3. Imladris awaits.

The journey to Imladris should have been fraught with danger. The orcs loved to attack small parties, killing the people and ransacking their belongings. Buffy, Arwen, and their small party had seen not one Orc. It was odd. Arwen looked around trying to find a reason and then snorted to herself. Her aunt looked like a one-woman army. There was also the neat trick where Buffy could radiate danger.

Arwen was glad for Buffy coming with her. She would need all the help she could get with people giving her intended a hard time. Her contemplation caused Buffy to ask,

"What is wrong?

Arwen smiled, "Nothing is wrong per say. I have heard Aragorn intends to winter in Imladris."

Buffy wanted to laugh as her niece was not subtle. Still, Buffy could be the cool aunt but Arwen would have to ask for what she wants. "What is it you're asking me?"

Arwen sighed because where did she begin? She had stayed true to her heart and announced her intended. Since then, poor Aragorn any time he spent time in Imladris was given a hard time by Elrond, the Twins, and anyone else they could convince. She said, "Please help Aragorn and me against the Twins and your Herven."

Buffy had a wistful sigh as she gave her niece a lifeline. "I have always been a sucker for true love."

Arwen frowned, "I speak several languages but I do not understand what you just said."

Buffy laughed at that because it was ironic, "You wouldn't. It is Californian from the other Earth. If you think this is bad wait until Methos... I mean Adam and I start talking in our native language."

Arwen showing her famed wise nature chose to stay silent. Buffy chose to make idle chit-chat as a way to distract her from her upcoming reunion with Methos. She had worked through her anger thanks to chats with Galadriel and Celeborn. Well, that combined with daily workouts with the Lothlorien Watch helped.

The Twins, Elladan and Elrohir, were in the dining Hall for breakfast. They were watching a fascinating thing that they couldn't explain. Their new uncle was pacing and looking worried. This was the root of the problem. Since arriving, there wasn't an Elf around who could beat him with a sword. They couldn't beat him with arrows as he more often than not chopped the arrow in two.

Glorfindel chose to join them. "Why is Adam pacing?"

Glorfindel felt less trepidation the time he faced the Balrog and died. He'd never seen a man in such a state. Well, not one as deadly as Adam.

Elladan smirked, "Aunt Eliza is coming to stay with us."

Glorfindel hadn't been caught up on the gossip. So he didn't understand. Elrohir took pity, "Eliza is Adam's wife."

"So?"

Elladan snorted, "So Aunt is better with a sword and she threatened to behead him the last time they were together."

Glorfindel understood, "Got it. Avoid marital disputes."

Adam's withering gaze levelled upon them all, "You laugh now but she will lead the training whilst she is here."

Elladan was the braver of the two, "I will be glad for the challenge. Plus, I adore the way she goes orc hunting for fun."

All would understand why the Twins would enjoy that after what happened to their mother.

Times were changing. The darkness spreading over the land would force the issue soon enough. Buffy knew she would be involved in the fight against Sauron even if it would worry her mother and father. It was her way. She knew the fight but better yet, she knew how to win.

Buffy walked through the gates of Imladris to see Elrond, the Lord of Imladris. Elrond was her sister's husband. Celebrian may have sailed to the West but her husband remained behind to raise the children. "Elrond. Well met brother."

The greetings were exchanged and before she even knew it. She was standing in front of Adam. The man was still so handsome, it was irritating. She could do this she was polite, "Hello Herven."

Adam froze unwilling to believe it would be that easy. He knew his wife and this was too easy. He was waiting for the sword to fall so to speak. Still, he was a gentleman and remembered his manners. He raised Buffy's hand to kiss it, "Buffy."

He smirked seeing the slow seductive smile transform Buffy's face. She leaned closer, "I need some rest before the feast. We can catch up tomorrow on the training field.

Her piece said, Buffy grabbed Arwen's hand and waltzed off.

Adam was left laughing because there was the wife he knew. He felt relief, they did some of their best communicating with a sword.

Elrond was looking at him, questioning if he needed a healer.

Adam grinned, "She didn't take my head."

Elrond raised an eyebrow, "It would be poor behaviour for the princess of Lothlorien."

Adam chuckled, "Brother, that has never stopped her before."

Elrond patted his shoulder. "Then I suggest you make peace."

Adam rolled his eyes. I was his greatest desire to make peace with Buffy. It was just easier said than done.

Buffy and Arwen had adjacent rooms. Buffy had done as her station befitted and changed into a silk dress. Buffy looked every inch the elven princess down to the ears. If only her height had increased with the adoption, she would be ecstatic.

"Are you ready to go to the feast?"

Buffy whirled around to see Arwen ready already. "How do I look?"

Arwen smirked, "Are you trying to kill Adam?"

Buffy didn't get it. "Huh?"

Arwen gave her aunt a look as if to say, really? Still, Arwen wouldn't let the matter drop, "You are, as they say, dressed to impress."

Buffy shrugged it off, which is a lot harder in a heavy dress. "Mere coincidence. I don't want mom to send me a disappointed letter."

Arwen could understand that her Nana's letters were a legendary thing. "I think there is more to it but I shan't ask anything else."

Buffy pouted, "Yes, how is Estel?"

Arwen rolled her eyes but turnabout is fair play. "Aragorn is in Bree leading the Rangers."

Buffy frowned, "Mission or regular patrols?"

Arwen knew her aunt was a warrior before anything else. "Mission for Gandalf the Grey."

So that meant the Council was curious about something. "Well, let us worry about it tomorrow. Let's go celebrate."

As one might expect, the two women turned heads when they entered the hall. Elrond introduced Buffy and Arwen to some of their guests.

The mead had been flowing but Buffy vowed to keep an eye on Boromir. She couldn't watch from afar as Elrond introduced her as the princess of Lothlorien.

Methos had wanted to talk with Buffy all evening. She may have sensed it or was behaving. She seemed to dance with everyone and he had to watch. He would have to talk tomorrow.

Well, the Ringwraith may interfere with that plan.