Reasons to Hope, Reasons to Live
Chapter: Fifteen
Beta: Aubrey'Snape
Warning: Character's Death (Sorry!)
A/N: Read and Review. Don't kill me. *hides under her bed*
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"…and when you're ten years old, I'll personally select your first pony and teach you to ride it…"
Legolas bit his lower lip, trying his best not laugh as he sat on the couch and tried to continue reading his book while listening to his husband doting on their little girl. The mighty King of Men was sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, resting Míreth on his lap and planning her whole life for her.
"…You'll see, you'll be the best swordsman…umm…swordswoman in all of Gondor before you even reach twenty. When you reach adulthood, you will be the most beautiful princess this land had ever seen, not to mention the most fierce and strong warrior in all of Middle-Earth. Suitors will float around you like moths around a fire, eager to gain a mere look from your pretty eyes, not that I will allow them to get close to you, my little Jewel."
Legolas rolled his eyes in mocked annoyance; though he was happy that his husband, for once, wasn't all seriousness and formal. A month had passed since Míreth's birth and the grimness that loomed over the castle was taking its toll on all of them. The Consort was just happy that Aragorn was in a lighter mood even if only for a moment.
"You'll never marry someone who doesn't deserve you, my little Princess. I'll chase them away myself out of the whole Kingdom, if I have to."
"Then she'll be alone her entire life." Legolas remarked playfully.
Aragorn looked up at his husband, blinking several times before his face broke into a brilliant smile. "Oh, she'll find someone; someone who truly deserves her. But, I'm not going to allow anyone to take my daughter away from me, not without a long and fierce fight."
Legolas laughed amusedly. However, his happy expression melted into sad one when a realization suddenly befallen him as he watched his husband playing with the babe.
Despite being blessed with a long life, Aragorn might not live to see Míreth's adulthood!
Suddenly, the two heard several knocks on the door. Granting the knocker an entrance, the royal couple smiled as Lord Glorfindel and Lady Gwîneth entered.
"Good evening, my lords," The elven maiden greeted respectfully, before heading to Aragorn and extending her arms to take little Míreth.
"My little Princess." Taking the little elfling up, she kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Aragorn, I would like a word with you in private, please?" Glorfindel asked solemnly.
The King nodded and stood up while Legolas followed Gwîneth to her bedchamber, after giving the two a questioning look as they headed to the private study.
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'What is it, Lord Glorfindel?' Aragorn asked as the door of the study was closed behind them and both men were seated.
'It's about our investigation, Elessar,' Glorfindel said seriously. 'I fear that we haven't reached any conclusion even after a month of intense searching and questioning.'
'How could that be?' Aragorn asked.
'There is no trail for us to follow. The only trail were the servants but they've vanished without any trace; even their families don't know anything about them. None of your lords and ladies had any knowledge of elven herbs and healing arts. The only thing I managed to gather is that most of the lords in your court resent the fact that you've married an elven male and conceived a child through magical means. But if you follow that path, you'll end up accusing the majority of your court with treason.'
'Then, you're saying that I should leave those who threaten my family's safety go unpunished?'
'I didn't say that but I think it's time for us to rethink our strategy. All this tight security around the castle is not helping at all.'
'Then what do you suggest we do?'
'Let's lift security a little, maybe this will make the culprits feel safe and make a move that will reveal them to us.'
Aragorn thought for few moments before shaking his head. 'I'm sorry, Glorfindel. I can't. I can't risk my family's safety further like that. You'll have to think of something else.'
Glorfindel just sighed deeply in response.
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In Míreth's bedchamber, Legolas was nursing his daughter while Gwîneth kept him company. Though, the blond Prince's gaze held a loving gleam as he looked down at his daughter, Gwîneth could distinctly see a shadow of sadness in his blue orbs.
'What's the matter, Legolas?' she asked as she joined her Prince on the couch. 'You seem sad, my Prince. I would've thought that you would be happy that Míreth's health has finally started to lift.'
Legolas sighed, shaking his head. The sorrow that suddenly filled his heart was more powerful than any other emotion.
'Legolas?'
'Am I destined to lose everyone I fell in love with, Gwîneth?'
The Mirkwood lady felt her heart clenched painfully at the question and the sad tone that colored it. 'Oh, Legolas!' she exclaimed, placing a comforting hand on the elf's thigh.
'I keep forgetting that Aragorn is a mortal and eventually he'll die,' Crystal tears slid down his pale cheeks. 'Of course, Haldir, despite being immortal, has died as well.' A sob ripped itself from Legolas' rosy lips. 'I feel that I'm cursed, Gwîneth.' The Prince smiled sadly. 'I shouldn't have allowed myself to fall in love again. I shouldn't have.'
Gwîneth looked sympathetically at her Prince, feeling as if she had been stabbed in her heart. King Thranduil and his sons denied themselves love for a long time due to their grief over Queen Aarien's death; only Legolas was spared from that due to the fact that he was but an infant at that time. He was the breath of life among the sorrow that engulfed the Palace for many long years. However, now it seemed that he too was falling into despair because of his love.
