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)

ActVII

Friends of New/Old

Chapter 81: The Dinner in the Hall of Fire

Imladris, October 24th 3018 T.A

As the evening deepened, Rivendell's guests gathered for the feast in the Hall of Fire, an enchanted space lit by the soft glow of countless candles. The air hummed with the music of harps and gentle laughter, a soothing contrast to the looming weight of the council that would be held the following day. Tonight, every voice was united in celebration, the hall itself exuding warmth and an air of timelessness that had drawn all of Middle-earth's guests together.

Legolas entered, adorned in a simple, elegant tunic of deep green embroidered with silver vines, the mark of Mirkwood's prince unmistakable even amidst the grand company. The past days had been filled with formalities he had neither sought nor enjoyed, but tonight, at last, the obligations had ended, leaving only this moment to be savored.

Not far from him, Xena moved through the hall, clad in her new elven armor, sleek and beautifully crafted, yet not imposing. Her gaze was sharp, observant, as she took in the faces around her, connecting names she'd only heard to figures she hadn't yet met. She'd spent much of her time with Gimli and his kin in the dwarves' own quarters, drawn to their frank humor and straightforward conversation. But tonight, she was surrounded by elves and men, hobbits and wizards, a tapestry of Middle-earth in all its diversity.

As she passed through the hall, her eyes briefly caught Legolas's, who had noticed her presence the moment she entered. His gaze softened for just a moment, an unspoken acknowledgment of the road they had walked together. He gave her a faint nod, one that was almost imperceptible, yet warm with the silent understanding that bound them. She returned it, her expression momentarily unguarded before they both shifted their focus back to the gathering around them.

Nearby, Frodo Baggins sat with his fellow hobbits, each one with wide eyes taking in the hall's grandeur and the notable guests scattered about. Aragorn, known to the hobbits as "Strider," leaned casually against a pillar, looking more a ranger than a king, but his eyes were thoughtful, distant, as though he were weighing unspoken responsibilities.

Xena, curious and drawn to the unusual energy in the room, wandered toward the hobbits' table, where she saw Frodo in close conversation with an older hobbit she had met with Legolas. She paused as she realized who he was—Bilbo Baggins, the famed adventurer of Erebor. She watched as he handed Frodo a small, leather-bound book, his eyes filled with pride and perhaps a touch of wistfulness.

"Here, my lad," Bilbo was saying, his voice gentle but lively, "I've written down my stories, all the tales and adventures I could remember. Keep it safe, now. They'll come in handy if you ever want to pass along a bit of the old Baggins spirit."

Frodo, clutching the book, looked at Bilbo with a mixture of admiration and love. "Thank you, Bilbo. I'll treasure it."

As the two hobbits shared this moment, Xena moved a little closer, making herself known. Bilbo's eyes sparkled greeting her with a grin, his gaze sweeping over her armor.

"Master Baggins, The dwarves speak highly of you," she said, a warm smile gracing her features.

"Ah!" Bilbo chuckled, his face lighting up. "If dwarves are saying good things about me, that's quite a compliment. I don't know if I earned it, but I certainly gave them a bit of excitement on the road."

Frodo looked at her with interest, his eyes curious. "Are you here for the Council, then?"

"In a manner of speaking," Xena replied, glancing at Legolas, who was speaking with Aragorn across the hall. "I came to Rivendell on a different journey, but… I've found myself more invested in the fate of Middle-earth than I originally planned."

The hobbits exchanged glances, and Bilbo's gaze softened. "As do we all, my dear," he said quietly. "Sometimes the road we're on becomes more important than we ever imagined."

Across the room, Legolas and Aragorn had reunited, deep in their own conversation, speaking softly of the rumors from the South and of the growing shadows in Mirkwood. Legolas's expression was serious, his thoughts fixed on the journey ahead, though his eyes occasionally drifted across the hall, landing on Xena as she interacted with the hobbits.

Aragorn noticed and followed his gaze, a knowing look crossing his face. "You seem… distracted," he observed.

Legolas shook his head, though a slight smile played on his lips. "It has been… interesting, having her here. She's different from anyone I've met, yet somehow, I feel as though we've known each other for much longer."

Aragorn nodded in understanding, his eyes reflecting his own sense of destiny, of companionship forged in unexpected places. "I know the feeling. Middle-earth has a way of bringing people together just when they're needed most."

Their conversation was interrupted as Boromir entered the hall, his presence commanding attention. He nodded respectfully to those he passed, though his eyes held a slight wariness as he took in the room. Xena observed him with interest, noting the strength and resolve that radiated from him. She made her way over, drawn by a need to understand this man from Gondor, and introduced herself.

