Not mine, Buffy is Whedon's and everything else belongs to Tolkien.

Really big THANKS for the all the reviews. I do read them and they do make me want to write more : )

Into the Woods

The sun was so bright. It bathed the defeated Fellowship with warmth and Buffy squinted at its brilliance. She stood stunned. Gandalf was dead. He gave his life for theirs. Normally it was Buffy who risked her life for everyone else and it felt so strange to be on the other end. She hadn't known the wizard long but she felt his loss as profoundly as everyone else.

"Get them up Legolas," she heard Aragorn say.

"Give them a moment for pity's sake," Boromir retorted angrily.

"We haven't got a moment. By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs. We must make for Lothlorien." Aragorn stated.

Buffy blinked, "He's right. Gandalf died so we could continue on. It doesn't do any good to sit here and mope."

With heavy hearts and weary bodies the Fellowship traveled on to the Golden Wood.

* * *

Legolas walked steadily onward, saddened by the loss of Gandalf but excited by the prospect of going to Lothlorien. None of his kindred had been to the Golden Wood in years and Legolas was anxious for the opportunity to wander among the mellyrn trees of legend. He looked at his companions and saw their weariness. Aragorn had been keeping them at a fast pace since they left Moria. Frodo and Sam were beginning to lag behind and Legolas moved to Aragorn's side and advised that they stop and rest.

"I am sorry, Frodo!" Aragorn cried with concern. "So much has happened this day and we have such need of haste, that I have forgotten that you and Sam were hurt; and Buffy you're bleeding!"

Buffy looked down at her arm which was indeed bleeding. Funny, she hadn't even noticed.

"You should have said something." Aragorn admonished.

They soon came to a stream with fir trees all around. Buffy and the two hobbits sat and were tended by Aragorn. Sam's wound looked ugly but was not serious and Frodo sported a nasty bruise on his side. Buffy had an angry gash on her arm which continued to bleed lightly.

"We are in luck," Aragorn said while reaching into a leather pouch and pulling out some dried leaves. "I still have some athelas."

He stuck the leaves in his mouth and sucked them for a moment before pulling them out and moving to press them into Buffy's wound.

"What are you doing?" she jerked back and covered her gash with her hand.

"This will help the wound heal." Aragorn looked bewildered.

"You just put that in your mouth! You can't stick that in my wound it isn't sanitary."

"Sanitary?"

"Clean." Buffy looked at the others who all appeared confused. "Nevermind, just bind it up. It will heal by tomorrow."

Aragorn did as she bid though he did not understand why Buffy refused the medicine. He decided to lead the company on until they were within the woods of Lothlorien. Once inside they could find a place to rest for the night.

As darkness fell they came to hear a soft rustle of leaves that sounded like the most brilliant music to their ears. Before them stood tall trees, grey in winter but their leaves contained a small hint of gold. Buffy was in awe. Even though they had yet to step foot in the wood she could feel the tranquil power emanating from deep within.

"Lothlorien! Lothlorien!" Legolas cried. "We have come to the eaves of the Golden Wood. Alas that it is winter!"

"Glad I am to hear again the wind in the trees." said Aragorn. "We can go no further tonight. Here let us hope the virtue of the elves will keep us from the peril that comes behind."

He stepped forward into the woods and the Fellowship followed. Except for Boromir who remained rooted to his spot gazing at the trees with barely concealed fear. Buffy watched him closely. Something had been wrong with him for some time. She had seen the way his gaze traveled to Frodo's neck where the One Ring lay and she decided to keep an eye on him from now on.

"Is there no other way?" Boromir questioned.

"There is no other way for us unless you would go back to Moria-gate." Aragorn said

"Then lead on!" said Boromir with a grimace. "But it is perilous."

"Only for those with evil in their heart." said Aragorn.

Buffy swore she saw Boromir shudder.

* * *

After traveling for at least a mile into the Golden Wood they came to yet another stream. The water could be heard falling into a pool some distance away.

"Here is Nimrodel!" said Legolas. "Of this stream the Silvan Elves made many songs long ago. Follow me, the water is not deep. We can wade across and rest on the other side. It is said the water is healing to the weary."

Buffy felt the cool water run over her tired feet and she paused enjoying the sensation. Just a she stepped out of the stream she heard Aragorn call to her and she moved to his side.

