A/N- If you have any suggestions what-so-ever, don't be afraid to shout them out :)

Chapter 2- A Secret Long Kept Silent

A long week passed since the two elves stole a night together and Legolas was beginning to act strange.

Tirnen worried for his health. "Legolas?" The dark-haired elf began slowly, "Is there something wrong?"

"No. Nothing is wrong." Legolas snapped back bitterly. "I am fine."

"But you do not act as yourself."

"So? Is that a problem?"

"Well, yes." The young elf lay a hand on Legolas' shoulder in compassion. "I fear there may be something wrong. I worry for your health."

"Do not worry. I am fine." Legolas said with a bit of aggravation edging his voice.

"But you are treating me as though I am an enemy." Tirnen dropped his dark head sadly.

"You are not an enemy. But if you keep pestering me, I fret that I will soon change my mind." Legolas slid off the blue velour chair that he was perched upon. "Leave me. I desire to be alone."

With a sad sigh, the young elf turned and left with his head bowed low. "If you need to talk, I will be here for you." Was the last thing that Tirnen said before slipping silently through the door.

Navigating his way through the twisting halls of the Elvenking, Tirnen soon came upon King Thranduil working at his desk with a scowl on his face. Tirnen took a deep breath and braved a question, "King Thranduil, sir?"

The king's head shot up. He frowned even more when he saw whom it was who was knocking. "What is it, Tirnen?"

"Your son, sir. He is acting quite peculiar."

"What do you mean?"

"He is having terrible mood swings and he does not even want me around… Did I do something wrong?"

"Possibly," King Thranduil set the end of his quill in the black ink. "What do you think you did wrong?"

"I have not the faintest idea. He just awoke one morning and was bitter towards me…"

"You two did not sleep together, did you?"

"That is a little too personal of a question…"

"Did you?" Force shown itself in the king's voice.

Tirnen nodded shyly, "Yes, sir…"

A heavy sigh escaped Thranduil's lips.

"What is it?" Tirnen dared to query.

"I must see Legolas. Where is he?" Thranduil said, stepping down from his chair.

"In his room, sir. But may I ask what is wrong first?"

"I will tell you both at the same time." Thranduil walked out of his study. Tirnen followed closely behind, being careful not to trip on the king's regal olive green robes that trailed behind him.

They reached Legolas' room and Thranduil knocked upon the large door. "Ion? May I speak with you?"

"No. Go away." Came the muffled reply from behind the door.

"Ion, I know what ails you. But you must first let me in."

After a few soundless minutes, the door opened a crack and an azure eye peered out. "What is wrong with me, ada?" A voice, a meek, scared little voice asked.

"Let me in and I will tell you." Thranduil gently pried the door open enough so that he could slip in. Tirnen, not wanting to miss the explanation, also slipped into the vast room. The king sat down at the foot of the feather bed. "Ion…" He began solemnly, "Ion… you… I fear…"

"What, ada?" Legolas' heart raced, "What is it?"

"Legolas, you are pregnant." Thranduil said in one forced out breath. "I do not know how to explain it gently…" He looked over to Legolas who looked to be in a state of complete shock and denial. And Tirnen, whose face seemed almost unreadable for he showed so many emotions. "Have you ever wondered why you have no nana?"

"She died… Giving birth to me…" Legolas still stood in shock, but he was at least able to move his lips.

King Thranduil shook his head, "No, ion… I never told you, but I was the one who carried you." He looked to Legolas again and continued, "You have no nana."

"No. Lies, all lies!" Legolas said, shaking his head, not wanting to believe the information given to him. "None of this is true!"

"I am afraid it is." The Elvenking said sadly, "All of this is true. Me bearing you and you being pregnant yourself."

"This cannot be, ada! I am a male!"

"As am I. And now it seems that I have passed on this trait."

"How, ada? How can I be pregnant!"

"Well, you see, a very long time ago, I wanted a child. But I have never truly preferred women. So I went to a powerful Istari and asked to be able to conceive and bear children. And it was so. The Istari warned me, though, that any male children of mine would also have this trait. I never told you before because I have always thought that you liked females. But after seeing you with Tirnen, I debated on telling you or not. Now, though, as you have already shared a night together, I fear that you are with child now, Legolas. You are pregnant with Tirnen's child." Thranduil stopped for a moment to allow Legolas to grasp all of the information. "That may have been hard to swallow, ion, but I am here with you every step of the way."

Legolas could only keep his mouth agape and his gaze fixed solely on his father. "How am I to give birth?"

"When the time comes, an incision will be made and the baby will be taken out." Thranduil tried to say as calmly as he could.

"I think I am going to be ill." Legolas collapsed back onto his bed, exhausted by the heap of information.

Thranduil placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder before rising to his feet. "Keep this a secret, Legolas. We do not want anyone to know of your pregnancy. People would talk even more than they do now. Plus, they would know the secret of our family line." And with that last statement, he left the two shocked elves alone.

"Tirnen, you are an experianced healer. Can you tell me if I am actually…" Legolas took a deep breath to relax his tensed muscles, "… pregnant…."

"It is too early to tell for sure. But you do show the symptoms of a pregnancy."

Groaning in disbelief, Legolas turned his head away from his beloved friend. "How would an abortion be done?"

"… I would have to cut the child out of you… but you truly do not want an abortion, do you? You would be killing a defenseless innocent child…"

"I know…" Legolas sighed heavily, "But I do not know what else to do…"

"Try keeping the child." Tirnen smiled a weak, comforting smile.

"I cannot say 'no' to that face." Legolas smiled a little back. "I suppose I will carry the child."

Tirnen leaned foreword and kissed the blond elf's lips. "You made a very good choice. I am proud of you." He rested his hand on Legolas' lower abdomen, "Very proud."

Tbc…