14. Actions

"Some actions have an end but no beginning; some begin but do not end. It all depends upon where the observer is standing."
-Leto Atreties II-Children of Dune- Frank Herbert

Mirkwood April 23/26 Tuile 2975 III Age

Buffy rode like the hounds of hell were on her heels. Aragorn was in trouble and she had to save him. He had to become king and to do that he had to be alive. Her duty was to point him in the right direction she knew but if he was dead then she couldn't even point.

She wasn't overly fond of him but that was as much her fault as his. She'd screwed up before in Minas Tirith and now she'd be damned if she screwed up again.

What she didn't know was why he'd been stupid enough to go so close to Dol Guldur. It was as if the idiot man had a death wish.

"Every Slayer... has a death wish"

Spike's words rang in her ears; reminding her that even though she could now live forever if she wanted she still had a death wish as well. Because unlike before when he had said those words to her she knew what waited. But she couldn't die right now. If she didn't save the world she didn't get her gift in the arms of death. And she still had too much to hold her here. Her family was much bigger now than it had been before. And her friends, they had become just as important.

No, she wouldn't die if she could figure a way out and she wouldn't let that idiot of a man she'd been sent here to help die either. If she didn't get to escape her destiny then neither did he.

So she rode fast and hard in the rain as the last vestiges of daylight above the clouds began to fade.

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Aragorn was not fond of his current situation at all at the moment. Traveling east and then north to see his long time friend Legolas before continuing on to Imladris; he had not expected to have such poor luck.

He had had to stray from his course to avoid several patrols of orcs and now found himself far closer than he cared to be to Dol Guldur. Especially alone.

And now here he was fighting over a dozen orcs. If luck was on his side he would survive. And then he heard it piercing shriek.

Luck was not on his side tonight.

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Buffy was fast approaching the outcropping the rocks in her dream when she heard the soul chilling cry that heralded all Nazgul. Urging her horse Beriadan on faster she saw the form of the Black Rider making its way to where she knew Aragorn would be.

Pushing Beriadan on even harder she began to gain on it.

Her course of action wasn't one of her smarter plans she knew but at this point she didn't have much choice.

Readying herself as she got close enough she took a dive from her horse's back at the Nazgul; throwing it from its horse. Rolling with the fall she came back up to her feet almost instantly; sword in one hand and long knife in the other.

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Aragorn had taken care of most of the orcs that were attempting to kill him when he saw it. The Black Rider was approaching quickly but the rider behind it was gaining. Aragorn watched in awe as the form on the second horse launched itself at the Rider; knocking it from its black horse.

His attention however was drawn from the sight as the last two remaining orcs attacked him again.

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Buffy was ready and she was not going to lose. The blacked robed figure attacked with its sword and she blocked it. Over and over it tried until she managed to duck and roll away far enough away from it to notice that Aragorn was just finishing off the last of his opponents. She knew she couldn't beat the thing but she could get Aragorn out before it killed him too.

"Get my horse!" she shouted as the Nazgul lunged at her again.

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"Get my horse!" the words were shouted in a female voice. Aragorn turned in time to see the Nazgul lunge at her. She blocked the blow and Aragorn realized that he had to help her. Obeying her words he ran for her large brown stallion and mounted it.

He urged it across the distance at a full gallop. As he watched she drove her smaller blade into the side of the Nazgul. It shrieked and fell back; giving him just enough room to ride past. He extended his arm and she caught it; flinging herself onto the animal behind him.

They rode hard into the distance. Aragorn listening for the sounds of being followed even as he felt her sheath her blade behind him. Neither spoke but rode. Their intent to get away far outweighing Aragorn's need to know who he had behind him. It was a woman and she had fought a Nazgul to save him. For that she deserved his gratitude.

After nearly an hour of hard riding they stopped. She swung herself off the horse easily and Aragorn followed suit. As she reached up to take the reins he saw her face and froze.

It was Cristiel and she did not appear to have aged a moment in six years.

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Buffy reached for the reins and felt Aragorn stiffen. She knew this was going to be a long long night. Looking up at him she gave him a half smile.

"Miss me?"

He just stared at her his face a contrast of astonishment and distrust. Buffy let out a sigh and decided to get it over with. He was going to have to know one way or another and this time she couldn't avoid it even if he did piss her off.

"Avo 'osto. I am not here to hurt you Estel."

His gaze hardened as she spoke his name. "Who or what are you?" he asked; steel in his voice.

Buffy gave another sigh before she replied. "That is a complicated question but if we can set up camp and get comfortable I'm willing to answer you."

