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 semi-overwhelming sweetness! You were warned! ^_^

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ LXXIII: Familiar Faces and Stolen Kisses ~

Minas Tirith, 3019 TA, April 1st

Hero. Indeed, she has been referred to in the past as Hero and the Destroyer of Nations. The argument over her atonement continued, and she would never have the correct response. She had struggled once again to defeat the spreading evil in this world. And now, with the war won and just a few battles remaining, what transpired? This victory did not provide her inner serenity, but rather additional uncertainty.

The elf was the only one who could understand her, and he had already assigned them a new assignment. Riding to Imladris he offered, bringing Arwen safe to the King. She accepted. It did not take lengthy discussions to convince her to follow. What was her problem? He asked, and she agreed. And now she was imprisoned in the chamber allotted to her, with two of the finest seamstresses in Gondor attempting to create a new wardrobe for her.

Just a few days ago, everyone was in mourning because the darkness had devastated everything and everyone. Now that hope had returned, mankind had the fortitude to resume their everyday activities. In contrast, Xena could not recognize any ordinary patterns in this realm. She did not respond to her own questions. Why did she go to Middle Earth? What was her relationship with Elrond? What course would she take now?

Hours were spent and the tailors, as well as their subject, were now in conflict. She needed new armour and they could only provide gowns. In the end, she agreed with the most comfortable choice. However, it was a choice well made. It was a long gown, with an A-line silhouette fitted through the bodice and started to flare out at the waist in a triangular fashion. It was moderate to very full at the base. It was an off-the-shoulder gown in a medieval dress with long sleeves that drape gracefully off-the-shoulder.

It was a style suitable for elven maidens and royals, and a host of different occasions. The gown was burgundy red crushed velvet with long flowing sleeves in burgundy chiffon. The dress had tied on the back with satin black ribbons. The front of the bodice was solid like a corset, and the ribbons were hugging the torso creating designs of crosses. And final the waistline was covered with a black satin belt of a thicker ribbon that fell along the long skirt of the gown.

Her pale skin and dark brown hair, had her look like a fair elven maiden. She was now clean and rested, all the dirt was gone, and only a few cuts remained. She was astonished when she observed her own reflection in the mirror. She was well aware that she was beautiful, and always knew the way she carried herself around was not showing that she had confidence in her beauty. But today, she was not only beautiful, but she also looked like those fair maidens she had seen in the elven cities. Amazing what expensive materials can do. Her thought was interrupted when someone knocked on her door.

The two seamstresses had completed their work and opened the door hoping to be rescued. Outside the door was standing a tall elf with dark long hair, the ladies bowed blushed, and run away. Elladan smiled and allowed himself to enter her chamber and glanced at the human wearing the unusual long red gown. His lips curled up and relived his laugh lines, as he smiled at her. Father was right! He thought and now he could see the similarities they shared.

Before the twins left Rivendell to participate in the last great battle of Morannon, Elrond revealed to them the truth. He did not know how the war would end, but he had to explain who Xena was to his twin sons and to Arwen. It raised numerous questions, but it seemed that they already had the answers. Momentarily, Elladan fought this need to tell her the truth and embrace her.

"You certainly look different," Elladan said as he shut the door behind him and approached her."I feel that your time away from Imladris contributed to your attractiveness."

"Perhaps," she agreed as she continued to see her image in the mirror and watch him through it. In addition, she detected the elf's eyes upon her. She turned and faced him, and a grin came on her face as if she were greeting an old friend. "It depends on your reference. Me or the gown?"

"The gown," he taunted with a smile before advancing to embrace her. Then he backed away from her while asking, "However, what will become of your weapons?"

Xena groaned and shook her head, trying not to recall how many times she had told the tailors the same thing. "Currently, Argo will carry them. Until I determine where to get another suit of armour."

"Ask Legolas to accompany you to our tailor when you reach Imladris; he will know what to do!" Elladan suggested as he strolled across her chamber and eventually stopped and began inspecting her weapons in the place where they were kept.

She affirmed, "I will," as she skipped over to the dresser, where she located a brush and began combing her hair. "Why then Legolas? Will neither you nor Arwen be present?"

Elladan grinned as he recalled the reason why the tailor no longer agreed to sew his armour. "We will be in Imladris, but let's assume our relationship with Tailor is strained. And do not consult Arwen; you will never get armour, just more gowns ."

"The last time Arwen and I debated over my attire, I ended up wearing a gown," she said, shaking her head in bewilderment at how the elf maiden had convinced her to wear a gown. "Legolas then," she replied as she began braiding a few strands of her hair and her fingers remembered how Legolas had instructed her.

Elladan continued to examine her after seeing that the designs she used to braid her long hair were similar to those of the Imladris maiden. Elladan had already determined that Legolas was responsible. When the truth was eventually revealed, he would owe him gratitude. Moments later, he grasped her bow and cocked his head, awaiting an explanation as to how Legolas's old bow had become hers.

