And here it is! The next chapter. I am so sorry for the delay, but this crisis is truly awful and not inspired me to write. I had to rewrite this a few times to find what I liked and what flowed right.
This will tidy up a few things and allow me to move forward with the story to some happier things.
As always, I hope you enjoy and don't forget to leave a review as they really do make my day!
Chapter 51
Evie POV
The red headed Queen of the Greenwood was relaxed in her posture as she sat against a large, old tree in their family's private garden.
The sun had returned and she was enjoying every moment of it, closing her eyes and letting her mind wonder while her little elf Prince played in the trees nearby.
Now in the more advanced stage of pregnancy, her normal duties had been significantly reduced and Melui had insisted on more rest.
Despite the excitement of the highly anticipated arrival, the healers were constantly monitoring her progress as a half elf/half human child had not been born for an age or more.
Things had been sombre when the former Lord Neldor had been escorted out of the kingdom gates with Lord Elrond's party 2 weeks after the trial day. For the elves that were particularly close with the dark haired elf, it had been sad, and to an extent, Evie also shared in their pain.
However, she was glad that there would be no constant reminders walking around about the ordeal. He was gone, they could put it all behind them.
Luke had been an entirely different problem to contend with. Months of exchanged correspondence with the Lady Galadriel had uncovered an evil stone that had allowed the travel of Luke and the orcs into middle earth.
As evil and the elves were not compatible, a group of trusted Galadhrim had been tasked with getting rid of it.
Certain events that had stuck with her though were extremely unpleasant. The first was the day Thranduil had finally decided to deign Luke with his presence after weeks spent in the dungeon.
Evie had not been there at the time, but the sheer anger radiating from her elven lover had said enough.
Later from Feren she had learned that Luke had not been kind in his description of her. It seemed that his mental health had deteriorated quite badly and was not fully coherent, but had consequently become more cruel.
Thranduil, the usually very calm and ordered ruler, unfortunately had developed a new nerve point: Evie.
His restraint broke and he struck the human, storming out of the cell in a rage so terrible, all elves being wise enough to stay out of his way. In his private study, a mass of objects ended up on the floor in pieces and in the end Thranduil had battled fiercely with his Captain on the training fields for hours.
Having heard of the commotion, Evie had decided to stay out of his way like the rest, instead having dinner and making a sheet fort with Legolas. In the early hours of the morning she felt the mattress dip as another person lied down behind her, burning hot as a furnace and leaving a trail of kisses on her exposed neck and shoulders.
She had known that he needed her, so she responded to him, giving him the comfort he needed without saying a word. Her elven lover was not soft and gentle this time when he took her, though always taking care with the bundle in her tummy, but she felt his love for her, powerful and all consuming, through their shared bond.
The next morning it was like it never happened, but the palace staff had been walking on eggshells for a few days after.
The other incident had taken place the day Luke was leaving the Greenwood. A few days prior, the Elvenking had announced the human's fate: to work as a servant to the horselords of Rohan.
It wasn't often that the elves interacted with the human settlements of middle earth, however the King had sent a small delegation to find a place for Luke amongst his own kind to see out the rest of his days. The human Lords knew of the indiscretions committed and would show the appropriate level of discipline, though half out of fear in upsetting the Great Elvenking of the Greenwood, whose reputation preceded him.
Elves had lined the streets to spit and yell elvish insults at the disgraced human that had caused such harm to their beloved Queen. He had been shackled and in a procession with a warrior escort to deliver him to Rohan.
Evie and Thranduil had stood to the side on a slightly raised platform to watch him leave. Luke had stopped right in front of the red head, his face plastered with a sneer of pure contempt and loathing.
Quick as an adder, the human male snatched a sword from a nearby warrior and attempted to step forward and attack Evie. Alas, he was not quick enough for an arrow hit his chest, directly over his heart, stopping him in his tracks. The path was silent as the human took his last breath, wide eyed in disbelief, and fell to the ground and did not move again.
Evie had looked from Luke up to the large tree the arrow had come from and witnessed a flash of dark green and gold before it disappeared. She had frowned and intended to speak to Thranduil later about it.
The end result had been to burn the body on its own and without honour. And the finality of that had closed a chapter in Evie's life, providing closure for her to move on.
Evie was pulled from her thoughts by a strong kick from her rounded tummy. Unconsciously, she rubbed the area with a smiled and opened her eyes to locate her favourite little elf.
"Legolas!"
She laughed when she saw a blonde head pop out of the green branches and looked at her with a broad smile and then swiftly jump down out of the tree before running to her side.
"What is it Naneth?"
"The baby is kicking, would you like to feel it?"
"Yes!"
She took his small hand and placed in the spot, delighting when his face lit up in wonder at the feel of his baby sibling kicking.
"They're going to be as strong as you, Honey."
"It's a she Naneth."
"Oh really? How do you know this?"
"I just decided. I want a baby sister."
"Well, I'm not sure that's how it works."
"I'm sure the Valar will listen to me."
They both turned their heads to tall, blonde haired elf striding towards them with a contented expression and settled next to his glowing wife, placing his large male hand on her swollen tummy.
"What will the Valar listen to you for little leaf?"
"the baby Adar! I have asked for a baby sister."
"I see. Well, we shall have to wait a bit longer to see if they grant your request."
"How much longer Adar? I've had enough of waiting!"
"We must have patience. We want the baby to come out when they are ready."
"Yes Adar."
They both watched as Legolas bounded away, not perturbed in the least by the conversation. Evie smiled as she felt the featherlight kisses from her husband on her cheek.
"I think we need to encourage Legolas to have dreams, Thranduil."
"Yes I would agree, however it just isn't practical to expect a result like that with this."
"oh but he can have a bit of fun, let him believe. He won't be disappointed either way when the baby comes."
"Alright, my darling. You know best."
"Yes I do. Now I hope you brought Amos' strawberry tarts with you, or I might have to get cross with you."
"oh no, I wouldn't want that. And you are in luck, for there may be a special surprise for you in my pocket."
Evie took one look at the cheeky expression in his bright blue eyes and giggled as she reached for the inside of his dark blue robe, happy to have found the very treat she had been craving all day.
"Well that's a proposition a girl can't refuse!"
Taking a bite of the tart, she savoured the sweet taste on her tongue for a moment before swallowing. Th whisper in her ear that came next was playful.
"Share some with your King?"
She leaned toward him to whisper back with a playful grin.
"Not a chance."
"Well I think we need to do something about your disobedience…"
"What would you suggest?"
"I can think of a few things…"
With that, he pulled her closer, passionately connecting his lips to hers and eliciting a squeal when he quickly picked her up and stood, striding out of the garden with a clear purpose.
A/N: Isn't Legolas the cutest character ever!