Chapter Text
Thranduil had led them to his bedroom which had initially surprised Bilbo but then he realised it would be the only room in the palace that Thranduil could be alone without guards around. Bilbo could hear Dwalin grumbling irritably as Legolas closed the door behind them. Bilbo knew Dwalin still wasn't happy about leaving him alone and while he understood he just hoped Dwalin wouldn't take it too far and insult Thranduil again.
Bilbo looked around Thranduil's room in wonder, it was somehow regal and forest-like at the same time. Bilbo had always loved nature and forest and he already felt home in Mirkwood. As much as he loved Erebor he sometimes missed how free he felt in the forest.
"Father I'm excited to have a new brother but how is this possible?" Legolas asked. Legolas was thrilled to have a new family member, but he knew he was missing some important information. Apart from his pointy ears Bilbo didn't look like an elf how was it possible for him to be half elf?
"I understand this must be very confusing for you, I'll explain everything", Thranduil said.
Thranduil told Legolas the story of meeting Bilbo's mother years after Legolas' mother had died. It had started as friendship as Thranduil didn't think he could love again after losing his wife, but over time they had fallen in love but had to keep it a secret as Thranduil feared his people wouldn't accept Belladona.
"We kept it a secret for years but then Belladona became pregnant, and we couldn't keep the secret anymore", Thranduil closed his eyes in pain as he remembered Belladona having to leave.
"What happened to her?" Legolas asked gently, aware this would be painful for his father and Bilbo.
"Belladona had to leave, our people wouldn't accept her. I wanted to marry her but one night we were attacked and she was almost killed, it wasn't safe for her to stay in Mirkwood anymore", Thranduil looked at Bilbo sorrowfully.
Thranduil hated that he couldn't keep Belladona safe, he had tried everything to protect her but the attacks kept happening. One night Thranduil had almost been slain but Belladona had come in the bedroom just in time to save him. Belladona couldn't stand the guilt of putting Thranduil in danger and had felt she had to leave.
56 years ago......
Thranduil felt his heart ache for Belladona as she paced in anguish, guards had come in to restrain the elf that had tried to kill him. She glared furiously at the elf who the guards had found out was called Aldon.
"How could you try to murder your own king?" Belladon said furiously.
Aldon just smiled unfazed by her anger, "He is no king of mine, he has whored himself to a halfling!"
Thranduil flinched at the insult which made Aldon turn his gaze to him and smile creepily at him, Belladona stood protectively in front of Thranduil. Thranduil hands clenched into fists as much as he hated the way Aldon was looking at him he would not allow anyone to insult his beautiful hobbit. Thranduil knew how insulting it was to be called halfling and he tried to focus on the anger he felt instead of the fear.
"Belladona is a hobbit don't call her halfling", Thranduil said, he felt warmth in his heart when Belladona smiled gratefully at him.
"I will tell everyone about you and the halfling when I escape, as a precaution I also have sent a letter to my friend instructing him to tell everyone your secret. Whether I escape or not your secret is in danger", Aldon said with a sinister smile, "I promise to keep your relationship a secret if you marry me and make me the king of Mirkwood, I will send a letter to my friend to tell him to keep the secret if you agree".
Thranduil didn't want to accept Aldon's deal but he could tell Aldon wasn't lying and he couldn't risk Belladona's safety. If everyone knew about their relationship it would be too dangerous for Belladona.
"Thranduil I know what you are thinking, please don't give yourself up to him", Belladona said gently as she cupped his face.
"It's the only way to keep you safe, I would endure anything for you".
Belladona smiled sadly, "I know and that is why I have to leave".
Thranduil felt his heart stop, "No please don't leave-"
"I have to Meleth Nin, it breaks my heart to leave you but I can't let you sacrifice yourself for me", Belladona whispered.
Thranduil closed his eyes in pain, he knew she was right but he couldn't bear to lose someone he loved again so soon. The guards took Aldon to the cells and Thranduil tried to ignore Aldon staring at him with lust in his eyes as he was taken away.
Belladona had left that same night, Thranduil had woken up to see her already gone. He had thought she would wait to say goodbye to him and he felt tears fall down his face as he realised she had left in the night without waking him to spare him more pain.
Thranduil noticed there was a beautiful silver jewellery box on his bedside table with a note from Belladona. Thranduil opened the box and inside there was an ornate silver half of a heart, Thranduil held the heart in his hand and tried to fight the tears threatening to escape. Thranduil turned to the note which read.
"Meleth Nin, I will forever be sorry for leaving without waking you but I couldn't bear to hurt you more. I also feared I would not be able to make myself leave if I saw your beautiful eyes looking at me with your love. I know you will want to follow me but please don't, I don't want you to sacrifice your happiness for me. Wear this necklace and think of me, know that I will love you always".
Thranduil allowed the tears to fall as he put the necklace on.
Now....
Bilbo felt pain in his heart hearing what Thranduil went through. It was always hard listening to stories about his mother but he knew it was important for Thranduil to tell them this. Bilbo had known his mother fled Mirkwood but she had never told him this.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that Thranduil", Bilbo said gently.
"I thought I would never love again after losing your mother, which is why I couldn't let another moment pass without telling you I'm your father", Thranduil said.
"So that's how Bilbo is your son too", Legolas said, he was still reeling from all this new information.
Legolas felt sorrow for his father's heartbreak but if he had never met Belladona he wouldn't have Bilbo in his life now. He wanted to make up for lost time, he wanted to get to know Bilbo while he still had the chance. Hobbits didn't live as long as elves though Legolas wondered whether Bilbo would be immortal as he was half elf. That was a question he would save for later he didn't want to overwhelm Bilbo and his father.
"Yes, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner", Thranduil said.
"There's no need to apologise, I understand it was hard for you to talk about. What happened to Aldon?" Legolas asked worriedly. He was concerned the elf could still be out there wanting his father.
Thranduil looked away not wanting Legolas to see his fear, "Aldon escaped, we don't know where he is now. He told everyone about our relationship just as he threatened to do, but thankfully Belladona had left before everyone knew".
Bilbo shared a concerned look with Legolas, he had come to the same conclusion he had. Aldon could come back to hurt Thranduil. Bilbo understood the fear Thranduil went through because of Aldon, he felt the same every time he had to face the prince of Laketown who was still after him. Edward had even tried to go after Legolas. Bilbo wouldn't let anyone hurt his new family.
"I'm concerned for your and Bilbo's safety father, Aldon is still out there and I saw some of the way our people looked at Bilbo when he came in the palace. Not everyone was welcoming", Legolas said worriedly.
Thranduil nodded gravely, "I'm also concerned about that, I'll make sure Bilbo is well guarded. We had to pause searching for Aldon during the Battle of Five Armies but we will resume the search".
Thranduil startled when there was a knock on the door, he opened the door and smiled happily when he saw that Bard was there. Thranduil wanted to tell his sons about his relationship with Bard but he wasn't sure when the right time would be. He noticed the dwarves looked annoyed that he allowed Bard to enter his room and not them but he had more trust in Bard.
Bard nodded his head in greeting to Bilbo and Legolas, "I'm sorry to interrupt this meeting, but I had word from Kili that Thorin has escaped Erebor and is on his way here. He wants to take you back Bilbo".