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)

Act II

Belonging

Chapter 127: Morning Mischief in Minas Tirith

White City, 3019 TA, July 22th

The first rays of dawn crept through the windows of their shared chamber, casting a soft golden glow over the room. The delicate light played on the white stone walls, illuminating the space in gentle hues. Xena stirred first, the faint chirping of birds outside breaking her slumber. She groaned softly, rolling over and burying her face into the pillow.

Legolas was already awake. Elves needed little sleep, and he had spent the quiet hours of the night gazing out the window, enjoying the peace of Minas Tirith. When Xena turned, her hair a tousled mess, he couldn't resist a faint smile. But as he leaned forward to greet her, she groaned again.

"Don't even think about it, mushroom prince," she muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Legolas chuckled softly, sitting up and reaching for his tunic. "You're far from charming in the morning, warrior princess."

Xena peeked at him with one eye, her lips curving into a small smirk. "And you're far too cheerful for someone who barely sleeps."

"I take it as a compliment," he replied, rising gracefully. "Come, the city is alive, and we shouldn't waste the day."

Xena groaned dramatically, throwing an arm over her face. "Alive with what? Gossiping maids and overly polite elves? No, thank you."

After some coaxing—and a lot of grumbling—Xena finally rolled out of bed. She grabbed her armor, quickly pulling them on while muttering about "early-rising elves." Legolas ignored her commentary, amused as she struggled with her boots.

"You know," he said, tilting his head, "you could try wearing softer shoes. You're not going into battle."

Xena shot him a glare. "And you could try not looking like a woodland prince in the middle of Gondor."

Legolas raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "Would you prefer I look like Gimli?"

Before Xena could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them. Legolas opened it to find a young servant with a tray of breakfast—fruit, bread, and a pot of tea. The elf thanked the boy, setting the tray on the small table by the window.

"Fruit again?" Xena muttered, plucking an apple from the tray. "Does nobody in this city know the joys of bacon?"

Legolas smirked. "I believe you've been spending too much time with Gimli. You're starting to develop dwarvish tastes."

"Dwarvish tastes," Xena repeated with a snort. "At least dwarves know how to cook."

As she bit into the apple, Legolas poured two cups of tea, handing one to her. She took it but sniffed the contents suspiciously. "What's in this?"

"Tea," Legolas replied, exasperation creeping into his voice.

"Tea?" Xena repeated mockingly, taking a tentative sip. Her face twisted into a grimace. "What is this? Elf tea? Where's the flavor?"

Legolas sighed, shaking his head. "It's meant to cleanse the body and awaken the mind."

"It's meant to taste like tree bark," Xena retorted, setting the cup down.

Once breakfast was done, Legolas began braiding his hair in preparation for the day. Xena watched him, one eyebrow raised. "You're doing it again?"

"Doing what?" he asked, not looking up.

"The braids," she said, gesturing. "You just take too much pride in that hair of yours."

Legolas finished the first braid and glanced at her. "And what do you take pride in, Xena? The fact that you leave yours looking like a bird's nest?"

Xena gasped, feigning offense. "I'll have you know this 'bird's nest' is effortless beauty."

Legolas rolled his eyes. "Effortless, perhaps. Beauty is debatable."

In retaliation, Xena reached out and yanked on one of his half-finished braids, earning a rare, startled grunt from him.

"That's it," he said, standing abruptly. "If you insist on criticizing my work, let's see if you can do better."

He handed her the comb, and Xena took it, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. She tugged at his hair with little gentleness, twisting it in directions that would make any elf wince. By the time she was done, Legolas's hair looked less like the elegant braids of Mirkwood royalty and more like a tangled mess.

"There," she said proudly. "Effortless beauty."

Legolas examined himself in the mirror, his lips twitching with suppressed laughter. "You're hopeless," he said, unraveling her work and leaving his hair unbraid.

Despite their morning antics, the two eventually found themselves by the window, enjoying the view of the bustling city below. Xena leaned on the ledge, her expression softening as she watched children chasing each other in the courtyard.

"It's strange," she said quietly, "to feel at peace after so much chaos."

