I owe nothing to do with Tolkien's work or LOTR

A/N – Steadfast is a fictional place – it doesn't exist. Just for the record.

To Find My Quarry

It was there that Elrond realised his first mistake, the first one in many years. He shouldn't have underestimated Serena. She should have been dealt with a year ago. Ok, maybe that was harsh, it wasn't her fault she was caught up in a mess that didn't concern her. The elder frowned, he had a lot of explaining to do and he wasn't sure Serena would be capable of handling it. For the first time in a long time, Elrond looked at Serena's eyes and saw the determination she held within them. He wondered when was the last time he witnessed such a strong, visible emotion. His soul jerked when he realised it was in Estel had he seen something similar. Aragon face, void of emotion but his eyes told him of every word. He lost himself in Serena's eyes then snapped out of it when Glorfindel spoke.

"What answers you seek, you wont find them here."

"I wont leave until I hear what has happened to me." Serena challenged the living legend as Glorfindel simply withdrew his sword and lazily dropped it on the table, not caring if the mortal woman perceived it as a threat. She didn't, rather she saw it as a challenge.

"And I don't think you hold my answers." She turned and looked at the elf named Elrond.

"Glorfindel, leave us." Elrond waved his hand, it wasn't until the door closed did he restart talking. "You may not like what I'm to tell you but please, hear my words with an open mind."

She didn't object.

He carried on, "You obtained a picture of Legolas that was painted by the hand of a great mortal artist. You are unaware of the situations our kind have been under for the last countless years. We are not some fairy tale characters arisen in the book of Tolkien. We are real and so is the threat that plagues us. You are aware of Sauron?"

"I am and of the story itself concerning the ring." Serena replied.

"Then I will not explain how we have fought and battled against the dark lord. we defeated him, yes. But time can do things. Sauron like before has arisen, his spirit festered with defeat. Twice he had attempted to rise and twice he had fallen. But now he had grown stronger. He is embodied again. Flesh clad him not his armour and powers arm him not his sword. His armies has evolved. Whereas before they were limited in strength, powers and appearances. Now even our most finely tuned warriors has the difficulty of telling an orc apart from a human. Orcs have taken on human appearances to blend, to hunt and to watch. They are everywhere and we must eradicate all traces that we still exist."

"Why do you not fight?" Serena asked, "You defeated him twice before."

"Yes with the aid of men and when our numbers were larger. Over time we have decreased in population, our breeding rates are slower and longer than that of humans. Twice before we aided men against the fight of Sauron but now, this realm of men have moved on. Forgotten are the great deeds done so many years ago, forgotten are the elves and forgotten is the ring which is destroyed. We cannot ask them to believe in something they grew up to regard as a story tale, they are afraid, they will lash out against something they don't understand."

"They will endanger you before helping you." Serena nodded. "Why not give them a chance? I'm human yet I believe."

"You were thrown into it, you were forced to believe. You witness many things yet you have much to learn. You were a risk to us and one we tried to erase but failed."

"What happened that day?" Serena whispered, Elrond pulled up a chair and sat opposite her, "I'm sorry. Legolas made a mess of things, he shouldn't have ran like that from the museum. Your friend Tam reported you kidnapped and Legolas, an art thief and your kidnapper. After you crashed, both of you received serious injuries. We couldn't take you with us as you endangered our race so we handed you over to the hospital, aware that with the injuries you received, you may never remember what had happened."

"What happened to Legolas?"

"Legolas healed fined, he was a hunted man, the authorities were looking for him so he couldn't venture to the surface. We sent him somewhere to lie low."

"What of the painting?"

Elrond smiled. "The painting is here and safe."

"What of my life? You cannot replace it. My business has gone as so has my friends who think me dead."

"I regret what we had to do, please don't be angry at Legolas, he was under my orders."

"He was under your orders when he slept with me?" Serena snapped, Elrond grimaced, "Sweet Eru...I had thought something has happened to you both. He wouldn't let you go. Kept begging me..."

"Where is he?" Serena slowly stood up.

"Safe, that is all you need to know." Elrond walked around his table, clearly not interested on telling her anymore.

"I will find him, with or without your help." Serena balled her fists and stared at the elf who sighed.

"Alright, I'll tell you but you must remember....do not hold hope that he'll pick up from where you left him." Elrond gave in.

