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)

~ XXVII: Shapeless Concerns ~

Imladris, 3018 TA, November 16

The storms took earth into an onward night, regardless of neither time nor sun, yet came the booming exclamations of heaven and lightning to restart her heart. Now the rain had stopped and dawn ignited the green protectors that arc into the light, these oaks in sentry duty, each one rooted into the good earth. A movement in the shadows had her frozen; it was no more than a rustle but in this failing light her heart was on a trigger.

She fell into darkness. Not quite the hot dark of embers, but a soft, hopeful dark. All those days she was falling into the darkness recalling, again and again, one sentence she had heard at the village back then 'The child is alive...' As the blackness came, she had calmly watched herself be erased, eyes closed, and seeing nothing at all, the only evidence of her being was the steady thump of her heart and the cool air in her lungs.

There was absolute stillness. No air stirred the land. No clouds drifted in the dark blue above. No water dripped or flowed. It was all so quiet. Peaceful. Warm. Not a sound could be heard either close at hand or in the far off distance. Then a breath escaped her lips and her mind was again connected with her new reality. She kept her eyes closed, as she had for days now, and she remembered. She remembered clearly now, those who found them outside the ruins and brought them back.

Then there was more blackness, and she recognized a familiar voice calling her back into the light 'Stay with us, child,' he had said 'I cannot lose you again.' Her eyes open widely in an eerie sort of tranquillity, so instead of being soothed, her senses became heightened. She knew now, it was Elrond who told her that. "Lose me again," she mumbled in a confusing state.

She sat up as dizziness overcame her and closed her eyes once again to acclimate to the faint light around her room. She pulled herself free from the blankets and perched on the side of the bed, taking in her surroundings. She was back in the room assigned to her in Rivendell, with her clothing, weapons, and boots freshly washed and waiting for her on the opposite side of the bed.

She felt prey-like, despite the absence of a predator. It was as if the world had been wrapped in a bubble, with no escape route. That is just how she felt; she was unable to escape the sadness. It took her days to get the will to rise from her bed. As though her spirit needed repose, rather than her body. Her brain was attempting to make sense of what was occurring. She had previously lived a life with an abundance of darkness and suffering in her soul. Why would it take her so long to have the courage to act this time?

She did not know the answer.

She finally let a long breath out of her mouth and her bare feet touched the wooden floor. She found her way in front of the mirror once more and stared at her reflection. It took her a moment to focus and recognize the woman standing across from her. Most of her injuries and cuts were healed. "Faster than the last time," she noted to herself. She looked pale but rested.

Dressed again in a black loosely hanging item of long nightwear, that was fluttering her silhouette. Her hair, longer now, fell against her shoulders freely creating a rather ghosty but beautiful image of her. Again, she was saved and lived in this forsaken world without complaining this time.

She finally shifted her body finding the familiarity in her actions, she turned and looked at her door thinking of the darn elf. She grabbed the lower parts of her gown and turned around dashing out of the room and into his. She ran, feet kissing the wooden floor. A little while ago she would have baulked at the idea of running fast, now she relished the prospect.

His chamber was as large and messy as she remembered it, and there was that atmosphere of spearmint and autumn rain that the room was soaking in. That was part of his scent she recalled as she skipped next to his bed, but found it empty. She scanned the room, and the elf was nowhere to be found. She was worried, worried like she would be if it was Gabriel or another close friend of hers that would be injured.

Xena shook her head in astonishment; she surely must have hit her head in those ruins to consider herself concerned about him. Breathing steadily she exited his room and walked towards the opening that was outside their chambers. The thought rested heavy in her mind until her bare feet touched the soft earth and she lifted her gaze and saw him.

He was standing at the end of the opening as always, every plant imaginable had been cultivated and grown under the light, not like the plants in Mirkwood that grew under darkness. That opening was truly inspiring, especially in the dark that came just before the sunrise. He had wandered aimlessly along the way from his room and outside feeling his feet brushing against the grass. A movement to his right pulled Legolas's attention from the open sky. A flash movement from the corridors towards the opening.

