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: Concepts contained in this chapter include sensual scenes. I am so sorry about the overwhelming sweetness!

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ LXVI: Smitten intoxication ~

With a sigh, you turn away
With a deepening heart
No more words to say
You will find that the world
Has changed forever

And the trees are now turning
From green to gold
And the sun is now fading
I wish I could hold you closer

Bair Nestad*, 3019 TA, March 16

Every wounded soldier had been slowly cared for. The houses of healing were filled with wounded men and a few women who were seeking relief from the pain of their wounds and the credulity of the battle. The Warden of the Houses of Healing and Ioreth took care of the few newly arrived injured. The Gondorian Warden of the Houses of Healing was in charge of the Houses of Healing.

Earlier, he had irritated both Gandalf and Aragorn with his propensity to engage in lengthy discussions about herbs; meanwhile, he had demonstrated ignorance regarding the healing properties of athelas, which had been almost forgotten, save by the few who still remembered the lore of the Elder Days. However, he appeared to be more concerned with assisting the injured than further irritating Aragorn.

As the night grew older, the injured began to drift off to sleep, while the others found a corner or chair to rest. Gimli had discovered a soft enough bedding to allow him to fall asleep. Legolas escaped the houses of Healing by hiding in trees outside. Numerous trees and lawns brought him peace, as the trees and nature soothed and comforted him and aided his recovery.

Sitting between the trees he found peace and nature's sweet aroma had him forget the horrifying scenes of the battle. He knew that tonight's rest was only offering a small comfort to what would come. Gondor had won, but the enemy was still standing and Middle Earth was in danger. But he needed a moment of rest, from all the death that they had been surrounded by.

Truth be told, the darkness and cruelty of Sauron never ceased expanding. It affected all living things, but elves more than any other species. Even though Legolas was accustomed to the darkness of Mirkwood, this growing darkness was different. The shadow was slowly closing in on him, and a strange sensation was developing within him. The sea's call was closer than he could have imagined.

Legolas endured. Two ravenous forces, Oropher's fire, and Thranduil's coldness, one attacking and the other defending, comprised a significant portion of him. There was, however, another aspect that concealed warmth and benevolence, a generous force that was a part of his mother. He was a total unknown. Because Legolas was not all of the preceding, he was more. The Prince's open mind and courageous heart had evolved over time.

The Sindarin royal prince, the silvan Mirkwood chief, the Woodland Messenger, the elf archer, and warrior, were only a small part of him. He knew and respected the history and traditions of his ancestors. However, he had lived and known life outside the elven borders. He had friends, elves, humans, and dwarves. He had embarrassed his past and percent and had accepted it.

This night came with a whisper of perfect black that grew into a comforting chorus of stars. The evergreen had surrounded the elf slowly easing his worries and calming him down. His dazzling figure was still sitting crossed-legged in between the trees. There in the blackness of night he believed to be alone, lost in his own thoughts. Until the sound of cracking of a tree branch disturbed his thoughts.

She had finished with her bath and had cleaned her armor. She was wearing a simple white gown given to her by Ioreth. The elderly wife demanded of her to clean up before she would rest, and respecting her long years, Xena could not attack her. However, she did not mind getting rid of all the dirt and blood that covered her body and armor. After she was done with those tasks, and while not being able to sleep she decided to find some rest outside one of the gardens of the Houses of healings.

There she was not greeted only by the calmness of nature and the peace of the night. There she found a dazzling source, the kind of dazzle, that seared into her retinas making her close them for fear of going blind. The sort of brightness that would make fresh snow look grey and dull. It was a lightness to rival the sun itself. However, there was more, a familiar scent. That Fragrant and exquisite, smell of life. It could relax her anxious heart many times. The scent of trees, and autumn leaves. Or was it the scent of the wood and flower spring? Maybe both.

"Still awake," he said in a voice soft, and light; like a humming song, that only allured her closer to him.

"Ah, would that will be me?" the human asked as she skipped next to Legolas but refused to gaze at him. Her mind was trying to wheel around a new thought, it was trying to create something that she had ignored and avoided for a very long time.

The Ellon nodded and glanced at her, noticing that she had already changed and cleaned herself. He sighed as it was only then that he realized he was still wearing his armor. He did not appear filthy or untidy, but he was dusty and would benefit from a bath.

They remained silent for some time. Each felt awkward in the silence, which had previously not bothered them. The human finally turned and faced the elf, observing that he had not cleaned up, but despite his filthy appearance, Legolas was alluring. She nearly stuck her head while such perverted thoughts slowly sized her up. Xena possessed the admirable quality of being at ease with her body. She was sexually liberated and never expressed regret for this.

Since awakening in Middle-earth, she had never been bothered by the notion. She constantly worried about significant matters. However, not tonight as she was observing the elf from a distance awoke desires she had forgotten she had. There was only one plausible explanation for why she concealed her head alongside the battle. She could not be sexually aroused by the annoying elf.

If her thoughts were visible, they would resemble an inverted explosion, with crazy, chaotic turns and twists of light converging on a single concept, a single word. 'Legolas!' This simple word was used to describe a way of life that celebrates life. The thought was nothing more than a figment of her imagination, so why does it remain so stubbornly in her mind?

