The Edges of War

The Edges of War

Chapter 5
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*


*

"We must go to Lothlorien," said Aragorn as he paced the room. He was obvious in his anxiety about this, but felt it was necessary. "Boromir, you and I will lead a small army there. Hopefully we won't need to call for reinforcements."

Legolas crossed his arms and frowned. He looked out the window at the early morning sun as ite ine into the sky. The pinks and oranges cast such a soft light over the city; at this time of day, it ed aed as if the world was at peace. Aragorn's voice brought him back to reality.

"Faramir, you and Boromir will Captain the forces. You'll need to find someone trustworthy to protect the city in our absence." Faramir nodded, looking at his brother in worry. Legolas could tell that no one in the room was sure about what they were doing.

Boromir rose from his seat. "I will gather our forces. We can leave soon." When Aragorn agreed, Boromir left and Legolas sighed heavily. He didn't want to see Lothlorien. He didn't know if he could take seeing it swarming with elves under the influence of the Ring.

"Legolas," said Aragorn as he began pulling on his armour, "I want you to get Praodith, tell her where we're going, and get her ready."

The elf blinked. "Get her ready?" he said, pushing himself off the wall and pingping forward, "For what?"

Aragorn's stare held no humour. "For Lothlorien. She's coming with us."

A sharp thrill of anger coarsed through Legolas' body. "She cannot come with us," he said furiously, "She's not well."

"Arwen feels she's well enough," he said as he attached his sword to his belt.

"Arwen?" said Legolas, gritting his teeth, "How would Arwen know how well she is? I'm the one who's been taking care of her."

Aragorn looked up and frowned. "Why does this bother you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Legolas avoided the question. "Why do nee need her? What purpose would she serve?"

Aragorn looked at Faramir, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. "We believe Prao may may have been attacked by the elves," said Faramir heavily, "Arwen and I have discussed it, and we think it would be useful to have her along."

Legolas shook his head. "I don't understand what use she could be. She is one girl. And she has never mentioned anything about elves, why do you think she was attacked by them?"

"During our conversation last night, she appeared...restless...when the elves were mentioned." Faramir sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Arwen has her own reasons for believing."

"What reasons?!?" Legolas glared at Aragorn, wanting an explanation. He didn't get one.

"That doesn't matter. Not now. I am telling you to get her ready, and I expect you to follow my orders." Aragorn was finished, angry with the conversation. Legolas clenched his jaw, but said nothing, leaving the hall in silence.

As he barged through the doors leading outside and stalked down the steps, Legolas could feel the fury building within him. Not only were they not telling him their reasons for dragging Praodith along on this suicidal mission, but Arwen had been keeping things from him as well. He couldn't understand why she would do such a thing.

When he burst through the door of his house, he stopped in his tracks at what he saw. Praodith was there, dressed in the Rohan uniform she had arrived in. It had been cleaned and mended, he noticed. Praodith looked up at him, but didn't smile or say a word. She could see the anger in his eyes.

Legolas didn't want to scare her, or hurt her. He wondered if she knew that he had only just learned about this as well. When another person entered the room, though, he could feel all the anger well up inside him once again.

"Arwen," he said, his voice low, "I want to speak with you."

He could tell she knew exactly what he wanted. Arwen's eyes slid from him to Praodith, as she helped her do up her tunic. "Later, Legolas," she said, keeping her eyes from him.

"Not later," he growled, stepping forward, "Now."

Arwen didn't look at him, but Praodith caught his gaze. "Don't be upset with her," she said, "I agreed to accompany the King. It was my choice."

"Why are you going with them?" he asked, his voice softer, "They won't tell me anything."

Praodith looked to Arwen, who was still working on the tunic. "They won't tell you...because I asked them not to," she said, lowering her eyes. "I'm sorry, Legolas, it's just that...it's difficult for me. It's still something new that I have to deal with. Arwen spoke with me this morning...I asked her to keep it quiet

When Praodith looked back up at him, she could feel her heart strain. He hur hurt. "If you do not wish to tell me, I understand," he said, but his voice betrayed his words. He was utterly quiet. "I don't want you to come with us, but it is your choice." He nodded curtly, glanced at Arwen, then left the house.

