I am so very sorry it took so long to update. I hope you like this chapter, I think it moved too quickly but there was a lot I wanted to put in here and I didn't get a chance to proof it very well so let me know if I made too many mistakes. As always, thanks for the reviews, keep them coming!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Amaris.
Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish and dialouge in italics is telepathic communiation between Amaris and Legolas.
Chapter 72: Separation
Weeks had past and things could not have been better. Legolas took to council with his father everyday and each night he and Amaris would sit and talk or walk through the gardens under the moonlight. They did everything they could in the evenings because Legolas' day hours were always full and Amaris was taking studies with Faradine, an advisor to the king, on diplomacy and tactics. However, a month after their wedding Legolas had to leave and Amaris was heartbroken.
"I wish you did not have to patrol," Amaris said as they sat on their bed. He held her close and ran his fingers through her hair. She looked up at him. "Why can't I go with you? I'm also a warrior for Mirkwood." Legolas sighed and shook his head.
"I will only be gone three weeks at the most Amaris. Certainly you can survive that long of a time without me," Legolas said with a smile. Amaris shook her head.
"I don't know. I've never been away from you for very long." Legolas kissed her forehead.
"You'll be fine, besides you have Faradine to keep you busy with your studies." Amaris groaned and Legolas chuckled.
"They wouldn't be bad if Faradine wasn't so boring. He's very monotone." Legolas kissed her forehead once again and she sighed.
"I know, but you get used to it." Amaris laughed and looked deep into his eyes.
"Legolas, I'm going to miss you terribly." He brushed her cheek and she gave him a sad smile.
"I shall miss you more than anything; however, I will be back. I will be back to you before you know it." Amaris sighed as a tear made it's way down her cheek. Legolas wiped it away. "What is it really?"
"I have a bad feeling Legolas." He furrowed his brow at her. "I just have this feeling that something is going to happen to you while you're gone. I can't explain it." He gave her a sad smile and shook his head.
"Don't worry, Amaris. I will be alright. I'm taking ten others with me on the patrol. We shall be just fine." Amaris nodded and tried to believe him. She tried with all her might but her heart would not let her believe him. Legolas tilted up her head and kissed her deeply. Suddenly, her worries melted away and she wrapped her arms around his neck and he guided her body down the bed and moved his hands to the lacings of her dress.
The next morning Amaris woke to an empty bed. She sat up quickly and held the blanket over her chest and looked around. "Legolas where are you?" Amaris asked through their link. Suddenly the washroom door opened and Legolas looked at her. Amaris sighed with relieve and quickly made her way from the bed disregarding the blanket and running to him bare. His eyes widened when she through her body around his clothed one. It was then that he realized she thought he left without saying goodbye. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her and ran his hands through her hair. "Oh, Legolas, I thought you left me," she whispered and clung to him. He shook his head as best he could and hugged her tighter.
"I would not leave without waking you," he whispered back. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. "As much as I love what you're wearing, I think you should dress before you see me off." Amaris looked at him and furrowed her brow at his smile. She looked down and took a sharp breath and looked back up at Legolas. He laughed quietly and Amaris soon joined him in his laughter. Amaris moved her way into the washroom and quickly dressed because Legolas was just about ready to leave.
After breakfast with his father and Amaris Legolas took Amaris by the hand as they walked out to the stables. King Thranduil walked behind them and his heart ached for the young (to him anyway) couple and the sadness he could clearly see in Amaris' eyes. The others were waiting for Legolas before they took off for patrol. King Thranduil went to the others while Amaris and Legolas said good bye. Legolas stopped and took both of her hands into his. She looked up at him and gave him a sad smile. "I will be back, Amaris. I promise you," Legolas said to her. She nodded and quickly took her hands from his and wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight. He wrapped his hands around her and took a deep breath of her scent. Roses and mint. He smiled and pulled away from her. He caressed her cheek and leaned in to kiss her briefly.
"Promise me one more thing, Legolas," Amaris whispered and Legolas nodded. "Just promise me you'll be careful." He smiled at her and kissed her one last time.
"I promise Amaris. I will be careful and I will return to you." Amaris smiled at him and he pulled from her arms completely and mounted his horse. With one last look at her he turned his horse around and began to lead the soldiers on. "We won't be able to speak through our ling because of the great distance, but you will always be with me," Legolas told her. A tear made its way down her cheek once more and she gave a sad smile.
