Chapter 15

Arri felt the gentle wind on her face from the window as she lay in the bed feeling better. Legolas had gone for water and Aine watched her granddaughter carefully. Arri wanted for sleep but Aine was insistent that Arri let her check her thoroughly.
"Undress Arri," Aine commanded with a voice that left no room to argue and Arri disrobed quickly. Aine looked at Arri's eyes and began touching Arri's body in different place as Arri pulled away from her Aine pulled the covers back to Arri's waist and touched Arri's breasts as Arri jumped. Aine rolled her eyes, "I would like to do this before he returns." Aine gave her a tired stare and Arri sighed relaxing as Aine pushed on Arri's body from place to place and she smiled as she did. Aine noticed where and when Arri had winced or jumped at her touch. Reaching to Arri's belly again she almost laughed watching Arri's eyes starting to close and she smiled to herself, happy her grandchild was so comfortable with her.
"Would you like to redress?" She said loudly in attempt to try to pull her from her sleepy coil.
Arri shook her head enjoying the breeze and closed her eyes feeling sleep falling on her but Aine shook her offering her a simple peppermint plant.
"It will help," Aine sighed watching Arri with a little smile. "We can gather more tomorrow."
Arri nodded not wanting to move from her bed but Aine's gaze out the window kept her awake not wanting to be rude but her eyes were so heavy and worried she would fall asleep on her.
"Arri," Aine exhaled, "you will have Legolas's heir."
Arri's eyes snapped, "what?"
Aine smiled, "Gandalf suspected this."
Arri felt overwhelmed, "he did?" She could not hide the flutter in heart as well and a little smile came to her face and she looked to Aine doubtfully, "really."
Aine chuckled and nodded as she walked to the door, "we will get the plants tomorrow but do not make it known to many," she warned. "Giles does not need to be wise to it."
Arri looked a little upset had not considered Giles or the crown with their elfling but right now that crown hardly mattered to her.
Aine opened the door to leave and stood back as Legolas came in with water and watched Aine leave.
He sat down a pitcher of water and empty glass, "Arwen and the rest are well, the water should be safe."
Arri agreed with a trying to hid the smile that threatened to take over her face, "it is safe."
"Aine cured you?"
"No, you did." She gave into the smile as he sat next to her in the bed.
"I am in the dark Arri," he watched her closely seeing she was unclothed and arched a brow playfully as his finger brushed her bare shoulder at she held the sheet to her chest. She laughed at him promiscuous nature and he was a little taken back that she found the humor in it.
"Legolas, I am pregnant," she told him quickly before she lost her nerve. She watched his composure leave him in shock as he stood there with his mouth agape and then he began to smile. "Are you sure?" He breathed. "I have never… you are part human is your body…" He looked at her not sure of what to say but looked careful of his words as if to jinx this. His mind marveled at the idea and his eyes were certainly twinkling thinking of their elfling running the forests of their home.
She nodded and he sat next to her letting his finger touch her belly with as a feather might and he drew back the sheet to see her bare belly then brushed his lips against her silky skin. He was without words and looked up at her with eyes that could hardly express his pride and love at that moment. He could not believe, "Arri..." was all he could utter. His beloved was bestowing upon him a gift no other ever could and he continued to touch her belly in silent vow to watch and protect them. "Such love my heart holds for you... to say I love you would never be enough
Overcome with emotion, he kissed her pushing her back against the pillows and she felt a familiar fire between them. She giggled as he began kissing her with a hunger but each time he touched her was as if the first time. "You are my very heart, Legolas," she breathed in his ear.
He began to disrobe for the evening and only got to his shirt off and looked at her alarmed, "we must journey back to Mirkwood, you are not safe here." He gestured to her and her belly to mean her and their unborn and his words were only in Elvish refusing to trust many, "do not tell these humans."
"I understand," she smiled covering his mouth with her own slowly and pulling him into the bed...

The evening drew nigh and Legolas stood by the window as he finished dressing and he would occasionally look at Arri and smile. He would have to get Arri and their baby someplace safer than this, someplace without Giles around. He felt the threat and knew something evil grasped at them from the moment they entered Loredell but like Aine he still held hope they could do something. He watched her and let his eyes wonder to her abdomen, he felt pride in telling his father and knew everyone would insist on some things right away. He never felt closer to anybody and he knew they were the other's soul mates.
