A/N: IN CASE YOU DIDNT CATCH IT: i just uploaded two chapters at once, this is the SECOND, so make sure youve read the one before this first. Enjoy!

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Chapter 23: all the stars would shine a bloody red

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As her feet pound on the stone road, her armor clattering with every step, Adrienne briefly wonders how the hell she came to be here in this moment. Just months ago, she was sitting in a classroom doodling on the edges of the lecture notes she was supposed to be taking. Now she's fighting in a very real war with very real, hideously terrifying enemies. Talk about life changes.

Her eyes scan the surrounding area as she goes, looking for familiar faces. Two, in particular. She'd been sticking with Galena and Jara as they searched for the latter's father but got separated when she got held up by a particularly difficult orc.

God, I hope they'll be okay.

Rounding a bend, she almost runs smack into an orc. He swipes his blade at her but she narrowly dodges it. She then swings her own swords up, using one to block his own and the other to cut through his massive body.

He slumps to the ground and she's off again, running through the streets of Minas Tirith, swords in hand.

Amidst the sounds of battle and death, a loud screech draws her eyes to the sky above. There, as high as the clouds, a large black creature soars. Its neck is long like a snake, and its wings are covered in scales rather than feathers.

The fellbeast of the Nazgul. One of many.

She's simultaneously terrified and in awe of the real-life dragon, and if she weren't currently in the middle of a warzone she might stop and stare for a long moment.

But she is in the middle of a warzone, so she moves on, cutting down orcs in her path.

The glimpse of a white figure among those of the dark, clunky orcs catches her attention–Gandalf. She makes her way over to him, positioning herself with her back to his. Together they work to take down the group of orcs at hand.

His resilience impresses her because it's sometimes easy to forget how powerful of a being he is when he looks like, well, a really old man.

Finally, they finish off the last of the group of orcs. Adrienne takes the brief moment of calm to cast her eyes down over the flat lands outside of the city where war is raging as well. Help came; Rohan answered the call. And she knows her friends are down there in the middle of it at this very moment– including Legolas.

She wonders what his kill score is in his ongoing competition with Gimli.

She wonders if he's okay.

She wonders if he still hates her.

When Gandalf addresses her, she turns away from the sight and its linked thoughts.

"Adrienne," the wizard says as he straightens up, panting slightly, "war is upon us."

"Yeah, no shit," she snarks, but the grave expression on the wizard's face causes her to somber.

Grasping her shoulder, he pulls her closer and fixes her with an imperative gaze. "If the Nazgul see you, they will take you to Sauron. You cannot let that happen, do you understand?"

A chill runs down Adrienne's spine, unnerved by the serious look in his eye. "Okay, but it's not like he'd actually be able to manipulate time with me, right?"

The wizard does not respond.

Her heart rate quickens. "Gandalf," she says in a 'do NOT mess around with me right now' tone. "I know it was partially myself that brought me here, but it was mostly the Valar who did it," she says, but it comes out as more of a question than a convincing statement. "Right?"

His penetrative gaze wavers and he looks away entirely. "Do not underestimate Sauron," is all he says. "Or yourself."

With that, he rushes off to aid a nearby battalion of struggling soldiers.

Adrienne stands in place, the points of her swords resting on the ground as she holds the hilts loosely. She swallows hard, processing the wizard's warning. Sauron wants her, she already knew this, but she really hadn't dwelt long on it–at least in the sense that she doubted anything would come of it even if he somehow did get to her. The idea that she could be used as a device to bring his destructive plans to life…

Swallowing hard, she shakes off the thought. She has to focus on the here and now.

Her hands tighten their grasp on the hilts of her swords and she turns on her heel, determination lit anew.

With great stride, she continues on the warpath, taking on orcs as they come. Honestly, it's kinda crazy how good she's gotten at the task. With each one, it gets easier than the last and her confidence in her skills is enforced.

She quickly disarms the orc she's currently fighting and grins.

Oh yeah, I've got this.

A broad, armored fist collides with the side of her face, sending a spray of blood spurting from her mouth.

Okay, maybe a little too cocky.

Caught off guard and numbed by the new pain, she doesn't react in time to prevent another hit, this one close to the eye socket on the other half of her face.

Fuck.

"I don't need weapons to kill you, foolish girl," the creature sneers, barring its sharp teeth and black gums. Its large hand comes around her throat and grips hard.

She gasps for air, one hand reaching up to claw at his hand in an attempt to pry it from her neck, but to no avail. Staring into his glittering dark eyes, she sees her own fear reflecting back at her—and it's a moment of jolting existentialism.