To her surprise, he did not approach. He did not even turn to acknowledge her. With her worries now gone Xena looked properly at the Elf, trying to figure him out. He wore no boots, only his trousers and a long fitting white shirt. His long silver-blonde hair was unbraided loosen against his back. He held his stance, and from afar it reminded her of the first image of him. He emitted strength and power, even after all that he had been through.

The obstinate elf eventually turned and locked his gaze on her, dark grey eyes meeting blue, and for a long second, no one moved or breathed. Legolas then took the first step toward her, and with each step, the image of the strong and stubborn elf she knew was shattered. His eyes were not as harsh as she recalled, but concealed sadness and regret. He dragged himself to meet her and was not walking as effortlessly as he usually did.

Xena examined him from head to toe, seeing his right hand clutching his left side ribcage. Her eyes met his once again, and he confirmed her thoughts with a small nod. She saw him lingering near the seat and bending down to pick up a familiar blanket. He went forward, his eyes locked on hers, till he skipped in front of her. As he usually did when they met in that opening, he unfurled the blanket and draped it over her shoulders.

"I'm not cold," she said as his hands remained on her shoulders, wrapping the blanket over her. His touch was so gentle and warm that she almost felt it. "Or are you concerned about my wellbeing?"

His gaze had never strayed from hers, and his sombre and weighty demeanour abruptly shifted to something more familiar. He smiled at her. "More about my welfare," he reassured her, just to confound her.

She took the blanket and the two of them turned to face the opening, as the sunshine began to illuminate the scene around them. His scent enhanced, the woody fresh spice mingling with a minty flavour. "Are you healing?" she said, her gaze fixed on his hand, which was once again clutching his left side.

Legolas eventually revealed, "Two ribs were broken. Those will take longer to mend."

Xena gave a nod. "You seem to be in agony," she said. "You need further rest. You are not completely recovered."

Legolas sometimes forgot that she was human and not from Middle-Earth. She had gained a great deal of knowledge, but she was still unaware of elves. "It is not the injuries that harm us," he said. "We can recover from wounds which would be fatal to a Man, but we could die of grief. There may be moments of darkness, anguish, or despair that consume us and harm our fëa. It may be the reason for departing from Grey Havens."

The children's book made a passing reference to an elf losing his desire to live but provided no more information. And to be honest, Xena never imagined that creatures so noble and powerful could succumb to the darkness. She turned and stared at him, concerned. "Then you're going to die?" she said, her words unfiltered.

Legolas eventually smirked at her folly. It was typical for humans to be ignorant of some things regarding elves, but why would he expect she would be more knowledgeable? After all, she was a human and a human from another world. "No," he said, "but healing will take time."

"So the future is devastating ... goodie!" She stated that she smiled back at him. "Dying of anguish, your type is certainly peculiar. You can withstand injuries that would have sent us humans to Tuataras, and can be killed like from a broken heart."

"Tuataras?" Legolas questioned.

"In our universe, God of death is referred to as hell," she explained.

"My kin can die from a broken heart," Legolas agreed "However, not all elves are affected in the same way. Certain individuals may complete it if they have a reason to stay on Middle Earth. Some may just sail in response to the calling."

"I'd rather see you die the old way," Xena interjected, "since it's more bloody and if you survive, you turn to that stubborn, proudful annoying elf."

"If I didn't know you better, I'd think you missed me," he provokes her, his lips twisting into an eager grin, illuminating his eyes more than ever before.

Xena took the time to observe his expression as it went from anguish to calmness, and she liked it that way. When he seemed at ease and smiled, she had to admit he was the most enthralling creature she had ever encountered. However, a little voice inside warned her that his frigid, enraged look might be just as intimidating.

"You do not want to make me mad now, do you?" She made a mocking threat, which only served to prolong the elf's grin.

"I could have your head for that threat," Legolas continued to play with her in response to her early threat, but he knew deep down the threat could hold its own in Mirkwood.

"I would let you try!" Xena chuckled.

They remained silent after that watching the sunrise. Legolas turned to take his leave and pause to adjust the blanket against her shoulders. They shared a last long stare before both ended up inside their bed-chamber to get dressed and go and face the day ahead of them.

((Upcoming Chapter Twenty-Eight))

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