Chapter One
Slave Fields of Northern Nurn
Mordor
3441 SA
The two Slayers were 'guarded' by four Elven guards as they walked towards a blue and gold shaded pavilion, inside they could see an Elf they didn't recognize and Isildur. As they walked in Buffy blanched even as she felt Faith jerk to a sudden stop as they saw the One Ring on a chain around Isildur's neck and cursed herself for giving up her weapons. A cold rage burned inside Buffy, she'd thought the One Ring gone, but no, this idiot had seemed to have claimed it for his own.
"STOP!" Isildur commanded the two women as he 'heard' the Ring whispering to him that he could control these two. He had but to put the Ring on his finger and they would be his to do with whatever he wished...
Buffy ignored Isildur and stopped only a few feet away from him, her hands clenching and unclenching. "What is it?" Buffy asked derisively.
"You two will surrender yourselves to me now." Isildur commanded as he sought to tap into the power of the Ring and control these two women who had run rings around the forces they faced.
"In what lifetime do you expect that to happen?" Buffy asked coldly, "The only being who could order us to do anything is dead, so what does that make you?"
Enraged Isildur grabbed the Ring with one hand only to feel the blonde's hand over his, squeezing it painfully. "Don't push it. You don't have the juice to pull it off. Now are you here to talk or not? Otherwise I've got butts to kick..."
"You will surrender yourselves to us here and now where you will be taken prisoner, shackled and brought back to stand trial for your many crimes." The Elf said, speaking up for the first time.
"Maybe, but what happens to those that were captured by Sauron as slaves?" Faith asked, speaking up.
"They will be freed from your clutches of course!" The tall Elf replied.
Before Buffy or Faith could reply there was a knock on one of the wooden poles and the Slayers turned to see another Elf in armour at the entrance.
"My Lord Elrond. The people inside refuse to open the gates for us. They say they will only open the gates on the orders of their 'lords'." The Elf said the last with some disdain.
One eyebrow went on Elrond's face, "Indeed. Very well." Elrond said dismissing the young warrior. Turning his attention to back to Sauron's Queens. "You know that we cannot let you be. You served Sauron as his loyal Queens and your forces are loyal to you, almost fanatically so in some cases and you must be punished for what you have done in Sauron's name."
Buffy felt Faith bristling and put a hand on Faith's shoulder to calm her for now. "What we've done?! Now that's a laugh, not that it makes any difference to you. But what about the people inside the fortress? Will you break the walls down and slaughter everyone inside? Will that be your justice?"
"We are not Sauron's dogs, unlike some here." Isildur answered first. "Those that do not oppose us will be spared of course."
"Well isn't that just sweet? You're not all that different from Sauron; you just have a prettier disguise is all." Buffy said with a sneer.
Isildur shook his head to clear it of the odd thoughts running through it. "What I meant was that we'd not kill anyone who didn't attack us. All of those people were slaves of Sauron and deserve their freedom."
Buffy could feel the conflict already starting to build inside Isildur, already the One Ring was trying to exert its influence on him, that alone made them being near him too dangerous. Not that the Elves were a greater improvement, but at least they wouldn't have to worry as much about someone trying to poison them or slip a dagger in them as they slept. "They won't open the gates to you, they don't know you or trust you. But they will open the gates if we say so..."
Elrond heard the unspoken 'but' in the voice of the blonde, Buffy it was said was her name, not that any of her forces would ever dare utter it for fear of what she would do to them. To the Elves she had a different name, Heleg Naur or in the tongue of Men...Ice Flame. "But??"
"I want yourword that the people will be treated well and given what they need to return to their homes or wherever they want to go. No reprisals against them, no anything! They are free and clear of any reprisals because of us." Buffy said as she looked straight at Elrond.
"And why do you not address Isildur in this?" Elrond asked, curious as to how Buffy had seemingly dismissed him and why...
"You know why, you just aren't saying it to his face either. Your word or Faith and I carve a bloody hole a mile wide through your forces."
Elrond saw the utter calm in both of Sauron's Queens' eyes and knew that they'd follow through as best they could on that threat. "Very well, you have my word. Those slaves inside and at the other compounds will be treated well."
