Onlimain: Thanx for reviewing! Yeah you're right, Buffy shouldn't dismiss Connor's feelings as she'll discover later on in the story. There isn't any Aragorn/Buffy interaction in this chapter but I promise some in the next!
Gaul1 and somethingblue: Thanx for reviewing glad you're both liking the story so far.
JuliansGirl: Aww bless you! Thank you so much! This chapter's for you!

Aragorn stood at the Citadel; nervously tugging at his very uncomfortable formal tunic until Legolas looking pristine as usual leant over to still his movements.

'Relax mellon, there is nothing to fear.'

'Easy for you to say elf, you're aren't the new King of a once broken city from one of the most traitorous lineages in Middle Earth,' said Gimli with a comforting pat for the King.

'Why thank you dwarf, I'm sure he feels much better now!' Hissed Legolas in response. Gandalf chuckled from Aragorn's right but quickly became pensive.

'I really do hope the hobbits have brought some of their special pipe weed, I'm almost out of my supply.' Aragorn kept his eyes trained forward trying not to strangle any of his so-called friends, inwardly despairing of his situation; he was to have a great number of important visitors in Minas Tirith including Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadrial for the first time since he became King; an entire host of elves including Ellohir and Elladan which could not lead to anything but trouble, especially as they had a fondness for pranking the Marchwarden Haldir, who was also on his way; five hungry hobbits who would probably eat the entire city's food supply in under two days; Arwen for the first time since they had broken their troth along with his adoptive father and that alone was enough to send him running. On top of all that, he now had acquired a group of seven futuristic warriors, one whom he was sure he was becoming infatuated with, who were intent on turning his steward's wife into some sort of demon slayer! And all Gandalf could think of was his pipe weed! Curse the old wizard to Mordor!

'Aragorn, Prince Imaril and my cousin his daughter Princess Lotherial approach with a party from Dol Amorth, they will be here in under an hour,' informed Faramir and he groaned aloud. He'd completely forgotten about the sea Prince and his hot-tempered but beautiful daughter. They would certainly add to the violent fireworks that were bound to occur when everyone clashed together at the banquet that eve.

He had no time to reply to Faramir for the trumpets blared and the gathered crowds began to cheer loudly in excitement and throw wildflowers in the path of the visitors. Lady Galadrial and Lord Celeborn were at the head of the party, both ethereal in pure white, shining brightly with an inner mystical light. Galadrial had a small smile upon her graceful face as she waved gently to the crowds, her golden hair shimmering in the sunlight. Gimli gave a sigh of adoration, which actually managed to get Aragorn to grin briefly. The Gondorians were whispering amongst themselves at the beauty and wisdom radiating from the legendary Elven Witch and her consort. Following the couple were the Lotherian guards led by Haldir and his brothers, all three glorious in golden armour, accompanying a party of noble Lotherian elves and their servants all riding majestic horses as Eomer stated. Haldir, superior looking as usual, glanced around meeting the stares of the humans with a bored kind of distain. The twin sons of Elrond were next wearing identical expressions of mirth and carrying banners of Imaldis. They rode alongside the hobbits Bilbo Baggins, his advancing years finally catching up on him, Frodo Baggins the Ringbearer, Samwise Gangee the Brave, Pippin Took and Merry Brandybuck, the last tow singing a folk song at the top of their lungs. Sam was patting his pony Bill affectionately whilst sending Merry and Pippin disapproving glances every now and again. Another party of elves, this time from Rivendell, were next headed by Lord Elrond and to his predictable terror, Arwen. By the Valor she was indeed the Evenstar of her people. The crowds seemed to hush at her profound beauty. She wore a gown of silken blue material contrasting against her luminous skin as she rode sidesaddle. Aragorn almost chuckled; how she would have complained at Elrond about riding in such a restrictive manner. Her dark hair hung in waves down her delicate shoulders and her dark eyes were inquisitive as she surveyed her surroundings. If he had not been too busy focusing on reigning in his nerves at seeing his first love again, Aragorn would have noticed the appraising looks she was receiving from other males, including the blonde elf standing next to him. A sharp nudge from Gandalf brought him back down to Arda with a heavy thud and he addressed his guests.

'My esteemed guests and friends, I welcome you all once again to Gondor! In this time of peace that we have all striven so hard to achieve friendship and understanding between the races represented here today is more valuable to me than the finest mithrel, and forever know that you have a friend in the King of the White City of Men!' The crowds erupted like the fires of Mount Doom, in a much more pleasant sense, and Aragorn saw Arwen smiling at him in a fond manner, setting his heart at ease. Galadrial and Celeborn dismounted, and the others followed as they came to pay their respects to their host.

'Thank you for your hospitality Your Grace,' said Celeborn. Aragorn winced.

'Please no titles, for it is willingly given.'

'You are in need of our council?' Asked Galadrial with a slight frown of confusion, and Aragorn remembered her gift of foresight.

'Yes, my Lady.' Gandalf intervened. 'We have some rather unexpected guests, you will be introduced to them at the banquet tonight.'

'Thank you Mithrandir,' replied Galadrial before she was accosted by an amorous Gimli. Next to greet for Aragorn was Haldir.

'Mae Govanan Marchwarden.' Haldir inclined his head regally.

'I see you have done well for yourself Ranger since we last met,' he then moved on to greet Legolas in an equally imposing manner.

'Brother!' Aragorn turned with a mischievous grin to meet his foster brothers the twin sons of Elrond. Forgetting protocol they grabbed him in a manly embrace.

