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You flinched every time Legolas' sword collided with someone else. Thranduil twined his fingers in between yours, giving your palm a reassuring squeeze. Legolas had started his weapons training two months ago, and you were still having a hard time seeing him fighting, even if it was with wooden swords and with an experienced teacher who had done this for countless years. "You do not need to worry about him so much, he is safe with them. The weapons are made of wood."
"I cannot help worrying, he is my only child."
"He doesn't have to be." You stiffened and slowly turned around to meet your husband's eyes.
"Are- Are you thinking about having another one?" Your eyes were lit up with hope as they met his.
Thranduil smiled softly, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. You had been trying to persuade your husband into having another baby for so long.
"I have been thinking about it, yes. I realized that I was against the idea because I was afraid, but I realized I was afraid for no good reason." You stared at him for a long while without saying anything before you lunged at him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. Your lips found his, and you kissed him deeply. As you pulled away, Thranduil was alarmed to see the tears brimming in your eyes.
"What is it, did I hurt you?" His voice was frantic as he checked you over, eyes darting over your body in a frantic rhythm.
"No, no. I... I'm just happy." You muttered, leaning in to press another kiss to his lips, this one short and sweet.
A few months later, you closed the door of the healer's ward behind you, a bright smile on your lips. Pregnant. You were pregnant. After months of trying, it had finally happened. You were going to have another little elfling running around the kingdom. Your hand landed on your belly where you knew the beginnings of your another child rested, safe and sound from the horrors of the world.
You were beyond thrilled and set towards the throne hall immediately. You blew into the throne hall, showing the doors open with such enthusiasm that they almost hit the walls.
"Thranduil, I have the most wonderful news!" You cried out with joy, hurrying towards his throne and dismissing the guards with a flick of your hand.
"We are going to have a baby!" You jumped at his neck the moment you reached him, and he wrapped his arms around you, spinning you in a circle. When he placed you back on your feet, your heart warmed when you saw his expression. It was filled with so much happiness that it was almost suffocating, and he leaned closer to give you a deep kiss on your lips.
When you pulled away for breath after the dizzying kiss, neither of you spoke for a moment. You just stood there, immersed at the moment. No words were needed, the both of you knew what the other was feeling.
"How are we going to tell Legolas that he is going to be a big brother?" You asked, and Thranduil let out a laugh but didn't get the chance to speak as the ellon in question darted out of the shadowy alcoves, sliding to a stop in front of you.
"I'm going to be a big brother?" His voice was breathless with joy, his eyes shining. You scooped him up and ticked his sides while exchanging looks with Thranduil over his head.
"You are! You are going to be the best big brother there has ever been!" Legolas giggled and squirmed to get away from your hold.
- - -
You laid on your back on your bed, propped up with dozens of pillows as Legolas was sitting next to you, a focused look on his face.
"When will they get here?" Legolas was resting his hand atop your swollen belly, the little elf inside kicking under his touch.
"A few more months." You answered patiently as he moved his hand into a different spot so he could feel the kicks better.
"I can't wait to play with them." Legolas was smiling brightly and you ran your hand over his hair.
"I know, but in the beginning, they will be too little to play with you, you remember that?"
"Yes! They will be very small and sleep most of the day, ada told me. I have to be careful and quiet."
"Exactly." You pressed a kiss to his forehead, smiling as he leaned closer to your belly.
"Can I read them a book?" He asked, and as you nodded, he hurried to the bookshelf to pick out one. You had no doubt in your mind on what he was about to choose, and you were right, it was 'The elf and the dragon'. You could probably remember it without the book by now, you had read it to him so many times. You smiled as Legolas opened the book and leaned closer to your belly.
"In a small town in the west, there lived and elf. He was no royalty, but an ordinary blacksmith with plenty of duties to fill his days..."
- - -
"You did this to me!" You screeched, squeezing Thranduil's hand tightly as you waited for the healers to arrive. He flinched at the pressure around his hand but wisely chose not to say anything, he just continued to pet your hair and whisper encouraging words into your ear.
