The Edges of War

The Edges of War

Chapter 4
Author: Frosty the Crime-Fighting Hamster
Rated: Strong R
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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Sharp pains stabbed through Praodith's body. She knew what was happening to her, but it all felt like a dream, like a nightmare. This couldn't possibly be real.

The person above her rolled over her, roughly thrusting into her already numb body. Heavy moans were audible in her ear. She knew others were around them, but she couldn't see. The long dark hair of her rapist covered her face.

Praodith shook each time he forced himself into her hips. There was no way she could survive this. All she wanted was to die.

Suddenly all movement stopped. Then, slowly, her abuser pulled from her worn body and stood. Praodith made no effort to cover herself. There was no use.

"Leave her," came a cold voice from overhead. Praodith blinked into the dark sky. She couldn't tell from who the voice was coming. "She won't last the night."

"If the Lady finds out we didn't kill her, she won't be pleased." They were talking about killing her. Praodith closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. Maybe it would be swift.

"Dirt like this deserves to suffer," came another voice, this one deeper. Praodith felt a tap on her leg, the foot of one of those who had murdered her comrades. "She'll die eventually."

There was a wave of relief along with a sting of despair when the group surrounding her left. She heard them walk away, talking amongst themselves, no doubt of how they had triumphed over the enemy. Praodith felt a tear slip down her cheek. Weakly, she pulled her clothing up her legs and covered her chilled body. Then, closing her eyes again, she willed herself into the dark recesses of her mind, where all was calm and quiet.

She waited for the dark to take her.

Praodith awoke with her face feeling wet. She wiped the fallen tears away and took a slow, deep breath. The nightmares were getting worse, replaying the darkest memories of her misery.

The rape she had suffered at the hands of the enemy had been severe enough, but it troubled her to have it repeated in her dreams. Every time she woke up, she felt exhausted.

The battle between her people and the Uruk-hai had been desperate at best, but when the other arrived - they had slaughtered both sides of that battle without hesitation. They were fast, brutal, and efficient. She hadn't even gotten a good look at them before being knocked out. And afterwards...afterwards she had trouble believing they were who she thought they were.

Shaking her head, she got up and got dressed. Legolas hadn't been in to wake her, so she assumed she hadn't slept long. Praodith took a moment to take in her appearance in the mirror, and then stopped, staring. She wasn't normally the type to fret about her looks. Sighing, Praodith realized she was beginning to fuss because of Legolas.

Licking her lips, she continued smoothing down her hair. It was so unusual, to be so drawn to someone so unlike her. Praodith didn't spend a lot of time with other races. But Legolas...Legolas she could get used to.

Suppressing a smirk, Praodith took a deep breath and headed out of the room.

Legolas was perched on the edge of a stool in the main room of the house. Praodith watched him, pouring over those same pieces of parchment he had been looking at earlier. He was concentrating so intently on them, but Praodith knew he had heard her come in.

"What are you doing?" she asked, approaching the table. Legolas blinked at the papers, his concentration broken. When he looked up at her, she noticed how tired he looked.

Legolas shook his head. "Battle plans," he said with a wave of his hand, "Nothing terribly interesting." He smiled and gathered up the parchment.

Praodith took a seat at the table across from Legolas. The room was warm and dark, and there was a fire crackling on the far side of the room. She watched Legolas' hands as they folded up the papers, the light orange glow in the room illuminating his skin. The warmth was making her sleepy.

"It's nearly dark out," said Legolas, and Praodith's eyes snapped back up to his. He hadn't seemed to notice her distraction. "You should have stayed in bed."

"I couldn't sleep any longer," she replied, looking out the window. It was indeed getting dark. The glow of the sun was barely visible on the horizon.

Images of Praodith's nightmares flitted across her mind. She grew distracted again, thinking of the events that had transpired. Part of her wanted to forget, another tried so hard to remember.

Praodith came out of her thoughts when a warm hand touched hers. "Are you alright, Praodith?" asked Legolas, concerned. She could see it in his blue eyes.

She yearned so much for someone to talk to, someone with whom she could share all of her darkest secrets. Quickly, Praodith was reminded that even at home in Rohan she had no one like that. Something inside her, though, held her back from telling Legolas everything she went through.

"I'm okay," she replied, smiling, "Just...thinking."

His thumb rubbed slowly over her hand, and Praodith wondered if Legolas realized what he was doing. Her skin tingled at his insistent touch.

