The Edges of War

The Edges of War

Chapter 1
Author: Frosty the Crime-Fighting Hamster
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Legolas, Aragorn, Arwen, OC, AU.
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*


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Legolas peered across the valley to where smoke rose from behind a hill. Wars were being waged all across Middle-Earth, and Gondor was no exception. Kicking at his horse, he cantered towards the location of the dark gray clouds, watching the land around him cautiously. He had long been in Gondor with Aragorn and Gimli, keeping the wars from invading the city, but he knew well enough that evil came from the most unlikely of places. Often his rounds of Gondor's land were dangerous, but he was good with a bow and arrow and had managed to keep himself alive. The patrol was necessary for the safety of Gondor and its people.

As Legolas neared the forest where the smoke rose from, he could see trees broken and green earth scorched. A battle had taken place here, that much was obvious. He carefully approached the scene and surveyed it with his exceptional eyes. What he saw was something that was becoming more common every day.

The dark ground was littered with the bodies of people. Humans. A few orcs and Uruk-Hai lied around them, but the majority of the fallen were men and even some women. Legolas' horse walked carefully through the battlefield as the elf searched for anyone still alive. Rarely in his seeking did he ever stumble across the living.

Legolas never got used to seeing such death, even having been through so much of it himself. He had long ago realized that the wars in Middle-Earth would rage on for some time. Frodo's quest had likely failed. No one in Gondor had heard from any of the hobbits in many, many months.

Stopping and getting off his horse, Legolas kneeled down and felt for the pulse on a body that wasn't burned. Nothing. Rising, he walked along the corpses, searching each one. This had become part os jos job, to look for survivors, people to help with the defense of Gondor. No elves ever came, dwarves stayed away, too. Sighing, he recognized the uniform of one of the fallen. Rohan. They had never made it to Rohan. After failing in their rescue of Merry and Pippin, the remaining three of the Fellowship made their way to Gondor.

It had been a long year.

Legolas' horse followed him as he walked along the bodies. The smell of burned flesh invaded his nostrils, and the heat of the charred ground made his skin flush with sweat. He neared the edge of the forest, where the trees were still standing, and kneeled down to feel for the pulse on a young girl.

His breath caught in his throat when he felt it.

"Mirnan!" he called, and the horse walked alongside them. Carefully, Legolas gathered the girl in his arms and set her up on the saddle, balancing her until he mounted behind her and held her body to his. The girl's unconscious form slumped in his arms, but he held her tight with both arms. The horse knew the way home on his own.

The guards opened the gates when they saw Legolas approach. Immediately one sent for a doctor, and for Aragorn. "She's alive?" asked Faramir as Legolas dismounted with the girl. He carried her into a building on the outskirts of the city and laid her upon a bed. "She was the only one?"

"No others were alive," he responded, brushing her hair out of her face. He could see now that she was injured. Dark ash and dirt covered her face and body, and dried blood blotted her skin. Legolas pulled back her tunic to reveal a wound on her shoulder. "Is the doctor coming?"

Faramir's blue eyes looked over the girl. "Yes, Diandan sent for him. Her head is cut," he said, reaching out and touching her forehead. Her skin felt dry, though, and no new blood stained his fingers. He took in her uniform as Legolas tended to her shoulder wound. "She's from Rohan. I was sure the enemy would have gotten to them already."

Legolas cleaned the wound and patted it dry. "There were a great number of dead," he replied, his eyes dark, "If Rohan has not fallen yet, it may not be long before they do."

Faramir sighed and looked at the elf. He had noticed a change in demeanor in Legolas over the past several weeks. He didn't seem to hold out much hope anymore. To see an elf become weak wasn't something that gave Faramir much hope, either.

"Where is she?" asked the doctor as he came running into the room, followed by Aragorn. "Here, let me look." Legolas stood up and moved away, watching what the doctor did closely.

Aragorn approached the elf. "Good work, Legolas," he said, "One is more than I had hoped for."

Legolas inhaled deeply, still staring at the prone form of the girl. "One will not make a difference," he said, crossing his arms, "Even she will die eventually."

Sighing, Aragorn's blue eyes searched his friend's face. The war was not going well, but what really worried him was Legolas' attitude. Rarely did the elf ever display anything but pride and hope. Despair was not akin to their kind.

The doctor stood up and turned to Aragorn and Legolas. "She will likely survive," he said, wiping his hands, "But she will need Elven medicine." He raised his eyebrows at the elf. "Will you be able to care for her, Legolas?"

"I will get Boromir to patrol the borders," said Aragorn, nodding to the doctor. "It's important that she heal, Legolas. We are losing too many people. If she survives, it may give our people hope that we too will make it through this."

Legolas nodded and licked his lips. "I'll take care of her," he said, uncrossing his arms and looking to Aragorn, "But I promise you nothing."

Faramir followed the doctor out as Aragorn sighed in disappointment. "Take her to your place," he said to Legolas, "Keep her there until she is well. And keep me updated on her progress." He made his way out the door, but turned and looked at the elf at the last moment. "Legolas, if you feel you are not up to this job any longer, I can find someone who still has faith in the good of Middle-Earth. You just let me know."

Without waiting for a response, Aragorn left the building, closing the door behind him. Faramir stood just outside the doors. "Something should be done about him," he said, walking alongside Aragorn as he made his way up the street.

