"We must go to Rivendell," Legolas told Tauriel. "Lord Elrond needs to be told of Gollum's escape." He already had both his and her saddlebags slung over his shoulder. "I've asked..." When Tauriel just stood there frowning, Legolas stopped in his tracks. "What is wrong?"

"You'll have to go without me, Legolas. I am... needed here."

"The twins are wise enough to heed the King, most of the time, now. And their instructors have them well in hand."

Biting her lower lip, Tauriel winced, "It isn't the twins who need me, Legolas, but someone new we are expecting next summer." Her hand went to her belly, protectively, in a gesture Legolas remembered well.

"A new baby? Now?!"

"I did not stop to ask our son if he could perhaps delay his begetting until a time which would suit everyone better." She took his hand and placed it against her still flat belly. "I will stay within the Elvenking's Halls with the twins where it is safest, and take no unnecessary risks. The King is thrilled to have another grandchild to spoil."

Legolas winced, for their son and daughter were extremely spoiled by the King. It took the combined efforts of he and Tauriel to keep them from becoming wild brats, not fit for leaving the nursery and schoolrooms. "What if something happens, Tauriel, I have a bad feeling in my heart. The Shadow is growing, preparing for war, and will not be content much longer with biding its time."

Tauriel hugged him. "We are Woodland Elves, my Prince, we do not let evil become stronger than us. We fight it until we beat it back. You will do what you need to do to make the lands safe for our children. If you fall, I will take the children to the Grey Havens and sail. I swear it on my life."

Legolas clung to her and wanted to weep. No King or Elf-lord could separate them, but a tiny Princeling babe, it seemed, had that power. "I'll write you," he vowed.

"There will be nothing left for any living person if the Shadow covers Middle Earth. Do whatever is needful and know we love you. Mandos will not like me very much, if we are parted for long."

"Tauriel, I can't. I will tell father to find someone else."

She smiled at him, eyes shining with tears, "It must be you."

"Who says?"

"Galadriel."

Legolas' shoulders slumped. "Did she say why? Or what she has seen?"

"Not really. Darkness. Evil. The Eye in the East You will be part of a grand, dangerous adventure to save our world."

The Prince sat down hard on the nearest bench and pulled Tauriel onto his lap, hugging her close. "I suppose I will have to go without you to watch my back."

Tauriel let her cheek fall against his shoulder.

Legolas inhaled the scent of her and wondered at how his wife always managed to smell like green growing forest after a good, cleansing rain. "Promise me, Tauriel, that if I tell you it is time, you will take the children and yourself to the Grey Havens. You will leave all of this behind, and go where it is safe."

She turned her head to look at him, green eyes huge with shock. "No. I won't. I can't..."

"You can," Legolas insisted. "You are the strongest person I know. If anyone can see our family safe, it is you. Father will try to talk you into leaving Legoliôn behind. His thoughts will be focused on maintaining an heir in the Woodland Realm, should I die, and I think he still believes our son is the firstborn twin."

This was too much for Tauriel; she broke down, tears leaking from her eyes as she clutched Legolas around the ribs. "The King knows the truth, I'm afraid, and he was not happy with the deception."

"Promise me, Tauriel," Legolas pleaded with her. "I will get myself, and possibly others, killed if I am preoccupied with worrying about you. Please... You know what I'm saying is truth. I do not know how I can do what will need to be done, if I think it means losing you and Eryniel and Legoliôn. Give me your word."

Tauriel winced, and it took her a very long time to finally say, "You have my word."

"Thank you." Legolas kissed her, long and slow.

"How much time do we have?" Tauriel asked him, breathlessly.

The Prince smiled at her. "Enough for one last passionate lovemaking."

"I am grateful for that, but I expect you will owe me many before this war is over, my handsome husband."

"I look forward to paying that debt, Tauriel." He stood with her in his arms, and carried her into their bedroom, closing and locking the door behind him.

They didn't expect to be disturbed, the twins would be with their tutors in the morning and then with their more practical activities until it was time for the evening meal. He would visit them before he left, to explain and tell them he loved them.

Legolas took his time reverently kissing and caressing all the places he knew Tauriel loved best. Each sound he drew from her was a small triumph, and he committed them to memory for the times ahead when he would be alone in his bedroll and missing his beautiful, passionate wife.

His kisses lingered on her belly, over his unborn child. He whispered, "I will meet you, little one. That is my promise to you."

When the Prince brought Tauriel to her pleasure twice, once with his tongue and fingers, and again with his swollen organ moving inside her finding the perfect pace and angle, only then did he give Tauriel the chance to return the favor.

Today his wife's touch devastated him, her kisses almost frantic to get in every last taste and her hands every feel of him before he had to leave her for Rivendell, and the uncertain path set before him. Legolas spent himself in her with a howl which turned into a strangled sob.

They lay on their bed for another hour, discussing the possible names for a son and shedding bitter tears until it was time for Legolas to gather his saddlebag and depart.

