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)

~ XXXI: The departure from Rivendell ~

Imladris, 3018 TA, December 25

At last, the Fellowship of the Ring turned away and faded silently into the dusk as planned. They crossed the bridge and made their way carefully up the steep roads that led out of Rivendell's cloven valley, until they reached the high hills, watching behind them all others of the house of Elrond, members and guests, who stood there in the shadows and watched them walk away offering them their wishes for safe travel.

For many miles and days, they were determined to keep their track west of the mountains. To avoid detection by hostile eyes, they intended to go at a slower pace over the rugged and desolate landscape on the other side of the mountain range, where the Great River flows.

Gandalf walked in front, and with him went Aragorn, who knew this land even in the dark. Hours earlier he had walked through the gardens of Imladris visiting his mother's grave which he had not visited for many years. He stood there for a long time watching the statue trying to remember the last memory of his dear mother. He leaned forward cleaning the dirt and dead plants that grew in dry soil.

At the age of twenty, Aragorn's mother, Gilraen, observed a shift in her son and asked him about it. Elrond would not readily agree to the marriage of his own daughter to a mortal man, even if he were the rightful heir to Gondor. In fear that the line of Isildur might cease, Gilraen warned Aragorn that his destiny was to roam the Wild. Aragorn left Rivendell and joined the Rangers of the North, and his mother left Rivendell and went to live alone near her people in Eriador. She did not often see her son for he continued to journey throughout Middle-earth.

His thoughts, however, returned to his beloved Arwen. Now as the darkness was rising he feared for her more than ever. If his mother were still alive she would advise him on the matter, because he did not know what path to take. He was leaving her behind without knowing where this journey would bring him. He would be one of the nine who aided in the distraction of the ring, and for that, he was not complaining. Though, he was leaving his heart behind without knowing what would follow.

"Anirne hene beriad i chên în. Ned Imladris nauthant e le beriathar aen." [She wanted to protect her child. She thought that in Rivendell you would be safe.] Elrond's quiet voice astonished the ranger, who was in deep thought, as he approached him from behind.

Aragorn didn't give Elrond much of a second glance; instead, he continued to look at the statue of his mother and was gently stroking her face. The Lord of Imladris resumed, after a little hiatus, "In her heart, your mother knew you'd be hunted all your life. That you'd never escape your fate. The skill of the Elves can reforge the sword of kings, but only you have the power to wield it."

The ranger finally acknowledged him and turned and face him with his hand resting close to his neck where the Arwen Evenstar Pendant rested. "I do not want that power. I have never wanted it," he said and believed it.

"Aragorn, You are the last of that bloodline." Elrond reminded him "There is no other."

The ranger sighed and continued to look at the statue, he knew that if his mother was alive she would have reminded him of the same. Arwen had as well. Arwen he thought, he would miss her now, more than ever. But once again his thoughts were interrupted as if Elrond had read his thoughts.

"Our time here is ending." he said with a sadness in his voice "Arwen's time is ending. Let her go. Let her take the ship into the west. Let her bear away from her love for you to the Undying Lands. There it will be evergreen and no darkness."

"But never more than memory," answered Aragorn respectfully. Although, he understood Elrond's worries because he somehow kept agreeing with him. He would never want to see Arwen fade away or live through all the darkness. He loved her, but he did not love her so little to be the cause of her suffering.

"I will not leave my daughter here to die," Elrond rose his tone staring at Aragorn.

"She stays because she still has hope," said Aragorn.

Aragorn left without saying another word while hearing Elrond reminding him that "She stays for you. She belongs with her people."

He felt his heart sink at that moment, knowing that Elrond was telling the truth. He had to free her to allow her to travel to the undying lands. He started walking back to his chamber to retrieve his belongings and meet with the rest of the fellowship when he suddenly crossed paths with Arwen.

"Nach gwannatha sin?" [Is this how you would take your leave?] Arwen asked sensing that was something wrong. Her eyes rested against his waiting for his answer as he stood there. "Ma nathach hi gwannathach or minuial archened?" [Did you think you could slip away at dusk – unnoticed?]

The ranger paused and took a deep breath knowing what he was about to tell her would break both of their hearts. He turned to her and continued walking as Arwen stepped in front of him cutting off his way.

"Ú-ethelithon." [I will not be coming back.] he gave her a fast response and tried to walk past her.

"Estelio guru lîn ne dagor. Ethelithach." [You underestimate your skill in battle. You will come back.] her voice come calmer assuring him that he would not find death in this mission.

"Ú-bedin o gurth ne dagor." [It is not of death in battle that I speak.] He said that he did not master to find the words that he needed. He again turned away and started walking once more, not being able to give her a cruel answer. She was the maiden that he loved and cared for, admitting to her that there was no future would bring her the same sorrow that he felt earlier when Elrond spoke to him about the matter.

Arwen gazed at him confused, gently grabbed his arm, and stood before him again. He stopped trying not to meet her gaze. Trying to hide his sadness. "O man pedich?" [What do you speak of?]

The ranger dropped his gaze against the ground momentarily, taking a deep breath and gathering his emotions, then he gazed into her eyes. "Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel. Hae o auth...a nîr...a naeth." [You have a chance for another life. Away from war...grief...despair.] he finally told her hoping she would understand what he meant.

Her eyes widened and he could hear the pain in her voice when he figured out what he was implying "Why are you saying this?"

"I am mortal. You are Elf-kind. It was a dream, Arwen. Nothing more." Aragorn answered in a gentle voice.

However, Arwen was not a fool nor a newborn elf, she had lived long enough to understand that there was another reason that he was setting her free. He loved her and she knew it. He loved her so much that he could forsake their love for her to live an immortal life. "I don't believe you." she shook her head.

