The Fair-Haired Ones

Veronica trotted quickly down the broken road. She knew why her heart beat rapidly within in breast, but she did not want it to be so. How could she love Legolas when she already spoke of love to Malone? Everything was turning on her again. She had to tell Legolas her true feelings. But what if she made the wrong choice? There would be no going back.

A tree branch whipped at the heels of the stallion, causing it to throw Veronica off into the brush. She stood and tried to grab ahold of the horse's reigns, but the horse snapped at her arm. Veronica rolled and landed beneath the creature's back legs. As it came down forcefully, she rolled away. Veronica came to her feet and approached the stallion again as it began to calm itself. Veronica stroked the mane of the horse who had since become gentle once again. She looked toward the ground as she placed her foot in the stirrup and stopped.

"What's this?" she wondered picking up the object in the grass. "The book?"

The Queen must have planted it on the horse, knowing Veronica would return. Veronica sat on a fallen log near the stallion and traced her fingers across the pages until they came to a marked section near the end of the story. The binding of the book creased over as Veronica placed the book in her lap and read.

"It's been over months since Gandalf sent us on our journey to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Life here in Middle Earth has calmed down and become more civil. Aragorn left being a ranger behind and took up his place as King in the halls of Minas Tirith. He and the Lady Arwen are still doing well and soon expecting a child....

...Everyone else has made their commitments and now live their own lives in peace. The only person I feel I have not gotten to know all too well is Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood. Though he's here, he seems distant, like he's almost lost and inadequete with himself. He never shows it among others, but at times he seems sad. He is ever searching for something, as are we all...."

"'He is searching for something, as are we all,'" the words ran off her lips once.

A tear ran down Veronica's face as the book shook in her hands and fell to the ground. A masculine hand slid under the book and brought it back to Veronica's lap. Her lip quivered as she slowly rose her eyes to meet that of Legolas's. Veronica couldn't move as she gazed at him in his blue and silver tunic.

"'He is searching for something, as are we all,'" she replied to him.

He took her hand as she stood against him.

"But what if he doesn't know what he's looking for?" she added.

Legolas smirked at stood aside from Veronica.

"Big talk for someone who doesn't even know what she wants, desires, or needs," Legolas answered.

"You act afraid," Veronica said.

Legolas stuck his head close to her face. "I do not fear."

He walked over to the stallion as Veronica followed.

"You're lying," was her reply. He faced her and exhaled sharply.

"If I'm lying, then you're lying. You lie to yourself. You find what you search for, yet you do not leave," Legolas said harshly. "Why, because you are afraid."

He grabbed ahold of Veronica and tried to force her onto the horse. She broke away from his grip.

"Ok, I am afraid!," she exclaimed. "I'm afraid that if I choose not to stay, that I might regret it the rest of my life."

Legolas stared at her confused, as she left him wondering. She stomped at him and pushed him backward.

"I love you," she added. "Isn't that what you wanted to hear now?"

Veronica sighed in disgust and mounted the stallion. She peered down at Legolas as tears ran down his face as well as hers.

"You will never fine what you are looking for," Veronica said coldly and galloped into the night.

Veronica rode hard until she heard the sound of hoof-beats behind her. She turned her head as her horse was met by a white stallion. Legolas tugged on the reigns of Veronica's horse until it came to a stop. She sat proudly and looked through Legolas.

"Let me pass," she said.

"No," Legolas replied.

Veronica turned her horse around, but again was met by Legolas.

"Let me pass," Veronica demanded.

"I cannot," he answered.

"You cannot control me like this," she said.

"And you can control me?" Legolas asked.

He dismounted and stood before her. His hands rested beside her leg. She did not face him.

"Since the day I met you, you have not left my mind," he confessed. "You control my every thought, and I never want that feeling to leave."

Veronica gasped quietly and looked upon Legolas.

"You ask me what I search for, but do you not know?" he wondered.

Veronica wimpered.

"You cannot tell me this," she whispered.

Legolas continued. "I love you, Veronica."

She searched his face and found truth in his words. Veronica could say nothing now. She reached down to him and caressed his cheek and ear. He placed his hand over hers and lifted from the horse. She wrapped her arms around the elf and kissed him gently.

"Veronica!!" a voice shouted.

Veronica and Legolas broke from their kiss suddenly as Malone appeared from the woods. His light hair fell in his eyes slightly as his boyishly beautiful face grew bright red.

"You bastard," he said.

Malone lunged himself at Legolas, who then began to fight with him.

"No!" Veronica said as Malone punched at Legolas.

Malone swung his arm and Legolas ducked. He brought his arm around and landed a blow in Malone's side. Malone fell to his knees and Legolas kicked him in the face. As Malone slumped to the ground, Veronica ran between the two.

"Stop!" she screamed. The fighting subsided.

"Out of the way, Veronica," Malone said.

"No," she replied. "If you are going to kill him, you'll have to go through me first."

Malone staggered to his feet like a drunken man and held his side. He breathed heavily as he faced both Legolas and Veronica.

"Malone, I can explain," Veronica began.

"There is no explanation for this," was Malone's response. "You tell me you love me, you lie to me, and now this?"

"It's not what you think," she said, trying to comfort him.

He pushed her hands away and sniffled.

"I think I have a pretty good idea, though," he scoped Legolas and sneered.

"You don't know anything," Veronica answered.

Malone paced and waved his finger at her.

"What do you want? It's him or me," Malone said.

Legolas was going to step in, but then fell silent.

"That's not fair, Ned, and you know it," Veronica replied. "I'm just confused now. I don't know what I want."

Malone put his hands on his waist. "I will go and stay at this Shire you spoke of. I will leave in two weeks. You have until then to decide."

Then, Malone retreated, going back the same way he came. Veronica's eyes lowered and Legolas embraced her as she cried all night.