Weak. She's weak, in so many ways. And it's caused both her and those around her grief.

But no more.

With a determined cry, she brings up her other hand and plunges the blade through the orc's chest.

Its eyes widen in surprise, unnerved by the unforeseen outcome of its fate.

She takes the opportunity to lift her knee and push him away, sliding it off her blade.

The orc falls to the ground with a grunt, its gaze unblinking as death claims it.

Adrienne stares down at the sight, ignoring the trickle of blood she can feel down her face, before going to retrieve her other sword. Lifting her chin and tightening her hands on her weapons' hilts, she walks on.

I will be weak no more.

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When the battle comes to an end and the adrenaline starts to wear off, only then does Adrienne start to feel the toll it's taken on her. As she sheaths her swords for the first time in, well, she's not sure how long it's been, her whole body begins to shake.

Using the wall as support, she slowly makes her way through the crowds that are starting to emerge. As she does so, her gaze can't help but linger on the multitude of dead bodies littering the streets. All these lifeless bodies that will never get to smile again, that had so much to look forward to, that had loved ones they'll never get to hug again. Just yesterday they were breathing and now…now everything has been taken away from them.

Her eyes mist with tears and all she can think about is Galena and Jara. She hopes and prays to all the gods that they're okay. Their lives together haven't even started yet, they can't be taken away.

Please, please, please.

She moves more frantically now, eyes desperately searching the crowds, but no luck.

She should've stayed with them, should've tried harder. She should've–

A glimpse of a familiar head of blonde curls, now bloodied and dirty, comes into Adrienne's sight, causing her heart to flutter. She then notices the girl is supporting a certain woodworking brunette against her.

"Oh my God," she breathes out in relief. As if they could hear her, the two girls look over and meet her eyes, immediately mirroring her relief.

She rushes over. "You're alive! I can't believe it, I for sure thought that–"

"It doesn't matter. We're fine," Jara cuts her off, but–for once–not rudely.

"Barely," Galena chides, nodding to the gash on Jara's leg. It's long, traveling down the length of it, but luckily not terribly deep.

"What happened?" Adrienne asks.

"She tried to be a hero and killed a particularly angry orc. Always trying to impress me, she is."

Her girlfriend rolls her eyes. "Oh yes, in doing so my thinking was to impress you and not to save your life."

"Sounds pretty badass to me," Adrienne chimes in. "And sweet, too. Very romantic."

Jara waves it off, embarrassed. "Tis not a big deal."

"And your father?" Adrienne asks. "Is he okay?"

"Yes, he's tending to some soldiers at the moment."

She breathes a sigh of relief. "Well, Miss Hero," she says as she gets on the other side of Jara, helping put her arm around her shoulder. "Let's get you home."

The three girls make their way down the bloodstained streets to Jara's home. When they arrive, Adrienne helps position the injured girl to support herself against the doorway–and her girlfriend.

They all look at one another in somber, bittersweet silence, an unspoken bond between them.

Finally, Adrienne speaks. "I should probably go find my friends and help out where I can. But I'm really glad you guys are okay."

"Thank you," Galena says softly. "For everything. You've given us hope."

Jara nods in agreement. "More than we ever thought we would have, I must admit."

It's a bit jolting to hear; somehow Adrienne thinks they've done more for her than she could ever do for them.

Galena smiles at her girlfriend, proud of her for actually giving a compliment for once, and then addresses Adrienne. "I actually think things may yet work out for us here. It will never be easy, but we shan't give up. Especially now that Berek's dead–"

"Wait, he's dead?" Adrienne asks. "The guy you were supposed to marry?"

She nods. "Yes. We saw him get struck down in battle. It changes things. Denethor's death changes things. A lot of things do."

"And I'm determined to make sure they continue to change for the better," Adrienne assures them. "Once Aragorn is king, I'll talk to him about like, tolerance laws and stuff."

Galena's eyes shine with tears as she pulls her into an embrace. "You're truly a gift sent from the Valar themselves."

"Ha, yeah. Sure."

"Now go on," Jara says with a gentle shove at her shoulder, "get out of here."

"Go make us proud," Galena calls after her.

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After departing from her dear, queer friends, Adrienne goes in search of the remnants of the Fellowship. She knows they have a lot of battle experience, which is why she didn't worry for their safety as much as the girls', but the longer she goes without seeing them, the more her anxiety rises. Anything could have happened. And Merry and Pippin, they–no. She refuses to let herself think about that.

She blocks out all negative thoughts the best she can and continues on her way.

When she catches sight of an all too familiar group of six, she swears her heart might burst.

