By David Mycock Portals and Dimensions 20
Walking the Path
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the vampire slayer or any other of the characters in this story they belong to Joss Whedon and whoever else created the characters used in this story. Any characters I created I own.
Pairing: Janna Kalderdash/Xander Harris (There will be other relationships in this story but this is the main one)
Summary: Two days after the end of the first story Xander and his friends arrive in L.A to meet up with Vlad Tepes Lawyers not knowing the adventure awaiting them and the changes it would bring within the group.
(Middle Earth)
Alexander was pleased with the quietness of this small area as it was making some of his training go more smoothly, they had been here for two days so far and had not been disturbed by anyone or anything since the battle. Lilith had suggested they continue his own training and had even begun training Tara in the ancient magic of the Romany people as it turned out because of the bond she shared with him she could access that magic as well, once that became clear Lilith had insisted Tara been instructed as well and the young witch had agreed.
The small break was also handy as he and Lilith were tired from the almost endless trouble they seemed to be getting into, both were still missing their friends and family and Tara herself was feeling some of his own loss through the bond.
"Alex, someone is coming down the river in a boat" Tara called startling him out of his routine
"Quick behind the tree's and get ready" Lilith commanded as they rushed to make it look like no one had been in the area for a while
They watched as the boat slowly came to rest next to the one the fellowship had left behind after departing, an old man got out and as soon as they noticed the white staff he pulled out of the boat they all realised who was standing before them
"There is no reason to hide, I know you are there" Gandalf the white called surprising all of them
Alexander slowly came out from behind his tree keeping his sword in his hand but making sure to hold it in a none threatening manor which seemed to amuse Gandalf, the others followed his example
"So you are the ones Elrond and Galadriel have foreseen to have somehow change the fellowship's fate" Gandalf said almost to himself
"We were just trying to help them, there was no need for Boromir to die when he could of great help in the coming war" Alexander defended their actions
"Indeed he may, still you do not belong here according to my friends so I ask why you got involved?" the wizard asked
"You're trying to save a world and the people in it, it's a worthy goal and one we are familiar with in are own struggle" Lilith was the one who answered
"I thought you would say that, I am not blind to who and what you are, the Valar have instructed me to give you a few items from this world for your trip before I meet up with the others which is why I am here" he told them
"Why would the Valar want to help us?" Tara inquired a little intimidated to be in the presence of the wizard
"I cannot say but I will follow their will" Gandalf answered with a smile as he led them over to the boat "If I had to give a reason I think it would be because you fight for the same cause as those who serve the Valar" he told them deciding to give them something of an answer
He reached into the boat and handed them each a sword and a danger which seemed to have been made of a metal they were not familiar were
"These have been forged by the elves for you, made from their supply of Mithril" Gandalf explained "They will not break or wear out for a very long time and so should serve you well on your journey" he added to their shock as they realised what they had been given "Also they wished to give you some armour but considering your origins instead in was decided to make you a ring of protection" he told them as he handed them a ring each and each noted the small elvish writing on them "Unlike the rings of power they are not connected to anything else and so cannot be corrupted, they should provide you with a greater shield against magical attacks" Gandalf again explained "Now I Must take my leave of you, I have to catch up to Aragorn and the others I wish you a safe journey farewell" the old wizard finally finished and began moving in the same direction as Aragorn had led the others in their chase of the Uruk's who had captured Merry and Pippin
"That was unexpected" Alexander finally said as they watched Gandalf vanish obviously using his own type of magic to make sure he was in position to meet his friends
"I agree, however these will help us especially if we continue to run into unexpected trouble" Lilith said with a shake of her head "I suggest we don't put the rings on until we leave this dimension, I do not think it would be wise to temp fate here" she added
Alexander and Tara both nodded their agreement especially in light of the fact that evil was everywhere here until Sauron was destroyed and he had a habit of corrupting magical items. They went back to their training after securing their new possessions
(Other Realm)
Cassandra was a little surprised by their alternate selves' gesture but appreciated it all the same; the swords and rings would indeed help if Alexander and the others encountered anymore trouble which she was sure they would.
