Never without you
Chapter 20: Decisions
Pairing: Legolas/Haldir
Disclaimer: I don't own so don't ask
WARNING: This is about male/male relationships. If you have a problem, than I suggest that you hit the back key now.
Notes: Male pregnancy
/ Thoughts /
: Mindspeak/Telepathy :
Special thank you to: Haldir's Heart and Soul, Mizuki hikari, mz psycho, and didn't review thank you for reading thus far. I hoped you enjoyed it.
Enjoy!
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During the following weeks after the Loríen and the Imladrian Elves arrival the Mirkwood realm had been cast into a state of flux, over the fast approaching bonding and wedding ceremony of the Evenstar and the King of Men.
On many occasions the Elven tailors were at a loss with King Elassar because he refused to be used as a pin cushion. Elrond and the other high Elves found the extremely amusing especially when the royal disappeared in the middle of a fitting.
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Thranduil had secluded himself away from all the activity – merely stating that Arwen had the run of the palace (within reason of course) and not to bother him unless it was a dire emergency. However, Legolas knew better. Since Elrond practically tied him to the bed, Legolas thought a lot about his Ada.
The first thing Legolas noticed about his mother was Thranduil's constant inability to focus. On most days, court was either postponed or cancelled all together because the king's mind took frequent holidays. The second thing that Legolas noticed about his Naneth was his disinterest in food. Of all the centuries Legolas has been with Thranduil, the king had always ate at each and every meal, but recently, Thranduil barely consumed enough to sustain a small animal.
Lastly, was Thranduil's appearance. Legolas had seen the haggard looks on his friend, Elladan. The dull eyes, listless hair, slight body frame, extreme fatigue. All the signs were pointing in one direction – Thranduil was beginning to fade.
But there was nothing that Legolas could do or was there?
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As the days wore on Tinion was feeling restless. He rarely saw his lover except during meal time or at night in bed. Even then the only thing Glorfindel would be interested in was cuddling and going to sleep. With a heavy sigh Tinion decided it was time to go home.
He had spoken to the Lord and Lady about going home with the excuse to oversee the protection the Golden wood. Celeborn and Galadriel had granted him permission (no questions asked) to leave with the exception of taking Orophin and Rúmil with him. Haldir's second-in-command welcomed the brother's company for the long journey home.
By the end of the day Tinion was packed. He briefly wondered why Glorfindel had been ignoring him. He didn't understand how their relationship dwindled upon arriving here in Mirkwood.
Tinion knew that one day his relationship with Glorfindel would end for the simple fact he could not commit himself hundred percent; with the understanding of course because of his bond with his Lord and Lady. The Vala, Valrë, was present when Tinion pledge his loyalty to Celeborn and Galadriel upon reaching his Majority.
The elfling would be serving the high-Elves and protecting the Golden wood until the end of Arda. Tinion would be alone for his immortal life.
Nighttime descended slowly as the young guardian trekked back to his room to finish packing following the last meal of the day. He sighed trying to hold back his tears of loneliness. He went about the room collecting his weapons for his journey tomorrow.
Fifteen minutes later, Tinion stood in the middle of the room. Satisfied that everything was secure and ready to be moved into him saddle packs, Tinion set to relax for the evening by soaking in a tub of hot water to relieve tired muscles then going to bed. By the time he dried off, brushed out his hair, and crawled into bed, Tinion was thoroughly exhausted.
The Galadrium slipped into Elven reverie unaware of the events taking place on the other side of the guest wing.
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"We are sorry, Glorfindel. Truly, we are but Tinion is bound for all time to us," Galadriel stated.
Her heart was breaking because she saw the break-up coming between her guardian and the Balrog-slayer long before they were in a relationship. She wanted the love affair to end before they were in to deep but her mate put his foot down and ordered her to stay out of it.
"If there were some other way we would agree to the request, but as it stands we cannot," Celeborn added.
Before the Golden flower Lord could say more Celeborn raised his hand forestalling another argument.
"Elrond will need you in the coming months – soon his daughter will leave him. Although he is overjoyed that she is getting married he will despair. The only connection to Celebrían is leaving him to join the race of Men. You and Erestor as well as the twins will need to aid him through this difficult time.
Glorfindel stiffened at the Eldars final decision. For the past week and a half, he had been in meetings with Elrond to discuss matters about Imladris while its' Lord had been absent. The situation with his lover vexed the Balrog-slayer to no end.
While his duty to Imladris and her Lord was without a doubt a priority, it broke his heart that Tinion was suffering because of it. Too many nights Glorfindel returned to their bedchambers thoroughly exhausted from the day. Tinion would all ready be asleep by the time he slipped between the sheets. On more than occasion Tinion woke during the night in need of his lover, but Glorfindel had been so tired that he muttered 'not tonight maybe tomorrow.'
And as it turned out 'tomorrow' would only repeat the previous night. Again the Lord of the Golden flower found himself staring at his bedchamber door wishing to somehow undo the neglect that his lover had been enduring.
After some pain staking moments of thought, Glorfindel entered his room to find Tinion…
"Gone."
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"I WANT OUT OF THIS BED, ELROND!"
The dark haired Elf merely raised an elegant brow – amused by the prince's infantile behavior.
"And my answer remains unchanged. If you are to have these babes healthy and safely, Legolas, you are to remain in that bed."
The Peredhel sighed he could see the hurt and longing in the azure orbs. Taking the prince's slender hand into his own delicate ones, Elrond's soothing voice filled the private room.