Praodith bit her lip as she watched him go. There was nothing she could say to make it better. Truth be told, she really didn't want Legolas to know why she was going with them to Lothlorien. She didn't want him to know what Arwen spoke with her about, her nightmares about that dark night. She hadn't wanted anyone to know, but elves were too perceptive. Arwen had seen it, the fear and pain. Even Faramid red read her well. Already more people knew that she wanted. If Legolas knew, she knew it would be too uncomfortable.

"He will get over it," said Arwen, noticing Praodith's sad expression, "He is prideful, but he cares for you. It will get better."

Praodith shook her head and adjusted her sword. "I don't know," she said, licking her lips, "I think I hurt him. Badly."

Arwen was the only person who knew about Praodith and Legolas' relationship. Praodith suspected Legolas had told Arwen about them, because Arwen was not surprised when Praodith mentioned it during their conversation that morning. She didn't mind. It was nice having someone to talk about it with.

"He cares for you, Praodith," she repeated, smiling softly, "He will understand, eventually, why you kept this from him."

Praodith nodded, but was hesitant about believing that. She cared for Legolas as well, but it wasn't as if they really truly knew each other. A part of her wanted nothing more than to be with him, but the rational part of her mind knew they started off on shakey ground, and this wouldn't make it any more stable.

*

Legolas sat on his white horse and stared out across the plains of Gondor. Far in the distance was a forest, and even further were snow-capped mountains. Fires dotted the landscape. The battles had waged an incredible war on the land.

He could hear other horses coming up behind him. Gondor's army, two hundred men strong. And one woman.

He looked back and saw her on a dark horse, walking alongside Aragorn. They were speaking, and Legolas felt a pang of bitterness. He didn't like feeling so caustic towards Praodith, but he couldn't help it. Obviously he felt more for the girl than he thought he did. It bothered him.

Trotting ahead, he pulled out in front of the group, intent on avoiding everyone as much as possible. He was actually beginning to look forward to Lothlorien. Perhaps he could take out some of his aggression on the elves.

Praodith watched Legolas move ahead and leave the group behind. She sighed heavily, knowing that she needed to talk to him. She needed him to understand her reasons for keeping things from him.

Taking a deep breath, she trotted her horse out to where he was. She knew he could hear her coming, and was grateful that he didn't take off.

"Legolas," she said, as she slowed down to walk beside him, "We need to talk."

He looked at her, his eyes doing their best to appear disinterested. "About what?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Look, I want you to know...I care about you." Legolas' expression turned sad and he lowered his eyes. "The reason I don't want you to know what's going on, is because I worry. I worry about you'll think. And I worry about how it will affect you. Please, you have to understand, this doesn't mean I'm trying to distance myself from you." She paused and licked her lips. "I'm not."

Legolas took a deep breath and looked out over the landscape. It was nearing evening now, and the sun was casting a red glow over the sky. "I'm sorry,\ sai said, blinking slowly, "It was selfish of me to think only of myself." He turned to look at her, his blue eyes tense. "But I care about you also, and I'm concerned, even moreso now. I wonder what happened to you, and I...want to help. Praodith, you can talk to me. If you need to, I will listen. I want to."

Praodith turned away, feeling her eyes sting. "Maybe in time," she said quietly, "But for now, what you can do for me is...be my friend. I am alone here," she looked up to him, "You're the only one I have."

Legolas smiled. "Then you will have me," he replied.

It was nearly mid-morning before they stopped for rest. Praodith dismounted her h, he, her legs aching, and sat beside the small fire in her camp. Legolas had gone to speak with Aragorn, so she sat in silence, nervous about the coming day.

"You should be sleeping," came a voice, and Praodith looked up to see Faramir standing beside her. He looked down, his blue eyes shining. "We have a long day ahead."

Praodith sighed and licked her lips as Faramir sat beside her. "I'm too anxious to sleep," she said, peering through the flames. "And I'm sure I would only have nightmares."

Faramir lowered his voice as he leaned in. "Do you want to discuss your experience with the elves?" he asked, his face sympathetic. "I know I'm not the most ideal, but I'm willing to listen."

Praodith smiled despite her worries. "You are most kind, but these memories I have...they are not something I wish to share. Not now. They are still too fresh in my mind." She looked up at him with soft eyes and smiled. "Thank you, though."

He nodded slightly and smiled. "Do you think you will be able to identify the elves in your dreams?"

"I hope so," she said, sighing, "I hope, for Gondor's sake. The King seems fairly sure that whoever attacked me must have the Ring."