Legolas seemed to pause for a moment before speaking. "Arwen is staying with Aragorn tonight," he said, "She came by, but I sent her away."

Praodith nodded. She wasn't sure what to think. If any human male was touching her hand in this way, and speaking of how alone they were, she would be sure that they were coming on to her. But Legolas was an elf. Praodith was very inexperienced with elves. And all she knew about them told her that they were not the type of people to make overt advances on the opposite sex. Praodith tried very hard not to assume anything.

Still, though, she couldn't help the way her body was responding to him.

"That's good," she said, her tone quiet, "She deserves some time with her husband."

Legolas lowered his eyes to their hands, his thumb still tracing slow circles on her skin. "Yes she does," he whispered, licking his lips. Praodith kept her eyes on his face, trying to discern what his intentions were.

He looked up and saw her watching him. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, his voice low. Praodith shook her head. "Is it alright that I'm touching you?" This time, she nodded her head. His face was still unreadable, but Praodith was sure, from the way he was speaking, that his intentions were intimate in nature.

A sudden hesitation took over Praodith's body when Legolas pulled his hand away from hers. For a quick moment she thought perhaps she had been wrong, maybe he didn't have an interest in her. That belief was soon changed, though, when he stood up and approached her.

Praodith sat still, her eyes bright and aware as he looked over her face, gently touching her jaw with his fingers. Legolas' blue eyes were dark now, and his expression was entirely readable. He was interested.

Without waiting, without asking, he slowly bent forward and touched his lips to hers. Praodith closed her eyes as he pressed gently, his warm mouth biting softly at her lips. Praodith gasped slightly when he pulled away, his fingers moving along her face and through her hair. Legolas didn't hesitate to move in again, and this time the kiss was deeper and more intense. She could feel his tongue tracing her mouth, and she opened, allowing him access. He took full advantage, caressing her tongue with his, and Praodith moaned softly into his mouth. Without thinking, she grasped his shoulders and sent her tongue deep into his mouth, exploring the heat. It was intoxicating.

Legolas' hands cupped Praodith's face as he pressed forward against her, moving her so her back was against the wall. Her feet curled around the legs of the stool, holding her body steady as Legolas' moved in closer. His fervent kisses only caused Praodith to respond in kind as she wrapped her arms around his body and pulled him as close as possible.

They broke their kiss when they could no longer breathe. Legolas' hot breath grazed her face as he kissed along her jaw and down her neck. Praodith tilted her head back as he began biting at the sensitive skin along her shoulder. His hands moved down her body to her legs, igniting a warmth that Praodith couldn't ignore. She moved forward in her seat, and ran her hands down Legolas' back. He growled softly and continued sucking on her neck.

The heat of his body against hers made Praodith moan in pleasure. It had been a long time since she had felt someone in this way. Obviously Legolas felt the same way, because his movements were increasing in need and want. He was not slow or intent on prolonging the act, and Praodith was grateful for that. She wanted an immediate release. She didn't think she could take being teased for long minutes.

Legolas raised his head and drew Praodith off the stool, pushing it aside and shoving her against the wall. His sent his lips to hers again, roughly sucking on her mouth while his hands worked at her belt. Praodith did the same, clumsily trying to undo his pants while biting at his soft lips.

It wasn't long before Praodith felt her pants drop from her hips. She hurriedly stepped out of them, kicking them aside, then pulled herself from Legolas' lips and getting rid of her own underwear. Legolas undid his own pants and pulled them off. Praodith was about to start on his shirt, wanting to touch the soft skin underneath, when she felt his warm hand run down her leg and grip underneath her knee, pulling her leg up against his hip. Then, as he dusted quick kisses on her lips, he directed himself into her body.

Groaning, Legolas, closed his eyes and balanced himself against the wall with his other hand. Praodith whimpered as he sunk all the way into her and she gripped the fabric of his shirt tightly, biting her lip and tilting her head back. Legolas moved into her slowly, as far as he could, before starting a slow but needy thrust. Praodith inhaled sharply each time his hips rolled into hers, and as her leg tightened around his hip she moved her arms to his back and held tight.

She could hear him uttering quiet phrases under his breath as his movements became more rapid. "God, Legolas," she breathed when he jerked himself upward, causing her to lift from the floor for several seconds. She rotated her hips to meet his and closed her eyes. Legolas moved his face to the crook of her neck when she arched back, and began bitat tat the already pained skin.

