The Ranger And The Prince.

New Life.

I was surprised at just how much I had eaten but I just dismissed it, perhaps it was just one of those days.

That evening, after we had retired back to our room, I sat in my rockpool bath while Legolas finished up some paperwork he had been putting off, writing out scrolls of admition of the royal guard.

I was neck deep in the cool water, the rippling from the waterfall engulfing my white hair.

It was then I felt another jolt in my stomach, this time, a short, sharp pain in my abdomen. I helped in surprise as I sat up, sending the water flying everywhere as I grabbed my belly.

"Sapphire?" I heard Legolas call from the next room, "Are you alright?"

"Just, another weird pain in my stomach," I replied, confused and a little disoriented by the sudden sharp feeling which had disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared.

The door opened tensively and Legolas peeked his head in and he looked at me full of concern.

"What's wrong? Is there something you're not telling me?" He asked as he stepped in shyly.

"And why would I do that?" I scoffed as I stood up on my feet again, Legolas avoiding his gaze - he could be so childish sometimes, "Oh relax, it's nothing you haven't seen before."

"It's just not normal for you - or any elf for that matter - to have random pains," he mused as he handed me a robe to drape over myself, "Perhaps you should see the royal healers?"

"Oh please," I scoffed, wrapping the robe around me, "It's nothing."

"Look, blame it on your questionable eating habits all you want, but promise me you will go to the royal healers tomorrow? Please, just do it for me and if there isn't anything wrong with you then I'll just have to duck for the punch you will no doubt swing at me."

***

The next morning I begrudgingly made my way through Mirkwood to the royal healers. If I knew Legolas, which I did, he would likely nag me to death until I agreed to go so I decided it was best to save myself hours of arguing by just going as I was told.

I had assumed I had just eaten too much, understandable considering it was me and I do eat and drink more than the average elf. I sat myself down opposite the healer, content that later that day I would be able to punch Legolas when I knew for certain there was nothing wrong with me.

"What now, Princess?" The healer, Madeline her name was, chuckled as she raised an eyebrow at me, "Another injury? What was it last time- oh yes, you 'accidentally' cut your arm whilst attempting to throw your daggers whilst you were drunk."

"Oh yeah," I chuckled, remembering the day I decided to challenge both Thranduil and Legolas to a drinking contest.

Suffice to say, never challenge Thranduil and his son to a drinking contest unless you have the best tolerance in all of Middle-Earth.

"Well I don't see any noticeable bruises or cuts," Madeline mused as her eyes scanned over me.

"I'm not here for an injury I scored whilst out with the royal guard or my rather questionable drunk, knife throwing skills. I'm here for something else." I chuckled.

"What's wrong?" She asked, confused and intreaged.

"Well, this is going to sound ridiculous," I scoffed, "But I felt a few pains in my stomach yesterday and Legolas insisted I bother you about it."

Instead of laughing along with me like I was expecting her to do, she just stood there, more intreaged. She stood up and walked along the walls of the room which were lined with shelves of herbs, ointments and scrolls. She picked one of the scrolls out from the shelf and began to skim through it.