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Chapter Eight: Settling In

It took them another four days before Legolas, Síriel, and those accompanying them, arrived at their new home. Prince Faramir and his wife, lady Éowyn of Rohan, hosted them for several days before they agreed to allow them to continue to their final destination. Síriel spent most of her time in the woods of Ithilien with Éowyn and Celebrindal, while Legolas attended to important matters with Faramir. So it was that on the evening of the fourth day of their departure from the White City, the Eryn Lasgalen Elves at last arrived at their new home. They were greeted warmly by the lookouts, who had spotted them from their posts high up in the trees, and were escorted to Legolas and Síriel's new home.

"Welcome, híril nín a hîr nín (my lady and my lord), to your new home in elven-Ithilien. We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival and pray that you are pleased with the preparations." an Elf said as the travelers dismounted.

Legolas, who helped his wife dismount, smiled broadly.

"Indeed, Gelmir, I am quite pleased." he replied.

Síriel looked around her in awe. By the look in her emerald eyes, the Elf Prince knew that she was quite impressed with everything.

"Hîr nín (my lady), híril nín (my lady), there is food ready if you desire it." Gelmir said.

"I do not desire any, but perhaps the others do. Your lady and I will retire to our chamber, as she is pregnant and is quite weary." Legolas replied. "You may go." he added to his fellow travelers.

A few stayed behind to start the business of overseeing the unpacking and sorting of the items that were brought with them from Eryn Lasgalen. First to be taken inside were Legolas and Síriel's personal items, with most of it belonging to Síriel. When the last of their trunks was deposited in their quarters, Legolas closed and locked their quarters' door. He turned and rested against it for some time, watching Síriel as she inspected each chamber individually. She ran her hands across the fabrics of the linens and drapes and the smooth wooden surfaces of the furnishings. He saw her stop before the small frame of an infant bed. Her bronzed hands shook slightly as she gripped the sides to support herself. He went softly behind her and wrapped his arms about her waist loosely.

"What do you think of everything, meleth nín (my love)?" he whispered.

He did not expect her to turn and face him with tears streaming down her golden face. Her hair was shielding her eyes, but he knew from the glistening on her cheeks that she was weeping.

"Amman nallach (why do you weep)?" Legolas asked her soothingly.

She managed to smile as Legolas brushed the hair from her face.

"I remembered when you were away and I found out that I am carrying your child, and I convinced myself that you abandoned me. And when you returned, and I confronted you…" she said, and trailed off. "I cannot believe that I made myself doubt you, while the entire time you were here foreseeing the preparations of our new home. Such love and devotion you have for me, and I am unworthy of it, Legolas!"

She turned her face away from him, too embarrassed to look at him. Legolas smiled to himself then turned her face back towards him.

"You are worthy of my love, and this is but a very fraction of how I desire to express my feelings towards you. When I left you for those three months, you had every right to doubt me. How many princes have taken advantage of their positions and cheated on many maidens, taking from them only what they desired and then leaving them to deal with the consequences of both of their actions? What assurance did you have that I would not do the same to you? Granted, what occurred between us was not proper, but it was my utter love for you that drove me to do so, though I regret it very much. I should have sent you a note of some sort with an explanation of where I was when I arrived here, but I thought to surprise you instead. The moment I realized you had conceived, I knew my responsibility towards you had grown, and that I could not abandon you, as some may have done. If I did not love you, then I would have not ever appeared to your face again, and I would have ordered that you be thrown out of the kingdom." Legolas told her lovingly. He lowered himself onto his knee and looked up into her eyes. "I want you to know, Síriel, that it is you whom I truly love and will do so eternally."

The half-elf smiled slowly and patted his hands.

"It makes me proud, ernil (prince), to hear such words." she whispered.

Legolas rose and cupped her face towards him. He saw her close her eyes and part her lips in anticipation of his kiss. He covered her mouth with his own very gently and was surprised when she responded to his actions quite vigorously, making him moan in delight. With one hand undoing her dress ties, Síriel undressed her husband with her other hand. Within a few moments, they were both unclad and making their way slowly towards their expansive bed.

Síriel was the first to lower herself onto the bed after Legolas pulled back the jeweled coverlet. She eased herself carefully onto her back and held her arms wide open to receive in them her beloved husband and ardent lover. Yet he laid himself beside her on his side and drew her closer to him. Legolas did not wish to cause her any more pain than she already felt. He caressed her bare body with his silken hands, paying especial attention when he reached her abdomen. His eyes roved over her chest, noting how her breasts had swelled within the past few months with the nourishment for their unborn child. Her skin had also changed, and appeared lighter than it normally was, but its usual golden color was still visible. Her hair was different, and seemed to have become thicker.

They spent the entire night making love to each other, and when the morning came, they were resting within each other's arms. The sound of the morning meal's bell awoke them, and they bathed themselves before heading to the dining hall, where their household greeted them cordially and warmly. Celebrindal nodded to Síriel.

"How are you this fine morning?" Legolas asked the Elves who had accompanied him with his wife from his sire's palace.

"Very well, ernil (prince). We rested quite well." they replied.

"And you, Celebrindal?" Legolas asked her.

The maiden blushed at being personally asked.

"Im…vaer (I am fine/well)." she replied quietly. "I became acquainted with my new home, and must admit that it is quite beautiful."

Legolas beamed.

When the meal was over, Síriel called Celebrindal.

"Legolas, I would love it if Celebrindal is given her own private quarters next to ours in case I need her. After all, she is my handmaiden, and she has special privileges, if you do not mind." the half-elf said.

"I do not mind at all." Legolas said.

Síriel grinned.

"Very well, Celebrindal, I will have servants take your belongings to your new quarters." she told her friend happily.

Celebrindal shook her head.

"I will remove my own belongings." she said.

After bowing to her lord and lady, Celebrindal left.

"I love her dearly." Síriel said to Legolas.

"And she feels the same." Legolas told her.

For the remainder of the day, Legolas showed his wife around their new home, taking her to the large library, kitchens, various halls, and numerous balconies and other rooms. Outside, he took her to the stables and gardens. They went for a leisurely stroll in the surrounding woods, where Síriel waded for awhile in the cool waters of a small stream.

It took three more days before everything was ready. All the items brought from Eryn Lasgalen were properly dealt with and the finishing touches on the house were applied. On the evening of the third day of their arrival, Legolas and Síriel held a feast in honor of the occasion. They invited the King and Queen, Faramir and his wife, as well as Gimli. Proudly, Legolas showed everyone the home he built for his dear wife. He wanted them to know how much he loved and cared for her, which was quite evident from the way he spoke and the look in his sapphire eyes. Everyone knew there was nothing in all of Middle-earth that would separate them, and that the Prince would willingly sacrifice himself for her sake if the need arose without any hesitation at all. And the words of Lady Galadriel to Legolas and Síriel slipped from both their minds.