Knock, knock.
"It just makes me so edgy when he has that thing out."
"Understandable. The thing is taller than you." I said watching my dad open the front door.
"Prince Legolas, fancy seeing you 'ere." Boz said slowly in his deep gravely voice, while leaning against the door frame.
"Master Fitzgerald," Legolas greeted. "I need to speak with Victoria."
"'bout what?" Boz flicked his thumb over the gleaming axe blade as if to test its sharpness.
"I need to apologize to her."
"You're bloody right you do." Boz stood up to his full height, clenching his axe in both hands. "I'll let you apologize to 'er, but this is your warning-" he stepped closer to Legolas, towering over the young elf. "Nobody, I mean nobody…messes with my lit'le girl."
Legolas glanced from the giant axe that was now, just six inches from his head, up to Boz's stern face.
"It won't happen again." He choked, forcing a small smile.
Boz relaxed and lowered his weapon. "Glad to hear it. Victoria!" he called over his shoulder. "Someone's 'ere to see you."
Someone's here to see me? Oh joy! Bring on the fluffy bunnies and pink unicorns, someone's here to see me. Ha! Well that someone won't be able to see for very long, I'm going to tear your pretty blue eyes out and use them as marbles! Then when I'm done, I'll sell them on e-bay for five bucks a pop with standard shipping rates.
Standing aside, Boz let me greet my visitor.
"Hello Legolas." I said dryly.
Legolas took in my appearance of blood shot eyes and moist cheeks as well as a blank expression. Obviously he didn't know what to think or rather say, as he wasn't saying anything.
"Are you going to stand there and look stupid, or are you going to say something?"
"Could I speak to you alone, please." He asked.
Looking behind me, I nodded to the mountain of muscle that still stood in the doorway. Letting out a low growl, Boz slowly closed the door behind him. Legolas relaxed when my dad was out of sight and began to talk.
"Victoria I-"
Suddenly my closed fist connected with his jaw, sending his head flailing to the side.
"You what!" I demanded "You ditch me for months and give me lame excuses after I try to mend our friendship for what you did?!"
After a few seconds, Legolas grabbed his jaw and seemed to shift it back into place, his eyes opening and closing as if trying to focus.
"My excuses were-"
My other closed fist connected with the other side of his jaw.
Same reaction.
"My excuses were out of my own selfishness." He straightened himself back up to face me.
"You're bloody right." I hissed "I guess my friendship wasn't as important as your own personal feelings… at the time."
"Your friendship is important to me."
"Well obviously not!" I yelled.
"Our relationship is valuable to me, I'm thankful to be your friend and I am begging you," Legolas dropped down onto one knee "give me one last chance to show you."
I did see the sincerity of his action, but one small gesture couldn't fix this mess and erase the pain. Legolas looked at me, remorse written on his face. I felt my eyes begin to sting and my chest burn.
"No." I whispered. "I'm not giving you anything. I gave you as many chances as I could." I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.
His face held no reaction, then his eyes fell. "I understand." He said quietly, standing up. His now brown eyes darted around as if trying to process everything that just happened.
"But it doesn't mean that you can't show me." I tried to keep my voice steady. He could show me that I was valuable to him as a friend and that he did want me back. But it wasn't my job to help him accomplish that task by pretending that nothing had happened. The ball was in his court.
Legolas met my gaze again. "Even so, know that I am truly sorry."
"I forgive you." It was hard to say those words after he had hurt me, but he had shown true remorse and that was all I required.
Legolas turned to leave up the trail then stopped.
"This came for you today." He reached into his outer green tunic and pulled out a small piece of rolled parchment.
"I think it's from another Traveler." He said handing it to me. "It came half an hour ago by falcon."
"Thank you." I said taking the small scroll. "How's your jaw?" I asked.
"Ill live."
"Good."
I suddenly jumped at him, just a little, with raised fists. To my joy, Legolas flinched.
That's right, flinch. I want to see you flinch like a toad hooked up to a car battery.
Legolas sighed slightly, then gave a small bow.
"Enjoy your afternoon, Miss Fitzgerald."
"Milord," I said giving a small curtsey.
With that, he left. And that was that.
Giving a heavy sigh, I turned and walked up to my door, and opened it; only to hit something very hard that gave a loud 'oww!'
"Boz!" I whined, as my dad stood up from his crouching position, rubbing his head. "You listened in on that whole conversation?!" I accused.
"I listened, your mum watched." He motioned to the living room window with his free hand, the one that wasn't rubbing the now forming bump on his forehead. Looking around, I saw mom collapsed in one of the chairs.
"Mom?" I said walking up to her. No response. "Mummy?" I waved a hand in front of her pale face. Still no response. I looked in confusion at my dad who was now kneeling beside me.
"She saw Legolas kneel and got the impression that he was proposin' to 'ya."
I stared at him gawk-eyed.
"Then she star'ed hyperventilating and took a rest 'ere." Boz patted my mom's hand, only to hear her give a miserable moan. "Your mum can be a bit paranoid at times."
"Just a bit." I agreed.
"Though, I must say," Boz said changing the subject. "I saw that little number you gave the prince there."
"Oh… yeah." I really didn't know what to say. Was I in trouble on top of all this?
"Usually I would say 'good job', but you know we Travelers can't afford to get in trouble."
"I know; something in me, just snapped. But I do feel better." I whispered.
"Aside from that how did it go?" My dad's expression was loving and kind.
"Just fine, I'm going to my room now."
"Ok, luv." Dad stood up and gave me a huge bear hug.