Meet the Cast

Disclaimer: yeah, we own nothing. ‘cept our Lord of the Rings trilogy and paraphernalia. (Suzanne likes big words.) Sue us if ya want, it’s not like you’re gonna get any money from us anyway.

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Elrond and Legolas walked into the forest, the latter trailing behind the former with his head lowered. Elrond turned around and looked at the younger elf, his big, bushy eyebrows rising again.

“Do explain what that was about.”

“The women decided they wanted to take a break and swim for a few moments. We were planning on resuming their training just as you returned.”

“That is not what I was asking about.”

Legolas sighed in resignation. “I do not know what happened or what came over either of us. Nothing happened, nor will happen again.”

Elrond nodded. “It would not be wise for you to be romantically involved with her. They may well disappear as quickly as they appeared, and your emotions could get in the way once the quest begins.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Return to your teaching.”

Legolas returned to the group of three, each peering curiously at him. Laura broke the silence.

“What did he say?”

“Nothing of consequence. We should return to Rivendell.”

Suzanne and Laura exchanged silent glances, knowing that something had been mentioned that the elf was not telling. Neither asked, however, and Suzanne and Aragorn began to walk back to Rivendell. Laura whistled for Ohtar, and the bay stallion cantered over to the woman. She took the reins of the horse before following after the two. Legolas took the reins of his horse, bringing the animal up to walk side-by-side with the other. Awkward silence followed, neither knowing what to say after what had just almost happened.

Laura cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Um, so, about what happened back there...”

Legolas spoke quickly.

“I apologize, my lady. I got carried away in the moment. I assure you: it will not happen again.”

He swiftly proceeded to move up and walk in front of Laura. She growled softly, tears threatening to spill. The phrase was whispered, yet the elf’s keen hearing was able to pick it up.

“I told you not to call me ‘my lady’.”

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A week remained before the Fellowship would leave for the quest and training continued. Suzanne and Aragorn watched in dismay as Laura and Legolas regarded each other with an uninterested detachment. Inside, Laura was screaming in protest, but she refused to let herself be hurt again. Her friend wanted to be sympathetic, as she understood what she was feeling, but she felt powerless to help.

Each time the two girls were alone in their rooms Suzanne would watch Laura, feeling completely helpless to make her feel any better. She waited for her friend to talk, knowing that she would when she felt like it.

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Suzanne and Aragorn continued training with swords, the woman learning how to defend and attack. Some discussion would come up regarding the elf and brunette, yet both thought nothing could be done except just to wait and see what would happen.

Legolas and Laura continued with archery, advancing to moving targets. Laura secretly hoped Legolas would volunteer for the position as a moving target, yet, she doubted that would happen. Both went into the woods, Legolas pointing out a squirrel sitting on a tree branch. She lined up her bow and arrow, concentrating on the animal. Her form was a bit off, so Legolas slid behind her to correct it. This only caused her to be more distracted. She swiftly shot off the arrow, completely missing the squirrel. Laura twisted out from in front of him, facing his now confused countenance. She breathed a deep sigh, throwing the weapons to the ground.

“We need to talk.”

The elf nodded in agreement. Laura took a deep breath, reviewing what she had been considering saying for the past week.

“What happened to us? I mean, I thought we were becoming pretty good friends. Possibly even more than friends, and after what happened, or almost happened, at the river...things have just been strange. I want things back the way they were.”

She turned away from him, hands gripping her arms which were crossed across her abdomen. Her throat began to choke up, making it even harder to keep the tears from spilling down her cheeks.

“My la—Laura”

Her heart leapt within her chest, hearing him call her “my Laura”. Of course, that had not been the intention, and he was simply calling her “Laura” instead of “my lady”. She listened to his words, fixating on her gaze on a leaf on the ground as though it were the most interesting thing in the world.

“I too miss our companionship, but, Lord Elrond--, he has requested that we not become ‘involved’ so as to not endanger the quest.”

So that was what Elrond talked to him about. A surge of anger swelled up within her, the girl tiring of people (or elves, in this case) always becoming involved when things were so close to working between herself and someone she was interested in.

“So be it. I can live without your affection, however hard it may be. I cannot, however, live without your friendship.”

She realized she was probably being a bit overdramatic, but that was the beauty of being a drama queen. It would be difficult to be around him and control the feelings that fought to surface every time she thought of him, yet she needed to hold on to the fragile friendship they had formed. Legolas’ hand gently gripped her arm, turning her to face him.

“Friends?”

She nodded, two tears escaping from her hazel eyes to cascade down her pale face. Legolas’ expression softened, the elf leaning forward. His lips came in contact with her cheek, kissing away the salty drop before repeating the action on the other. He wrapped his arms around her in a ‘friendly’ hug, silently breaking the contract of simple friendship between them.