~The story of Elora and Legolas~

Chapter 7:~Legolas~

(One year later, Third age, year 87)

Shalendra was pregnant again with their second child and she would give birth any day now. But her thoughts was still with her lost daughter who would've turned 10 years old one day ago (1 years old in human years)
There was still no sign of the kidnapper or their daughter. And she realised that her daughter would never be found again. Her daughter was either dead or hidden somewhere no one else could find.

Thranduil sighed as he saw his wife sitting at the lake, looking at the horizon.
And he went over to her, "Shalendra, what are you doing out here. You're getting cold, it's not good for our baby,"
And he sighed as he saw that his wife was crying. And he pulled her into his arms,
"I know. I miss her too. But the people need us. They need to know their King and Queen can move on,"
And Shalendra sighed, "I will never stop believing she will one day come back to find us,"
And Thranduil sighed, "For you, Shalendra. I will create a tradition. That every year on our daughter's birthday, we will have a light festival to honour her,"
And Shalendra smiled, when she suddenly felt a pain in her stomach,
"Oh, Valar,"
"What is it?,"Thranduil asked worriedly.
And Shalendra looked up at him, "The child is coming,"
And Thranduil swallowed.

(A while later)

Shalendra was in labour for the second time in her immortal life. Everyone hoped that Mirkwood would finally have a son for an heir.

Suddenly, Shalendra could hear the sounds of baby cries. And she breathed out.
"Queen Shalendra, you have a son,"The elf healer explained.
And Shalendra smiled weakly.

The maid wife cleaned the baby and wrapped it in a blanket and placed him in Shalendra's arms,
"My child, my little greenleaf,"
And the elf healer left the room together with the maids.
And Thranduil suddenly stood in the doorway.

Shalendra smiled at her husband, "Thranduil, come in and see him. He's a ellon,"
And Thranduil went over to the bed and sat down on the edge of the bed,
"What's his name?,"
Shalendra smiled, "Legolas. The name means Greenleaf,"
Thranduil smiled, "It's perfect for him. Our little leaf,"
Shalendra smiled, "He has your blonde hair and blue eyes. Legolas Thranduilion. Legolas Greenleaf,"
And Thranduil smiled.

(Later that night)

"Legolas Greenleaf! Crown Prince of The Wooded Realm! Heir to Mirkwood's throne!," Thranduil announced.
And the people cheered.

And Gandalf went out of the hall, fallowing the evil presence he felt out into the garden.

"Hello, Gandalf,"Cirdan's voice interrupted.
And Gandalf turned to him, "You will not take their second child too! It will destroy The Queen!,"
Cirdan smiled wickedly, "Of course not, old friend. Their son is no value to me. But their daughter was,"
Gandalf shook his head, "One day! Elora will be your undoing and your whole family's line," And Cirdan turned to him and smiled wickedly, "She will never find out who her parents are. And with her help, I will destroy The Elves. You'll see,"
And he turned to leave.
"Do not think I don't know why you're doing this!,"Gandalf interrupted, "You did not only take Elora because of revenge. You took her because you wanted Thranduil to know what it feels like to lose the one he loves the most. You live behind your father's shadow unable to love. But one day, you will see that Elora's powers given to her by the moon and sun will be your undoing. Your father will be the one who turns Thranduil cold, not you,"
And Cirdan turned to him, "Do not speak of my father! Goodbye, Gandalf!," And he disappeared in a dark cloud of smoke. And Gandalf sighed and looked up at the moon,
"Please, help your last child. She will need all power she can get to survive Cirdan's hold he's planning to have over her,"

(Cirdan underground castle)

Cristiana held the one year old Elora in her arms. Elora was wide awake, playing with her mother's dress when Cirdan came storming into the hall, "Cirdan? Where have you been?,"Cristiana asked. And Elora let out some cries, "Nana... Ada!,"She cried. "Hey, shh, it's okay. Ada is home now,"Cristiana said calmly. "Cirdan, where have you been?," Cristiana asked again.

Cirdan turned to his wife, "I've been visiting an old friend. The grey wizard," And Cristiana snorted at him, "I doubt he's your friend. He's a friend of the elves who banished you here," And Cirdan turned to his wife, "Of course he's not my friend. I just said so. Well, anyway, The elven King and his Queen Shalendra has had another child. A son. They named him Legolas! It means Greenleaf in elvish. From now, you are not allowed to visit your elf friend anymore without me by your side. So that means you'll never get to see her again unless you're alone, of course," And Cristiana looked at him suspiciously, "There must be a reason why you don't want me to see her with Elora anymore. And I think I know why. The King and Queen are Elora's real parents, aren't they?," And Cirdan turned to her, "Yes! They are! Thranduil was one of the elves who imprisoned me here and made my father disappear! Elora was my revenge on him and the elves," And Cristiana held Elora tighter, "But Elora had nothing to do with this. You took her from her parents because you wanted revenge on the elves. Couldn't you have done it in another way?," And Cirdan turned to her, "I needed to break him as much as I could. What better way than causing his wife the worst pain an elf can ever have. The pain of losing a child," And Cristiana swallowed and gave Elora a kiss on the side of the head, "Please, at least try to be as kind as you can to her while she grows up," And Cirdan smiled, "Of course. Tonight, my brother is coming to dinner. He is looking forward meeting our little girl," And he left the room.

Cristiana sighed and turned to Elora in her arms, "It's okey. Mother's here,"

(Later that night)

Emersion smiled at Elora, "She's growing up to a beautiful young elleth," And he lifted the little elleth into his arms, "You know, you're really good mother," And Cristiana smiled, "I hope I can be a good mother in the future too," "I'm sure you will,"Emersion said and handed her Elora. Cristiana smiled, "I should go and get her to bed," And she left the room.

Cirdan sat in his office when Cristiana entered, "My Lord, shouldn't you be getting to bed too?," And Cirdan looked up at his wife, "Go to our room. I'll be right there," And Cristiana sighed and left the office.

Cirdan looked at the dark sky, "Oh, father, I hope you get rid of Thranduil's wife soon,"