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)
~X: Trust has now been shattered ~
Take me down to the river bend
Take me down to the fighting end
Wash the poison from off my skin
Show me how to be whole again
Imladris, 3018 TA, October 19
He listened to the trees as he wandered through them, taking in the sound of the nearby autumn waterfall roaring the sound of water for everyone to behold. It resonated across the Valley, bringing a sense of tranquilly to his spirit that he couldn't find in Mirkwood. He couldn't put into words the comfortable sensation he was experiencing in the forest, but it was evident on his body.
Legolas summoned Elladan to the training grounds for one of their customary trials, which would help him forget about his concerns and the oncoming darkness. He had to meet with noble elves and royals who wished to learn about Mirkwood and Thranduil in the previous days. Even though the obligation of being the prince remained, even if he strayed from that path years ago.
To his amazement, he saw a tall feminine silhouette waiting for him instead of Elladan. Legolas came to a halt and shook his head, perplexed. He was used to encountering female elves who trained as troops of the Elvenking's guard in Mirkwood. However, in Rivendell, he had not encountered any woman capable of using the arms save Arwen. Maidens were usually observed at the training grounds to watch the males challenge one another in a display of strength.
The female was none other than the human woman discovered wounded by the twins and taken to Rivendell a few days ago. She was a remarkable human being, more daring and powerful than other human females. She perplexed the Mirkwood Prince to want to understand more about her. Perhaps he just needed an excuse to withdraw from the darkness that surrounded them.
The elf studied her for a brief while, noting that her wounded leg remained bandaged, but her posture was perfectly balanced. 'She is recovering,' he reasoned as he skipped beside her. "There is nothing for you to see here," Legolas murmured as he shifted his sight to the newly opened training field. "In the mornings, elves engage in duels."
Xena had just parted ways with Gimli. The dwarf departed to rejoin his companions, and Xena chose to wander to the training grounds. She could see now more than ever why the elves were so proud of Rivendell. She could hardly dispute that the landscape was unappealing. She took a gamble and continued further into the training grounds. She stayed there, admiring the intricacies and wished her leg were completely healed so she could test her strength against the elves.
Indeed, her desire to attack the elves was juvenile, since she was still grieving for her existence in an unknown world. However, Xena was a warrior, and she had refrained from behaving like one in recent days. Firstly, as a result of her injuries, and secondly, as a result of her detention as a prisoner. She needed to get out of here, have her own journey, and get her answers. Remaining in Rivendell would be detrimental to her.
"Don't flatter yourself, I am not here to watch a show of elves fighting each other, " Xena said without moving from her previous position, however, she was surprised when she heard the elf speak to her. She had figured out that elves had the ability to walk lightly. It made her more conscious because they could sneak behind her without her noticing, as Legolas had done a few times.
Legolas turned and addressed her, his gaze falling heavily on her. "Why then are you here?" he said in a deep, sinister tone that gripped her skin. "Perhaps you're looking to start another tussle?"
"Get lost," Xena growled but resisted the temptation to crush her head against his once more "You are a slow learner. Stay out of my way!"
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" The elf sighed, well aware of how easily the human might get enraged and ready to assault anyone in her path. She reminded him of stubborn dwarves on the verge of a conflict. "Are you always on the verge of starting a fight regardless of how powerful your opponent is?"
"Don't start with me now, even with an injured leg, I might end up hurting you," she confronted him ready to start a fight with the glowing elf as her blue eyes pierced through his "I have many skills elf, one of them is fighting."
Legolas remained impervious to her warnings as if they had no effect on him at all. With a disturbing calm, he narrowed his gaze and returned it to Xena. "There is a more effective approach to use those abilities," he advised as he drew his bow. "Are you familiar with how to use one?"
"I have used a bow before. I am familiar with more weapons than the ones I am own. If you don't mind me saying your focus is a little off, I already told you I have many skills." Xena said as her words were expanding with a solid sense of confidence as she already had realized her abilities years ago.
"Better yet I have you shown me, although I am little concerned you may injure yourself," he continued, further perplexing her as to how proud that elf really was.
"Do not worry about me; I am capable of taking care of myself," she said with a natural assurance. "Are you willing to allow me to demonstrate?"
"You shall have your wish," Legolas assured her seconds later, after weighing his replies. He offered the human his bow and arrow and motioned for her to give it a go. A slight grin crept over his lips as he anticipated how the situation would proceed.
Xena tilted her head slightly in response to his gesture but accepted the challenge. She snatched the bow and arrow from his grasp. She spent a moment admiring the wooden bow's design. Although the bow was heavier than Xena anticipated, she was certain that she would be able to handle it. Even with an injured leg, it was simple to use the bow. Even the elf seemed to believe that her wounds would have no effect on her ability to use the bow.
Only Xena was unaware that it was a bow crafted by the Mirkwood elves for their prince to wield. It was not a basic weapon that a commoner would handle. To notch an arrow by bending the bow required a great deal of power and steadiness. Of course, Legolas was well aware of the power required to wield his bow, and one of the reasons he ended up giving her his bow was to ascertain the human's true strength.
Xena adjusted her body to the proper angle, seized the bow with both hands, and notched the arrow, aiming at the closest tree with the target. She turned and gave the elf a confident stare before focusing on the target. It was a simple task; all she had to do was draw the bow and discharge it at the target. The human attempted to draw the string and notch the arrow but discovered that it was easier said than done. She bit her lips and pressed harder against the arrow's grasp, her knuckles going crimson.
