The birth of Legolas after twenty years was the next biggest excitement in Greenwood, Emyra found herself in the grand halls once again as her Mother and Father had been persistent that she must go and meet the new Prince, while Emyra thought quite the opposite, she was happy in her home, and the need to travel, something she used to love just made her cringe now.

"He has a set of lungs." Adrian smiled coming up beside Emyra. "You can hear him scream all over the Palace." Emyra smiled softly at Adrian, if she missed anything about Greenwood it was him.

"I wasn't expecting him to be quiet." Emyra replied. "He's Thranduil's son, always has to have a say, an opinion.." They both laughed, Emyra found it easier to deal with if she joked about it, she made the whole situation one big joke.

It was always said Elves would only love once, Emyra had loved Thranduil, and that love for him despite everything still prospered in her heart, sometimes it was a dull ache as he had married another, had a child with another, was trying to love another, Emyra couldn't do it, she had tried, her parents brought in suitor after suitor, but her heart just screamed no, she even went as far as ignoring the screaming of her heart, but even then her whole body took over and said no, it was impossible for her.

"How has your time at home been?" Adrian lowered himself onto the grass Emyra following. "I hear your Mother is expecting." Emyra nodded.

"It seems elves really cannot conceive unless in times of peace." Emyra laughed slightly. "My Mother worries it will be hard for the child as Rhydian and I were only nine years apart, and we will be a good five hundred and twenty years apart."

"Both you and Rhydian are home most of the time now, I'm sure it won't be hard." Adrian offered. "They will be smart though, they have you as a sister and you have proven to be wiser than Elrond at times." Adrian stood abruptly bowing his head, Emyra looked over to see Thranduil walking over a small bundle in his arms. "My Lord." Adrian mumbled, he still had not forgiven the King, and her knew he never would, but being civil towards him was his only option.

"Adrian." Thranduil nodded dismissing him with a gesture of his hand, Emyra stood up brushing herself off, she greeted Thranduil with a small nod, how did he know she would be out here? "I assumed your parents sent you to meet Legolas."

"You assume correctly." Emyra smiled at him, that tender smile she always gave him, it was a smile reserved for him that was for sure. "How is your wife?"

"She is fine, but you really don't care do you?" Thranduil asked with raised eyebrows. "I still know you well despite your great efforts to be as far away from me as long as possible." Thranduil shifted carefully laying Legolas in her arms, Emyra smiled, moving the blanket away from the babies face. "Your angry, either with me, or yourself." Emyra looked over at Thranduil.

"Elves only love once." Emyra replied looking back at the small child in her arms, part of her wished Legolas was hers, hers and Thranduil's like it was supposed to be, how they both knew it was supposed to be.

"Emyra." Thranduil started. "It has been hard for me as well you don't seem to understand that."

"Been hard for you?" Emyra's eyes shot to Thranduil's. "Thranduil, you were not forced to watch me court another, then marry another." Emyra took a deep breath. "I am standing here holding your child, and we both know he should be mine as well, and he is not."

"I had no choice..." Thranduil looked at Emyra. "My Father wanted an alliance out of my marriage, our Kingdoms have been friends for centuries, he knew of our feelings, of our bond and still insisted I wed another, it was his dying wish." Emyra wanted to growl at him but refrained from doing so looking back at Legolas. "With more time the bond may fade."

"Yes, and we are creatures of time, aren't we?" Emyra looked back at Thranduil. "Elves only love once, despite time. Our love if real is set in stone as soon as it appears."

"I do care for Daeris." Thranduil countered. "I do love her."

"But not in the way you know you should!" Emyra wanted to yell at him. "You are putting on a act because you married her so everyone assumes you love her, and you have to act like you do." Emyra carefully placed Legolas back into his arms, gently stroking his head looking at Thranduil. "While I sit here, and try to convince my heart that I do not love you, that I have not loved you." Emyra took shaky breath. "My task was to meet your son, and so I have, I am going to return home Thranduil, just like all those times before pretending that I am still alright, that what has happened has not phased me, and home is where I will stay." Emyra turned from him to leave, but stopped when he called her.

"Emyra I do miss you." He started. "I miss you dearly." Emyra turned sharply moving to him, she stopped putting her hand on his cheek bringing her lips to his, Thranduil moved his free hand to her cheek holding her close but not to close as Legolas was between them.

When they broke apart Emyra panted slightly for breath opening her eyes.

"This, is how it was supposed to be." Emyra didn't smile, she didn't say another word, she just moved her hand from his cheek turning, leaving him standing there, a new pain spreading through both their hearts confirming what she had said.

Authors note:

There you are some more pain for all of you, I feel kinda evil. Emyra kissed Thranduil and made the point they both knew was true was that was how it was supposed to be. Legolas was supposed to be theirs, they were supposed to be together happy and yet it seems they can't be further apart...I'm depressing myself just writing this, anyways I hope your enjoying it so far!