'It is good to see you so clean shaven for once Aragorn,' said Ellohir.

'I hope you have a multitude of food, the hobbits are getting hungry,' remarked Elladan.

'How are the festivities coming along for tonight?' Ellohir asked, always anxious for an excuse to get drunk. Aragorn looked at them both with an unreadable expression.

'You'll certainly be in for a surprise.'

'Estel, you should know by now that it is impossible to surprise my brothers, they are always one step ahead,' said the light, melodious voice of Arwen as she stood before him proudly with a breathtaking smile.

'Arwen,' he murmured before taking her hand and kissing it. She was still smiling when he released her, her eyes warm and tender.

'How are you?'

'I'm well,' he answered quietly surprised when she suddenly frowned.

'No you are not Aragorn do not try and lie to me, I will discover what is wrong eventually. It's something to do with the people from the other world isn't it?' He was speechless.

'I have acquired my grandmother's gift of foresight,' she said with a cheeky grin in response to his unasked question. Arwen then turned to Legolas to greet him as Aragorn turned back to the hobbits all clambering to shake his hands.

'Legolas,' she said in a slightly breathless voice as she met his aqua blue gaze. The elf tilted his head to the side and granted her with a dazzling smile before taking her hand to kiss it much like Aragorn had just done. His lips felt soft to the touch and there was no trace of stubble grazing her skin as Aragorn's goatee had.

'Arwen, I am glad to see you looking so well. That dress is quite becoming on you.' To her horror Arwen felt her cheeks colour ever so slightly.

'Always the charmer Legolas,' she replied lightly. She would have liked to say more to her old friend but she was made to move along the line and greet Gimli and then Eomer. She would speak more with him at the banquet she decided.


'There is no way in hell I'm going to do it!'

'Faith come on, we're in a alternate dimension we have to respect the customs!'

'Hey respect away B, but I am not going to wear a dress and curtsey infront of some old royals like a performing monkey!'

'The dresses are really pretty thought Faith, and this red one would really suit you!'

'Not going to happen mini-B.' Dawn began sulking at being called 'mini-B' and went back to rummaging through the wardrobe; looking and touching all of the new expertly designed dresses that they had been provided with. Buffy was in the process of trying to get Faith to wear one and as they had been told they would need to enter in partners with the men and curtsey before the guests she was trying to get her to agree to do that too. It wasn't looking good.

'Please Faith don't make this harder than it has to be,' moaned Buffy in despair. 'I'm actually asking you nicely here, I could throw you out the window you know!' The brunette, affronted, got to her feet.

'You wanna give it a try B?'

'Stop,' ordered Willow forcefully. 'This is getting ridiculous.' She had her resolve face on and even Faith knew better to argue with the Wicca when she was like this. 'We are all going to wear the dresses and do the fancy curtsey thing, training Eowyn is the issue here and if this is what we have to do or sacrifice to do so, we're going to do it!'

'Go Willow,' squealed Dawn and Willow's face relaxed into a wide smile.

'Darn tootin.' ' Buffy looked imploringly at Faith who sighed in annoyance.

'All right fine,' she flopped down onto the chair again. 'Sure it will give that pony-boy Eomer lots of nice things to say about me.'

'Since when do you even care?' Asked Buffy. Faith was silent and the blonde rolled her eyes. 'Now we need to decide who's going with who, there are an odd number of girls and guys.'

'Oh Gandalf already said I'd enter with him,' offered Willow much to the surprise of the group. 'Something about shared magically energy.' Buffy nodded.

'Right well Wil's sorted. So, um Faith you can go with Spike, he didn't seem to like the idea of bowing either, you can both scowl together,' Faith opened her mouth to protest but Buffy ignored her. 'And that leaves me and Angel and Dawn and Con…oh not good.' Dawn glared darkly at her sister.

'I'm not going with him.'

'No I don't think you should Dawnie it's just…oh.' Buffy was at a loss.

'We could swap,' offered Faith. 'Although might look a bit weird having me and the kid together.' Buffy sighed.

'Faith's right as much as I hate to admit it. Dawn you'll just have to put up with him for the introductions, then you can ditch him.

'But Buffy!'

'No buts, it's not as if I like it any more than you do.' Faith looked at her in puzzlement.

'What have you got against mini-Angel B?' It was Buffy's turn to scowl.

'The fact that he's mini-Angel.'


'I'm not going with her!'

'Connor be reasonable.'

'Reasonable my ass!'

'Hey, language young man!' Connor flung his hands up in the air in sheer frustration.

'Will you stop with the stereotypical parenting crap Angel, you're shit at it!' Angel looked mildly hurt.

'I thought I was doing quite well.

'That's not the point,' Connor replied. 'You saw what Dawn did to me at breakfast, she's a psycho. I'm not going to be her partner.'

'Look junior,' drawled an irritated Spike. 'Slayer's already told us the partners, nothing's changing, and besides you've got the mystical ball of energy, I've got the hot psychotic.' Angel rolled his eyes at the pest that was Spike.

'This whole thing sucks,' whined Connor. 'When do we get to kill things?' Spike clapped him on the shoulder.

'You'll just have to settle for the next best thing tonight.' Connor was curious.

'What's that?'

'Get completely wasted and try and get one of the maids to shag you.'

'Spike!'

'Ow Angel let go! Ow you're just bloody lucky I don't breath you poof!'

'Captain Peroxide!'

'Ensouled one!'

'You've got a soul too!'

'Yeah but I'm not a pansy and at least I can get laid! OWWWWW!'