Thanks a lot for the review. I'm sorry you were expected a boy, but it's a girl and when she will born, she will have special powers (but just wait).Keep reading and reviewing.
Thanks to Lothiriel for beta-reading, suggestions and patience.
For several days after his father's departure, Legolas stayed in his chambers. He was a little sick but Elrond assured him it was natural during the pregnancy. The baby was growing and his own body had to adapt.
But this morning he awoke and didn't feel any sign of sickness. So he got up and left the chamber. He wanted to ask Lord Elrond to spend some time in the gardens. Unexpectedly he found Elrohir in the hallway. His old friend seemed startled by his presence. But Legolas walked toward him and patted his shoulder in a friendly way.
"I couldn't find you those last days, Elrohir." Legolas smiled. "I wanted to thank you. That time, in Green Meadows, I was very upset, I was concerned for the baby and I could not appreciate what you had done for me."
Elrohir looked down, wanting to avoid eye contact.
"H…How is your baby? My father told me yesterday you didn't feel well."
"She's fine. But I must get accustomed to it. The nausea is really annoying."
"I didn't know it was a girl." He glanced at the blond prince, surprised.
"Yes." He laughed gladly. "My mother told me. But I couldn't think of a name. I search for something special."
Suddenly Elrohir saw his father walking toward them.
"I'm happy for you, Legolas. I was concerned about you and your baby but my father told me about the council and… Oh, Father, we were talking."
"I see. I'm glad for you, Legolas. You seem healthier this morning." Elrond looked at the blond elf - he didn't like his son's odd voice. Legolas nodded. "As I told you yesterday, the nausea appears and disappears. Unfortunately you must learn to bear it."
"The potion you gave me has helped me a lot, Lord Elrond."
"Fine. Now we know it for the next time." Elrond looked intently into Elrohir's eyes and his son blushed. "Your mother is resting in the gardens, Prince. She would be really happy if you showed her that you have recovered."
Legolas nodded again and left them. Elrohir moved as if he was going to leave but Elrond stopped him firmly.
"I think we must talk." Elrohir sighed and stood still. "Alone, in my chambers."
"I know more about the world than you, Elrohir." Elrond sighed, upset at having to say these words. He didn't want to begin in that way but he couldn't think of anything more appropriate. He glanced at his son, who was sitting next to him. He didn't seem nervous but the old elf could see the pain in his gray eyes.
"Please, Elrohir." This time Elrohir did move uncomfortably in his seat. His own father, the Lord of Rivendell, pleading? His confused look made Elrond stop one more time.
"I am fine, Father." Elrond chuckled at this. He wanted to help Elrohir but it was Elrohir who had to help him. "You are concerned about my behaviour but I'm just tired."
"Don't lie to me, Elrohir!" His father interrupted him. He couldn't bear a lie. That new anger gave him the strength to speak. "You are tired, but I am tired of the bizarre behaviour you display when you are near Legolas."
Elrohir blushed to the roots of his hair.
"I'm really concerned about him, Father." He said defensively, trying to excuse himself. "He is one of my best friends and I feel sorrow for him. When we made the trip to Green Meadows I realized his pain. He had to face a lot of trouble to keep his child alive. Now, here, I admire his courage and his strength." His father let him speak and that gave him the time he needed for settling himself down
"I have been always proud of our relationship, Elrohir. I believed you trusted me. But I can't say the same right now. Since when have you had those feelings about the prince?" Elrond asked finally.
Elrohir blinked. He realized his father knew the truth.
"When we were in Green Meadows, Serianna asked me to look after him secretly during the mornings." He explained after awhile. He expected his father to stop him, but Elrond was listening quietly. "So I spent hours hidden, looking at him. I sensed the way he loved his unborn child and I began to think, perhaps, if I could love him in the same way…" He could not continue. He was so embarrassed.
"Love inspires pride, Elrohir, and we, the Elves, are creatures who can love in a very special way. When those thoughts grew, you suddenly found yourself in love with the prince."
"Fell in love?" Those words surprised Elrohir. "Do you think I love him?"
"I am sure you do, Elrohir." Elrond looked at him warmly. "Perhaps, if you stopped to consider it, you would feel it."
"So, after all, you…. You are not angry with me." Elrohir was as confused as he was at the beginning of their conversation. "I mean, Father, he is a male and he is carrying Aragorn's child."
Elrond didn't reply - he was confused too. He always hoped Elrohir would find a female elf to love but like Arwen, his children didn't want love in a traditional way. They had always been special. He rested his eyes on Elrohir's form and saw how anxious his son was.
"What about the prince?" He wanted to change the subject. "Can you expect the same from him?"
"I….I don't think so." He said sadly. "He still loves Aragorn with all his heart."
"But he is your friend and friends don't hide secrets. Perhaps you should wait and give him some time."
"Do you mean to talk?" Elrond nodded at Elrohir's question. "I cannot do that, Father. He will hate me."
