Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
Author's Note:
Forgive my Khuzdul [Dwarvish] and Quenya/Sindarin [Elvish], it's the best I could do using what I found online and with the aid of Paolini and elfdict.
This is a LegoRomance [slow-burn]
~ XXX: The longest day in Imladris ~
Imladris, 3018 TA, December 24
The next morning, everyone was busy finalising preparations to depart Rivendell on their adventure. The hobbits convened their own meeting in Bilbo's chamber to discuss the tiny quantities of meat packed and the need of obtaining more meat and concealing it in their knapsack. However, their flawless plan was thwarted when Frodo intervened.
"It's almost unjust," Pippin observed. "Instead of tossing the veggies, Elrond permits them to take our meat!"
"The meat is necessary, but without the potatoes, it would not be a complete dinner," Sam reminded them, noting that his preferred dish was not meat but potatoes.
"Yesterday, I dreamt that my task was accomplished," Frodo said, remembering the dream he had last night and how relieved he felt for a brief period in the morning when he awoke believing the ring had been destroyed. "I could relax here for a long time, possibly indefinitely."
"I wish you could," Merry said. "We all want the Ring to be undone."
Frodo came to a halt and gazed at his closest companions, who had accompanied him so far on the most perilous expedition of their life "I have difficulty seeing you all embarking on this quest. Such a terrible punishment. To sentence you all to go on this fruitless and perilous road."
"However, none of us are to be abandoned, even at Rivendell. We've travelled a long way together and encountered some hardship." Merry acknowledged "We want to follow."
"That is exactly what I meant," Pippin concurred. "We hobbits should and will stick together. I will go until they bind me. There must be an intelligent member of the party."
"You are already on your way," Sam reminded him. "We will go tomorrow at nightfall."
"Young Hobbits, your journey begins tomorrow, and you should be prepared and refreshed," Bilbo remarked softly. "I am unable to count the days at Rivendell since I am too old to undertake one more adventure."
"It would be ideal if you could accompany us," Frodo said, raising his eyes to his uncle. "I would not have to bear this weight alone."
"Yet, my dear Frodo," Biblo reminded him, "you are not alone. The fellowship of the nine will be with you, assisting you in your task."
For a while, the hobbits continued to speak and reflect about their previous voyage and the dangers that remained ahead; yet the virtue of Rivendell was such that all dread and concern quickly vanished from their thoughts. The future, whether good or bad, was not forgotten, but it lost all influence on the present.
Aragorn's dreams drew him into an endless night and kept him busy till daylight, regardless of time or sun. In his dream, her voice repeated, assuring him "The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane. It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart." His eyelids remained closed, although he had awoken at this point. He lay in Arwen's room on a chaise.
"Am I asleep," Aragorn said as he opened his eyes gradually. He grinned as he raised his dark eyes to meet the brilliant blue. Arwen rose above him, running her fingers through his curly hair and returning his smile. "This is a dream."
She did not respond, but gently leaned against him, allowing her lips to rest on his, and kissed him. They were their most innocent and vulnerable selves at the time of the kiss. For a long while, her lips pushed against the rangers' until she broke the kiss. "Then it was a pleasant dream."
He lingered and locked his gaze on her, savouring the moment, and then it was his time to kiss her. Years of promise and the beauty of longing for true love were included in his kiss. His palm contacted her skin, allowing himself to be completely absorbed at the moment.
She interrupted the kiss once again and drew back, her fingertips brushing his face. "Sleep," she muttered as she kissed him again and gently closed his eyelids with her fingers. "You're going to need every bit of rest you can get."
The ranger nodded, seeming at ease. For today, he could set aside his concerns and spend time with the one person he loved. She gently drew back and moved up to the wide-open wooden window overlooking Imladris. He became aware of her absence and opened his eyes to see her.
"Min lû pennich nin i aur hen telitha." [You told me once that this day would come.] Aragorn recalled. Arwen had talked to him several times about the future, and everything she had told him up to this point had been accurate.
"Ú I vethed... nâ I onnad. Boe bedich go Frodo. Han bâd lîn." [This is not the end... it is the beginning. You must go with Frodo. That is your path.] Arwen ensured him once more. She wished she could keep him with her safe, but this was a journey that he had to take.
Aragorn observed her for a long moment before he would stand and skip next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her while staring off into the distance. "Dolen I vâd o nin. [My path is hidden from me.] he told her in a low tone.