"He received a better bow in Lothlórien and gave it to me," she remembered of the day the elf gave her his bow and the Lady of Lothlórien gave her arrows. It bothered Xena why the Lady of Light had given her the arrows. "Where is Elrohir?" questioned Xena abruptly.

"He is discussing with Legolas the path we will take so that you may follow" As he lowered the bow and glanced at her, Elladan said, "Why... have you missed us?"

"No! I remember you two constantly appearing together." Xena promised to conceal her peculiar desire to meet Elrohir; maybe she had missed them. "Why are we going to ride separately?

"No, we shall ride beyond Imladris, escorted by rangers who will inspect the boundaries before returning to Imladris. You shall follow the same path as us, it will be safer." Elladan stated as he prepared to go through the door.

"Again we could follow you!" As the sudden need arose not to ride alone with Legolas, Xena urged it would be prudent to ride with the others.

"Ney, you would benefit from riding with Legolas. Legolas concurred with us that it would not be prudent to have a maiden riding with the rangers!" Elladan responded truthfully as he saw the calm countenance transform into an angry one.

Xena argued that it had been a long since she had slapped some sense into the pompous elf. "You want me to agree with the foolishness that the silly elf began again?"

Elladan attempted to maintain her composure despite the fact that neither she nor Legolas was making sense recently. "Spare the poor elf, you will ruin his nose irreparably." Elladan laughed.

"Then why do you not try?" a voice interrupted them suddenly as the door was opened and Legolas stood before her tall, cleaned, and wearing the attire of a silver tunic, having him shine more than usual.

The eyes swept briefly over his face, sending a shudder through her body. "I am not in the mood for games today, elf," Xena growled, and the twins looked at them both with confusion.

Elrohir remarked, "Now, now, do not harm each other before I welcome our friend," and pulled Legolas aside in an attempt to calm them both. He then stepped in front of Xena and studied her for a while. "What a wonderful young lady you've become," he continued, and Elladan added that he had said the same thing previously.

Legolas rolled his eyes as he leaned against the opening door and saw the twins conversing with the human after Elrohir had given her an embrace. Then he realized why she was so angry and wanted to smack some sense into him. However, he would never let her ride with the other rangers. They were both formidable warriors and lusty guys. And while the elf stared at her, she found her and the dress bewitching, he would never allow her to ride with them.

After the twins had gone, Legolas entered her room and locked the door. Xena halted and regarded him indifferently. Legolas concealed a smile as he saw how her fire had increased and she was now prepared to assault him. Legolas attempted to justify his unusual request by stating, "I would prefer that we travelled alone. Alternatively, you waste your time evading the alerted rangers."

"Shut up," Xena hissed back, grinning. "Why are you trying to play my saviour?"

The sneer reappeared, and he skipped alongside her while floating above her. "You are terrible at this!"

"Shut up," muttered the warrior princess as their eyes met and they both inhaled more deeply and increased their pulse rate. The notion that she was ill arose, and she accepted that explanation. She felt ill, which caused her cheeks to flame, her pulse to quicken, and her inability to avert her attention from his.

"Then what is holding you back?" Legolas questioned, his grin becoming brighter as he ensnared the human in a vicious circle from which she could not escape; nevertheless, he was losing his own game since he was suffering from the same sickness.

The human said, "All right," as she bit her own lips and could not stop staring at the fascinating elf, and resolved to have him shut up. She found herself stealing a kiss and then another as she threw her arms around him and pressed her lips against his.

A loving grin grew over his face as he stretched out and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her from the ground and causing her legs to wrap around his waist. His own lips met hers, and another kiss was given.

After many lengthy kisses, with Legolas holding her against the white walls of the chamber, he separated his lips from hers. They exchanged glances and then began to giggle for many minutes. Then, further kisses ensued, and it did not take long for the robes, tunics, and other articles of clothing to face the chilly floor and their naked bodies to be placed on the warm bed.

They didn't leave Minas Tirith until the following day because they were too busy exploring each other's bodies and competing over who was the best kisser. And after a lengthy and intense meeting, their confusion found relief, allowing them to go on to the next obstacle.

((Upcoming Chapter Seventy-Four))

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

MewLover9000: Thank you for staying along in this long ride and reading this Fanfiction. It means a lot and love all the feedback. Again thank you. As for our lovely pair, it will take just a bit longer. But not too long to figure out what is their illness.

Now, from now on, the story begins, or better their story. Middle Earth is not yet totally free from all the evilness. It's time to rebuild what was destroyed. Mirkwood, Erebor, and Dale are still in trouble, and our story will continue there. But allow me some delay before that. A few peaceful moments before new conflict will arise. ^_^