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Chapter Five: Of Fire and Water

Winter TA: 2998

Elena

"Elena it is late, you should retire." Glorfindel said when he entered the library, no doubt to check on me like he has been for the past months since I ran away. As promised I was informed of who my children were once I realized that I was, in fact, pregnant. They also said something to the fact that the children would decide on a father figure for them. They chose Legolas apparently, he was the only reason I was not having the side effects I was earlier in the pregnancy.

"I will in just a few more pages." I told Glorfindel. He smiled and continued on his way. No doubt thinking he would have to retrieve me to my room in the middle of the night. I had taken to reading all I could since I could now read the script it was written in, thanks to Erestor. I finished reading the passage and marked my place in the book

As I made my way to my room I thought that Legolas would probably be waiting to tuck his children into bed. Twice a day he would settle them so I would not have to destroy things. Though we spoke it was always pleasantries. We usually kept our space from each other, in part because the situation was a little odd, and in part because we probably did not want to get to know each other to well.

When I opened the door to my room I sat down and began brushing out my hair. There was a knock at the door and I answered it. It was Legolas as I expected but he looked a little angry. I assumed he was angry with me by the way he brushed passed me and into the room.

"Excuse me." I mumbled and he turned on me. I silently cursed myself for forgetting his hearing. You would think all the time I had spent with elves I would know better.

"Can we get this over with I have other things to do." he hissed

"What has got you all worked up." I said walking back over to finish brushing out my hair. Legolas was behind me grabbing the brush from my hands. I frowned at him.

"It is none of your concern, I wish to get this done." he said and turning his face impassive again. I jerked my brush back out of his hands.

"Then let me finish so you may be able to leave sooner." I said and began brushing my hair again. I felt him glare at me. "Why are you in such a fowl mood?" I said some part of me really wanting to know.

"Like I said it is none of your concern, I wish to get this done so I can return to my duties." Legolas said and I turned to look at him. I didn't know why exactly but I was really starting to get angry.

"You know, you act as if you are the only one whose life this effects. Am I correct in thinking that you do not wish to be here." I said keeping my voice even.

"What would you know about it?" He half hissed back at me. My temper then came out in that moment. I could not control my tongue and hold back.

"What would I know about it! Do you think I asked to be placed here? Do you think that I asked to be dependent upon other people! Especially when that person is you! You are not the only one this effects Legolas! Look around you! Elrond, bless him, has been ever patient, and Glorfindel and the twins, do you think they wish to be my body guards all the time! You are selfish! But then I guess that is to be expected of an elf prince." I yelled waving my brush around to make my point.

"Selfish am I. Oh yes, I was selfish in ignoring my fathers request to return home. Selfish in taking time out of my day to care for those children. Selfish in doing all that I can to help my kinsman in Imladris. Though I love those children I think the Valar could have chose a better woman to bear them." He said calmly and it terrified me.

"Is that what it is the fact that I am a mere woman and not some beautiful elleth? These children do not deserve such a shallow father figure." I could not stop it from coming out of my mouth. It was one of my fear that the only reason he did not treat me like the other elves of Imladris was because I was a human.

"You know nothing of what you speak!" Legolas said and then slammed the door to my room as he left. I threw the brush that I was still holding against the door and started pacing my room. Why he angered me so much I wasn't sure. Maybe it was the way he walked into the room. Every night before tonight he was always the gentleman about everything and polite. Tonight though he set me off the moment I saw him.

I went out to the balcony and looked out over the garden trying to calm my temper. I felt a presence in my room and turned to see Elrond standing there. I nodded to him and he approached.

"Are you well my dear?" he asked sitting next to me.

"Fine." was all that I could say and he chuckled a little.

"Come now tell me what that was all about, we could here you two down the hall." Elrond said

"He came into my room being, for lack of a better term, an ass. We yelled at each other and he left." I told him and stood up pacing a little.

"He left? Did he speak with the children?" Elrond asked with his eyebrow arched.

"Yes he left my room and no he didn't talk to them." I said and walked back into my room.

"Well I shall let you rest my dear." Elrond said and then kissed me on the forehead before he left. I retrieved my brush and decided to finish getting ready for bed. When I was half way to the door I felt that feeling that I had not felt in months. The warmth and the coolness at the same time. It was too much for me to focus it now. I grabbed my ever growing stomach in pain. I tried to yell out but had no breath. My legs felt week and I sank to the floor, the pain became to much to bear. The last I remember was seeing my bedroom door open again and then all was lost to unconsciousness.