Most of all, however, she sees the elf that has never left her mind–or heart, for that matter. And when his eyes land on hers and she finds that they shine with relief and not disdain as she'd feared, she breaks out in a watery smile.

I don't deserve him, is the first distinguishable thought to enter her mind.

She quickly closes the distance as she rushes over. They stare at each other for a moment just taking in the sight of each other.

His eyes roam over every inch of her face, taking in the new cuts and bruises she's sporting.

"Legolas–"

She's silenced when he pulls her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair.

"You do not know how much joy it brings my heart to see you alive and well," he says.

She chokes back a half laugh half sob as she closes her eyes and returns the hug. "Yeah, right back at you."

She's not sure how long the hug lasts, but it's not nearly enough by the time they pull apart. She stares up into his eyes and all she can think about is how she has so much to say to him and not enough time, not enough words.

As she's waiting for the words to come to her, her eyes wander over Legolas' shoulder and find Merry, who's being carried by Aragorn.

With a gasp, she rushes over to the looking-worse-for-wear Hobbit. "Oh my God, are you alright? What happened?"

"He decided he wanted to be the reckless one for once," Pippin jokes.

Merry rolls his eyes. "I was not being reckless, just brave. You wouldn't know the difference, Pip."

Adrienne laughs, realizing how much she's missed hearing the two of them bicker. There's tenderness beneath it, as there always is, but this time there's a smudge more than usual.

She leans over to kiss them both on the head. "Well, I'm proud of both of you–of all of you," she says, looking over at the rest of the group with a smile. "Because hey, we're all still here. Alive. And we beat those fugly little shits."

"While we appreciated your camaraderie, dear one," Gandalf says seriously, "the war for Middle Earth is not yet won. Come, let us lick our wounds and then regather to discuss the next course of action."

He places a hand on her shoulder as he walks past.

"I'm just trying to take it one battle at a time," Adrienne mumbles once he's out of earshot. "Dude needs to chill."

"There will be plenty of time to 'chill' once the Ring has been destroyed and Sauron is no longer a threat," Aragorn replies tiredly. "You must understand Mithrandir's restlessness as we enter the final stretch of this war."

"No, I do. I'm just…trying to distract myself."

He gives her that knowing, sympathetic smile. "I know."

She returns the smile with one of her own before turning to the group as a whole. "Also, were those ghost soldiers I saw out there on the battlefield? If not then I really might be Schizophrenic 'cause I think saw them all just– poof –disappear into thin air."

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"Frodo has passed beyond my sight," Gandalf says gravely as he paces with his hands clasped behind his back. "The darkness is deepening."

"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn points out firmly, his arms crossed across his chest.

"It's only a matter of time," the wizard replies, and Adrienne is stricken with shock and disappointment at his despair. "He suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping."

"Let him stay there," Gimli puts in his two cents, taking his pipe out of his mouth. "Let him rot! Why should we care?"

"Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom," Gandalf informs them.

The following silence is heavy in the air.

"I've sent him to his death."

Aragorn turns around with resolve and uncrosses his arms. "No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."

Adrienne has never felt so grateful for Aragorn and his impenetrable fortitude. "Damn right we can!"

"How?" Gimli asks, skepticism dripping from his voice.

"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and we march on the Black Gate."

Gimli falls into a coughing fit and Adrienne raises an eyebrow at him.

"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Eomer speaks up.

"Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us." He turns his head to look Gandalf in the eye. "Keep him blind to all else that moves."

"A diversion," Legolas concludes with pride.

"A distraction," Adrienne says at the same time. She knows all about distractions.

"Sauron will suspect a trap," Gandalf says, moving close to Aragorn. "He will not take the bait."

"Well it's better than just sitting here moping," Adrienne says firmly. "We can't just give up on Frodo when he's so close."

"Certainty of death, small chance of success…what are we waiting for?" Gimli says.

Now that's the attitude I'm looking for!

Gandalf shakes his head but in his eyes shines a sliver of renewed hope. "Very well then. The fellowship will deploy on one last crusade. Prepare for battle."

A determined cry goes up and echoes around the room.

For Frodo.

And for Middle Earth.

"Let's fucking go!" Adrienne yells passionately.

"You are not coming, Adrienne," Gandalf tells her matter-of-factly.

"Um," she says, perplexed, "Yes I am. Why would I not?"

He walks over to stand closer to her. "We would be taking you closer to Sauron than you have ever been, the Nazgul would only have to fly you a short distance. Which is what he wants. And we are far too close to the end to risk him getting his hands on the power to control time."

"Aragorn just said we need to keep Sauron's Eye on us so Frodo is able to sneak by. We need a diversion and from what you're saying, I'll be exactly that."

