To all my lovely readers, I am so sorry for the delay in getting a new chapter up. Life lately, can only be described at crazy. I finished my bachelors online, working tons of overtime, and am in the process of switching jobs, plus travel. I thank you all for your patience and loyalty to the story!

Chapter 35

6 months later

Evelyn bustled around her home, working to tidy up each room as she went, making notes as to what needed cleaning, rearranging, and other task she deemed important. Her brothers had given her little time to prepare for their coming—his note had come just a week prior announcing that not only where they traveling to visit, but their father and Celebrían, Glorfindel, Galadriel and Celeborn, and Haldir. They were to arrive in a month. She could have strangled them, and would have traveled to do so, if not for her current state of pregnancy.

It was only mid-morning and already her lower back ached and her head throbbed, where was she going to house all these guests? The construction on the permanent homes for his men and their families were not complete and therefore they were still living in the guest wing. As much as she loved her family, she did not want them in her apartments. She shuddered at the thought. Particularly, she did not want her brothers so close. Not to mention, she needed to prepare a menu, somehow find extra kitchen staff and maids. She hoped beyond reason that they would bring their own help. She had no need for a personal maid anymore, if Legolas was not around to help her dress, she simply put on something that required just one person.

Sighing, Evelyn rubbed her back, trying to soothe away the aches. Strong hands covered her arms, rubbing gently. She leaned back into the familiar strength and comfort. "You are working too hard my love." He worked his way up her arms and down her back, massaging the area just over her bottom where he knew she hurt. Evelyn moaned.

"I have to figure all this out, where are they going to sleep? My brothers are not rooming beside us! Not to mention we need extra hands for meals and to keep the chambers cleaned. The homes on the East side are not even finished yet!" She exclaimed, exasperated.

Legolas chuckled, "Oh, I do not know, we could make it fun if your brothers roomed next to us, very exciting indeed." As if to prove his point, he ran his hands down her hips, dipping down, "Is this where it hurts?" He asked, face level with her backside as he gently planted a kiss above her bottom, even thru the material of her dress it sent shockwaves through her body.

"Legolas!" She hissed, spinning around, her face flushed red, "Anybody could walk in her at any moment!" she smacked him lightly on the chest.

"All the more fun," Legolas replied, voice husky. He spun her around, pulling her back taught against his chest, his hands wrapping around her growing belly, feeling their child move around, he smiled into her neck, his breath sending chills down her spine. Evelyn melted against him. "I have the solution to one of your problems, Galadriel sent word to me that they will bring staff enough to see to their needs and for food."

"Oh, thank the Valar," Evelyn let some of the tension release with the knowledge as Legolas placed tender kisses upon her throat and shoulders. "Now to figure out rooming, what am I to do Legolas? Wait, why did Galadriel write to you and not to me?"

"She suspected you had enough on your plate with their pending arrival and did not want to add to your worries, plus she figured you might be behind on your mail as you had not responded to her last missive." Evelyn cringed, realizing that was true, she had let her mail pile up, which took some talent as there were so few who actually wrote to her. "As for the rooming, why not ask Arasseth for help? She would know which homes are finished and those close to being finished and could direct the process." He felt his wife cringe and sighed. "It is not the end of the world to ask for help."

"They are still so uncertain of me, they still barely look me in the eye when we speak and then it is only for a request. They never just talk with me." Evelyn stated, sadness laced her voice. Their time here had fixed many things, but not her insecurities regarding how she was perceived. She hid it well when amongst others, but he still felt the twinge, saw the indifferent mask she wore on her face.

"And have you started trying to talk with them?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"No," She huffed, ashamed of herself. So caught up in her thoughts, she did not notice Legolas had shifted the sleeves of her gown off her shoulders until she felt his hands on her bare breast and gasped, arching away from him, but the desire was already building within her. "Do not even think about it!"

"It was worth a try", he leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. Now, go talk to Arasseth." He stated, fixing her dress before he walked away, leaving her alone and flustered. She cursed him under her breath.

She stood in the gardens, hidden, for what seemed an eternity, gathering her courage to speak with Arasseth. She knew the elleth would be pleasant, but she was scared of ruining the tenuous relationship between them, she was not sure she could call it friendship. Peeking around the tree she saw her walking back towards the palace with a few of the other wives, carrying the todays profit from the gardens they had planted. It was now or never. Creeping from her hideout, Evelyn circled around the group, planning to come upon them at the entrance to the gate, hoping to make them none the wiser to her stakeout.