Legolas' breathing became shallow as he increased momentum. Before long, Praodith could barely keep herself upright and she succumbed to the pleasure within. Throwing her head back, she moaned and tightened her grip on Legolas. There were a few short moments before Legolas himself gave in to the growing tension and groaned heavily against Praodith's body.

Praodith felt the strain seeping from her body. She took deep, long breaths as Legolas relaxed against her. The sweat on their bodies began to cool, and suddenly Praodith felt slightly awkward.

Legolas pulled away from Praodith's neck, his blue eyes staring into her dark ones. Again, he was unreadable. She hated that. She didn't know what to do next.

Letting go of her leg, Legolas stepped back and began clothing himself. Praodith did the same, leaning back against the wall for support. Both her legs felt like rubber.

When she looked back up, she saw Legolas watching her. "What?" she asked softly, but her voice sounded so loud in the quiet of the room. She winced slightly as she sat back down on the stool. That pain would definitely be worse tomorrow.

Praodith wondered how someone, even an elf, could look so composed after such a rough encounter. His hair was barely out of place. "Are you hungry?" he asked, but Praodith knew that wasn't what he had been thinking about as he looked at her.

Licking her lips, she then realized that yeah, she was hungry. "A little," she said, touching her abdomen.

"Do you want to go out?" Praodith blinked up at him. She felt relieved that he wasn't going to try to avoid her. Maybe it was only she who felt a little uncomfortable.

"Are there places open?" she asked. Truthfully, going out did appeal to her.

Legolas nodded and grabbed a cloak, handing it to Praodith. "Yes, I know of a few," he replied as he adjusted his clothes. Praodith was quickly aware that she probably didn't look too presentable.

"I'm just going to clean up a bit first," she said, smiling, as she stood up and made her way to the bathroom. She could hear Legolas moving around in the other room as she stood there and stared into the mirror. Praodith smoothed down her hair, but was pleasantly surprised by how nice she looked. Her cheeks were glowing, her eyes bright. Smiling, she wrapped the cloak around herself and went back out to the main room.

Legolas was waiting by the door for her, leaning against the wall and watching patiently. When she approached, he opened the door for her and followed her outside.

"This way," he said, leading them down a dark street. The night was cool and clear, and Praodith could see the stars overhead. She looked up and around, taking in her surroundings. It was late at night, but the city was still active. Most of the bars and restaurants were still open.

Praodith sighed as they walked down the dirt road. Legolas was silent, which in itself wasn't unusual, but Praodith couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. Had what they done been a mistake? Praodith didn't want to spend time fretting over such a thing...she needed to know.

"Legolas," she said as they walked, "Do you regret...what we did?"

His blue eyes shined in the pale light as he looked up at her. "No," he replied, "Do you?"

"No," she said, shaking her head, "It's just that...I wonder...what it meant."

Meaning. Praodith clenched her teeth as she thought about that. Why was it that she needed everything to have meaning? Maybe their encounter had been nothing more than sex between two people who needed comfort. There was nothing wrong with that. But, for some reason, she wanted meaning.

Legolas stopped in his tracks, and Praodith, having been distracted by her own thoughts, didn't notice until she was a few paces away from him. Turning back, she approached him, waiting for a response. Obviously he was surprised by her questions.

"What it meant...," he said, his eyes narrowing, searching her face. She mentally prayed that he wouldn't ask what it had meant to her. Praodith wanted to know his thoughts, not be embarrassed by her own. "What it meant," he continued, stepping close to her, "Was that maybe there is something here to hope for."

She blinked up at him, his vague response holding a meaning that Praodith knew was more than it seemed. When she had met Legolas, he had lost all hope for this world. Now, it seemed he had gained back some of what he lost.

Legolas lifted a pale hand and slid it along her face, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear. "Do you feel that way as well?" he asked, his voice husky.

She did. She may have even felt more. "Yeah," she breathed.

Legolas leaned down and kissed her lips softly, then pulled back and smiled. "You are beautiful," he said, rubbing his thumb along her jaw. "I apologize if I'm...distant. I have not been fortunate enough to spend time with a woman for a very long time."

Praodith nodded. "I understand," she said as he dropped his hand and they continued walking. Praodith suddenly became interested in pursuing that topic a little further. "Have you been intimate with other human women?" she asked, hoping she wasn't overstepping her bounds.

