Content warning: pregnancy complications

Chapter 11

Legolas had never before seen Narinya in this state and the concern was evident on his face. They stood near the entrance of their chambers; a chambermaid had lit the hearth before their return, the warmth and light spilling across the room. Legolas considered asking her to sit to talk, but thought better of it now that he faced her and saw the look in her eyes, one that suggested she might shatter at any moment, "Go on."

Narinya took another deep breath while trying to calm her pounding heart and steady her voice. Finally, she spoke, "I am… expecting." She willed herself to make eye contact with him.

Legolas, even with his sharp hearing, could barely make out what she had murmured.

"I'm with child," she spoke a bit louder.

He drew a sharp breath, and even though he had heard her quite clearly this time, he asked, "What?"

"Need I say it again? I am pregnant, Legolas." She hung her head, finding no relief even with the confession finally made. Instead, her heart raced as she awaited what might happen next.

There were a few long moments of silence before Legolas asked, "You… you were unfaithful?" The confusion on his face had only deepened, but after he spoke, she noticed his jaw was newly clenched.

"Nay, it was before we were wed." Her voice was small.

A heavy silence again fell between them and Narinya looked anywhere but at her husband.

After what seemed like an eternity, he spoke, "What were you thinking? Did it not occur to you to tell anyone of this before you said the vows of marriage?!" Legolas' confusion was now being replaced with anger, his steely glare one she had not been the recipient of ever before.

"I… I wasn't sure that I was pregnant then," she took a step away from him, "I am truly so sorry."

"Why did you wait until now to tell me of this?!"

"I didn't know how to, and I was afraid… but I'm showing now… soon everyone would know, and you would have thought I had been disloyal during our marriage because -"

Her rambling admission was abruptly cut off by Legolas' icy voice that sounded just a bit too calm now, "When? When did this happen?"

"About a month before we were married," she hung her head again, "In my fury when my father told me I was betrothed, I went to the house of a former friend. He is the one who impregnated me."

"He forced himself on you?" His tone softened for a fleeting moment.

She shook her head, "No, I did not refuse him."

"Who was it? Are you bound to him?" The wrath on his voice almost fully masked the hurt, but not entirely.

"His name is Calanon, he lives in Lake-town… he is half-elven, therefore it was not a bond that created this child. I did not stop to consider the risk when I coupled with him." Narinya took another step back. She felt deeply ashamed in that moment, even though she had committed no infidelity.

Legolas' narrowed eyes were dark and it seemed that every part of him was tense, though his voice remained low, "It will be quite obvious it is not my child, then."

He paused before continuing with fresh malice on his tongue, "This child will bring shame upon us both."

His last sentence cut through her. She was starting to truly believe what he said and her already seeded thoughts of resentment toward herself and her unborn child were resurfacing. He was right. His loathing crashed over her like a wave. As she played his words over and over again in her mind, the tenuous connection between the elleth and her unborn child was weakened. She doubled over in sudden pain.

Legolas' glare softened somewhat, not sure of what was happening. It wasn't until she let out a cry that he sank to her side, "What's wrong?"

"Please get the healers." Her voice was strained and she drew a hitched breath.

Legolas wasted no time racing down the hall to the healing chambers. He threw open the heavy doors and called for someone to assist. Two healers and an apprentice exchanged looks and then followed quickly behind the prince.

When they arrived, Narinya was on the floor of their bathing chamber, clutching the rim of the large tub, her knuckles white.

Legolas wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. The healers did not instruct him, instead setting right to work with their patient. He stood at the edge of the small room, averting his eyes from the chaotic scene.

Narinya let out another cry of pain and then asked in a strained voice, "What's happening?"

"We do not yet know. Please take a deep breath, my lady."

One of the healers said to the other, "Was anyone aware that she was with child? It can't be more than several months…"

The other responded, "It is much too early for this elfling to come into this world."

The apprentice then regarded the prince, who was standing motionless by the door, "Forgive me, my lord, but you should really take your leave." One of the healers had started to cut open Narinya's cobalt dress.

Legolas nodded without a word and stepped out, closing the door gently and leaning his back against it. He could hear Narinya cry out as her body began to reject the infant that had been growing inside of her and it similarly rejected her.

He tried to process what was happening. Despite the anger he had felt just moments before, he was filled with a deep concern now as he heard Narinya's evident pain.