He thought of this child in Mirkwood, strong and proud. He trusted and loved her and it was time for them to make their own lives together. He watched the children running in the village as the evening approached and watching them brought a smile as he also noticed the child, Eliza, again. She looked up and waved to him and began pointing him out to her friends. He chuckled lightly at her.

A hard knock at the door caught his attention and he found Jared standing there looking forlorn.
"Giles wants to speak with Arri," He sighed. "If she is up to it."
"She is resting," Legolas stepped out of the room and pulled the door.
"Will she be up soon?"
"Yes," Legolas responded and heard Arri moving in the bed, he gestured for him to wait so he could play an instinct.
Legolas stepped on the other side of the door and found Arri waking up. He met her quickly and touched her face, "are you better?"
She focused her eyes on him and smiled. He handed her a cloak to put on and tidied the bed to normal as she dressed.
"What is it?" She asked him quickly.
"Jared," Legolas said. "I have not spoken with him alone yet."
She wondered what he was up to when opened the door and Jared stood there confused as well.
Legolas offered for him to come in and Jared sat down slowly.
"I was sent to gather Arri," he repeated,
"I would like to hear more of Jareth," Legolas met his eye.
"Jareth?" Jared squinted his eyes. "Would you like to see his grave?" Jared offered.
"Grave?" Legolas asked. "Many I talked to today thought he lived."
"Villagers?" Jared sighed as he stood and Legolas nodded, "They would rather believe Giles is saving them and not their last hope, so they think Jareth ran from the crown making Giles a savior to many."
"I see," Arri watched Legolas knowing he had hoped to abandon this crown to another heir. For a moment she had felt that hope but it was dashed quickly.
"If Arri is ready," Jared looked to the door.
"I will be," she looked at the cloak she donned and wanted to be fully dressed to speak with Giles.
He nodded, "I will wait outside the door." He stood and walked out the door.

Arri dressed quickly as Legolas watched her but he did no seem to watch her with the same wanton expression. He moved to her and began to touch her stomach as she pulled her gown on.
"We do not have time," she teased but knew it was the was entralled with their unborn and he looked at her innocently and gave her a lopsided grin. She knew he would be a father to rival and touched his face gently.
"It will take some getting used to," he kissed her ear lightly.
"For us both," she sighed. "I wonder when he will get here."
He watched her donning the human gowns they left for her and lifted an eye and in Elvish he said lowly, "how would you know it is a 'he'?"
She pulled her soft curls on her head and twisted them into a style she had seen the human woman wear, "how do you know the sun will rise?" She brushed against him and kissed him.
Watching her in the uncomfortable layered clothing and he simply still wore his Princely clothing of Mirkwood. He couldn't help the urge to pull her hair free of the human bindings she put it in but he was glad her elven ears still showed, "aside from the ears and lighter skin you look very human." He sounded sad at the idea now.
Arri sighed looking at the jewelry and touched the necklace she wore, the one he had given her. She let it fall on top of her gown and smiled noticing he wore hers proudly.

Jared leaned against the wall until the door opened and he heard Arri and Legolas come out. He noticed they had both changed but his eyes fell on crest on Legolas's neck.
"The crest?" He said softly and looked to Arri who had Legolas's elegant necklace.
"I understand this must be a way of marriage or engagement but it will Anger Giles," Jared warned.
Legolas slipped the crest inside his shirt as did Arri, "we still need to know some customs it would appear." Arri said with a little smile.
"Not custom but it would anger Giles," Jared sighed as the other guard approached.
"You found her," the man sneered looking at her in the human royal dress, "she's almost to pass for a lady in that." He laughed.
Legolas recognized him as the same that had crept into the room and began to push towards him but Arri's hand on his helped him to regain his temper.
"Xander, I can see them to Giles," Jared said simply.
The other guard shrugged but kept his eye on Arri the whole time sending shivers down her spine but she never let on that she felt a thing wrong.
"Most have not seen elves," Jared tried to offer them a weak smile, "I suppose this is to be expected."
"Is it?" Legolas said quickly, "We have had men in Mirkwood and never treat them as this."
"I never said they had brains," Jared sighed.

"Ah cousin," Giles said quickly seeing Arri, "you look every bit the queen." He stood by the throne and motioned for her to come to him as he sat on the throne.
At their surprised looks at his words he chuckled, "I suppose you forget we did share a grandfather."
Arri felt ill at the thought and wanted to run straight back to the elves but Legolas met her eyes and she felt stronger.
"You asked for me?" She grew weary of being at his beckon.