Legolas smirked, but didn't appear offended. "To be honest," he said, "You are the first. My other acquaintances have all been my kind. Elves do not often indulge in such contact with other races. The issue of...mortality...often comes between humans and elves. There are exceptions, of course, such as Arwen and Aragorn."

"They do seem to be quite happy," replied Praodith. Watching them, she had wished she could find a happiness like that for herself.

"They are, but they've had their problems. As all do." Legolas took a deep breath, obviously thinking over a memory, before he turned to look at Praodith. "And how about you?" he asked, smiling, "Have you had dalliances with others of my kind?"

Immediately Praodith's stomach dropped. She swallowed back her anxiety, though, and smiled in return. "I haven't had any other relationships with elves," she said, choosing her words carefully, "I'm afraid I have not encountered many. Most of my life has been spent in Rohan. We get few visitors."

A sadness flitted across Legolas' face, and she thought maybe he felt bad having brought up Rohan. He didn't say anything as they entered a small restaurant, still bustling with people at this late hour.

As they sat down at a table, not only the waiter approached them, but two other people as well. Praodith recognized one of them.

"You're out late tonight," said Faramir as he took a seat at their table. Legolas looked slightly put-off by this, but didn't say anything.

Praodith wow iow in too good of a mood to let other people bother her. "We're not the only ones," she replied, smiling. Legolas didn't bother with either of their visitors, instead ordering a meal for the two of them.

"This is my brother, Boromir," said Faramir, indicating the man on her other side. "Boromir, this is Praodith, our Rohan girl."

Boromir looked her over, as if trying to ascertain if she was what he had heard she was. He finally nodded in greeting, and Praodith smiled politely.

"Has Aragorn told you the news of the elves?" Faramir asked, turning to Legolas. Praodith widened her eyes in interest.

Legolas frowned. "No. What has happened?"

Praodith noticed that Boromir leaned back in his chair and looked very unhappy. Faramir took a deep breath. "It seems that the reason we haven't heard from Lothlorien, Mirkwood or Rivendell may be because they haven't been destroyed, but because they've turned dark."

"Impossible," said Legolas immediately, shaking his head. "Elves have too much strength over such matters."

Licking his lips, Faramir looked downward. "Not if they have the Ring of Power."

Praodith knew of the one ring. Everyone in Middle-Earth did. It was assumed that the ring had disappeared along with Frodo and Sam, the two hobbits who had vanished on their way to Mordor. Sauron had not yet gotten ahold of the ring, which meant that the hobbits had not been killed by the enemy.

Rohan had spent much of its time searching for this Ring of Power. They knew it had to be destroyed before peace would come to Middle-Earth.

Legolas looked shocked. "Is this a certainty?" he asked, his voice low. "Is Aragorn sure that they have it? Where did he get his information from?"

"From me," spoke Boromir, and Legolas turned to him, his eyes blazing. "When I was out patroling, I came across a battlefield. Mostly Orcs, some dwarves...and one elf."

"You found an elf? You base them having the one ring on finding a murdered elf?" Legolas' eyes burned dark in the warm light of the restaurant.

"It has been a long while since we have seen elves, Legolas," said Boromir, sitting forward, "Why wouldn't they contact us? The battlefield was not two days ride from here. Surely if they meant to, they would send someone here."

Praodith could see Legolas clench his jaw in frustration. "The truth is we don't know for sure," said Faramir, "But if this is in fact what has happened, we are worse off than we imagine."

Biting her lip, Praodiouldould feel the hesitation within her. She knew that there was something wrong with the elves. That was why she was so fearful of Legolas and Arwen when she had first met them. The elves had murdered her comrades in battle. And they had taken advantage of her.

Praodith's eyes moved in between the people at the table. She knew she should speak up, but would what she say really make much of a difference? They already suspected that the elves had turned dark. The things she could contribute would only reinforce this belief.

They didn't seem to need to be reinforced. "Aragorn is thinking about sending out parties in each direction, to see if they can come across any signs of the elves," said Faramir. "If we do find them, at least we can be sure of who they serve."

Praodith watched Legolas, whose eyes were downcast. He seemed to have lost higer,ger, and instead gave way to despair. When the food arrived on the table, he didn't even touch it.

Faramir continued to talk to Legolas and Boromir about Gondor's army, the loss of men, and all the other things Praodith had heard much of during her time in Rohan. War was always stressful. Picking at the food at her plate, Praodith was feeling less and less hungry herself.

