A/N: This will be the last chapter until around September. I need a break too, so although I will be writing, I won't be posting. So I do hope everyone has a wonderful, safe summer! Many thanks to all reviewers including: Myri78, Luthien Ancalime87, Legolas's Girl 9, Spidergirl130, Deana, shieldmaidenofmithrilhall, Crazy Elf Ireth, and ronda.

Forgiveness and Forthcoming

Legolas waited anxiously outside of the bedchamber whereFiondra was lying surrounded by healers. When Elboron had come running up, gasping that Fiondra had been hurt, Legolas had felt his heart stop. As quickly as his legs had carried him, he still had not got to the palace before his wife had been carefully brought to their room.

Faramir watched the distraught elf with troubled eyes. He could not completely fathom the elf's misery. Éowyn had always been healthy and had never been seriously wounded since the battle of Pelennor Fields. Faramir tried to ease some of Legolas' worries. "I'm sure Fiondra will be fine after some rest."

Legolas turned toward the Gondorian man. The distress from his blue eyes crept into his voice as he asked, "How can you know that? Are you a healer?"

"No," Faramir admitted. "But I do know that if Fiondra were still in immediate danger, the healers would have allowed you to be with her long before this." Faramir watched Legolas relax slightly.

The door to the bedroom silently opened. The elf healer Brethil came out sober-faced and walked toward Legolas.

For one panic-filled moment, Legolas tried to imagine life without Fiondra and couldn't. He hurried back to grasp reality. "Is she…" Legolas' voice caught and he stared helplessly at Brethil.

Brethil hurriedly shook his head. "No! My lady Fiondra is again conscious and asking for you, Highness."

Legolas let out a noisy breath and started for the room. "Praise Eru," he whispered.

Brethil placed a hand on the door handle. "A moment, Highness." Legolas stopped and looked expectantly at Brethil. The healer held out his hands and bluntly stated, "the Queen is extremely weak. It will be quite some time before she is fully recovered. I thought that you should know."

Legolas gave him a curt nod and cautiously went into the room. He was not prepared for the sight before him.

His wife lay propped up against numerous, plush pillows. There were dark shadows under the fringe of her eyelashes. Her eyes fluttered open as she heard him approach. "Legolas," she murmured, giving him a languid smile.

The ellon dropped to his knees beside her. "Forgive me," he said sadly. He placed a light kiss on her waxen cheek.

"For what?" she asked softly.

"For not being there to rescue you."

Fiondra did her best to give him a stern look. "That is not your fault. You will not be able to fight all of my battles for me. But I do appreciate that you want to."

Idril, the nursemaid, came over to tuck the covers around Fiondra more tightly. "I'd like to see him suffer through childbirth for you," she scoffed. Then she laughed at the horrified look Legolas gave her. "See," Idril said smugly. "There are some things males simply won't do for you.

Fiondra laughed, but then realization set in. "My baby!" she gasped. She struggled violently to sit up. "Oh Idril, please tell me that my baby isn't harmed. "The elderly woman gently pushed her back down. "Your baby is in perfect health, dearheart, so long as you rest, and regain your own health."

Complacently, Fiondra settled against her pillows and Legolas suppressed a grin.

"Now, my Lord and Lady would like to see you, by your leave," Idril informed Fiondra. At the elleth's nod, the nursemaid left to get them.

Not long after she had left, the small family entered the room. Faramir carried a calmer Finduilas over to Fiondra. Little Fin carefully handed the elleth an obviously handpicked bunch of wildflowers. Fiondra accepted them graciously, and gave the girl a small grin.

Éowyn moved to be closer to Fiondra. "I can never thank you enough for saving my baby," she said tearfully.

"Nonsense," replied Fiondra. "For in your quick thinking, you not only saved me, but also my baby. The debt has certainly been repaid."

Éowyn squeezed Fiondra's thin hand gratefully. Then the Rohirric woman gestured for her son to come forward.

Elboron slowly moved to the bedside, his head hanging with shame. Faramir nudged him with one hand. Hastily Elboron mumbled, "I am sorry for being so careless, Lady Fiondra."

The invalid reached for the boy's hand. "There is no need to apologize Elboron, so long as you realized now that you must be more calculating and cautious in your actions."

"I know," Elboron replied. He made a short bow and retreated to his mother's side.

"We will go now," Faramir told Fiondra and Legolas. "You both need some time alone. Again, you have our thanks."

When they were again by themselves, Legolas said to Fiondra, "You are almost too forgiving, do you know that? First Alqua, and now Elboron. You could have been killed by either person, and you just accept it as though they merely taunted you."

"Perhaps that is not one of my faults," Fiondra returned wisely. "Perhaps you are the one that needs to learn to be more forgiving."

Legolas chuckled. "I concede my point, meleth nin. I only wish that you would be more mindful with yourself."

"I will," Fiondra promised. "Now, I am feeling a bit fatigued. Will you rest with me?"

