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)

「The Lord of the Rings」

「The Return of the King」

「BOOK III」

~ LXII: Gondor calls for aid! And Rohan will answer! ~

Edoras, 3019 TA, March 9

The elf drew his cloak tightly about him and donned his hood as he sat on the high wall outside the halls of Meduseld, gazing at the aperture in front of him. The night had gone without a word from Gondor, and he awaited Aragorn's arrival. It was early, and the majority of people seemed to be sleeping. The modest breeze became a powerful breeze as the wind reverberated through the wall.

Suddenly, he saw the woman and her horse leaving the stables and attempting to spend time with Argo. Legolas continues to observe the horse and person attempting to connect. He was not expecting to see her so early, but he sat and observed them nevertheless. As he saw Éadwine coming, his disposition shifted. Legolas had heard and was aware of Éadwine's view on women, but he had never discussed it. He jumped down the wall and raced towards them without hesitation.

As he returned to the location where he had previously sat, he saw the ranger standing and observing him. Aragorn had seen Legolas' early interaction with the human and was now awaiting the return of the elf. He stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and nodded his head to indicate his thanks for the concern, but he needed to have a lengthy conversation with his idiotic friend.

He anxiously scanned the elf's face for indications of concern, but Legolas once again hid his feelings. Aragorn groaned in worry after seeing Legolas' haunting countenance as he ran to 'save' the human. At first, he believed that Legolas was concerned about a friend and that his response would be the same regardless of who of his friends was in danger. The meaning of what the ranger viewed next may be deduced based on his prior knowledge. And that was just what he had dreaded.

"Enough is enough," Aragorn said as Legolas approached him from the left. "You can no longer hide."

"Aragorn... please," Legolas masked his anxiety, "now is not the moment."

The ranger spotted him and sat on the wall, motioning Legolas to follow him. He lighted and smoked his pipe many times while Legolas sat next to him. "What's wrong, Legolas?" he inquired, exchanging anxious glances with him. "You assured me!?"

Legolas excused himself by saying, "It was nothing but a foolish prank," when he realised that Aragorn had seen them. "I could never be interested in such a relationship with a human."

Aragorn smoked and waited a minute before speaking. "Legolas, I know what I saw, and what I saw terrifies me, not because this union is impossible, but because you continue to deny it. I am really worried about you since you continue to pursue my dear friend without noticing."

"To whom? The person?" Legolas responded by seeming irritated "You are mistaken, Aragorn! You assume that I would develop these sentiments for a human since I accepted and supported your relationship with Arwen. This could never occur!"

Aragorn extended his hand and firmly grasped Legolas' shoulder as he said "You already know that I would support you whatever of your decision. I am only attempting to forewarn you before it is too late. If neither of you are already foolish enough to fall in love, you should avoid doing so. If you have, I cannot alter your destiny, my friend. And I will support you."

Legolas gave him a sincere grin and nodded. He was unable to respond to the ranger because he was too puzzled. He was aware that Xena had gained his interest and friendship. He was able to trust her, and he knew that she had the same opinion of him. But now Aragorn was speaking about something else, something Legolas never believed was possible.

Though their chat was abruptly halted when they realised that Gondor had finally requested assistance. It was time to leave Edoras and go to Minas Tirith by horse. The white city needed assistance. Théoden was informed, that the Riders of Rohan were getting ready and the company. The Rohirrim were about to ride to Dunharrow.

Théoden King announced, "So it is before the walls of Minas Tirith, that the doom of our time will be decided."

"Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfil them all! To Lord and Land!" Éomer continued as everyone had leapt on their horses and were ready to leave.

Xena rode her horse as far from Legolas and Gimli as possible. She chose to disregard what had transpired earlier that morning; she now believed the elf was deranged. Perhaps the several occasions in which she had hit her head on his nose led him to get ill.

"My Lady, will you follow us into battle?" Éomer quizzed her as he rode next to her.

Xena stared at Éomer with some confusion, but he said, "That I will!"

"You do not fear battle, my lady. You ride fearlessly! It will be an honour to ride into war with you!" Éomer informed her in good faith. He regarded the lady sitting next to him.

"Are you serious? You now lay your confidence in me." Xena contributed without needing to hold back.

Éomer deemed her capable of speaking her opinion freely. "I must accept that I was mistaken!"

Xena nodded at him without saying anything more. Her eyes stopped on Éowyn, recalling Aragorn's discovery that she was carrying her own blade earlier that day. "Will your sister fight beside us?" Xena asked next.

Éomer gazed at her with concern "I would rather not watch my sister fight! Just to the encampment!"

"I will disagree. We must get as much assistance as possible! And if she wants to fight, you should not prevent her from doing so," Xena urged as they proceeded on on their horses.

"I can't tolerate the loss of members of the royal lineage. Unless we win the fight. Someone must remain behind to protect our people!" He said, "Rohan needs a leader."

"Who are they? If evil prevails! Where do you intend to leave your sister? Will she survive? Allow her to ride along! She should be permitted, just like any of your males!" Xena responded and ended up finally join the group.

Legolas continued to look over his shoulder. His heart seemed strangely heavy. She could not stop glancing at Xena and Éomer conversing. 'Why did they take so long?' His mind was agitated by odd concepts. Gimli touched his shoulder and discovered that the elf carried a few fresh concerns. Théoden and Aragorn rode into the Dunharrow camp to examine the Rohan troops. Their army had been encamped, and they were preparing for war.

"Grimbold, how many?" King Théoden inquired as he stood next to the ranger.

Grimbold responded to his King, "I bring five hundred men from the Westfold," stating that he was bringing the troops from the Westfold. "We have an additional three hundred from Fenmarch."

"Where are the Snowbourn riders?" King asked again.

"None has come, my Lord," he replied

Théoden remarked with a murderous glare "There are six thousand spears. Less than half of my expectations were met."

"Six thousand will not be enough to breach Mordor's defences," Aragorn remarked, knowing what to anticipate. There will be more. Théoden guaranteed him.

"Every hour wasted hastens the fall of Gondor. We have till sunrise. We must then ride," The ranger said as he saw the steadily amassing army.

"The horses are agitated while the men are calm." The elf spoke with irritation in his tone.

"They get anxious under the mountain's shade," observed Éomer. He gazed at Legolas, unsure of why he was staring at him with anger.

"Where exactly does that path lead?" The dwarf was curious.

"It is the way to the Dimholt; the entrance under the mountain," Legolas told his companion.

"No one ever returns after venturing there. This mountain is wicked." Éomer reacted.

"Aragorn, let's find some food," Gimli remarked.

Food was offered to them and each of them was given a tent to rest until the hour that they would ride out. The group of five had decided to rest, all than the hobbit who was worried about Pippin who had ridden with Gandalf to Gondor. Pippin had seen in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan and the wizard had to take him away. Now there he was worried about his friend and troubled as he wanted to fight as well.

((Upcoming Chapter Sixty-Three))

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