"I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with your fighting skill." he said.

"Yes," Pippin joined in, "You were amazing."

"Thank you," Buffy said pleased to be acknowledged.

"We shall find a place to rest here for the night and take refuge in the tree-tops." Aragorn said.

"Sleep in a tree?" Pippin seemed doubtful.

"You could dig a hole in the ground but you must dig fast to avoid the orcs." Legolas said.

The elf led them off the main path in search of a good area to camp in. Buffy studied the trees around her as they walked. They were truly amazing. Tall and glorious even though it was winter. It also seemed familiar somehow though she was unsure why.

"They say a witch lives in these woods." Gimli muttered.

"Those tales have reached Gondor as well." replied Boromir.

"My best friend is a witch." Buffy offered. The others looked at her aghast.

"What?"

"Your world sounds very strange." Boromir said.

"Says the man on a quest to destroy a magical ring accompanied by an elf, a dwarf, and four hobbits." Buffy quipped.

Receiving blank looks in response she sighed. No one got her humor.

They continued on further into the woods in order to distance themselves from the main path. Buffy began to sense danger and looked to see if the others also felt it. They all walked on as if nothing were wrong. Maybe it was her imagination. Still the feeling would not go and in fact it was growing stronger. She paused and closed her eyes allowing her slayer sense full control.

She heard a gasp and spun in a blur of motion pinning someone against a nearby tree with her hand around his neck.

All around them were elves with long blond hair like Legolas. Their bows were drawn and aimed at the Fellowship.

Buffy looked at the one she had against the tree and knocked the bow out of his hand. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it isn't polite to point?"

He said something in a language she didn't understand but from the look in his eye and the tone of his voice she gathered it wasn't flattering. Both Aragorn and Legolas shouted in offense and would have moved towards her but they were surrounded by the other elves. A tall elf with a bearing of authority stepped forward. He said something in elvish and Buffy looked at Legolas.

"What did he say?" she asked.

"He asks that you let him go. He says they are not here to harm us." he answered.

She gripped the elf's neck tighter and he coughed. "And I should believe him because. . . ?

Legolas and the leader elf conversed for a moment.

"He says his name is Haldir and that he speaks for the Lady of the Wood. She has been expecting us and she sent this party to welcome us to Lothlorien."

"Some welcome," she muttered.

"Buffy you can let him go." Aragorn said.

"Not until they put down their weapons."

The message was relayed to Haldir who barked out a command. They dropped their bows and Buffy let her captive go. He rubbed his neck and glared at her before stalking over to where Haldir stood.

"The Lady is expecting you but it is late and you should not remain on the ground." said Haldir.

Oh, now he can speak English, thought Buffy.

"We have been keeping watch on the rivers," Haldir continued, "ever since we saw a great troop of Orcs going north toward Moria, along the skirts of the mountains, many days ago. The peril is not far behind. Tomorrow early you must go on. There are trees with some talans set in them just ahead, you may pass the night there safely."

"What is a talan?" Buffy asked Legolas as they followed the Lothlorien elves.

"A platform placed high in the branches of a tree. It can be used for observation or as we are doing a place to rest off the ground."

"Oh, you mean a tree house." Buffy said. Legolas looked baffled. "That's what we call talans in my world."

Haldir stopped beneath three massive trees with rope ladders leading up into their high thick branches.

"The talans are big enough for three adults though the hobbits may be able to fit four due to their small size." said Haldir.

"I would not leave them by themselves if trouble occurs," Aragorn said.

Legolas turned to Buffy with a wicked gleam in his eye. In a low voice so the others wouldn't hear he said, "Share a talan with me, Buffy?"

She felt her cheeks start to redden then realized he was teasing her. Two could play at that game. She placed one finger lightly on his chest and looked up into his eyes.

"Why Legolas, I thought you'd never ask." she murmured and then grinned as the elf's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She flattened her palm against his chest and pushed him away.

"Buffy!" called Aragorn with exasperation. He had been calling her name for some time.

"Yes?"

"You, Legolas, and Pippin will be in the tree to the left."

Buffy saw Legolas smirk as he moved past her towards the tree. He could be so annoying sometimes. As he crossed in front of her she slyly stuck out her foot and tripped him. He stumbled and she stepped around him and helped Pippin up the ladder.

