If you do not enjoy Legolas and Eowyn as a couple please do not read this story. I ignored the first attack on my intelligence and person by chalking it up to ignorance. The next one is hard to ignore. I do not expect everyone to love this story nor do I mind constructive criticism for my goal is to hopefully become a better writer but when people chose to call me names and tell me to "leave Tolkien alone" I have to draw the line. First of all, log in so I can respond. The truly nasty ones are always anonymous (gutless wonders). Second of all, no one asked you to waste your time or mine reading my story so go somewhere else and read something that will make you happy. I realize that Eowyn and Legolas never got together in the original story that is why I called this an alternate universe story and by the way, do us both a favor and look up the meaning of the word "fiction". It will save both of us a lot of time.
I would like to thank all of you who have enjoyed this story and I am sorry but I just had to get this off my chest for I truly tried to take the high road. Anyway, this is the last fluffy feel good chapter so enjoy.
Please read and review and I will try to update a little quicker now that we are back from vacation.
A Cage of a Different Kind Chapter 19
The newly married couple did not emerge from their room for the next two days. Aragorn thoughtfully sent food to them remembering his first few days with Arwen. Just as the twins had decided to break down the door to their room the happy couple entered the dining room in time for breakfast.
"It is about time!" Gimli exclaimed. "I was going to be hard pressed trying to keep these two out of your room if you had lingered there much longer." He reached over and swatted the nearest twin, not exactly sure which one he had hit.
Legolas smiled and hugged Eowyn to him placing a kiss on the top of her head. "If it had been up to me, we would still be there but Eowyn wished to see our guests before you all started returning home."
They sat and the conversation flowed easily as everyone ate.
"Come to my study after breakfast for there is something that I am quite anxious to discuss." Aragorn quietly requested as he leaned over to speak into his friend's ear.
"I will be happy to as soon as we are finished seeing Elrond. I wish to know that all is well with my wife and child." Legolas answered, smiling at the slight thrill of being able to refer to Eowyn as his wife.
Aragorn just grinned in return. It was wonderful to see his friend this happy.
Later, Eowyn lay upon the couch in Elrond's room. Legolas held her hand as Elrond prodded and poked her swollen belly. The prince could not help feeling a moment of concern as the elf lord closed his eyes and concentrated sending his senses out to touch the life growing inside her. Soon Elrond smiled as he sensed the strong, healthy life force and laughed as the baby kicked his hand as if reaffirming its presence.
"Everything is well." He said as he covered her once more. Legolas let out the breath he had not even been aware that he had been holding with an audible whoosh.
"When do you think it will be born?" Legolas managed to ask as Eowyn sat up.
Elrond looked thoughtful for a moment. "It is hard to say. Humans carry for nine months while elves carry for a full year. My best guess is around 10 months, give or take a week."
The look of shock on Legolas' face was priceless. "We will just have to be prepared for anything my love." Eowyn laughed as she squeezed her husband's hand.
"But I need to know when she will go into labor!"
"Legolas, human's labor and birth are not quite as predictable, especially when we are dealing with a baby with elven heritage as well." Elrond replied.
"But…" Legolas sputtered as Eowyn rose from the examining table and gave her shaken husband a quick hug.
"Everything will be fine my love. I feel good and we will get through this together."
Blue eyes turned to her and after a moments hesitation he hugged her back. "I guess I just need to get used to the unexpected now that you are in my life." He said good naturedly as he rose and prepared to take his leave.
"I was going to find Frodo and the other hobbits and eat second breakfast with them." Eowyn offered. "Would you care to join me? I seem to have quite an appetite lately."
"Pippin has not changed a bit has he?" Legolas said fondly. "I am sorry but I have promised Aragorn that I would meet him in his study. I will catch up to you soon though." He kissed her softly on the lips and turned away to find his friend.
"Legolas!" Aragorn exclaimed as he went to greet the prince. "I am so glad you could tear yourself away from your new bride for a few minutes."
"You had best make this fast, I find myself beginning to miss her already." He replied with a smile.
