Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling, Joss Whedon, and JRR Tolkien
A/N: Not a lot happens, but it might make a tad more sense than the last...
"Team Alpha – Assault"
Chapter Twenty-five
The residence that the Senior Partners had built for themselves was a truly sybaritic palace, and the dinner that the staff produced stood out in the memories of them all for a very long time. It was in the sated lull after dessert that Illyria arose and addressed her guests.
"I was a Hell God," she declared simply. "I spent the eons before my entombment in the well in conquest and destruction. I knew nothing beyond the desire to extend my dominion." She swallowed audibly. "And now, now since my return – I have known friendship, and the fellowship of those united towards a common goal, and although I knew not of its existence before, I believe that I have known – love…"
She fell silent.
Her countenance blurred, and Fred addressed the company.
"Please excuse her, she is new to these feelings," Fred explained. "For her, it was beyond comprehension that anyone would risk what you all did to free her. She is still trying to come to terms with it. Me? I knew all along that Angel would come for me. It's what he does; he drags Fred back from hellish dimensions." She smiled as tears spilled down her cheeks. Angel busied himself in swabbing his face with a napkin.
"And all of you, you came because he asked, you risked all for someone you didn't know, someone you knew could destroy you all with a thought, because you hoped for good. That even surprised me a little, except for Spike. Spike's my boy, and I knew he'd come too," Fred grinned at him, and Spike raised his glass to her.
"We, Illryia and I, want to heal this land, to make it a fit place to stand among the others of Middle-earth. And we are going to need a lot of help to do it. We need people to guide us, to help me keep Illyria growing as a being, we need engineers, and gardeners." The elves perked up a bit at that.
"Illyria cannot turn these wastes into Eden by her power alone, she does not know how. And we have decided that in any case it is best to do this with the help of any who care to join us. This will be the work of more than one lifetime, except for us, I guess," she grinned again, "and maybe Spike and Angel. We pledge to work with all of you to use the resources available to us to aid other dimensions as well, to work to heal the great harm caused by the empire of Wolfram and Hart, to use this knowledge and this wealth, and our power combined with yours to make a difference." Fred paused, and Illyria reappeared.
"Because," she said, struggling with unaccustomed tears, "how often does one get the chance to make a real difference in the worlds?"
"We know that it will take months, just to begin," admitted Illyria, "but right now, if there is anything that any of you present might wish for, you have no need to ask. Only let us know what we may do for you and if it is possible, we shall do so with joy."
There was a protracted silence, finally broken by Hermione.
"For me," she said, "the chance to work towards the goals you have stated is more than enough. I am still a bit dizzy thinking of all that we may do together, and I have only scratched the surface of the information available here. The work will be its own reward." There were nods from around the table, but Spike got to his feet and cleared his throat.
"What about the orcs, then?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" asked Illyria.
"Well, they've got the short end of the stick, haven't they? Spring up from the land whenever a new administration comes in, have to do whatever evil stuff they're told, whether they want to or not… They aren't all really a bad sort; just simple workin' class blokes who spend their whole lives under the heel of their masters. What about them? They deserve some sort of life; they can't help it if they're ugly. Besides, they appreciate good music." Spike resumed his seat. The elves looked at him like he had grown several extra heads. He caught the look, and stood back up.
"Oh, don't look at me like that, I know all about ancient hatreds. Get over it! These blokes here now never did anything to you. Me and Angel and the rest of Alpha got pincushioned by some of them, and we're ready to let bygones be bygones." Luna smiled at him. "Of course, most of those guys got cremated, but you get what I mean, it's a bloody new day. Those don't come 'round often. And I'll tell you something else, if you want to keep on growing those special herbs of yours you'd best do it here, 'cause where I come from they'll lock your happy ass up for growin' that." He resumed his seat. The elves conferred among themselves.
Lofar stood, and bowed to Illyria. "Mistress Illyria, I and my fellows wish to offer you our services in bringing new life to your land," he said formally. The blue face smiled, and it was a wonderful smile, being brand-new.
"We welcome you with joy, and please call us either Illyria or Fred, depending on hair color. This place is as much yours as ours. A pale substitute for where you come from, but with your aid this land shall bloom," she smiled again. "The burden and responsibility of this place is ours, but Fred assures me that things will go better if we are all friends, and treat each other with mutual respect. And that includes your friends the orcs, Spike. They shall be citizens, not subjects. All who dwell here will share in both the labor and the reward." Spike nodded gravely.
"There is simply too much to do here to make much more than a pledge of open friendship this night. But there is something that I must do for myself. Angel, Spike, please come to me." They rose, and walked to stand beside her. Illyria laid her hands on their chests, and said something in a language that even Giles did not know. Her hands pulsed brightly.
"What was that, then?" asked Spike.
"I have given you back the sun," she answered. "But you still have to watch out for axes and splinters," she told them.
"We can go out in the light now?" asked Angel, stunned.
"Be sure and use sunscreen though," Fred advised, "you're both a little pale."
"Hang on a minute," said Spike, "when we go out in the sunlight, are we gonna sparkle?"
Illyria stared at him for a moment before answering. "No, that would be stupid."
"Damn straight it would be," Spike agreed.
"Does anyone else wish to speak to the group?" Illyria asked.
Giles rose, back in his human form. "I only wish to say that I look forward to working with all of you here, and to express my gratitude that I have lived to see something so marvelous begin. Also to render thanks for the wonderful things that have already come to pass." He looked at his wife and the striking redhead seated next to her at the table.
"Spike!" cried Buffy as she jumped to her feet, "Music! Loud! Now!"
Luna was the last of the party to leave Lothlorien. Galadriel and the elves, along with Alpha and Hermione, had returned and laid the fallen Galadrim to rest at the foot of Cerin Amroth. There they would forever guard the Princess Arwen. Galadriel cut a lock of her hair and laid a strand on each mound, and then turned to her partners.
"Take me home, please," she said. Thus for the final time did the Lady Galadriel depart from Middle–earth. Faith and Hermione would journey often to Mordor in the future, but never again would the Lady of the Wood. She would live forwards, and remain Fleur.
Luna walked to the circle of trees guarding the hollow, and laid her hands on the bark. Silver light rippled outward, until a circle of brilliant light leaped into the sky. The trees were turned to stone, their entangled branches forming a solid dome to cover the place. The Anduin and the Silverlode resumed their singing, and as Luna's eyes shifted to their familiar clear blue, a howl rang faintly through the stone.