Buffy looked over at Faith and saw acceptance in her eyes, "Fine. We surrender to you then." Buffy said without looking away from Faith. A part of her wondered how long they'd be separated again.
Isildur felt a piece of rage inside and yet it wasn't him as he watched the Bone Queens being shackled and led away. Burying it Isildur preened with the knowledge that they'd captured the two most dangerous Generals of Sauron.
+
Buffy hobbled her way to the front gate as Faith was surrounded by Elf warriors to insure her good behaviour and not try anything. "Open the gates!" Buffy called up once she'd hobbled way close enough to the gate to be heard.
"My Lady, are you alright?" Came a voice from the top of the battlement.
"Yes," For the most part, just because I'm gonna be shackled, interrogated and tried by people who hate us why wouldn't I be? Buffy thought wryly. "Yes I am. The Elves have given me their word that you will not be harmed and free to leave to return to your homes. You will not be held to blame for our actions. I have the word of Lord Elrond of Rivendell on this and he will honor his word."
"Very well my Lady. If you or Lady Faith say that we will not be harmed and let go, then we will trust your word."
Buffy heard the levers moving and the gates finally cracked open inwards to reveal a group of about 50 armed women and smiled as she recognized Bredda, who had led these people before Buffy and Faith's arrival.
Buffy heard the Elves running forward to get to the gate before it could be closed once again and turned, hobbling back towards where Faith was waiting for her.
+
Three Months Later...
14 Lairë (June 4th) 1 TA
"Telling them the truth was a bust, not that we expected anyone to believe us, you know." Faith said as she sat in the dank cell with Buffy.
Shrugging, "Yeah, but what else was there? Lying wasn't going to improve our sitch any. I don't want to think about tomorrow, this is the last time we're gonna see each other for a long time."
"I know." Faith said softly as she leaned forward and rested her forehead against Buffy's.
"I'm sorry I got you into this Faith."
"You didn't Buffy, this was all Sauron's doing and you know it. We just played the hand that fate dealt us the best we could is all."
"I guess when all is said and done, we did what we could. We just couldn't do what we wanted." Buffy placed a soft kiss on Faith's lips. "You know I love you."
"I love you too Buffy." Faith answered as she pulled Buffy against her and felt a desperate need to feel Buffy's skin on hers just once more before they were separated for god knows how long.
Buffy felt the same need and slid her hands under Faith's shirt and up Faith's back...
+
Same Day
Evening
The guard outside heard the cries of passion even through the door and was torn about whether he should break them up. He'd been ordered by Lord Elrond himself to let the prisoners have one night together, but he wasn't sure that this was what Lord Elrond had in mind. Before he could come to a decision, Sorla heard footsteps coming down and saw another guard. "Halt. What are you doing down here?" Sorla called to the other guard.
"Nothing, just checking on all the noise going on down here is all. Those two could wake the dead if they keep this up."
Relaxing, "Yeah, tell me about it. They've been like that for a while now..." Sorla turned his head back towards the cell.
"Alright. When you're tired, just come on up and grab a bite and we'll trade."
"Okay, thanks!"
+
Buffy felt Faith driving her mad as she drove her body to even higher heights, "Oh shit, YES!" Buffy cried out a she felt her body suddenly peak as she came hard with Faith. Her body exhausted, Buffy stilled Faith's hands, pulling her against her body even as she leaned back on the blanket and rested. Content with Faith's body against hers, for the first time in years again Buffy was aware of Faith's heartbeat, a feeling of pure contentment washed over the pair. "God Faith, you're gonna kill me one of these days..." Buffy said with a grin.
"Yeah, but what way to go B!"
"Well we've still got the rest of the night you know..." Buffy said with a waggle of her eyebrows.
"Yeah we do."
+
Exhausted both physically and emotionally, the two lovers slept in each other's arms dreaming until the next morning.
