Chapter 36

Evelyn stood at her vanity, starring into space. She needed to be getting ready however, her nerves had her wound tight and she could not seem to focus. Today her family would be arriving along with many of her old friends. It had been quite a while since she had seen them, and other than Galadriel, none knew of her pregnancy. Evelyn smiled, looking down at her growing belly. Subconsciously she held her stomach. She was just over 7months pregnant and it still amazed her daily. In just 4 or 5 months they would be parents. It was still taking some getting used to that unlike human pregnancies, elven, and apparently Maiar pregnancies, lasted around 12 months.

Her emotions were a whirlwind. One minute she was giddy as a school girl, then she could be screaming at Legolas because he said hello in the wrong tone, start crying, and then want to have frantic sex. If her state of pregnancy did not exhaust her, her emotions certainly did. How in the world was she going to keep everyone entertained and stay awake herself?

"You are thinking too much again love, I can hear your worrying from across the room." Her mate stated entering her parlor. He was dressed in rich greens and browns, the fabric richly embroidered and lined with gold thread that shimmered in the sunlight. His circlet was simple but intricately design with golden leaves and red, orange, and green jewels glittering throughout, much in the style of his father's realm.

She snorted, "Easy for you to say,"

"If anyone should be nervous, it should be me, your brothers are not my biggest fans." Legolas replied, wrapping his arms tenderly around her burying his head in the crook of her neck, taking in the sweet scent of her.

"Well that was mostly deserved," She replied, a cheeky grin on her face. It was Legolas' turn to snort in response as he grabbed the night gown she still wore.

"Let us get you ready," He then stated, pulling the thin fabric from her shoulders, eliciting a gasp as his calloused fingers brushed lightly over her skin, send shock waves through her system. Evelyn cursed her pregnancy hormones, knowing she was going to welcome her family very hot and bothered to say the least, yet she could not find the voice to tell Legolas to stop.

As the sheer material pooled at her feet, she stepped away from the material and closer to her mate. Lightly, he pulled her to him, her belly keeping her from more physical contact and she growled her frustration. Quickly he silenced her, bending down and capturing her lips with his own. He worked hard to suppress his laugh. He never knew what emotion or tirade he was going to face with her fluctuating hormones, but one thing he never had to worry about was their intimacy. Reluctantly he broke away, much to the disappointment of his wife, who eyed him menacingly.

Bending down he slid her legs into the navy and silver gown. Slowly he eased it over her belly and let it fall gently on her shoulders. Deftly his fingers buttoned the back. The dress had a square cut neck line, the silver fabric hung rather tightly to her know swollen breast. The navy velvet straps were about an inch wide, with sheer fabric covering her shoulders and upper arms. A band of silver leaf and ivy embroidered fabric lay above her stomach where navy silk draped loosely over her frame, underneath, the silver fabric poked through. It accentuated her state of pregnancy, yet still gave her a very feminine shape.

Evelyn decided then she was going to kill her husband, trying to decide how she was going to make it through the welcoming. She shifted uncomfortably, at least she had her pregnancy to blame it on, and hope they all believed her. Even the act of him sliding her feet into her shoes excited her. Evelyn cursed.

"Come on my dear, they will be here soon." Legolas whispered in her ear, taking her arm in his and leading her out their chambers.

"You are a very dead ellon." She replied evenly, not looking at him.

The elf prince just merely laughed, once again whispering in her ear, "I look forward to it."

…

Arasseth watched the royal couple as she stood beside her mate. Cúnir and herself had been placed behind the royals for the welcome party, as Legolas's captain and second in command, Legolas had ordered it to be so, though they are adamantly tried to refuse the acknowledgment. It was only at the insistence of Evelyn that they reluctantly agreed. Cúnir had not been inclined to upset a highly pregnant Maiar.

She watched as Legolas' mate shifted uncomfortably on her feet, wringing her hands, a habit she had noticed the woman bore when she was nervous. Arasseth would not say that they were friends, but since the day over a month ago when they had discussed housing, both women had tried a bit harder to form some type of relationship between them.