He gently opened Arwen's hand and put the pendant in her palm. He took his hand away, allowing her to see that he was returning it to her. "This belongs to you," he said.

She looked at Aragorn with all the composure she could muster as his words had cut her deeper than a knife. "It was a gift!" she reminded him closing his hands around the pendant "Keep it!"

Those were the last words that they both had exchanged in privacy. She only wished him farewell from afar as she did to the rest of the Fellowship. He was left in agony with the promise of the pendant still hanging and the great pain that he had caused her. Although of what had happened he had placed the pendant around his neck like a forever lasting promise.

The rest of the Fellowship were in file behind Gandalf and Aragorn, and Legolas whose eyes were keen was the rearguard. The first part of their journey was hard and dreary, and Xena was trying her best not to slay any of the two hobbits. As Merry and Pippin decided to ask her all kinds of questions to make the woman's fury burn alive. They wanted to know about her family, her village, and her friends. From when was the first time she had picked up a sword, to why she was not having body hair.

That question surprised the warrior princess, as she recalled back in her world she had only a few transparent hairs, but that was not the case when she reached Middle-Earth. Her body had no hair at all, she found her walking to be lighter than before and even the time of healing took her less than the first time she was injured. 'Maybe somehow this forsaken world did mess with her body as well.'

Eventually, after enough walking, the hobbits became tired enough and stopped bothering her. Frodo and Sam kept mostly quiet and whenever they spoke it was between themselves. Boromir kept closed to Aragorn most of the time, complaining about how unlucky it was to take a woman on such a dangerous journey. And as for Legolas, she could see him from afar scouting the area.

He prefered his solitude, keeping his mind open to their surroundings preferring focusing on the mission. He was an elf of a few words, and let the others do the talking. He went mostly unnoticed until someone earned his ire and would end up regretting it. Because he was always aware of the situation and those within his circle. By speaking less, he listened more, noticing things the rest of the Fellowship could not.

It was only the first day of their journey, Xena observed him and noticed that part of his. She had seen him like that before when they had taken the short trip for the supplies, but today his demeanour had fully changed and she could not read him. His eyes were cold, and his face revealed no emotion. His mind was set on the mission to keep the fellowship safe.

However, he had already noticed that something was bothering Aragorn. The ranger seemed like his often grim self, but today something deeper was bothering him. When time allowed it, he would converse with him and find out what the problem was.

The sunless days and cold made her appreciate that for once she listened to Elrond's advice and wore more clothing than she would usually wear. She had to admit that the Lord of Rivendell was right once more and the cold winter was so unfamiliar to her skin, although they were some moments she felt she could stand through the cold and ice.

It seemed that the last of the night the human could not rest on the fact the annoying elf took all the blame for her sake. She could understand that he was trying to protect her in his own ways, and even if he managed to leave her speechless, Xena could not allow it to happen. She sought out and found Elrond in his study chamber explaining to him the situation.

"Le suilon! [I greet you!] He said while allowing her into his study hall; one of the guards had informed him that the human wanted to see him, which piqued his interest.

Xena returned his salutation with a slight nod, supposing the unfamiliar word to be some kind of greeting. "I wanted to see you," she confessed as she skipped up to his desk and Elrond motioned her to have a seat. "It's due to the shower accident," she said as she moved back and sat in the closest recliner.

"What about it," Elrond answered quietly, leaning on his chair and listening to her carefully.

"I lied," she confessed as she raised her head and locked her gaze on him. "It was not Legolas' fault!"

"I'd be delighted to learn what unfolded then," Elrond grinned at her in understanding. The Elf Lord did not look to be angry with her, nor did he appear to judge her. He was kind enough to take a seat and listen to her explanation.

Xena tensed somewhat but regained her voice and began retelling the situation to Elrond, clarifying that it was not Legolas' fault. She was the one who hurried into the showers, oblivious of Legolas's presence. The remainder of the narrative was told, and Xena felt somewhat better for her candour.

"Your heart is true," he softly whispered. "Legolas is not in any trouble. It was just coincidental. We appreciate your clarification of the matter and your confidence in Legolas."

"I was not concerned about the elf," Xena said confusedly, "I only wanted to tell you the truth!"

"Why?" he questioned gravely. "Why bother? You seemed unconcerned about Legolas, and plainly I assumed it was an accident."

Xena wrinkled her brows, her gaze fixed on Elrond, who had managed to confound her once again. "Because I despise being indebted to the elf. And that was the moral thing to do!" She was able to come up with an explanation that was consistent with her beliefs.

Elrond's lips curled into a grin, and she detected a hint of irony in his voice as he said, "Then you should rest, that is my last advice to you."

Xena nodded and rose; she had had enough of being around Elrond. He had a way of making her feel uncomfortable with his gaze. Indeed, as promised, she departed to relax but was halted by the twins. They spent time with the human, saying their goodbyes and assuring her that she would be welcomed in Rivendell after this mission was completed. The twins and Elrond seemed to have reassured her that she would always find a home in Imladris if she needed one.

Finally, she was now journeying far away from Rivendell with the Fellowship. And although she was pleased deep down she knew she would miss its peace and quiet, and the calm days she spent there. If she would somehow survive, thing she still wished not, she would then think about the matter.

The Company was well-clad; they seldom felt cold, whether they were moving or resting. They slept uncomfortably in the daytime, in some valley of the ground or concealed behind the tangled thorn bushes that grew in thickets in numerous locations. They were woken in the late afternoon by the watch and served their major meal: often chilly and depressing since they could seldom risk building a fire. They continued in the nighttime, always as close to southerly as they could find a way.

((Upcoming Chapter Thirty-Two))

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