Faramir nodded, "Yes, he seems to think so. It makes sense."

"I still worry," she said, smiling sadly.

He patted her hand softly. "If you were not worried, I would be worried for you," he said. Then, taking a deep breath, he rose from the ground. "You should at least try to sleep. Rest. We won't be here long."

Praodith nodded, and watched until Faramir walked into the darkness. The only sounds around her were the crackling of the fire and the quiet whispers of the still-awake soldiers. Sighing, Praodith laid down and pillowed her head on her arms. She closed her eyes, and waited for the coming dawn.

*

Over four days had passed, and Praodith began to wonder just how long it would take to get to Lothlorien. The worry in the pit of her stomach continued to grow each day. She didn't know what to expect, or how she would react if they met up with the elves who had assaulted her. Aragorn had told her they would protect her, but she knew that he could make no promises. If the elves did indeed have the Ring, Praodith knew Gondor's army would most likely perish.

And so would she.

She watched Legolas, who was riding beside Aragorn. She and the elf on on better terms now, talking and friendly, but Praodith still felt that deep yearning for what they had before. It wasn't the same, now that there was something between them. She felt driven apart. Praodith's mind kept replaying that night tspenspent together, and every once in a while the only thing she could think of was how to get him alone for just a few minutes. That charge...that spark, she wanted it again. She needed something to relieve the tension.

But when Legolas looked at her, as he often did, Praodith could never tell what he was thinking. Again, he had turned unreadable. She could not tell if he was angry with her, or honest, or if all he wanted was to get her alone for himself. There was nothing. It ate away at her, not knowing.

Praodith's tired eyes stared at Legolas as she tried to understand him. She couldn't tel tell what he was feeling then, talking to Aragorn. She wished he would show some emotion. Anything.

The army stopped and Praodith's mind was brought back to her surroundings. She looked around, trying to peer over the heads of those in front of her. Annoyed, she kicked at her horse and rode over to Aragorn and Legolas, and looked out at what they were seeing.

A sprawling green forest enveloped the valley below them, while a sparkling river travelled through the tall mountains. It looked beautiful, the green something she hadn't seen in quite some time. "Lothlorien," breathed Aragorn, and Praodith looked up at him. His face was sad. "There is smoke."

Praodith looked back to the forest, and saw what Aragorn spoke of. She had missed it before, a small, swirling cloud of gray smoke rising from somewherep iep in the forest. Normally she would've thought nothing of it, but she could tell by Aragorn's face that this was not a good sign.

Kicking his horse, Aragorn moved onward down the steep slope towards the forest. Legolas glanced at Praodith, but said nothing, following the King downward. Praodith sighed and joined the rest of the army as they began their descent. The worry was building again.

It was dusk before the reached the outskirts of the forest. The air was damp as they stopped and waited for the King's orders.

Praodith watched as Aragorn spoke with Faramir and Boromir. She now wished that they would decide to leave and go back to Gondor. Legolas stood silently beside the trio, staring out into the forest. His sullen expression made her nervous.

She chewed on her nails and looked around. Each soldier looked scared as they waited for what could only be their fate. Praodith held her breath when she noticed Aragorn and the others mount their horses, expecting to be lead into battle. When Aragorn, Boromir, and Legolas set onwards into Lothlorien, and Faramir came back towards the army, Praodith felt her stomach drop.

"We wait here," Faramir said to the soldiers, who began to look uneasy. "Set up watch. We will rest while we can."

Praodith bit her lip as she watched the three horses disappear into the forest. There would be no rest for her tonight.

*

There was shuffling, movement all around her. The ground shook with the heavy sound of hundreds of footfalls. Praodith frowned in her sleep, wincing against the tide of noise that began to drown her. Suddenly, as if awakened by the snap of the cold, she jerked upwards. In the dark, she could still feel the movement. She could still hear the tremor of feet.

This was no dream.

Grabbing her sword, Praodith quickly stood up and squinted into the night. It was pitch black, the world around her invisible in the moonless dark. Her shallow breaths echoed in her ears as she eased herself back against a rock and tried to regain her senses.

The noise was becoming more solid now. She could hear voices, blades unsheathed and colliding with other blades. The horses were troubled, their neighs heard clearly over the clatter of weapons. There was too many cries. It was the sound of a losing battle. Something she had heard before.

