily.
"Legolas!" Eressa spoke his name happily when she saw him. "That was a rather short walk."
"We didn't go to the gardens." Legolas explained, as he sat beside her and grasped her hand. "My Father just needed to talk with me."
Eressa nodded and smiled. Lord Elrond looked at the both of them and then excused himself. "I must see what my sons are up to." He said before leaving, disappearing into the crowd.
Legolas ran his fingers over Eressa's upturned palm. "Eressa, would you like to dance with me now?" He asked.
Eressa's eyes turned to him and she smiled guiltily. "Oh, I would love to, Legolas…but so much dancing has got me tired. I'm sorry."
Legolas's eyes fell, but he offered her a smile. "That's alright. We can dance all we want together after two days time." He looked up at her, his blue eyes sparkling. "What were you and Lord Elrond doing?" He asked.
Eressa shrugged her small shoulders. "Talking." She said. "He's a very lovely person to talk to, but this time, he was a bit confusing."
Legolas frowned. "What do you mean?"
Eressa reached over and grasped his hand with both of hers, slightly leaning her body clower to him. "I'm not sure…he just told me that he wished me luck with my child, and then started to speak about how I had to be strong no matter what happened to me."
Eressa frowned and her brow furrowed. "He said 'Everybody has a time when their strength will be tested.' What did he mean by that, Legolas?" She asked. "Do you know?"
Legolas shook his head. "No, I don't. But Lord Elrond is very wise, so I'd take his advice if I were you."
"I have." Eressa said, frown melting into a much brighter and much more pleasant smile. She placed one of her hands on her swollen belly. "Elrond also said that the baby will be ready to be born shortly."
Legolas blinked. "How long?"
"He said in two months time." Eressa answered, rubbing the firm skin under her hand. She gasped as she felt the baby kick.
"What is it?" Legolas asked in alarm.
Eressa looked up at him sheepishly. "I…it's nothing to worry about, Legolas. The baby just moved, that's all."
Legolas stared at her. "It's moving?"
Eressa laughed. "You know absolutely nothing about pregnancy, do you?" She asked.
"I can't say that I do, for I've never had a child before." Legolas answered, smiling. "But…can I feel?"
Eressa nodded and took his hand, placing it on her belly, in the same spot she had felt the kick just moments before.
"I don't feel anything." Legolas said after a moment.
"You have to wait, Legolas." Eressa exclaimed.
Legolas looked at her. She was so beautiful now. She was dressed in a emerald green dress made of light but glorious fabric. The long sleeves were slit halfway up her arms, and the material hung at her sides, moving with the slightest breath. The collar of the dress was cut lower than usual, but Eressa was also wearing a chain of gold and green gemstones made for her by Lord Elrond during their stay in Rivendell.
Suddenly, Legolas felt movement underneath his hand, and he nearly jumped out of his seat in surprise. "The baby…the baby is moving!" He marveled.
Eressa laughed. "See? I told you."
Legolas was beside himself. "That is so…I don't know how to describe this feeling, Eressa, do you know what I mean?"
Eressa placed her hand upon his strong upper arm and played with the fabric of his sleeve. "I understand completely." She said, looking him in the eye. Her eyes looked brighter than usual tonight. "But just think when the child is born, Legolas. Think of how it will feel to hold your son in your arms for the first time."
Legolas imagined it for a minute but then blinked. "Why are you so certain it will be a son?" He asked for what must have been the tenth time.
Eressa shrugged again. "I told you before, Legolas. I just know. Call it motherly intuition."
Legolas smiled at her and then stretched and leaned back in his chair, his head hanging over the back of it, and his eyes closed. Eressa laughed softly and leaned over just far enough to kiss his cheek. His eyelashes fluttered open.
"I love you." He whispered to her. "I will love you for forever."
Eressa smiled, the kind of smile that told Legolas she was returning the words that were sent to her. "I know. I will love you forever too, Legolas. I promise."
"That is one promise I know you will never break." Legolas said.
Eressa nodded. "It is your promise as well as mine."
"Yes, Eressa." Legolas agreed. "I will love you. Forever."
(((((((((((((((Personal thing))))))))))))))))))
Well, I'll have to say that I liked the first half of this chapter better than the last half. Why do half of my chapters always end with either Legolas or Eressa telling the other that they love each other? Tell me what you think! Thanks to all, and please keep reviewing!
Random Author Blog: I'm really really excited today because today my friend Matt is having two British guys come over to his house and we're gonna make homemade pizzas and go to a baseball game. I don't know how old they are or why they're there, but I don't care! They're British! I'd go over there just to hear them talk, with their awesome accents! I can't wait!! AH!!
Also, there's an anonymous reviewer that keeps sending me what we at would call "flames". You know, saying stuff like "this blows dick" or "horse doo." I don't know what to do about them, so now I'm just gonna ignore them. But if any of you guys have any advice about this, I'd appreciate you telling it to me. I don't know if there's much I can do if the reviewer is anonymous, though. But thankies!