Aragorn smiled as well but a more serious look settled on his face as he led Legolas to a chair. "Where do you and Eowyn plan to live now that the festivities are at an end?"
Legolas stiffened and looked at his friend. "I guess I had not given it much thought Aragorn. I am not sure what we will do. Rohan seems undesirable after what we went through with Eomer. I fear I am not welcome in Mirkwood since my father refuses to even communicate with me and Gondor is so removed from the forests and nature I love, I am not sure how long I could survive here…" Legolas' voice was getting quieter and more sorrowful with each statement and finally he just left off staring forlornly out the window.
"Well, you know you are always welcome here, but I may have a solution to your dilemma. There is an area of my realm that is in dire need of an elf's healing touch. You are familiar with Ithilien? It has fallen into shadow but it is wooded and with your skills I believe it could be returned to its former beauty…" Aragorn was watching him intently.
Legolas looked at him questioningly and Aragorn hurried on. "Galadriel and Elrond have both mentioned the fact that there are many elves ready to depart to Valinor, but there are also many who still wish to stay. They are looking for someplace to go once the others have departed that will give them a fresh start. Everyone feels Ithilien would be the perfect place."
Legolas sat there silently with a bewildered look on his face. "Another kingdom in a forest? It all sounded too good to be true." He thought as the idea began to catch hold in his mind.
Aragorn rushed on afraid his friend was going to refuse. "It is just a few hours ride from here and it definitely will take some work. Sauron's forces were strong in that area but there are a few hundred elves willing to join you already and ….."
"Aragorn, stop!" Legolas exclaimed with a chuckle. "I appreciate this, I really do and it sounds perfect for us but I need to discuss it with Eowyn. She is going to have a baby and I don't want her out in some wilderness without healers present."
"Of course, I would expect nothing less." Aragorn smiled and clasped his friend's hand.
"When would you would like us to go?"
"Whenever you feel ready, although the elves that wish to join you probably want to do so soonest." Aragorn said.
Legolas put his hand over his heart and bowed and then left to seek out his bride.
Legolas and Eowyn gave Aragorn his answer the next morning. They would be honored to reclaim this land for Aragorn and Legolas was anxious to be surrounded by his beloved trees once again. Their only concern was Eowyn's impending birth. They wanted to make sure there were healers there to help her when the time came.
Elrond put their fears to rest when he agreed to travel there in a few months and aid them. He also knew that at least one of his healers was interested in staying in Middle Earth and might be interested in joining them as well.
With that concern eased, they prepared to leave, splitting their time between seeing their guests off and packing the things they would need to start their new life. Elrond, the twins and the rest of the Rivendell entourage left amid promises of reuniting soon. Within the week they were ready to leave themselves.
Legolas lead his beloved out to mount their horse. He helped Eowyn onto Arod but as he prepared to mount behind her, she pushed him back.
"Thank you for allowing me to ride your fine horse my lord, but what horse do you intend to ride?" Eowyn asked innocently.
"Eowyn, I intend to ride with you." Legolas responded, surprise at her reaction evident in his voice.
"With me? Whatever for? Are we short horses?"
"Of course not meleth. Someone in your stage of pregnancy should not ride alone." Legolas said in all sincerity. But as soon as the words left his mouth he knew he had erred.
Her eyes flashed and a smile pasted itself on her beautiful lips. "My love, I am a shield maiden of Rohan and I have been riding horses since before I could walk. Why do you think I need assistance now?"
Legolas looked a little flustered but calmly responded to his indignant wife. "I would not want anything to happen to you or our child my love."
She continued to stare at him, stubborn resolve written all over her face. "Nothing will happen to us should I ride alone."
"I would feel so much better if you would just humor me and allow me to ride with you." Legolas pleaded.
She raised her brow at her beloved mate and remained seated on Arod. "I appreciate your concern but the gracious gift of your wonderful mount is quite enough to insure my safety."