"Yes," Legolas said. And as he climbed tactfully into bed next to her, he made a silent vow to be with her as often as possible.

X X X X X

Four months later, Legolas remained true to his pledge. Fiondra was even now chiding him for clinging to her. "I love you Legolas, but you are as often near me as my shadow! Please, go argue with Faramir. I am sure you can find something to bicker about."

"Are you attempting to get rid of me?" Legolas feigned incredulity.

"He finally grasps my meaning!" Fiondra threw up her hands and laughed when her husband snaked his arms around her.

Legolas rubbed the slowly growing mound around Fiondra's middle. "'Tis hard to believe that in a few short months, we shall be parents."

Fiondra smiled dreamily and allowed him to hold her for an instant before she pushed him away. "Go," she ordered him. "Leave me in peace to visit with Éowyn and Idril. I don't see them as often as I'd like now that we live in our own home again."

"Very well," Legolas agreed. "I shall return later, meleth." They kissed and he left for the palace.

Éowyn and Idril came bearing needlework soon after he departed. For quite some time, the three females gossiped about children and everyday problems.

About three hours after Éowyn and Idril had first arrived, a knock came pounding at the door suddenly. Fiondra gave the women a puzzled look and got up to answer the persistent knocking.

A burly man stood glaring at Fiondra. "Where be the wife of the elf Legolas?" he asked in a rough voice.

Fiondra was startled, but outwardly she gave no sign of her fright. "I am his wife," she said proudly.

Éowyn came to stand behind Fiondra as the man continued in his harsh voice, "Well, you just let him know that an old friend came to call. Tell him that I have a debt to repay him." He sneered at Fiondra's slight figure and spat at her feet. He grinned lecherously, then strode off and disappeared in the dense forest.

Trembling, Fiondra shut the door and gaped at Éowyn. "What do you suppose he meant by all of that?" she asked.

"I'm…not sure," Éowyn said in a confused tone. "But I do know that he was well into his cups."

"Aye," Idril chimed. "He was reeking of ale. You might want to open some windows to air your house out a bit."

Fiondra took the old woman's suggestion, but did so absentmindedly. She could not rationalize why the man seemed to have a grudge against Legolas. After all, her husband was well liked by everyone she knew. "Should I tell Legolas about his visitor?" she asked her friends.

Both women nodded. "He's sure to find out from someone else if you don't tell him first," Idril reasoned.

Éowyn nodded. "And I'll tell Faramir to double the watch around our borders. Mayhap we can find out this mysterious man before he does you or Legolas any harm."

Fiondra thanked her. "I suppose the men will have to be ready for a fight or attack of some sort, won't they?"

"I hope it won't come to that," Éowyn said honestly. "But it very well may."

"Don't you worry yourself overmuch," Idril advised the elleth. "It will do no good for you or your babe."

"We had best return," Éowyn said to Fiondra. "I want to inform Faramir of this intruder as soon as possible."

Fiondra bade them farewell and eased herself into a chair to wait for her husband.

She did not have to wait for long. He stormed into the house. "Did he harm you?" Legolas demanded, grasping her forearms.

"No," she reassured him. "He didn't even touch me."

"He had better not have," Legolas growled. "He would not live to see the sun rise."

Fiondra gave him a moment to brood before she asked, "Do you know who he is, and what he wants?"

"I have a pretty strong assumption," Legolas told her. "The description Éowyn gave me seems to match a man I once met."

"Tell me why he hunts you out," Fiondra urged him.

"Long before I met you, Aragorn and I were traveling together. We stopped at a tavern for some refreshment…"

Here Fiondra interrupted him. "You? Drinking ale?" She began to giggle and despite the day's events, Legolas too began to laugh.

"I have quite a tolerance for ale, my love. I can out-drink even Gimli." Legolas gave another chuckle and continued with his story. "We had been at this dumpy tavern watching our fellow guests when we heard a shriek from outside. My instincts told me that something was amiss, and Aragorn and I hastened outside. The shriek had come from the tavern owner's daughter. She had been accosted by the man you met today."

Fiondra gasped involuntarily, and Legolas gave a grim smile. "We saved the girl before he actually ruined. But what he had almost done was unforgivable. Aragorn and I made a fool of the man and then deposited him far away from the tavern in a desolate area. I suppose he's come back for his revenge, and he found it far easier to deal with me first rather than Aragorn."

Fiondra hugged him. "I'm glad you rescued the girl," she told him.

"As am I," Legolas replied. "I just hope that it hasn't put you or our child in the way of danger yet again."

"It is no matter, Legolas. We shall get through this fight unscathed as well." Fiondra spoke with a confidence she did not feel, but sent a prayer up that the man would be apprehended before he did them harm.

X X X X X

I hope that wasn't too much of a cliffhanger. Two chapters left, and then this story will be done! But again, don't expect those two chapters any time soon. Have an absolutely wonderful summer!