Which is where Serena found herself hours later, on a train heading to Devon. Elrond had made her memorise the locations she was looking for as he refused to write it down just in case it gotten into the wrong hands. Apparently Legolas was running a very successful horse business, which made her smile. She could remember fragments of a conversation where he was explaining the various breeds and their values. As suburbia departed and the train trundled into the lush lands of the southwest, where the bright sun shines, unclouded by pollution, buildings and smog in all its glory. The wind rippling the emerald green grass and the newly spun golden wheat like ripples on a lake.

And for once, Serena felt at peace. Its amazing what the potential of fresh air and unruly, beautiful landscape can do for a troubled soul. It seems that the land was pouring back strength and happiness into the weary traveller as she stared out the window. The way a mortal is in two minds of one situation.

Should she go?

Should she not?

How far has Serena came? Where did her journey started? Who cares? She's on it now for all it mattered and as much she regretted how things has turned out, it given her a chance.

A chance to live a little.

And live a little she will.

Serena stared at the platform sign.

Steadfast.

A small remote village near the city of Plymouth. Too small to be even credited on the map, according to Elrond. She looked around and saw a payphone. She'll need a taxi. Walking up to it, she dropped a ten pence coin in the slot and dialled a number from a sign nearby.

"Hello, is that Ridley's Taxis?" she asked when a voice answered.

"Yes." Was the bored reply.

"I need a taxi from the Steadfast station to Leonas stables...."Serena informed but was interrupted by a man with sandy hair, who smiled politely. She recognised him as being the only other passenger who disembarked at the stop.

"You wanting a ride to Leonas Stables?" he asked.

Serena nodded.

"I'm heading that way if you want a ride?" he smiled. Serena simply hung up on the bored voice and smiled. "Would you? That'll be great!"

"The name's Sam, Sam Jefferson. I'm a stable hand there. You inquiring about the stable hand job?" he cocked his head as he lead her to a jeep that was parked in the car park.

A plan started forming in Serena's head and she nodded, "I am. Have a bit of experience involving horses but looking to improve with a bit of teaching."

Which was the truth, she use to ride when she was younger – a long time ago. Maybe by getting a job there, she could learn something about the elf from a safe distance.

"Good, I think you do just fine. I'm also the guy who looks for employees. You're hired." He held out his hand with a grin.

Serena shook it, "Sounds great to me boss."

Sam drove the jeep up a hill, his consistent chatter didn't allow Serena a chance to think as she formulated responses to Sam numerous questions and jokes.

He was in the midst of telling her how many horses there are when the jeep rounded a corner and Serena could see her location for the first time.

In the cool winter sunshine, there was a hug mansion with a guest wing protruding from the side of it, partly covered in ivy. Constructed from local grey stone, it held regal look to it and the large cobbled stable yard only added to its impressiveness what with a marble fountain and shingle built stables, each with its wooden doors.

The acreage of the stables were huge, stretching far off into the distance, all with paddocks and horses grazing. She could make out some riders as they cantered across a field at full speed, she then saw in a nearby paddock a dappled mare with a gangly legged foal which prompted her to awe over the tiny baby.

"Great place isn't it?" Sam smiled, Serena grinned, "Sure is."

They pulled up into the yard and climbed out, "Follow me, I'll allocate you a room then show you around." Sam instructed, he helped her with her bag and opened the back door of the large mansion and lead her in through a huge kitchen where a large table was situated by the fire with long benches either side. A cook looked up from the Agar and smiled at the newcomer. He lead her up the first flight of stairs and down a long corridor till he reach one.

"This is your room, number sixteen. Has an en-suit bathroom and double bed. Should be very comfortable for you. He dropped her bag in and watched Serena glance around the room, "Very nice." She smiled as she tested the bed.

"Come, let me introduce you to people." Sam held the door open and lead her back the way they've come. "This is Cookie the cook, she prepares all the meals for us, Cookie this is Serena. She's our new stable hand."

After a brief introduction, Sam lead her to the courtyard and across to a renovated barn which served as their offices, store rooms, lounge and mud room. Leading her into an office, Serena saw a rather large woman with a blue sweater adorned with a pony smiling back at her. With unruly blonde hair and a dimply smile, she had a motherly air to her and Serena instantly relaxed.