He gestured to Legolas, "It would be better for you to send the other elves home."
They both looked at him and he sighed, "If you shall be our 'queen' you may not have a union with an elf." He began to circle her slowly watching her reaction but neither of them gave him the satisfaction he seemed to beg for. "The Prince of the Mirkwood must be sent home as well as Arwen of Rivendell," Giles went on, "after the fiasco in the village today the people are believing we will be over run with Elven people and this means you may NOT marry an elf."
"I will bind or marry to whom I chose!" She shouted at him with her hands clenched tightly.
"How is that you tell he what she must do?" Legolas demanded.
"I represent the people that is how," Giles challenged them. "Unless you would like to forego the crown."
Arri felt near tears, "I shall contest any marriage outside of my choice."
"I will not leave her and neither will Arwen," Legolas said quickly.
A servant entered timidly, "The meal is served, milord."
Giles nodded and stood to lead them to the dinner table, "perhaps we should speak after dinner." He looked at Arri's agitated features, "you look better cousin." He almost hissed at her.
She nodded afraid she would not keep a sensible tongue and relaxed seeing Arwen and Aragorn laughing at the table. She looked around to see Aine, Eosin and Gimli sipping their water talking lightly and felt better at the sight of their friends.
She and Legolas sat down and Legolas looked to her, "It will be all right they shall not separate us," he promised her in Elvish.
Gandalf, Aine, Arwen and Eosin caught the phrase and understood something was going on.
Gandalf looked to his plate as they brought his food and carried his conversation in elvish understanding their need for privacy. "Who?" He asked quickly
Legolas watched his food brought to him as well, "they want to send most of us away and force her to marry a human for the crown." He said quickly in elvish.
Aine sighed, "He can not do that, I have proof of her birthright and will get more if needed from Mirkwood." She also kept in their tongue.
Giles cleared his throat, "I understood Mirkwood but the rest I did not understand." He looked at them meaningfully. "I would like to this language."
Arri became upset thinking of being separated from Legolas at this point, "if he leaves I shall too." She said softly in elvish.
Jared looked up at this, "you shouldn't." He mumbled.
"You understood her?" Eosin was surprised as he asked quickly but low enough for Giles not to hear.
Jared shook his head, "No, I was talking to myself," he said quickly and looked to Arri when others weren't with a wink.
"I have provided what I needed to ensure Arri's place in her royal lineage," Aine said loudly in English. "It is not contestable."
"So you think the people hear will accept an elvish Queen and King?" He scoffed.
"In time," Arwen said quickly, "An immortal King and Queen would ensure you always had a rightful ruler."
"You would like to risk your own royal claims by bringing other kingdoms into this." Aragorn held his stare dead on.
Giles fear of Gondor's King was evident and Aragorn knew it he knew why they would try to drive everyone away from Arri, he was afraid of the strength that sat around her in friendship.
All eyes turned to see a man enter the hall in long, sweeping robes holding a staff with a menacing green gem encrusted in the middle. He did not sit but his presence silenced everyone.
Giles met watched him, "ah Manveru," He cooed seeing his wizard's appearance, "you and I have much to discuss."
The man bowed keeping his eye on Giles, "I wish to speak with your cousin." He looked to Arri.
Arri went ashen looking at him but all she see were red eyes that she had earlier. She knew he had normal eyes but she felt dizzy being so close to this wizard that she felt she might tumble from her chair.
Legolas knew who him when he entered and he was sure he was the same man he saw earlier with Giles and Arri.
Giles looked at Arri as to hand her over, "By all means after I speak with you."
Manveru leaned in between Arri and Legolas looking at Arri in the eyes, "I believe you are to marry a man are you not?"
Arri nodded dumbly lost in the hypnotic eyes of Manveru, "yes."
She truly never heard a thing or remembered a thing but soon felt Legolas shaking her gently and calling her name.
Arri looked at Legolas wondering what had happened.
Legolas's worried expression caught her, "all you all right you just kept staring once the wizard spoke." He said quickly in elvish hoping not many caught it.
"Fine," she said wondering what the fuss was about but did feel quite out of sorts. She stood numbly to everyone's surprise she stood abruptly, "I just need some air."
Legolas stood with her quickly mumbling apologies to everyone. He knew the wizard had tried something unnatural and he thought to take her to see Gandalf privately but he knew the wizard had done something to counter already. He made a quick stare at the wizard who now sat next to Giles with pleased looks on their faces.