Turning towards her mate, she asked, "Why is it that she seems so nervous, this is her family that is arriving, is it not?"

"Yes", he replied, "But it is a bit more complicated than that." Cúnir sighed, wondering where to begin, "It took Legolas many years to confide in me. When he first met Evelyn during the time of the fellowship, he believed her to be mortal. He was not fond of her to say the least. However, after a time, though neither admitted it, they fell in love. Thranduil, scared for the life of his son made sure Legolas ended whatever relationship they had." He looked at Arasseth who was listening with furrowed brows, finding it hard to comprehend. "Had Legolas not been drunk on this evening he probably would not have said more, however, he did. Evelyn was fading yet was unable to. It was not a trait she possessed like elves. Elrond and his sons took her to Rivendell where she lived until the war of the Kelvarwë's. Elrond's sons consider her their sister and have not been fond of the Prince since that time. To my knowledge, they have not seen each other since before Evelyn came to Thranduil's realm as Legolas faded."

Arasseth struggled to understand what she knew to be a much more complicated history than the brief one her husband told her.

"Evelyn also had a tense period between her friends and family in the last war. It was her father that lead the orcs against Gondor. When they learned this knowledge on the battlefield, many questioned her allegiance—Glorfindel and Celeborn included."

She jerked her hear around to face her mate, "How could one not make such assumptions about loyalty, blood ties are strong."

Cúnir gave her a small sad smile, "She died on that battlefield my love, sacrificed herself for them."

"Oh," it was the only response she could muster as she looked at the woman before her. She saw a beautiful and powerful woman, she always had, it was what terrified everyone. She tried to picture her bloodied and beaten on a battlefield, knowing her friends and family had lost faith in her. She thought back to how she was then treated at the hands of Thranduil during their time in his halls. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "Why do you just now tell me?"

"It was never my story to tell, but Legolas worries over her being alone. Though she is away from the hate of Thranduil realm, he still catches twinges of her loneliness, it is the reason he is happy to have their visitors, but they will not stay forever."

It seemed to Arasseth, they had all misjudged this woman, who had been through more pain and sorrow than most. She felt ashamed at herself for adding to her feelings of alienation. She had not been brought up that way and she was not proud of herself. She vowed to do better by her Princess.

…

Legolas gripped her hands, forcing them to be still and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Relax love, all will be well, they shan't skewer me, not once they see you are with child."

"Hopefully they realize I'm pregnant before they kill you." She smiled, trying to release the tension in her body. "Besides, they have mostly forgiven you." She did not add that is was him punching Aragorn after her death that relieved most of their hate for him. Legolas did not do well dealing with those memories. However, they still held some resentment towards her prince.

"Comforting wife." He joked, hugging her close as the horns sounded. They had arrived. All her tension returned as they stood before the open crystal doors, her family leading a long train of travelers. Legolas forced her to step forward into the morning light. Two horses, she saw, broke away from the rest, galloping up the road. Soon she saw dark hair whipping behind them, her brothers. A huge smile broke across her face and she could not help herself from running forward. The twins were within two strides before they took in her condition, they turned to each other grinning ear to ear.

"Hello uncles." She greeted, a smile plastered to her face. Both brothers embraced her warmly, each with a hand resting on her belly, and got rewarded with a nice kick from within, causing Evelyn to wince slightly. They spoke over and around each other offering congratulations and praise. They spoke so fast, Evelyn found it hard to keep up with them, but their excitement was contagious.

The rest of the party had now reached the grand entrance and greeted Evelyn in turn, each offering their own congratulations on her pregnancy. It had been such a long time since she felt so complete and whole. She had her mate with her and now her family, she had nothing missing in her life and her happiness radiated from her in waves.

She did not even take notice that her brothers stood with Legolas, slapping him on the back. "Good job, brother" they chorused together.