"Adrienne," he says, her name like it's exhausting just to be in her presence, "it's far too dangerous."

She lifts her chin in determination. If there's one thing she's learned in the past few days, it's that there are some things worth risking everything for. "I don't care. You need all the help you can get. I'm not gonna sit on my ass and let Middle Earth fall into darkness. It's my home now."

His eyes shine with a sort of sad admiration–or perhaps pride–and she knows she's won. His next words are picked with careful intention, but they're said with even more conviction. "You cannot be taken alive."

She swallows hard but her gaze does not waver. "I understand."

I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"Good," he says solemnly, nodding as his eyes never leave hers.

.。.:*・° .。.:*・° .。.:*・° .。.:*・°

Everyone hurries to prepare for the next battle, barely having time to recover from the last one. They don new armor and sharpen blades. Aragorn proudly sports a new piece with the tree of Gondor on the chest.

Adrienne straggles behind in the armory, struggling to adjust her chainmail.

"This stupid fucking shit," she mutters to herself before hearing someone else enter the room.

"Here, let me help you," says a voice that causes her heart to skip a beat.

Legolas steps behind her and begins to help sort out the chainmail she was struggling with.

She can feel his breath on the back of her neck as he nimbly works without saying a word.

"Is this our first time fighting in a real big-boy battle together? I feel like it is," Adrienne says just to say something. The tense silence is too much to handle. "That time by the waterfall didn't count because we were separated. And that was more of an ambush."

"Mm."

Ugh, he's really not gonna help her out here.

She plays with her hands while he continues to work silently behind her.

"There. All done," he says when he's finished.

She turns around to face him and God, they're so close.

Licking her lips, she decides to address the elephant in the room already. "Look, we need to talk."

"Now is not the time," he insists. "It can wait."

"No, it can't."

"It will have to. Aragorn is preparing the men to leave."

"But–"

"Adrienne," he says firmly but not unkindly, "you can explain everything to me when we get back."

As she stares at him, noting the meaningful look in his eyes, she realizes he's asking her to hold off as some sort of assurance that they will get back and have the chance to talk like this again.

Swallowing hard, she nods. Maybe it's better this way after all; he might not be able to focus well on the battle if his thoughts are on something else. It would be unfair of her to throw that bomb on him right now. "Okay," she agrees, "but at least let me apologize again? Please?"

He hesitates but finally concedes. "If you wish to."

Taking a deep breath, she starts. "I'm sorry about what I said to you back in Edoras. I was harsh…and untruthful. And I'm sorry I chose to make things worse." He raises an eyebrow in question and she realizes she should just be blunt. "I'm sorry I slept with that guy after our argument."

Legolas looks away, something indistinguishable flashing in his eyes at the memory.

"That had nothing to do with you," she assures him, "and it had everything to do with me. I need you to understand that. It wasn't meant to hurt you, it was just meant to stop my hurting. Which failed anyway, but that was the intention. But I did hurt you, and I am so so sorry."

He meets her eyes, carefully taking in the sincerity shining there. It's too much too soon; he's overwhelmed by what he sees and doesn't know how to respond, so he casts his gaze elsewhere once more.

Misinterpreting the action as disregard, Adrienne's face crumples. Her chin quivers and her eyes blur with tears, but she refuses to let them fall. "You don't even have to forgive me," she says, her voice tight, "I just need you to not give up on me, to not shut me out. Because more than anything else, I–I need my best friend."

Blue meets brown as Legolas takes in her expression, his mouth going dry.

"And if you'll give me the chance," she promises, "I'll be as good to you as you've been to me. Because the truth is that I l–"

"Prince Legolas?" a voice interrupts, causing them both to jump. They turn to see a soldier standing in the doorway.

Taking a few steps away from Adrienne, Legolas clears his throat. "Yes?"

"Lord Aragorn requests your presence at once," the soldier informs him.

"Of course, thank you." He doesn't move, hoping the other man will go on ahead but he doesn't seem to get the hint as he continues to wait to escort him. He turns to Adrienne with conflicted eyes. "Adrienne, I–"

"It's okay," she assures him. "You should go." She gives him a smile to let him know she means it. She's said her piece. She doesn't need him to respond; she just needed him to hear her.

I only hope he believes me.

The elf looks torn but he finally nods and walks away.

Before escorting him, the soldier's gaze lands on Adrienne, noting her war attire. "We are preparing to depart."

She nods. "Understood, I'll be there momentarily. I still have to pull my hair back and stuff."

And then she's standing in the too-big room, wearing too-big armor, all alone.