'Legolas,' she spoke gently. 'You're not cursed and love is not a crime that you are punished for. Elves, being immortal, tend to think that nothing could possibly separate them from their loved ones. But the bitter truth is that life is filled with darkness and dangers lurking around in the shadows, ready to snatch those we love the most from us. Humans, being mortals, acknowledge this. Because of that, they tend to treasure every moment they share with their family and friends. King Elessar may be mortal and he will die one day, but would that not make the time you have with him even more valuable?'
Legolas looked up at his friend with wide eyes. A comforting silence reigned over the two as Gwîneth waited for her words to sink in.
'Wipe your tears, honeg nîn (my little brother).' Gwîneth said with a smile as she wiped Legolas' tears with her handkerchief. 'You have a beautiful daughter and a loving husband who would do anything for a smile from you. You shouldn't be weeping at all, my Prince. You should be smiling.' She, then, looked down at the babe in Legolas' arms. 'See, you've splashed sad tears on your daughter as well. That's not a good omen, my little Leaf. You should make it up to her later.'
Slowly, the corners of Legolas' lips curled up until a beautiful smile was formed on his face.
It was at that moment that Aragorn opened the door without knocking.
"Am I interrupting anything?" he asked before raising an eyebrow while smiling amusedly, as he noticed Legolas' exposed breast.
Noticing the direction in which his husband's eyes were staring, Legolas blushed fiercely before detaching his daughter and covering himself. Luckily, Míreth had almost finished her meal and was already half way asleep.
Gwîneth couldn't help but to chuckle at the silent exchange. "I think it's time for you to retire to your bedchamber, my lords." She said as she gently took Míreth from between Legolas' arms.
"I think that as well." Aragorn concurred as he watched a still-blushing Legolas stood up, head held high, and walked pass him to their chamber.
As soon as the door was shut behind the couple, Gwîneth proceeded to prepare the little Princess for bed as well. After changing Míreth into her nightgown, Gwîneth took a small vile, containing Lord Elrond's special nutritional potion, and gently pressed it between the Princess' small lips. Instinctually, the babe started to sip on the mouth of the bottle, drinking its contents. Satisfied that the Princess had drunk all of the liquid, Gwîneth kissed her lovingly on the forehead before lying her down in her cradle.
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Legolas yelped in surprise when two strong hands pulled him suddenly as he emerged from the bathroom.
"What's this? An elf caught off-guard?" Aragorn chuckled amusedly as he pulled his husband into his chest. He quickly buried his face into the crook of the elf's neck, deeply inhaling the elf's sweet honey scent.
"That's not funny, Aragorn." The elf tried to break free of the man's tight grip but without any success. The man simply tightened his grip around him while he continued to shower his neck with kisses. "Aragorn, I'm serious." But Legolas' protests fell on deaf ears. A gasp tore itself from his mouth as he felt the man's hand sliding into the folds of his nightshirt. "No, Aragorn! Stop!" Legolas pushed away his husband with his might.
The man cursed softy as he stumbled backwards, almost falling on the ground.
"Serves you right," Legolas remarked as he gracefully walked to the dressing table.
"Serves me right?" Aragorn asked darkly.
"Yes, I've told you many times, Aragorn, that I'm not ready yet." The blond elf argued back, turning around to face his husband. "Were you going to force yourself upon me?"
"No!" The man exclaimed. "However, you can't blame me for desiring you, especially after that display of your flesh."
"You weren't supposed to see that. You've entered the room without knocking, Aragorn, and you blame me for it?"
"We've been married for six months, Legolas." The King said with a sigh. "How long will take you to get ready? I thought you said that you loved me."
Legolas sighed deeply as he silently turned his attention to combing his hair. The truth was despite having finally confessed their feelings towards each other, Legolas still couldn't allow Aragorn more than kissing and snuggling. It still felt wrong to him to allow someone to touch him in that way. Legolas closed his eyes as he remembered his last night with Haldir.
Yes, he was falling in love with Aragorn but not so much that it would allow him to be that intimate with him; in addition, tonight's realization still weighted heavily on his heart.
Aragorn stared at his husband's back silently. He couldn't deny that he was hurt by Legolas' rejection yet he couldn't blame the elf either. It had only been a month since the elf had admitted that he was starting to love him. The two of them had decided to take their relationship slowly, considering everything that was happening around them. However, seeing Legolas' naked flesh tonight had truly raised Aragorn's desires for the elf. Not to mention with all the stress that was going on throughout the castle, the man needed to vent. Taking a deep breath, Aragorn shook his head as to clear it before walking to his husband.
"I'm sorry, Legolas." He said gently, placing his hands on top of Legolas' shoulders. "I don't know what came over me."
