Last Act of Love (Sequel to The Last One)

Chapter 29

3 months had passed since the night Legolas and Ruive were wed. Not long after that did Aragorn and Arwen have their own marriage. Legolas and Ruive returned to Mirkwood, once more know as Greenwood, with Thranduil who had chosen to stay on Middle-Earth for a little longer. While Thranduil still ruled as King, Legolas and Ruive were the crowned Prince and Princess and had just as much dealings with the running of the realm as Thranduil did. Since the Fourth Age began, the feud between Elves and Dwarves had resolved, the trade between Dale, Erebor, and the Greenwood thriving. Everything was perfect, and as it should be.

Rays of golden sunlight poured through the windows and spread over the bed in which Ruive and Legolas slept. Ruive squinted in the early morning light, groaned quietly and dropping her head back on Legolas' bare chest. A deep chuckle rumbled through Legolas' chest and he ran his finger tips up and down her back, feeling the soft material of the loose fitting tunic she'd worn to bed the night before against his skin.

"My love, we need to get up." Legolas whispered, nuzzling his nose against her hair.

A disgruntled groan was the only response he got from the woman lying across his torso. Legolas laughed once again as Ruive pushed her face into the crook of his neck.

"I'm sure the Kingdom will not fall apart if we are not there for an hour or two." Ruive mumbled into Legolas' neck, her breath tickling his neck.

"Yes, but we have a great deal to do today-" Legolas was cut off by Ruive lightly pressing her lips to his neck.

"Ruive." He warned, as much as he would love to indulge her, he knew he couldn't today.

"Hmmmm, alright I'll get up." Ruive drawled rolling off Legolas and sitting upright.

She stretched her arms above her head, exhaling at the satisfying crack of her shoulders. With a heavy sigh she pushed off the bed and wandered to the adjoining wash room. She shuffled to the large bowl and cupped the water in her hands and splashed it on her face. The crisp, cool water brightened her tired senses as she dried her face off. Suddenly, her stomach lurched and twisted. Ruive ran to the bucket and threw up the contents of her stomach. Hearing her, Legolas ran into the room and crouched by Ruive, holding her hair back and rubbing her back soothingly.

"Ruive? Love are you alright?"

Ruive groaned in response, holding her unsettled stomach.

"Something does not agree with me, of that I am sure."

Legolas chanced a smile as Ruive leaned back and wiped her mouth. His disappeared for a moment and returned with a small cup of water. Ruive took it gratefully and took a sip, swishing the liquid in her mouth before spitting the last of the taste of bile into the bucket. 

"Do you know what could have caused this?"

Ruive shook her head, taking a few heavy breaths. Legolas gave a sad smile and stroked her forehead.

"Well it looks like your prayers have been answered."

Ruive looked at Legolas with a confused expression.

"You get to stay in bed for the day."

Ruive laughed half-heartedly at her husband, always the positive one.

"Come on. I'll send for the healer." Legolas said as he lifted Ruive off the floor, an arm around her shoulders and the other under her knees.

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Legolas had left to tend to his duties with Thranduil not long after the Healer arrived. She was a very mature, petite woman with a motherly aura about her. After asking Ruive a few routine questions about her sudden sickness, she had a contemplative look on her face.