"I know Legolas. I love you." Legolas smiled even though she could not see it.
"I love you too." Soon the distance became too great and Amaris felt like something snapped in her mind and she new the link was broken, for now.
Legolas had been gone for two and a half weeks and Amaris was missing him terribly but managed to keep herself busy with little things and of course her studies with Faradine. One day as she made her way to the library to meet with Faradine, she felt odd. It was like she was going to throw up and she held her stomach. 'That's odd,' Amaris thought to herself as she paused to catch her breath. She quickly made her way to the library and when she met Faradine, he could tell that something wasn't right.
"Princess Amaris, are you well?" Faradine asked. Amaris sighed and sat down.
"I don't know Lord Faradine. I'm not feeling well,"Amaris said as she raised her hand to her head. Faradine furrowed his brow. He was also a healer and Amaris knew that. He quickly walked over to her and felt her forehead and noticed her right hand rested on her stomach. He furrowed his brow deeper and looked up at her.
"May I?"He motioned to her stomach and she nodded and moved her hand away. Faradine rested his hand on her lower stomach and after a moment, a smile graced his lips. Amaris furrowed her brow as he looked up at her and his smile grew.
"What Lord Faradine?"He stood straight and seemed to be beaming.
"Princess Amaris, you are with child." Amaris nearly fell from her chair.
"I'm what?" Faradine smiled still and repeated himself. "How? I mean, we hadn't planned on having children just yet."
"You both must have been thinking it at one point, Princess Amaris, for you are with child." Amaris' head was spinning she was deliriously happy but scared at the same time. What if something went wrong on Legolas' patrol, however, she wasn't able to keep her thoughts focused on that because Faradine insisted they continue with her studies even though she did not feel like it.
Legolas was riding back to the palace and night was fast approaching. They were half a day away from the palace and half a day away from his love. The patrol went successful. No threat was found and something was telling him he needed to get home. As they rode a noise was heard in the distance and all eleven pairs of Elvin eyes snapped in the direction of the noise "Yrchs! (Orcs)" Legolas said quietly. All the others nodded. Even though the dark lord was defeated orcs still roamed the lands and now some had came into the boarders of Mirkwood. Legolas estimated by the sound about fifteen to twenty of them. They all dismounted and climbed into the trees to take aim at the intruders. Once they came into view the skilled archers let their arrows fly. However, Legolas' estimate was way off, there were about fifty orcs in the forest and they were nearly out of arrows.
Legolas and five others climbed from the trees and drew their knives and/or swords and began to battle the orcs. There were few left when somehow, Legolas was slammed into a tree. He heard his left shoulder pop and now his arm was useless because it was out of joint. Legolas growled and slammed his knife into the orc causing it to fall dead on the ground. Legolas looked and saw that all the orcs laid slain. He sighed and held his shoulder. One of his fellow riders came up to him. "Prince Legolas are you injured?" he asked. Legolas nodded.
"My shoulder is out of place. Can you shift it back in?" Legolas asked. The elf shook his head and Legolas sighed. "We'll have to ride quickly. I need assistance. Was anyone else hurt?"
"Nay, milord." Legolas nodded and they made their way back to their horses after gathering their arrows. The elf helped Legolas mount his horse and they rode quickly for the palace.
Night had fallen and Amaris laid in bed with her hand on her stomach. Faradine had told her she was with child the day before and she still couldn't believe it. She suddenly sat up and felt something was wrong. Amaris sighed and knew it had to do with Legolas. She quickly stood from the bed and got dressed. She ran out to the balcony and her heart leaped when she saw the party approach. Amaris tired to reach Legolas through their link but since it was broken, they could not speak through it. She sighed and made her way down the corridors. She saw Legolas being rushed inside and down to the healing wing and her heart sank. Amaris picked up her skirts and ran and was soon right next to them. "Legolas!" she exclaimed and he looked at her with a sad smile. She could tell he was in pain but there was no blood and that she was thankful for. "Where are you hurt?" He sighed and motioned to his left shoulder.
"I dislocated my shoulder. I'm alright, I just need it popped back in," Legolas said. Amaris sighed and nodded. The other elves began to lead him inside the healing wing and Amaris was right behind them.