"This is Tricia, she's the stable officer, if you have any problems you see her. I'll leave you with her and shall see you at dinner time. Nice to have you on board." Sam smiled and closed the door.

"Sit down...?" Tricia indicated to a chair.

"Serena." Serena smiled and complied. She seated herself as Tricia smiled. "We just need you to fill in some paper work for us then I'll show you around."

As Tricia explained about the procedures and the papers involved, Serena filled in the paper work. With that done, Tricia explained the job, she was to have accommodation here, her job gave covered the rents and gave her an addition £500 a month wage packet. Breakfast is at five till seven, lunch at twelve and dinner was at six. Winter was their hardest months because as well as horses, they also have three hundred cows in nearby fields, by spring they'll be sold.

She'll be allocated several stalls and her responsibility was to feed, groom, exercise and generally look after those horses. Also she'll complete other jobs around the stables. There was a Christmas party coming next week where all forty-two employees were invited.

Tricia lead her out into the stables and showed her around, introducing people as she went. Picking up a clipboard from a tack room, she lead her down the rows of stalls, all equipped with lighting, heating and water.

"Stalls Two to seven are yours, that is Misty, Lovage, Snip, William the old softy, Chinco and Arod. You've got an important job here. Arod is the boss's horse. He's Legolas, you'll see him around from time to time, he cherishes this horse so make lots of effort with this beauty. He's a young horse, just been broken this year." Tricia patted the white horse's muzzle but Serena's attention was fixed on the one word.

Legolas.

This was Legolas's horse.

A loud honk of a car horn interrupted the peace and Tricia frowned, she walked out and tutted at the sight. A black Porsche was beeping it's horn at some young woman who was leading a horse across the drive, looking closer Serena could see a blonde hair woman drumming her fingernails on the steering wheel.

Who was she?

"That is Anarwen, the pain of the palace." Tricia frowned, "She's Legolas's girlfriend, fiancé....whatever. There always some argument going on between the two. Look here he comes now..." The door which lead to the kitchen swung open to reveal....him.

Legolas as she pretty much saw him the first time, clad in jeans and a black jumper.

He stepped out and stalked over to the car, soothing the horse then placing a hand on the woman's shoulder, Anarwen so rudely beeped at. The woman stepped out and Serena was in no doubt she too was an elf, due to her beauty, height, build....everything.

Legolas was arguing with her, gesturing from the car to the woman and the startled horse which tugged at his reigns with annoyance. But what ever was said, Anarwen wasn't hearing it, and proclaimed the conversation was over with a slam of the car door, a rude gesture at the woman and a snarl at Legolas who rolled his eyes.

This was Legolas's woman?

Serena smiled.

"Rude isn't she? You just be careful round her, any problems, call for me." Tricia smiled. Serena watched Legolas raked his hair with his hand then stepped back inside the mansion. He was here and she was so close to him. So close and he didn't know it.

The Lioness watched her quarry with satisfaction. Satisfaction that the hunt was drawing to a close, the search was over and the prey was unaware it has been cornered. Eyes locked and muscles taunt as she got ready to pouch. Serena was ready, nervous yes but ready. She had her answers from Elrond now she wanted answers from Legolas.

Why did he go beyond his duty and slept with her?

The notions of killing him in a crazed induced anger has faded to leave behind a cool façade. She was now in control and seeing him after an absence of a year has made her memories of him more potent, more powerful, more raw. Desire to hold him as he quivered above her in bed was pulsating in her veins so loudly that it echoed in her ears. Her lips parted and breathing grew heavier as she remembered those kisses that promised her so much. This Anarwen was little threat, he was hers. She was planning her battle tactics, learning the terrains in which she had to fight in, what worked for and against her. Her strengths and weaknesses, as well as Legolas's. weapons she had as well as her ammunition. The battle was set, all she had to do was make the first move.

And Serena will not make the first move just yet, she was perfectly happy with watching him from afar. At dinner when he came in momentarily to grab a can of beer and joked with some guys, she was watching him, when he walked out and took Arod for a gallop, she watched him from the window. When he stepped out the laundry room with his washing, she watched him from the lounge. And she learnt the first powers of the elves that was the inability to age. He hasn't changed. The one thing in her life that hasn't changed.

And Legolas will learn that there is nothing in the world more powerful than a woman hunting down what she wants.

The battle was to commence....and victory will be sweet to the victor....whoever that'll be.