Helllloooooo! Here's the next chapter!

I realised that I didn't say where Vanessa and Hayley were at the end of the last chapter! LOL! I feel like an idiot! So I've gone back and edited it. It isn't a detail that is important to the story; I just thought I'd clear it up. Yeah, so I made it that they were in the hall :)

A BIG thank you to those who reviewed! You really motivated me!

Please Review! I've been a bit unsure about the last couple of chapters and I'd really like to know what people think! I've especially felt unsure about this chapter. :)

Sorry if some of the info in this chapter is incorrect, I think it's only minor details. :/

Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR.

Silver :)


Chapter 28- Difficult Tasks

Vanessa wiped away tears as she swiftly walked away from Hayley. She refused to believe that she was hopelessly in love with Legolas, she couldn't be! Legolas would never think of her as more than a friend. Besides, if he did…love her back… he'd have to give up his immortality; she couldn't ask him to do that for her. Vanessa blinked away tears as she pushed through the doors leading away from the hall.

Vanessa huffed; she'd have to attempt to avoid Legolas, not for his sake…for hers. She would only fall madly in love with him and make an embarrassment of herself. She doubted that she was even worthy of Legolas, she was hideous; she knew it, her stepmother knew it, the children from her school knew it and…her Dad knew it. Vanessa huffed, was Nigel her Dad? Biologically-yes but was he her Dad? Would a real Dad break their daughter's arm? Vanessa shuddered…Nigel hadn't meant to break her arm… he was just drunk. Or that's what she kept telling herself.

As Vanessa made her way to nowhere in particular, she ran into the one person she didn't want to see: Legolas.

"Vanessa." He smiled happily.

"Hello." Vanessa said softly before looking to the ground.

She couldn't look up at him, not into his eyes….then she'd never be able to avoid him.

"Why are you crying Mellon nin?" Legolas asked worriedly.

Vanessa continued to stare at the ground... biting her lips to refrain from talking.

"Mellon nin...what brings you such sorrow?" Legolas took a step closer to her.

"Nothing to worry about." She mumbled to the ground.

"I am your friend." Legolas frowned. "Of course there is something to worry about."

Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. Vanessa attempted to ignore the fastened pace of her heartbeat.

"I fear you are still worried about your scars. Hayley talked of how you have always felt embarrassed about your appearance. You should not care what others think, I do not care…to me you are a caring, intelligent person and you are very beautiful. Why have you not told Hayley of your ear? She is your friend, she will not judge you."

"I..I…I just don't want everyone to know." Vanessa whispered, hoping Legolas would go away.

"You need not hide them." Legolas sighed, gently pushing her hair behind her ear as he moved his hand from her shoulder.

Vanessa swiftly pushed her hair back over her ear and continued to stare at the ground.

"Have I done something of offence?" Legolas asked in a frown.

"No…no." Vanessa mumbled.

Legolas delicately placed a hand under her chin and pushed her head up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Then why do you refuse to look at me?" He raised an eyebrow.

Vanessa flicked her eyes away from his. "I'm not refusing to look at you. I just…I just think the ground is very intriguing… it is very…lovely."

Vanessa felt as though she could have rolled her eyes at her lame excuse.

Legolas tried to meet her gaze again; he was searching her face for any type of clue. He exhaled deeply.

"I shall leave you alone. I will see you later today." Legolas said sadly, bidding his farewell.

Vanessa felt tears begin to form in her eyes again as she watched him walk away. It was going to prove a difficult task to avoid him.


Vanessa spent a majority of the day walking around Edoras, purposely trying to avoid anyone she knew. When darkness began to fall on the horizon, she slowly made her way back to the hall; dreading who might be waiting there. She silently slipped into the room and cautiously made her way to the blankets that had been provided for her. As she made herself comfortable on her make-shift bed, she looked around at the faces of her companions. Hayley smiled at her sadly and Gimli was already half-asleep. She spared a quick glance at Legolas; he was talking in elvish with Aragorn…again. Although Vanessa's hearing was fairly good, she could not make out their hushed words. She rolled her eyes, she couldn't understand much elvish anyway.

Vanessa lay back onto her bed. She absently stared at the ceiling; she knew that sleep would not come easily to her that night. Although she had only been avoiding him for a short amount of time, Vanessa already missed Legolas. Her heard ached and longed for her…best friend? Vanessa huffed quietly and rolled her eyes.

As Vanessa lay in her bed, she felt Legolas approach her. She hastily closed her eyes and rolled onto her side, her back facing him. She heard the Elf's soft footsteps cease, silence lingering for what seemed like eternity. The light footsteps slowly and hesitantly retreated. Vanessa whimpered quietly, why was she avoiding him again? She had never felt so much pain in her whole life.


Vanessa knew that Hayley had gone with Merry to offer her sword to the king. They would soon be leaving to aid Gondor, the beacons had been lit. Despite this, Vanessa did not feel the need to offer her bow… she feared rejection because of her gender… perhaps she would at a later time. Even if Theoden ordered her not to fight, she would go against his wishes. She cared not for prejudice against women. Vanessa slowly walked to the stables; she thought that she may have been able to assist in the preparation of some of the horses.

Vanessa entered the stables. Legolas and Gimli were there. Vanessa sighed and looked at Legolas who was only a small distance away. He was tending to his horse, talking to Gimli as he did so. As though he could feel Vanessa's eyes burning into him, he quickly turned around and met her gaze. Vanessa's breath caught in the back of her throat as she attempted to look away from him, but her eyes were locked with his. He gave her a soft smile. Vanessa gulped, and with all her strength she could muster, she looked back down at the ground. Tears stung in her eyes as she felt her heart sink. Why was she doing this to herself?