He considered it for a moment and when he nodded and went off into the trees further for what she assumed to be firewood she let out a whoosh of breath she didn't even realize she was holding. At least he was giving her a chance to explain this time without physically attacking her.

She pulled the rest of her gear from the back of her saddle and began to set up camp. By the time he returned she had everything ready. Within minutes there was a fire going and they sat across from each other staring.

"Again I ask who and what are you?" he asked

Buffy hated this part. Giles was always so much better at the whole 'chosen' bit. But she had to explain and she had to explain now.

"I'm Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

He just stared at her. She realized that what she had said wasn't registering with him and decided to try another track.

"Ok fine. Going to try this another way. You get the whole story. Don't interrupt me and at the end you can ask me anything you want. Alright?"

He nodded at her and she took a deep breath. "I am not from Arda. I was born on another world. When I was 15 I was chosen for a special destiny. I was chosen to be a warrior for good. To stop the evil in my world. I fought it for a long time but eventually accepted it. After 7 years of battles and losing people I loved I came up against something I couldn't beat. So the Powers that Be which is like the Valar here offered me a deal. They tell me how to win and call in more warriors for good and I get to come here and finally live my life without having to hide from a world that didn't know the battle was going on. I took the deal and came here. I came here almost 29 years ago. The Lady of the Golden Wood took me in and taught m about this world for 5 years. After that I went went with Arwen to Rivendell to meet Lord Elrond. I stayed there for over 15 years. Eventually I made my way to Minas Tirith and met you by accident. I met Legolas about 5 years ago and came to Mirkwood to help with their orc problem. Now any questions." Buffy knew that she had left quite a bit out but Aragorn didn't need to know about her involvement in his future or the fact that she was here to stop the end of the world.

"What is a slayer?"

Buffy sighed and began the litany."Into each generation a Slayer is born. One girl in all the world, a Chosen One. One born with the strength and skill to fight the vampires, to stop the spread of their evil and numbers. She is the Chosen One. But its more than just vampires that I've fought. Daemons, monsters, ghosts and now orcs. Is that enough of an explanation?"

"Yes. And why have you not aged in all this time.?"

"Well here's the fun thing. I've been given a choice. Like Arwen and the gwenyn I get to chose wether to stay immortal like the elves or mortal like you. Not entirely sure why but I'm not complaining. Most slayers end up dead before we hit 18 much less 53."

He seemed to consider this for a moment and then asked another question. "Why did you not tell me this before?"

She couldn't help it she snorted. "Well lets see. First you were rude to me then you went hunting for information on me instead of just bothering to ask me. Then you had the nerve to grab me at the tavern And then spend 6 months spying on me. And then finally threatening me. So yeah I'd say I had good reason to not tell you." as she spoke Aragorn's facial expression changed several times.

"So yeah I didn't tell you. Look I'd like us to try to be civil. I'm close to your brothers an..."

"You are more than close to them Dagnir, you are their kin." came Legolas' voice from the trees. Buffy silently cursed the elf. He had managed to sneak up on her! He was so not getting any more training out of her anymore. He'd already gotten better than the twins had nearly a quarter of the time.

"Ya know Lasseg I really didn't feel like broadcasting who my foster parents are." she replied as he made his way into the camp with his horse behind him. "And by the way what in Arda are you doing out here? You're supposed to be on patrol."

"As are you hiril nîn. And yet here you are with Aragorn after leaving in the middle of the night with out word. My adar will be most displeased." he said as he took a seat next to Aragorn. "It is good to see you mellon nîn."

Aragorn nodded his reply but continued to stare at her. "Displeased my butt. He's gonna have kittens." she muttered under breath.

"I heard that." came Legolas' calm reply. After five years he'd finally figured out how to understand her most of the time.

"What to you mean kin?" Aragorn interrupted

"My foster parents are the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien alright." came Buffy reply as she grabbed her the dry cloak from her pack and made for her bedroll and blanket."Now can I sleep please?" she asked looking at both of them.

"No I not yet. Why did you leave in the middle of the night without telling anyone."

"I had a slayer dream. Remember I told you about them. I knew Aragorn was in trouble and I didn't have much time. So I left in a hurry. Almost didn't make it either. Anything else you want to know ask him. I'm going to bed. Legolas you've got watch tonight. Its your turn. Night Legolas. Night Aragorn." And with that she pulled the blanket over her and promptly fell asleep. Leaving one slightly amused and exasperated elf and one very shell shocked future king of men sitting by the fire.

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