Chapter One

Arwen sat in the gardens of Minus Tirith, her new home, watching the sunset. It felt good to know you could do this now, without having to worry about constant attacks and constant dread.

She was happy that they had won the war and that peace had finally come. She barely recognised her fiancée these days, so different he was from the silent, brooding man she had known recently. He laughed and told jokes, and played pranks with her mischievous twin brothers, who were in the city along with the rest of her family and friends for the upcoming wedding. He was back to the way he had once been…when they had first met.

Her wedding, to Aragorn. It was less then a week away now and there was still so much to do. Make sure everyone had been invited, decorations and food and the music. After all, everything had to be perfect didn't it? This was what she had been waiting for, wasn't it?

She didn't know where these doubts had sprung from, but they were definitely there. But it was impossible. She had been dreaming of this for what felt like an age, felt that she had been fighting for it for longer. Her stubborn family had refused to see her point of view or happiness. They, her father in particular, wanted her to sail west with the rest of her people. Could she really be thinking of backing out now after all she had done to get her freedom?

But was she really free? For the first time now she had the chance, she had actually been thinking about what this could all mean. She would be a mortal for the rest of her days, trapped in an aging body and having to worry that each day could be her last. Was she ready for that? The call of the west had never been so strong before, but she felt it now just like she knew Legolas felt the call of the sea as well. And she missed her mother, knew she would be disappointed never to see her daughter again.

But after all they had been through, could she really do this to Aragorn ? He would be terribly hurt, the decisions he made in the future could be affected by the grief made by her decisions now. Even after the war to secure his throne, he could still loose himself to grief.

"Melleth?" she nearly jumped at the voice, but managed to control herself as she recognised him.

"Aragorn," she whispered, feeling his arms wrap around her. Usually his embrace comforted her, made her feel safe and secure, but tonight her confusions wouldn't let her rest.

"It is nothing," she replied lightly. "I'm just nervous that's all melleth. To stand up in front of all those people…."

And that was something else to think about. Being princess of the elves was a different thing altogether then being queen of men. To stand in front of all of them and to be judged by strangers….it terrified her. What would they think of her? Would they like someone with her background as a Queen? Before the war there had been mistrust on both sides, and even though the elves had fought at Helms deep, that wouldn't go away easily, would it?

Aragorn smiled at her. "You will be fine my love," he answered. "Everything will be alright now, you'll see."

"I need to speak to my father," she said suddenly standing, surprising Aragorn with her behaviour. "Do you know…"

"He went up to his chambers last time I heard," he answered, a little hurt at her coldness.

Arwen flinched when she saw the look in his eyes, but she had to talk to someone about this she knew that now, otherwise it would destroy her. Maybe her adar wasn't such a good idea though. And Legolas was too close to Aragorn. None of the fellowship would do. Lothiriel? She wondered. She had arrived shortly after Eomer and Eowyn a few days ago. But Arwen barely knew her. So that left Galadriel.

"I will see you later," she told him, leaning forward to kiss him lightly.

Aragorn watched her leave, confusion settling within him. She had been so distant these past few weeks after the war, when it should have been the happiest moment in their lives. He didn't know what to make of it, but they would have to talk soon, before the wedding. You couldn't marry someone if they were having doubts, but he refused to believe that could be happening.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In another time and place, two beings watched the events unfolding in middle earth thoughtfully. Tara Mc Clay looked uncertainly up at Boromir, son of denethor as she decided how to voice her thoughts.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked. "The powers have been known to be wrong before. Lots of times actually! This could just be cold feet. Every bride feels nervous before a wedding….so I've heard. And I don't want to be the one responsible for hurting anyone. And enough star crossed lovers have been torn apart by now….and this one actually has a chance to work out!"

Boromir smiled in amusement at his companion, still not used to her language even after all this time. "Star crossed lovers?"

Tara shrugged. "You know. Romeo and Juliet. Kate and Leo…or rather Jack and Rose? Angel and Buffy….I could go on forever."

Boromir shook his head. "No, I think the powers are right. This can only end in tragedy. Although Arwen is sweet and kind and wouldn't willingly hurt anyone if she could help it…her race of people…we know little about them even after centuries. They are free spirits Tara. From what I know, they do not like to be tied down or bound in anyway. And although they are loyal…their decisions and thoughts are different then ours because of their immortality."

He paused slightly. "What I'm trying to say is although she may love Aragorn, she is finally seeing that this would be forever and family is just as important as love. No matter how loyal they are, you think you can know them but they have many sides to them. She will eventually leave him and I would see the king happy."

Sadness swept over him then. "Aragorn tried to save my life…even after all that I've been and done. Now it is time to save his."

Tara shook her head. "But…didn't she already make her choice? Before the war of the ring?"

Boromir nodded. "Yes, but they are not yet married. Things are not set in stone."

Tara nodded. "Well, I've been thinking about what you asked me. And I think I know someone. But she's…how do I put this? Unique I guess. Special. Although she seems different to him in every way…I think it could work." here Tara hesitated. "She's going to hate me for doing this. A lot. But…she will have a choice. And the choice to look in on her friends from time to time. It's a chance for both of them to be happy…and she could do with some of that right now. She will be able to help him"

Boromir nodded. "Who is she?"

"Her names Buffy Summers. There's a catch though. She lives in another world."

Boromir sighed. "Why is nothing ever easy?"

Tara laughed at this. "Yeah, you know, you'd think after dying and everything we'd get a break wouldn't you? But I guess we'd better get this over with."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buffy Summers lay in sleep, dreaming nightmares.