Walking towards them with purpose, she worked to keep her mask of indifference off her face. Legolas had often told her it made her seem more intimidating, to her it felt safe. Without her safety net, she unknowingly wrung her hands and fidgeted as they approached. It was apparent the moment they spotted her waiting for them, their carefree banter and conversation stopped, and they sent questioning glances to on another. Evelyn gulped, it was now or never.

"My Lady," They greeted in unison.

"A word Arasseth, if you please? And it is Evelyn."

"Of course, I just need to take these to the kitchen." She responded, face gone slightly pale, fearing the worst. Internally Evelyn sighed, wishing not for the first time she was not a Kelvarwë, kin of the Maiar.

"I'll walk with you, it will do me good." Arasseth nodded but said nothing more.

Evelyn continued before she lost her nerve, the other elleth followed behind at a respectable distance. "I was recently informed that we are to have visitors. My brothers will be coming along with their parents and grandparents and close friends."

"Brothers, my…?" She questioned, stopping herself before she called her my lady, still becoming accustomed to the informal way in which the royal household was run. She felt the need to fix her hair and clothing, speaking with her princess, but could not for fear of spilled the fruits and vegetables. Arasseth could not imagine what she could want from her and why she felt the need to tell her this. Their princess was different, she was a powerful Maiar with terrible powers. Although she had seen a different side to both the royals, it was hard to adjust her opinions, they had seen her for one way to long, but she would not face Corwen's fate. She had not believed the horrible rumors spread by the woman like many had, but she knew—had heard the stories—that Prince Legolas' mate was not one to be trifled with.

"Adopted brothers," she corrected, and Arasseth was not deaf to the waiver in the princess' voice. What would she have to be worried about? "The Lords Elladan and Elrohir, the Lord Elrond and his wife Celebrían, Lady Galadriel and Celeborn, and the Lords Haldir and Glorfindel." Arasseth tripped as the names hit her full force. Some of the best known Noldor in history were coming here. Of course, as she tripped, a few of her days plunder toppled from the basket and she gave a 'oh!' of protest, but there was nothing she could do to save them from being ruined. Evelyn quickly caught them in spools of ice, collecting them for the other woman as if nothing had happened. Mentally she kicked herself for using her powers in front of the elleth, it would not help her to feel more comfortable. Holding back a sigh, she placed the vegetables back in the basket and continued walking.

"They are due to arrive in three weeks," Arasseth sore she heard a sound of grumbled annoyance in her tone, "I do not wish for Elladan and Elrohir to be roomed close to Legolas and I." Arasseth tried to hold back her snort, it was no secret that the newly bonded pair were catching up on lost time exploring their relationship. Evelyn was quite privy to the laugh the other woman worked to hold back, and so replied, "I see you understand my dilemma."

Looking at the strange woman beside her, Arasseth swore she saw a small smile play upon her lips. She had to admit her statement had caught her off guard and took her mind off the fact that she had just witnessed her used her powers to simply catch the failing food. "I do, but not where I come in, beg your pardon."

"The houses on the east side are not yet all complete, and our apartments will not hold all the guests. I am sure you know which homes are complete and which are close to completion that can be finished in time so that we can open the guest rooms for the visitors. I would like you to work on this for me, Legolas believes I am straining myself over the problem too much."

"This can be done, yes, possibly cutting it close, but what of those whose homes cannot be finished in that time?" Arasseth hoped she was not being to bold, but she would not kick their people out of their current rooms for the Noldor royalty.

Evelyn turned to her in shock, did she truly think she would make them all leave their homes just for her comfort. From the look on Arasseth's face the thought had crossed her mind. Sadness filled her heart, and Arasseth was not blind to it nor the surprise that registered in her eyes and guilt flooded her as well as fear, she watched Evelyn's hand closely.

"They stay in their current homes of course!" Evelyn exclaimed. "If enough room cannot be found the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood will take suites in our apartments."

"Of course, I did not mean to insinuate…"

Evelyn did not let her finish, "But you had the thought, I saw it clear enough. You are not the first to think such things of me, nor will you be the last I am sure." Arasseth could not miss the sadness in her features this time, it was plain to see, and she began to wonder if she had feared her for nothing and that her husband was correct in that they could be good friends, that she, like the rest, misjudged their Prince's mate.

They both stayed silent as they reached the kitchen, Arasseth opened the door, propping the basket on her hip and looked at the women before her, "I will look into the issue immediately and come to you with a solution as soon as I have one…Evelyn." Turning, she walked into the kitchen and let the door shut behind her. Evelyn stood for a moment as the others slowly approached and let a smile spread across her face. Maybe, there was hope after all.