The Edges of War

The Edges of War

Chapter 3
Author: Frosty the Crime-Fighting Hamster
Rated: NC-17
Summary: After the death of the hobbits and the disappearance of the Ring of Power, all of Middle-Earth fights against Sauron and a new enemy. The One Ring is in the knowledge of all races now.
Disclaimer: Disclaim this! *makes obscene gesture*


*

When Praodith awoke, sun was streaming through the windows, casting a yellow glow on her bed. She stretched and yawned, and winced at the pain in her shoulder. She felt exhausted. Obviously her night had not been restful.

Praodith got out of bed and pulled on the robe that had been left for her. Instead of turning right and heading to the washroom, though, she opted for the left whee exe exited her room. Taking slow, quiet steps, not wanting to wake anyone, she explored the house. Until she came to the kitchen.

Legolas was sitting at the wooden table in the centre of the room. He was looking over some parchment that had been strewn all around him. Biting her lip, not wanting to bother him, Praodith tried to make a silent exit.

"You don't have to leave," he said, and Praodith stopped abruptly. "Come sit down. I can make you something to eat."

Praodith hesitated, but then took his invite. She watched Legolas as she sat down across from him. He had barely even glanced at her.

Taking a deep breath, he gathered up the papers and stacked them into one neat pile. Then, entwining his hands, he looked up into Praodith's eyes. "What would you like? We don't have much, but what we have is edible." He looked around the kitchen and Praodith followed his gaze. "Bread, eggs, fruit...would you like me to cook for you?"

Praodith glanced around until her eyes fell on a bowl of fruit. "Would it be alright if I had an apple?" she asked, and Legolas immediately stood up to retrieve the bowl for her.

Setting the fruit in front of her, he sat back down. "Are you sure that's all you want?" he asked, leaning back.

She took a bite out of one of the red apples. "Yes, this is fine for now," she said. Part of her didn't want him making any effort for her. He seemed too...stately for that. Sighing, she shook off her thoughts.

Legolas watched her inquisitively. He seemed to be trying to read what she was thinking, and Praodith found herself a little frightened at the thought that maybe he could. "How was your night?" he asked, licking his lips. "Did you sleep well?"

Praodith took another bite and looked up at the elf. He was patiently waiting for her response. "I slept alright," she said, and Legolas narrowed his eyes slightly. That unnerved her. "I had...dreams," she added.

He nodded softly and Praodith felt herself relax. She didn't know why, but she had a really hard time lying to this elf. It was as though he could see right through her. "About what?" he asked, and Praodith swallowed heavily. She wasn't sure if she wanted to talk about it.

"Just...things. War," she paused, her eyes becoming distant, "Death." There was more to it, of course, and what she could remember of her nightmares was enough to cause her to shiver.

Legolas seemed to notice how uncomfortable she was, because his questions ceased. "Finish your breakfast," he said, "Then take a bath and get dressed. I'll have to treat you today, with elvish medicine. But you should also get some exercise. Arwen will take you for a walk."

A smirk crawled up over Praodith's features. "Like a puppy?" she said, lowering her eyes and hiding her smile.

When she glanced up, Legolas had an eyebrow raised and a small smile on his lips. That was the first time Praodith had seen him look anything but sombre. "Yes," he replied, "Like a puppy. Would you like a leash and a collar, also?"

Praodith's smile widened, but she didn't answer. Her face felt slightly flushed, and her mind couldn't think of anything to say. When Legolas got up from the table, saying that he'd go ind ind her some clean clothes and then leaving the room, Praodith found herself frowning. She was obviously tired, to be acting like such a smitten young thing. Sighing and hoping it would go away, she got up and headed for the washroom.

*

Legolas had handed Arwen a dress he had gotten for Praodith, and then left to go see Aragorn. Arwen unfolded the gown and shook it out - it was quite beautiful and looked suspiciously like something she had in her own closet. She smiled as she folded it back up and knocked on the washroom door.