How could her feelings toward the elf have shifted from hatred to something else, something more pleasant? She had faith in Legolas, of that she was certain. The elf was not her foe, but rather her friend. Right? A close friend who had repeatedly rescued her. Perhaps Cupid's son had once again escaped, and a love arrow had brought her mind to the gutter.

She shook her head, indicating that the excuse was invalid. The Cupid and his arrows did not exist in this world. However, her desire to attack Legolas grew to the point where it began to affect her more than she believed. It was time for her to depart, lest she ended up attacking him, which would not be entirely her doing.

However, the problem had already begun, as the elf was possessed by identical thoughts and desires. The intoxicating scent of her grew on him and led him astray. His mind darkened, and he became more accepting than ever of his mischievous Mirkwood inheritance, which had gradually made him a bit more reckless and daring.

She felt Legolas' hand on her shoulder, he was close enough for her to reach him, but his skin was cooler than she had anticipated. There was no trace of melancholy in his eyes. His lips formed the words her legs let go of, and she felt his arms catch her, not pulling her up but cushioning her fall to the ground. She felt the anticipation like electrical sparks falling to the ground, gathering in her toes. She was required to make clear how things were.

His body was obviously too muscular to be slouched; however, it was just as relaxed as his face. He was grinning, as though something mischievous was about to occur. The world was felt by her feet. Nevertheless, she enjoyed it. The playful appearance and teasing grin awoke her competitive nature. She returned his smirk with a confident grin.

Her mind was indeed enchanted, charmed, and captivated by the elf, but she was aware that she was seducing him to play this new game. She had nothing to lose and nothing to gain and was simply seeking a small amount of enjoyment before the next battle. There was nothing else but an escape from the pressure she had endured, right? She was permitted to consume a sweet.

The problem was that Legolas was already enchanted by her, despite her lack of seduction. It was unclear when or why the event occurred. The elf was uncertain of its significance. The Eldar's method of choosing a mate was unique and permanent. However, Legolas did not care about this rule tonight. He did not need to specify his action; he simply disregarded the elven logic.

Legolas pulled her closer to his chest. The emotions that permeated the area were sufficient to convey his message without the use of words. Her ear was tickled by his nose. She emitted a small gasp and wriggled uncomfortably. She felt his lips lightly brush her neck. Her face warmed up. She mustered sufficient courage to meet his gaze. His dark gray-blue eyes shone brightly.

Xena leaned against him and locked eyes with him. The long white gown was fluttering in the breeze. She wrapped her arms around him and drew him closer, feeling his powerful torso against her. Her right hand was placed in front of his face and slowly pushed back his hair to reveal his face. Her eyes widened in response to the radiance of his skin. She indecently stole a kiss from him before stealing another.

Surprisingly, Legolas returned her kisses while grinning. He gently lifted her up and turned her so that her back faced the grass. Legolas climbed above her and kissed her slowly. Everything that began so delicately, became wild and solid. They separate and take trembling, shallow breaths. Legolas, unable to contain himself, took her head in his hands and pulled her into a fiery, passionate kiss.

With the kiss came the poised, silky touch of her body, the perfect balance of relaxation and tension. Slowly and wildly, tension rose within them. The temptation already existed. It was always written in their eyes: chemistry, and an invitation to learn more about the other. Tonight was an opportunity for their bodies to express themselves without the use of words. The moment Ellon kissed her on the neck, her resistance collapsed. She was drawn to him after just a few delicate touches of his warm lips. Now there was only one desire, one wish, and they both knew that its fulfillment was only a matter of time.

Immediately, Legolas attempted to strip her naked. The gown was removed and flipped out of the way. She used her own hands to undo his tunic. She nearly tore his shirt apart until she could see his skin. Both parties paused and laughed at their responses. His head was buried in her neck, and his hands roamed her entire body. As their skins finally touched, they inhaled deeply and rapidly. Xena was smitten. It was evident in their laughter, their gentle touch, and their lingering gaze as they parted.

Similar to a drug and an addiction, their bodies were linked. One-touch was sufficient to intoxicate them instantly. His scent alone put her into a trance, one that lasted until their bodies were once again still and their souls were as close as they could be. They felt passion, intensity, and intoxication that night.

The morning found them snoozing beneath the trees, nestled in each other's arms on the grass. They awoke and gazed at one another for an extended period of time. They shared one long kiss before standing up and getting dressed. They did not discuss what had occurred because it was unnecessary. It was only for a single night that they were intoxicating.

For the human, it was merely a stress-relieving night, while for the elf, it was merely an enticing night with a human. There was nothing else present; there was no catch. After the war ended and if they were victorious, they would each go their separate ways, and this would be the perfect night for them to spend together. Nothing further.

Phonies. They were both liars.

((Upcoming Chapter Sixty-Seven)

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

Bair Nestad* ==Tolkien considered giving the Houses of Healing a Noldorin name.

He created the name Bair Nestad, but it was never used in the narrative.

hotlatte: Here is the next chapter and hopeful the next one will come tomorrow