I stood on the balcony that was joined with the hallway. The stars filled the sky and the moon was almost full. The morning sickness had stopped a few weeks ago. And I still hadn’t told Aragorn about my pregnancy. I’d told Arwen one day when Aragorn had gone to visit Eomer in Rohan. She’d only nodded and assured me that she still harbored no ill feelings toward me

        “No, Legolas,” Arwen breathed. “I am not angry with you. If anything it is my fault. We should have raced the same way to the citadel.”

        “No, my lady. I should not have stayed in your room. I should have gone to my own chambers or stopped Aragorn. I have only myself to blame.”

        “Legolas!” Arwen scolded. “Stop pinning everything on yourself.”

        “But-“

        “No. Just go tell him. He’ll understand, and he’ll side with me. In fact, he’ll probably blame himself.”

        “But, Arwen, I’m –“ I faltered.

        “What?”

        “I’m afraid to tell him,” I finished, just above a whisper.

        Arwen took me in her arms and I embraced her as well.

        “Do not worry yourself, Legolas. He will understand. I know he will.”

        Now Aragorn was back and Arwen had been bugging me for the past week about telling him. I stood on the balcony and looked to the stars for comfort. I suddenly heard footsteps in the corridor. Aragorn came up next to me and put a hand on my shoulder.

        “What troubles you Legolas? Are you feeling alright?” Aragorn asked.

        “I feel fine Aragorn,” I answered simply, hoping he would drop the subject.

        “Then what is going on in your mind? You seem upset.”

        I sighed, “Well, I – I was just thinking about what happened a few months ago. Between us. After the celebration.”

        I looked up at Aragorn. He’d turned beet red. He swallowed and answered, “What about it?”

        “Do you regret it?” Wrong thing to say.

        “Pardon?”

        “I – I mean, if it had been a woman. If she’d – I dunno – gotten pregnant, what would you do? Could you love the child, or her?”

        Aragorn was silent for a while. His hand fell to his side. He looked up at the stars. After what seemed like an eternity, he turned back to me.

        “I don’t know, Legolas. That’s different, though, than what happened. I can’t say.”

        “Just try.”

        He sighed, “I don’t think I could. I wouldn’t love the woman, and I don’t think I could give the child anything but sympathy. Why are you – Legolas! Legolas come back!”

        I ran from the balcony. It hurt to hear that. I couldn’t tell him now. I sprinted to my room, slamming and locking the door once I was inside. I collapsed in the middle of the floor, sobbing. I heard Aragorn’s footfalls approach and silenced my crying.

        “Legolas! Legolas? Please open the door! Legolas, what’s wrong? Come out and talk to me!”

        I couldn’t move. I felt numb. I heard him walk away. Soon, though, footsteps returned to the hallway. They were lighter. Arwen. There was a soft knock at my door. I didn’t move.

        “Legolas?” Arwen called. “Legolas please let me in.”

        I stayed put. Arwen tried a few more times, and then walked away. I laid there for a while and finally stood and walked to my wardrobe. I packed a bag and snuck out of my room. I made my way to the kitchens and grabbed some food. I snuck out to the stables and saddled my horse, Arod. I mounted my horse and galloped off down the city levels. I rushed out of the gates that were opened for me as Arod and I flew down the street. I drove Arod across the Pelennor fields. I rode for miles until the sun began to rise. I stopped Arod and we rested in a cave. I poured some water for one of my five water skins into an indentation in the stone floor. Arod drank, and I drank some water from the skin. I rolled out my bedroll and laid down for a few hours.

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