"It is late, and I'm sure this can waill ill morning," said Legolas finally, when it appeared that he had lost all patience for the conversation. He rose from the table and Praodith followed suit, feeling a little tired of the talk of doom herself. "We will speak of this again later."

Faramir and Boromir rose also, and nodded to Legolas as he and Praodith left the restaurant. The air had become much cooler, and it seemed now that people were finally heading in for the night.

Legolas walked with a steady and quick gait, his face betraying none of his displeasure. Praodith felt bad. It was only hours ago that he had looked so calm and at ease. She wished he could look and feel like that all the time.

When they entered the house, Legolas went straight into the main room and sat down on the sofa, staring into the now glowing embers in the fireplace. Praodith pulled off her cloak and shoes, took a deep breath, and went to sit beside him.

"I know there's nothing I can say to make things better," she said, trying to catch his eye. He made no move to look at her. "But if you need to talk, or complain, or rant about how unfair everything is, I'm here for you."

"This is more than just how things are unfair," he said quietly, "If the elves do have the one ring, it could mean the end of Middle-Earth. It already means the end of the race of elves."

Licking her lips, Praodith placed a hand on Legolas' leg. "But if the ring is taken from them, wouldn't that mean that things will get better for them afterwards?"

"No," he replied, "Not for elves. With men and dwarves, the ring may control thier minds, but with elves it takes their very being. They would never be the same. The race of elves is already dying out; if they survived having the ring taken from them, they would most likely go to Valinor. All of them."

"Including you?"

Legolas turned to face her, his eyes sad and shining. "The only reason I remain is because of my allegiance to the King. When he no longer needs me, I will go as well."

n'tn't he always need you?" asked Praodith, feeling distressed by his talk of Valinor. She knew of the Grey Havens, knew what they meant to the elves, but it all seemed so much like death to her. "Aren't there others who need you, too?"

A smile creased Legolas' face and he touched a hand to Praodith's cheek. "Do not look so forlorn," he said, "Valinor is a natural conclusion to an elf's life. It is not a death sentence."

Praodith frowned, hating how he could read her so well. "What about those who don't want you to go? What if...what if we get through this war, and both of us are still alive? Will you still leave?"

Sighing, Praodith looked down, not wanting to meet his eyes. She had never been so upfront about her feelings before. It left her feeling vulnerable.

Legolas didn't answer immediately, and that only made Praodith feel even more dismal. He dropped his hand and turned his face, looking back into the gray ashes where the fire once burned. "Our chances of getting though this are very slim," he said darkly, "I can't promise you anything."

"I know," she whispered, "But I can dream, can't I?" Praodith smiled, and saw that he smirked as well. The last thing she wanted was to leave this night on a mournful note.

Leaning forward, Praodith touched soft kisses over Legolas' ear and down his neck. She brushedy hiy his hair for better access, and smiled to herself when she felt him tilt his head slightly.

Sitting up on the sofa, Praodith took the initiative and moved her body over his, straddling Legolas' lap. She felt relieved when he didn't look as though her actions were at all unwelcome, and that just help to spur her on.

"Maybe I can make you feel better, just for tonight," she breathed, png hng her body down against his pelvis and capturing his lips with her own. Their kiss was slow and deep, and she sighed when his hand wrapped around her hips and drew her close.

Legolas' hands travelled up Praodith's body to her face, and he pulled her towards him, kissing her fully and deeply. His warm, silky tongue traced slow circles in her mouth, and when they parted Praodith felt like melting into him.

Praodith pulled at the strings on his tunic, undoing it and pulling it away from the shirt underneath. In the quiet, Legolas moved his hands downward and began working on Praodith's own garments. His fingers brushed gently against her skin, causing Praodith to shiver each time he touched her.

When the tunic was removed and the shirt was pulled off his body, Praodith stood up and began working on Legolas' pants. He sat quietly and watched her as she worked at the belt, then slowly slid the fabric downward. Legolas lifted himself up so she could pull the pants from his body.

"Are you going to put on a show for me?" he asked softly as Praodith stood up.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" she said, grinning, as she took off her own pants. Praodith disrobed completely, blushing only slightly when she noticed Legolas' appreciative stare. When she was naked, she climbed back over Legolas and sat down in his lap.

