SOOOO SOOOORRY, but here is number seven.
One more time, THANKS A LOT to the anonimous review who is reading the story, don't worry I did understand you were not disappointed. Keep reading, please, and wait for the next chapter, it will be a very tender moment between Legolas and his beloved Aragorn and their child. I tried to make it sweet, so Legolas could feel his lover's love for their baby. Please, wait a little more for chapter 8.
Thanks to you, InfinityEstel, I already read your stories and they are cool.
To Crossbow, I know the kings of Gondor have the blood from Elros, Elrond's brother, I just took the idea of the human blood because I thought it could be interesting. And about the wedlock, there were a lot of kings who were born and their parents were not marry. William, the Conqueror, for example. And I don't think Legolas is acting like a teenager, he is just fighting for his child's life and needs his family and friends' support.
And Sk, thanks for your words about the story but I already have an excelent beta reader who is helping me a lot.
And finally, THANKS A LOT to LOTHIRIEL for the beta reading, suggestions and patience.
Ok, here is the story...
Faramir regarded the landscape worriedly. It had been many difficult weeks since he received the news from the queen. His wife was right when she convinced him not to accept the crown for his son. Now they were surrounded by intrigues again. He wanted to refuse the throne but he thought Aragorn would not have understood it.
This morning he had ridden in the streets of Gondor and he could felt the tension between the people. They seemed concerned and afraid, as if they were preparing for a battle. And this was exactly what they were doing.
Suddenly he heard the door opening and he turned back to find a little boy running toward him. He smiled tenderly at his son and held him tightly. He lifted his eyes to see the blonde woman standing in the doorway.
"Eowyn." He said surprised. "I didn't expect you. You said you wanted to rest a few more days in Rohan with your brother."
"What kind of rest could I have when the whispers about an approaching war are traveling all over?"
"So the news reached beyond the lands of Gondor?" He asked her eagerly.
"Faramir." She walked quickly toward him, her face showing pain and consternation. "Hundreds of weapons are being made. I saw them during my trip. Nothing could stop a war. Would you at least talk to the queen about Elboron? Would you tell her we refuse her offer?" He shook his head sadly. "But what are we going to do now?" She couldn't hold back her tears. "We don't want it, Faramir. We cannot let them name him the heir. We would be introduced immediately into the war."
"We can't run away, Eowyn. We must accept it." He stoically replied.
"I don't understand you, Faramir!" She exploded angrily. Faramir had never seen her like that. "I will not allow them to touch him! My son will never be the queen's trophy!"
Elboron looked fearfully at his mother. Eowyn noted it and restrained herself. Faramir continued looking at her with sadness.
"The only thing I can do is fight." He explained to her as he stroked his son's hair to comfort him. "I will fight for my family."
"One more time you will fight for the glory of Gondor, Faramir." She replied sarcastically. He closed his eyes in pain. She couldn't understand yet his decision.
"I know the elves, I know Lord Elrond and especially Prince Legolas. It is difficult for me to believe Legolas wants to fight this bloody war to gain the throne for his child. He is an elf who loves peace as all the elves in Rivendell and Mirkwood. I believe there's more. And I want to find it."
"What you are saying is that you will join the elves." She almost whispered her words - her husband was talking about betrayal in the chambers of the castle of Gondor.
Faramir moved close to Eowyn so that his mouth was next to her ear and replied softly.
"I will travel to Rivendell tonight. I want to hear this from the Elves. I don't want you to stay here either, Eowyn. Bring Elboron with you and come with me to Rivendell and there we can ask Lord Elrond for a safe place." Eowyn blinked with sadness. But they had no other options. They could not linger in Gondor anymore.
Obviously the ministers didn't know Faramir because they didn't suspect the man did not want his son to become the future king. So they let him and his family leave Gondor and didn't follow them.
Lord Elrond looked at the messenger, confused, when he ran to tell him there were people riding toward the gates of Rivendell. Since the conflict had started, Serianna was the only one from the human race who dwelt in Rivendell. But he sighed with relief when the elf announced him it was Faramir and his family. He went gladly to receive them.
Legolas watched the visitors anxiously from the window in his chamber.
