Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess

Author's Note:

A small chapter before their adventure starts once more. ^_^

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ XLVI: Plotting in the Dark~

Caras Galadhon, 3019 TA, February 13

His silver-blonde hair was every hue from the white-spun sun to silver-grey, all married into long flowing locks. It has been the longest day he had left his hair to unbraid, freely breezing against the gentle breeze. The golden leaves were echoing with the golden light of the soul and into eternity. He had fallen into the void, into a peaceful void that only the forest of Lothlórien. How could this world be without forests, and rivers, without the calmness that nature offered freely? The elf imagined this world destroyed, and that was to leave his soul without breath.

He was most awake, most present at the moment, and every sense of nature converges into a single motion of what would come. He kept walking between the Mallorn trees his face looking ageless, but there was wisdom in his eyes that could not balance the ageless face. During the time spent in the forest of Lothlórien, it was as if there was a feeling passing between each living thing, a bond that was tangible and blended, a melody beyond the range of ears but available for the heart. And so, as each golden leaf moved in the wind, a part of him did also. It was the togetherness of what was separate, the glue in the universe.

There was a softness to his appearance, a kind of warmth she had not noticed before. Perhaps, because it was the first time she was observing the annoying elf from a far distance. She sitting a high up chamber that was offered to her and him following unknown paths between the golden trees. Xena had spent most of the evening there, finding a rare connection between the forest. She was unaware of how long she was there simply taking the view and smells of the forest and for the first time since she was in this forsaken world that she needed a moment of silence a moment to spend along with the forest.

It was like the light and peace that it was emitting could reach the deepest parts of her soul and heal it. It was a unique feeling that the human had never felt, and she could not explain what was happening. Maybe the side effect of the Mirkwood wine was still upsetting her. It was just a side effect of the hangover that she experience nothing else. It was the only explanation she could offer to her troubled self. In a simple way when the sun brightened the forest of Lothlórien all the darkness would fade away. How had she not noticed the days before?

It wasn't long until everyone went into a deep slumber simultaneously. Soon, neither noise nor dreams interrupted their sleep. The fellowship slept on the sofas, Legolas slept under a Mallon tree, and Xena slept in the chamber that was provided to her. When they awoke, the lawn in front of the pavilion was bathed in sunlight, and the fountain shimmered in the sun as it rose and fell.

They stayed in Lothlórien for many days, as best as they could tell or recall. The sun shined brightly the whole time they were there, with the exception of a little rain that sometimes dropped and evaporated, leaving everything fresh and clean. The air was mild and gentle as if it were early spring, yet they sensed the profound and reflective stillness of winter. It seemed to them that all they did was eat, drink, relax, and roam among the trees.

Haldir had bid them farewell and returned to the Northern walls, where the great watch was now kept since the tidings of Moria that the Company had brought. Legolas, Gimli and Xena spend time with the Galadhrim, trying to narrate the dwarf and the human through the history of the Elves of mixed descent (Sindar, Silvan, and Ñoldor) living in the forest of the Lothlórien. It caused many conflicts between the three but in the end, they allowed him to have his way. The annoying elf could be very stubborn at times.

Aragorn and Boromir spent their time discussing the white city and debating the best course of action. Beyond Lothlórien, Aragorn had no idea which path to choose. Boromir desired the route along Minas Tirith. And their discussion lasts for quite some time. Until that one night when the Fellowship was called to Celeborn and Galadriel's chamber, where they were welcomed with kind words by the Lord and Lady.

"Now is the time," Celeborn said, "when those who wish to continue the must harden their hearts to leave this land."

The Lord of Lothlórien suggested to those who could no longer take this quest to stay in Lothlórien until they would ready to continue on their own paths. Those who decided to continue their path would become more dangerous and darker. There was silence. And the Fellowship started thinking about their options although everyone had already made up their mind.

All nine were dispersed, recalling the previous month. Since the Fellowship first set foot in Lothlórien one month ago, it has been a long and trying month. They discovered the golden forest, which would remain in their memories for a very long time. The Lady of Light's enchantment nourished the land and transformed it into a magical forest that was difficult for evil to penetrate. This made the country and its inhabitants secure. However, it wasn't the only verifiable aspect that made the Golden Wood impressive. The Light, the Elves, and the Trees were all synced to exhibit the maximum conceivable degree of life.

The party of nine got the chance to reside in Caras Galadhon (Lothorien's Capital), a magnificent place. To see the Golden hues of the Blossom country. To traverse the Land of the Singing Gold Valley. A transformational experience for the better. It was a little respite from the massive responsibility they had undertaken. Nevertheless, nothing lasts forever. And it was once again time to go for Mordor. To destroy the ring and accomplish their mission.

"They all resolved to go forward," said Galadriel looking in their eyes and knowing what they had chosen.

"As for me," spoke Boromir, "my way home lies onward and not back." He had said many times that he wanted to cross through Gondor, he always had faith in his city.

"That is true," said Celeborn, "but is all this Company going with you to Minas Tirith?"

"We have not decided our course," answered Aragorn. "Beyond Lothlórien I do not know what Gandalf intended to do. Indeed I do not think that even he had any clear purpose."

"Maybe not," said Celeborn, "yet when you leave this land, you can no longer forget the Great River. As some of you know well, it cannot be crossed by travellers with baggage between Lórien and Gondor, save by boat."

They debated again for a long time, but in the end, they decided that they would follow Celeborn's plan and travel by boat. Boats would make their journey less toilsome for a while. After that, they would again travel by foot, they would have to leave the boats and the River, and turn west – or east. Finally, after many days, they found the route that they would follow.

Aragorn repeatedly thanked Celeborn. The gift of boats brought him much comfort, not least because he would not have to pick his direction for many days. The others also seemed more optimistic. It seemed preferable to float down the vast flow of Anduin to confront whatever dangers were ahead than to advance with bowed backs.

"All shall be prepared for you and await you at the haven before the time of your departure," assured them Celeborn. "I will send my people to you to help you make ready for the journey. Now we will wish you all a fair night and untroubled sleep."

"Good night," said Galadriel "Sleep in peace! Do not trouble your hearts over much with the thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them."

The Company then departed and returned to their pavilion, now once again they had found a leader in Aragorn who would lead them ahead and a new path that they should follow. It was amazing how small details like those could bring hope again in their quest. Despite Galadriel's instructions, they desired to confer together. Legolas accompanied them. These extended weeks were also unique for Legolas. However, he was an Elf and was raised among Elves. Recently, he had undergone several changes. Since leaving Mirkwood, he was no longer the same elf he had been before. His mind was more receptive, and his heart was eager to make new acquaintances.

Even though he was a prince, he did not mind masquerading as a Mirkwood archer. He became closest friends with the human Aragorn. And recently, he had begun to develop a closer relationship with a dwarf. However, he formerly despised dwarfs. Now everything was entirely different. He became a great friend of Gimli. The remainder of the fellowship. Only the human was still unknown and confusing ground for him. One day the elf could understand her, and the next her behaviour was something so new to him that kept bewildering him and bewitching him.

((Upcoming Chapter Forty-Seven))

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

MewLover9000: I am waiting for the adventure to start once again. And it shall start in the next chapter!