"Si peliannen i vâd na dail lîn. Si boe ú-dhannathach." [It is already laid before your feet. You cannot falter now.] she reminded him again. And when he tried to speak she placed her fingers on his lips, silencing his fears and doubts and then let her fingers run down his chin. "Ae ú-esteliach nad..." [ If you trust nothing else...] she whispered letting her fingers rest on the Evenstar around his neck. "...estelio han. Estelio ammen." [...trust this. Trust us.]
Aragorn met her gaze as he seized her hands in his and bent down to kiss her once again. They exchange passionate kisses in the glittering light of the Rivendell morning. In the emotion of the kiss, a volume of passion was spoken that transcended the works of the great poets combined.
It was tomorrow—the day of departing from Rivendell and starting a new adventure. Now the journey he would take sounded exciting. He always wanted to travel and see the world. The adventure was in her blood. Even his own father went on his own adventure. On an adventure, he was proudly talking about when he had returned. Gimli recalled how much he wanted to follow his father on that adventure but could not because he was very young. But now the time has come and he would go on his own adventure.
"Nê arniki ahkât galikh!" [I am not so sure this is a good idea!] Glóin muttered and watched Gimli's head snap up.
"Kud samlani?" [Why not?] Gimli asked.
"You know why." Glóin sighed "Yamurma!" [Let's move on!]
"Nothing will go wrong!" Gimli shrugged off his concern "Tada gulud! [That's right!] Father you went once on your own adventure living me behind because I was not the right age. Now you can't take this away from me. Nê khuzrul." [Don't be angry!]
"Sallakhi, Bilal?" [You're joking, right?] His Gimli could be very stubborn. "This is different son, your life will be in danger," Glóin said "I have only one son, and I won't keep him alive."
Gimli still recalled his father's surprise when he offered his axe to aid Frodo. If it was not for Gandalf to share a glare with Glóin he would step forward and not allow Gimli to follow. "I was raised to be able to take care of myself," he ensured "And you almost cost me this journey."
Indeed he had raised his son to be one of the best when it came to battle, but he was still his son, his only son. How could he watch him depart alone on an adventure so dangerous? "I am afraid, as every father should be," Glóin defended himself "Think of your poor mother."
Gimli ended up lifting an eyebrow at the irony "I am thinking of her... Exactly as you thought of her when you left years ago," he reminded him "After all, I will have all the time to return the favour to the Prince of Mirkwood of imprisoning you!"
Glóin sighed once more "That is the problem, I believe you are taking this journey only to get even with the prince. And that would not be right my son!"
"I would have accepted this task, even without the tree-hugger around," he assured his father "But having him along would make the journey pleasant."
"Itdin darami!" [Wait a minute!] Glóin tried to reason with him but he could not. Gimli had already decided to take this journey. He had given his word that he would aid Frodo in this task, and he would not become a traitor to his own promises.
His storms began with a touch of darkness on the horizon as if it already knew this storm would echo for aeons. Being royal, and particularly the prince, was often heartless, not just to others, but also to himself. There were few princes since some were forced to wear crowns and others were born with the privilege to be one. However, the burden of being the prince in Mirkwood became greater with each century.
To a young Legolas, every tree and rock was valuable, every ray of sunshine was golden, and the only riches worthy of admiration sprouted from the ground. He could look directly into someone's heart and draw out their goodness; he could show them what was important and what could be left alone. Every elf and man he encountered expressed the same sentiment, that he was both prince and warrior in one.
However, things began to shift gradually, and Greenwood ceased to be a haven of calm and brightness. The darkness expanded in every single corner, and it grew within the Elvenking's Halls without Legolas' knowledge. His mother was slain by orcs, and he saw his father deteriorate into a cold and cruel king. This was not to say there was no love, but his priorities had shifted.
Indeed, he still admired and depended on Nature, but he had lost interest in the position of Prince. His bravery grew as he was pushed through one lethal grinder after another without hesitation in order to protect his homeland. Legolas was unable to defend his mother and Queen, so he chose to become a warrior in order to protect his father, King, and realm. He had no desire to struggle for leadership when he had trust in another; his father. He took a position of prominence in the Elvenking's army in order to defend all of the above.
That is why, whenever he left Mirkwood, he was filled with concern for his father and his home. Though times had changed, the king now rode out and defended his territories. Even Tauriel had returned as Captain of the Elven Guard, which reassured Legolas that there was someone in Mirkwood he could trust.