The twins were in the schoolroom, so Legolas interrupted their lesson on Quenya conjugations to hug them and tell them he was leaving.

To his son, Legolas said the words his own father could not say, "I love you." He ruffled the boy's hair, affectionately. "Look out for your sister. She's grown as beautiful as her mother and ellyn are starting to give her more attention."

Legolas hugged his daughter and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Keep an eye on your mother for me. She may have to give birth without me to hold her hand this time. If she starts to get sad, you will need to distract her. Give her something else to worry about other than me."

"Yes, Ada," Eryniel promised him.

"We will see you again, Ada," Legoliôn assured him.

To this Legolas smiled, "You should think about who you want to foster with when you reach your majority. I can see Galadriel and Elrond fighting over you and your Sight already. I will speak with Lord Elrond of it when I get to Rivendell."

Legoliôn grinned, "I'd rather foster with Glorfindel." His voice was filled with awe and admiration. "He is almost as good a swordsman as grandfather."

A choked sound came from behind them and they turned to find King Thranduil leaning against the doorframe, trying very hard not to laugh, but his eyes shone with amusement. "A pair of fresh horses await you at the stables," he told Legolas. "I'm sending a company with you to Rivendell for your safety," Thranduil added. It was as good as a hug and a declaration of love, such as the ones he'd given his children.

They left the children to return to their lessons and started the long walk to the stable.

"I'm worried about Tauriel. A new baby..." Legolas confessed. He refused to shed more tears, but he could see his pain and concern reflected in his father's eyes.

The King nodded, "While the timing is somewhat unfortunate, I'm impressed by your enthusiasm and virility. A child is never anything less than a blessing from the creator."

"I feel I am abandoning Tauriel when she needs me most."

"Your wife can handle herself. And she is not entirely alone." His lips quirked at the corners, "I'd rather fight Orcs than dodge the breakables when she's pregnant. Her aim is far more likely to be lethal."

Legolas smirked, "I hope you learned your lesson well last time not to tease her about the changes pregnancy brings to her body. She is very sensitive..."

"I have." He put his hand on Legolas' shoulder. "You need to get on the road."

Legolas nodded and returned the hand on his father's shoulder. "I will do what I can to see the Woodland Realm safe, Ada."

"I have complete faith that you will, my son. Be careful."

"I will."

The journey to Rivendell was almost too easy. After the emotional turmoil of saying his goodbyes, Legolas almost wished for a fight to drain some of the tension from his muscles. He walked the horses from time to time, or more accurately, jogged beside them, and it helped.

Lord Elrond greeted him warmly, and invited him to dine with him privately after he washed the days of travel off and took some rest.

"My son has the Sight," Legolas told the Lord of Rivendell.

Elrond nodded, "If I'm not mistaken, your mother's father had the Sight more strongly than almost anyone I have ever known. He came close to Galadriel in that regard."

"I never knew him."

"A pity. I liked him very much."

Legolas took a long drink of his wine. "Tauriel is expecting another son, next summer."

The Elf-lord blinked, a sign of surprise. "I feel as though I should apologize," Elrond said. "Both times Tauriel has conceived, it was at a time when you were in residence here in Rivendell. It may have something to do with the Ring I carry."

"I do not blame you, or a ring," Legolas assured him. "The Woodlands are full of young people born after Tauriel and I had the twins."

Lord Elrond did smile, now. "The people follow the example of their Prince."

"We lost a terrible number of archers in the Battle for Erebor and Dale. We need every last child, but they are too young and vulnerable to fight, yet."

Elrond considered this. "I have always admired Thranduil's training of every Elf in his Kingdom to defend themselves. Forty or fifty is old enough to know how to hold a sword or let fly an arrow when their lives are in danger."

HIs words made Legolas feel somewhat better. If Elrond believed in their chances, then he could, too. "Legoliôn wants to foster with Glorfindel and learn the sword."

This made the light dance in Elrond's eyes. "I bet Thranduil hates the idea. He never got on well with Glorfindel."

"The boy is my son. It is not on my father to decide who should mentor him, the choice is mine and Tauriel's."

Lord Elrond nodded, "And who would you like to foster your children, Legolas?"

"You."

"I am flattered and honored. Tell me, is Eryniel still healing baby spiders and trying to adopt them?"

Legolas smirked, "No, thank the stars. She did attempt to heal that Gollum creature. I do not think it could have escaped without out at least some healing by someone."

"I'm afraid we have much more to worry about than a Halfing who is half mad from torture and starvation," he told Legolas. "Tomorrow others will begin to arrive for the Council. Much will be discussed, and I would like for you to represent the interests of the Woodland Realm in the deliberations, if you wouldn't mind."

"I would be honored, my Lord."

"Aragorn is here already. As is the representatives from the Dwarves, Gloin, and his son, Gimli."

Legolas winced, "Dwarves."

"They are behaving much better than Thorin's Company did during their time in my house. Lindir is quite relieved."

The Prince smiled, "Lindir deserved more coin in his pay pouch."

"And he got it."