Never without you
Chapter 12: My heirs
Pairings: Legolas/Haldir
Disclaimer: I don't own so don't ask
WARNING: This is about male/male relationships, if you have a problem with that then I suggest that you go elsewhere.
Notes: Please remember that this is not beta-read so any and all mistakes are mine. Somehow this chapter got either deleted or I just didn't submit it, sorry.
louiseoblique: You liked that, huh? Well, I'm not sure about Thranduil and Elrond but I'll see where my muses lead me
Lady Mirfain: Is this fast enough for you? I hope so…Enjoy!
Wanderer: You know…if I put out that many chapters I wouldn't have anything else left to do. Okay, that not true, I could go back to finishing 'Conquered and A Caged Soul'. I know this chapter is a bit short but I needed to it be for the fireworks to come. Enjoy!
giggle: You know the one good thing about cliffhangers and secrets are the fact that everybody wants to know what happens next and what are people hiding. And this is one the beginning.
oOoOoOo
Thranduil was desperately holding back a yawn. He shook his head to rid it of the fuzzy haze of sleep. Court had been in session for over three mind-numbing hours. He wanted to get back and finish talking with Legolas. His still had so much to tell him.
Thranduil listened as best as he could to the daily complaints of neighbors, husbands, wives, and Elflings nearing their Majority. He groaned inwardly as the Elf before him drone on about his wife's family. The king was saved by the doors banging open.
He closed his crystalline blue eyes asking the Valar for strength as the bane of his existence strutted toward him. He wasn't ready to deal with Serégon. The gods were not being kind to him this day.
He also noticed with some amusement on his part that Serégon was sporting a nasty bloody nose. Some of the red substance was splattered down the front of his prestine brown tunic and sash. Purple bruises were along the ridge of Serégon's nose and eyes. By the looks of it, it was Haldir's personal signature.
The Marchwarden was known for his quick tempter. The prince was just lucky that Haldir didn't kill him with the brute force that made him a formidable warrior.
"King Thranduil! You lied to me and my family about your son's promiscuous behavior, which is the way resulted in him to be with child!"
Low murmuring flared up in the hall. Thranduil's visage went from deathly pale to crimson within seconds. No one in his realm knew of Legolas being a maternal Elf.
Celeborn stepped into the throne room wearing his silver robes followed by Rúmil and Orophin armed with their long bows and swords. Serégon gaped at them in wonder as the silver-haired Elves approached the king Celeborn lit the entire hall as he proceeded further within. Serégon briefly thought that the regal Elf reminded him of someone but whom?
The patrons bowed deeply as the Lord passed them. Many knew of him and his Lady, most had never set eyes upon him, and they all wonder why he was there, for everyone knew that the Lord seldom left his beloved woods.
"King Thranduil," he bowed respectfully. "I bring news of an alliance between our realms."
Thranduil was taken aback. "I'm sorry my Lord but forgive my ignorance-"
"What alliance could you offer King Thranduil?" Serégon spoke out of line. Thranduil growled in annoyance.
Rúmil and Orophin pointed arrows at the prince for his flippant mouth. No one speaks to Celeborn with such imprudence.
The Lord's face harden, icy-blue orbs glared at the Elfling royal.
"If you must know - this is Celeborn, Lord of the Golden-wood," Rúmil announced proudly for all to hear. Immediately everyone went down to one knee except for Thranduil.
"I wish to inform you of the union of Legolas and Haldir," Celeborn said, continuing as if nothing had transpired.
This time Felagund interrupted. "I'm sorry my Lords but it is written in our law that no member of the royal family is permitted to wed or bind with another of a lesser stature. This has been since the days before Oropher.
As such, Captain Haldir is well known throughout Middle-earth as a remarkable sword wielder and superior archer as well as Emissary not to mention Marchwarden, a very high honor, none-the-less it does not qualify as a suitable mate for the prince," the chief advisor concluded some what sadly.
Celeborn smirked. His eyes twinkled with merriment. "I will make sure that Haldir will hear of the praise you have graciously given him; and I am well aware of your ancient laws regarding marriage. If I was not I would not have allowed anything to have develop further."
"My Lord," another of Thranduil's advisors spoke. "You do realize this could result in the banishment of the Prince and the imprisonment of the Captain?"
Serégon smiled to himself. If the Prince was exiled he could still get what he wanted. It was only a matter of time.
"I do, and this is why I am here. My mate and I knew this day would come." Celeborn turned expectantly to the entrance after several seconds the Marchwarden walked in with Legolas hand in hand. Both appeared a bit flushed. Haldir was not dressed as a captain.
He wore glittering silver robes similar to Celeborn's. Even his hair was free of the warriors braid. The white flowing tresses was pulled away from his face free falling on his broad back, only being held together by a clip.. A mithril circlet adorns his head signifying his station as a prince.
Elrond slipped in unnoticed. He knew that the explosion from Thranduil was going to be swift and without mercy, but again his friend did managed to surprise him every once in a while.
"Ada," Legolas said. "Members of the court my I present to you my husband, Haldir of Lórien."
Thranduil sighed putting his head in his hands. Could this get any worse? This was not exactly how he had envisioned the couple's announcement. Husband? Did Legolas just say husband. Haldir was supposed to be just his lover and not his husband!
/Oh, by the grace of the Valar! I'm going to be stoned/ Thranduil screamed in his head. What was Legolas trying to do? Maybe there is a logical explanation for this, there just has to be. Okay, let's try this again.
"I am sorry my son but your marriage cannot be honored. You may keep Haldir as a consort but nothing more." Thranduil looked to Celeborn.
The high Lord better pull a rabbit out of his sleeve if they were to survive this scandal.
"As future Lord of Caras Galadhon, it is within my birth right to choose a mate worthy of ruling by my side," Haldir stated as a matter of fact.
"You are no royal let a lone a ruler of the Golden wood," Serégon cut in backing away as the brothers pulled back their bow strings.
"Even if I have proof?" Haldir replied with a confidence.
"What proof could you possibly have? Everyone knows not of your parents. Where are they? No doubt wandering the Halls of Mandos."
A strong silky tenor cut in, "I assure each of you, I am very much alive as is my wife," Celeborn replied hotly.
The hall erupted in whispers once again.
"Celeborn?..." Thrandil didn't understand why his friend was making such a bold statement.
With a condescending air about him, much like the Marchwarden's, Celeborn simply said, "Haldir…is my son."
oOo TBC oOo
A/N: Did anyone guess? I give kudos to Christine G. for guessing way back toward the beginning! Way to go…Were any of you surprised? I hope so. Okay, now Haldir's secret is out, what next? Dunno, but stay tuned for the next chapter. Oh, btw, wondering about Elladan? He shows up again.
All comments and suggestions are most welcomed!
Nemesis
oOoTeaser for Chapter 13: To prove one's worthoOo
Thranduil never looked so grateful. "How can Lord Celeborn be your Father?"
It was a burning question on everyone's mind.
Elrond spoke-up. Thranduil noticed him for the first time since the whole mess got started. "Actually…"