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)

ActIII

Frenemies

Chapter 26: A Foe, a Rival or a Friend?

Outskirts of Lothlórien, July 31st 3018 T.A.

The outskirts of Lothlórien were a sanctuary, protected not only by the Lady of Light but also by Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, one of the three Rings of Power given to the Elves of Middle-earth in the Second Age. The Nazgûl dared not step into these sacred grounds. Though they lingered at the borders for some time, their call to find the One Ring eventually took precedence over the killing of an Elven prince.

As the company rode a few yards into the forest, they quickly realized they were in a safe place. Elros gazed around at the majestic mallorn-trees and spoke in a low tone, "Lothlórien." The mere mention of the name brought a palpable sense of relief to the group.

Legolas brought his horse to a halt in front of a grand mallorn-tree, and Xena's horse, following closely, paused beside them. He dismounted with the grace inherent to his kind and gently lifted Xena from her saddle, placing her carefully on the ground. His right hand, numb from pressing against her wound, revealed that most of the bleeding had stopped, though the seriousness of the injury was evident.

His concern deepened as he examined the wound, recognizing it as the work of a Nazgûl blade. He feared it was a Morgul-knife, a weapon designed to leave a shard in the victim's body, eventually turning them into a wraith if not treated in time. Kneeling beside Xena, he noticed the pallor spreading across her face and neck, her blood still oozing from the cut. It was as if the very essence of life was being drained from her.

The blood on his palm was still warm, staining his wrist and tunic. He looked at her eyes, which were open but unfocused. He wanted to reassure her, to offer comforting lies, but he knew she would see through them. Instead, he spoke the truth, his voice cracking with emotion.

"It's not the cut that worries me, Xena," he whispered. "It's that it was caused by a Morgul-blade. The purpose of the knife is to break off in the wound, leaving a shard in the victim's body. The remaining blade soon turns to dust, and the shard works its way to the heart. If it stays too long, you will become a wraith. We've spent too long running from the Nazgûl. I'm afraid... I'm afraid we may not be able to save you."

Xena struggled to focus on his words. She heard him, but his voice seemed distant, as if through a thick fog. The two days of fleeing had drained her, and the darkness within her grew stronger. It was a different kind of darkness, one that reminded her of the malevolence they faced in Mirkwood. Yet, she fought against it, for fighting was what she did best.

Xena managed to grasp Legolas's bloody hand, her grip weak but determined. Her answer was short but prideful and smart, causing Legolas to smirk despite the critical moment. "Still think I'm reckless, elf?" she whispered, her voice laced with defiance.

Legolas gently placed his bloodstained finger on her lips to hush her. "We know what to do," he assured her softly.

After that, they sprang into action. Legolas carefully turned her onto her side so they could work on her right side. Thalion brought the pack with the healing herbs and gear they carried for deadly wounds. Mírdan brought blankets to make her comfortable.

Legolas ripped her shirt from the bottom up, exposing the large cut. The bleeding had mostly stopped, and it was not infected, but it was clear the wound was caused by a Morgul-blade. Elros was already searching through the pack for Athelas, needing to delay the dust from spreading further into her body.

Thalion provided clean ripped cloths, water, and other supplies needed to clean the wound. As Legolas worked, he cursed under his breath, his frustration evident. He was angry, not just because of the situation but because he couldn't understand why Xena would risk herself for him. After she had told him she didn't like him after she had made it clear she found him irritating, why had she saved him?

His annoyance spilled out in a few harsh comments, which Elros understood. Legolas was worried about her, just as they all were. Even if they didn't fully trust her yet, Xena was part of their company. She fought with them, traveled with them, shared stories and food. Now she lay there, fighting for her life.

Elros applied the Athelas after Legolas had cleaned the wound, adding a few more herbs to the mix. Then they bandaged the wound and covered her with a blanket. Elros spoke gravely, "This won't be enough. She needs a healer. The dust from the sword needs someone who knows how to counter it, or she'll be lost for good."

Legolas knew this all too well. He stood up, looking around, then went to the horses to retrieve his map. He pulled it out and quickly determined their location. Riding to Caras Galadhon would take a day or more, but there had to be a camp close by. They were on the outskirts of Lothlórien, and someone should be nearby.

Elros agreed with him. Without waiting, Legolas pulled the covers off Xena and lifted her up. She managed to give him a confused glance. He leaped onto his horse, pulling her up in front of him. "I will ride south until I find the camp or a patrol finds us," he informed the others. "Pack up and follow as quickly as you can. We can't afford to waste any time."

Legolas set off at a gallop, the urgency driving him forward. Xena, cradled in his arms, could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her back. It was a comforting reminder of their shared resolve.

As they rode through the dense forest, Legolas scanned the surroundings, his keen eyes searching for any signs of life. The golden light filtering through the trees seemed to guide them, a silent promise of hope.

Hours passed, the miles stretching out beneath them. Xena's condition remained precarious, her breathing shallow. Legolas pushed his horse harder, refusing to slow down. His determination to save her was unwavering.

Finally, they spotted movement ahead. A patrol of elves emerged from the trees, their silver hair and keen eyes marking them as the guardians of Lothlórien. Legolas raised a hand in greeting, his relief palpable.

"We need help," he called out as they approached. "She's been wounded by a Morgul-blade."

The leader of the patrol, a tall elf with piercing blue eyes, stepped forward. "Follow us," he said. "We will take you to the healers."

They rode swiftly, the patrol leading the way. The patrol had many questions, and they would not easily let anyone pass through their forest. However, understanding the urgency of the situation, they guided the group to the nearest camp. The camp was nestled high in the trees, with several elves already perched on the branches, watching as Legolas and Xena approached. Xena sat in front of Legolas, leaning against him, his arms wrapped protectively around her.

