STARGAZING

CHAPTER TWO

The young boy was quickly gathered in his father arms, "Not now Legolas!" Thranduil spoke as he carried his son towards the door. He frowned slightly when his son stiffened at the sound of his rasped tone. He had not intended to let his annoyance slip out of control; not towards his son. By the door, the child's nursemaid had her head down, not daring to look at the King's face.

"M-my apologies your majesty!" she blurted out quickly and reached her arms to take the child from him.

Legolas leaned forward and wrapped his tiny arms around the silver-haired she-elf. He hid his face between her neck and shoulder and Thranduil could not help but think that perhaps the child was becoming too spoiled if he could not handle being spoken to in such a manner.

"Your mother needs to rest," Thranduil said making sure to keep his tone neutral this time. Legolas shyly looked up at him and nodded slowly. Thranduil's eyes moved away from his son and looked at the still nervously-looking elf, "If perhaps my son is too much to handle-"

Sídthel's eyes widened at the implication and she quickly shook her head, "Please your majesty, it will not happen again!" Her heart was beating furiously against her ribcage and she momentarily wondered if both the child and his father could hear it. She was the fourth nursemaid in eight years and she was aware of how strict Thranduil was when it came to his son.

A sigh escaped from the King's lips and Sídthel blinked as she had never once seen him sigh before. She often used to comment with Elhedril how King Thranduil was the most odd elf they had ever encountered. Never before they had seen him do such mundane things such as sneezing, yawning or coughing.

"Very well…" he added tiringly, "Go now, I will call for my son later."

Sídthel nodded vehemently, "Heard that Legolas? Say good-bye to your father."

Legolas face illuminated suddenly and a wide grin was quickly in place in his child-like features, "Bye father!" he said and hugged Sídthel tightly as she whirled around and carried him away.

Thranduil stood by the door until they disappeared from his scrutinous gaze. Slowly, he turned around and walked back towards the bed. He dragged a green cushioned chair and sat next to the bed where Aerthel rested in. He could not forget the shocking expression on her face when Legolas had rushed in and called out for them.

When Túrion, the captain of his guard had said something was terribly wrong with his wife's memory, he had quickly dismissed it thinking she had been only in shock. But when she asked for her father he knew it then that Túrion had been right. Aerthel's memory did not seem to be working properly. Something clawed at his heart when he looked at Aerthel and he was surprised to realize that it was fear.

He remembered the last time he felt fear and it had been so long ago that he almost did not recognize the emotion within himself. Clenching his jaw, he moved his long fingers and tucked a few golden strands of hair away from Aerthel's peaceful-looking face. He refused to let fear take over him. Even if she did not have any memories of them at the moment, he would not let fear strike him. He was above fear. He did not allow it to touch him or those that he loved.

Thranduil was sure that she would come to remember. He would not rest until she did. He would keep hope and crush down the fear that only seemed to be growing inside him. He would do so for his sake; for Legolas sake.

"She fought them all on her own…" Túrion's tone was one of sheer disbelief, "there were orcs piled up, dismembered… there was blood everywhere and there she was… all alone, a bloodied mess, with nothing but a sword by the ground next to her. You did not see it; there was something in her eyes as though she was not herself. She did not know where she was… and who we were…"

He did not know how long he sat there with his gaze firmly set on her but he would not leave not until she was awake.

After a few hours, Thranduil straightened himself when he noticed that Aerthel's eyes were open and she was lying in bed, looking straight back at him. He said nothing and allowed her to keep staring. He knew that she was probably confused if not slightly frightened and he really did not wish to cause her more distress. They stared at each other for quite a while and for a moment he hoped that she would remember.

"I lost my memories," she spoke, her voice smooth and controlled. If she was frightened or feeling overwhelmed she did not show it.

He nodded, "It appears to be so," he replied coolly.

"That boy…" she paused as she struggled with the blankets and tried to sit. Thranduil stayed put knowing that she would not welcome his help. She never did. Once she was mildly satisfied, she turned to look at him, "is our son?"

He arched a brow and nodded again, "Yes."

"So, I am married to you?" she asked in disbelief and watched as her King – no, her husband – frowned immensely. He looked almost insulted as if she was supposed to be delighted that she was married to him. She shook her head, "Forgive me; I just… do not remember anything."

Thranduil raised a hand, "You will come to remember everything," he said and ignored the cold shiver that ran up and down his spine. She would remember.

Aerthel nodded slowly, "I hope so." Her voice was barely a whisper, "It feels strange not knowing. One day you are my King, my brother's friend and the next I am your Queen," She shook and found that the thought of being Queen was beyond scary.

He could sense her uneasiness but that did not trouble him, "You have questions,"

She snorted loudly, "Thousands of them!" she said and looked at him, amusement sparkled in her eyes, "For one, I cannot for the life of me understand why I would ever marry you."

A very faint smirk played on his lips as he looked back at her, "I think you are blessed to have earned my… interest."

Aerthel blinked as his tone was light and teasing; - something that she would never associate with the Thranduil that she knew.