"I wonder if our alternate selves did that on their own accord or if they were ordered too" she mused
"The Valar mostly follow their own code and so if I was to guess I would say they did that on their own to help Alexander after he showed he had a kind heart enough to help their own chosen warriors" her lord replied with a smile "However sadly they will not always land in dimensions where our alternate selves will be as nice or as helpful, so far they have been lucky not to encounter any of them" he cautioned them
"And when they do encounter them my lord?" she asked a little worried
"I do not know Cassandra, you know the rules forbid us in interfering in other realms" her lord answered with an annoyed look on his face "Hopefully if they become a threat we will be allowed to act until then they are on their own" he added before he turned and exited the room leaving Cassandra to look back on their viewing pool which showed Alexander was once again training
"Stay strong Alexander, and stay close to your friends" she whispered
(Middle Earth)
Alexander almost mistimed his movement when he heard Cassandra's voice, he had no contact with the strange woman who invaded his dreams since he and Lilith had been sucked into the portal and he had begun to wonder if been in another dimension had cut her connection to him whatever connection it was she had. He noticed Tara suddenly lock eyes on him and they held a question which meant she had heard the voice as well; he closed his eyes a moment and tried to answer inside his head, when he opened his eyes he noted Tara nod her head and go back to her own training.
(Other Realm)
Cassandra was surprised when she too realised Tara had heard her, which meant the bonding was more powerful than the she had first thought. She would have to be careful when she contacted Alexander again, or if that did not work she would have to place the same magical block on her that she had on Alexander that prevented them from talking about her. She would have to think on this and decide which path was best
(Middle Earth)
Xander sat close to the fire as night fell once again; they had finished training a few minutes ago. They were lucky they had brought some food from Tara's dimension in their packs but it would only last them another day or two so they were hoping the portal would open once again and take them to a new dimension soon.
"Lilith why did you make sure we didn't use our guns during the fight with the Uruk's?" Xander asked as this had been bugging him since the fight he had just put it aside during training
"This dimension has no guns Alexander and neither do any of the races who live on this world" Lilith answered "To have used our guns in that battle would of resulted in a major shift in the balance which keeps this world going, they are not ready for that kind of technology and there is no guarantee that the Valar intend to allow it to surface here and so keeping our weapons hidden seemed to be the best thing to do" she continued
"I never thought of that" Xander responded as he considered Lilith's words as it maybe the Valar never intended to allow the advance of that kind of technology in Middle Earth
"We must think of the consequences of our actions in the dimensions we encounter" Lilith warned them "We cannot afford to offend the powers that protect those dimensions no matter how right our actions seem" she added
"And what would happen if we did annoy those powers Lilith?" Xander inquired
"You do not want to know" Lilith answered with a grim look
Xander and Tara both shivered at the tone of voice their companion had used and the look she had on her face when she answered, they shared a look between and promised each other to keep an eye on what the other was doing and to speak up if they felt the other was endangering their lives with their actions
"You two had better get some sleep I'll take the first watch" Xander told his friends as he grabbed his sword and moved a little further away from the fire as the girls finished their supper and then tried to get some sleep
Xander leaned against one of the trees and wondered what Janna and the others were doing right now in their quest to find those responsible for their portal hopping, he had no idea that time had been stopped in his own dimension and so continued to believe they were would be rescued soon
(Dream Realm)
Cassandra slipped into Alexander's dream once he exchanged watch duty with Lilith, her lord had allowed the contact to put a few questions to rest. She found Alexander sitting against a tree in what looked like Sunnydale Park however he was not alone Tara was sitting next to him and she wondered if she was real or just a representation.
Both seemed to be unaware of her arrival so far and so she watched for a few minutes before moving forward
"Hello Alexander" she said announcing her presence
Both Alexander and Tara looked up at her one in surprise and the other in a more relieved way, it was clear to her Tara had no idea who she was just yet whilst Alexander seemed to have wanted to talk to her
"I was wondering if I would see you again after we went through the portal, it wasn't until you spoke into my mind that I got an answer but you spooked Tara" Xander said with a smile
"Remember Alexander I can only visit when my lord allows it, we have watched your journey as closely as possible" Cassandra answered "This was not expected but maybe it will do you some good in preparing you for your journey back home" she continued "We cannot interfere by sending you back home, that is up to Janna and the others I'm sorry Alexander" she finished
"And how are Janna and the others doing back home?" Xander asked desperate to know the answer
"They are well Alexander" Cassandra assured him with a smile "They are tracking the cult responsible even as we speak, once they catch them they should be able to reverse the portal and bring you home" she added hoping he wouldn't ask another question about home as she was not allowed to tell him about time been frozen until he, Tara and Lilith were ready to return