Aine watched Legolas kept close eye on Arri as she seemed to walk in a dream now and she turned to see Giles coy stare as he began to speak to his wizard in a language she was not familiar with. She traded an uncertain stare with Eosin, Arwen and Aragorn as Gimli dutifully ate his food while it was hot.
Aine eyed him suspiciously, "What is that you speak?"
"An old dialect, Aine," he smiled and returned mumbling to the wizard looking at the chair where Arri had sat from time to time.
Eosin watched them and then looked to Arwen and Aine, "I do not like this." He said quickly in elvish.
Arwen agreed with a nod, "Yes, what does he want with Arri and after he looks down on us for speaking in elfin." She replied in their native tongue.
Jared kept his look from each group speaking different languages and he looked to Arwen with a knowing stare and mumbled just loud enough for elven ears to hear, "doesn't make it right."
Eosin kept his gaze at his plate and looked to Jared and back to his dish, "You understand us don't you?" He asked quickly in elvish.
Jared watched Giles and Manveru going on each other speaking but not noticing them at the moment and nodded slightly enough for them to catch what he meant.
Arwen was astounded that one of them understood elfin in a kingdom that did not trust elves, "But do you understand them?" She asked quickly in elvish.
Again he looked to Giles to be busy before responding and nodded again. Aragorn was amazed that a simple guard knew so much of language but what took him back was Jared's warning look as he began to move his lips very quietly in sound just above a breath.
Arwen, Aine, and Eosin could hear him easily with their keen ears. She heard him speaking in elvish himself and he told them Manveru understood their elvish language as well.
They traded a look with the others and Gimli grumbled under his breath.
"Doesn't anybody speak the same language anymore?" Gimli complained right to Giles.
Giles smiled, "Of course master dwarf, we should all speak the same." He looked to Jared meaningfully, "Jared, my captain, would you please relieve the guard on duty?"
Jared stood and bowed and made his way to the door as he passed the elves he gave them a meaningful look, "be careful of Giles." He said quickly in elvish in his breathless whisper.
Eosin put his napkin in his plate and nodded to Giles in thank you as he excused himself. He quickly found Jared just outside the dining hall waiting for him.
Jared smiled with a knowing look, "I was sure it would be you."
Eosin cocked his head in wonder.
"You are in love with her too."
"They spoke of Arri?" Eosin asked quickly.
Jared motioned for Eosin to walk with him, "yes and of an attempt on her life to take the crown." Jared shook his head bothered by this.
Eosin stopped sizing the man up and down, "Why should we trust you?" He knew there was much more to this man than anybody knew. "How do you know elvish?"
"I had a distant Elvish relative that taught me," Giles sneered a little, "I know Giles pathetic language too." He almost laughed. "You listen long enough and they make sense."
Eosin agreed silently and watched him with a new eye. The man was probably more intelligent than the king or any of his courtiers.
"Giles also said his attempts to control Arri's mind were weak and feeble," Jared offered.
"We felt the wizardry," Eosin nodded.
"He is a desperate man and will take desperate measures," Jared sighed. "I will do all I can to help."
Eosin watched him wondering what he could do and remembered he could at least understand Giles private language. "Thank you." He thought of Arri and Legolas and began to move the other way, "I will warn her now."
Jared smiled as he moved to relieve the guard and feeling good about helping these elves but he knew he would have to do more to keep Giles from the crown.
Legolas was glad to see Arri seemed more herself as she left but stopped her in front of Gandalf's door anyway, they could hear him chanting in Sindarian lightly. Now he understood where the why the wizard had disappeared during the meal. Arri recognized the words as a counter spell and before she knew it, the door opened before Legolas knocked.
Arri cocked her head amazed that he might have heard them and wondered how sharp his ears were.
Gandalf chuckled, "I was just leaving for the kitchen." He looked at Arri as he held a scroll and he set in down lightly by the door. "I see you managed not to fall to Manveru's spell." He sighed wondering who else might have noticed his departure.
"Spell?" She narrowed her eyes.
Legolas exhaled, "you did not seem aware."
"I will keep doing all I can to help you child," Gandalf said walking from his room.
"You need to rest and keep your energy now and stay alert Arri," his merry old eyes held a silent laugh, "You need to care for unborn as well."
Legolas turned to Gandalf amazed, "you knew this?"
Gandalf laughed lightly, "I probably knew before Arri did."
Arri watched the wizard and knew Gandalf was wise so if he said she had then perhaps she had fallen under spell, now she worried if she could trust herself.