"Praodith, I have clean clothes for you," she said loudly, "I'll leave them outside the door."

Setting down the dress, Arwen sighed and licked her lips. She then went to the kitchen to prepare some elvish herbs used in Praodith's treatment. Legolas was supposed to have done this, but he left in a hurry and asked Arwen to do it. Not that she minded, though. It was nice having something to do, no matter how small. It was better than wandering an empty castle for days on end.

Taking a deep breath and shaking her head, Arwen chastised herself for thinking such despondent thoughts. She didn't want to end up as depressed as Legolas. Though, thinking back, Legolas seemed a little less sullen when he had left. Perhaps his mood was beginning to brighten.

Arwen heard a shuffling behind her and turned to see Praodith walking into the room. The dress she wore was a deep purple and Arwen smiled at the image. The gown was indeed elvish.

"You look lovely," she said as Praodith tried to smooth down her wet hair.

Praodith held back a shy smile. "I feel a little silly," she said, looking down at herself, "I don't think I've ever worn such a lavish gown."

Arwen poured hot water over the cup of herbs in her hand. "It suits you," she said, stirring the water. She took the cup over to Praodith and handed it to her. "Drink this, and then we can go out."

Taking the cup, Praodith did as she was told. The part of her that had feared elves was beginning to lessen as she spent more time with Arwen and Legolas, who seemed to have nothing but the best of intentions.

After waiting for it to cool, Praodith downed the contents. She followed Arwen out the door into the hot sun, and shieldee gle glare with her hand. Praodith blinked back the brightness and heat - Legolas' home had been so dark and comfortable she had forgotten how sharp and piercing the real world was.

"Where are we going?" asked Praodith as they started up one of the streets. Shftedfted the bottom of her dress up, feeling bad about how dusty it was getting.

Arwen didn't seem to realize how dirty her dress was getting. "I thought we could visit the castle," she said, pointing to it in the distance, "It's a short walk. You can meet my husband."

"The King?" she responded, surprised. "That would be an honour."

It wasn't long until they were heading up the stone steps to the castle's door. When they entered, Aragorn was there, speaking with two people. One of which Praodith knew.

Legolas turned and looked Praodith over, obviously taking in her attire. Praodith was suddenly very aware of how she looked, and found her hands nervously smoothing down the front of the dress.

"Arwen," said Aragorn, approaching his wife and kissing her on the cheek, "I'm glad you're here. I was just thinking about coming to see you." He looked at the girl to Arwen's right. "This must be Praodith," he said, nodding in greeting, "It is good to finally meet you."

Praodith bowed slightly. "Thank you for all your hospitality, My Lord. I am grateful to you."

"This iramaramair," said Aragorn, introducing his company, "And you know Legolas."

Praodith smiled and nodded. "Yes, Legolas has taken very good care of me. I am forever in his debt. As well as your wife's."

Aragorn's grin was broad as he took Arwen's arm. "I am also in my wife's debt," he said, "And I think I should begin to repay it by taking to lto lunch. Legolas, would you mind escorting Praodith back to the house? I'm sure she could use some rest."

Praodith didn't feel tired, but she didn't dare disagree with the King. "Of course," replied Legolas, motioning for Praodith to follow him out. She said goodbye to the others and followed. She watched the elf as they descended the stairs and made their way back to the house. Praodith wondered if Legolas felt burdened at having to take care of her.

"I meant what I said back there," she ventured when he didn't initiate any conversation. In fact, he hadn't even looked at her. "I owe you my life. I am indebted to you."

His blue eyes looked into her dark ones and seemed thoughtful for a moment. "I merely brought you here. It was only fortune that you were found alive."

Praodith took a deep breath and frowned. That wasn't the response she had been hoping for. "But you have cared for me since then. I am sure it has not been an easy task."

