Five days after Legolas and Estella were married, her grandfather held a very important council. Many people she had never met before had come far and wide to take part in this meeting. She was only briefly introduced to them before they had taken their leave, but she could not help but wonder what was so important they would travel many long miles and through dangerous lands to come to Imladris. Estella tried to ask her grandfather what this council was about but he only told her it had to do with the fate of Middle-earth and the presence of her husband was required.

Estella tried not to look worried but found it was impossible not to be. Glancing a look over to Legolas, he smiled, but the look in his eyes betrayed what he was feeling as well: he was very concerned. "Do not worry meleth nín. I will not be gone long," she heard him tell her through their bond. Estella nodded and left to find her father.

Upon finding Elladan, she asked him if she could be present, but he told her this was nothing she needed to worry herself over and they would be out as soon as they could. She could tell that he was not being entirely honest with her, for if this meeting was not so important and if it had to do with the fate of all Middle-earth, should she not be worried? Knowing it would be pointless to argue, she went to go for a walk in her grandmother's garden until the meeting had ended.

Many long hours later, when Estella returned from her walk, she discovered the meeting finished. She could tell whatever transpired had some people upset, and others were very disturbed. Gazing around, Estella tried to locate Legolas. After a few seconds, she caught him in the middle of what appeared to be a very heated discussion with his father. Estella waited until they finished speaking before approaching.

Thranduil caught his daughter-in-law and gave her a sad look. "I am sorry, my daughter."

Looking at both, Estella felt her heart start to beat faster and harder. "Sorry? Legolas, what is your father talking about?"

Legolas glared at his father earning a hard glare back. "You might as well tell her now, Legolas. She will find out eventually." Giving Estella a soft kiss on her forehead, he walked off with the rest of his people.

Legolas sighed heavily. How was he to tell her? Knowing this was not the place to have this discussion he looked up to her and took her hand in his. "Let us find somewhere else to talk."

Estella was never more scared than she was now. Why would he not just tell her what was going on? Why all the secrecy? Following him, they went to their room. When they arrived, Legolas sat down and motioned for his wife to sit as well. "Legolas, what is going on?"

"I am sure you are aware this meeting had to do with Middle-earth?" he asked still not meeting her eyes. Estella nodded her head still not sure what this had to do with her. "During the council, several members were chosen to go on a dangerous journey to help destroy a Ring of Power. I was one of them which offered to go."

Estella's eyes widened with a mix of shock and anger. "You offered to go? We were only just bound five days ago, and you are leaving on some journey that could kill you?!" she yelled.

"I am sorry meleth, but this is important. If it were not, I would not go. This is not easy, but it has to be done, for all of Middle-earth depends upon it."

Estella was not convinced. "Why you, why can it not be someone else?" she asked tears starting to fill her eyes.

Legolas could feel his heart breaking. "Because I am the only one of our race that can go. One member of each race was chosen to accompany the Ring Bearer to Mordor, and I was selected to represent the race of Elves."

Estella was shaking. Only five days into their marriage and she felt she was losing him. "But there are other Elves, Legolas! My father, my Uncle, your father just to name a few. Why could they not go instead?"

"My father has to rule Mirkwood, your father and uncle have other obligations. Trust me, Estella; this was not an easy choice for me to make. It is because I love you, that I am going. If this ring gets back into the Dark Lord's hands, then all of us will be destroyed. I cannot allow that to happen, not if I can help it."

Estella wanted to hit Legolas, scream at him that he was selfish, do anything she could think of to make him stay, but deep down she knew Legolas would not leave if there were any other way. She knew her grandfather, and everyone else would not have allowed this if there was no other option. "When do you have to leave?" she asked softly.

Legolas took her hands in his and caressed them softly with his thumbs. "We leave in two months."

Two months? That was but a blink of an eye to Elves! "Will I ever see you again?"

Legolas had no idea. The very thought of never returning to her made him feel sick. "I do not know. But let us not think of that right now. Let us spend what time we have together in as much happiness as we can." Bending down, Legolas took her lips to his and slowly took her to him. If this were going to be one of the last times he was going to have with her, he would cherish each moment with her.

Several weeks after the council ended, Estella woke up feeling as if she had eaten some bad Chinese. Breathing slowly, she tried to will herself not to be ill, but as the seconds went on, she knew she would not win this battle. Racing to the basin, she emptied whatever was left in her stomach into it. After she had finished throwing up, she washed her face with cold water and sat down to think of what could be wrong as Elves did not get sick.