She was deep in the hell mouth, and it went on forever. It was dark and scary and full of huge screaming evil. Buffy felt like a kid way out of her depth, helpless. She hated it. Her friends lay dead all around her, she was alone and the first was coming after her.

First of all it was like looking into a mirror, and then it changed into everyone she had failed to save, ending with Spike.

"I love you," she whispered.

"You never did," it sneered at her. "So you can stop lying to yourself now. You could never save me…I was beyond it."

Buffy snapped awake with a start, sitting up shakily. She looked at the man lying beside her and groaned softly, closing her eyes and willing the images to go away. They never did.

She got up to get herself a glass of water, to calm herself down, telling herself over and over it wasn't like that. It hadn't ended like that.

All her friends were fine. Sure, they may be in different parts of the world, trying to find new slayers or training to be watchers at the new council with Giles, but they were all safe and alive. Except Spike of course.

And she was in Rome. She and her sister had been on their own slayer search here and had decided it was too nice a place to leave. Well, Dawn had gone back to the council in England after school, but she had stayed. And she kept telling herself it was good for her to do this. Get some perspective, think about things. Get a chance to do what she wanted and move on with her life.

So why did she keep having that same dream over and over. What did it mean?

"Are you ok Buffy?" the guy asked from the bedroom.

"Fine..be there in a minute," she called back. She had met him last night and had already forgotten his name…she still wasn't used to the language here.

And was she really fine? She knew she needed to move on from the past, knew that Spike, wherever he was, would want her to be happy. And she knew she wasn't really happy. But if being with her friends and family didn't help her then what would?

Usually her slayer duties had always helped her take her mind off things…but it wasn't like she even had that to distract her…she wasn't the only chosen anymore after all.

She was restless and lonely. And sleeping with random guys to take her mind off Spike wasn't helping…well…maybe a little. But she wasn't Faith, this wasn't really who she was.

Shaking her head, she picked up the phone and called Willow.

"Buffy…haven't heard from you in a while. Is everything ok?" asked her best friend in concern. "Is there some apocalyse we need to worry about?"

Buffy frowned. Is that the only reason they would think she called? "No…just wanted to talk I guess," she murmured.

They talked about every day stuff, what they had all been up to. And it helped her a little but as soon as she hung up…

I love you

No you don't, but thanks for saying it.

Those words followed her everywhere. Had she really meant it, and if not then why had she said it in the first place?

Sighing she tried her best to get to sleep, but it didn't come easily. And finally, when she did drift off…she had the strangest dream of all.

She was standing in a bedroom…but it looked like something from a history book. She was by the window, and when she looked out, she realised she was in a castle with the most amazing view she'd ever seen.

The door swung open and two people came in, obviously in the middle of a fight.

"Leave me be Arwen," the man said coldly. "You have no right…"

"Aragorn, I still care about you. As a friend and …I want to help. You can't stay this way…your kingdom will suffer…"

"You have no right to tell me what to feel," he shot back. "You lost that right when you left me!"

Why would she leave him? Buffy thought, amazed. If she'd been with a guy like that…

"You're people need you. If you stay like this you will loose the throne and their trust," Arwen told him calmly.

He whirled round to face her. "Did your father send you here? You sound just like Elrond!"

With that, the scene faded, and she found herself standing in a thick white mist.

The person she saw next left her speechless for a moment. It couldn't be. "Tara?" she whispered.

The girl nodded with a smile. "Hello Buffy. I know this is a shock…"

"This isn't real, it's a dream…." Buffy said shakily.

Tara shook her head. "No. This is real. And this is Boromir," she gestured to the man beside her.

Buffy tried to pull herself together. "What's going on?" she asked. "Where am I?"

"We come with a message from the powers that be," Tara started, and Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Of course you do.."

"Just hear us out. We sense that you're not happy. And you deserve happiness, a reward for all you've done for us."

"Is this a trick? Asked Buffy. "The powers never seemed to care before. They always screwed up my life and took the people away that I care about."

Boromir shook his head. . "No. We have…an offer to make to you. You do have a choice and you can say no. It concerns the man that you saw in that vision. His name is Aragorn and he is a great king…or has the potential to be. Although he will suffer a great loss and this will endanger his future decisions and the realm he rules…the realm of gondor. And if gondor falls into despair then so could all of middle earth…the world he belongs to. He is in need of guidance and help. What we ask is that you go to him and help him to protect his kingdom."

Buffy held up a hand. "So let me get this straight. You want me to play counsellor to some strange guy I've never met, who lives in another world. You want me to abandon my friends and sister…."

"You will have the chance to tell them and say goodbye…I will even help you. And you may be in another world, but you'll still be able to see them when you miss them, and when you need them," said Tara.

Tara looked at her pleadingly. "I know it is a lot to ask. And it would be a new life, take a lot of adjusting. But trust your instincts. When you saw Aragorn….what did you feel?"

Buffy sighed. "I did want to help him."

Tara nodded. "I'll give you a couple of days to think…meanwhile, I'll pay a little visit to Willow."

"She's going to have a panic attack or something," Buffy said. "You also mentioned something about a reward? Coz so far? Not sounding like one."

"She'll make the others understand." Tara answered. "And you may find the happiness you've been missing."

"Thank you for listening Buffy. It was an honour to meet you," added Boromir.

This time when Buffy woke up, it was the middle of the day and she was alone. Her mystery guy had left in the night.

I'll have to ask Giles if there's a way to block slayer dreams so they don't keep you up half the night, she thought, shaking her head. Weird.

The phone rang and Buffy was shocked to hear Willow on the other end. She didn't sound happy at all.

TBC