Legolas had suffered many losses, but not everything was bleak in his life. He made a few close and trusted friends along the way. When he formed a friendship, he kept it till the very end, without expecting anything in return. His dedication was unmatched; he would remain around and honour his obligations. And anytime his world darkened and he lost himself, he had those few friends at his side.
Elrond and his children, Tauriel, and Aragorn were his close friends, the ones in whom he could blindly place his faith. However, Elladan and Aragorn were his most trusted friends. Their relationship and trust were irreplaceable. They would address him openly and courageously, well aware of when he was not himself. And, even though he did not know Aragorn as well as Elladan, he was a greater reader of Legolas than Legolas himself.
They had previously battled alongside one another, guarding one another throughout the battle. To him, sharing this journey with Aragorn was a blessing. Elladan joining them would be a greater present, but Elrohir and he had to join the Rangers of the North as planned. Now, on this expedition, he would join forces with newfound companions in order to destroy the Ring of Power. And he had risen to the occasion with an open heart and mind.
To his dismay, he was unaware of what was transpiring in Mirkwood. Indeed, he was aware that darkness was spreading and the number of foes increasing in Mirkwood. However, he was unaware of the additional challenges that arose with the entrance of the moonlight elves and their blood oath. And Thranduil would not want Legolas to know, since he was about to go on a critical mission, and now was not the time to concern his son.
Truth to be told, in the last two months most of his worries would end up forgotten or ignored as there was a human maiden that would turn his world upside down. The Valar had blessed him for sure as he managed to remain alive a few times now. But now, as they would take this journey and she would be travelling along with them he could not know what would follow.
"Ceri- cin rad- ha othren?" [Do you find it strange?] Elladan abruptly cut him off in his tracks when they met at a large opening near the waterfall. He was aware that Legolas would be there in need of calm and connection with Nature before their departure the next day.
"Aia, cin ped-?" [Unusual, you say?] Legolas inquired, turning to his loyal companion, "How strange?"
"I lómë -na olea. [The darkness is intensifying.] As though it has an independent volition," The elf clarified.
"I used to experience a sense of calm in my heart when I stood here, but it has faded as the days pass. You develop a tolerance for it." Legolas answered as he drifted off to contemplate the waterfalls.
"I've come here a few times, but I've never felt it quite like this. How are you expected to adjust to the darkness, Legolas? It has the potential to destroy someone's soul." Elladan inquired in response.
"No, you cannot! The darkness is still there to increase your concerns and exaggerate your anguish. However, after generations of living with it, you may choose to embrace it and continue alive, or to fade away." Legolas said in hushed tones.
"I am relieved that you did not perish, dear friend," Elladan said earnestly. "What would I have been without you."
"You would have missed someone to challenge Elladan," Legolas prodded his companion, trying to ignore the darkness enveloping them. "You always need someone greater to confront thinking that one day you would triumph."
"How is this possible?" Elladan grinned. "You know, with Aragorn and the newcomer to contend with, we don't really need you!"
"You make comparisons between my talents and those of Aragorn and Xena?" Elladan stroked his pride, and the prince spoke proudly as usual. "You know you'd have to wait millennia for their level to rise, and by then they'd be dead."
"At times, Prince Legolas, you are your father's son. You cannot leave the poor humans alone," Elladan chuckled.
Legolas shook his head, "Poor?" he said, "They are not poor; one is there to harass me anytime I make a mistake, and the other is always smashing my nose."
"And you are unworthy of it?" Elladan inquired.
Legolas gave him a nod without responding. He was most certainly not an innocent ellon; he had precipitated many of the disputes that resulted in his receiving a fractured nose. He paused for a bit before quizzing Elladan "You seem to be fond of the human? Elrohir first, and now you?"
Elladan groaned and proceeded to clarify "If you mean she is a trustworthy friend, you are correct. I apologise, Legolas, but even if you are a very close friend, you are not our only friend."
Legolas regarded him with a serious and worried glance "Not as a friend, Elladan. It seems as if she has bewitched you."
"Do not bother yourself," Elladan reassured him. "It is true that the human has a unique kinship. We have not shared this knowledge with anybody, Legolas, but given your apparent distress, I will. We are concerned about the human, just as we are worried about Arwen. I'm not sure how to describe it, but ever since she came, we've felt a bond with her, as if she were our sister, and we felt obligated to protect her."
Legolas was dangerously close to collapsing, but suddenly gathered his courage and stood. "Your sister?" he said, perplexed. "How can a human be connected to you? She is not only human but also from another realm?"