Now for replies to my GOOD reviewers:
frodofreak88: Helly! Thank you for reviewing! You compliments are really appreciated. Thank you extra much for putting me on my favorites list! Oh, and I won't be updating Cheating Darkness: Part I. It's complete. Cheating Darkness: Part II is Part I's continuum. They really are the same story, but I had to split it apart into three sections because I knew it was going to be long. Thank you again!
Nikki: THANK YOU!!! Thank you sooo much for complimenting me and the humorous situation with Hathol/Eressa/Legolas! I'm really insecure when it comes to writing humor, so when someone compliments me on it, it really makes me feel good! And THANK YOU for all your compliments on being such a good writer. THANK YOU, for being such a great reviewer! And I'm glad too that my reviews are going up again! Only ten more and I'll have one hundred! Yay! Thank you so much!
Kistune Kida: You like anime? Awesome! So do I! A wonderful art form. I still consider myself a "newbie" too, even though I must have been watching Inuyasha for a year for now. Some of the Inuyasha fics on this site are really good. I haven't read many(due to lack of time), but I'd recomment trying it if you like that show. Um…if you want information on Inuyasha…there are a ton of sites dedicated to it on the web. All you do is go on Google and type "Inuyasha" and a whole slew of sites will pop up. Some of the best are Inuyasha Banana and a little place called Holymango has a link on it's main page that will lead you to a huge episode summary guide, as well as other things. It's a really great place. I hope you find it and check it out, and I'm glad to help!
Legolasgurl88: Hello! Thanks for the compliments! I just like the thought of Legolas sitting at a dance and no one wants to dance with him. Can you just imagine that? Cuz in real life, that would never happen! It's so funny! Thank you!
Lizzie in the Biz: You're very welcome for replying to you. Look, I'm doing it again! And I will continue to as well, as long as you're reviews keep coming! Thank you very much!
Whitecoyote: Thank you! You really liked chappie seven, eh? Well, I guess if Eressa meeting the elves and all was what you were waiting for it must have been good. Thank you very much. I'm glad you thought my Legolas-not-being-able-to-dance-with-Eressa gig was amusing. Thank you again and I'll update as soon as I can!
Nirobie: Hello!! I'm glad I keep you wondering, so I'm gonna keep updating! I promise! Thank you very much for reviewing! Keep 'em coming!
The Noble Platypus: Hey Platy! I'm glad to be back doing reviewer responses, I missed them. YAY!! You like Hathol!! I like Hathol too! I just love all my original elven boy characters for some reason. Maybe I need a boyfriend—yeah, that must be it.
The broomstick thing is what African American slaves used to do to get married way back before the Civil War. They didn't have money for ceremonies or their masters wouldn't allow it, so they just jumped over a stick. I wish me and my Kevin could get married that easily…Anyway, you got a little of Sauron's master plan in this chapter. I had to put that whole thing out of the way for a long time to focus on Eressa and Legolas's escape…sorry.
Hey…you have the "Wicked" soundtrack? I don't, but I had a chance to see the musical on Broadway in March of this year. But then the girl who was coming with me decided she didn't want to go to it and the chaperones wouldn't let me go alone so I was stuck watching "Chicago" with the rest of them. I don't understand…why do they have "Chicago" playing in New York City? Shouldn't they have it in…Chicago? LOL. Anyway, good luck writing you're new chappies. I'll be seeing you!
DiamondTook3: Aw…I like the warm fuzzies. I'm glad I gave them to you…or rather, my chapter did. I'm flattered. Thank you very very much! I'll update as soon as I can, as always! Bye!
Deana: Of course I have more danger planned! Sauron is involved! Me and Sauron are pushin' it real good! high fives Sauron Yes, everybody wants to see the baby very badly. The baby won't be born until the end of this story though, but this story is going to be nowhere near the length of Part I. Thank the Lord. And then the third one is a total surprise! Thank you for reviewing, and I will update as soon as possible! Thank you again! Bye!
Astievia: Hello! It's been a while since I heard from you! But then again, it's been a while since any of you have heard from me! I'm glad to be back and replying again. Did the jellyfish hurt you? I bet you were like "He's mine and I shall call him Squishy and he will be my Squishy." LOL. Hope you're computer's mind stays stable! Thank you, and the baby will be arriving near the end of this story. But his story will only be 20 chapters maximum. I hope. Hehe. Thanks a lot! Bye!
XxDarkGoddessxX: imagines Legolas as a mean drunk LOL!! No, I'm sure Legolas, if he ever got drunk (I heard somewhere that they hold their alcohol very well.), he'd be one of them tipsy, adorable ones. Hehe! Love you too! I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks again! Bye!
A Sly Fan: Yes, Legolas is a very nice Silvan elfy-welfy. Thank you for reviewing again!
darkangelgep: YAY!! Another Hathol-liker!! If I get enough of them, I want to start a Hathol-fanclub. Wouldn't that be fun? Anyway, I'm insane. Ah, yeah! Thank you for reviewing, and I'm glad you like my jealous Leggy and the funny traditions I make up. Thank you again! Bye now!