Upon arrival in their quarters in the woodland palace, Alannah silently counted back to her last moon cycle while Legolas joyously spoke about his impending fatherhood. She realized it had been almost nine weeks since her cycle, and she couldn't quite understand how she had overlooked the fact that she had missed.
"We've been traveling meleth nin and have been so busy. It just slipped our mind is all." Legolas explained, having obviously heard Alannah's thoughts. Alannah smiled as she smoothed her hand over her abdomen, both elated and shocked by the fact that a being was growing inside of her.
"I know. I'm just stunned. We've not even been wed a year." Alannah explained. Legolas gently took her in his arms, kissing the top of her head as she nestled into his chest.
"A summer child, Alannah. I have never bee happier!" He exclaimed as he suddenly pulled her by the hand to the door, unable to contain his excitement in telling his father. She stumbled a bit, her dizziness and nausea still not having settled. Legolas reined in his excitement as he moved to sit Alannah on the bed.
"Stay here. I will bring my father here so we may share this grand news with him." Legolas kissed her hands tenderly as he walked to the door, stopping and looking back once more at his wife. "Gi melin Alannah."
She looked up at him, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "Gi melin Legolas, with all my heart."
~
"Well, a congratulation is most definitely in order." Thranduil softly spoke as he walked over to Alannah and gently grasped her shoulder. "I will host a feast to celebrate the forthcoming child at once."
Legolas could feel the apprehension rising in Alannah at the mention of such an ordeal, knowing she would much prefer something quiet.
"Thank you ada, and we are most honored. However, Alannah is still in the early stages and given her illness this morning perhaps we can do this at a later time?" Legolas asked politely. Thranduil nodded his head, understanding of the situation.
"Very well ion nin. Whatever she needs as always." Thranduil and Legolas bowed their heads to one another. "I take it the two of you will postpone your relocation to Ithilien then?"
Legolas tensed his jaw, having no intention of changing their plans.
"No ada, as soon as a dwelling is prepared we will start our life there. Perhaps our child will be the first elf born in the region." Legolas smiled at the thought of their child ushering in a new generation of elves in Ithilien. Quickly, Legolas could sense the hurt from his father from the realization.
"Very well. Rest Alannah. You're carrying royalty within your womb." Thranduil instructed as he left their quarters and made his way back to the throne room.
The king paused at the throne, staring at the seat he had ruled from for thousands of years. Although the ornate carvings were still pronounced, his long tenure was obvious in the smoothed wood. The large antlers loomed over him, making the tall king seem small in its glory. All too soon it seemed the end of his reign was drawing as he too felt his heart drawn elsewhere much like his sons. He sighed as he walked to his chambers, latching the door as it closed behind him.
So much of the world had changed and now that so much of the darkness had been lifted, the king was beginning to feel the familiar call home although he was not ready nor was it time. He sprawled out onto his large bed and clutched his wife's pillow.
"Meleth nin, our son will be a father. The world has changed so." Thranduil inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of her that magically lingered although it had been a couple thousand years since her silver head lay upon it. "When you are ready to receive me and I know in my heart you have been released from the Halls of Mandos, I will join you once again."
~
"He doesn't want us to leave, Legolas." Alannah stated plainly. "I feel torn."
Legolas lay down a book he had been reading as he sat perched on their balcony and looked at Alannah. She too held a book in her hands, not having turned a page in the last half hour since he last glanced at her. He exhaled through his nose, also feeling the same way.
"I know meleth nin. But I know in my heart it is the right thing to do. I've told you I've left my father once before, except this time it is on much better terms." Legolas closed his book and jumped down from the railing, walking over to stand behind Alannah. He tenderly brushed the hair from her shoulders and gently began to massage the tension out of her muscles.
"We will visit him?" Alannah asked as she hung her head, quickly relaxing beneath Legolas's smooth touch. Over time she had found herself growing more and more fond of the elven king despite their rocky beginnings, and all of a sudden she felt a twinge of guilt in her heart.
"Of course we will. Anyone, anwhere, at any time." Legolas said softly as his hand slowly trailed down the front of her neck, disappearing beneath the top of her gown. "Anything you wish, and it is yours."