"For what, Elrohir?" He laughed tenderly. "For loving him? That's impossible. Nobody can hate someone for love."
Elrohir felt lost. He couldn't think of a solution. His father tried to help him.
"These last days, since your arrival, have been good for him. His mother's presence gave him the strength that he needed. You should wait for awhile."
"How long? Before the birth?" He was nervous.
"I think after the birth. He is emotionally unstable due to the pregnancy. But your feelings will not change. I swear. Just give him some time."
"Perhaps King Thranduil would want him to marry after the birth."
"No." He shook his head convinced. "His family is concerned about his sadness and his father would never interfere with this recent happiness. I believe Legolas will rest some months, after the birth, here in Rivendell."
Elrohir nodded calmly.
"At least he doesn't seem as sad as I found him those first few days here." Elrond thought. Then he added aloud to his son. "Try not to avoid him. Talk to him, Elrohir. He needs a real friend and your love can show him he is not alone."
"I will try, Father." Elrohir nodded. "He must be talking to his mother now. I don't want to bother them. May I leave, Father?"
Elrond smiled at him and nodded. When Elrohir had left the chamber Elrond walked toward his wooden desk and looked at the blue talisman lying upon it. Legolas had given it back to him after they called Ansieller. He rubbed the blue stone softly.
"Prince Legolas, the son of Thranduil and Ansieller. He is brave and will be a devoted father. Elrohir and Legolas?" He chuckled as he thought about the blonde prince. He remembered him as a little boy, loosing Elrond's hand and following his mother.
Suddenly someone knocked and brought him back from his meditation.
"Come in." He ordered. He looked intently at the elf standing at the doorway.
"Milord." He said anxiously. "Urgent messages from Gondor."
Elrond stood up quickly trying not to seem worried.
"Our spies have seen Lord Erinwid riding near the land of Gondor and he has met with Queen Arwen's official in a town."
Lord Elrond wasn't very surprised. He knew Lord Erinwid, this elf would never accept Ansieller's decision. He had to speak with her. They would agree not to tell Legolas a word. He didn't have to worry.
Lord Erinwid laid his head on the soft pillow. He was tired but he knew he could rest peacefully this night. Despite the fact that he was in the castle of Gondor, a land that he wouldn't dare to tread before, he now understood the people from there were his only friends. He felt betrayed by his own people. In Rivendell, they were stupidly guided by the Queen of Mirkwood. She was a mother and not a queen, she didn't care if her grandchildren began a war. She only wanted to see her son happy. And the members of the council, the wise elves, were afraid of the Valar's daughter. He could not understand his people. So he found refuge here, in Gondor, the land of men.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly. His last thought was Arwen's words, "You are a wise elf, Lord Ernwid. You have made the right decision. Together, we will be able to save Middle Earth."
Meanwhile, the queen and her ministers were anxiously talking. Legolas had made a smart move, they thought, when he called his powerful mother. But he could be safe just for awhile, only until they could mobilize an army.
"The baby's existence is not a secret anymore, Your Highness." One of the ministers opined. "Soon there will be men and even elves who refuse to accept it as Aragorn's heir. And they will know this child is especially unwelcome here in Gondor."
Arwen listened intently. She knew what men and elves really thought about the queen of Mirkwood. They could begin a war against the kingdom of Mirkwood but they would be always afraid of the Valar. She sighed. But she would never give up.
"What did Lord Ernwid say about the elves in Rivendell?" She asked a few minutes later. "Perhaps there could be members who are on our side."
"He said there were elves that didn't seem to agree with the council's decision. If we talked to them, maybe we could convince them." Arwen nodded.
"I'm sure my father knows Lord Ernwid is here." She assured her ministers. "He has spies everywhere. So we must move carefully."
"Your Highness, I would like your permission to send a messenger to Steward Faramir and his wife. Their son is your heir and they think this unborn is stealing the throne from him."
One more time Arwen remembered thatGondor had to have a human heir and thought with sadness she couldn't do it because of her Elvish blood.
Arwen blinked wondered. She hadn't thought about Faramir yet. He would be her perfect ally.
"Is he angry with the council about its decision?" Arwen wanted to know. "I didn't receive any news from him and I doubt he even knows about Aragorn's child."
"That's true, your Highness. He doesn't know but he will and he will protect their son's rights."
Arwen thought about Faramir, she hadn't seen him for a long time after Aragorn promised him his throne for his son – Aragorn didn't want to take a human consort to father a legitimate heir. But she remembered his wife's face. Queen Eowyn seemed concerned about her only child. She had suffered too much during those years because of men's ambitions. She lost her cousin and she could not bear to lose a child because of the throne of Gondor. Arwen had told her husband she was sure Eowyn would try to convince Faramir to deny Aragorn's offer. Eowyn didn't want her son to become the king of Gondor. But Aragorn, once again, didn't listen to Arwen. He just wanted to join Legolas in secret. Those painful memories made her anger grow. She suddenly felt tired, so she commanded her ministers to leave her alone. Then she went to her chambers and cried one more time into the pillows.
