Disclaimer: I own nothing of Prof. Tolkien's masterpiece, but original characters are mine! Don't steal them!
(((((((((((((((((((((o Chapter 22 o)))))))))))))))))))))))))
The path back to the top of the cliff was a weary one. Legolas often looked back and gazed upon the darkness at the bottom of the pit, where body after body lay bleeding, and the cries of death could be heard over the sound of the howling wind. Dol Guldor had not been what he expected it to be. He had not wanted it to be the place where his best friend perished and his son be given life. Even as he left the shadowy place and walked back into the familiar trees, he couldn't help but feel that the evil that had festered inside the fortress was following him.
His son had stopped his tears, but the infant was not at rest. It too seemed to sense the ever-present danger, and it huddled against it's father for warmth and comfort. Legolas continued in silence, but stared at his child, with many thoughts swirling wildly in his mind.
Such a little thing…he mused over his son. Such small hands and feet…yet I was like this once too, and have since grown into a warrior, and like mine, my son's hands and feet will grow sure and strong.
Legolas realized that his son did not yet have a name. He looked ahead to Elrond, still carrying his still sleeping wife, and frowned. He didn't want to name the child without speaking with Eressa first. He wished the title chosen to be satisfactory to both parties. The elf Prince looked back to his son. The giant green eyes blinked at him and the baby stuck it's fist in it's toothless mouth. It gurgled adorably at him and Legolas couldn't help but smile.
The party reached to top of the cliff after a long while, and there sat the elven army, patiently waiting for them. A few of them had gone out and hunted while waiting for their leaders to return, and their catches now roasted above a fire, and they were toasting their victory. The overall mood of the encampment seemed merry to Legolas, except for one corner.
Legolas looked to the corner of the elf camp that seemed not to give off any sound and frowned deeply. The body of Hathol and a few others lay there, ceremoniously wrapped in leaves until they were to be buried. Legolas counted five bodies altogether. It was a small tragedy for such a large and long battle, but even so, he felt the hole in his immortal heart grow larger.
"Legolas! Father!" Came a call from the opposite side of the sea of armor-clad elves. Out bound Elladan and Elrohir, and closely behind them was Estel.
"Father!" Elrohir exclaimed, coming to a halt in front of the two. He stared at the unconscious princess in Elrond's arms, and then at the burbling child in Legolas's. Immediately he bowed, and his brothers followed him.
"Congratulations, Legolas." He offered with a small smile. "It is a beautiful child."
Legolas was surprised by the sudden compliments. "Thank you."
"Is it a son or daughter?" Inquired Elladan curiously. He stepped a bit closer and grinned at the child.
The baby stuck it's fist back in it's mouth and muttered some more, staring at the strangers. "It is a son." Legolas answered. "But I have yet to name him."
Legolas paused for a moment, and then looked to Lord Elrond again, who was setting his wife gently down on the ground. The girl moaned as her body was laid out, and Legolas gasped.
"Eressa!" The Prince cried, and he rushed away from his friends to be at her side.
Eressa moaned again and carefully opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw her husband, and her child carried protectively in his arms. "Legolas…" She began, but Legolas interrupted.
"Are you alright?" He asked. "Do you…is there anything wrong?" The Prince stuttered.
Eressa's fingers began dragging themselves up towards the bundle in Legolas's arms. "I just feel light-headed now." She said, speaking softly. "Please, let me hold him."
Legolas nodded, relieve that his wife was feeling a little better, and gladly handed over the baby. The little one wriggled as he was exchanged, and a soft cry escaped his mouth.
"Shh…little one." Eressa whispered. Her smile was soft, graceful and loving as she gazed upon the little face. "Legolas, I think he looks like you."
Legolas made a face. "I wouldn't say so just yet." He answered. "He has to grow."
"Still…" The girl breathed as she placed her hand on top of the baby's bare head. "I see you in him."
"He has your eyes, melamin." Legolas pointed out. The little one blinked at his mother, seeming to understand the conversation. Eressa smiled.
"Yes, I see he does." She took a deep, exhausting breath and sighed. "You…you may take him back, Legolas." She said reluctantly. "I still feel…so tired."
"Eressa…" Legolas protested even after he took his child back into his own embrace, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Let her be." Lord Elrond ordered softly. "She has been through much."
Legolas finally nodded and understood, but he didn't move from the spot, not even to go eat with the other soldiers. He sat at Eressa's side, watching her sleep. He felt his son relax and quiet as he succumbed to the beckoning of slumber, and finally, Legolas himself found himself asleep as well.