Everything in her told Praodith to run into battle, to help those who were her kin. A cold fear ran through her body, though, a fear that kept her feet rooted to one spot. She shivered as the field turned more quiet, the voices dying away. It would be her turn soon enough.

Praodith sank to the cold earthen floor, awaiting her fate. She heard feet all around her, but didn't look up. She couldn't face the end.

"Elrohir," spoke a quiet voice in the dark, "Look here."

Praodith was aware when she became the object of attention. Several of them approached her, standing all around. She kept her face down, but could see the glint of their swords.

A dark laugh came from the small crowd. "Well, well," said a new voice, "A surprise, indeed."

"Should I kill her?" Praodith swallowed heavily. They were all so calm.

The one called Elrohir seemed to consider her, then sighed. "No, not yet. Bring her along."

Praodith clenched her eyes shut when strong arms jerked her upwards. She walked along, not fighting back, afraid of their response. Looking down, she gazed at the fallen men of Gondor they passed as they walked towards Lothlorien. She knew so many of these men. Tears stung her eyes as she looked at their broken bodies.

Faramir.

Stifling a sob, she bit her lip to keep from crying. There was no help now. She had failed them all.

And now she would only be led to her death.

*

Daylight broke though the trees as they came upon the city of Lothlorien. Praodith raised her eyes now, looking upon those who had killed her friends and taken her away. Under any other circumstances, they might've been beautiful. The group was large, most had long blonde hair. Like Legolas. Her eyes teared when she thought of what they had likely done to him. The two elves closest to her, though, had dark hair. Their eyes were a striking dark blue and when they looked at her, she could sense the malevolence in them. These were the elves who had attacked her. The ones who escorted her, they were the two.

None of the elves spoke a word to Praodith, but she did nothing to draw their attention, either. If all her friends were now dead, what did she have to live for? She accepted her fate, whatever it would be.

As they entered the city, Praodith looked upwards. The staircases and halls towered all around her, and they glowed in the morning light. She found it curious how everything gleamed so, when those who had been taken by the Ring were often so dirty.

"Put her with the others," said Elrohir, and immediately Praodith's gut was wrought with tension. There were others.

A couple of elves took her to a small house not far from what appeared to be the centre of the city. When they opened the door, she walked inside without hesitation. They closed the heavy door behind her, and Praodith immediately let out a long-held sob.

"Praodith," breathed Legolas as he ran forward and took her into a deep embrace. She could feel her legs weaken as she cried into his chest.

When she had caught her breath, she sniffed and looked up at Legolas. His face was sad, but he smiled. "I thought they had killed you," she whispered, rubbing at her face. Legolas touched her face, wiping the tears away with his hand. "I was sure you were all dead."

Aragorn came around and stood in front of Praodith, who had now let go of Legolas and was trying to regain her composure. "How did you fare?" he asked, his voice quiet. He knew they had been attacked by the elves.

Praodith looked up at him, her face full of sorrow. "Not well," she said, her voice catching, "I didn't see any survivors."

She lowered her face, tears filling her eyes once more. "None?" whispered Aragorn, "Are you sure?"

Sniffing, she forced herself to meet his eyes. "I saw none. I'm sorry," she said, "I should have done more. I didn't help. I'm sorry." She clenched her teeth to stop herself from crying. "Faramir," she breathed, looking around. She had to tell Boromir.

Legolas put his arm around her, and softly brushed the hair away from her face. "They took Boromir," said Aragorn, "He was of no use to them." Taking a deep breath, he placed a hand on Praodith's shoulder and looked into her tear-filled eyes. "This is not your fault. Remember that, and be strong. This is not over."

Crossing her arms and nodding, she stepped closer to Legolas and leaned her head against him. Boromir was dead. She couldn't believe it. "Why?" she asked, her voice dark, "Why are we alive? Why haven't they killed us?"

"Aragorn is the King," said Legolas as he rubbed her arm softly, "He is of value to them. I imagine they let me live because I'm from Mirkwood. Mirkwood has not been taken yet."

"Rivendell has," said Aragorn as he looked out of the one small window in the dark room. "Arwen will be devastated."

"I don't know why they let you live," whispered Legolas to Praodith. She took a deep breath. She didn't know why, either.

Aragorn turned to face them, his eyes cold. "You're in danger here, Praodith," he said, "Not like the rest of us are. We may be killed. They probably kept you for something else. Something...uncontrollable."