Buffy never heard the door open, but she sensed something, even asleep. Her hand shot up, grabbing the hand that held the knife and stopping its downward motion even before her eyes opened. Her other hand shot up hitting their attacker in the stomach and knocking him backward. Buffy saw that their attacker was dressed in the clothing of the guards who'd been watching her for the last two months. "Can't kill me when I'm awake so you figured you'd do it when I'm asleep?" Buffy said derisively. Without looking Buffy knew Faith was up and just a half-step behind and to her right.
"You'll pay for what you did, Sauron's Whore!" The Elf said, hate filling his voice.
"Never fails to amaze me, I gotta be fucking him if he made me his Queen. Well come here boy and let me show you why I got the title Slayer." Buffy felt a hand stop her and looked to see a furious looking Faith.
"No B, this asshole's mine." Buffy heard Faith say and stepped back to give her room.
"You slaughtered countless innocents during your reign with Sauron, the others are too afraid to do what needs to be done. But I'm not!" The Elven Guard yelled before leaping to attack Faith.
Buffy had her attention shifted when she smelled blood in the air and saw in the doorway another body. Moving around Buffy saw it was one of the guards who'd been guarding her during her stay here for the last 4 weeks. Flipping the body over, Buffy pulled the sword free, "FAITH! CATCH" Buffy called out as she tossed the sword towards Faith before she grabbed the guards' dagger for herself.
Faith heard Buffy call her name and seemingly plucked the sword out of thin air, bringing the blade down in time to intercept a stabbing attack. Faith saw a clear liquid dripping off the blade and swore mentally, Shit! Poison!
Buffy heard running footsteps coming down the stairs. Surveying her surroundings Buffy threw the dagger into the wooden ceiling above and jumped up grabbing the dagger to help hold her up even as she stretched her legs wide to brace herself against the ceiling.
Faith caught a glimpse of Buffy disappearing but wasn't worried, she knew B could handle herself. Her problem was killing this guy without getting herself nicked and poisoned. Normally she'd be the one to have an advantage because of the sword, but the cell wasn't that large and the sword was actually becoming a liability. Instead Faith threw the sword at the Guard and saw him bring his hand up to block it from hitting him. Faith took those precious seconds to close the distance between them. Faith saw the dagger thrust towards her stomach and slapped the hand that held it sideways, stepping in close where she let loose a flurry of punches. Faith felt ribs crack and break under her fists, a hard uppercut sent the assassin reeling back but not before she felt something cut her side. Grabbing the hand and arm that held the dagger Faith brought it down on her leg and heard the assassin scream as she shattered the bones in his arm and he dropped the dagger. Falling to her knees Faith felt like her blood was burning, "Bu..." was all Faith could manage before she fell to the ground face first.
Buffy saw another guard stop below her and waited another moment before letting go of the knife and dropping down on top of the Elf dressed as a Guard, driving him down to the ground a hard punch to the back of his head knocked him out and Buffy came to her feet just in time to hear Faith call her. Running back inside Buffy saw Faith lying on the ground and the assassin standing above her. Flipping the dagger in her hand so she held the blade between her fingers Buffy threw it and saw it sink into the assassin's back. Before he could do more than scream Buffy grabbed the assassin and threw him across the cell where he hit the wall with a loud 'CRUNCH'. "Faith? Faith honey?" Buffy called out as she checked Faith for any injuries but the only one she could find was a small cut on Faith's left side. "Faith, wake up! FAAAIITTHHH!!" Buffy screamed as she cradled Faith's body...
+
Four Days later...
18 Lairë (June 8th) 1 TA
Buffy knelt by Faith's bed, the shackles she was wearing were making it difficult to stay seated on the chair, not that standing was that much more comfortable, not with all the chains on her arms, legs, neck, ankles, all of which tied to the large steel belt around her waist. As she shifted to a position to allow one leg to get some blood back Buffy saw Faith's eyes flutter and open. "Faith? How are you feeling?" Buffy asked as she tried to touch Faith's face but couldn't because of the chains holding her restricting her movement greatly.
Faith heard something clinking loudly as Buffy called her, "B? I feel like a three day old, dried up piece of dog shit." Faith turned her head slowly to look at Buffy and saw her chained up like an animal, including a steel collar around her neck. "Buffy??" Faith croaked out as her throat dried up.