Many minutes later, it was over.

The apprentice spent a moment cleaning and wrapping the elfling in a small blanket. A moment later, a flustered healer opened the door to the sitting room and gently handed the bundle to Legolas, assuming it to be his child, before hurrying back into the bathing chamber. Narinya was not yet out of immediate danger.

Legolas clutched the tiny bundle to his chest. He looked down, whispering, "I am so sorry for what I said, little one."

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Narinya awoke the next day. She became conscious, but did not open her eyes. She could feel warm blankets surrounding her body, but she knew this was not her own bed. Her throat felt dry and raw. Suddenly, the events of the night before flooded her mind. Her eyes shot open and she clutched her abdomen, hoping that it had all been another horrible dream.

But no, she could no longer feel him. The life that had been inside of her was gone and now she felt terribly alone. Whether or not she had wanted a child, she felt it was her responsibility to protect him, and in that, she knew she had failed.

Tears flooded her eyes as she lay in the bed, defeated.

Her body had not had time to prepare to give birth and she was in a great deal of pain. A healer came to the room, relieved to find the Princess awake, "My lady, we could have lost you. You must stay abed, for you shed a significant amount of blood."

"Where is my child?"

"I am sorry, he did not survive. We did all that we could."

Narinya let her tears fall freely. She had known that it must be true, for no infant, elven or not, could survive such a premature birth.

The healer looked upon her with sympathy, "Here, drink this, it should help with your pain. If you need anything, you may call for us at any time."

Narinya did not regard the healer as she walked out of the room, but instead sunk further down into the bed, letting sleep once again claim her tired body. The loss had wreaked havoc on her being, both physical and mental.

Others in the halls had heard Narinya's screams that night and there was now talk flying about the Woodland Realm. This time though, the talk was out of sincere concern for the princess' well-being.

Legolas came to the healing chamber that afternoon, but was turned away, "She is in no condition to meet with you, husband or not."

He sighed and nodded, walking slowly back toward his chambers. He gathered from what he had seen when she had been transported from their chambers the prior night that the unexpected birth had put her in grave danger. He wondered how she was feeling and coping, especially alone. He considered sending for her sister, Riniel, but he knew he would have to meet with his father first to explain what had happened, and he dreaded the thought of it. He hadn't even begun to fully process it himself.

He was thankful when his thoughts were interrupted by a soft, familiar voice.

"Legolas?"

"Lindethiel." He turned to meet her in the hallway, greeting her with a weak smile.

"What has happened?! Is Narinya alright?"

"Perhaps we should discuss this in a more private area."

Lindethiel nodded and silently led him to her chambers. Once inside, she sat down across from him near the hearth.

"You were right. Narinya was with child."

Lindethiel gasped, "You told me you hadn't…"

"It was another's." He delivered the news matter-of-factly, but the tension in his jaw and shoulders betrayed his true emotions.

Lindethiel's eyes filled with shock and anger, but before she could say anything, Legolas continued, "She told me that she conceived before we were married, and I believe her... but she should have told me, or our father, so that we could have called off the wedding accordingly. All of this could have been prevented."

Lindethiel sat silently, taking in all that had just been revealed to her.

Legolas continued on, focusing on his own role in the story now, "I grew angrier than I should have. I said some things I regret and I fear that they affected her deeply. She lost the child and she now lies in the healing chambers." Remorse filled his features.

Lindethiel was not sure what to say and instead of speaking, she leaned forward and pulled Legolas into an embrace. She could tell that he needed it, even though he appeared composed, "Will she be alright?"

"The healers said she should be, though I have not been able to speak with her or even see her to know how she fares."

Lindethiel was quiet and looked thoughtful as she considered what next to say. "Legolas… tell me something. Would you really be happier had the marriage never happened?"

"I do not know. I have found myself enjoying her company greatly of late, but... everything is now changed."

"Forgive my question. Right now what matters is that she heals, and not just physically."

Legolas nodded.

"And you as well, brother. Do not place blame on yourself as I can see you are doing. She should have told you, as you said, but she did not. She was probably terribly frightened of what might happen when everyone, especially you and our father, found out. That does not excuse her, but perhaps we must show some compassion in her state and decide what must be done later."

Legolas knew Lindethiel was right, "I must speak with the king."

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