brownie24: lena's reaching a lot of conclusions really fast and she's learning more about herself. she's not really sure if she wants a baby or not, but she wants to make Legolas happy. so she's willing to give it a shot. thanks so much!

The Great and Powerful Oz: well said!

angelofdeadlydarkness0010: thanks for the review!

aurora-myst: thanks! will do, here ya go!

xSilverShadowsx: thanks for sticking with me. you'll see about the whole baby thing. it's not as different as you think (I'm guessing). thanks!

Megara: glad to see that you're as perky as ever! PMS? hmmm. never really thought about that. Galadriel and PMS? could be that freaky scene where Frodo offers her the ring. serious PMS going on there. hehe

dreamsofdarkness: thanks for sticking out the wait! I'm not leaving yet! lol

Crecy: hmm. a kid? don't jump the gun, sweetie. she's only thinking right now. I think you'll be surprised at what I have planned. thanks for the review.

Legolaslover: thanks so much! glad you liked!

Myri78: thanks for your support. and no, I haven't forgotten the french-fries. I swear to you, I will work it in somehow. thanks!

Kim: sorry for the wait. hope you like!

SofiaB: wow. I love reading long reviews! thanks so much for all your kind words and support. I'm glad you enjoy my story so much. I love the twins too! I think people should write about them more often. they are way too overlooked. anyway, Nilfalath and Mirrawen…you could be on the right track there…hmm. sequel is definitely coming as soon as this one is done. kids…I've got plans for that. hopefully you won't be disappointed. thanks!

loveroflegolas: thanks so much! leggy jr? hehe. I love it!

Satiana: thanks so much! sorry about your bad day!

beautystar: anti-depressant indeed! hehe. thanks for your prayers. they are much appreciated.

Faile6: she was just hit by a car and she woke up in a completely different world. I guess you could say she's in shock and not thinking quite clearly. I know I wouldn't register it right away. thanks for the review!

vihnanime: thanks!

Marisa: glad to hear from you. just read the last chappie on your story. going great! yeah, those questions kinda popped into my sister's head when she read the first part of it, and I decided to stick em in there. hehe. I guess Aleera and Leggy don't worry bout that stuff, huh?

Allison Mervis: thanks so much for your kind review!

Disclaimer: I want a Legolas! Too bad Tolkien's got dibs.
Chapter 34

The door to the bedroom swung open silently, but Legolas knew she had emerged nonetheless. He had calmed himself down immeasurably with his own cup of Arcollo's tea. It seemed to work wonders for his nerves, though it made him slightly suspicious as to its ingredients. He spared a quick glance down at the brew, before resuming his gaze out the window at the sun high in the sky. He heard Elenayave pad up tentatively behind him and then freeze in her place. Legolas waited, knowing she would speak when she was ready. But after a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he squirmed in his seat.

"If you've come to say something, Lena, you'd best be out with it," he snapped, a little too harshly, as he noticed her flinch with his words.

Her eyes widened at his tone, and she shifted uneasily in her stance. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to bother you…" She turned to leave, but his arm shot out and he gripped her wrist, pulling her around to face him.

"Stay," he commanded gently. "Please." He paused a moment and shook his golden head. "I shouldn't have said that. I apologize."

Elenayave kept her gaze focused on her feet, not daring to meet his eyes, fearful of what she might see. Distrust. Loathing, perhaps. He was upset with her, and he had every right to be. It was at times like these, she hated her human side. It taunted her, telling her all the reasons why she didn't deserve him, that he wouldn't want her anymore. Reminded her of what she used to be.

"Melleth, look at me," Legolas pleaded, no longer able to handle her distance. "Don't do this to us," he beseeched. "We've worked too hard to build this relationship. We have put over a century of time and effort and love into this bond. Please, don't throw it away over one silly argument."

"Do you still love me?" she asked quietly, her eyes still staring at the floor.

"Of course I do," he replied fervently.

She met his eyes and stared, completely shocked at what she saw. Not distrust, not shame, not loathing, but rather distress, worry, pain, and most importantly, unconditional love. A sob of relief escaped her lips as her knees gave and she crumpled to the floor. "I'm so sorry, Legolas. For everything. I don't know what's wrong with me. I am not myself."

He was at her side in a heartbeat. "Lena, hush," he whispered firmly. "It's all right. Please. Let us talk about this."

"I'm sorry. I am so sorry."

"I know, melleth," he replied, feeling the tears seep through the shoulder of his tunic. He stroked her back lovingly and decided to wait out the cries that shook her small frame.

Nilfalath rested on his back in the soft green grass, peering up at the heavens. He had removed his tunic in the afternoon heat, and was now happily obliging the young maiden he'd encountered hours ago singing under the boughs of the trees. They had already undertaken a few playful tumbles in the grass, and were resting in the now peaceful meadow. Mirrawen was tracing lazy circles on his chest with her fingertips, giggling softly when he swiftly caught her hand and brought it to his lips for another kiss.

"Nilfalath?"

"Hmm?"

"Take me for a ride," she whispered.

Nilfalath looked down at her quizzically and quirked his brow. "What? We've only just met!"

Mirrawen gave him a pointed look and frowned. "Tis not what I meant, Nilfalath, but your sister surely speaks truly when she says ellyn only have one thing on their minds."

