The King's Hope

Chapter 2

Rhovanel

"Elrond, it is getting worse," I gasp as I clutch at my bump. It has been two months since Thranduil was taken, and I am starting to get anxiety attacks about his fate. These attacks are not good for the baby and I constantly bear immense headaches and other bodily pains.

"Just try to breathe. Stay calm," he whispers, massaging my abdomen. The baby has been kicking furiously since the attack started today. I can feel how shallow my breathing is, and I try to slow it down. Elrond nods and mutters words of encouragement.

Eventually, the anxiety attack stops, and I pass out.

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"Rhovanel, please. You must wake up," Elrond whispers.

"What?" I ask groggily. I don't remember coming here, to this plain room. I glance out the window and hear kites chirping. How long have I been out?!"

"Long enough to worry an old scholar," he says with a faint smile. "I am glad to see your eyes again. Are you hungry?"

I nod and start to stand. Elrond leads me into the kitchen and starts cutting a loaf of bread.

"Has Annoneth returned?"

"I'm afraid she has not. I do not fear that anything has happened to delay her return but the discovery of Thranduil. Though I fear that whoever took him has a terrible plan in the works," Elrond whispers.

I nibble the butter-coated bread, thinking about Thranduil and the torments he must be suffering. I almost wish he was dead. That would be kinder than torture.

"Fear not. I have never known Thranduil to give up. If there is a way, he will come back to you." I nod and continue eating. Then I feel a dull pain in my abdomen.

"Elrond, I think the baby is kicking," I gasp. He steps around the table and rests his hand over the bump. Two more. Elrond grins.

"That is the most precious part. Have you thought about a name at all yet?"

"I am hardly fathoming the reality of a child. I wish Thranduil was here to help."

"He will return to you, I'm sure of it. I have not seen him so in love."

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That night, I have the most terrible nightmare.

Thranduil gently takes the baby from my arms. He bounces slightly, calming our crying son. Thranduil smiles, and I can see the toothless grin of our son reflected in my husband's bright eyes. I feel the warmth of tears on my cheeks as Thranduil hands him back to me.

There are birds singing in the distance and Legolas runs into the room and climbs onto the bed beside me.

"Welcome your new brother, Legolas," Thranduil beams, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. Legolas smiles and reaches his hand out to touch him.

A black fetched arrow buries itself in his chest just as his fingers brush the top of the baby's head. Legolas coughs up one spurt of blood and falls to the floor. Thranduil draws his sword, screaming war calls and curses toward his son's murderer. Then another arrow flies through the open window and into the wall, cracking it into a sunburst pattern. Thranduil is momentary distracted and several orcs spill into the room.

I clutch our son to my chest and try to see Thranduil through the chaos. These orcs are huge, almost a time and a half my size. They all bear ghastly blades gleaming with black poison and dried blood. Their armor is splattered with black specs of mud and blood. A few surround my bed and point bows at me, but do not shoot. I clutch the screaming baby to me, shielding him as much as possible from the horror.

Then the orcs clear, revealing a kneeling Thranduil. Rogan is holding a blade to his back as he laughs.

"Look she-elf! Look at the misery you have brought to this world! Because of you, one child is already dead, his brother soon to join him, and their father to become a monster before his people's eyes," Rogan roars and he thrusts the blade through Thranduil's spine, severing it.

"No!" I scream as Thranduil's eyes widen in shock. He looks down at the blade poking through his chest, tries to say something, then falls to the floor next to Legolas, their blood mixing.

My son is screaming against my shirt as the orcs laugh. Then one rips him from my arms. I try to take him back, but Rogan shoots an arrow through my hand, pinning it to the post behind me. Hot tears stream down my face as I watch them leave with my son.

Then the last orc stops at the foot of my bed and takes off his helmet. Platinum blond hair tumbles out and the pale blue eyes of Thranduil stare back at me. Then he draws a bow and lets the arrow fly...

"Rhovanel! Wake up!"