They were quickly approaching Legolas' home, and Praodith was sure the elf's gait had increased. "You are not a burden, if that's what you think," he replied, and Praodith was once again surprised by how he seemed to read her mind. "Aragorn asked me to care for you. So I have."

Legolas opened the door for her and she entered the dark house, a place that all of a sudden felt quite like a prison. "I'm not tired," she said, kicking off her shoes, "I could leave for a while, if you would like some time alone."

He frowned at her then, a look that Praodith found disconcerting. "You shouldn't go out alone," he said, heading towards her room, "It would be good for you to rest."

Praodith followed him there, feeling herself become a little angry. Even if she was such a burden to him, she didn't want to be treated like a child. "I am not tired," she said, watching him start to tidy her room. Praodith's eyes narrowed as she watched him. "You don't have to clean up for me. I'm not an invalid."

Legolas turned and looked at her, his blue eyes dark. "Indeed you are not," he said, glancing up and down her form, "But you are injured, and your health has been entrusted to me. Therefore, I should clean, and you should not."

He turned back and continued to tidy the room. Praodith squinted and shook her head. He was obviously upset with her. "Have I done something to wrong you?" she asked softly.

Legolas stopped and looked up at her, his eyes confused. "Wrong me? No, why do you ask such a thing?"

Praodith swallowed and sat down on the bed. "Earlier...," she started, shaking her head, "Earlier we seemed to be...getting along. And now, you seem upset with me. Are you sure I haven't angered you?"

The elf's eyes softened as he set down the clothes he was holding and sat beside her on the bed. "You have not angered me," he said, his eyes downcast, "I apologize if I have offended you."

Praodith stared at him as he gazed down at the floor. He looked so tired. "I have not met many elves," she said, "But those I have met have been so youthful and vibrant, and hopeful. Tell me, why is it that you seem so lost?"

Legolas' blue eyes found hers and held to them. "War can affect even the most resilient," he said with a sad smile, "Elves are not immune to despair."

"There is always something to hope for," she replied, licking her lips, "Even I hope." She paused and looked over his face, suddenly very aware of how lovely he was. "Such beauty is an elf. It is a shame to see that beauty so sad."

Hies des dropped and Praodith turned her face, feeling flushed at her words. They had came without her thinking and, closing her eyes, she knew she had said something that would have been better kept to herself.

She made a move to get up, but a hand closed down over her knee. "Earlier, when we spoke, that was the first time I had smiled in a long while," he said quietly. She looked back at him and met his soft gaze. "I am sorry I spoke to you with such frustration. That feeling was my own and was not meant for you."

"It's alright," she said, looking down at his hand. The feelings she was having were so confusing and so unusual, she didn't really know how to respond. He was an elf, something that was almost alien to her. Yet she found herself almost attracted to him. It scared her.

When she looked back up at him, his eyes were wide and expressive. He seemed to read her fear, her worries, and she wondered what he was feeling. Her thoughts were interrupted, though, but Legolas leaning in close and touching his lips to hers in a soft, tender kiss.

Praodith inhaled sharply when his warm mouth separated from hers. The kiss had been so fleeting, so barely there, she felt almost as if it hadn't even happened.

Legolas' face was only inches from hers. His gaze roamed her face and settled on her dark eyes, wide from his actions. Gently, he reached a hand up and trailed his fingers along her cheek. "Do not despair for me," he whispered, "You have brought me hope."

Her large eyes blinked up at him. How could she have brought him such a thing as hope? She didn't understand how she could be that special. Or why. "How?" she breathed, wanting to know what he saw in her.

He smiled softly and dropped his hand from her face. "You need to rest," he said, picking up her hand and kissing it quietly. He let her go and rose from the bed. "I will wake you before dinner."

Praodith only nodded as Legolas left the room, closing the door with a quiet snap behind him. She touched her lips, still feeling the tingle of his mouth. Her entire body was wired from that experience.

There was no way she'd be able to sleep.

*

TBC