In its last meeting, the council had decided to protect his unborn child from the people of Gondor because the elves couldn't allow men to attack an Elvish prince unjustly. But Legolas thought that some members would hesitate if they received information about the imminent war. So he was concerned and began to walk in circles around the room.
Finally he sighed deeply and sat on the bed wearily and attempted to relax.
"I must calm myself." He thought, closing his eyes. He reached out his right hand and stroked his child resting beneath his skin. Feeling his rounded stomach reminded him of the fact he was almost six months pregnant. "Six more months and you will be here, in my arms." He whispered hopefully as his lips curled. He remembered Elrond explaining that after the fifth month an abortion would be very dangerous for his health. So his enemies wouldn't use this as an excuse to harm his baby anymore.
He felt a little relieved. Firmly holding on to the bed, he stood up carefully and walking to the door, he opened it.
He found Elladan in the hallway.
"Elladan." He called him quickly as his friend turned to face him, surprised. "What's happening?"
"Faramir, the Steward of Gondor, had arrived with his family." Elladan announced gravely. He studied Legolas expression for a moment and explained. "Perhaps he is looking for protection or help. I mean, he brought his wife and son. He and my father are talking privately."
"I must see him." The blond elf said urgently. "Undoubtedly the imminent war and my pregnancy are the reasons of his arrival."
"Then wait downstairs. They will call you." Elladan said gently.
Legolas opened the door slowly after hearing Elrond's voice command him to come inside. He found the Lord of Rivendell sitting behind his desk and the Steward of Gondor standing in front of him. Both turned to see the blond elf who remained hesitantly in the doorway.
"Take a seat, Prince." Elrond ordered as he showed him to an empty chair opposite his desk. Legolas walked cautiously as he felt Faramir's inquiring gaze upon him. The man wouldn't let his eyes rest on Legolas swollen form.
The elf sat down and looked at Elrond anxiously.
"I have always considered Faramir a friend and I believe you do the same, Prince." The wiser elf started as Legolas nodded slowly. The man continued regarding the blond elf intensely. "Perhaps he wants to explain to you why he is here."
"I heard about your condition, Prince." Faramir said as he glanced at Legolas in a friendly way. "I'm glad to find you happy and healthy." He paused as Legolas smiled at him warmly. "As I told Lord Elrond before, I do not agree with my queen's decision. My wife and I had painful losses during the last war and we do not want to suffer anymore. So I came to Rivendell to ask for your help. I want to avoid this war."
"The people of Gondor, as I suspected, have been deceived by the ministers." Lord Elrond said after a while. "They believe we are claiming the throne for your child." Legolas sighed in frustration, thinking how much trouble they had to face to live their lives peacefully. "But we are Elves and as Faramir has reminded me we must show them the truth. So we will announce a council meeting and I will offer to go to Gondor myself and explain your decision to them."
"Lord Elrond, I think…." Legolas wasn't comfortable with this. He didn't like the complications he thought he was causing.
"You will stay here. Rivendell is the safest place for you." Elrond commanded the blond prince gently after seeing the concern in Legolas face. "My sons will take my place as Lord of Rivendell during my absence and Serianna will care for you."
"When will the meeting be?" Legolas wanted to know.
"I will arrange a meeting right now." Elrond replied. "As you know, you cannot be there. That's why I wanted to communicate this decision to you before the meeting." Legolas nodded as the lord stood up elegantly and walked toward the door followed by Faramir.
The blond prince remained sitting. This war was because of him and he felt ashamed. His thoughts were interrupted by Faramir's sincere voice.
"Queen Arwen wants my son to be her heir, Prince." Legolas looked at him gloomily, remembering when his beloved Aragorn announced this choice. "But Eowyn and I are at your side. No matter what Gondor wants, I think your baby is the legitimate heir." Legolas regarded him gratefully and smiled.
As Elrond expected the council agreed with them, so the next morning he and Faramir rode to Gondor.
As the days passed, Elladan and Elrohir found it was not easy to rule Rivendell. They had the Elves support but their eagerness for news from their father grew daily.
Elrohir spent his free time with the prince. Every day it was more difficult for him to hide his strong feelings, but the gladness he felt when he was near Legolas gave him the strength to continue.