"I don't care about the war." She moaned almost losing her mind from the pain. "I just want revenge. I loved you Aragorn. I loved you with all my heart and you betrayed me when I needed you the most. I cannot let this bastard inherit my throne. I can't, even if I have to fight the Valar themselves!" Despite Erinwid's words she didn't trust Legolas to not make a claim on the throne.
Her ministers were afraid too. They were careful with the queen of Mirkwood because she had convinced elves to let her son carry his baby, after Legolas promised he wouldn't fight for his child's rights if men didn't want her as the heir of Gondor. Everyone in Middle Earth respected her because she was the Valars' daughter, except Arwen's ministers. But they didn't care about the war either. They were men, ambitious men and they knew what they could win if they obeyed the queen's orders.
In the gardens of Rivendell, Ansieller walked aimlessly.
It had been a week since Lord Elrond told her about Lord Ernwid and his imminent alliance with the queen of Gondor. Men didn't seem really scared, they weren't afraid of the Valar. She didn't want a war, but she worried about her son.
Maybe the time had come. She had to sacrifice her beloved child for the peace in Middle Earth. She didn't want to believe it but she began to understand her father's irrational order: "Don't mix our blood with the elves. That could bring doom to the Middle Age." Thranduil accepted this - he was a pious king who would never disobey the god's orders. He seemed happy when the healers gave him the news he would be a father again but she could sense his fear. Thranduil was worried during his wife's pregnancy. He expected a terrible revenge from the gods. But all his worries disappeared when the midwife held out the little child for him. Legolas. The grandson of the Valar. The child Ansieller conceived with him. Since that moment they knew this prince would be their most beloved son.
Ansieller smiled proudly. She trusted her Elvish family more than anything in the world. Her father could be right about the danger Legolas' child could bring and he knew about this war even before his daughter's wedding but she would never let men of Gondor touch her son or her granddaughter.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard steps behind her. She turned back and saw Lord Elrond approaching her. There were no doubts he was bearing bad news.
"Messengers from Gondor, aren't they?" She anticipated the unwelcome news. Elrond nodded worriedly.
"The queen, my daughter." Those last words he pronounced sadly. "She gave a speech to her kingdom. Men refused to accept the child as their heir. They do not want her for her Elvish blood and because Arwen said she is not legitimate."
"I don't understand, Lord Elrond." She was more confused than he was. "Legolas would not push this. If men don't want his child as their queen, he won't begin a war for her rights. You heard him. The council had heard him."
Lord Elrond shook his head.
"I know your son's intentions as do all the elves here in Rivendell. But men don't care what Legolas could decide. I am afraid they would not persecute the child because she is the heir of the kingdom, they would do it because she is the daughter of Aragorn… and Legolas."
"So do you believe, Lord Elrond, this is not because of the fact that she carries the blood of two races? This is just because of revenge?" She asked him as anguish travelled through her.
Elrond just looked at her painfully.
"The queen of Gondor never forgave her husband for his relationship with Legolas." He admitted. "When the king died she transferred her anger to Legolas and now to their child. She hates her and she would never allow her to live. I know how much this truth can hurt you but I thought you should know it."
"What you are trying to tell me is that there is no way we can avoid this war. We can only do it if we accept her demands, if we murder the child." She whispered almost not believing her own words.
"I know Arwen even better than she knows herself and I can assure you we could not convince her to give up. She would fight until the end."
"But what about the people from Gondor, could she convince them to fight only because of her personal revenge?" She asked angrily.
"Her ministers are ambitious and don't want to lose their positions.I am sure the people from Gondor believe that here, in Rivendell, we are protecting the child's rights."
"So our duty is show them the truth. We cannot allow this, Lord Elrond."
One more time Elrond shook his head.
"If we did that, then we would begin the war, Your Highness."
Ansieller could not reply. She felt so sorrowful. She could not bear the truth. She could not allow Legolas to be hurt.
"He trusts me, Lord Elrond. I am his only hope." She struggled to hold back her tears.
Elrond rested his trembling hand on her shoulder and rubbed it comfortingly.
"I never said we should murder Legolas' child. And I would never suggest it. Fighting for the truth is our duty as elves. This is what we believe, here in Rivendell and in Mirkwood."
"So you are telling me, Lord Elrond, we will not try to stop this war?" She asked surprised and confused.
"We must talk to the council again. Then we will be ready to make a choice. But I would like to give you some advice." The queen turned to face him. "No matter what the council decides, you must respond for your son, Your Highness. This is your duty." She nodded faintly.
Elrond said a gentle goodbye and walked toward the house. Ansieller turned back to contemplate the gardens. She began to question herself about her own duties, as a mother and as a queen.
TBC