The Fair-Haired Ones

Veronica led King Elessar and his group of men through the thick forest swiftly. She did not even stop when branches would cut into her bare skin. They were mere flesh wounds that Veronica thought she deserved. Her heart beat rapidly within her breast for she did not know whether or not Legolas would be alive when they reached him. When they came upon the place with the glimmering pool, Veronica slowed and allowed the other men to surpass her long strides. She did not want to be the one to find Legolas if he was dead.

She came to a stop and gasped her breath. An increasing sickening pain in the pit of her stomach caused her to fall onto knees as Veronica awaited the mens' response to Legolas's condition.

"He lives, my King! Legolas lives, sire!" one man called out.

Veronica sighed with relief and toppled over into the grass. Exertion took over Veronica then, and she passed into unconsciousness.

All the while Veronica slept, she did not dream. The one moment in her life she was allowed a peaceful sleep, she was not allowed to dream. Veronica felt revived when she awoke comfortably in a beautiful hand-carven bed. For a long instance, Veronica had forgotten her worries and even what she had been doing. When the thought hit her, though, it hit her like a stampede of raging stallions running across the plains. She sat straight up and found herself alone.

Veronica removed the silky covers and stood. Her small wounds had been taken care of. Her outfit had been changed into the silver and white gown she had been given at the beginning of her journey.

Veronica threw open the large wooden door and lifted her gown as she made haste down the hallway. The warm rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the windows and lit up the entire golden hall. Veronica began to walk again once she came to the King at the end of the hallway.

"My lady, how wonderful to see you awake," Aragorn said, smiling.

He bent inward and kissed her hands.

"What happened? How long was I asleep?" Veronica inquired.

"You fainted in the forest. You were carried back and have been resting for nearly three days. You had us quite the scare," he added. He stroked his slightly graying beard and chuckled.

"What of Legolas?" Her voice cracked.

Aragorn did not reply, but only offered his arm to Veronica. She took it without questions and followed him down another wing of the castle.

"Legolas has been under great stress as of late. When we found him, he was very weak. He has not awakened entirely in these three days." Aragorn explained. "Through his mumbled words, though, he can only understand one word--Veronica. He has been waiting for you, my dear."

Finally, the two came to another large wooden door, inscribed with the language of elvish.

"Will he live, my lord?" Veronica asked with worry in her voice.

"I cannot say," the King answered with tears in his eyes. "If he makes it through this week, I would say his chances are great."

Veronica grasped Aragorn and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for everything. I will go to him now."

After Aragorn's lingering shadow passed out of sight, Veronica turned to the door of Legolas's room. With her hand shaking and tears in the corners of her eyes, Veronica turned the door handle and pushed it open. She entered the room and closed the door behind her. The brightly lit room was long and narrow and smelled of roses and tulips. Veronica held her breath as she made her way to the end of the room. She put a hand on the white curtain surrounding the bed, and pulled it back gently.

Legolas was dressed in blue and white as he lay sleeping. The fairness of his face was not faded, and made him even more beautiful in Veronica's eyes. His hair was braided on both sides of his head and glistened under the sunlight. His slightly bruised hands were folded across his lap. Veronica sighed heavily as she knelt beside the elven prince.

"Legolas," she said, half-shutting her eyes. "This was all my fault."

She held his hand in her own and caressed it across her wet face. With her other hand, she traced the outline of his face gently.

"If only I had never come. If only I had left before all this," her words became broken. "If only I had never fallen in love with you."

She pulled doen the lacy covers and crawled in bed beside him. She draped her arm over him and laid her head on Legolas's chest.

"I would have gladly given my life if it meant I could have spared you this pain," Veronica cried. "Don't leave me. I love you."

Veronica closed her red eyes and wept. She listened to Legola's every breath. She listened to each beat of his heart. It was soothing and calming, too. It was like music to her ears. It was like how she felt everytime he would speak to her. It was like Legolas was singing to her. Then, someone began to stroke her sunflower colored hair. The rhythm of Legolas's breathing had changed to a more steady pace. Veronica smiled happily and her once greenish-blue eyes became bright once more. She sat up directly and gazed at Legolas as he opened his crystal blue eyes. Had he really listened to her?

"Oh, Legolas!" she excalimed. She placed one hand on his cheek and kissed him tenderly.

"Softly, softly," he reminded.

Veronica laughed and kissed him again. A tear ran down her face. Legolas lifted it from her cheek gingerly with his slender fingers. Then, he embraced Veronica lovingly again.

"So," he began. "I guess I've cast quite the spell over you."

Veronica tweaked Legolas's ear and tickled him playfully.

"Hey, what was that for?" he asked.

"Don't you ever do anything like this to me again!" Veronica said.

Legolas laughed and tickled her back.

"So, you love me?" he wondered.

He had heard her every word!

"That is something I haven't heard in awhile," he replied, looking at Veronica. "Or felt, either."


By the end of the week, Legolas had regained his full strength. In fact, he felt as if he had been reborn. He had never felt this way except for once before. That was a long time ago to Legolas, for now, he loved Veronica. She seemed to be the happiest she had ever been, but Legolas still wondered: did she still love Malone? What if she did? Even if she didn't, what if she missed where she came from? Would that change everything again?

Once Veronica was alone in the midnight gardens, Legolas approached her. He slid his arms around her tiny waist and nibbled at her earlobe and neck. Chills ran through Veronica's body and she giggled. She turned to meet his face in his arms and wrapped her own arms around his neck loosely. He was lost in her eyes.

"What is it?" Veronica laughed out.

Legolas returned from his trance and smiled. "It is nothing....you're so beautiful."

Legolas bent inward and his lips met hers with such passion. His hands explored her backside as she twirled her fingers in his long blond hair. He began to go further, yet, but Veronica stopped him in his tracks.

"Legolas..." she started.

He began to kiss her and go further again. Veronica pushed him away and turned her back.

"Legolas, no, I can't!" was her response. "I just can't. I don't know why."

Legolas stood proudly behind her and crossed his arms. "Yes, you do."

Veronica looked halway over her shoulder. "It's not what you think."

Legolas grabbed her by her arms and turned her to face him. "Then, tell me I'm wrong. Tell me you don't love him."

"That's not fair and you know it," Veronica replied.

"Veronica, you tell me you love me, but then you play with my heart. I want us to be together," Legolas said. "Two people in love should be together. I know that is why you won't make love to me. You still love him."

Veronica raised her head and caressed Legolas's face with her hands. "I do still love Malone, but not in the same way that I love you."

Legolas's cobalt eyes almost stared through Veronica. "Prove it."

"Why are you pushing this? Why are you pushing me?" Veronica inquired. "What is this fear in your voice?"

Legolas turned his attention across the way to someone watching from the garden's entrance. Veronica slowly looked after him. "Malone."