Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)
~ VII: Unexpected Behaviour ~
Imladris, 3018 TA, October 9
In the week that followed, the Prince of Mirkwood had spotted the strange human called Xena taking long walks along the halls of Rivendell. Her Amazonian figure sat well on her wafer-thin body. She had a decanter shaped waist, and her complexion had an impeccable, ochrous hue. Her pencil-thin eyebrows eased down gently to her black, beetle's-leg eyelashes. A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph's ears and pixie's nose any better. Legolas had taken the time to notice all the details about her.
Although, with a broken leg, she did not take a break from exploring every corner of Rivendell. The elf understood that she needed to get familiar with the place. The first day it seemed as if she was roaming freely without any care. But by the third day, she had managed to find herself around without asking for instructions. He was amused at her stubbornness and prideful behaviour. Even with a broken leg and in an alien world, she slowly became familiar with the place.
Legolas recognized one more hidden trick in her long walks. Xena was aware that some of the elven maidens liked to gossip. Most of the gossips lacked any critical information. However, some talk aided Xena to understand this alien world a bit better. For starters, she was aware that a great evil was rising. By day more guests arrived, and the rising darkness affected the elves. How and why; she had not yet figured out.
She heard tales about Sauron and the one ring. It seemed that elves liked to sing and tell tales. But most of the time the elves could be seen standstill in peace without doing anything. She knew she had to sit down and do some reading. She had passed outside the library a few times, but she never entered.
Xena would take her dinner late and alone when the dining Hall was empty, and she kept most of the time to herself, trying to gather as much information as she could. Around midnight, she would show up in the opening in front of the bedchambers to admire the view. Legolas met her there every night. But both remained silent in deep thought.
Xena walked as fast as her injured feet could carry her in the hallway, ignoring the amused looks on the elves faces as she rushed past them. Today she had decided to explore the library and find out as many facts as possible about Middle Earth and its races. She spent a week trying to figure out Rivendell, and she succeeded, but she knew Middle Earth could not be investigated in a week, nor a month.
The silence of the room made his blood as cold as the autumnal air that crept through an open window, even if an elf would hardly feel any cold. He was taken back when Xena stepped into the library. Legolas observed her from afar as she carried her way through the library, searching which book to read. Her broken leg that was doing better the previous week gave the impression of having worsened now.
Xena sighed and turned another page in the book, which was the third she had chosen trying to read it. Despite her attempts, her mind refused to recognize the words and symbols as the scripts were written mostly in Sindarin.
In the meanwhile, Legolas sat nearby the fireplace reading an ancient book of old tales. Rivendell had an enormous amount of books and scripts from ancient times. He was amused to watch the newcomer trying to figure her way around the old scripts that were written in a foreign language. Obviously, the elf could help the human by informing her that she would find in the eastern parts of the library all the books and scripts written in the common tongue. But what would be the fun in doing that?
"Le suilon, Prince Legolas!" [I greet you!] the female elf came quickly and placed herself side by side with Legolas "I have been told you arrived days ago. I wished to meet with you but you could not. "
He remained in the same position, without altering his stand. "Mae l'ovannen, Lady Aeariel." [Well met.] his response was formal and short "News fly faster than I expected. I had my own affairs to attend."
"Le maer?" [Are you well?] she asked him next studying his interest towards the woman across them who was in search of a book. Aeariel was a noble elleth. She was the sister of Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlórien. She was an important elleth from Lothlórien. She was born much later than her sister and brothers and was known as a high diplomat of Lothlórien. She travelled in Rivendell from time to time. As a highborn Elf, she desired a high position and wedding with a titled Ellon. The prince of Mirkwood could provide her access to her desires. However, all the centuries they have known each other, he never seemed interested in her.
"Ma!" [Good!] he said. He spaced out, admitting that he was doing fine. He felt relaxed in Rivendell, not the daily pressure of being a prince. However, where ever he went, 'Ladies' like Aeariel found their way around him. At a younger age, he enjoyed it and even flirted around. These days he responded as an obligation of being the prince.
"I got here without much adventure," she said, trying to gain his attention, but Legolas was still intrigued by the strange woman. "I heard all kind of news, about Mordor, Erlonds worries and the most recent about a human from another world?" she quizzed.
It was difficult to imagine and contain the concept. Xena was only human and from another world. However, there was something familiar in her behaviours. She was a warrior and Legolas identified that aspect in her every move. Despite the fact that he was silent, his concentration on his thoughts did not impact his full attention over to the human. Lady Aeariel was ignored and Legolas had decided to finally aid the human.
"It has been a busy day Legolas, and my only wish was to share some of my time with you," Aeariel continued speaking as she watched Legolas standing up and striding towards the human across them. Her disbelief came in shook. She had witnessed the proud and even rude nature of Legolas, a flaw given by his father, but today it stung her pride.