Elladan concurred. "That is why we have avoided discussing the subject with anybody. Perhaps seeing her almost dead at the enemy's hands intensified our concerns."
"As you say," he said, smiling at his companion. "Perhaps that is the case."
Elladan placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder in an attempt to arouse his attention "My concerns will be alleviated if I know you are keeping an eye on her."
"Have I not already assured you, old friend," Legolas said softly, "that I would never let anything happen to her or the others? However, I cannot guarantee that I will not finally kill her with my own hands if she continues to provoke me."
"Quite fine," Elladan agreed, "as long as it comes from your own hand."
Legolas grinned as he crossed his arms. "You took me seriously, I say!"
"In that vein," Elladan said, "I will leave you to rest, my friend. Your journey will begin shortly, and it will be lengthy."
Legolas bowed slightly to his companion, acknowledging his need for rest. He was able to express his concerns to Elladan, although he was always an elf of few words. Although he had talked more than normal since arriving in Imladris. He raised his eyes to his friend as he took a step back and retreated.
Elladan shifted his gaze over his shoulder and said, "And Legolas, do something about the nose; it destroys your otherwise lovely face." He tormented him one more time and then vanished, leaving behind a laughing Legolas.
Elrond entered her chamber after knocking, which she permitted. He entered quietly, going past the enormous bed, where the sword and chakram were carefully placed on the bed's edge. No clothes were strewn around, and no personal belongings were lost within the room. Everything had been packed and prepared in advance. Inside, there were just two maiden seamstresses attempting to make a few alterations to Xena's attire.
Their trip would be lengthy, and with winter approaching, she would finish completely freezing in her attire. She ended up wearing leggings under her leather armour, along with a warmer shirt and a leather cloak handed to her by Lord Elrond. Although the clothing had become warmer, it was impeding her movements. Elrond halted and approved the improvements as he approached.
The human had spent two months within his dwelling, and her entrance created havoc, yet she was a welcomed guest. Of course, she was no longer a guest of Elrond, but the time had passed for her to be bothered with further concerns. He would recount her narrative when the one Ring was destroyed and she returned.
"Does it approve with your taste?" Xena abruptly said, shattering the stillness. She was watching him via the mirror as he entered her chamber and took his time assessing her equipment and attire.
He nodded and smiled kindly at her. "It's a long road. You will cross via Caradhras Pass and it will be winter. Being clothed in such a way might be detrimental to your health and the fellowship."
"I am aware. I have travelled in the cold before; this is not the first time" He was reminded by her. She was aware that he was older and wiser than she was, but she couldn't bear his advising her as if he were her father.
"This is your first journey through Middle-Earth," he observed. "And even though the majority of things seem familiar, they may not be. You must be conscientious of your attire, your manners, and your behaviour in this world. More so in certain realms than others."
She rolled her eyes defiantly and took a long breath to settle herself. At the very least, she would encounter fewer elves on their travels beginning tomorrow. "I've been there and done that!" she said. "I understand how the world works. I'll be fine."
Elrond went over to the armchair and sat for a little longer, examining her before speaking. "You were aware of how your world functioned, youngster; ours may be very different. Keep in mind to ponder before you act and to sometimes depend on others." In a more subdued tone, he urged, almost soothing her done.
Xena tilted her head, perplexed that he was speaking to her differently this time. It was as though he was providing his counsel and she was free to take it or leave it. She shifted her gaze to his. "I will," she said, "as long as they trust and depend on me."
"Have you given them any cause, not to distrust you?" he said, awaiting her response.
"As far as I'm aware, I haven't!" she said. Only to halt and look aside in memory of the irritating elf. "Or maybe I have!"
Elrond couldn't help but grin at her response. "You may trust Legolas," he murmured as if reading her mind. "I feel he has shown his commitment and trust."
Xena grinned, realising Elrond was correct. He had assisted and rescued her several times. It had even almost cost him his life, and she could not resent him for that. "As long as we are engaged in combat, he is trustworthy," she corrected him.
"However, not at other times?" Elrond inquired with a smile, well aware of the arrogant and obstinate side of Legolas that sometimes drove even Elrond insane. "I think you and your companion will be alright as long as you refrain from fracturing his nose. I'm not sure what he's done to you, to deserve this treatment."
Xena felt compelled to be cunny; she was neither an elf nor an innocent; she had not forgotten what had occurred in the showers. It might sting her pride somewhat, but it would be satisfying to cause Legolas additional difficulty. "He watched me nude inside the shower," she blurted out, his demeanour shifting from calm to perplexed to astonished. "Not to mention that Arwen and Aragorn discovered him on top of me, unable to remove himself from me. This resulted in me breaking his nose."