Legolas stood beside her, his gaze far-reaching. "Peace is rare, but it is worth fighting for."

She looked at him, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then she smiled. "You always have a way with words, don't you?"

He glanced down at her, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Only when the company inspires them."

Xena laughed softly, nudging his shoulder. "Smooth, mushroom prince. Very smooth."

As the morning drew on, the two prepared to head out into the city to meet Aragorn and the others. Xena glanced at Legolas as they stepped into the hall. "You know, for someone who claims to be a prince, you're awfully easy to tease."

"And for someone who claims to be a warrior, you're awfully persistent," he shot back, a playful glint in his eye. They shared a grin, their banter carrying them down the corridor as the day ahead awaited them.

The streets of Minas Tirith were alive with the gentle hum of morning activity. Merchants were setting up their stalls, children darted around corners, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. The white stone streets gleamed under the early sun, a testament to the city's enduring strength. Amid the bustling crowd, Legolas, Gimli, and Xena made their way down the winding paths of the city. Legolas and Gimli were deep in conversation, their voices filled with the earnest tones of planning and debate.

"The stonework here is remarkable," Gimli said, running a calloused hand along a column as they passed. "But look at this—this crack right here! A poor foundation if you ask me. Could cause trouble in a decade or two."

Legolas leaned slightly to inspect the crack. "It seems stable for now, but I agree, it will need attention. Perhaps you should speak with Aragorn about bringing some of your kin to assist."

Gimli puffed his chest proudly. "Aye, that's the plan. No one handles stone better than a dwarf."

"Perhaps," Legolas said, his tone light with mischief, "but a city without gardens is no city at all. I will ensure that Mirkwood sends its best gardeners here."

"Gardens, pah!" Gimli scoffed. "You can't eat flowers, lad. Focus on walls and defenses."

Xena trailed behind them, her arms crossed as she observed their animated conversation. Her expression shifted between mild amusement and thinly veiled boredom. She had heard variations of this same discussion countless times during their travels.

"You two sound like an old married couple," she finally interjected, her voice cutting through their chatter.

Both turned to look at her, Gimli with a raised eyebrow and Legolas with a faint smirk. "Married couple?" Gimli grunted. "More like a wise dwarf trying to talk sense into a tree-hugging elf."

"Wise dwarf?" Legolas countered, his voice laced with mock offense. "You're the one who suggested building a tavern inside the walls before securing the defenses."

Xena rolled her eyes, stepping closer. "As fascinating as your bickering is, can we talk about something that doesn't involve cracks in walls or flower arrangements? Maybe something a bit... less dull?"

Gimli chuckled. "Less dull, eh? What would you suggest, lass? Orc-hunting stories? Battles? Romance, perhaps?"

Xena raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Anything but listening to you two try to out-plan each other for the future of Minas Tirith."

Legolas turned to her, his tone teasing. "Would you prefer we discuss fishing, then? I'm sure your love for it would lighten the mood."

Xena snorted. "At least fishing has action. Unlike watching two grown men debate rock versus roses."

Gimli laughed heartily, slapping Legolas on the arm. "She's got a point there, elf. Perhaps we've bored her enough."

Legolas sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, Xena. What would you like to discuss?"

Xena pretended to think for a moment, tapping her chin. "How about how long it'll take for Gimli to convince Aragorn to build a tavern and for you to plant an entire forest inside the city?"

The three of them shared a laugh, the lighthearted moment breaking the monotony of their walk. They continued down the road, Gimli still muttering about stonework and Legolas occasionally pointing out spaces that could use more greenery. Xena followed, smiling to herself as she watched the pair, her boredom now replaced with the comfort of their camaraderie. It was moments like these, she realized, that made the journey worthwhile.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting warm light through the tall windows of Aragorn's study. The room was a blend of Gondor's grandeur and the simplicity Aragorn preferred. Large wooden shelves filled with scrolls and tomes lined the walls, and a large table in the center was scattered with maps and correspondence. Xena, Legolas, and Gimli entered to find Aragorn already seated at the table, pouring over a map of Middle-earth. He looked up with a smile, setting his quill aside.

"Well met, my friends," Aragorn said, gesturing for them to take seats. "I see you've been exploring the city."