'There is nothing to forgive, Estel.' Legolas replied softly as he placed down the comb and looked at his husband through the mirror's reflection.
Aragorn felt a bang of guilt hit his soul as he saw the sadness that filled his husband's blue eyes. "Come to bed, Legolas." He said softly. "I know that your day wasn't an easy one."
The blond elf smiled slightly as he stood and turned around, taking the man's hand and pulling him towards their bed. As they lied down, Legolas rested his head on his husband's broad chest, enjoying the warmth of the flesh underneath him. "Aragorn, what did Lord Glorfindel want to talk about?" he asked suddenly.
"It's nothing important, Legolas. You shouldn't worry your head about such matters." The man replied sleepily, wrapping his arm protectively around the elf's waist.
"But—"
"Good night, Legolas." Aragorn said in a stern tone, cutting all the routes to any further discussion.
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It was around midnight when suddenly Legolas jerked up from his sleep, gasping in terror and causing the man sleeping next to him to wake up as well.
"Legolas! What happened?" The King cried in alarm as the blond elf hurtled out of the bed towards the door that connected them to Míreth's room. Throwing on a robe, the King hurriedly followed his elven husband.
Legolas opened the door violently and rushed to his daughter's cradle, not truly paying attention to his husband's calls or Gwîneth's startled cry. All he wanted at that moment was to be by his daughter's side.
Gwîneth yelled in alarm as the door suddenly sprung open, jolting her from her sleep. She watched in panic as Legolas rushed into the room, followed swiftly by the King. Quickly, she picked up her over-robe that lay on a chair next to her bed, throwing it over her nightgown before rushing to Legolas' side.
'Legolas, what's wrong?' she asked.
The blond Prince, however, didn't reply. He merely picked up his seemingly sleeping daughter, looking at her with teary eyes. A soft sob escaped him as he gently ran one hand along the babe's soft cheek. Míreth let out a soft hitch and Legolas let out another sob.
"Legolas, what is it?" Aragorn asked, feeling his heart dropping into his stomach.
"I'll go summon Lord Elrond." Gwîneth said, unable to wait any longer. She rushed out of the bedchamber and crossed the living quarters in three strides to the main doors. Opening the door, she urgently asked one of the guards to personally go and bring Lord Elrond from his chambers immediately.
Unable to return empty-handed, the elven lady paced the living room, waiting for the lord's arrival. It didn't take Lord Elrond long to arrive.
'Lady Gwîneth, what happened?' he asked as he entered the royal chambers. Shaking her head, the Mirkwood lady took his hand and hurriedly pulled him towards Míreth's chamber. Upon entering the chamber, the two elves froze at the sight that met their eyes.
Kneeling on the floor, Aragorn had his arms wrapped protectively around his husband; his face buried into the golden mane while the blond elf buried his face into the man's strong chest, pressing himself deeper into the tight embrace. Little Míreth was nestled between the two seemingly in a deep sleep. The only thing that broke the silence was the soft sobs that came from the couple.
Elrond took a deep breath as he observed the couple, not wishing to face the presumption that downed him at that moment, before he forced his legs to walk towards his son.
'Estel,' he spoke softly.
Aragorn lifted his head and looked up at his father; his handsome face drenched in tears. He shook his head slightly before re-burying it into his husband's golden tassels, crying soundly.
Taking another sharp breath, Elrond closed his eyes to prevent his tears from falling. Opening his eyes, he moved again closer, still refusing to give up hope just yet.
Kneeling in front of the couple, the healer spoke again. "Legolas, I need to see your daughter."
The elven Prince's only response was burying his face deeper into his husband's chest while his hands tightened their grip around his daughter's small form.
'Legolas, Saes.'
Legolas' grip loosened from around the babe's body, yet he refused to meet the healer's eyes, as his face remained hidden in Aragorn's torso.
Gently, the healer touched the baby, looking for any sign of life left in her. Finding none, he felt his heart shattering into million pieces.
This time, Elrond couldn't resist his tears. They fell down silently as he stared at the weeping couple. Standing up, he turned around only to see Gwîneth's beautiful face, drenched with tears as well. Walking to the young lady, he gently took her arm and led her out of the room, leaving Aragorn and Legolas to mourn in peace.
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Gwîneth watched with teary eyes as Lord Elrond left the chambers without a word. The Mirkwood lady let out a pained sob as soon as the door of the chambers was closed, falling onto the ground. She still couldn't believe what had happened. Her mind was unable to comprehend what had occurred only few moments ago. The little Princess couldn't die just like that. She had just regained her health few days ago. Her fever had just broken two days ago and she was starting to gain some weight. She couldn't possibly die just like that…without a reason. Gwîneth's sobs gradually turned into sharp intakes of breaths as the elven lady started to feel difficulty breathing. Forcing herself to subside in her growing grief, Gwîneth stood up and walked to a nearby couch. She tiredly threw herself into the soft couch and closed her eyes, forcing herself into a troubled sleep.
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To be continued…