The blond elf was pleased by his friend's warm company. He still saw him as a brother and shared with him his joy and fears about the imminent birth.
One morning, when they were sitting on the fresh grass after a long walk, Elladan approached them clearly agitated. They both turned toward him when they heard his exhausted breath.
"Quickly Brother, Legolas. Come inside with me.
"Wait! Elladan, slow down!" Elrohir commanded as he helped his friend stand up. But his brother didn't hear him, so they had to follow him without question.
Near the palace door Elrohir caught up with his brother and took him by the arm to make him stop.
"Elladan, brother. Legolas cannot follow you so fast." He reproached him. "Do you know something about father?" Elladan nodded worried.
"The messenger is inside." He explained. Legolas reached them and they went inside.
The messenger, a man, was waiting for them in one of the principal chambers with the other elves. All eyes rested on Legolas when they arrived, making him feel uncomfortable.
The messenger announced that the men of Gondor had accepted Elrond's words. But they would like to be sure about it. They wanted to hear it from the Prince's own lips. Therefore, the people from Gondor commanded Legolas to swear he would never claim the throne for his unborn child.
"Since when do men dare to command a Prince of Mirkwood?" An old elf exclaimed as he stood up angrily.
The messenger moved in his seat nervously.
"Please, Lord Sierith." Elladan reached his hand to speak. "As my father's representative I believe we are not impressed by such bravado." The older elf sat again. Elladan spoke to the man. "My father, the Lord of Rivendell, told you the exact words that the Prince of Mirkwood spoke. I do not understand why you need to hear them from his own lips."
"We are avoiding a war, my lord." The messenger said quietly. "We believe the Prince of Mirkwood had said those words but we need him to swear it."
"There is no lie behind Prince Legolas' words. You must trust him." Elladan said.
"But we cannot, my lord." The man replied slowly. "As I told you before, we will accept it only if the prince swears it. I apologize if I acted in a disrespectful way. But the reason why I am here is to ask the Prince of Mirkwood to swear he would not claim the throne for his unborn child." The messenger gave Legolas an intent look. The blond elf wasn't intimidated and regarded him in the same way.
Lord Sierith saw it and opined furiously:
"Do you really believe we do not know your true intentions? You want to take the prince to Gondor to imprison him again. You come here and use ridiculous excuses which do not impress us. I told you that, weak man, in all the Elves of Rivendell's name, we will never give the Prince of Mirkwood to you."
Elrohir stood up rapidly but he was stopped by Legolas calm voice.
"If my swearing would avoid this undesired war, then you have my word." Everyone looked at the graceful elf, admiring his courage and dignity. He was a real Prince of Mirkwood. "But I want something more. I will not let you take me to the kingdom of Gondor. I will give my word in men's presence but only in a place near Rivendell."
An uncomfortable silence surrounded the chamber. Nobody dared to join the prince.
"As you can see," Elrohir was the first to speak, "the prince cannot travel far in his condition. So I propose a peaceful place in the woods, near Rivendell." The man listened in silence. He seemed to agree. Elrohir turned to Legolas and looked at him solemnly. "If you will allow me, Prince, I will join you myself." Legolas regarded him in surprise before nodding.
"The Prince has accepted your petition." Elladan wanted to end this uncomfortable meeting as soon as possible. "The Prince will give his word in the High Woods in seven days." He stood up followed by the others.
The messenger was led to the gates and the elves didn't feel safe until they knew he was far from Rivendell.
Ansieller wasn't in the meeting when her son decided to make his promise in public. But Legolas said he sensed through the messenger that men didn't want to harm him, so there was no reason to be afraid when he went to the High Woods. Despite his explanation, the Queen of Mirkwood still was worried.
"You must believe me, Mother." Legolas reminded her when he saw the concern in her eyes.
"I know, son. But I felt really scared when Elladan told me you offered to make your promise personally in the meeting. I thought you had acted a little hastily."
"Yes, but it was after I knew there was no reason to fear." Legolas explained softly. "I felt I was the only one who could stop it and I did what I had to do."
"Legolas." Her words came from her lips calmly. "You are not the only one anymore. There's someone with you. And you could endanger her life with your decisions if you don't think about them carefully."
