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)
~ XVIII: The Banquet in Imladris ~
~ Part II ~
Imladris, 3018 TA, October 25
The sky was aglow with stars, much as the newly turned Middle-Earth is aglow with light corn. It was the promise of life in the dark, a sensation of comfort emerging from the chill. It was a vastness that brought humility and an unending space that brought thankfulness for home's comfort. He himself was not entirely sure just what had happened. He'd ignored it. He was not interested in a story of a past life, a lost life. He let out a sigh, hoping that he would not dwell on things that did not matter.
As he moved away from the dinner table, like the majority of the guests, an unsettling feeling started to take hold of him. He disregarded the din and ended up heading onto the balcony next to the one where the human was standing. He leapt above the stone railing sitting down under the veiled night that was reigning above. Tonight the tale of the human's past left the prince of Mirkwood speechless.
If it were not for the seriousness of her words the elf would have suspected a prank. No, this was certainly no prank, no one would lie about losing a child. She had fought, loved and even had children. She had lost everything, died and now she was brought to Middle-Earth. No, this was consuming pain, and her heartache absolute. There had been no lie in her words, but why? Why would she prefer to stay dead, than wish to return to her world alive?
Her remarks tonight startled and perplexed Legolas. Indeed, she had piqued his interest this month with her surprising wild behaviour and proud demeanour. He'd never met a maiden who was as puzzled as she was. A maiden who can be both disrespectful and courageous. Legolas had never been as perplexed as he was now in all his centuries of life. But he was an elf, and as an elf, he had all the time he needed to barrage her with questions and learn more about her. For the time being, he leaned against the brick wall and listened to the human talking with Elrond.
Elrond went forward and stood beside the silent figure of the human. "Now at last the hour has come that you have wished for, Xena," he said gazing at the open star-filled sky "You will journey through many lands and become familiar with Middle- Earth."
The human raised her head and gazed at the Elf Lord of Imladris answering him back in a cold and steady tone "No, I don't. What I wanted is to return to my world and remain dead as I was. I didn't ask any of this."
"You got here without much adventure, without knowing the reason," he said calmly "in time you might get your answers. You came back here, and here you have been. You cannot return to your realm. Middle- Earth is a remarkable place altogether. Time doesn't seem to pass here: it just is. Take this journey, seek your answers, and perhaps the world will become more pleasant."
"You just need another warrior to secure that the ring will be destroyed," Xena responded dryly "It was not long ago you thought of me to be your enemy."
"You have done well to raise your doubts," said Elrond. "You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of my disbelieve. Except for my daughter, Imladris has never had female warriors, and there is no elleth who wishes to prepare for combat. Elleth may be trained and working on the Elvenking's guard in Mirkwood. There are just a handful of regions in the mortal world that train females."
"It was unusual in my world as well," agreed Xena turning in his direction "I am used to making men uncomfortable and I do not blame you for that. However, you denied me to leave or better you threatened me."
Elrond paused a while and sighed. "I recall my sons bringing me a wounded maiden covered in blood and reporting to me she battled a troop of orcs with bear hands. There have been many great captains and armies who have battled against the evil forces, and few would succeed in what you achieved. There was a chance you might work for the enemy, and still is. And since you are obstinate, Xena of Amphipolis, I had to threaten you in order to keep you safe."
"You remember?" she rose an eyebrow in disbelief "I thought you would deny all the accusations."
"Alas! No," said Elrond."I've dealt with headstrong youngsters before, including my own, Aragorn, and even Legolas. But did the threats make a difference? You did what you wanted as all my children do, and you escaped."
"I learned my lesson," the human laughed lightly recalling that her escape ended up as a fiasco "But I am not a child. I am a grown woman."
"That you did my child," Elrond shared a smile with her "I have lived far too many millennia, you are still a child through my eyes. As are all my children. I never wished anything to happen to you under my watch. You were found in my realm and the Valar brought you under my care. Like he did with Aragorn. And here in the house of Elrond more shall be made clear to you that you are welcomed, there will be always a place for you to return to Imladris."
There was wisdom in Elrond's words and blessings close to her heart and through, in seeing and hearing how someone treats and protects those he treats as family. It was like the blessing and prayers of a father who loves his children. Xena never had a father figure in her life. Her brothers loved her. But there was never a father there, to protect her. To accept her as she was.