As soon as she and Pippin reached the top the hobbit laid down and fell into an exhausted sleep. Buffy covered him with his cloak and set about making a spot for her to sleep. She had just rolled her cloak into a pillow when Legolas climbed into the talan.

He glared at her and said softly so as not to awaken Pippin, "That was not very friendly."

"You only got what you deserved," she moved over to make a room for him. Laying her head down she closed her eyes and said to the elf, "Sweet dreams."

Buffy lay quiet for some time trying to get some rest but her body refused to sleep. It was night and she was restless. Normally she would be out patrolling but that didn't seem like such a good idea here since there was an army of Orcs wandering about. She opened her eyes and sat up.

Legolas looked surprised. His back was against the tree and he was restringing his bow. "You should rest you are injured."

Buffy glanced at her bandaged arm. "It's nothing and I can't sleep."

"Why can you not rest? You should be exhausted."

"It's a slayer thing, See, vampires can only go out at night so I am usually awake at night fighting them."

"You do this every night?"

"Pretty much.," she eyed the elf. "So, how come you aren't sleeping?"

"Elves do not need sleep as Men do. When we rest we wander the halls of waking dreams but it is not the same as sleeping."

"Then how did you get inside my dreams?"

"That is as much a mystery to me as it is to you."

The intensity of his gaze was making Buffy uncomfortable in a way she didn't want to think about. She decided to change the subject. "So, who is this Lady of the Wood?"

"Her name is Galadriel and she is a very old and powerful elf."

"Like an old wise woman?"

He looked perplexed, "Legend says she is indeed wise. She is also rumored to be the most beautiful of elves."

"I thought you said she was old."

"She is indeed but elves do not age as Men do. We are immortal though we can be killed."

Buffy looked a little dubious, "It wouldn't happen to be by a sharp wooden stake through the heart?"

"No, any serious wound could kill us and we can also die of sadness."

"Oh. So how old are you?"

"Over two thousand years old. That is relatively young for an elf."

Buffy sat back in shock and murmured, "And I thought Angel was old."

"Angel?"

She blinked, she hadn't meant for him to hear her. "He's a vampire. He's over two hundred years old."

"He is? I thought you killed vampires?"

"Angel is different, he has a soul." she explained about the process of becoming a vampire and why Angel was a special case.

Legolas studied her for a moment and Buffy squirmed a little under his gaze.

"You loved him," he said drawing a startled gasp from the slayer.

She took a deep breath. "Yes, I did but we couldn't be together."

"Why?"

"It's a long story," she looked pointedly at the elf. "One reason is that he is immortal and I am not."

She yawned, "I think I am going to try and sleep."

Legolas looked at her, she was trying to avoid the topic. "I hope you rest well. What was it you said earlier?"

"Sweet dreams?"

"Yes," Legolas murmured. "Sweet dreams."

* * *

Buffy was back in the magical forest. White blossoms covered the golden trees and soft grass tickled her bare feet. The sun was warm on her face and arms. It was so peaceful here.

"Welcome Buffy daughter of Hank." a sweet musical voice said.

Buffy spun around to be confronted with a tall, beautiful woman. Her hair fell in golden waves past her waist. Garbed all in white she shone with an inner light that immediately put Buffy at ease. She felt none of the cold foreboding that Saruman had brought to her dreams. The woman appeared young in body but her eyes, oh her eyes, they were ancient. Buffy didn't need to see her ears to know she was an elf.

"You must be Galadriel." Buffy said.

The elf nodded in assent.

"You aren't here to offer me a chance to go home if I join your side are you?"

"You already fight on my side."

"Oh, well that's good to know."

"I am here to simply welcome you." Galadriel came to stand directly in front of Buffy. "I know who and what you are. You are a great warrior and you honor Lothlorien with your presence."

"Um. . . Thanks."

"We will speak more upon your arrival tomorrow. I have seen much about you and must discuss with you at length about why you are here in Middle-Earth."

Buffy sighed, "I know why I am here. I fell through a portal."

"It is more than that."

"Why are you people always so cryptic? Can't you just come out and say it already?"

"Do not trouble yourself so," Galadriel raised a hand and passed it over Buffy eyes. "Rest peacefully this night. All will be revealed soon."

Buffy felt her eyes close and she dropped into a deep untroubled sleep.