Legolas

I had left Elena's room and headed for the stables. I wished for a ride to clear my thoughts. I did not mean all that I said and now regretted it. On further thought though it might be for the better if she hated me. Then maybe I would not think of her the way I do. The Valar could not have chosen better.

I did not realize that I approached her room still angry from the missive I received from my father. Elrond thought it best that we not inform my father of all the reasons I was remaining in Imladris incase the missive was seen by others. Though that was wise it made it even more difficult on my relationship with my father. Now he was demanding that I returned. I responded simply telling him I would be free to return within the next three months. That probably wasn't going to go over well.

As I mounted my horse I looked up to Elena's room and seen her sitting there. I shook the thoughts from my head and made my way into the forest. I cared for Elena deeply and kept telling myself that it was the children that she was carrying that drew me to her. Though that was the truth there was more to it. There was something about Elena herself that I was drawn to. This was for the best if she would hate me. I kept telling myself that, trying to convince myself but it was not working.

I rode on for some distance and dismounted. I then perched myself high up in the trees to gaze upon the stars. I herd horses in the distance. Two of them, probably the twins looking for me. Then I wondered why they would be looking for me. Realization hit me with a blow when I remembered I had not completed the task of the evening.

I jumped from the tree and made haste back to Elrond's halls. I was feeling guilt rush through me. The thought that Elena may have fallen in pain was nearly choking me. As I approached the house I spotted Glorfindel. He looked right at me.

"Forgive me, she is ill?" I asked him. His face was glum and he nodded. I made haste for her chambers. Upon my arrival I seen that Elrond was sitting with her.

"I am glad you have returned, she needs you. I will leave you." Elrond said and then exited the room.

I looked to Elena, she was pale and very still. I approached the bed and gently place my hands upon her swollen stomach and soothed the children. They were receptive as usual. I knew Elena would probably awake in the morning, but with her current condition being my fault I felt I should stay and watch over her.

I took the time I had and studied every aspect of her. Her flowing dark hair, the curves of her entire body. I then studied her face. The faint frown lines above her brow had faded some since I had first seen her. They were no replaced by smile lines around her eyes. It gladdened my heart to see.

As dawn approached Elena began to stir. She looked over to me after she opened her eyes and then looked away. I decided I should break the silence, "Elena I apologize for my actions. I was in an ill manner after receiving a missive from my father and it was wrong of me to take it out on you." I said keeping my eyes on her profile.

"I should be the one apologizing Legolas, I goaded you." Elena said in a sad tone. "You are not selfish." she then mumbled

I smiled at her when she looked, "I did not mean what I said and will only accept your apology if you except mine." I told her. She then gave me her most musical laugh and nodded her head. I helped her from the bed as she prepared for breakfast. "Are you sure you do not wish to stay here, I shall have the meal brought to you."

"I feel better this morning than I have in a long time." Elena said with a beautiful smile, "I should thank you for I got more rest last night that I have in many."

"Only because you where not consciously aware of your discomfort." I told her and we both laughed.

March 28, TA 2999

Glorfindel

I gazed upon the children that had been born right at dawn. They looked exactly alike. They had their mothers features but it was just as easy to see that they took some of their chosen fathers. It was most evident in the blond hair they had. The only difference that could be seen was in their eyes. Naurwen took the color of her mother, the light brown eyes, while Nenwen took the icy blue of Legolas'.

Already we have had to separate them from each other. Their talents had not lessened from leaving the womb. The girls thought it was hysterically funny to torture Elladan and Elrohir with their antics. I agreed. They disserved it.

Elena was recovering well from the birth of them. Legolas on the other hand seemed rather glum. I watched as he looked fondly upon the children, but at the same time a sadness radiated from him. I voiced my concern, "What troubles you?"

Legolas shook his head and looked at me with a sad smile, "I must leave soon and I do not wish to." he said plainly. I smiled to myself, I knew his bond with these children was deep.

"They will be safe here Legolas, and you will see them again. Remember that though they look to be human they are very much like the first born." I told him he then looked to Elena and I noticed then that he was speaking of her.

"Yes I know." Was all he said then he left the room. I realized then that Legolas did not think he would see Elena alive again for he thought her still a mortal and none had told him otherwise. It was for the best I decided. Right now he needed to attend to his father. I had no doubt in my mind that he would see her again and when he does he will realize all the mistakes he has made.