"Boromir, son of Denethor," he said, inclining his head slightly in greeting. "And you are…?"

"Xena," she replied, her voice even. "I've heard tales of Gondor's strength. You've done much to hold back the darkness that grows in the East."

Boromir's expression softened a bit, pride mingling with a touch of weariness. "We do what we must. It is our duty to protect the lands and people of Gondor." His gaze shifted across the room, landing briefly on Aragorn, though his expression tightened.

As they conversed, the hall grew quiet, and all eyes turned to a small figure now standing near the fire, his voice clear and bright as he began to sing. It was Frodo's voice, recounting the tale of Beren and Lúthien, a song of courage, sacrifice, and undying love. The hall fell into a reverent silence as he spoke, each guest lost in their own thoughts, drawn into the story's haunting beauty.

Legolas's gaze drifted back to Xena once more, his expression softened by the song's bittersweet melody. She looked back at him, and for a moment, their eyes met in unspoken understanding. In the midst of everything—the looming council, the darkness gathering in distant lands, the uncertain paths they all faced—their gaze held a sense of grounding, of steady companionship.

The night wore on in the Hall of Fire, time slipping away amidst the soft glow of candles and the quiet hum of conversations that ebbed and flowed like a gentle tide. Small groups had formed throughout the hall, voices mingling over stories, laughter, and, for the hobbits and dwarves, the frequent topic of food. The hobbits, accompanied by Gimli and Glóin, animatedly debated the merits of hearty dwarven meals versus the Elven fondness for green salads. Merry and Pippin's complaints were only half in jest, much to the amusement of Glóin, who agreed that a proper meal didn't include "quite so many leaves."

In another corner, Legolas was deep in conversation with Aragorn and Lord Elrond. They discussed the growing shadow in the East, the whispers from Gondor, and the vast alliance that the council would seek to forge the following day. Elros occasionally interjected, nudging the conversation to include strategic thoughts on Mirkwood's needs and the growing troubles in the south.

But in a quieter corner of the hall, Xena found herself in a more serious discussion with Elladan and Elrohir. The twins had sought her out after noticing her contemplative demeanor over the past few days. They'd found her at a small table, her gaze occasionally drifting to Legolas before returning to whatever thoughts preoccupied her mind.

Elladan leaned forward, his voice barely above a murmur. "You've been busy, Xena," he said, his tone laced with an unspoken question. "We've noticed your trips to the stables, gathering supplies… It seems like you're preparing for a journey. A dangerous one."

Xena didn't reply immediately, glancing briefly over her shoulder toward Legolas, ensuring he was too engaged in conversation to overhear. She met Elladan's gaze and sighed, a small, resigned smile playing at her lips. "I've been considering my options," she admitted. "There's something I have to finish before I can decide where my path lies next."

Elrohir exchanged a glance with his brother, a flicker of concern passing between them. "This has to do with Umbar, doesn't it?" he asked. "With the quest you took… the one that originally led you here?"

Xena nodded, a shadow crossing her face. "Yes. That quest set a lot of things in motion, things that have touched more lives than I ever anticipated. After what's been happening with Legolas, I've realized there are answers waiting for me in Umbar. Answers that might explain what's been… affecting him."

Elladan tilted his head, studying her intently. "You mean that shadow… the nightmares? Do you think it's connected to that quest?"

"It could be," Xena replied, her voice steady but thoughtful. "I don't know what it is, but something about it feels unfinished, like there's a thread I need to follow. Maybe it's just the last vestiges of my duty to that quest, or maybe it's something darker. Either way, I need to face it."

Elrohir's gaze softened, and he reached across the table, resting a hand on hers. "But Xena, riding south alone… especially now, with the darkness rising across Middle-earth. It's dangerous."

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she looked at him. "I think 'dangerous' has always been the path I choose," she said. "I've made peace with that a long time ago, Elrohir. It's in my blood to seek out these kinds of battles, to go wherever there's a chance to protect the people I care about. And if I happen to encounter a few orcs along the way, well, that's just part of the fun."

Elladan shook his head, a wry smile breaking through his serious expression. "I don't doubt you, Xena. You live for the fight, and we can see that. But… you were set on staying here. What changed?"

Xena hesitated, her gaze drifting toward Legolas once more. "I was set on it, yes. But this… it's different. I didn't expect to come here and find people who mattered. I didn't expect to meet anyone like Legolas." She paused, her voice growing quieter. "And I can't bear the thought of him suffering because of something I left unfinished."

Elladan's gaze followed hers, settling on Legolas, who laughed quietly at something Elros had said, his face relaxed in a way that belied the shadows that had once haunted him. "So you're planning to leave… without telling him," Elladan said, a statement rather than a question.