She never needed protection, she made sure to grow up and become strong enough to defend herself. She became stronger than she would ever imagine, she was the Destroyer of Nations and even a Slayer of Gods. Why would the Warrior Princess diminish now under Elrond's wise words? Why would she stare at him for a long time puzzled by her own emotions?
What Elrond offered her so simple and effortless, was secured and deep. How much courage would she need to summon to be herself again and to tell herself that she belonged somewhere? Was she even allowed to have such treatment after the life she had lived? She had not redeemed herself, she was daily in a dispair, trying to find a way to live in her new reality.
"You do not know what you are asking!" Xena said coldly "I lived life-destroying others. Your children were never evil. I was. For most of my life. You were not wrong, I could be the enemy. Not the enemy you are fighting right now, but I was not different from those dark creatures once."
"Aside from being awfully reckless and stubborn, there is no evil in you" he ensured her "You should leave your past life, where it belongs, in the past. You are assigned to take part in this quest, you can start redeeming yourself if that is what you wish for."
Elrond smiled and skipped next to her placing his hand against her shoulder softly "But you will be always welcome in Imladris. You are under my protection. And whenever you are ready, Xena of Amphipolis, you can introduce yourself as Xena of Imladris. Because you are part of this world now."
All she used to be was some evil character on some bad memory that she relived over and over, reminding her of past errors. She lived a life trying to repay what she had done. She had her friends to thank that kept her on the right path. It was not hard to lose herself. And now even in this world, there was someone who seemed to trust her again, someone who offered her his protection after only knowing her for less than a month.
"You are either wise enough or foolish to speak those words," she answered with her gaze dropped and words taking some time to form on her lips. Her emotions were a rollercoaster that confused her, but she finally gazed at Elrond and said "I can't promise you anything. But I will take this quest and see it done. The rest will find its way in time."
"Not very good perhaps, but to the point," he smiled "It's for the best to take your rest. Tomorrow you will follow Arwen, Aragorn, Legolas and two of the hobbits to the nearest town to shop for food and supplies for the journey."
Xena tilted her head and breathed finally puzzled "I thought that Rivendell has more than we need to take this journey."
"This quest is of high importance. It can take a month or more of preparation before your departure. The hobbits, the dwarves and even you seemed not to be very fond of our meals. And since you wished to know more of this word. Tomorrow's short trip can offer all that." he answered her removing his hand and stepping away "Have a good night."
Xena offered her good nights and remained to gaze at the open night sky. She was never so dumbfounded in her life. She believed that Elrond thought of her as the enemy. That he was spying on her and did not trust her. She did not know much of this world. However, elves were so confusing, wise and pure in a way Xena had not witnessed before.
An overwhelming sense of being alone tried to consume her and Xena gasped, floundering in the shadows of her old memories. She leaned against the railing in deep thought. There was a reason why she did not overanalyse things, nor overthink, thoughts and memories like those could shutter her, and make her weak. But thankfully there was a proudful ellon to break her thoughts.
The long conversation with Elrond had pulled Legolas' attention to listening in detail. He knew what Lord Elrond was offering to her, a place to belong. "Lord Elrond is speaking the truth. You have no reason to disbelieve his statements." Legolas said breaking the silence.
"Eavesdropping can end up hurting you, elf" Xena uttered after she managed to locate the annoying elf. His voice made her jump as she never noticed him sitting close by. "I know he is telling the truth."
"I have never eavesdropped in all my years," Legolas said and appeared in the corner of the railing offering her his hand to climb and sit with him.
Xena did not accept his hand, she gathered her long velvet gown and she tossed herself on the edge of the railing and leapt in one full motion with a sudden impulse, span herself next to Legolas. The flip she took was high and difficult enough. Elves were known for their light feet and their abilities to high impact. But it was his first time watching a human maiden taking such a flip and landing next to him.
Xena noticed his bewilderment and smirked "I told you I have many skills."
The prince of Mirkwood turned and cast a glance at her. He smiled and the darkness around them became brighter. She did not watch him smile often in earnest, but when he did his face changed to something kind and caring. "That you have," he admitted "It takes quite the training to master such a leap."
