To Live Again: The Road to War {Lord of the Rings Fanfiction}|

8. Curuni

"I just do not understand him!"

"Ellyn...they are not meant to be understood."

"'Tis easy for you to say, you are married and expecting! What have I got?"

I lean back on the set of ladders I am delicately perched on, and eye the deep frown furrowing my beautiful friend's perfect features. What started out as a jovial natter about our currently missing other halves, has turned out really rather sour. I tuck the paint brush behind my ear and sit down on the top step, so I can better pierce Oliel with a questioning gaze. She shrugs her shoulders unhappily and diverts her gaze before letting out an exasperated sigh;

"Never mind me, I am just thinking out loud," Ollie mumbles and helpfully stretches out to me the book I sent her for. "Is this what you wanted?" she queries with a curious look.

"Yes!" I chirp and flick through it until I come to a page I have ear marked for myself. "The two trees," I say aloud in an ominous voice and turn the book around to show Ollie the picture: "Do you think I am doing them justice?" I say as I nod to the wall of the new nursery that has the outline of two trees. She observes the beginnings of my new project and taps her chin in thought, but I can tell her mind is elsewhere.

"Yes, I think it is coming along nicely, but Clara you should not be up ladders painting," she reminds me with a stern look.

"Ugh...Not you too!" I groan and hand her off the book with a roll of my eyes. "Do I look sick to you?"

"No, but-"

"Exactly, I am just pregnant," I reiterate and clamber back up the ladder to continue my artistry. "Now, care to tell me what the grouching was about?"

"The grouching was about Aradan seemingly being disinterested in marrying me!" she mutters bitterly and stalks around the ladder to peer up at me with accusing turquoise eyes. "Just pregnant Clara? You were bitten by that monstrous thing, you and your infant are lucky to be alive!"

"I didn't mean it like that," I sigh and drop my paintbrush again. "Ollie, do you not think that preys on my mind every single hour of everyday? It is all I ever worry about, but I have to be positive, I have to not think like that. I just take it a step at a time, and that's gotten us this far."

"It is still the early days Clara, and you are still very weak," she answers worriedly as she places a comforting hand on my foot. "And gallivanting around the forest was not in the healer's recommendations."

"I was not gallivanting around the forest, I was having a well-deserved break with my husband," I reply haughtily. "Besides, do you really think Thranduil lets me do anything remotely exertive? I picked flowers, I played in a tree house, and rode a wild deer...at a quiet amble, before you start!"

"It isn't a tree house Clara," Ollie giggles and I scowl playfully at her.

"Fine, a house in the trees," I sigh and throw my hand in the air in exasperation. "But what has Aradan done and why are you so... prickly?"

"Prickly? Your words are so funny Clara," she snorts and rolls her eyes, "Aradan has done nothing, and that is the problem. Sometimes, I think I should just give him an ultimatum; marry me or leave, because I shall not wait forever."

"Oh," I say in a tiny voice and clutch the ladder for support, I was not expecting that response. "I didn't realise you had not spoken about this with him. I thought there was a reason you two were waiting?" I muse and bite my lip when I see the frustration in her face. Honestly, I did wonder why they had not joined by now, it is evident for all to see how smitten Aradan is with her. Thranduil himself has made very pointed and suggestive comments regarding how bored he was waiting on their betrothal. But they are so relaxed and laid back about their love, that they never seemed in any rush. Now, I see Ollie was just living in hope, and it would appear that that hope is slowly fading. I suddenly feel quite violent towards Aradan, what does he think he is playing at?