"I need the Healer in here now!" Buffy snapped out angrily after being chained up like this for the last four days. "WHERE'S THE DAMN HEALER?!" Buffy roared as she stood up with an ease that made the guards suddenly VERY nervous as they put their hands on the hilts of their swords. Before anything else could go wrong Buffy saw a young woman walk into the sick room.
"Please step aside," the Healer asked and saw the upset prisoner move out of the way.
+
Elrond sat in his study looking over at Galadriel, "What is it that I can do for you this eve, Galadriel?"
"The Bone Queens, how much of their story do you believe to be true Elrond?"
One eyebrow went up, "Some, but definitely not all. Their story smacks of a child's fantasy in many places, although I admit I cannot understand why they are so young-looking. They cannot be more than 25-30 years and yet we have heard stories of them serving Sauron for far, far longer. They are not Maiar nor is it his power giving them such long life. Even without the destruction of the One Ring, he lost a greater amount of his power upon his physical death. So to keep giving what power he has remaining to these two would make no sense."
"True, they are not Maiar," Galadriel said enigmatically. "But there is more truth to their story than you might wish to believe." Galadriel paused as she considered her next words carefully.
Elrond could not believe his ears, the Bone Queens, Sauron's pet killers and his most successful generals! "Truth is often in the eye of the beholder, Galadriel, was it not you who taught me this?"
"Yes it was, among other things as well. What is the fate of the guard that attacked them and the one that was knocked out?" Galadriel asked, changing subjects suddenly.
"Oh, the one guard Silva is under arrest but we have not found any connection between Arden and Silva. It seems he may have just been investigating the noise he heard below."
"And what will you do with Silva? He attacked Faith as she slept, and used a poisoned weapon." Galadriel asked carefully.
Elrond did not answer right away, "Exile. Silva will be exiled from Imladris, never to return and never to cross to the Grey Havens."
Galadriel sighed mentally, she did not wish to seek the death of anyone, but in this case it would be right and just. "Buffy will never forgive you this act of mercy. His attempt to murder them in their sleep and her near loss of Faith could only have one penalty."
"What they want is of little consequence, Silva made a grave error of judgment, but I cannot just take the life of another Elf so easily as the Bone Queens spilt the blood of so many innocents."
"Yes and they cannot die as long as the One Ring remains intact. They are bound to it in ways you cannot understand and they may have a role yet to play in its destruction as well..."
"What?!" Elrond exclaimed unable to believe his ears. "Are you saying that they helped Sauron forge the Ring?"
"Yes," Galadriel now felt it was time to let slip some of what she had seen, "But it was not of their choosing. They were not willing individuals in this or even misguided as the Smiths of Eregion were. What was done to them was against their will. Knowing this now can you still say death is appropriate? That there are things you are not aware of and that must remain hidden until the time is right for them to be revealed."
Elrond was not a happy Elf, but in being honest with himself he had to admit that perhaps death was not appropriate. and Galadriel was no-one's fool either. "Very well, I will vote with you for them to be prisoners in exile. There are three others and you need more than just our two votes for clemency for Heleg and Amlug. King Thranduil? After his father's death in the War he will not be so ready to give either of them any leniency." Elrond asked but no answer was forthcoming from Galadriel. "I am not happy that I am only just hearing of these things now, Galadriel. I am not a child and do not enjoy the feeling of being shown some things, but told that the rest must be kept for older and wiser minds."
Nodding, "I would agree with you if I thought you were a child, Elrond. But some things must reveal themselves only at a proper time and place."
"Then we shall inform them of their fate and that of the one who tried to attack them tomorrow. If you would excuse me I have much to meditate on this evening."
"Of course. Thank you for seeing me tonight." Galadriel bowed her head slightly before walking out of the study, her main goal accomplished and the two lives that were so critical to the future safe.
+
Meeting Hall
19 Lairë (June 9th) 1 TA
Buffy stood next to Faith, both women wore leg and wrist shackles, but it was the additional set on Buffy around her neck, upper arms and legs that had Faith seething inside. Faith knew Buffy had been wearing them for the last 5 days without complaint, but it was taking a toll on her physically and mentally.