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When Legolas became aware again, the sun had risen and was peeking over the treetops above them. The long shadows of the dark pines stretched out on either side of him, and he looked to his wife and son. The child was awake, burbling as usual, but Eressa had not woken. She had been wrapped in a blanket to warm her but had not moved so much as a fraction of an inch. This worried him, and he looked around for Elrond, hoping that the old elf would give him some more words of comfort. He spotted the elf Lord quite a ways away, sitting near a fire and eating and talking quietly with his sons. Legolas looked back to his unconscious wife. He didn't want to leave her side, but he didn't want to go without Elrond's council either. So he just sat.
After a while Lord Elrond came to him. He didn't smile as he approached, looking at Eressa with uncertainty and doubt. Thankfully he was able to change his expression before Legolas looked up at him.
The Prince's first question was the one he'd asked many times before, and also the one Elrond had been dreading. "Lord Elrond…are you sure she's alright?"
The elder elf sighed and knelt beside the Prince. He reached across Eressa's body and placed his hand on her forehead. She was cooler than he expected her to be, but even that was better than a fever. Even so, he had his doubt about the girl's health. Silently, he unwrapped Eressa from her blanket and confirmed his fears— there was a large bloodstain on the fabric where Eressa had lay. Legolas noticed it and his eyes grew huge.
"What is that?" He whispered.
Elrond took time in answering the Prince. He first folded up the blanket and examined Eressa one more time before speaking.
"Eressa has not yet stopped bleeding, Legolas." He calmly explained.
The younger elf's eyes turned into slits. "What? Why was she bleeding?"
"The birth, of course, Legolas." Elrond said, using the prince's name as softly as he could.
Legolas's mouth hung open and he shook his head. "Are you saying she is dying?" He asked, his voice and body shaking like a leaf in a gale wind.
Elrond looked sternly upon the other elf. "I did not say that, Legolas Greenleaf. But we must get Eressa back to the Palace if she is to get well again." The Lord looked upon the squirming child in the Prince's arms. "And your son…he is hungry. We must get him milk."
"Where from?" Legolas inquired.
"Seeing as his mother cannot feed him now, we will either have to wait until she awakens or wait until we are back at the palace."
Legolas nodded but his frown and his fright didn't lessen. Elrond began to stand and turned back to the Prince. "Come, Legolas. We must leave."
Legolas nodded softly and willed himself to leave Eressa's sleeping form. He stepped back, away from her. The little baby, as if understanding his father's grief, started to whimper. Legolas busied himself with quieting the child as Elrond once again took Eressa into his arms. She was placed on his horse beside him, Legolas carefully saddled and leapt atop his steed. The baby whimpered some more, and it's father hushed it with a hummed song.
The ride back to the elven city was a slow one. Legolas and Lord Elrond refused to go any faster than a trot for the sake of Eressa and the baby. The warriors bearing the dead also had to move slower. However, Elrond sent out a few riders to go ahead of the group and prepare for their arrival.
When the elven army did arrive at home, the welcome was warm. Soldiers that had been summoned to war so quickly were reunited with their families, and as the palace gates were opened Legolas could imagine the huge smile that would form on his father's face when he looked upon his first grandchild. The thought warmed his heart, but it iced over just as quickly as he watched Lord Elrond hastily hand over his wife to the palace healers, giving them orders and recommendations even as he hopped off his horse.
Legolas was silent as he got off his horse. He stepped to the ground too quickly, however, and the baby was jostled in his arms a bit. It began to cry, it's high-pitched wail calling the attention of everyone in the grand halls.
"Legolas!" The Prince turned to the familiar and comforting voice and tried in vain to smile at his father.
The King rushed to his son and gasped when he saw the living bundle in his arms. "Legolas…is it…"
"You're grandson, Father." Legolas replied softly. "He was born last night."
The King beamed just as Legolas had predicted he wound, and he looked upon his son and grandchild with pride and joy. The baby, however, continued to cry, and Legolas tried to bounce the baby in order to quiet it. But Thranduil shook his head.
"No, no, no." He exclaimed. "That's not how to do it, Legolas."
The King promptly took the child into his grasp and gently rocked it's small body, hushing it with soft whispers. Legolas watched with growing surprise and jealously as the baby's cries shrunk into whimpers, and then silence.
"There we go." Thranduil whispered, delighted. He lifted the child up and examined it's curious face. "He's a beautiful child, Legolas."
The King blinked and set the child back comfortably lying in his arms. He looked about, suddenly seeming concerned. "Where is the little one's mother?"
Legolas heard the question and momentarily closed his eyes. "She…she…hasn't stopped bleeding. Lord Elrond sent her off to the healer's." He replied.