"Exploring?" Gimli grunted as he plopped into a sturdy chair. "More like inspecting. This city has some fine stonework, but it could use a dwarf's touch."

"And a gardener's," Legolas added, taking a seat with his usual grace. "Minas Tirith has endured much, but it will thrive again with the right care."

Aragorn chuckled. "You two haven't changed, I see." His gaze shifted to Xena, who leaned casually against the table. "And what of you, Xena? Have you been entertaining yourself while these two argue?"

"Barely," Xena quipped with a smirk. "But I did manage to survive their debate about cracks and roses."

The group laughed lightly, but the levity faded as Aragorn's expression grew serious. He tapped the map in front of him, drawing their attention. "I've been thinking about what comes next. Rebuilding Gondor is only the beginning. If we are to ensure peace, we must reach out to other realms, even those that were once our enemies."

Legolas and Gimli exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Aragorn continued, his finger tracing southward on the map. "Harad remains a mystery. Its leaders, its intentions—these are things we must understand. If there is a chance to forge peace, we must take it."

At the mention of Harad, Xena straightened. "Harad, you say? I know a thing or two about it."

Aragorn's brow furrowed with interest. "Go on."

Xena leaned over the table, her fingers brushing against the map. "Harad is vast, divided into regions with powerful rulers governing their territories. The one with the most sway—at least before Sauron's demise—was Khafir al-Rahûn. He controlled a large district, his word was law, and his influence reached far."

"Khafir al-Rahûn," Aragorn repeated, his voice thoughtful. "And what kind of leader is he?"

"Ambitious," Xena replied bluntly. "But also pragmatic. He allied with Sauron because it benefited him, not out of loyalty. Now that Sauron is gone, he's likely consolidating his power, trying to ensure no one rises against him. If you want to start with Harad, Khafir is where you begin."

Aragorn nodded, considering her words. "Then we'll need to gather information. If Khafir holds the most power, we need to know his intentions."

The discussion quickly turned to logistics. Aragorn outlined the idea of sending a delegation, one that could travel through Ithilien to Harad. Legolas and Gimli chimed in, discussing the potential dangers and the allies they might call upon.

"It seems clear," Legolas said, his tone decisive. "If Harad is to be approached, Xena must go. Her knowledge and experience there are invaluable."

Xena raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? Deciding my itinerary now, are we?"

Legolas ignored her teasing, his expression serious. "You've dealt with Harad before. If anyone can navigate its complexities, it's you."

"And you'll just send me off on my own, I suppose?" Xena countered, folding her arms.

"Not a chance," Legolas said firmly. "Where you go, I go."

Gimli cleared his throat, his voice gruff but amused. "And where the elf goes, so do I. Someone has to keep him out of trouble."

Aragorn smiled at the exchange but interjected. "This is not a decision to take lightly. Harad is no easy journey, and its politics are treacherous. I'll need Faramir to weigh in, and we must prepare carefully."

Legolas nodded. "Then we should travel through Ithilien first. It will give us time to gather resources and plan our approach."

Gimli grunted in agreement. "And if we're passing through Ithilien, you'll have to show me those glittering mushrooms you keep talking about."

As the plans began to take shape, Aragorn turned to Xena, his gaze steady. "I trust you, Xena. Your strength, your wisdom—it's clear why Legolas stands beside you. But this journey will be dangerous. If you have any reservations, now is the time to voice them."

Xena held his gaze, her expression unwavering. "I've faced worse. If this is what needs to be done, I'm in."

Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder, a quiet gesture of support. "We'll face it together," he said softly.

Aragorn smiled, his faith in his friends evident. "Then it's decided. We'll finalize the plans with Faramir, but this is the beginning. Harad awaits."

As they left Aragorn's study, Gimli and Legolas resumed their friendly bickering, debating whether stonework or gardens should take precedence in rebuilding Ithilien. Xena walked beside them, a faint smile on her lips as she considered the road ahead. Harad loomed in the distance, both a challenge and an opportunity. But with Legolas and Gimli by her side, and Aragorn's trust in her, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

((Upcoming Chapter One-Hundred-Twenty-Eight))

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