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)

~ IX: The Dwarf Friend ~

~ Gimli ~

Imladris, 3018 TA, October 19

Autumn leaves swirled and waltzed over the soundless dawn, as though putting on a magnificent display. Her mind rewired itself as memories from the previous night gradually return to her. Xena awoke enraged by the incident. She has never been treated in such a manner throughout her mortal life. Not only was she dragged along the halls to her bed-chamber, but it was also the manner in which she was flung and hauled into her chamber. She was never going to forgive the Elf.

She yawned and sat up, casting a quick peek at the October fest that nature was hosting. Everything was in perfect harmony: the trees, the leaves, and the grass. She acknowledged that she may get used to waking up surrounded by the sounds of nature in peace and quiet. However, she was bothered by something. The elf was the very last of her genuine concerns. She was in a foreign world and needed to discover more about its existence, recover, and finally escape and find her own answers.

She was well aware that it was all her fault for allowing herself to be treated like a child. Perhaps not totally her fault, considering none of this was intended. She was well aware that things were awful, but they might always deteriorate further. She never gave credence to the saying but she had lived it her past life. However, in her new existence, she began to believe it. She spent the next several days reading books and maps in between her chamber and the study hall, taking her time to absorb as much as she could about Middle Earth.

She would have given up long ago if not for the hope that she may yet return. Returning to her own world, where she was no longer alive and less worried. At the very least, someday. She was adamant in her refusal to accept she was stranded in Middle Earth. And, apart from the information she gained in such a short period of time, the elfish healing was one she could not comprehend. Xena was experienced with healing techniques; she had spent years treating her own injuries and those of others. However, the healers of Rivendell, particularly Elrond, had enchanted her.

She had mapped the majority of Elrond's home, as she became more acquainted with it each day. Xena had even observed the elves practising in the north fields. She saw how inhumanely they behaved. She found herself longing she could just stroll down the training grounds and combat one or two elves. It would undoubtedly assist her in determining their true strength. The texts preserved critical features in their original form but not details. However, her broken leg was preventing her from going, even though it was gradually recovering.

During those ten days, she avoided the elves, who did not seem to be seeking her either. At the very least, she had realized they were occupied, particularly Elrond. After all, he had informed her that an ancient evil was reawakening. By now, she was aware of the Dark Lord, the one ring, and the increasing darkness. Even his children and Legolas went undetected. She took pleasure in their absence.

She did, however, have a few accidental interactions with the dwarfs. It took her considerable time to realize they were a different race, comparable to the elves. However, they seemed more genuine in her eyes. And they despised the Elves. That was the primary reason she sought their company on occasion. And she recently had supper with Gimli, during which they engaged in a lengthy debate about Middle Earth, the growing Evil, and the elves.

"Do not go any further, Lass!" a loud gravelly voice shouted after her. Gimli slid a muscular arm over her shoulders and grabbed her, stopping her. "No further! It's dangerous! You risk injuring your leg worse!" he insisted.

"Let's move on!" she said, resting her right hand on Gimli. "Throughout my life, Gimli, I've had many worse injuries. I feel I am capable of going a few further yards without difficulty."

"No, Lassy! We are reversing course. Dinner is ready!" Gimli drew her away from the darker areas. "After you have rested, we may return in the morning."

"I'll take my chances," Xena said as she freed herself and took a step away from Gimli. "There is no reason for both of us to miss dinner. I am capable of navigating on my own."

Gimli shook his head in disbelief; he had only known her for a short period of time, but he had already deduced that she was a self-sufficient, headstrong human. "Lassy, your meal is waiting," Gimli urged, stopping and anticipating her. "Tomorrow, there will be plenty of time."

Xena made no attempt to reason with the dwarf, simply turning and following him. Gimli had commanded her attention, and she felt secure in placing her confidence in him. That is how, with his assistance, they went to Rivendell's dining chambers to dine and converse.

They arrived at the dining halls on time, and the majority of tables were filled with elves feasting and conversing. They sat at the south-corner table while wine and veggies were served. Both stared at one other, frowning at the abundance of veggies offered to them by the elves at each meal.

"You seem to have a greater need for it than I do," Xena replied, gesturing to the veggies on the table as she sipped wine from her cup. "After all, you were the one who insisted on dinner."

Gimli snatched up his cup and drank the wine all at once, already sensing that the alien lady would taunt him for a long time over this. He tested a carrot and some bread. "It is not nearly as horrible as you believe," he said.

"I see you've found a more fitting company with whom to spend your time," a female voice interrupted them, casting a contemptuous glance their way. "And I was under the impression that you had returned to your realm."