The King could hear the fear radiating off of his son's voice. He held the child in one arm and placed his free hand on Legolas's shoulder. "Do not lose hope yet." He smiled. "You know, when Ithilion was born, I was very concerned about your mother as well."
Legolas allowed his father's words to comfort him somewhat. "I think…I think I'm going to see her…if I can." He said quietly.
Thranduil nodded and offered the child back to his son. Legolas took the baby, and felt strangely comforted at the feeling of it's weight in his arms again. He hugged the child closer.
"In that case," The King said, "Take the child with you. I'm sure the healers will want to see him too. I have to speak with Hathol about the battle and it's losses."
Legolas stopped and stared. His father was just about to turn and walk away, but saw the frozen look in his son's eyes and paused.
"Legolas?" He asked.
Legolas opened his mouth shakily. "Hathol fell, Father. He's dead."
The news hit the old King like a sledgehammer to the chest. He stepped back, but then asked: "Did he die honorably?"
Legolas felt his throat twist into a ball. His tears were choking him. "He died so that I could save Eressa." He murmured.
Thranduil nodded. "Legolas, I am truly sorry for your loss. He was your friend."
Legolas didn't answer, but managed to nod.
"I will see to it that Hathol is given a hero's goodbye. He will be buried next to your brother." The King sighed, and then said nothing for a minute.
"You had best get to the healer's." He finally continued. "Your wife is there."
Legolas once again nodded. He turned and dragged his feet away from his father. The child in his arms cooed happily, this time unaware of the grief surrounding him. Legolas paused and took a moment to look into the green, unseeing depths of his son's eyes.
He will know nothing of these hardships and hurts when he grows…Legolas thought. He has eyes but he will remain unseeing for some time. He'll be immune to the pain I have suffered. Valar willing he will never have to suffer as I have.
The Prince closed his eyes, sighing heavily. He cleared his mind from all thoughts as he walked on, heading with quick paces towards the healer's chambers.
(((((((((((((((((((o Personal thing o))))))))))))))))))))))))
Is it long enough? I hope so. I wrote this in just under three hours. I hope it doesn't suck. I have self esteem issues with my writing lately. All them darned college scholarship essays are draining me off my energy! I'll be so glad when it's all over…
Anyways…hope you like the chapter. The next one will most likely be the last one in his story, and then I'll get on to the third installment in the trilogy. Yayness! As always, thank you so much, guys! I love you and keep reviewing!
Reveiwer Responses:
Legolasgurl88: Glad you liked the chapter, and the cuteness of Leggy and son! There was more in this chapter, I hope you enjoyed! Also more in the next chapter! Thank you for the compliments and love you!
frodofreak88: I will update!! I promise! I'm sorry about Hathol (again!)!! He had to die!! Tis a shame, I know, to let any fine elf general to go to waste…forgive me, eh? Thank you so much!
Anonomys: Thanks for the kind review!! Eressa and Legolas will decide on the baby's name next chapter!! It's gonna be a good one (or at least I think so) and it connects the baby with some of the other characters in the story too! It does feel so long ago that Eressa and Leggy met and all that stuff leading to this happened!! And this story is almost over. (sob) Oh well, still one to go, and then it will be completely complete! Does that make sense? Thanks very much!
LegyLuva: Thank you very much, and I'm glad you like the Leggy-learning-how-to-hold-baby scene! I like…looking at babies…I'm not especially fond of their whole pooping and puking deal (who is?)…but when their sleeping their all so cute!! I'll update as soon as possible! Promise! Love you, and thanks again!
XxDarkgoddessxX: DRINKS ALL AROUND!! Oh—darn! I can't believe I didn't think of that!! You see, Kevin (my friend/dying love interest)—his brother Jesse proposed to his girlfriend and she said yes and now I get to sing at the wedding. I should have quoted Jack Sparrow when Kev told me that. Dern it, you beat me too it!! Yeah…but I guess it's fair and all, since you didn't get to have Leggy's baby first. LOL. Thanks so much, love you girl!! CHIBBY!
The Noble Platypus: Yes, thanks for sticking with me!! I'm glad it's not hard. I look forward to you're reviews, so writing isn't really hard for me either…except for lately. Too many essays. It sucks. But fanfic is a good escape. Sigh…thanks so much!! By the way, I decided that I'm not going to Eau Claire anyway, so we don't have to worry ourselves over how far away it is. I'm going to Steven's Point instead, for Graphics Arts, and I'm gonna paint a pretty picture of you! LOL! Thank you again!
Deana: DEANA HAS SEEN THE BABY!!! YAYYYYYY!! I'm so glad you think he's cute enough. I was worried I'd disappoint you. Thanks ever so much for you're kind reviews!! Love you!!