The Fair-Haired Ones

In dawn's early light, Veronica thanked the King and Queen once again before leaving with only the clothes on her back. She had left the dress and book with Arwen, who would take care of them for her. Veronica never liked to travel heavy anyway. She hardly slept a wink, but had more energy than a young child. She first went to the blacksmith's and sharpened her dagger, before meeting Legolas in the stables.

"Come on, let's go," Veronica said.

Legolas laughed quietly. "You think we will walk?"

Veronica's face became puzzled. Legolas tugged on the reigns of two white horses and pulled them forward. Veronica almost fell on her behind as one nudged her.

"We ride," he replied.

Veronica followed Legolas and the two creatures into the corral.

"You expect me to ride on this horse?" Veronica asked.

"No, I expect you to run with this horse on the wind's back," he answered, stroking the mane of his horse.

"I...I cannot ride," Veronica stuttered out.

"Today you will learn," Legolas commanded.

Legolas stood behind Veronica to help her on the horse, but she pushed him away. She stuck her left foot in the stirrup and grabbed ahold of the reigns. The horse began to move suddenly.

"Whoa!" she shouted as she fell backward from the horse.

She stared at Legolas who laughed at her sitting in the mud.

"You dare laugh at me, my lord?" Veronica asked smiling.

She squeezed some of the mud around in her right hand and launched it at Legolas. She burst out with laughter as now he was covered in mud. It was quite unusual that an elf would be dirty, but this seemed like a position where it was necessary. He gathered the mud in his hands.

"Oh, no," Veronica said retreating. "You wouldn't dare, Legolas!"

Then, he shoved mud smack dab into Veronica's face. She was covered in mud from head to toe, yet she laughed. Legolas looked as if he despised being dirty, but then suddenly joined into Veronica's laughter with his own.


Veronica and Legolas began to dry out in the morning sun as he taught her how to command the horse and become its friend. Once Veronica practiced awhile, she became an excellent rider. They began to ride toward the forest outside of Gondor--where the groaning being was said to be. Veronica smirked as she rode up to Legolas.

"You're becoming a natural, Veronica," Legolas complimented.

"Well, we have an understanding, don't we, boy?" she replied, patting the horse.

Legolas jested.

"What is it?" Veronica wondered.

"It's a female," Legolas identified.

"Oh," Veronica said. Legolas still laughed while riding ahead.

Legolas and Veronica rode into the forest as far as they could. The brush and trees became thicker and closer together, so they had to dismiss their beautiful companions.

"Thank you back there with the mud. It was the most fun I've had in a long time," Veronica said.

"I must admit, the mud did have its moment," Legolas replied.

The two were becoming good friends as it seemed. They got along quite well. Veronica knew she would never forget this friend when she went home. She was also sure she left an impact on him as well.

"So, what is it we are looking for?" Legolas asked.

"There is said to be a being that groans in the forest. No one has seen it, because they think it may be some sort of spirit. They've just heard it out here," Veronica answered.

"And what do you hope to find?" Legolas wondered.

Veronica removed a hair from her face and rolled her eyes the other way. "I don't know."

Legolas saw through her. "You are looking for more than a way home. You are hoping to find him."

"Well, they never said if it was man or beast. Malone could have found his way here somehow," Veronica said sternly.

They walked through the forest for hours before coming upon a break in the trees. A pool of clean water, at last! Now they could slake their thirst. Legolas and Veronica took their fill and sat for a rest beside the pool.

"I wonder if their is something to eat around here," Veronica said looking around.

Legolas reached in his pocket and took out a bread-like substance. He took one bite and offered it to Veronica.

"What is this?" she asked, sniffing it.

"Lembas bread. One bite will fill you for a day," he answered.

Veronica took one bite and put the rest of the bread into her pocket.

"Not bad," Veronica said, wiping the crumbs from her lips.

Veronica let the water trickle through her fingers. She looked over at Legolas.

"Want to go for a swim?" Legolas asked. "To wash off the mud."

Veronica smiled and complied. Legolas stood and unbuttoned and removed his shirt. Veronica's jaw gaped at the sight of his muscular body. Her lip quivered and she turned away until he dove into the water. Veronica jumped feet first into the water with all her clothes on. She swam in a circle, letting her hair tangle into the cool water. Legolas swam near and brushed up against her slightly, splashing her. She screamed happily and returned the splash. They splashed one another and ended up less than an arm length away.

They gazed at one another, not moving nor speaking. Veronica had a smudge from the mud on her forehead, so Legolas gently rubbed it away. His hand rested on her cheek, caressing it. Her lips quivered and her body shook and Legolas bent inward to kiss her. She pushed him away and turned her back.

"I can't," Veronica said. "I have a love."

Legolas swam toward her and held her by the waist. Veronica pushed his hands away and faced him.

"No! I can't; don't you understand?" she asked.

"Why are you really out here? Why are you running away?" Legolas asked, splashing the water sideways.

"You wouldn't understand," Veronica said and climbed onto the bank.

"Why? What are you so afraid of?!" Legolas demanded an answer.

Veronica pivited. "You want to know what? I'm afraid that if I don't leave now, I will do something I will regret."

"Me? You regret me?" Legolas asked.

"I would because I would fall in love with you. I can't fall in love with you when I still love another," Veronica cried. "Good-bye, Legolas."