"You are doing so well, I am so proud of you, soon we'll be able to hold our little-"
"Shut up, your voice is very annoying." You growled, tightening your hold around his hand as another contraction hit you with full force. The look you were throwing in his direction would have been enough to make him shut up, even on its own.
"Over two hundred years! Two hundred years I have been pregnant, first with Legolas and now again!* We are not having any more children, you hear mE!" Your words turned into a screech as the pain crested again, your hands squeezing Thranduil's tightly again. He stayed still and quiet, waiting for the contraction to end before he moved some of your hair out of your face, choosing not to say anything as not to anger you any more.
"Naneth?" A small voice sounded from the doorway, and you heaved your head higher to meet Legolas' eyes. Before you could acknowledge him anymore, another contraction hit, causing you to release a scream, your nails digging into the back of Thranduil's hand.
"W-Why is she screaming?" Tears were brimming in his eyes as he rushed to his father, clinging tightly to his leg.
"Your brother or sister is coming." Thranduil tried to explain, keeping his voice calm, trying to hide the wince of pain when your nails dug into the back of his hand again.
"But why are they hurting naneth?" Legolas sniffed, peering towards the bed where you laid, your jaw clenched to keep your noises down. You didn't want to scare him any more than you already had.
"When babies arrive, it hurts." You explained, your voice airy and out of breath after the contraction had just passed.
The healer entered the room and with practiced eyes, she took in the situation. Your hand squeezing the life out of Thranduil's, Legolas' eyes brimming with worried tears, and the stoic expression Thranduil wore to hide his own worry.
"Unfortunately it is now time for you to leave the room." Thranduil opened his mouth to protest, but when he saw the sharp look in your eyes and the jerk of your head that you gave in Legolas' direction, he knew it was best for his health not to argue. He stood up, his hand still in yours and he tried to pull Legolas up with him, but the small elf refused to budge.
"Why do we need to leave?" Legolas asked, leaning closer to you, crossing his arms.
"It is the rules, sweetne-" Your voice was cut off with a groan as another contraction hit you, your nails digging into the palm of Thranduil's hand.
"It's rules and tradition," Thranduil repeated, trying to coax the elfling off of your bed.
"That's stupid! I want to stay with naneth! I won't leave and there is nothing you can do to make me!" Legolas pounded his tiny fist on the mattress, his brows drawn into a tight frown. Thranduil released a deep sigh and presses a kiss to your forehead.
"I will see you soon, my love." His hand slipped from your hold, and you started to immediately miss the support of having him next to you. He picked Legolas up and carried him out of the room, ignoring the way he was wailing and struggling to get back to you. They left the room just as yet another contraction crested and the midwife entered the room with a bowl filled with warm water and herbs.
- - -
When Thranduil and Legolas were finally allowed back into the room, the former was a nervous mess and the latter was so wound up about waiting that it seemed like he would explode any minute. When the healer told them that they would now go and see you, Legolas jumped to his feet before she could finish her sentence. He was tugging at Thranduil's coat before he could fully comprehend the healer's words.
"Ada, I want to see naneth and the baby, get up!" He stood up stiffly, his mind now hauntingly empty after it had been filled with horror images as he was waiting. Legolas darted to the door and was almost vibrating with anticipation as Thranduil kneeled next to him.
"You have to be very gentle with naneth, you remember that? She'll be tired and sore from the birth?" Legolas nodded furiously, once again tugging his father's coat.
"I remember! Let's go in!" Thranduil let out a breathy laugh but opened the door, and Legolas slipped at the moment he was able to fit. Thranduil followed more slowly, closing the door gently behind him before he turned to look at you in the bed. Legolas was already perched at the edge of it, his neck craned long as he tried to get a good glimpse of his little sibling.
Your forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat, your hair sticking to it, but to Thranduil, you had never looked more beautiful.
"Thranduil, come and meet your second son." Legolas was beaming, he had wished for a brother so they could go hunting for orcs together like Elladan and Elrohir would in the stories they told. You had reminded him that he could do the same with a sister, but he had dismissed you that it would not be the same. The little ellon was tightly wrapped in blankets, sleeping peacefully, their tiny fist wrapped tightly around the edge of the blanket. Thranduil leaned closer and placed a kiss on your forehead before taking a closer look at his second son.