She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted when the door to their room was abruptly opened. She winced at the explosion of light that invaded the room along with the intruders. Loud familiar voices filled the room and she saw Thranduil rise from his chair, looking rather upset at the unannounced trespassers. She could not see who the intruders were so she tried to sit straighter only to have her cry out in pain, hushing the entire room.

"Aerthel!"

Aerthel smiled meekly as she looked at her brothers. A sense of relief washed over her. She might not remember much of her past but at least she felt like nothing could ever go wrong now that they were there with her. All of her uncertainties vanished and she felt like she would be able to start anew.

"I am well!" she exclaimed as both of them reached for her hand, "I swear it."

"You do not look well, Aerthel," Hethurin, her oldest brother spoke as he looked down at her with apprehension written all over his features.

Hannór smirked, "When did she ever look well?" he asked playfully, but he deceived no one as his eyes scanned his little sister's bruises with great concern.

Hethurin paid his brother no heed and instead focused his gaze on Thranduil, "You said nothing would ever happen to her!"

"Mind your tone," Thranduil warned him, a stern look on his face as he looked back at Hethurin.

"Or what? Will you have me thrown in the dungeons for speaking the truth? That you are incapable of protecting my sister-"

Thranduil glared at Hethurin and even Aerthel forgot how to breathe as she realized just how much taller the King was in comparison to her brother. It was like watching a poor deer facing a gigantic elk. She shivered and felt her cheeks burn as she thought about how she looked when she was standing next to Thranduil. She suddenly visualized a dwarf version of herself next to him and then burst out laughing out loud startling all of them.

"What amuses you so?" Hannór asked, a smile blooming on his handsome features, no longer worrying for his little sister. She was laughing and that meant that all was well. Or that it would be.

"Dwarves." She replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she looked at Thranduil, "Did I ever tell you? I love dwarves."

Both Hannór and Hethurin looked at each other completely baffled away with their little sister behavior.

"I do not believe you ever saw a dwarf," Thranduil replied looking back at her, trying to figure her out.

"Well, we must change that." She congratulated herself as she had been able to distract both Hethurin and Thranduil before the argument could get ugly. She then offered Thranduil a grin and for a moment she thought she saw his gaze soften towards her. She quickly looked away, her attention back on her brothers but she could not hear a word that they were saying. It was odd… and she was probably imagining it, but there was something there whenever her eyes met Thranduil's. Only, she could not identify what that something was, but she knew it was there. It was as if she was staring at the tiniest star in a starry sky, waiting for it to grow brighter.

"It is like you are starting again," Hannór had told her. He had only tried to help but his words had only frightened her even more. She did not want to start again. She should not have to start again. Her heart ached at the thought of Legolas. She had a son, a son that she did not remember. How could a mother ever forget her own son? Tears came unbidden to her eyes and no matter how hard she tried to keep them at bay, they rolled down her face, untamed.

"Your majesty?" the lady-in-waiting whose name Aerthel did not remember called out for her.

"I cannot… I cannot see him today." Aerthel gasped and her hand went to her chest. It felt constricted as if she could not breathe, "Go! Go and tell him I cannot…" for two weeks, the boy had been asking for her and every day she refused to see him.

"But your majesty, the King has specifically asked-"

"Do not call me that!" She all but angrily exploded, "Get out! JUST LEAVE!" she shouted, gasping for breath as she closed the door behind her. She leaned her back against the door and slowly slid down. She sat on the floor and pushed her knees against her chest. Her entire body shook with every sob.

For two weeks she had been hiding in a different room than the one that she was supposed to share with her husband. Thranduil had allowed it; he had been very understanding when she explained that she needed time and to have her own space until she felt ready to start again. He had said that he would give her the time and space she needed under one condition. That she would see their son. That she would let Legolas see his mother. But how could she allow the boy to see his mother like this?

A loud knock on the door startled her. She sniffed as she quickly stood up and stepped backwards, watching as Thranduil walked inside. She looked up at him unflinchingly despite the scowl on his face, "I cannot see him," she said softly, almost pleadingly.

"You will see him," he told her sternly, "He is your son."

"I cannot-"

"You will."

"Please!" she begged him as tears threatened to fall again, "I just can't do it…"

Thranduil stalked forward and caught her off guard as he moved his hands to her shoulders, "I will be there. I will help. He is just a boy eager to see his mother. There is nothing to fear."

She looked up at him and she found herself nodding slowly. As he moved away from her, she suddenly reached for his hand and held to it tightly. She did not see the surprised look on his features as she was too preoccupied with what she was going to say when she saw Legolas. She could only hope that she could play her part well. She could only hope that the boy would like her.

Of course he will like you. You are his mother. She told herself over and over again.

Thranduil squeezed her hand gently, attempting to encourage her as he led them down the hallway.

Thanks for all the favourites and follows. I am slightly nervous about this chapter as it got written twice. I hope it was alright. Anyway, I am looking for a beta-reader because my boyfriend detests Thranduil and I feel bad forcing him to proof-read this. If you would like to help me out please drop a review or PM me. Thanks again for adding this story to your favourites and following.

Love,

Creidhe.