The leader of the patrol stopped and signaled for Legolas to follow. Legolas leaped from his horse, pulling Xena with him, and carried her to the healing area indicated by the elf.

The elf pointed out that they were fortunate, as their camp had two skilled healers who knew what to do. However, he warned that while they could attempt to slow the poison, they couldn't guarantee a full recovery. They advised that, even if they managed to stabilize her, she should be seen by Lord Elrond, who would know how to treat her fully.

The healers appeared, quickly undressing the wound and beginning their work. Legolas watched as their hands glowed with a soft light, chanting in an ancient tongue over the injury. The warmth of their healing energy flowed into Xena, battling the darkness that threatened to consume her.

They used various herbs and medical aids, doing their utmost to push back the poison. Though they couldn't fully heal her, they managed to slow its progress. They informed Legolas that she needed rest and that she might be able to ride again soon, but she wouldn't be fully healed. Remarkably, Xena had managed to fight the dust, a feat that surprised them all.

"If it were an innocent soul, she would have already succumbed to the curse," one healer remarked. "But she has a connection with the darkness, a familiarity that has allowed her to resist it."

Legolas, for now, didn't worry about Xena's dark side. His primary concern was her recovery. He longed to speak with her about her actions, her decision to save him despite their animosity, but that conversation would have to wait.

After the healers finished their work, they informed Legolas that there was nothing more they could do for the moment. They needed to wait and see if she would improve. Legolas nodded, finally allowing himself to breathe. He wearily collapsed onto the seat of wood placed next to the wooden bed where she was resting. He brushed her hair away from her face, whispering a few prayers in Elvish.

The camp was quiet, the only sounds being the gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional soft murmur from the elves. Legolas kept a vigil by Xena's side, his worry etched into his features. He watched her closely, his thoughts a whirlwind of concern and determination.

As the hours passed, the healers checked on Xena periodically, ensuring that she was stable. Legolas refused to leave her side, his hand holding hers, willing her to stay strong. He felt a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude towards her, emotions he hadn't expected to feel for someone he had initially found so irritating.

Xena stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up at Legolas, her gaze hazy but focused on him. "You're still here," she whispered, her voice weak but laced with her characteristic determination.

Legolas nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I told you, we know what to do. Rest now, Xena. You need to heal."

She squeezed his hand lightly, a faint smile crossing her lips before she drifted back into a more restful sleep. Legolas stayed by her side, his heart lighter with the knowledge that she was fighting and would continue to fight.

Later that day, when the rest of the company arrived, they introduced themselves and explained their situation. The leader of the patrol introduced himself as Rúmil, one of the brothers of Haldir. To ensure they received the best care possible, Elros revealed that they were the guards of Legolas, the son of Thranduil. This revelation granted them better access to the resources and treatment available in Lothlórien, ensuring that Xena would receive the utmost care.

Rúmil appeared, bringing Legolas something to eat. He set the food down gently beside him, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "You should rest, Legolas," Rúmil said, his tone respectful but firm. "There is nothing more you can do for the human tonight."

Legolas nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on Xena. Rúmil hesitated before speaking again. "Why did you let a human travel with you? And why would she think she could save you?"

Legolas's jaw tightened, and a flash of anger sparked in his eyes. He was about to respond when Elros, sensing the brewing argument, intervened. "Xena is not just any human maiden," Elros said firmly. "She is part of our company. She has fought alongside us, faced dangers with us, and she is as much a part of this journey as any of us."

Rúmil looked between them, his curiosity evident. "But she is reckless," he pointed out. "Risking her life for an elf, for you, Legolas. Why?"

Legolas took a deep breath, his anger subsiding slightly. "Yes, she is reckless," he admitted. "But she is also brave, resourceful, and determined. She saved me because she saw an opportunity to help, just as any of us would have done for each other."

Elros nodded in agreement. "Xena has proven her worth. She has earned our respect, and she is part of our mission. We will do whatever it takes to ensure she recovers."

Rúmil studied them for a moment longer before nodding. "Very well. We will do everything in our power to aid her recovery." He then turned to Legolas. "But you must rest. You will be of no use to her if you are exhausted."

Legolas sighed, knowing Rúmil was right. He looked down at Xena, her face pale but her breathing steady. "I will rest," he agreed reluctantly. "But only for a little while."

Rúmil placed a hand on his shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze before leaving them to their rest. Elros settled down nearby, keeping a watchful eye on the camp.

As the night wore on, the elves of Lothlórien tended to Xena, their skilled hands and ancient knowledge working tirelessly to heal her. Legolas, despite his exhaustion, stayed close, his thoughts a whirlwind of worry and determination.

In the quiet moments, he found himself reflecting on the strange bond that had formed between him and Xena. She was unlike anyone he had ever met—fierce, stubborn, and with a darkness that mirrored his own. Yet, there was a strength in her, a light that shone through even the darkest moments. He couldn't help but admire her resilience and spirit, even as he worried for her safety.

Elros's words echoed in his mind: "She is part of our company." Indeed, Xena had become more than just a companion on this journey. She had become someone he respected, someone he knew now could trust, and someone he was determined to protect.

As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, Legolas allowed himself a brief moment of rest, his hand still holding Xena's. The journey ahead was uncertain, but for now, they had found a moment of peace in the heart of Lothlórien. With the support of their companions and the healing power of the elven healers, there was hope for the battles yet to come.

((Upcoming Chapter Twenty - Seven))

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