Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess

Author's Note:

I usually include the elfish dialogue in elfish. However, it will be limited in this fanfiction. Just keep in mind whenever Elves talk they will be speaking Sindarin. I will keep you updated. But if I forget to add it, I am including this information here.

I was taken aback that the story reached many readers. I was surprised! Thank you for clicking and reading this Fanfiction!

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

Happy 20th Anniversary to "Lord of the Rings"!

~V: The Friends of the past ~

Imladris, 3018 TA, October 2

Elrond crossed paths with Legolas as he was leaving Xena's bed-chamber. Legolas intended to visit Lord Elrond in his study chamber and have a long talk about the coming and goings of Mirkwood. Both males walked through the corridors until they reached Elrond study's chamber. While talking to Legolas Elrond received news that troubled him. The new information that Legolas brought were given to the Lord of Rivendell at the right time. Because even Elrond could not foretell how powerful the enemy had become. His decision to hold a council at the end of October was the right one.

Their discussion reached the end after a guard notified Lord of Rivendell that more guests arrived. As Legolas told him, the party of dwarves had reached Rivendell. Elrond requested to speak and welcome them. The guard left and went to guide the dwarves back to Elrond study's chamber. Legolas bowed, politely taking his leave. The last thing he needed was to cross paths with the dwarves. He excused himself and opened the door, stepping out.

Legolas wished to meet with Aragon, but as Elrond informed him, Strider, haven't shown up around Rivendell for a long time. He mentions though that both of his sons have returned. The wooden Elf was on his way to meet with his trusted friends, who he would find in the training grounds. Legolas did not delay, he return to his bed chamber and grabbed his weapons and then strode towards the training area to meet with the twins.

A moment later after Legolas had left, one of the guards guided a group of dwarfs in Elrond's study chamber. The master of the house was an elf-friend, one of those who once welcomed the dwarves into his house and aided them years ago when Gloin followed Thorin and Bilbo on their quest to the Lonely Mountain. Elrond had been well-aware of the affairs of dwarves and Elves.

"We were awaiting your arrival Master Gloin!" he said, taking a seat behind his desk and gesturing them to take a seat.

Gloin gazed at the Lord of Rivendell and smiled. "Mirkwood already briefed you in Master Elrond," he recalled the aid that was offered to them in the old forest road. "But then again, they have aided us through our journey." he acknowledged.

"You are far away from Erebor?" Elrond quizzed.

"Orcs, Goblins, and every dark creature are slowly increasing around the Lonely Mountain, Dale, and beyond. But I am sure Mirkwood already informed you, Master Elrond." Gloin said, winning everyone's attention entirely, "Evil messengers had reached the Lonely Mountain promised the return of one or more of the Seven rings if we would reveal the location of Bilbo Baggins. I can't foretell the future Master Elrond, yet I am sure something dark is at work." Gloin concluded and rested his hands against his lap.

Elrond spoke after a few long minutes as one more source verified what he had feared. "I know about Mirkwood, and I have noticed the darkness that floats heavily around," he answered, gazing at Gloin. "I would recommend for the time being your company and you remain in Rivendell. Your services might be needed."

Gloin stood up and gave a slight bow towards Elrond. "It was in our plans to stay a bit longer in Rivendell," he informed him.

Afterwards, Gloin's group bowed and left the chamber. They were led deeper into Elrond's house. Each was offered a bed chamber. Towels, soap, and clean ropes were given to them. They were told where the bathtubs and the warm springs of Rivendell were. Later on, plates with vegetables and fruits were served.

The twin sons of Elrond had already reached the training fields, waiting for Legolas to join them at the training range. There the trusted friends would always find some peace and quiet from all the buzzing Elves. Elladan and Elrohir gazed at each other. In their eyes stood the same disbelieve. They fell into silence as they noticed Legolas walk towards them. Both of his blades were secured against his back, and he was holding his bow. His lips cracked a smile, and he seemed happy.

"We thought Father never informed you of our arrival?" Elladan quizzed with a teasing tone speaking in Sindarin (Elvish).

"Only my idiotic brother would reach such an assumption!" Elrohir mocked his twin openly. "Can't you see brother, the youngster was hiding, afraid of his defeat? As we are more skilled than him."

Legolas lifted an eyebrow smirking darkly. "Shall we!" he gave a small bow at both of them, allowing them to pass in front of him.

He shared a moment with the twins and leapt up against the nearest pine tree. The targets were set, his bow ready to hit the first one. Legolas notched an arrow without even the need to look. Indeed he was centuries younger than Elladan and Elrohir, yet he was deadlier. He swung branch after branch, running and jumping through the thickness of the pine trees. The bow was then raised and drawn. This was often one fluid motion that tended to vary from archer to archer.

