NOTE: Please forgive my lateness, nursing is keeping me busy. I hope you like this chapter! (UPDATED 5/21)

Chapter Eighteen: The Council of Faramir

Legolas and Síriel did not leave their bedchamber until early afternoon the following day. They had an enjoyable night together, and did not desire to leave each other. The only times Síriel left was to nurse Selena and Selina. However, when noontime came, they thought it wise to leave their bed. After all, they had guests to entertain, and they did not want them to start thinking of reasons why their hosts were still in bed.

"Good afternoon!" Thranduil said as they entered the dining hall.

"A little weary, were you both not?" he added, his gray eyes twinkling.

Legolas and Síriel flushed.

"If I did not know you have been wedded for a year now, I would have thought you are newly weds." Gil-celeb said.

The foursome laughed. Legolas and Síriel settled down in chairs and watched lazily as their sires played with Selena and Selina.

"I trust you rested well." Síriel said to them after some time.

"We did." Thranduil told her as he stroked Selena's face gently.

"That is good to hear." Legolas said.

A bell rang loudly in the halls.

"It is time for the late afternoon meal." Síriel said by way of explanation to her guests. "Ai Elbereth, is it really that late in the day?"

They all laughed again as they rose to go to the dining hall. Síriel excused herself so she could nurse her daughters.

"I must say, you and Síriel have things under control." Thranduil said admirably as the first of the servants appeared with platters.

"We do, indeed. The people love not only me, but her as well. They realized the lies that were circulating about her back home were not true when they were sundered from them." Legolas answered.

Gil-celeb smiled to himself.

Síriel joined them just as they were starting to eat. She took her place gracefully beside her husband, and Thranduil beheld them at last as they truly were, Lord and Lady of edhellen-Ithilien. Síriel's bronzed skin glowed brightly and her copper-red hair shone brilliantly in the sun. Legolas with his fair skin, white in comparison to hers, and gleaming golden hair contrasted sharply beside her, yet for all the great differences in their appearances they seemed the more complementary to each other. Once again, Thranduil found himself wishing he were in Legolas' place.

The days passed slowly, and before anyone realized it, a full month had passed since Gil-celeb and Thranduil arrived at Legolas and Síriel's home. One evening, Legolas and Síriel decided to stroll in the woods together in the waning daylight. Gil-celeb remained behind to play with his granddaughters, while Thranduil was occupied with his former subjects, who desired to learn the latest news of their kingdom.

"I am so happy that they both came." Síriel said to Legolas.

The Prince, being too absorbed with the beauty of the trees around him, did not hear what his wife said. She called his name.

"Did you say something?" he turned to her.

She smiled and shook her head.

"I said that I am happy that they both came." Síriel repeated.

"Who?" Legolas asked.

Síriel stopped and looked at him.

"Are you alright?" she inquired, a slightly worried look on her face.

It was Legolas' turn to stop.

"Im vaer (I am fine/well). Why do you ask?" he said, puzzled.

"I am speaking with you and you are not with me." she replied.

"Goheno nin (forgive me). I meant it not. It is just that there are many things on my mind; I am thinking about Faramir's councils."

Síriel looked intently at Legolas. His fair face was lined with lines of worry and in his eyes she could detect a great burden.

"What is troubling you, cuil nín (my life)?" she asked gently.

Legolas sighed. He closed his eyes for a few moments to collect his thoughts and think of how to tell his wife. But he could not do so.

"Avo 'osto (fear/worry not)." he told her softly. "It is naught for you to worry about."

He kissed her forehead softly and stroked her face. He could see the disbelief in her clear, bright emerald eyes.

They returned to their home in silence and joined their guests in the dining hall for the evening meal. Not once did Legolas meet his wife's eyes, and she detected a slight shakiness to his movement, as if he were afraid and hiding something. When the meal was finished, she excused herself and hurried away to the nursery and her dear friend, Celebrindal.

"Síriel! Are you alright?" her handmaiden asked.

Síriel sank slowly into a chair and looked up at her, lost.

"Legolas is acting strangely." the half-elf said. "It is as if he is hiding something terrible from me. I am quite worried."

Then she proceeded to tell her friend exactly what had happened.

"What do you make of all of this?" Síriel asked when she finished. "If he has told you anything and asked of you to keep it secret, please, tell me! It worries me so to see him burdened like this!"

Celebrindal did not answer immediately. She smoothed the covers for Selena and Selina and fingered their soft silk hair thoughtfully.

"Well?" Síriel persisted.

"I know not. He has not spoken to me of anything at all. Whatever it is, he does not with for anyone to know at all." Celebrindal replied.

Síriel sighed.

"I know, and I wish he would tell me." she whispered. "I will remain worried until I found out what is troubling him so."

Celebrindal patted her friend's shoulder.

"He will tell you when he feels it is necessary." she told her. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must rest. I am quite weary."

No sooner did Celebrindal leave the nursery than Legolas came in.

"I thought I heard Celebrindal." he said.

"She left." Síriel replied, her back to him.

She heard him cross over to her and felt his strong arms around his waist. He buried his face in her nape and nuzzled her.

"What do you say to bed?" he whispered as his fingers began to deftly undo her dress' ties. "Are you ready?"

She nodded her copper-red head, and in the next instant found herself lifted up into his arms as he made his way to their chamber. When they reached the bed, they were both unclad. It took a few moments before they slid underneath the sheets. Síriel allowed Legolas to make love to her as he pleased. As always, he outdid himself.

"Was that pleasing to you?" he asked when he finished.

She lay in his arms, her breath coming in small gasps, both of their bodies covered with a fine sheen of sweat.

"It was, but do you know what is more pleasing?" she said.

Legolas' eyes glowed.

"What is?" he asked softly.

Her answer was not at all what he expected.

"To know what troubles you." she replied smoothly.

She wanted to know. As much as he would try, she would eventually find out. And if he did not tell her, and she became quite desperate, she would send a letter to Faramir himself. Legolas sighed.

"I suppose I should tell you." he said quietly.

She nodded her head and opened her bronzed arms to receive him into them. He slid neatly into them, his golden head on her breasts.

"I do not know where to begin." he began slowly.

"Begin somewhere." she replied softly, stroking his silken hair.

Legolas took a deep breath.

"You know that Sauron and Saruman both had evil Men working for them. When Elessar became King, he granted them clemency. He wishes to disperse them amongst us, as some of them have offered to work in servitude in gratitude of his kindness. Elessargathered all his friends and discussed with them this matter at Faramir's castle, and I was asked to attend. All the others have agreed to allow the Men in their realms, including the Prince of Dol Amroth-Imrahil. I am the only one who did not decide at the councils, and Elessar allowed me to dwell in thought about it for some time. But he desires an answer from me fairly quickly, and I know not what I should do." he said slowly.

Síriel did not speak. She let him gather his thoughts.

"And this is what troubles meleth nín (my love)?" she asked softly.

Legolas nodded, running his hands up and down her shoulder.

"Why does it bother you?" she asked.

"I do not trust them. I fear if I accept them here, they will harm you. And I will never forgive myself if that happens." Legolas replied.

"Legolas, love towards your enemy causes him to respect you. And did they not offer themselves? There is nothing to fear. And, worry not about me, I know how to protect myself well. You forget what I did to the one who was intent on wronging me that fateful day in the woods?"

Legolas smiled.

"Ai, how foolish I have been to worry!" he said.

"Not foolish, Legolas. You are never foolish."