Legolas could see that he was getting nowhere and called for another horse to be brought for his use. "You will not stray from my side I trust, we travel in unfriendly and potentially evil territory. You are unfamiliar with some of the perils of our future land and I would hope that I could rely on you to stay close."
Eowyn realized that even this concession was hard on her husband so she inclined her head to acknowledge her consent.
Legolas rolled his eyes as he climbed on the horse provided for him.
The journey was thankfully uneventful and Legolas had set an extremely slow pace for they were bringing many supplies and tools. They stopped early and made camp and after a relatively restful night they prepared to leave again.
Eowyn mounted Arod and sat looking at her husband again. Faced with the same argument once more, Legolas decided to approach if from a different angle.
"May I ride with you today my love?" He asked innocently.
"And why do you think my answer would change with the day Legolas?" She responded.
"Because the reason for my request has changed. It has nothing to do with protecting you and everything to do with wanting to sit close to you."
She started to roll her eyes but Legolas pressed on. "Is it wrong for me to want to hold my new wife? Should I not wish to feel our baby move and steal kisses at my leisure? Please ride with me my love."
Eowyn was caught off guard. How could she refuse that request? She would look heartless and ill tempered. She looked down at her beautiful sun kissed mate and melted. In her heart she knew he wanted to protect her but what was so wrong with that?
She smiled and nodded. Legolas leaped up behind her and pulled her against him as they began their journey. Eowyn leaned back and whispered "Nicely done." She then proceeded to snuggle into him purposely brushing against his crotch.
"Oh Eowyn!" He whispered as he felt his reaction to his playful mate.
"Be careful what you ask for my heart." She whispered back.
"This was going to be a very interesting ride." He thought to himself, a smile playing across his perfect lips.
As the morning passed, Legolas was having a harder time concentrating. His errant wife was taking total advantage of the friction between their bodies and he was getting to the point where he would no longer be able to control himself.
"You are doing this purposely love." He said through gritted teeth as his body betrayed him once again.
She just giggled, feeling his admiration for her harden against the small of her back yet again. She rubbed against him once more for good measure and leaned back to steal a kiss. Legolas groaned. "Maybe this was not the best idea I have ever had." He whispered as his hand stroked her belly and made its way between her legs.
She moaned instead of saying "I told you so" and snuggled back even tighter against him.
"I can't take this." He breathed as he said something to Arod in his language. The faithful horse immediately responded by galloping forward. Legolas yelled back over his shoulder to the startled entourage to tell them to give them a little time alone and when they were far enough ahead he slowed Arod back to a gentle walk.
When he was sure they were away from prying eyes, he cupped one of her ripe breasts in one hand continuing to stroke her between her legs, all the while nuzzling her neck and earlobe.
"I had no idea you were so multi talented my love." She purred as the wetness built between her legs. She slid her hand back between them and started to stroke his shaft which still stood hard against her back eventually unlacing his leggings and getting a firm grip on it. All that could be heard were moans and murmurs of pleasure until Legolas could stand it no longer and released himself against her hand and back. Eowyn followed quickly arching her back groaning his name.
"In all my years of riding horses, I have never accomplished anything like this!" Legolas sighed contentedly.
"I will not be able to keep a straight face the next time you ask me to 'ride' with you!" Eowyn laughed and Legolas' melodic laughter joined hers.
Legolas kissed her again and smiled as she grasped his hand and moved it to her pregnant belly. "Your child enjoyed the ride as well I think." And they smiled together feeling the swift kicks being delivered inside her.
"I don't think he or she wants to be forgotten in all this daddy,"
"Ada in my language love." Legolas said in wonder as he rubbed the spot on her stomach, calming the little one down.
They quickly got rid of all the tell tale signs of their most recent activity and slowed to allow their retinue to catch up, riding the next few hours in blissful silence, holding each other and lost in their own thoughts.
TBC
This was the last of the fluffy chapters for there is some action planned for the next chapter and more turmoil ahead for our happy couple.
"Muw haw haw" laughing evilly and twirling a villain's mustache…..
Also – I plan on updating my other story "And so it begins" very soon for any readers that enjoy a bit of slash.