"I'm not going to lie to you Legolas – you won't make it to your twelfth month. The birth canal has begun to take shape. This is caused by the constant stress from Thranduil. Plus you and Haldir were separated to the point of grief. I'm just surprised that it didn't happen sooner," Elrond explained as best as he could without upsetting his patient any more than necessary.
"Saes, Elrond, I need to be outside among the tress – they're calling."
Going against his better judgment, Elrond relented. "You may take a half hour walk, nothing strenuous, provided that either Haldir or Glorfindel accompany you. Do I make myself clear young Greenleaf?"
Legolas nodded his head enthusiastically. Elrond smiled in delight over the prince's shameless display of joy.
"I'm finished with you exam. Is there anything else you need or wish to discuss with me before I take my leave?"
"Have you seen my Ada?" Legolas inquired.
Pausing briefly, Elrond actually couldn't remember the last time he saw the Mirkwood king. He furrowed his brows together – a frown deepening further on to his face. Now, as the half-elf thought about it, Elrond realized that Thranduil has been absent quite a bit. He and Celeborn had been the ones tending to the arriving guests.
"No, pen-neth, I have not," Elrond admitted truthfully.
"Since I am to go for a walk I will go visit with my Ada."
"Very well, I will send Haldir for your walk."
Unfortunately, Legolas didn't wait for his mate.
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For some unexplainable reason the passage way to Thranduil's chambers seemed cold and unwelcoming. Legolas drew his cloak about him more securely. Every since he became pregnant the elements effected him.
Elrond replayed that it was common among females to feel overly hot or extremely cold because their body changed for the baby, and he should feel normal again after the birth.
At ten months into his pregnancy, Legolas could no longer walk more than a few feet before huffing to regain an adequate air supply.
Knocking on his Mother's door, Legolas had a chill go through him. His personal guard stood off to the side of the door as he waited for permission to entry. After a minute, Legolas knocked again thinking Thranduil was busy and did not hear him the first time.
However, another minute went by and the king still has not acknowledged him.
"Ada? I would like to visit with you," Legolas called out opening the door finding it unlock.
(Gasp) "Saes, fetch Lord Elrond. He should be in the healing wing."
The guard quickly bowed and dashed out the room. Unbeknown to the prince a shadow stood in the corner of the room waiting to hear the challenge.
NOO! HALDIR! RÚMIL, LET GO! ARAGORN, DON'T DO THIS TO ME! HALDIR! The memory of watching his beloved fall to the Urak-hai's blade assaulted Legolas as he rolled Thranduil from his side to his back.
"I will not lose you, Ada! Do you hear me, Námo! You cannot have him!" Legolas angrily shouted to the unseen Vala.
The shadow made itself known. "What would you give Prince Legolas in exchange for you Mother's life?"
Startled Legolas snapped his head up to stare believing at the Vala. Námo stood before him in dark blue robes, his hair free flowing around him moving river of gold.
"What would you give?" he repeated impatiently.
"My life," Legolas whispered looking back to the unconscious Thranduil.
The Vala scoffed. "The ever-so brave warrior of the Green wood realm – you would condemn your life mate and unborn children to death just to your Naneth can live?"
Without hesitation Legolas raised his head and proudly said, "Aye, I would."
Námo looked incredulously at the pregnant Elf. "Why?" He wanted to understand the elfling's reason.
"Haldir and I both know that I might not survive child birth. Even though our children might live I could still die from the strain, and if that happens, Haldir will go mad from grief or kill himself to join me in death. I do not want him to go through that. At least with my Naneth here on Arda, I know that my children will be well cared for," Legolas explained still kneeling beside his oblivious parent. Every so often his stomach would clench then relax causing Legolas to grimace and take a deep breath.
The higher being clearly saw the love and dedication that the elfling had for his Mother. He smiled – Erü's Will shall be done.
"Very well, pen-neth. I accept your offer, but it is not your life that I want."
Leveling a penetrating blue gaze at the Vala, Legolas asked, "If it is not my life then-" he stopped himself placing a shaking hand on his expanded middle. "My children."
Námo shook his head negatively. "You are having more than one, are you not?" Legolas nodded his head mutely, not trusting his voice. "I only want one."
At the very moment his water broke. "Time is of the essence Greenleaf. What shall it be?"
Tears streamed down Legolas' face.
One.
He and Haldir would have only one – not two. So many things were running through his mind: the extra bed would have to be removed from the nursery as well as the extra furnishings and clothes. Worse, how was his husband going to handle his decision to keep Thranduil alive and allowing the Vala to take their babe in his place?
He choked on a sob as it was becoming reality.
"I…I accept."
Námo smiled with glee. "So be it – one of your children's life for King Thranduil." He faded from view before Legolas had a chance to change his mind.
No one would know of the bargain he made with the keeper of Mandos Halls. The door opened with a bang. Elrond rushed in to then to Thranduil. Celeborn and Haldir assisted Elrond with placing the woodland king onto the bed.
While they were focused on Thranduil, Legolas slipped out unnoticed holding his lower abdomen in pain.
oOo TBC oOo
A/N: Well, tell me what you think. Your comments and suggestions are greatly welcomed.
Nemesis
oOoOo Teaser for Chapter 21 oOoOo
"You mortal's assume too much, but no, I am not here for the prince. I am here for one of his children."
"You can't," Celeborn argued.
Námo smiled. "You have no authority in this matter, Silver Tree."
"But why? This will devastate them."
"The Prince agreed to my terms-" Námo looked up when he heard the cries of the second elfling in the distance. "If you will excuse me now, I have a feä to collect."