After several minutes, Estella felt well enough to leave for breakfast but decided she would not tell Legolas what happened. He already had enough on his mind; he did not need to fret over her. When Estella, sat down to breakfast, she tried to eat but found that the sight of food was making her queasy. Legolas noticed she was not eating and nudged her gently. "Estella, is everything all right?"

Estella nodded. "I am fine. I guess I am just not hungry right now. I think I am going to get some fresh air. I will meet you later." Kissing him, she excused herself.

Estella had hoped as the day went on whatever was causing her to feel sick would have left by now. But as the days turned into weeks, she still was not feeling any better. Not only was she throwing up, but she also found she was going to the bathroom more often, her breasts were tender, she was more emotional, and she was a month late.

Estella tried to think what could be wrong and suddenly it came to her: all these symptoms were related to those of someone who was pregnant! Estella paled, she could not possibly be with child, not now. Not when Legolas was leaving in a month. She knew she needed to find out, but as she was not in Seattle, she highly doubted they had pregnancy tests. The only one she knew who might be able to confirm her suspicions was her grandfather. But what would she do if she was? Did she tell Legolas? Shaking her head, she went to the infirmary where she knew her grandfather would be at this time. As Legolas was out getting in some practice with his bow, this would be the perfect time to find out.

Elrond was in the middle of going through his supplies when he heard someone enter. Turning around he was surprised to see his granddaughter. "Estella, what brings you here? I thought you would be watching Legolas." When Estella did not answer, he knew something was not right. "Estella?"

Estella hesitated. All the thoughts of what she would do if she were pregnant were running through her mind, but her grandfather already suspected something was wrong when she did not answer, and if Estella did not answer, he would go and ask Legolas and then she would be in trouble. "Grandfather, I…I think I am with child," she whispered. At first, she did not think her grandfather heard, but one look on his face told her he did.

"You think you are with child? Are you sure?" he asked. A part of Elrond was hoping she was not as this pregnancy could not have come at a most inopportune time.

Estella nodded slowly. "I have been ill every morning for the past fortnight, my breasts are tender, and I am a month past my time."

Setting what he was doing down, Elrond walked over to Estella. "Come over here, and we will have a look."

When Estella had laid on a nearby bed, Elrond put his hand on her abdomen and closed his eyes concentrating. After only a few seconds, his eyes opened, and he was silent. Estella could tell he felt something and tears came to her eyes. "I am with child, aren't I?"

Elrond looked at Estella and nodded. "I am afraid so, but it is not with just one. I felt the fëar of two beings inside of you."

Estella was in shock. "Two? But grandfather, how can this be? I thought Elves chose when they conceived."

Sitting next to Estella, Elrond took her hand in his. "That is true for most Elves, but Estella, your body and spirit have been mortal for most of your life, so you are slowly transitioning back to a full Elven state. Your ability to conceive an unplanned pregnancy may be due to that. But the question remains, what are you going to do? Are you going to tell Legolas?"

Estella shrugged. "I do not know. If I tell him, how will this affect his mission? Will he even be able to part from me?"

Elrond could not answer her for he had no idea. "I do not know child. But you must figure it out, for you will not be able to keep this a secret for long. In the meantime, I will give you something to help with the sickness, and I want you to take it easy for a while."

A month passed since Estella discovered she was pregnant and with twins nonetheless, and yet she still had not told Legolas. Estella decided the best thing would be for her not to tell Legolas or anyone she was expecting. She had many reasons behind her decision, but the biggest reason was she knew if Legolas knew he was to be a father, he would not be able to concentrate on the mission at hand. He would be far too concerned about her and the babies, and that would put him and everyone else at risk. After talking to her grandfather about her choice, he told her he was not sure this was the right path, but he would respect her choice nonetheless.

How she managed to hide her now small bulge, she did not know but hide it she did. Finally, the day for the Fellowship to depart had come, and Estella was beginning to have second thoughts about not telling him. Several times, she had come close to it, but when she thought about how hard it would be for him to leave and how her being with child might jeopardize his safety, she stopped herself.

When the time came for them to part, Estella forced herself not to cry. She would be strong for both of them. Kissing Legolas one last time, she looked in his eyes and forced a small smile. "Come back to me all right," she murmured.

"I will, I promise," Legolas said kissing her one last time before he turned and left with the rest of the Fellowship.

When she could no longer see Legolas, she turned and ran to her room and flinging herself on their bed she cried herself to sleep.