"Mother." He interrupted her firmly, his eyes serious. "I have never acted impulsively in my whole life. You can be sure about that. I can promise right now, I would never put my child's life in danger. I can jeopardize my own life, but never, ever, my daughter's. I could lose everything, except her."
Ansieller bit her lower lip as she regarded the blue eyes in front of her.
"I was concerned about you." She tried to apologize but Legolas knew she didn't need to - he understood her clearly. "You are an adult, I realize that. But there are moments when I see you as my little leaf, small and tender. This child, your own child needs all your love and protection."
"I know it" He smiled gently. "I love you."
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When night fell, Legolas found Elrohir walking in the gardens. He was looking at the moon absentmindedly and didn't hear his blond friend approaching.
"You are a real friend to me, Elrohir." The elf turned back when he recognized the lovely voice. He saw Legolas standing nearby, his pale skin shining in the moonlight.
"I did it because I thought you were asking for aid." Elrohir looked down - he couldn't keep watching that beloved face.
"I needed someone to join me during the trip and it was you who offered." Elrohir realized Legolas was talking about the time they travelled to Green Meadows. "I know your father did not ask you. You did it spontaneously. And now, when the others remained silent, wishing stupidly I would either go alone or just wouldn't go, you offered yourself one more time." Legolas stepped toward his friend as Elrohir moved away, startled. The Prince didn't notice. "In difficult times, you have shown me what kind of elf you are."
Elrohir swallowed slowly. He felt pride at these words but he felt uneasy with his friend's proximity.
"You know my friendship is unconditional, Legolas. It has always been so." There was a tremble in his voice but the prince thought it was because of the emotion.
"You see me in a different way, Elrohir." Now the twin was really astonished. How did Legolas discover this? Was he so obvious about his feelings for the Prince? He prayed to the Valar to die right there. The blond elf continued. "The others, even my mother, see me as a sick vulnerable elf who cannot decide anything about himself. The way they overprotect me causes me more nausea than the pregnancy. But you, Elrohir - you don't. You encourage me, you trust me but you never leave me alone. You act as a real friend and I appreciate that."
Elrohir looked at Legolas' eyes sympathetically. These words definitely got inside his heart. Then he noted an odd look in the Prince's eyes and asked worriedly, "Did you rest, my friend?"
Legolas nodded and smiled at him.
"I want you to feel this." Legolas said as he took Elrohir's hesitant hand and placed it over his stomach. It was the first time he actually did so. On other occasions, when Legolas asked him to do it, he had excused himself. But now he couldn't avoid it. The dark haired elf shut his eyes, trying to think of something ugly or sad, something that could not allow him to enjoy that special moment. He still thought he didn't deserve his friend's love, much less touch his charming body. But suddenly a peculiar flutter came from Legolas' stomach. It was the first time that Elrohir felt an unborn child. Besides this one was Legolas' - the elf he loved with all his heart. Elrohir opened his eyes, surprised. He found Legolas' gentle gaze resting on him.
"Does it hurt?" He knew he sounded stupid but words didn't come exactly easily.
"No." Legolas shook his head slightly. "But it's strange, isn't it?"
"Listen to me." Elrohir looked into his friend's eyes sincerely. "I swear to protect you with my own life. You and your child are protected by my sword." Legolas smiled happily. "This is magical, you have life inside you." The Prince grinned. Elrohir continued eagerly. "Legolas, you must take care of yourself more than ever. This child is alive inside you. And it's yours."
"She is my child and Aragorn's." The name froze Elrohir, it reminded him of the Prince's true love. "I will give my own life for her if it necessary. Do not doubt it, my friend." Legolas remembered the dialogue with his mother this morning.
Elrohir kept his hand over the swollen stomach and started to rub it tenderly. This time he wasn't doing for Legolas. He was doing it for this little child, his best friend's most beloved treasure.
Legolas felt it and smiled at him sweetly.
"Finally you met her. That is what I was trying to tell you, Elrohir. You are not just protecting me, you are protecting her." Elrohir sensed his love grow more strongly. He was not only loving Legolas, now he was loving his unborn child.
TBC