Legolas maintained his composure as he watched her struggle with the bow and attempt to draw the string. He was well aware that it was a tough assignment and that the human should be incapable of firing the arrow. However, she ultimately managed to untangle a little section of the string, and Legolas watched as the arrow fired and collided with the ground below the target, shattering into small pieces. He was impressed but kept his thoughts to himself.
Xena, on the other hand, was taken aback. She had never used a bow that was as difficult to wield as this one. An observer from the outside might argue that she was unable to completely use the bow due to her wounded leg. However, Xena was aware that it was due to the strength required to shoot the arrow. She blinked, her gaze falling on the arrow fragments and then the bow. It took her a moment to respond.
"Are your bows as foreign to as your race?" She eventually expressed her annoyance, staring at the elf "Are you attempting to demonstrate your power or the special weaponry your species has, elf? Because none will make an impression on me!"
"Not quite," Legolas said as he walked beside her and retrieved the bow from her grasp, motioning her to join him. "Part of the reason was to ease your tension."
"How about the other half?" Xena said, intently examining the elf. "You wished to test my strength?"
"You knew I would," taking Xena firmly by the shoulders, Legolas stood her in front of him. He tucked her close to his shoulder and ran his palm over her back. The Elf extended out his arm, leaning in close. "Now concentrate; I am holding the bow's upper limp and will stabilise it for you to utilise. As I advise you, keep an eye on the aim and tug. Then release the arrow."
Xena did as she was ordered, somewhat startled at the treatment she was getting but totally eager to go with the flow. Leaning against the Elf to get the proper angle, she felt the thigh and chest muscles of Legolas strain as he moved his weight to support her.
Xena could feel it now; he was a bundle of coiled strength and energy. The muscles were evidence that he was capable of overcoming hardship and rising, proof that he respected himself enough to make the effort required. As he held her posture, he could feel his muscles stiffen.
"What are you waiting for?" he demanded, his body so near to Xena's that she could feel his breath fluffing her hair.
Xena now notched a second arrow and draw the string of the bow while gripping the bow's bottom limb. She concentrated and took a long breath before releasing the arrow and watching it strike the target's centre. She seemed happy with the outcome; it bolstered her pride and restored her to her normal self.
Legolas stayed close to her, his body a solid mass that held her in place while he drew another arrow and handed it to her. Xena did not reconsider herself; she notched it and fired with his assistance once again. He repeated the action many times more. He came to a halt and let his arm drop after using ten arrows from his quiver. He stayed close to her, speaking into her ear. "You're now considering what you might do if you listen. It will take time for you to comprehend this world, but I'm sure no one wishes for you to suffer any harm. Particularly Lord Elrond."
Xena felt how his body warmed her skin, and while getting lost in the excitement of firing one arrow after another everything came to end so fast it made her angry. She listened to what the elf told her and it only rose her anger. "This was one more of your test?" she snapped at him turning and facing him only to find her face too close to his "I am allowed to have my own opinion about that matter. And let me inform you it only gets worse with your interference."
Legolas cold gaze returned and he stared motionlessly at the human. For a brief while, he seemed earnest in his desire to demonstrate to her that she could trust them. However, he began to reconsider Elrond's comments; maybe the human was a spy, perhaps she was not as innocent as he believed. He drew away from her abruptly and stood there watching as the human lost her balance and collided into the shaken ground.
"I was too daring. I was very naive to believe that someone could reason with you" he said coldly and without compassion. "If you value your life, you'd be wise to remain in Rivendell. That concludes my counsel to you."
Suddenly, the warmth emanating from his body had dissipated, she could no longer feel his touch on her shoulder, and the strong figure holding her back. It occurred so quickly that she lost her footing and fell on her bottom. The only residual scent in the air was a pleasant timber aroma that was all too familiar at this point. She scowled at him, regretful for letting her guard down. She was ignorant about elves. She remembered Gimli's warning about trusting Mirkwood elves.
Legolas did not assist her in standing this time; instead, he turned and headed into the training grounds, waiting for Elladan. He began collecting his arrows from the target, never returning his gaze to the human. He did not continue speaking to her; he was disappointed in the human. He should have known better; the majority of humans he encountered lacked the qualities that elves had. However, his heart was warmed by his time with the rangers and Aragon.
After several minutes, Xena rose and grabbed her wooden staff, casting a last look at the elf who was still recovering his arrows. Xena understood what trust meant; she had learned in her former life who she could trust. However, there were just a few individuals in whom she could place her faith. While the majority of mankind were just individuals, the majority she encountered were murderers, criminals, and warlords she could not trust. She was formerly similar to them.
Now she was dealing with a different race. A race that was growing more strange on a daily basis. They spoke about trust, values, and honesty as if it were their daily code. How could she possibly believe them? After all the depravity she had seen, the blood she had spilt, and the deeds she had committed. More than spectacular words would be required to convince her that she could trust them.
However, a crisis was brewing now; the elves were on the verge of abandoning her. And with today's encounter and having the prince of Mirkwood questioning her of being a spy or sent by the enemy, would only make her life difficult.
Surprisingly, she withdrew to her room without escalating the situation. Legolas's manner of speaking to her pricked her pride. And now she had another reason to flee Rivendell. She felt distressed, perplexed, and disoriented. Her days in Rivendell were becoming more difficult, and she was unable to get the answers she desired. It was time to carry out her plan and leave this city.
((Upcoming Chapter Eleven))
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Guest: Thank you for the review ^_^ Now about your comment about Thingol, the Elf-king, who was assassinated by Nogrod's Dwarves. The verb assassinate is similar to murdering someone. I used the verb assassinate because it's usually used if the murder happened to someone important due to political or other reasons. Since Thingol was a king I thought using the word assassination would be better. I hoped I answered your question.