"What are you doing here?" Xena asked him a little abruptly, not quite knowing what else to say in the stunned and surprised disposition she'd suddenly found herself in. Legolas approached her so silently that she only was aware of his presence when she heard the book drop on the desk where she was sitting.
"You're not the only one who escapes here, although you are in the wrong section of the library!" Legolas said while pointing at the eastern parts of the library "It has occurred to me numerous times that you'd ultimately seek out literature published in a language you could read, but you did not, and I am getting bored."
"I must be crazy. You're beginning to make sense," Xena scoffed while pinning her gaze directly with his, she grabbed the book under his grip and brought it in front of her reading the title out loud "The History of Middle Earth". She turned and face the elf while tilting her head confused "Why would you bring me the book?"
Legolas turned his head and looked down at her, a warm smile pulling at his lips. "It's written in the common tongue by men. It's frequently provided to our younger members, therefore it should be simple to read."
That smile was the prettiest thing she had ever seen, for it extended to her eyes and deep into her soul. Legolas stood priory of her, glancing down. Xena rose her gaze against him confused "What is the reason?" she repeated not trusting his actions fully.
"Read the book," Legolas demanded and turned away to take his leave. "The rest will follow..." he added while gazing at her upon his shoulder and left, allowing Xena the time to read the book.
Xena was left to herself for while, for the sun was setting. She was alone and had read the book once and surprising enough it answered most of the questions she had. The book was narrating her thought the most important historical facts, it would explain the different races, and would offer details and sketches. Few things started making sense now, but the book offered her limited knowledge. She knew that dwarves and elves lived longer, but she did not know if they were immortal. There was information about the arts that the elves liked, but not enough of their skill. And so on.
Moments later she decide to return to her bed-chamber and take some rest. Her brain was long in a confusion turned to understand what she had read. Her body was registering discomfort, as her broken leg was aching. She stood up in search of her wooden stick. It was gone. Maybe someone took it away without her noticing. She had to put more effort into these days to notice if someone would show up next to her.
She withdrew quietly deciding to walk back slowly by holding the walls until she would reach her chamber. Along the way, if she saw a maiden she would ask to get her a new wooden stick, or she would find a new one in the morning. Xena halted for a moment, looking back. She gazed across the room where Legolas was earlier and she recalled the she-elf that was with him.
To her surprise, the blonde elf maiden was gazing at Xena with a strange hateful look. It could be the case that she took her wooden stick. However, it mattered not. She would not go after someone because they took away her wooden stick. Xena followed the corridor out of the library to another long corridor. She was keeping her balance by holding against the rocky walls and was lost in thought about the facts she had read.
In a moment Xena felt fingers pressing tightly against her skin, and someone grabbed her arm while placing his arm around her. She stopped short startled ready to attack him but stopped short when she noticed that it was the blonde elf from before. She watched him with annoyance as he glanced around quickly. "What are you doing?" Xena asked in a dark down glaring at him.
"As a small token only for your being Lord Elrond's guest," Legolas said, "I shall assist you in reaching your chambers uninjured, as it appears to me that you have misplaced your helping staff."
"I can take care of myself, Elf," Xena responded as her right hand grabbed Legola's right arm and tried to push him off her "I do not know why you keep an interest in me, but you better stop."
She waited for the sound of his voice to cut the silence, but it did not come. Legolas took his time studying the human in front of him for a while. He was well aware that she had no way of knowing Elrond had met with Legolas days previously and instructed him to attempt to discover more about the human. The twins had informed Legolas of his brief interaction with Xena, and he assumed that Xena could open easier a guest than him or his children. Legolas first refused, but then reconsidered and agreed to participate.
"You harmed your broken limb this week while trying to figure out the House of Lord Elrond. And returning to your room without any support will not seem so well. Consider well, but not too long, if you will accept," said he "For the present, I do not have all the time to share it with you."
"I am guessing your stubbornness is as big as your ego and you will not let this pass," she answered with bemusement and resentment, unable to comprehend that the elf was offering his assistance without concealing his motives.
"It is safe," came Legolas calm reply "And you have done well to agree." Legolas repositioned his arm over her shoulder and gripped her firmly, assisting her in balancing against her left leg. "As for my obstinacy, you are the last to remark."
Xena listened while Legolas in his clear voice spoke finding his pitch low enough to relax her. Xena was not used to receiving assistance from strangers, let alone races she was unfamiliar with. However, there was something about the elf's tone of voice that garnered her trust. The near proximity made it easier for her to observe him in detail. He was tall, taller than she thought. Also, immensely strong, at least he seemed that way. As of his face, it was fair of face beyond the measure of Men.
