The Fair-Haired Ones

It took many more days to reach the outskirts of Minas Tirith. When Veronica and Sam finally entered the gates to the castle, they were exhausted but glad. Veronica let down her golden hair and took a brush from her pack. She wanted to look presentful for meeting with the King. When she was finished washing up, she placed her pack on her back and straitened her dress. Standing on the steps of the castle, Veronica began to feel sick. She knew it wasn't from the heat; she was just homesick.

Sam drank from his canteen and sighed with the relief of a safe journey. There were really no dangers on the main roads, and nothing to worry about. The animals and wild beasts usually roamed among the larger forests away from the cities. After Sam led Veronica inside, he tugged on her arm.

"I best be getting off home now, milady," Sam said.

"Won't you even stay the night?" Veronica asked concerningly.

"Aw, no. I'll be ok," Sam replied. "These are good people; you'll be fine."

Veronica bent down and kissed Sam on the cheek.

"Safe journey home," she said.

"You too," Sam replied.

As Sam turned to leave, an elderly woman with an estranged look upon her face stopped him momentarilly.

"Be careful out there, young hobbit. There is talk of a strange being roaming the forests, groaning out ill-favoured words," she cautioned.

"Well, what is it?" Veronica wondered.

"No one knows. Everone's too scared--talk of spirits," she cackled and left.

Sam's eyes orbited around the room and he half-smiled. "Maybe I'll stick around for awhile."

Veronica froze, feeling awkward in this new place. Her hands sweat with anticipation, though she appeared calm. Then, Veronica felt a strong, yet gentle hand on her shoulder. She turned and eased when she looked upon a familiar face.

"So, we meet again, Veronica," Legolas said, then nodded to Sam.

"Legolas! What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Well, I am one of the King's most trusted friends and advisors," he answered gleefully. "He is expecting you, but perhaps you'd like to rest first?"

"That would be pleasant," Veronica replied. "Thank you."

Sam broke in. "I think I will go speak with the King before I go on my way."

Veronica knelt beside Sam and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for everything, Sam. Safe journey home."

Sam blushed and went into the throne room to speak with his good friend.

Legolas led Veronica to one of the castle suites. Only the King and Queen's royalty and guests stayed here. Veronica was shockbeautifully decorated the room was. The murals on the walls depicted battles, some good and some evil. Nonetheless, though war was wicked, Veronica loved the room.

"You are pleased?" Legolas asked.

"It's lovely, thank you," Veronica answered.

"I will inform King Aragorn of your arrival," Legolas said and exited the room.

Veronica dropped her pack on a chair and collapsed onto the fluffy bed. So much had happened and Veronica knew there was much more to come. She was no longer frightened or confused. She was beginning to accept the fact that she may never get home, and that she may be wandering in circles. Veronica twirled her hair and thought of Malone and the others as she drifted off to sleep.

A gentle knock on the door awoke Veronica in the early eve. Veronica sat still on her bed as Legolas entered. He immediately knew something had upset her. Legolas closed the door and glided over to where she sat. Veronica's eyes were glazed from crying, but she instinctively wiped them away when Legolas stood near her.

"Are you ill, my lady?" Legolas asked.

Veronica shook her head no.

"What ails you?" Legolas wondered.

"I just realized something," she paused. "I realized that I am in love with a man, who I may never get to see again."

Veronica threw away the covers and ran to the window. She stood for a moment in silence before whipping around to face Legolas again.

"And, it just makes me so angry," Veronica cried. "All my life I've had nothing but the clothes on my back and the land. No one was there to hold my hand and take care of me. No one was there but me, and that was okay at first. When I met Ned Malone everything changed. He's so innocent and naive of the world around him. He may be dead and I may never see him again to tell him I love him. It itsn't fair!"

Legolas was stunned and hadn't moved until now. He walked over to Veronica and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"He isn't dead," he said. Veronica lifted her head to his words. "If he knows you are out there somewhere looking for him, then he has a reason for living."

Veronica sat on the windowsil and exhaled sharply. Letting out everything she had been holding back made her feel one-hundred percent better. She stood again and turned to Legolas. She ran her fingers across his fair face and embraced him tightly.

"The King awaits your arrival," Legolas said.

Legolas led Veronica to the private dining chamber where the King and Queen were patiently waiting. Veronica didn't know how to act in front of a king and queen, so she curtsied. She was never that good at being a real lady. All the days spent in the jungle prolonged that. While the Queen stayed seated, King Aragorn stood and bowed to Veronica.

"Welcome to my kingdom, Veronica," said the King. "I am King Elessar, but it would be my wish that you call me Aragorn. This is my wife, Arwen."

"I've heard so much about you," Arwen spoke.

"From whom?" Veronica asked.

"Legolas has spoken highly of you," Arwen replied.

"We've only just met this morning," Veronica said. "Hopefully he said good things."

Aragorn and Arwen giggled. Supper had all ready been served before Veronica arrived. She looked down at her dinner with hunger in her eyes.

"You must be hungry," Aragorn noted. "We will speak after you have finished."

Dinner went smoothly as it was delicious. After the servants cleared away the dishes, Aragorn and Arwen led Veronica to another room where they could comfortably and talk.

"May I ask you something?" Veronica wondered.

"Of course," Aragorn answered.

"Someone had said there is some sort of strange being roaming the forests," she started.

"No need to worry, my dear," Arwen stated.

"Is it man or beast?" Veronica wanted to know.

"Why does this worry you so?" Aragorn asked.

"I don't know," she replied.

"Anyway, pray tell, why have you come, child?" Arwen asked.

Veronica folded her hands before her and sighed.

"I came to ask you something," Veronica staarted. "Have you seen a man named Ned Malone? He is tall with light golden hair. He might have found his way here somehow."

Aragorn and Arwen lowered their eyes and nodded no.

"I'm sorry, dear, we haven't," Arwen acknowledged.

Veronica seemed to shrink in her seat. She knew it was a long shot coming here to ask, but she was not sorry.

"If he is here, then perhaps he would be in the kingdom of Rohan," Arwen suggested.

"Yes, you described him as someone with fair hair. All the people of Rohan have fair hair, and they may think he belongs there," Aragorn added.

Veronica wondered for a second but then decided no.

"I thank you both for your advice and hospitality, but tomarrow I must take my leave," Veronica said. "I must find my own path, and if my path does not take me to my home in the Lost World, then so be it."

After she bade farewell to Lord Aragorn and Lady Arwen, Veronica fled to her room. She took off her dress and threw it to the other side of the room. It was time to stop fooling around. Veronica took her two piece beige outfit from her bag and slipped them on. As she laced up her brown boots, there was a knock on her door. She didn't occur to her to mind, but Legolas let himself in nonetheless.

He was stunned by Veronica's natural beauty. "Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving to go into the forest," Veronica said.

"This is madness," Legolas said, grabbing ahold of Veronica's arm. "You could be killed. You don't know what's out there."

"If it's another means of going home, then I'm going," Veronica replied sternly.

"Veronica," Legolas started, but saw into her eyes.

"I'm not afraid to die, Legolas," she said. "But I won't go down without a hell of a fight, if needs be. Now, you can either come with me or get out of my way."