"I send him out every daysearsearch the battlefields for survivors," he responded, "Seeing that every day would be enough to make anyone weak." He had to admit that Legolas' despair was beginning to wear on him, also, but the elf was a dear friend and Aragorn would defend him always.

"We all see death," said Faramir, "But Legolas' strength is faltering. He could make a mistake that could cost Gondor."

Aragorn sighed. "He will care for this girl for now. Hopefully she will take his mind off things for a while. Otherwise, I don't know what to do."

Faramir hesitated before asking his next question. "Aragorn, do you believe Legolas will take care of this girl properly? Considering the state he's in?"

Aragorn made no attempt to hide his disdain for the inquiry. "Legolas would never do anything but his best," he said, glaring at Faramir, "He has my complete trust in this endeavour."

Nodding, Faramir sighed. "Forgive me. I not not mean any disrespect."

Aragorn stopped and shook his head slowly. "No, I am sorry. The fear and tension in Gondor is at a high point, and I'm afraid it is beginning to affect me also." He clapped a hand on Faramir's shoulder and smiled. "Do me a favour, please, and tell your brother that he needs to take Legolas' place for a while. I'm sure he'll enjoy getting out of the city for a while." aramaramir grinned and nodded. "You're probably right. I will go to him now."

Dropping his hand, Aragorn watched the young Captain as he left. He was beginning to feel the strain of supporting an army that was being defeated over and over again. Thinking of Legolas didn't make him feel any better, either. Never before had he seen his elven friend so despondent.

Sighing, he made his way into the castle, his home since his return to Gondor.

"Aragorn," came a voice, and he looked up to see Arwen approach, "Is there news?"

He smiled softly at his wife. She had accompanyed him to Gondor after their quest to save the hobbits had failed, and she had done so against her father's wishes. It made Aragorn sad to see her so out of her element, and so far away from her own kind. They had heard nothing of Rivendell or Lothlorien for many months, and the only other elf Arwen had contact with was Legolas. Aragorn knew she feared for her father and brothers' safety. Every time she asked him if there was news, he wished he had something better to tell her.

"Legolas found a girl," he said, "Most likely from Rohan. She's alive, but she needs care."

Arwen nodded, and Aragorn swore he could see the hope drain from her eyes. "Legolas is taking care of her?" she asked. Aragorn nodded. "I will help him," she continued, "It is a shame there were no other survivors."

Aragorn took a deep breath. "Yes. It is a shame." He watched Arwen as she walked to the window and looked out over the city. She looked so out of place in a land so brown and dusty. If for no other reason, he wanted to win this war so she could have the chance to visit her home once again.

"Did you speak to her?" she asked, turning back to her husband. "The girl. Did you talk to her?"

He shook his head. "She was unconscious."

Arwen licked her lips. "Maybe, once she recovers, she will have news for us. From Rohan, or perhaps further. She could be very imant ant to us."

"I thought about that, too. If she is indeed from Rohan, then we may have more allies than we thought." Aragorn walked over to Arwen and touched her face gently. She was strong for him, and did not despair as Legolas did, but Aragorn could see the lines of exhaustion on her face. "Legolas could probably use your help. Our guest will need elvish medicine. You've always been very good with that stuff."

Arwen smiled and kissed his hand. "I will go see him,he she said, letting him go. "I will see you later."

Aragorn nodded as Arwen left the building, closing the door behind her. She walked lightly down the steps and then continued on her way to Legolas' residence. The bright sun was high in the sky and she could feel the heat sizzling her skin. Gondor took a while to get used to. She was interested in this new girl, though. If nothing else, Arwen finally had something to do.

When she arrived at Legolas' homee kne knocked softly on the door. Licking her lips, Arwen prepared herself for her coming task. Taking care of the injured was always a stressful thing, but working with Legolas held the possibility of being even worse. She loved the elf, as Aragorn loved him, but hopelessness was contagious, and she was afraid of becoming any weaker than she already was.

The door swung open to reveal a surprised looking Legolas. "Arwen," he said, "Can I help you?"

She smiled broadly. "Aragorn told me about the girl. I've come to help." She noticed when his jaw tightened and he hesitated. "May I come in?"

Stepping back, he allowed her in. She looked around, not having been in his place in a long while. "I figured you could use some help," she said as he closed the door, "And I don't have anything else to do. I hope you don't mind."

His eyes seemed to soften at that. "Of course not," he replied, "She's this way." Arwen followed Legolas into a small room, where a dark-haired human laid on the bed. "I just brought her in. I have not had the chance to clean her, yet."

Arwen knelt down beside the girl and smoothed her hair back. "I can do it," she said, "I don't mind." The elf held her head close to the girl's chest and listened to her breathing. "Have you treated her already?"

Legolas crossed his arms and leaned against the door. "Yes, once," he said, sighing, "Thank you for your help, Arwen."

She looked up at him and smiled. "My pleasure. Your shower is down the hall?" When he nodded, she stood up and looked around. "Do you have anything she could wear?"

Legolas picked up a bag from beside him and set it on a chair. "The doctor gave me these for her," he said.

Picking up the bag, Arwen walked over to Legolas and touched his arm. "Why don't you make some soup while I clean her up?" she said, "If she awakens, she will be hungry."

Casting one last look at the girl, Legolas nodded and headed out to the kitchen. Sighing, Arwen took the bag to the washroom and began preparing her supplies.

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TBC