Xena's eyes returned to the twins, her expression resolute. "If he knew, he'd follow me. That's not the path he's meant to take. The council tomorrow will decide Middle-earth's fate, and Legolas needs to be part of it. I have to do this alone."

The twins exchanged a look, one filled with both respect and resignation. They understood the weight of her decision, even if they disagreed with her approach.

"And what about Middle-earth?" Elrohir asked softly. "You came here ready to fight for it. Are you saying that your plans have changed?"

Xena's face softened, and she leaned back, a pensive look in her eyes. "I came here ready to fight, and I still am. But this quest in Umbar… it's something I can't ignore. There are too many unanswered questions. I won't be able to focus on what lies ahead here until I put this chapter to rest."

Elladan watched her carefully, his expression unreadable. "So, your plan is to ride south and… what? Confront whatever it is alone?"

Xena's smirk returned, her old fire flashing in her eyes. "Oh, I think I'll find answers one way or another. Maybe it's foolish, maybe reckless, but it's the only way forward I can see. If there's a force out there capable of tormenting someone like Legolas, I'll find it, and I'll deal with it. I owe him that."

A long silence settled over them as the twins absorbed her words, both of them gazing thoughtfully between Xena and Legolas. Finally, Elladan spoke, his voice low but resolute. "If this is what you must do, we won't stop you. But just know that you won't go without our support. Even if we can't ride with you, we'll keep an eye on Legolas, should he need us. And… if you ever need aid, you know where to find us."

Xena's face softened, and a warm smile spread across her features. "Thank you, both of you. You've been true friends, and I won't forget it."

Elrohir smiled back, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You may be braver than most, but don't expect us to forget your stubborn streak. We'll be keeping an eye on you, too, from wherever we may be."

They shared a quiet laugh, each understanding the gravity of what lay ahead. Xena knew that the twins, like her, were no strangers to danger and sacrifice, and their support lent her an unexpected strength. They had a bond of trust and loyalty now, one forged through mutual respect and shared purpose.

As they sat together, the soft music and murmurs of laughter echoed around them, a reminder of the calm before the storm. Their voices quieted, settling into a comfortable silence as they watched the others, knowing that, whatever happened next, they each had a path to follow.

And yet, in her heart, Xena felt the weight of her decision. As her gaze drifted back to Legolas, she knew that leaving without a word would be the hardest part of all. But it was a choice she'd made, a burden she would carry, to protect the one she had come to care for more deeply than she'd ever intended.

As the moon rose over Rivendell, silvering the valley's rivers and ancient stones, the guests dispersed to their chambers, a quiet anticipation settling over them. Tomorrow, the Council of Elrond would decide the fate of Middle-earth, and tonight, Rivendell lay wrapped in a rare peace.

Outside, under the starlit sky, Elrond and Gandalf sat together, their gaze turned toward the distant mountains. The air was cool, filled with the faint sound of flowing water, and the soft breeze stirred the autumn leaves. For a moment, they sat in silence, sharing a mutual understanding of the choices and burdens that lay ahead.

Elrond spoke first, his voice calm but edged with regret. "Xena rides out tonight," he murmured. "She stopped by to thank me before she left. Said she would find answers about whatever shadows have haunted Legolas, but she didn't want him to know. She left a letter for him to read when the time would be right. Perhaps… she hoped a delay would allow him to begin letting go."

Gandalf nodded thoughtfully, leaning on his staff as he looked out across the valley. "She confided in me as well. She's seeking a path of her own, one that she believes leads to answers, even if they're answers that may take her far from here. Middle-earth has become her home, but it's a vast land, and her purpose lies beyond the walls of Rivendell."

Elrond considered Gandalf's words, a faint sadness in his eyes. "That much was clear. Her connection with Legolas has grown strong—stronger than she perhaps intended. But Xena understands, as I do, that leaving may be the only way to help him. She has an instinct, almost a bond, that allows her to sense his grief, his guilt, his beliefs, both familiar and foreign to her. For all her strength and loyalty, she realizes that staying here would only deepen those wounds."

They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in thought. Elrond's gaze remained fixed on the distant woods. "Strangely, in the days since she began making her plans, it's as if she's come to know his mind," he said quietly. "Not just his worries, but the thoughts he keeps hidden, the beliefs that he clings to. She knows that she must leave… for his sake and for hers. She belongs to Middle-earth now, and her path lies in roaming it, discovering its mysteries."