"At least they're okay" Xander said with a relieved look missing the flinch from Cassandra "Oh by the way I'd like you to meet Tara, somehow we ended up bonded and that bond seems to have the power to allow us to share dreams" he added indicating Tara
"The powers of Tara's dimension were ordered to perform the bonding ritual on you" Cassandra informed them this been one of the things she had been ordered to answer "It was no accident" she added
"Who ordered the powers to do it?" Tara asked "And why did someone want it done in the first placed?" she asked again
"I cannot tell you who gave the order to perform the ritual I'm afraid" Cassandra replied "However the reason was so you Tara could aid Alexander on his quest and due to the bond that began to form between you when you met and the effect you had on even at his worst bout of anger it was decided that you may be the key to keeping Alexander from falling into darkness" she informed them
"What bond formed when we met?" Xander asked a little confused
"You and Tara began to grow a bond as soon as you met, we do not know why it even formed but it was decided it could be used and not just for you Alexander but to help Tara as well" Cassandra tried to answer
Tara and Xander looked at each both feeling confused by the answer and not quite understanding it; it was clear however they were to help each other
"What's this about me falling into darkness?" Xander asked as his mind suddenly fixed on another thing Cassandra had said
"You have two paths Alexander, in one you manage to achieve everything you set out to do and live a more comfortable life after it's finished" Cassandra answered hesitantly still not liking to admit it was possible Alexander might fail and worse become as evil as the things he fought
"And what's the second path?" Tara inquired
"Alexander succumbs to his own inner darkness and becomes a destroyer" Cassandra finally answered "It's a possibility I have tried to deny is an option that could happen to you but it is there, it is our hope that you Tara can help keep that evil inside and restrained due to your very nature" she continued
"I see" Xander slumped against the tree feeling uneasy with that answer "So you're saying that I have the possibility of becoming like Angelus and so some power decided to bond me with Tara who might be able to keep me on the right path" he stated
"I am sorry if this upsets you Alexander, but you needed to know" Cassandra told him feeling upset herself
"I will do everything I can to keep Alex on the right path but nothing is fixed, you know this and I might not be able to keep that darkness back if it becomes too strong and I might fall to if that darkness overwhelms him" Tara told Cassandra as calmly as she could "You have placed both our lives on the line" she added
Alexander looked to Cassandra even more upset as Tara spoke about a possibility of the bond causing her to fall to darkness if he himself succumbed to it, the realisation that he himself could cause her fall was more painful than the fact he could become a monster
"I am sorry Alexander but she is right we have placed a great burden on her shoulders but I have great faith in her ability to keep you on the right path Alexander, she is a pure spirit" Cassandra told them before turning and slipping out of the dream leaving Alexander and Tara to their own dream and thoughts
(Other Realm)
Cassandra reappeared next to her lord who looked at her with a concerned look; he could that had not been an easy conversation for her to have with her descendant and his new friend
"Will you be okay?" he asked as she looked down at the viewing pool where he showed the sleeping forms of Tara and Alexander whilst Lilith kept watch
"I think so my lord" Cassandra answered "It was just hard to tell him that one of his paths could lead him to be a true monster of the world, Tara's realisation that she could fall to the darkness in the event of Alexander's own fall just made it more difficult as he will focus more on that possibility than his own possible fall" she informed him
"We must hold true to the belief that Alexander and Tara will keep each other in check and once they return home Janna and Sarah can help in keeping the darker path from coming true" her lord told her as they watched the viewing pool
(Middle Earth)
Xander jerked awake as he felt what was becoming a familiar feeling to him; the portal was due to open. He noted that both Lilith and Tara had awoken as well and were trying to clear the sleep from their eyes.
"I guess we better get ready to move" Lilith said as she stood and began to gather their supplies
"What a shame I was enjoying the peace and quite of this place" Xander said with a sigh as he pulled his long leather duster on and felt the weight of the sword in it's scabbard which was attached to it's back
"I have shrunk our new Mithril swords into one of the backpacks as we have no way to carry them at the moment" Liltih told them as she handed out the backbacks which Xander and Tara took and prepared for another trip
"Where do you think we'll end up?" Tara inquired as she grabbed hold of Xander and Lilith's hands to make sure they did not get seperated in the portal
"There's no answer to that Tara, we could end up anywhere" Lilith answered with a smile
"Yeah I mean look where we ended up this time in a world that to us is nothing but a book and a movie" Xander reminded her
Suddenly the wind picked up and the portal reapeared causing all three to drop to the ground screaming as the pain returned from been engulfged by the magic's of the portal, it lasted for a few minutes before all three vanished leaving nothing but a burnt out fire as evidence of their been there
(New Dimension)
Xander hit the group hard as the portal vanished he managed to catch Tara as she took appeared, Lilith managed to keep her balance and landed on her feet
They looked around the car park where they had come out and they wondered where they had ended up
"Any clues as to where we are?" Tara asked as he tried to ignore the residual pain from the portal
"I think we may be in San Francisco, some of the buildings look familiar" Lilith stated
"I guess we better find out whilst we look for a hotel, I'm glad we still have some money for that kind of thing" Xander said with a laugh as they walked