Wild Justice
Chapter 14: The Avalanche Begins
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Not for the first time in so many days had Legolas rushed into the washroom to heave the contents of his stomach when his morning meal was brought to him. And not for the first time had Abie been present to witness it.
Exiting from the washroom- pale and shaky- Legolas could not meet the eyes of the elder maid appointed to serve him for his stay. She had placed the tray upon the table and stood now as if waiting for something. Legolas turned his gaze away from both her and the food.
"Please take it away. I am not hungry this morning."
"My prince?" Legolas slowly looked up to see her stern gaze, once sure she had his full attention, Abie spoke thus: "You have been like this for days, my prince. You simply cannot go on without the sustenance of these meals. Barely you eat anything at midmorning and night. Are you well?"
Sternness was clashing with worry and Legolas shook his head. "I should be find in a few days, my um... my stomach is not feeling too good. It has been a very... stressful time."
Abie's eyes narrowed on said area earning an uncomfortable shift from the Elven prince. "I simply must insist you have the healers check you over just in case, failure to do so and I must report to Lord Elrond. This has been going on for too long."
Legolas swallowed dryly, his heart pounding madly in his chest. "There is nothing wrong with me, my lady. You are free to go now."
Abie paused a moment as if unsure whether she had the right to further speak in the prince's presence after his dismissal. She spoke anyway. "Please, my prince." She hesitated only a moment. "I believe I may know what ails you."
Legolas whom had been in the process of turning away from her froze for a moment. He did not turn to face her, but his words when he spoke were firm, yet laced with fear and caution.
"What is it you think ails me, Abie?" by using her first name, Legolas emphasised his position over her, not something he was normally inclined to do but circumstances called for it, daring her to speak further. Daring her to report to the Lord of Imladris.
The silence drew out, awkward and tense, until Legolas found the nerve to turn and stare at her in demand. "Well?"
Abie watched him cautiously for another moment before lowering her eyes politely, "My prince, from what I have witnessed- your symptoms and actions- I have come to the only conclusion possible," she met his gaze again and this time the apprehension was clearly reflected, "You must be with child."
The words hit him, hard. The blond Elf stumbled backwards, his body shaking at what this would now mean. Expecting the maid to speak that sentence was different from actually hearing her do so. Never could he have been prepared for them, no matter who had spoken them. Legolas gripped at the edge of the table behind him, his tongue like a dead weight in his suddenly dry mouth.
"Male elves cannot get pregnant." He said softly, his voice hoarse.
"No," she agreed, "Only those with the mark, my prince. Which you no doubt have."
"What proofs have you of this?"
"Nothing plausible, my prince, just suspicion." Legolas nearly sighed in relief until she continued on: "But were I to insist an appointment with the healer, no doubt it would be confirmed."
"What... what will you do now?"
Abie bowed her head, "'Tis not my place to spread thy business, Prince Legolas."
Legolas frowned deeply, his face ashen and he looked to be ill again, "But you-"
"If you please?" she interrupted him, "I only wished to make sure that you were not truly ill."
Legolas was silent a long moment, watching the elderly Elf. His breathing was shallow and uneven, though silent. "You understand that you cannot say word of anything you suspect to anyone."
"I know this, I also know that should your condition- your symptoms- become any worse, I am under obligation to break my silence over this and go to my Lord Elrond."
Legolas nodded. The mahogany-haired maid bowed her head once again. "I will return this evening with you meal as well as some herbs that will help to settle your stomach and hopefully prevent further... illness."
"My thanks." His eyes watched as she left the room, closing it behind her. Legolas hurried up to it and locked it instinctively. He then made his way back to the window seat.
He wryly thought about said location being his comfort zone, as he settled back and let his gaze wonder out of the window. It seemed that every time he began to question his predicaments or have doubts about his situations, he would come here just to sit and think. With a sigh he let his head fall back. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt right now. A part of him felt panicked and worried, yet another part of him knew that someone was bound to find out sooner or later. Perhaps it was a good thing? Especially as it was Abie, for she would know how to help him with the morning sickness. But if he didn't get better, then she would go to Lord Elrond. And Legolas didn't want the Elven lord to find out. Was afraid, even, of what the Lord of Imladris may do.
He shook his head, dispelling his thoughts. The Elven lord was nothing like those in Mirkwood whom sought to control his life! He wouldn't force him to flee in order to save the life within him... would he?
Legolas reached over to the plate of food and picked up the stick of cinnamon Abie had insightfully placed along with the rest of the meal.
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"What is it you wish for us to do my lord?"
"It seems we are having a little trouble."
"The prince?"
"How perceptive you are." The dry sarcasm rang from his half-Elven form. Brushing dark hair back over his shoulder, Ahearn swept his eyes over the detailed map of Middle Earth.
"None of the areas have produced positive results in this search."
"You think I don't know that?" Ahearn snapped at one of his guards. He paused a moment before mumbling, more to himself than the two others in the room. "I am suspicious of Imladris and perhaps Lothlórien."
"The messengers have returned from Lothlórien, my lord, their reports were negative, though we took it upon ourselves to send two of your men to stay at length in the Lands of Lorien, unmarked."
Ahearn nodded his head, "Who has been sent?"
"Cebris and Amarth, my lord."
"Very good. Now you two will journey to Imladris, and stay unmarked. You will leave on my say; I suggest you go to prepare. I expect you to take full precaution and any means to return him to us should he be found. Dismissed."
The two guards bowed their heads to him and exited the room, identical smirks upon their faces.
Ahearn rolled the map up, his eyes glinting. "I will find you, Legolas. You cannot hide from me forever."
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To Be Continued...?
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Peace,
CS WhiteWolf
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