Through the pines, the twins followed, pacing faster behind Legolas. Their moves were accurate and quick. Not fixed and precise as the Mirkwood Prince nonetheless. They bounced in alien balance, starting the competition with their dear Friend. Arrow after arrow flew through the air, disturbing all the quiet. Elladan gestured at Elrohir to cover the northern parts as he was targeting the east.

Today the training area was busier than it had been for a long time. Some of the guards had gathered to watch Elrond's sons and Mirkwood's prince compare their skills. It was an act between friends, exciting and delighting in watching.

Legolas had won this round, and he dropped a few steps away from Arwen. She tilted her head at the bright and happy expression of his dazzling face. He panted and straightened his body structure, gazing forward and aimed to talk to Arwen.

"Legolas?" she quizzed. Legolas stood with his back turned a few steps away from the nearby pine tree, talking with Arwen. Elrohir and Elladan joined them.

"My dear brothers could torture you for centuries," Arwen said as she walked towards them.

"Children's plays are far from my leak now, Arwen!" Legolas cracked a smile. "However, I am still the one winning."

"My brothers will never forgive you for giving up a good show. You know that!" she smirked, resting her arm casually against Legolas while ignoring the twins who were ready to cause more drama.

"And you already forgave me. Don't think I don't know you, Arwen. You might be the lady of Rivendell, but you are related to the twins!" he laughed, remembering how many times when he and the twin were in trouble, Arwen found her way out.

"Oh, hash now! I am a Lady. Much older than you. I would never inflict myself into such poor games." she defended herself.

"Openly... never!" Legolas confronted her, "Yet you would always aid them to cause trouble! I will inform Aragorn upon his arrival. Have you seen him lately?"

Arwen shook her head. "I think he will reach Rivendell soon. Gandalf has something to do with him being late." Her steps paused. "The darkness grows. You should have felt it too, Legolas. Your arrival and today's events were rather a refreshing break."

"It was!" Legolas agreed, "but the future worries me Arwen. The darkness grows in Mirkwood. Orcs became stronger and bolder. Haven't you noticed?"

"That I have," Arwen admitted "I can feel the darkness increasing. And the twins are always defending the borders. The future is changing Legolas."

"You have seen then a thing or two," he responded while taking a long walk and as they soon reached the halls of Rivendell "Our arrival, the dwarves and many others, Lord Elrond informed about the council he will hold at the end of October. But he did not share further information with me."

"I know nothing more," Arwen added "the only strange happening was the woman who Elladan and Elrohir found at the outskirt of Imladris injured. She seems to be from an alien world, another unknown domain. Father suspects that she could be a spy. But he is waiting for Gandalf to talk about the matter."

It took a second or two for the new information to sink in, and Legolas recalled the female figure that was standing next to him last night. As he recalled she was injured and seemed as Rivendell was a foreign place to her. "What happened to her?" Legolas heard himself asking inquisitively.

"Elladan and Elrohir found her after she fought with a group of orcs. She barely did not use any weapons and killed twenty orcs. Elladan was amazed thinking she was a lost elleth. But she is only human." Arwen described with more details.

"Now, at last, I comprehend why Lord Elrond believed her to be a foe," Legolas acknowledged recalling her reactions of last night.

"Have you met her?" Arwen asked curiously pausing and looking at Legolas waiting for an answer.

Legolas nodded "Last night, at midnight for a short moment in the small opening in front of our chambers."

"Then she awoke last night," Arwen quizzed "And she did not wish to find any answers?"

"She seemed to need time with herself," Legolas offered. He did not know the foreigner and she could be a spy or even the enemy, but last night it felt that she simply wanted to have some time taking in what was happening to her. Of course, Legolas could not foretell the future nor read minds, but he was old enough to read in-between the lines.

"And what were you doing there?" Arwen questioned while leaning closer towards Legolas waiting for his answer.

"Thinking, I do a lot that nowadays. And that is one of the best places in Rivendell to do it," he answered "But I better go and have some breakfast."

Arwen watched as Legolas walked away from her. Elrond's daughter was inquiring to learn more about Legolas worries. She was one of the few who knew the troubles the young prince had. There was a lot of weight on his shoulders, and even if Legolas wanted to act as if he did not care of Mirkwood any longer. It was still his home, and he was still the prince. And him being away, made him worried about Mirkwood and his father. As there was evil raising there day by day.

((Upcoming Chapter Six))

Thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to Review - Follow - Favorite!

sadbunny33: Thank you. It isn't easy to keep close to the canon, especially with two of the main characters being canon. ^_^

imagineDragonz: I kept a lot of information of Xena's arrival to Middle Earth as a mystery. And it can remain a mystery for good. I haven't figured that part fully yet. ^_^

Guest: Yup, that is a pair I wanted to see together. Both powerful. Could be a different approach. ^_^