Once again, thanks to all my devoted readers and reviewers. This truly is the last chappie for this one. many of you asked for an epilogue, so here it is. Also, alot of you were disappointed that Legolas didn't get any in the last chapter, so he gets some here, but its not detailed or quite what you will expect. It's just a quick little ending I threw together to help it flow into the sequel better. Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: see previous chapters. i want a naked legolas!

Epilogue

Legolas slipped quietly into bed behind her, trying not to rouse her from her well earned respite. He snuggled against her and buried his nose in her unruly locks. Breathing deeply, he wrapped his arms around her, gently placing his hand on her soft, flat belly. Legolas splayed his fingers apart and sighed.

"One day," he whispered to her. "One day you will carry our child; when the Shadow is gone and the forest has been restored. And we can start a family together."

Elenayave stirred in her sleep, but smiled, as if she could hear his every word. He pulled her closer and continued his quiet discourse.

"We'll have several, you know. Being an only child isn't easy. At least three. Perhaps we'll even rival Feanor and have six or seven."

A soft moan escaped her lips and her neck stretched out deliciously in front of him, but she remained asleep, enraptured in her dreams.

"I could take the boys out hunting and training with Nilfalath and Armereth. You could take the girls horseback riding and…whatever it is girls do. And they could all see their grandfather every day."

Legolas paused to brush an errant strand of hair from his wife's delicate cheek. A beam of moonlight landed softly on her face, illuminating her already glowing skin. She almost appeared to him as an angel.

"Nothing would make me happier," he said tenderly, caressing her stomach. He closed his eyes and vivid images flashed before him: thoughts of Lena with a swollen rounded belly, much like the women he so often saw in Esgaroth. Or perhaps, a toddler perched happily on her hip. Then, a tiny babe in her arms, nursing quietly, wrapped in a green and gold blanket. He could envision the child learning to walk and talk and pull his first bowstring, much like he himself had learned from his father. A pang of longing ripped through his body and he opened his eyes. Gazing down at where his hand rested, he shook his head. If Elenayave had conceived this night, he would have sensed it. Overwhelmed with his desire to father a child, he slipped out of bed and began to pace by the window. Momentarily, the sleeping elleth stirred and woke, slowly sitting up to watch him.

"What has driven my lord from his bed?" she asked softly, stretching out her arms.

"Simply thoughts, my love. Worry not on my behalf," he replied, giving her a gentle smile.

She cocked her head and gazed at him. "Legolas, you said yourself that conception does not always occur right away."

"It's been over three months, melethin. I don't understand," he whispered, almost ashamed to say it any louder.

She eased out of bed and wrapped his robe around her slender body. "Perhaps now is not the time for us," she said, resting her hand on his shoulder.

Legolas moved to place her in front of himself and wound his arms about her waist. "Will it never be?"

Elenayave winced at the pain in his tone, but remained silent at his question. After a moment, she said, "We can try again, Legolas. There's no harm in practicing."

Legolas shot her a sideways glance as a smile stole across his features.

"Besides," she continued. "If I do conceive, we'll have to take it easy for a while so we might as well make up for lost time. Just in case."

He was truly grinning now. "Aye. Just in case."

His lovemaking was gentle and passionate, as it usually was. But he seemed almost desperate in his fervor. Legolas wanted a baby so badly, it killed her that it just wasn't happening for them. It seemed that she could do nothing to aid in the process, pleasurable as it was. He had said before that both partners had to want it, but so far, nothing had occurred. Legolas had never seemed so hurt and confused. Had the Valar abandoned them for some reason? Did they not hear his prayers? She had assured him that such things took time and required patience, but even she was beginning to doubt. If an Elf couldn't conceive within three months of trying, there had to be something wrong. But what?

Elenayave had suggested that because of her past, she may not be able to carry a child, but Legolas had brushed the idea off, remarking that if there was a problem, it was with him, despite the fact that he was thoroughly distraught with his own statement.

"We just need to keep trying," she'd replied, giving him a hug and a quick, but loving kiss on the cheek.

She laid there next to him, pressed along the warms side of his body, her head resting on his chest. She enjoyed the feel of his skin on hers, and the soft touch of his fingertips on her shoulder, but she could not bring herself to voice any words.

"So now what?" he asked, running his fingers though her hair.

"Now, we wait," she answered, kissing him softly on the cheek, knowing that tonight was not going to be their night.

Thanks for sticking with me guys! It's been real! Look for the first chappie of the sequel next weekend!

linilya elf