Disclaimer: I own nothing that is recognized from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien or the works of Peter Jackson.
Chapter Eleven: Family
Elena
I was sitting in Thranduil's private chambers all by myself. Celeborn went on and left me with my own personal guard after seeing that I actually made it this far. Though Thranduil and I had a friendship and a mutual agreement I could not help but feel frightened sitting there waiting for him. Celeborn told me that Thranduil would know right away of his son's bond to me. It would probably take him a little while longer to notice his grandson however. Finally Thranduil glided into the room with his usual impassive expression on his face.
"Elena how nice it is to see you again. Though I can say I am not very pleased with you at the moment." Thranduil said and then seated himself in a chair opposite mine and I sat down after him.
"I understand that my lord. Indeed I have done much you are no doubt less than pleased with. I have come to ask for your forgiveness." I told him and closed my eyes waiting for the verbal bashing that I disserved. Instead I got a small chuckle.
"Come now Elena, do you think my son and I do not communicate. I know why you ran off, your were frightened and that I understand, however I do not understand why you came here instead of going directly to my son when you figured things out." Thranduil said as he offered me a glass of wine that I politely refused.
"It was the lord Celeborns suggestion my lord." I told him the honest truth. Lord knew I didn't want to be there at that moment.
"Oh and why would he send you here?" Thranduil said arching an eyebrow at me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
"He thought that since your son would be leaving these shore after King Ellesar's passing and I would be with him on that ship, that you should like to know of your grandson before we departed. Provided of course your son forgives me." I said and opened my eyes to meet his. To my relief he was smiling. I sighed a little. Thranduil raised from his seat and walked over to me and lifted me from mine. He embraced me then.
"Thank you Elena." He whispered in my ear as I returned his embrace. Tears came to my eyes then, I could not help them from falling down my cheeks. Thranduil pulled away from me then and wiped them from my face. "That is indeed pleasant news to me. A grandson, how I have longed for that. Come now and tell me does Legolas know yet?" Thranduil asked sitting back down on the settee pulling me to sit next to him.
"No, and I shall not tell him until I have won his forgiveness. I will not have him forgive me for the sake of the child alone." I mumbled.
"My dear, I believe he will forgive you the moment he sees you. His heart is breaking with each passing day. I was beginning to loose hope in the situation until just now. All will be well. When do you plan to leave?" Thranduil asked.
"Tomorrow my lord, Aragorn weakens and I must be there for Legolas." I told him. My heart was heavy with Aragorn's passing but I knew it was going to happen and was prepared for it as much as anyone could be.
"Very well." Thranduil said and then placed his hand over my stomach to speak with the life inside. I watched the emotions pass over his face, and not for the first time wishing that I was one of the elves so I may do such. "I shall see him in Valinor. It will be pleasant. In fact I shall probably not be to far behind you and my son." Thranduil said while standing again to lead me to my chambers. He bid me goodnight and told me he would see my off in the morning.
March 1, FA 120
Legolas
I gaze now upon the lifeless form that was once Aragorn. My heart was heavy with grief, not only for his passing, but for the passing that was sure to come of Arwen. Gimli left my side not long ago, no longer wishing to keep a vigil over the dead. I longed to do the same, however my feet would not move. Thoughts and memories ran through my mind at an incredible rate and all I had control over was the unshed tears in my eyes. It was then I felt a presence beside me. I chose to ignore it for the time being not wanting to be pulled from my thoughts.
It was not until the presents grabbed my hand that I looked up to see the person I least expected. Elena was standing there with tears of her own. I pulled her into an embrace demanding that she remain and not disappear from my vision. I breathed her name and she held me tighter. It was then my tears fell.
"I am sorry I was not here Legolas, please forgive me." she cried into my chest. My heart was pulled at her words for I knew that they were the truth.
"Elena there is nothing to forgive, it was my fault that you left, I should have explained things, I am sorry." I told her and pulled her to look up at me.
"Then we both seek forgiveness, perhaps we shall both give it?" Elena said. I could only nod to her and then claimed her lips in a kiss I had longed to give her. She responded in kind. It was then we both said our farewells to Aragorn and went in search of privacy there was much I wanted to tell her.