"That doesn't make any sense," she said, her voice catching, "Why would they do that? What could I possibly mean to them?"

She hadn't noticed that Legolas' hand had stilled.

Aragorn shook his head. "The Ring will make them obsessive, violent. You lived through their first and second plunders. I can't understand it myself, Prah, bh, but I imagine that is why you live. A trophy."

"Is that what you didn't want to tell me?" Legolas' voice was quiet, calm. Heavy. "This is your secret? They raped you?"

Praodith felt a cold chill run through her. Legolas' arm dropped from her and she crossed her arms, immediately feeling cold. "I'm sorry," she whispered, shaking her head, "I couldn't tell you."

"It was I who asked her to keep it quiet," said Aragorn, but Legolas only glared at him.

"No, you didn't," he replied through gritted teeth, "She kept it from me herself." His blue eyes turned to Praodith and his voice grew louder. "You should have told me. I would have killed them all when I first laid eyes on them!"

He grabbed a nearby cup and threw it across the room in anger. Praodith jumped, alarmed by his reaction. "Legolas," she said, watching him pace the room in agitation, "I didn't want you to know that the elves had done such a thing. I didn't want you to think less of them. I'm sorry."

"Sorry?!?" he yelled, turning on his heel. He fast approached her, and Praodith stepped back. "Why are you sorry? You have done nothing." His voice was soft now, but strained. Legolas looked up to Aragorn, who had remained silent. "You should have told me. If my kin are doing such things, I deserve to know!"

"It was not my place," replied Aragorn sadly. "The knowledge was a confidence I could not betray."

Legolas inhaled deeply and nodded his head, accepting Aragorn's words. Praodith was grateful that he didn't take it any further. "I'm sorry, Praodith," he said, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into an embrace.

Praodith nodded into him, biting her lip to keep from crying. She had cried too much already, she decided. It was time to become stronger.

"I'm okay," she breathed, pulling away from him and smiling. "I don't really remember that much, anyways."

Legolas' eyes were sad as he shook his head. "Don't make it less than what it is," he replied, "You should be angry with them."

"I really just wish I could get past it," she said, licking her lips. "But it doesn't look like that'll be happening anytime soon."

"Don't despair," said Aragorn, "We may find a way out of this yet."

Legolas frowned at Aragorn. "You just told her to be frightened. How can you expect her not to not abandon hope?"

"You're right. I am sorry, Praodith. I didn't mean to scare you into thinking there was no chance of escape." Aragorn took a deep breath and exhaled. He sounded so tired. "This is my fault."

"There is enough fault to go around," mumbled Legolas, "We need to move on and find a way out of here."

Praodith watched Aragorn as he closed his eyes and murmured something she could not hear. She knew he was in pain. When he opened his blue eyes and looked at her, they were sad but not without determination.

Taking a deep breath, Aragorn strided to the door and banged on it. Praodith inhaled sharply. She did not want to face the elves.

Legolas stood in front of her as the door creaked open. An irritated looking elf, hand on the hilt of his sword, looked into the room.

"I want to speak to whoever is in charge here," demanded Aragorn, standing tall. Praodith watched in apprehension.

The elf's eyes lazed over each of them and rested on Aragorn. "The Queen is busy," he said, "You will wait until someone calls for you."

Before the door could shut, though, Aragorn smacked it back open with his hand. The elf quickly unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Aragorn. Legolas tensed.

"It tot to speak with someone now," said Aragorn quietly. Praodith held her breath as the elf narrowed his eyes at the human. "I am the King of Gondor and I demand to speak with Galadriel. She knows who I am."

The elf raised his eyebrow and lowered his sword. "I will give the Queen your message. Don't hold your breath." He glanced at Praodith before closing the door and locking it.

Praodith exd and and leaned back against the wall. "What purpose did that serve?" asked Legolas.

Aragorn looked up with wide eyes. "I don't know," he replied, "Maybe none. It was better than waiting here for them to come to us."

Sighing, Legolas walked over to Praodith and smiled. "Tired?" he asked, and she nodded. He sat down on the floor and motioned for her to do the same. Praodith sat down on the hard wood and leaned into Legolas, pillowing her head against his shoulder.

She watched Aragorn look out the small, dirty window until her eyelids could stay open no longer.

*

TBC