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The Double Edge Romance

Chapter 18

The happy couple spent most of their time together. Lindariel and Legolas spent time beside the Forest river, library, garden, or any place else they wanted to go to. The beginning of fall came. Leaves began turning different colors. This happened to be Lindariel's favorite time of year, when everything was changing. That wasn't the only thing that was going to change that fall. Lindariel began to spend most of her time in bed, feeling ill. Legolas spent most of his time talking to his father about a pressing issue.

"Lindariel are you sure you're okay?" Said Faelwen. Faelwen and Eleniel sat at her bedside keeping her company. Faelwen had been getting bigger by the day.

"Maybe you should go see a healer," Eleniel said worriedly.

Lindariel smiled weakly. "I'm fine. I'm just a little tired right now." She tryed to stand up but that made her feel sick. Faelwen and Eleniel helped her lay back down. "When is Legolas coming back?"

Eleniel smiled. "He said he would be back soon."

Lindariel moaned. "That's it," said Faelwen. "I'm getting a healer." This time Lindariel did not complain. She just layed in her big bed while Eleniel stroked her hair and gave her comforting words, hoping she would feel better.

Faelwen returned with the healer. "Mae Govannen, my lady, how are you doing today?" He asked.

"I'm sure it is nothing," she said. "I've just been sick. It will pass, right?"

"That is what I've come to check on," He turned his attention to Eleniel and Faelwen. "I need you to leave now. You can wait outside the door." Both gave her encouraging smiles and left.

"Elrond has called a meeting in Rivendell about a very pressing matter," said King Thrandruil to his sons Suiadan and Legolas. "He wants one of you to go. So who will it be?"

"I will go father," said Suiadan.

Legolas stood up. "Youare unable togo Suiadan. Your wife is with child. I will go."

Suiadan turned to his younger brother. "You were just wed. I will not let you go and leave your wife like that. Besides, my wife is not due for another 4 months. I will be back before that."

"I was not just wed. I was married six months ago. What if you get into trouble on the way there? I am better equiped with a sword and bow." Legolas paused. "I don't think you give Lindariel enough credit. She is a strong ellleth she can take of herself. No, I will go father."

"Very well then, it is settled. Legolas will go," King Thranduil said. "You do know what this meeting is about right, Legolas?"

"Yes I do," he said confindently. "It was partly by fault of our own kindness that the creature Smeagol escaped. Lord Elrond and the other councillors must know this."

"Good," King Thranduil replied. "Go to your wife Legolas. I hear that she is sick."

When Legolas and Suiadan left the throne room, Suiadan hugged him. "Thank you brother for doing this for me. I really do want to be with my wife during her whole pregnancy. I know Faelwen would kill me if I wasn't here."

"It is no trouble at all. I am slightly worried about what I have to tell Lindariel. She might be a bit upset, but it is nothing. We can work out."

"Indeed," replied Suiadan. "If Faelwen is looking for me tell her I will be in the library."

Legolas nodded and they both went their separate ways.

"Are you sure?" Asked Lindariel to the healer. "Are you positive?"

"I'm as positve as if my life depended on it," he said happily.

Lindariel smiled. She no longer felt sick. She actually felt like dancing and singing and doing many of other things as well. "You look better already," said the healer who began to laugh. "Should I call the other two back in?"

"Yes," said Lindariel. "I would be grateful." When the healer left Faelwen and Eleniel rushed back in.

"What did he say?" Eleniel asked. "Is it just a flu that will pass?" Lindariel, though, couldn't say anything. All she could do was smile.

Faelwen confused face turned into a smile. "You are pregnant!"

Eleniel looked surprised. "You are?" Lindariel laughed and nodded. "You are!" All three smiled and laughed. "Wait until Legolas finds out! Are you afraid of telling him?"

"No, I'm not actually," Lindariel said.

"Why is that?" Asked Faelwen. Lindariel began to explain their little arguement about children that seemed to have happened ages ago. "Look at you now Lindariel! Look how happy and beautiful you look now!"

"I know," she said. " I never thought I could ever feel like this."

"Scary, is it not?" said Faelwen. "You will feel excited about it as well."

"When are you going to tell Legolas?" Asked Eleniel.

"I'm going to tell him at dinner tonight. We are going down to the river for our six month anniversary, that is ifI feel better. Look at me now, I feel great!" All three of them laughed and hugged.

There came a knock at the door. Legolas opened the door and looked at Lindariel. "Hello ladies," he said. "Do you think that we could speak in private?"

Both ellith nodded, hugged Lindariel, and left.

Legolas made his way to the bed. He took Lindariel's hand and kissed it. "How are you feeling?"

"I am feeling much better, thank you," she said happily. "I think I can still go to the river tonight."

Legolas smiled. "That is wonderful. I have something to tell you at dinner."

"I have something to tell you too," she said. Legolas helped her out of bed and they both dressed for that evening.

Dinner that night was very romantic. They ate and danced under the boughs of the looming treees. Lindariel was having the time of her life and Legolas was hating himself for having to spoil such a wonderful evening with his news. He knew that he would be leaving soon and he had to tell her.

"Lindariel," Legolas began. "I love you, I've loved you since I met you but I was too proud to admit it. We both were. But look at us now." Lindariel smiled. "This world is becoming a very dangerous world again, Lindariel. Orcs are attacking more frequently, as you know, and Mordor has been acting up. Things were not helped with the escape of Smeagol, he has no doubt already reported to Sauron's forces." Lindariel's smiled turned to a frown.

"What is it that you are saying?" She asked.

Legolas took a deep breath. "My father came to me and Suiadan and told us that Lord Elrond is holding council in Rivendell, and I told father I would go."

Lindariel looked at him. "Its just a meeting though, right? You'll be back, right? Soon?"

"I do not know, my love," he said.

Lindariel stood up. "Can they not send another? Suiadan, Eruaran, somebody else?" Her voice seemed frantic and Legolas became alarmed.

"What is wrong Lindariel? Is there something amiss? What has happened to you? I thought you would understand why Suiadan couldn't go. His wife is pregnant!" Legolas yelled.

"So am I!" Lindariel yelled back.

Legolas was shocked. Did he really just hear that? "What did you just say?"

"I'm pregnant Legolas," she said. "I was waiting to tell you tonight, I just found out this morning when Faelwen brought in a healer. He told me that I was pregnant. That was the reason I was sick," she said. "See, Legolas, you can't leave now! I need you here with me!"

"I have to go," he said sadly. "I must go. I made a promise. Oh Lindariel." He gathered her up in his arms and held her close as they both wept with sadness. He wanted to stay and be with her, but he had to leave.

"When will you leave?" She asked, tears running silently down her face.

"In about three days," he said. "But I will write to you once I get there. I promise."

This was not how she had planned it. She expected them to rejoice instead of crying with each other about it. "I will write to you too," she said. "Fear not, I have Eleniel to help me."

"I know," he said. "I just want to be there for you as well."

"I know," she whispered. "I know." That night they stayed in each others arms both refusing to let go. Both afraid that if one of them let go that they would never see the other again, a night that which they hoped would never end.