Gandalf put a hand on Legolas's shoulder, "a glimmer of hope in such dark times, my friend."
Legolas's eyes held pride he found it hard to hide when mentioned but he stopped smiling seeing Eosin running to them looking distraught.
"Giles will attempt to kill Arri," Eosin said looking at the trio worried.
Legolas stepped closer to Arri as if to protect her then and there looking at Eosin squinting with anger in his eyes.
Arri touched his hand lightly as if to calm him, "Do you think it an easy task?" She asked Legolas half jokingly.
"No, but with the wizard's spells," he spoke in their tongue too and looked at her worried as he felt that threat drawing closer. He wanted to take her from there soon.
"I can keep Manveru's spells from effecting her," Gandalf said quickly in their private elvish and looked to Eosin, "A physical attack then?"
"I am not sure," Eosin began. "Jared gave warning."
"He has compassion as well," Gandalf looked to the floor thoughtfully.
Arri was puzzled, "Why should he warn me?"
Legolas felt the threat was real, "Arri." He said softly hoping she we listen.
"Arri," Gandalf sighed, "you are the only remaining heir aside from Giles. An elven Princess in a human kingdom."
"Aine believes the others were killed for the crown," Eosin widened his eyes glad they only spoke elvish but if reminded him, "Gandalf does Manveru speak elvish too?"
"Yes," he looked at him curious.
"Jared does not lie," Eosin said quickly.
Arri sighed and reached for her ankle concealed beneath the royal, human gown and showed them a knife, "I am no fool."
Legolas was glad to see the elvish dagger on her but worried still by the feeling of dread he felt. She touched his hand looking into his eyes.
"I feel it too," she said simply but her eyes were full of emotion. She was scared and had a feeling of despair that made her froze her cold to her core but knew whatever she would face she would, she had faith it would be all right. She knew she could make a difference just as Eosin and Legolas had done by being near the people. They showed them that elves were not evil. "You have never faltered." She shook her head defiantly at him as her curls broke free.
"Arri," Legolas said weakly he felt as if his heart was breaking at the idea of something happening to her.
"If you had faltered then many would have failed," her passionate nature burned brightly in her eyes as she looked to Gandalf as well. "I will face this head on."
Gandalf was afraid for her but he knew she would follow this through and he could only support her at this point. He touched her cheek lightly and sighed trying not to show his fear for her, "you will do fine, young Princess."
Her eyes grew wide and she chuckled as if a jest, never had considered herself a princess. She did not want to stay and speak of such a solemn thing and gave them all a whimsical smile and a twinkle in her eye as she began to back away. She caught Legolas's eye then squeezed his hand with a chaste meeting of their lips and she sprinted lightly from them.
"She is very willful," Gandalf chuckled.
Legolas looked at him let a breath, "What shall happen?"
Gandalf met his eye, "stand by her lad and watch dreams unfold as they did with you." Gandalf didn't have the heart to tell him his fears for Arri as well.
Eosin shook his head feeling he had outstayed his welcome, "you have your work cut out for you." He almost sneered at Legolas looking in the direction Arri had run.
Legolas felt for Eosin knowing he still had strong feeling and how it must cut him now. Then he thought of how he might suffer if he knew of the babe, giving a quick nod he ran after her.
Eosin watched them go not convinced there would be an ever after for them, "I can feel your fear from here, Gandalf."
"Indeed, but could they?" He sighed patting Eosin on the shoulder as he walked on.

Giles found his wizard in his room later that night, "Those elves still sleep comfortably under this roof, Manveru." He hissed as he barged into the room.
"Gandalf interferes," he said quickly not being unnerved by Giles's sudden entrance.
"I also feel a presence of Elvish magic as well."
"The elves are doing magic as well?" Giles said quickly, "Yes but they are of little consequence." Manveru stood to face him, "Gandalf and I must 'speak' tomorrow."
"I should hope so," Giles growled. "I want that elf dead, Manveru and if I can not reach her I shall take her down slowly by taking care of the ones she cares for." He rubbed his jaw slowly, "Starting with Arri and her beloved."
"Jared shall turn on us," Manveru warned.
Giles laughed maniacally, "He would not be missed." He made way to the door way, "I need a potion to effect the senses when released and I need it by morning." He grew upset at the idea, "the elves will be dealt with quickly."
Manveru nodded, "As you wish." He watched Giles take his leave and turned back to his work.