"If I did not know you any better... I would say you complimented my skills," she said keeping the daring attitude "And I know that Lord Elrond was sincere with his statements."
"Lord Elrond is many things, a fool not among them," Legolas defended in a serious tone "Having a home to return to is a luxury not many have."
"He included you," Xena suddenly recalled, "In the list with his children."
"Because he always treated me as part of his family. You should know by now that his children, as well as Aragorn, are my trusted friends." the elf said, "In Rivendell, you can find your heart."
His last words drew her attention to him, and she pondered his meaning while looking into his eyes, which were deep grey into the night and carried the same intensity as her own. "I have noticed," she recalled how the twins and Arwen acted around him. "I would not know about Aragorn, but I have seen how the rest treat you."
"Ready to fight me and save me in any possible moment," he smirked "Aragorn can be more brutal."
She burst out laughing. It was too abrupt to have such a relaxed and open conversation with the obnoxious elf. But a welcome one. "And what about Mirkwood?" she quizzed curious following his previous comment that someone could find his heart in Rivendell.
"Mirkwood?" he said trying to keep down his tone "In Mirkwood, you will lose it."
Xena merely nodded in agreement, but a faint grin suddenly appeared on her face. At that moment she did not feel too different from the elf sitting next to her. Everyone was dealing with their own heartbreak and pain. She was not a fool she could read between the lines. He watched him standing up and offering her his hand. This time she accepted it.
"It's time to retire, we have a long trip in front of us," Legolas added.
Everything seemed to have calmed now. Like after their small talk they would be on better terms. Nothing could go wrong this night, since now they were ready to return to their chambers. Xena held Legolas' hand, and the elf stepped back to leap onto the open space under the balcony. He gestured for her to follow. The jump was taken, and Xena followed. However, she forgot that she was not wearing her armour, but a very heavy long gown.
The scene was quite unbelievable, shocking really. Legolas never managed to fully land on the ground, he lost his balance and hit the railing crashing against the ground on his back. Xena tracked his fall and lost her balance as well avoiding hitting the railing but landing on top of him. Her hands ended on top of his shoulder, and her body fell and pressed against his. And her face too close to his.
Her mind was sent reeling, unable to comprehend or process the images it was being sent by her eyes. Never before had Xena noticed how time was passing so slowly. Her blue eyes locked on his deep grey stare making her unable to move or speak. She looked away and then looked back to see if he was still there. He was.
Legolas was doubt found as well, he was staring into her eyes lost in what had just happened. His left hand was resting on her back and his right against her bottom. Time froze into the moment as he for the first time in his life did not react nor move fast enough. Sometimes the loss of words said more.
They were still processing, hence the silence. However, the fall had alerted a few of the guests who ended up walking outside the balcony to see what had happened. They were shocked to find the human laying against Legolas with his hands on her. The twins seemed amused with what they were seeing. Gimli glared at the elf. Arwen and Aragon were the only ones who gazed at them in terror and run to aid them.
Suddenly the human unfroze on time, she cast a confusing and unbelievable glance at Legolas. She punched his right hand away and jumped on her feet facing the few who showed up. She felt her cheeks becoming redder and her anger increasing. She turned and glared at the elf and rushed out of the balcony towards her chamber without a word.
Legolas was left notably confused by the outcome, he had never lost his balance, and he was was not quite the male who would end up in such silly situations. Aragorn gazed at him in disbelief as he offered him his hand. He leaned against his friend and whispered that he would have to explain himself tomorrow. Legolas vanished into his chamber as well.
The silly scene was soon forgotten by the guests, but neither the twins nor Aragorn would let the incident slight. Tomorrow they would have a long trip with awkward conversations.
((Upcoming Chapter Nineteen))
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to Review - Follow - Favorite!
AudoUnique: Yup, yup Aragorn finally made it back to Rivendell ^_^
amyunder: Thank you ^_^
Guest: It means a lot that you liked Xena, it's still a big step to add another canon and end up with a good result. Glad you liked her.
thenoneandonly: No, way I would skip any chapters. I like the characters and plot and hope I can deliver it the right way. ^_^
20554712: There will be more scenes with Thranduil. But it will take some time. I surely will try to add in between chapters writing about Mirkwood and the Elvenking. ^_^