The human leaned against him and they both started walking towards the bedchambers in silence. Both were busy observing each other fractions and trying to analyze the details. Legolas was bemused at her effort to steady herself and trying not to lean too much against him. By now it was crystal clear to him that Xena had her own pride and ego, and she would not be easily fooled. Some things should be better openly spoken, but Elrond's worries remain that she could be a spy.
She felt his hand around her waist that was holding her tight. Errant breezes, the smell of damp earth combined with old fallen leaves. Xena breathed deeply, so relaxing, refreshing and instinctively calming her soul. Such a unique smell. And if that wasn't enough, there was that scent of his. She was soaking in the atmosphere of spearmint and autumn rain.
Xena was troubled by all of those facts his beauty, his strength and his scent. She recalled the basics about elves provided in the children's book, but they were not discussed in further depth. "Sometimes you have to have patience with things that annoy you," she murmured quietly to herself, oblivious to the fact that elves possessed superior hearing to humans.
Legolas halted for a moment and looked at her. "I wouldn't say you annoy me," he replied, "but you planned to have the abilities to do so."
"I have many skills," Xena said pridefully "I wasn't talking to you."
"Is that so," Legolas answered gravely "When your leg is cured and you are able to walk, perhaps you should illustrate your abilities to me."
"What?" she asked astonished "I would not want to hurt you. You seem of great importance."
"Maybe," answered Legolas "however, you do not appear to be concerned with someone's ranking."
"No, I usually do not," she said honestly as both started walking again "Though I cannot be sure about your kind. Fruitless would I call the book, it covered only the basics"
"So you claim that if you read it properly, it will take you in the right direction," Legolas stated, his hand still around her waist and holding her tightly, "aren't you the one with the various abilities?"
"Are you now making fun of me," she scoffed sensing how strong his touch was against her waist.
"I would not dare," Legolas mocked her as a smirk formed on his face.
"Do I amuse you, elf?" the human inquired as her right hand gripped him and attempted to yank it away from her side. "I suppose I can reach my rooms without your assistance." Following that, she extricated herself from him.
Legolas' eyes widened as he found her remarks disrespectful. However, the fact was that Xena had detected an ounce of truth in his acts. Because Legolas has been caught off guard by her actions from their first meeting. He agreed to assist Elrond not out of obligation, but out of curiosity about the human and a desire to learn more about her. Legolas, on the other hand, refused to admit this, and when Xena simply pointed out the reality, it burned his pride.
"Daro! Enough, human; you have no idea what you are talking about," Legolas said coldly, his voice dark like his father's. "You know nothing about this realm, but you seem to have an opinion on everything. This comes to an end here."
Legolas had enough of her behaviour, he reached down with one hand and picked her up and placed her against his shoulders. He did not give her any time to react as he rushed down the corridors towards her chambers. Xena froze when she found herself hanging against his shoulder like a misbehaved child. She struggled to free herself but his grip was strong against her.
"Release me," Xena demanded. She was dumbfounded feeling the elf picking her up as if she was a child and dropping her against his shoulder like a sack of soil. Xena was never handled in this manner, not even as a child. It was just a matter of time until her rage flared.
Legolas quickly escorted her outside her door and gently put her against the ground. Her feet made contact with the hardwood floor, and she regained her balance. Before Legolas could look at her, she moved forward and slammed her head to his. Legolas exclaimed in surprise, his nose began to bleed, and Xena snatched him from his collar.
"Don't even think about touching me," Xena cried out "You don't want to make me mad, elf." She shared with Legolas one deadly gaze and then stepped inside her chamber abruptly closing the door behind her. Of his actions, she could understand little, how desperate now her need to seek him and kick him hard. Here in the house of Elrond, the elves were confusing her.
Legolas wiped the blood drops from his nose as he watched the human retreat into her room. He had fought many battles in his lifetime, but he was never assaulted on safe grounds. And by whom? A maiden, a human maiden managed to nearly break his nose. Now that Xena had his undivided attention, Legolas would demand an explanation for her actions.
That night, neither Legolas nor Xena met in the opening outside the chambers. Legolas had alerted the healers that Xena's shattered leg needed to be treated. Then he visited Aeariel to reclaim Xena's wooden stick. Truth be told, Legolas never saw Aeariel take the wooden stuff, but he had noticed the way she stared at the human. Legolas was not a fool; he comprehended what had unfolded.
He was able to retrieve the wooden staff and return it to Xena, all the while advising her to stay in bed and relax. Because she would require improvement due to the fact that she was producing more foes than she should.
((Upcoming Chapter Eight))
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to Review - Follow - Favorite!
thenoneandonly: I am curious as well how this FF will continue, It's not easy to have two powerful characters try to act in a scene. But I like writing this.