Book II: The Saga of Thranduil

Chapter XVI: Legolas Lasgalen

The day was long and I wanted to rest. I made my way toward our chambers. I knew Êlúriel was waiting for me. She seemed more distant and it worried me greatly. I entered our chambers and she stood by the window looking into the night sky. As I took off my raiment, she glanced at me for a moment then turned her gaze again to the darkness.

I began to think perhaps I must have done something wrong. It had been several weeks since our coronation and her temperament had become sullen and detached from me. She had begun to spend more time with my mother and though they were quite fond of one another, I still wondered.

Whenever I would pass them anywhere, they would turn to whispers. If I inquired, they would politely smile and say as little as possible. I was starting to become rather frustrated with them both.

"What is the matter," I asked as I walked over to her. She just looked at me for a moment intensely. I had looked into those eyes a million times but I always found a new emotion or thought.

"Nothing," she whispered. "I am tired, Thranduil. That is all."

"That is starting to worry me, Êlúriel," I began as I sat on the window seat. "You have been like this for weeks and every time I speak of it you tell me not to worry about anything. How can I not worry?"

She looked at me, her eyes flickering as if she were angry, but I knew she was not.

"Because, Thranduil, there is nothing to worry about. If there were I would have said as much."

"You have not said anything, Êlúriel," I began slowly in an attempt to remain at peace, but as much as I loved her, she could agitate me. "Every time I see you and Mother together, I cannot get anything from either of you! I deserve to know what happens within my own palace! I am the King of this realm, but I am also your husband and I do not think it is too much to ask about your well-being."

"You see me every day," she said sharply. "What more do you want? I should think it obvious that I am walking and talking and standing. My being is fully functioning."

"You know well what I mean, Êlúriel. I want an answer now."

"You know nothing of maidens, Thranduil," she began angrily. "We do not need a reason to feel tired. Why do you feel you must solve everything in this kingdom? Do I need an audience with His Majesty so that he may deal with it properly? I am just tired, Thranduil, nothing more."

I was beginning to get slightly angered, but could not raise my voice to Êlúriel. She was far more pale than I had seen her and she would not eat.

"That is not fair, Êlúriel," I began. "I would never make a spectacle of you. Why can I not worry about you? You know I am worried, yet you do not seem to care that I worry about my wife. That is utter nonsense."

"Stop exaggerating, Thranduil," she said. "I know you care. I just do not know how to tell you what I must."

I rose quickly and took her hands. They were soft as any flower petal but cool. She looked down at my hands and then looked up at me.

"You can tell me anything, Êlúriel. You know that. Just tell me, please."

She released her hands from mine and turned away. I began to have every horrible thought a husband could have about his wife.

"I have been trying to find the best time to tell you, Thranduil," she began. "I wanted to know for certain before I said a word."

"What is certain," I asked.  "Are you ill?"

"No," she answered. "I am with child. You will be a father. Eryn Galen will have an heir."

I think I stopped breathing. I do not know how long I stood motionless—looking at my wife as she looked over her shoulder.