Alannah leaned her head back onto Legolas as he began to knead her breast, taking her nipple between two fingers and gently rolling it between them. Heat began to rise between them as Legolas turned her head towards him. He bent down and captured her lips in a deep kiss, never seeming to get enough of her, and being grateful for it.
"I want you." She breathed as their lips broke from their embrace. The book slid from her lap as Legolas quickly lifted her into his arms and sat her atop the balcony. Her hands made quick work to push his tunic from his shoulders while he released her bosom from her gown. The evening sky was beginning to darken, signaling a storm was fast approaching as the two became lost in one another. Legolas securely held Alannah to him as he pushed her gown up and wrapped her legs around him. The rain that began to fall on them went unnoticed as he pushed himself into her, quickly setting a soft yet hungry pace.
The once gentle rain that mirrored their soft lovemaking began to intensify, as did their lovemaking. Alannah dug her nails into Legolas hips, desperate to feel him completely inside of her, harder and deeper. Her starving moans were enough to convince Legolas to lift her from the balcony's edge and carry her inside their room. He held her to him with her legs still tightly wrapped around his waist as he used his other hand to clear off the nearby table. The second he laid her down on the table's cool surface, she pulled him back into her and crushed her lips to his. Legolas was slightly taken back by her ravenous need for him, but his hunger quickly matched hers as he re entered her in one fast motion.
"Please... harder Legolas." Alannah pleaded between thrusts. Legolas looked at her hesitantly as he caught his breath.
"Are you sure it is safe meleth nin." He asked quietly, bringing his hand to her abdomen and stroking it gently. Alannah nodded as she tightened her legs around him. Legolas smiled as he obliged her request, making good on his promise just moments ago.
~
"A letter has arrived your majesty, from Gondor." An elven squire announced. King Thranduil sighed as he leaned forward on his throne, not having had much sleep the night before. He took the scroll himself and noted the white tree of Gondor seal and set it aside, knowing full well that it was intended for Legolas and Alannah.
"Thank you, anything else?" The king asked as the elven squire began to squirm as he stood. "Well?" Thranduil persisted. The elf's cheeks quickly turned an embarrassed hue of pink. He hesitantly stepped closer to the throne as to not draw any attention from the guards.
"Last night some of the elves and the royal guard couldn't help but notice the prince and princess on their balcony during the rainstorm..." The elf paused. "during a rather intimate moment."
The king couldn't help but laugh at the squire's admission before putting on a more serious expression.
"Although the prince and princess are planning to depart to Ithilien, anytime they set foot into my realm they will do as they wish. Simply tell them to mind themselves. Leave me." The king commanded. The squire quickly bowed before parting. Legolas and Alannah walked into the throne room as the squire was walking out, noticing his embarrassment as he passed them.
Thranduil picked up the scroll from Gondor as the couple approached him, his heart heavy as he clutched it to his chest. He was all too certain as to what the contents were as he ran his thumb over the raised seal.
"My son...my daughter." He nodded his head to them as they bowed slightly before him. "From Gondor." Thranduil stated as he handed the letter over to Legolas. He quickly opened it as Alannah peered over to read it. Legolas smiled as he looked over at her.
"Aragorn and Faramir would like us to come to Gondor as soon as we can. From there we will go to Ithilien." Legolas announced excitedly. Alannah smiled as she listened to him, but kept her excitement tamed as she looked at the king. It was obvious he was hiding his true emotions as he smiled and seemingly celebrated with his son. Her heart hurt knowing his hurt but knew that Legolas was right, it was okay for them to part from each other. Alannah didn't notice as she placed her hand on her abdomen, soothing the child that was growing inside her. She quickly became lost in her own thoughts while Legolas and Thranduil spoke to each other as she imagined their new life in a new land, one of many new beginnings for her and praying that their child would always know where home is.
"Alannah?" Legolas asked, jolting her out of her own train of thought. "Do you feel well enough for us to leave tomorrow?"
Alannah felt a few tears well up in her eyes as she nodded her head before quickly excusing herself and walking out of the throne room.