Once inside my chamber she sat on the bed and handed me a letter. "It is from your father." Elena said. When she saw the shock on my face as to why she had seen my father she hastened to explain. "On my return to Gondor I went to see him. There were some things we needed to discuss. He asked me to bring you this missive." I quickly read it over and it puzzled me a little, but I decided to think on it later.
I pulled Elena with me onto the bed and held her for some time. "I missed you Elena, please do not leave me again." I told her and she pulled me closer to kiss me. When the kiss finished, I smiled and said, "Elena as I have bound to you will you know open your soul and bind to me?" The response I got was a smile and a nod.
We renewed our bond that night. It was the most wonderful thing that I had ever felt. It was as if I was finally whole. Elena laid in my arms as we were both spent and drifted off to sleep. During that time while she was asleep I studied her. She was as beautiful as ever but something was different. It was then that I thought back to my fathers letter. Carefully I got out of the bed and walked to the small desk where I had laid the letter.
Legolas,
My son I hope this letter finds you better than you have been in past weeks. Elena returns to you in seek of your forgiveness. I pray you find it in your heart to do so as I know you will, for she now carries something with her that will no doubt be dear to the both of us.
Thranduil
I placed the letter down then and pondered the words. After several minutes I figured their meaning and went to wake Elena up. I needed to know for sure. "Elena awake my love, there is something you need to tell me of." I said to her and smiled as the sleep cleared from her eyes.
"What? What is it?" She asked and I smiled at her and narrowed my eyes. "Oh ah.." She stammered and I gently removed the covers and placed my hand upon her stomach. There I felt my son's presents and amazing amount of pride and happiness washed over me, not to mention the unconditional love I felt for him.
"Elena I love you! I am now the happiest elf in all of Arda!" I said to her and kissed her soundly. We both shared a laugh and drifted off to a pleasant slumber. Tomorrow we would say our farewells to the other two of my children and those that would still remain behind.
Elena
We finally set anchor in Valinor. My heart was heavy with leaving my children behind and at the same time I was happy to be starting another life with Legolas and that of my unborn son. I looked to the shores and there I saw a number of elves but what caught my attention where five certain beings.
There stood Celeborn with the Lady Galadriel and beside them stood Mithrandir. There also stood Elrond and my adopted father Glorfindel. I smiled to him and waved. I had not seen him for so many years I felt like crying. I ran from Legolas' arms into his.
"Ah it is good to see you again child." Glorfindel said as I hugged him.
"It is good to see you too!" I let go of him and he smiled knowingly at me and I blushed.
"I see you have finally decided to stay on the correct path my child." Galadriel said then and I bowed to her, "Although I believe my husband bumped you onto the path." She then smiled and pulled me into a warm embrace. I then received a hug form Celeborn and one from Elrond.
"It is nice to see you again." I told the latter and he smile warmly at me.
"It is good to see you again too dear. Your presents lightens my heart. Tell me when do you expect this child?" He asked then and I could only smile, it was Legolas who told him in the spring. It was then Mithrandir pulled me to him.
"Elena I know that leaving those beautiful daughters of your behind was a trial for you. However there are some here that wish to see you." He said and I frowned at him. I had absolutely no idea who he was speaking of. At my look he only smiled and led me to a beautiful garden. There where three people sitting there. I slowly approached.
My breath caught in my throat and I felt as if I would pass out when I saw who they were. Indeed it was probably Legolas that was holding me up by that point. There sat my mother, my father, and my dearest grandfather. I could not believe my eyes. I shrieked and ran into my fathers embrace.
They were all as I remembered them when I was a kid. The were all healthy and as they should have been. I found myself crying, "This can not be, why? Why are you here?" I cried and it was Mithrandir that spoke.
"The Valar said you would be rewarded with your hearts desires Elena. Now you have those most dear to you here, plus that of the love of a man and a child of your own. You may also wish to see the lady Galadriel as well for she has something that will allow you to communicate to those that you left behind." Mithrandir said and with a smile and a wave he was off. I turned and looked upon my family. I smiled, I could not want more.