Legolas' warm hands brushed over her back as Praodith raised herself up slightly, then lowered herself over him. She closed her eyes as her body sunk downwards. When she was completely lowered, Praodith opened her eyes and leaned forward, kissing Legolas softly.

Gripping her hips, Legolas pulled Praodith towards him, causing her to moan deeply. His movements were slow and paced, and Praodith bit her lip as she moved back and forth over his body.

She braced her hands on his chest as she rolled forward and back, and then in lazy circles over his lap. Legolas' hands left Praodith's hips, climbing upwards along her waist and abdomen. He massaged gently, causing her skin to feel warm and pleasant. Then he began to knead her breasts, smoothing his hands around to her shoulder blades.

Praodith licked her lips and arched back at his touch. She began to move a little faster, feeling Legolas thrust gently beneath her. She gripped his shoulders and leaned forward, resting her body against his. The only noise in the room was the sounds of their breathing, quickly becoming more shallow and heavy.

Legolas held onto her back, pulling her downward as he thrust up into her. Each whimper that she made in his ear caused him to jerk just a little bit faster.

Praodith could feel the pressure building within her body. She tightened her hands around his shoulders, holding tight as she rolled her body against his pelvis. Legolas moved his hands back to her hips, holding her as he thrust forcefully up into her body.

Groaning heavily, Praodith collapsed against him as he continued moving. She regist whe when he stopped, having expelled all his energy and meeting his own pleasure.

The next few minutes was nothing but the best afterglow. Praodith rested her head against his shoulder as he gently stroked her moist skin. He was so warm, and so soft. She closed her eyes, reveling in the heat.

"It is late," spoke Legolas, his voice deep and husky, "You should sleep."

"Mmmm, but I like it here," replied Praodith, squeezing his body in her embrace.

He rubbed her back, trying to wake her up. "Come on,"saidsaid, pushing her up from him. She scowled, and he smiled. "Don't look at me like that. You need your rest."

Praodith sighed and got up, pulling her shirt over top of her and gathering up the rest of her clothes. When Legolas had dressed, he prodded her towards her room. "What about you?" Praodith asked, yawning, "Don't you have to sleep, too?"

"I will," he replied as they entered the bedroom. He pulled back the bedsheets and took the clothes from her, placing them neatly on chair against the wall. "Elves don't need much sleep. You do."

Praodith frowned as she got into bed. "Alright, alright," she mumbled as Legolas tucked her in, "You're special. I get it." Yawning, she cuddled into her pillow and smiled up at the elf. "Goodnight."

Legolas bent down and kissed Praodith's forehead. "Goodnight," he said, and she watched him till he left the room and closed the door.

Sighing, she closed her eyes and quickly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Legolas licked his lips as he stood outside the door, listening for Praodith's breathing to turn into the slow, deep breaths of sleep. It didn't take long. Crossing his arms, he leaned back and closed his eyes. His mind was buzzing with everything that had happened, from her to the news that the elves might have the Ring of Power. Something of that magnitude could not be ignored, but he couldn't see how Gondor would be able to fight off such a foe. Sauron's army was already too much for them. If they had to deal with the elves as well....

Legolas could feel himself beginning to despair. It twisted inside him, churning every breath and thought into anxiety and hopelessness. He knew how far gone he was, and the weight of the guilt was almost too much to take. He had already lost so many friends, and disappointed so many others; Legolas knew Aragorn especially could see the doubt in the elf's eyes. It pained him, knowing that his friend needed his strength, and all he felt was weak. And now, there was this girl. A girl who in all rights should never have survived what she went through. Legolas found himself becoming...attached. Would he disappoint her as well?

Legolas took a long, deep breath and smiled. "Just when I thought things couldn't get any more complicated..." he said, opening his eyes and looking at Arwen, "It is truly a mystery why some things happen."

The dark-haired elf pulled the cloak hood from her head. "The mysteries will always be there," she said, her blue eyes sparkling, "We must learn to enjoy them, while we can."

His eyes turned sad. "It could never work."

"There was a time when I as well thought that," she replied, "But I have learned since then. It does work."

Legolas' eyes searched over her serene face. He always wondered if Arwen ever regretted her choice. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"Aragorn is meeting with the others. About the elves." Arwen's face fell dark and sad. Legolas knew she worried about her father and brothers. "I did not wish to be involved. And I could sense that maybe you could use some company."

Arwen smiled softly. "I could," he replied, returning the smile and walking with Arwen to the kitchen.

*

TBC