Elrond remembers the days when Legolas was a mere elfing and how he and his sons would get themselves into severe mischief. When Thranduil's son was a visitor at his home, he would get dizzy and have a headache. However, this was millennia ago. Legolas grew up to be a very respectful ellon; he would never offend a maiden in this manner. Elrond felt the ground move under his feet and had to clutch his head with both hands.
"Legolas?" he inquired, perplexed.
"You may question your daughter or Aragorn... you do not think they would lie to you," Xena said, realising that her comments had caused Elrond to become more concerned than she had anticipated. She only wanted to humiliate the elf and avoid more complications.
"My apologies," Elrond said candidly as he rose to his feet and offered her a short bow. "I swear this will never happen again," he assured her. "I'm not sure why Legolas behaved in this way."
It was the first time she had felt genuine resentment against Lord Elrond and even Legolas. She only desired to mock the elf and maybe put him in an unpleasant situation. However, the damned elves have a tendency to take things too seriously. She admitted her error and spoke swiftly to fix it. However, the deed was already completed; Elrond had rushed out to locate Legolas.
She stared motionless as she raised her hand to halt Elrond. She cursed her fate and hurried out of her chamber as well, attempting to find Elrond before a worse spectacle was made. Elrond, on the other hand, was quicker and had already vanished through the hallways, leaving Xena to look for him.
Elrond strode through the enormous aperture, signalling his presence and affording Legolas time to gather his wits and overcome the fear that should be rushing through his heart. He lacked the time to approach Arwen or Aragorn for confirmation of Xena's charges since the human had never lied before. The lord of Imladris was unsure how to approach the prince of Mirkwood with such strange tidings.
Legolas had put himself into his formal demeanour by the time he turned to face him. Legolas was being his normal self, serious and alone, absorbing as much nature as he could. "Legolas, approach," Elrond murmured gravely, alarming the prince.
Legolas hopped beside Elrond, half concerned and half interested, staring him squarely in the eyes. "Vedui', my Lord," [Greetings!] Legolas volunteered to wait and hear the reason for summoning him.
"Legolas, Nae saian luume. [It has been too long.] For an extended period of time, you never provided any cause to disbelieve you, " Elrond addressed him "At times, you have matured faster than my own children."
Legolas was now concerned that Elrond sounded too solemn. "What happened that compelled you to talk about it?" Legolas inquired, his tone dry.
"How much do you know of an incident that occurred not long ago involving you and Xena?" Legolas was taken aback by his question.
He was well aware of what Elrond was alluding to. It was about the shower incident. Legolas had not discussed the topic with anybody, and he was certain Arwen and Aragorn would not either. How did Elrond discover this? Legolas took a deep breath. He attempted to maintain control in his response, attempting to ascertain what he knew before saying anything that might create worse complications.
"What have you heard, Lord Elrond?" Legolas inquired.
The lord of Rivendell knew what Legolas was doing; he wanted to ascertain his level of awareness of the occurrence before informing him. That concerned him more now. While it was obvious that Xena had not lied, how could Legolas act in such a manner?
"I discovered, and I was not pleased with your behaviour, that you invaded Xena's privacy... saw her nude... and somehow ended up on top of her..." Elrond had to halt the narrative due to the pain in his brain. "Is it true?" he inquired.
Legolas bit his lip and attempted to maintain his composure. He had just recently realised what had occurred, and the adaneth made every effort to cause him further problems, to the point where she ended up recounting part of the narrative to Elrond. He had never punched a maiden before, but he would today. He clenched his teeth and responded anguishedly. "I have my Lord!"
"And you will not provide an explanation, Legolas," Elrond replied, caught aback by his admission that he was not only consenting to the issue but also seemed upset. "I believe that the Elvenking raised you better than this?"
Legolas took a long minute to answer since the charges were harsh and he was now being questioned as to the prince of Mirkwood. He had sensed a change in the tone of Elrond's speech. He was forgiven whenever gaming along with the twins or when he was rude. However, it was reported today that he entered a maiden's private chamber and observed her as if she were some type of animal.
He clenched his hands and inhaled deeply. He could easily explain to Lord Elrond what had happened and that neither he nor the adaneth was to blame. Elrond would understand, he would be forgiven, and the adaneth's reputation would be crushed. He was so fervently pumped up that he assumed he would spend the remainder of the day recuperating in preparation for the long travel ahead. And he was now facing severe charges.