Nilfalath's cheeks colored rapidly and he quickly looked away. "I apologize. I thought…"

"Never mind it, you silly Elf," she said, swatting at his bare shoulder playfully. "Though I don't think I would mind it overmuch," she added quietly, glancing down at his prone form in the grass. Her fingers trailed down the smooth plane of his stomach to the waistband of his breeches, eliciting a groan from the Elf beside her.

"Mirrawen…do not," he hissed between clenched teeth, but truly, he did not wish for her to end her ministrations.

"Do not what, dearest?" She pressed a gentle kiss to his awaiting lips. He responded immediately, delving his tongue into her mouth. Smiling to herself, she lured him in, then pulled sharply away. "I am quite ready for an invigorating gallop, aren't you?"

"Mirrawen," Nilfalath groaned as the elleth stood up and stretched out her willowy limbs. "Can we not do that some other time?"

Mirrawen frowned again and planted her hands daintily on her hips. "Nilfalath Arcolloion! Get up off your lazy arse this instant and stop thinking in such a manner!"

The ellyn scrambled to his feet and let out a shrill whistle, calling his horse's attention. The grey dappled mare trotted gracefully into the clearing, tossing her head as she whickered softly to her master. Nilfalath bowed dramatically in Mirrawen's direction and grinned.

"Your steed awaits, my lady," he said gallantly, holding out his hand to help her mount.

Legolas sat cross-legged on the floor, Elenayave wrapped peaceably in his arms. Her tears had subsided to mere sniffles and an occasional whimper, and she had moved into a more comfortable position. Hours had passed since she had emerged from her bedroom, wishing to speak to him, and still she had not found the courage to ask the one question that was ready to burst from her lips. She squirmed in his embrace and tilted her head back to gaze at him.

"Legolas?"

"Hmm?" he mumbled in response, burying his nose in her hair, just happy to hold her again.

"How…um, well…how does one…go about having a…you know…?"

Legolas furrowed his brow in confusion and shook his head. "I know not of what you speak, meleth."

Elenayave sighed and rolled her eyes. Did she need to spell it out for him? It was awkward enough as it was. "How does an elleth get pregnant?"

"Pregnant?" he questioned, fumbling over the unusual word.

"Yeah. You know…have a baby?"

Legolas shot her another puzzled look. "Lena, I thought it would be obvious…"

"No, no, no, Legolas! I know what we have to do, but how is it that I haven't already…"

"Conceived?"

"Yes," she replied, nodding vigorously. He was finally getting it.

Legolas smiled faintly and pulled her further into his arms. "Both partners must be willing for the conception to take place. If one or both do not wish for a child, then the elleth won't conceive."

"Are you telling me that an elleth can pick when she wants to have a baby, and that's that? She doesn't have to do anything else but think?"

"What else would one do?" Legolas asked, stroking back her hair.

"Use a condom," she replied without thinking.

There was a brief pause in the conversation as Elenayave silently berated herself for opening her mouth. Of all the means of birth control, why did she have to pop out with that one? Surely, the pill would have been easier to explain. She knew what was coming next.

"What is a condom?"

Giggling, she leaned over and whispered in his ear. Legolas's eyes grew wide and he pulled back in astonishment. The look of shock on his face was enough to send Elenayave into another set of giggles.

"Why would you want to do that?" he inquired, pursing his lips.

"It's a means of birth control. Although, it doesn't work all the time." She smiled when Legolas made another face. "Anyway, back to the original conversation…what if neither partner really thinks about whether they want a baby or not? Can they be taken by surprise?"

"It's been known to happen occasionally," he answered, shrugging.

Elenayave curled up against his chest and rested her head lightly on his shoulder. "So…say we were to…try right now. Is it guaranteed that I would conceive?"

"No," Legolas said with a small smile. "Sometimes it occurs right away. Sometimes it takes several attempts. Some couples remain childless for centuries or even for life. It all depends on the Valar's plans."

"Oh." She paused a moment. "That doesn't mean we can't try, does it?"

Legolas tenderly gripped her chin and turned her to face him. "Lena, before you tell me anything, understand this. I am not asking this of you as a favor. I want to start a family with you. I always have. But I will not, under any circumstances, allow you to do this because you feel as if you owe me. It wouldn't be right."

"I understand," she replied, nodding. At Legolas's stern look, she continued. "I've had a lot of time to think. And I'm not doing it just for you. I want this too. I just didn't realize it. I mean, a baby, Legolas…it's such a big responsibility…and I'm scared."

"Scared of what, melleth?"

"What if I'm not ready? What if I can't handle it? Maybe I wouldn't be a good mother. What if something happens? There's a million 'what if's' rolling around in my brain, Legolas, and if terrifies me."

Legolas wrapped her snugly in his arms and inhaled deeply. "I won't let anything happen to you, sweetling. I swear it."

"I know you won't, Legolas," she replied, frowning inwardly. He couldn't possibly protect her from everything, could he?

Again, I'd like to thank you all for your continued support through this rough time. I appreciate your prayers and words. I am finally getting back into the swing of things. Four more weeks and I am outof school! I'll be sure to write extra then so I can hurry up and get this story finished, so I can start on the sequel. I have tons of ideas, and I can't wait to get started!

linilya elf