"We have come to a decision..."
"That's nice 'cause I don't want to hear it until you remove the extra set of chains from B." Faith said angrily.
"She attacked two guards and almost killed one. She is a dangerous creature and must be restrained for the protection of those around her." Elrond explained patiently.
"She knocked one guard out when she could have snapped his neck, as for the other he was fucking trying to kill us and using a poisoned dagger! What was she supposed to do, say stop 'pretty pretty please!" Faith replied anger still coloring her voice for all to hear plainly.
"Faith, don't worry about it. I'll be okay, I've had worse before...remember?" Buffy said just loud enough for Faith to hear her. "Besides, did you really expect the Elves to keep their word any? I didn't. I just wondered how long they would wait till they killed the people in the fortress." Buffy said the last sentence loud enough this time for the Elves to hear her.
Elrond was shocked at the accusation from the blonde Bone Queen. "We did not kill anyone. We spared their lives and would have done so even if we had not sworn we would do so to you."
Buffy snorted, "Yeah, right. Your 'oh so valuable' word, which is why an assassin almost killed me and Faith. Uh huh. Remind me to care."
Galadriel hid her frustration as she saw the effects of what Sauron had done to them and then after they escaped for help, only to be driven back by the very people they wanted help from. She could see this was going to take a very long time to counteract.
For but the second time today Elrond found himself surprised by the reactions of the Bone Queens. "Guards, bring Silva forward so that he may hear judgment on his actions. "Silva, you attacked two unarmed prisoners and attempted to murder one or both by poison. They were under my protection here and you broke that, you broke my word for their safety. I cannot let that pass, but neither can I kill you. Instead I sentence you to exile, never will you be allowed to set foot in Imladris, Lorien or Greenwood. And when the time comes for you to choose to pass over to the Grey Havens, even that shall be denied you for you are an Oathbreaker and a would-be Murderer and never shall your kind be allowed to pass over. Forever shall you wander Middle-Earth and find the doors of hospitality barred to you. You have until sunset to be gone, for at sunrise if you are found in the lands of Imladris you shall be slain. This is my word." Elrond watched as the guards led Silva out of the Hall and then over to Buffy only to see an expression so neutral and blank you knew something was going on, at least until he saw her hands clenched into fists by her sides, which were the only sign of any agitation.
"Now, as to you two, Ice Flame and Dragon's Rage, the so-called Bone Queens and Sauron's consorts. Your fates have been decided, you will be our prisoners for the remainder of your lives and you are never to see one another. You will never be allowed to contact the other, you will live out your lives in solitude and loneliness, forever reminded of what you have done in the name of your master, Sauron."
Buffy never said a word, she knew the sentence would be harsh, but even knowing it didn't lessen the pain at never seeing Faith again. Buffy just turned enough to look at Faith who was only a few steps away from her before speaking the one language no one here would ever understand. "I'll love you always." Just as Buffy finished speaking she felt a hard buffet to her head as she was pulled backwards by the chains that held her and quickly returned to her dank cell. Once the door was closed Buffy waited patiently, once she was certain that no one would be coming to disturb her, she let the tears fall from her eyes and cried silently, refusing to give her captors a hint of how much she hurt inside...
Continued in Chapter Two
Glossary of Elvish words and People
Buffy Anne Summers - resident of Earth and Vampire Slayer.
Heleg Naur - Means "Ice Flame" in Sindarin Elvish and the name Buffy was known by the Elves and Men during the Second Age.
Akûl Ghaash – "Ice Flame" in the Black Speech of Mordor and the name Buffy was known by the Orcs of Mordor.
Faith Lehane - resident of Earth and fellow Chosen One of Buffy Summers and Vampire Slayer.
Amlug Ruth - Means "Dragon's Rage" in Sindarin Elvish and the name Faith was known by the Elves and Men during the Second Age.
Kulkotar Thraang – "Dragon's Rage" in the Black Speech of Mordor and the name Faith was known as by the Orcs of Mordor.
S.A. – Second Age
T.A. – Third Age