Xena grinned wickedly, ready to strike, but refrained. "What drew you to join us?" she challenged Aeariel. "Or do you want to take my wooden staff once again!"

"What?!" exclaimed the high female elf, astonished by the human impudence in referring to her as a thief.

Gimli became perplexed since Xena had never told him about the incident in which a female elf stole her wooden staff. "Are you serious?" the dwarf said, his gaze fixed on the noble elf.

"Yup, I was forced to return to my quarters without it," Xena continued, arching an eyebrow at her and anticipating her answer.

"Are you suggesting that I would take away your helping equipment?" she said, her tone surprised as if Xena were the first person to ever speak to her in that manner.

"I am not implying it. You took it. And you were fortunate enough to be rescued by a friend. However, take notice of this," Xena's tone lowered ominously as she stood and leaned close to her, "if you ever attempt to remove another item from my possession, you will end up with broken wrists."

In horror, the noble female elf looked at the alien-human. Nobody ever accused her of anything, nor did anybody ever threaten her. She was so befuddled that she was unable to respond to Xena's threats.

She drained the last drink from her cup and dropped it on the table, then went away, bypassing the elf. Gimli couldn't help but grin as he heard the human speak fearlessly to the elf. That episode cemented a new friendship. He pursued her out of the dining halls.

"You are full of surprises, Lass," Gimli said, his face lit up with a genuine grin. "We were wise in not placing our trust in the elves."

Her boots were heavy against the ground as she followed the dwarf thoughtful "Can you be a little more specific? It seems that dwarves and elves are at odds with one another?" the towering human lowered her eyes to Gimli and awaited his response.

"The elves much like a forest, the threes adore the night sky, and we enjoy the deep tunnels under the earth." Gimli started elaborating on his point to Xena. "There was Thingol, the Elf-king, who was murdered by Nogrod's Dwarves, who subsequently destroyed the elf city of Doriath. The conflict between elves and dwarves dates all the way back to ancient times. However, our fight with the Mirkwood Elves is much more frustrating. Their pride and ego are more important than assisting a person in need. If you cross their territory, it is conceivable that you may find yourself in their cages. A House of Durin dwarf will never trust a Mirkwood Elf."

"I don't blame you," Xena said in a friendlier tone "They like to keep prisoners. To me, it makes no difference. I think your struggle dates back millennia; I have read about how the Vala formed the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves and how everything began. However, it seems as if you have experienced their 'hospitality.'"

"My father did, 75 years ago, when walking through Mirkwood with his company. They were apprehended and imprisoned by the Elvenking's guard. Thorin, our leader, attempted to reason with him, but he refused. We escaped because of Bilbo." Gimli added.

They strolled for a little longer, and Gimli told her tales of his homeland and kin. He told her the storey of Thorin's quest to reclaim Erebor. He informed her about Bilbo, the dragon and the battle of the five armies. Xena was intrigued by the tales; they aided her to have a better understanding of Middle Earth. She has remarked, that there are distinctions amongst the races of Middle Earth. She gradually wanted to discover more about this forsaken place. However, lingering in Rivendell would jeopardize that purpose.

When Gimli asked her about her world, she told him a few things. She remembered a few of her adventures with Gabrielle and her other friends. She could speak about Gabrielle for hours, she told him that when they met she was only a farm girl living in the village of Potidaea. Awed by her fighting skills, Gabrielle decided that she wanted to become a warrior too. And that was the main reason that she followed her.

The dwarf seemed curious and wanted to know more about her old friend, who sounded very important to her. Xena agreed, telling him that she was the most important. She had a good soul and an innocent heart, and brought Xena peace, and sometimes heartache. She surely missed her from time to time, but as the days passed in this forsaken world, she had adopted the idea of living without her.

((Upcoming Chapter Ten))

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

AudoUnique: Thank you for your reviews. It means a lot that you took the time and comment. About the typos, I will edit the chapters again. I am really impressed that the story is read by many of you. Honestly, I believed no one would read it. Adding Xena was a critical move, but I like having a strong female character in the story. Let me know how you like the rest.

Guest: Thank you ^_^

amyunder: Yes my friend, we have talked about this before I finally, started writing this FF. I was not sure if it would be worth writing this FF with Legolas and Xena as a pair. But with every chapter that I add, I end up liking the idea more. ^_^

thenoneandonly: Again thank you, as I said it means a lot.

Guest: It makes me happy that you are interested in the FF. I will try to update as often as I can. Thank you again!