Gandalf nodded in agreement, his face shadowed with both sorrow and respect for Xena's decision. "Her departure will weigh heavily on Legolas, but I believe he understands why she must go. Xena's heart lies in seeking the unknown and protecting those she loves, and Legolas… well, he may not yet realize it, but he will respect her choice. Perhaps, one day, they will meet again."

In her chamber, Xena was finishing her preparations. She'd donned her leather armor and stood by her belongings, carefully gathering the supplies she would need for the journey. Her sword and chakram hung at her side, and she moved with purpose, securing her belongings, her eyes steeling with resolve. Finally, she left her quarters, and with one final glance back, she went to the stables, her steps soundless as she led her faithful steed, Chubby, into the moonlight. She mounted and urged him forward, slipping through Rivendell's gates and into the night, a lone figure on the winding paths that would lead her toward Umbar and the answers she sought.

In his room, Legolas stood by his window, gazing into the distance. Though he couldn't see her, something within him told him that Xena was riding out of Rivendell. He couldn't explain it, but in recent days, his thoughts and emotions had seemed strangely intertwined with hers, almost as if her resolve and intentions had found their way into his own heart. It pained him, yet he knew it was right. She needed to leave. This was her path, and he couldn't follow.

What Xena didn't realize, however, was that Legolas had been aware of her plans for days. It was Elladan who had approached him, revealing her intentions in the quiet of the evening. The Elven twins, perceptive as ever, had seen through Xena's quiet preparations and had decided that Legolas deserved to know.

"She's leaving, and sooner than she'll admit to anyone," Elladan had said, his tone filled with both sympathy and understanding. "If you wish to speak to her, now may be your last chance."

Legolas had merely nodded, his expression unreadable. He knew he wouldn't try to stop her, yet the knowledge weighed heavily on him. But he would not go after her. He respected her independence too much, and deep down, he knew this was something she had to face alone. Instead, he'd decided on another course of action.

Today, he'd spoken with Elros, Thalion, and Mírdan—the elite warriors of his father's court, chosen for their skill, loyalty, and valor. This would be one of the rare times Legolas would use his title as the prince of the Woodland realm, and though he rarely invoked his father's authority, this was a matter close to his heart.

Elros, who'd served both Thranduil and Legolas, had listened intently, his face solemn as Legolas explained his plan. When he finished, Elros looked at him, his eyes narrowing with the kind of seriousness that only loyalty to the Elvenking could inspire.

"So you would send Thranduil's finest warriors to follow… a human?" Elros questioned, though his tone was not of disbelief but of the weight of duty. "What would we tell your father if we left our posts?"

"This is not merely a whim," Legolas replied, his voice steady. "I am using my authority for the protection of one I care about deeply. Xena will be facing that we do not yet understand, one that nearly claimed me. I won't have her face it alone."

Thalion and Mírdan exchanged looks of surprise but nodded, their loyalty evident. Still, Elros hesitated. "Your request is… unconventional, my lord. We are Thranduil's chosen warriors. To abandon our duties and follow a human's quest… what will this achieve?"

Legolas met his gaze firmly. "Xena needs this protection, whether she asks for it or not. And if I cannot go, then I will send those I trust. You are more than warriors; you are my guards. I know she will not be alone with you watching over her. This is my order."

At last, Elros relented, though not without a heavy sigh. "Very well, my lord," he said, bowing his head. "After tomorrow's council, we will depart as you command, riding swiftly to catch her trail. And should she need aid, she will find it in us."

Legolas felt a weight lift, though his heart was still burdened with the knowledge that she would be leaving without a word. He could respect her wish for independence, but he could not bear the thought of her walking into peril alone. Elros, Thalion, and Mírdan would be her silent guardians, unseen yet ever-present, following in her footsteps through the darkened lands of Middle-earth.

Later that evening, after the meeting with his father's best had ended, Legolas sat by his window once more, his gaze lost in the fading twilight. Tomorrow would bring the council, and with it, a choice that would shape his path. Little did he know that his journey would take him far beyond Rivendell's sheltered halls, into a fellowship that would unite him with new allies and friends and lead him into the very heart of the darkness threatening Middle-earth.

As for Xena, she was already riding under the stars, her mind focused on the road ahead. She didn't know what she would encounter, but she was resolved to find answers and, perhaps, bring back something that could help Legolas face his own shadows. And though she believed herself alone, she would soon find that the Elven prince she left behind had sent her protectors who would ensure she was never truly by herself on this journey.

In that quiet night, both Legolas and Xena felt a shift in their hearts—a silent promise that though they were separated by duty and fate, they were bound by something deeper, an understanding that transcended words, an unspoken bond that would one day bring them together again.

((Upcoming Chapter Eighty-Two))

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