However, even an outraged and offended Legolas was a well-behaved Legolas when it came to serious issues that may jeopardise someone's honour. "I made a mistake," he abruptly acknowledged. "I entered the room without seeing it was inhabited. Perhaps I observed the person for an extended period of time than I should have, and as a consequence, I slipped and fell on top of her. Arwen and Aragorn discovered us and came to our rescue."
"At that point, it was an accident," Elrond said. "Apologize to the lady. I will not bring this matter farther... but next time be more careful."
Legolas lowered his eyes and nodded, assuring Elrond that he would make amends. Naturally, in his thinking, he would murder her first and then apologise. Elrond took hold of his shoulder and stepped back, leaving Legolas to his own affairs. He was relieved nothing more severe had occurred. However, the accident continued to worry him. Because it seemed as if Legolas, despite his apologies, was preparing to unleash his fury.
Xena tracked out Legolas seconds later when Elladan told her of his whereabouts. She was fearful of causing a scene, and she was unsure how to approach Legolas and even Elrond. There she was reassuring everyone that she was a capable fighter. She would now be regarded as a child, if not worse.
They were surrounded by silence as she approached Legolas, appearing frightened and observing the elf's lethal and threatening demeanour. She was aware that Elrond had discovered him and that things would go worse than she imagined.
"Do you know what may happen if I truly allowed Lord Elrond to pursue this," he asked without waiting for her reaction. "Informing the Lord of Imladris that one of his important guests behaved like an orc!"
"Trust me," Xena murmured earnest and vulnerable, hoping the elf would take her apologies heart to heart. "I simply wanted to add to your misery... Until I realised the gravity of my actions, the deed was done."
Legolas' furious eyes indicated that his brain had shifted gears from empathy to icy emotional indifference. A phantom thread emerged from his twisted spine and dangled over his head. He refused to accept any excuses and glanced up at her. "It was never my intention," he said through clenched teeth, his veins visible against his smooth face and neck, "to discover you bare-skinned."
"I never said it was!" she said honestly for the first time in this discussion, oblivious to what would follow.
"I know," he snapped at her, "which is why my nose is broken and I was forced to accept the responsibility as if I were some sort of beast. Because you absolved me of wrongdoing."
"I never requested that you shoulder the responsibility!" Xena raised her voice, somewhat enraged yet realising the gravity of the act.
"And what should I have done," Legolas said gravely, taking a step closer and towering over her. "Tell the truth, explain how you were the one who broke my nose and accused me of being some beast? Have you ever encountered this humiliating situation?"
The warrior princess was now dumbfounded and perplexed as to what had occurred. Is it possible that the arrogant elf just accepted all the responsibility in order to assure her that she would encounter no difficulties? "You are reckless," she admitted. "Not just that, but also self-centred. Why would you do anything like that? I should have taken the responsibility, not you."
Legolas lost control of himself and brutally gripped her arm; he leaned too near to her face, so close that she could feel his chilly breath on her cheek. "Because you are an immature child," he said bitterly. "You may argue with me all you want, but at the end of the day, that is all you are."
Like that he freed her and watched her take two steps away from him while losing her balance and looking confused and lost. For the first time in her life, she did not resist him; she just stood there absorbing what he was telling her. Because the darn elf was right, and not only accurate but also honourable in his acts. He would bear the brunt of the blame for her sake, in order to save her honour.
Naturally, she did not need protection. Xena had already violated her name and honour in a past existence. She was a killer who went through some difficult moments. Legolas' attitude and treatment of her were out of character for her. And in the end, he left her feeling like an immature child unsure of how the world worked.
However, the obnoxious elf had accomplished one more thing. He had earned her trust in ways that no one else could. She couldn't quite put it into words. Even though he was aggravating her to no end, the elf had shown himself as a trustworthy friend up to this point.
Even at such times...
This is how the fellowship spent their last day in Imladris and they all returned early to their bed-chambers to sleep and prepare for tomorrow's journey. The following morning, 3018 TA, December 25 a new trip was about to begin, the fellowship would no longer be shielded within Imladris nor would they spend calm and hilarious times. Now their peril and darkness were waiting for them, and they no longer thought about silly things that had transpired within Imladris.
[[Upcoming Chapter Thirty-One]]
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'Ellon' == Elf or He-Elf
'Elleth' == She-Elf
'Adaneth' == Human-female