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

Author's Note:

Warning: Behold a Yak of sweetness! You were warned!

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ LXI: Morning Games ~

Edoras, 3019 TA, March 6

Xena remained up till the early hours of the morning in the spacious bedroom. She was now clad in her armour, and her once-beautiful gown lay torn on the enormous bed. When the windows of her room were open, a surge of chilly spring breeze flowed through the currents. She was incapable of guessing and did not care how unladylike she seemed. She knew she was clean and prepared for the next battle. That is why everyone awaited the call for the next battle, waiting for Gondor to request assistance. It seemed absurd, but the command came from the king of Rohan. And the others complied.

She was unable to sleep, and since the sun's first rays had shown, she decided to spend some time with her horse. In a former life, she had trained Argo to listen to her whistling, and the untamed horse eventually complied after much effort. Now it was time to train the horse she had been given. She named her Argo, and the elf told her that she liked her new name. And surprisingly, Xena accepted it. She was not amused by it, nor did she find anything humorous about it.

Moments later, she found herself outside the stables, where other Rohan riders were already caring for their horses. She passed them and arrived at Argo. The horse trotted once as she detected Xena's approach. She unlocked the stall and released her. Xena murmured, "You're going with me, girl," and Argo followed. Together, they walked outside the barn till they reached a much more open area. Thereafter, Xena began training her gradually. Initially, it seemed as if it would be impossible. It took more than a year to train Argo, but she could begin immediately. And she would instruct her during their leisure time.

She questioned what had made her feel calmer and appreciated her time with Argo. She was upset at Legola's behaviour last night. The elf briefly convinced herself that he would end up sleeping with her. Today, she considered it ridiculous, since the elf did not have such enticing ideas. He was five hundred years old, and she was certain that several she-elves had unsuccessfully attempted to sneak into his bed. How could he lose his composure and approach her?

She knew that he would not comply. First, since it was evident that he had no such sentiments for her. Second, she was human, and although she was neither elf nor did she grow up in Middle-earth, she was certain that the notion of her repulsed him. And what about her? Her inner voice asked. Was she curious about the elf? Obviously not, since she arrived in Middle-earth without such ideas. She had more pressing matters to address than such trivial sentiments. Right?

Xena would not lie, he was a damn great kisser. For someone who was a virgin, the damn elf knew how to bring those lips and tongue to use. She could not decline that the strength of his body was one of the kind as well. However, that was not the only thing, he was handsome, in ways that bewitched her. And his scent was intoxicating. But beyond all was his demeanour, that pride of his and confidence, the way he carried himself. It had gotten her attention since the first day they met. But Legolas was not only that, he was a trusted friend, and her saviour many times.

Xena trained Argo and was spacing out thinking about the elf and did not pay much attention to her surroundings. Because If she would have, would notice that one of Rohirrim, the one called Éadwine had seen her in the stables and followed her. The woman was unarmed and gave all her focus to the horse. It made him approach her with the intention first to talk to her.

"You know how to tame a Rohan Horse, my lady," Éadwine said suddenly as he appeared from the west parts surprising Xena, "There are a few horsemen who can train our horses."

Xena turned and faced him acknowledging that it was the Rohirrim from before, she recalled his rudeness. "I am familiar," she answered and faced away from him and stepped next to Argo.

The man paused for a moment and scanned the area around him noticing that there was no one there "You are a very strange human," he said in a creepy tone "You are allowed to follow a male company on a dangerous mission. You can fight and speak freely, where have you grown up to be given such benefits."

Xena sighed because she was not in the mood to hurt the man. Because of the way he was acting, she was sure in a few moments he would find that she was able to use her fists. Because she would punch him. "It doesn't matter where I grew up, I would not be any different..." she offered dryly.

Éadwine was bold, he grew up thinking that all women were born for one reason to serve the man. He skipped next to her and grabbed her arm. "If you grew up in Rohan, you would know your place." he hissed at her "What kind of woman would follow such a mission? What kind of woman would allow herself to stay in the same room with an elf and be dragged around by him."

Xena rolled her eyes and freed her arm by punching his hand away. "Don't make me hurt you! You better leave," Xena said calmly and stepped away. Men like Éadwine did not scare her, it would take one punch and the Rohirrim would see birds and stars flying around his head. But she did not want to cause a scene.

Though Éadwine did not take no for an answer, and he did not understand the warning that Xena gave him. "What kind of woman are you?" he growled at her and tried to grab her arm once more. Xena sighed and clenched her right fist ready to punch him.

Suddenly, he grabbed Éadwine's wrist and drew him away from her, preventing him from grabbing the individual. "She is my kind of lady," he said. "You had best keep your hands to yourself before I force you!"

Xena leapt around while listening to a familiar voice speaking, and found the stubborn elf in front of her. Xena rolled her eyes at the new role that the prince of Mirkwood decide to play. She tried to interfere but Legolas blocked her way by pushing her behind him. He cast a glance at her upon his shoulder demanding her to stay out of it.

"I did not know that she was your lady, forgive me," Éadwine mumbled and stepped back not wanting to start any fight with the elf. Because he had seen what Legolas was capable of doing.

"Do not apologise to me; apologies to the lady," Legolas remarked in a calmer tone as he freed his wrist. "And it would be prudent if you did not treat any woman in the same manner in the future."

"I'm sorry, m'lady, I did not know any better," the Rohirrim mumbled and then ran away.

"I can take care of myself, elf!" Xena contended as she watched Legolas facing her with a smirk on his face "You should know better"

"I know," he admitted keeping still the same annoying smile on his face "It was my pleasure aiding you!"

Xena paused and took a step forward blue eyes locked on grey, her fingers grasped his collar and she pulled him down to her level. "Never interfere between me and my prey," she warned him dangerously "And I am not yours! Are we clear?"

Legolas stared at her for a long second and started laughing "I never admitted you were mine, I simply agree that you were my kind of lady," he defended himself.

"It's the same thing," Xena argued getting more upset than she should have been. The damn elf was toying with her and she felt like falling a volunteer victim to his game.

"Now it is done. It cannot be altered," Legolas offered as he stood proudly and kept staring at her, he never stepped back, he simply allowed her to tug him along "After all it is unfair," he said and Xena tilted her head confused "You naming me as your property, but I cannot hold possession over you?"

It was the first time since she landed on Middle Earth that she felt her heart skip a beat or maybe two, she felt cornered by her own tactics and ended up gazing at him as a fool. She freed him but felt herself still being too close to him. As it was now the elf who was holding the back of her head with his right hand. He stared at her for a bit longer without saying anything. And before he turned away to leave, he brushed his lips against her giving her a very light kiss. Then he leaned against her ear and whispered in elvish "You are my kind of lady!"

Xena stood there next to Argo with crimson cheeks, her mind was filled with many colourful fireworks and she was speechless. Eventually, she managed to process what had happened and return to her reality. But today it was the first time she felt like she was seduced by Legolas in a short minute. She needed to bring Argo back to the stables and have a very cold shower.

((Upcoming Chapter Sixty-Two)

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