Chapter Ten:
They were in a forest now. It was pretty, peaceful, and calming. And Willow couldn't enjoy it. Every time she blinked, she saw Gandalf falling away from her. Falling to his death because she didn't have enough magic to save him. She let another person down.
They walked in quietly; no one had words for their grief. Legolas was holding her hand as they walked. She would have enjoyed it except she wanted to hold onto the Elf and cry till her eyes dried up.
Gimli and the hobbits walked ahead. The dwarf was telling the hobbits some story about an enchantress in the forest. Whatever, like that mattered. Bring on the evil enchantress. Killing something right about now sounded good.
"Don't you lads worry," Gimli assured them. "I have the ears of a fox."
Then he saw the arrow pointed at his face. They were surrounded by Elves, all pointing arrows at them. Willow was getting real tired of having projectiles aimed at her.
Legolas had his bow up immediately. An arrow pointed at his head stopped his movement. The Elf holding the bow motioned him to lower his weapon.
A flash of lightning followed by a yelp from the offending Elf drew everyone's eyes to Willow.
Her hands crackled with electricity. Her eyes glowed green. The witch had had enough.
Aragorn placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"It is all right," he soothed. Willow lowered her hands and her eyes slowly returned to normal. She shot their captors deathly glares. They all backed up a bit.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," stated one of the Elves snidely, breaking the tense silence.
Gimli seethed in indignation. Willow smirked a bit.
"Haldir," Aragorn whispered to the head Elf. Willow frowned. She knew what he was saying. But he was saying it in Elvish. Since when was Willow fluent in Elvish?
"We must see the Lady and Celeborn. We are in need of your help," Aragorn finished.
The Elf frowned. He looked at Willow in slight suspicion. She returned his gaze steadily.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Woods," he announced finally. "She will decide what to do with you."
And with that, they were ushered away.
*****
They were led to a city hidden deep within the forest. Like much of what she had seen in Middle Earth, the city was breathtakingly beautiful. Haldir led them into a hall.
They stopped at the base of a staircase. A couple was descending it. Willow felt their magic before she could make them out. Slowly, they came into view. Two beautiful Elves, one lady one lord, both dressed in white, both glowing.
"Lady Firelight," the male greeted her. "You have come to Middle Earth at last."
"Yeah, it's a kick ass place," she answered numbly.
The lord smiled lightly at her words and then frowned.
"Ten departed from Rivendell yet only nine are before us," he stated questioningly. "Where is Gandalf? I have much desire to speak with him."
Willow's eyes overflowed with tears. She stood crying silently, only Legolas's arms holding her upright. The hobbits began to weep anew.
"He has fallen into shadow," the lady exclaimed softly. Willow raised her face to look at her.
"The mission stands on the edge of a blade. Slip one way, and all is lost," she paused, eyes roaming over the group. She smiled slightly. "But hope remains, as long as the company is true. Come, you are weak with much toil and sorrow. Tonight you will rest safely in our city."
The lady turned to her.
Welcome to Lothlorien, Lady Firelight.
Willow's eyes widened. A mind reader.
It wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could have done. Let his sacrifice be. Forever will we chant the name of Gandalf the Grey in our songs.
Willow looked into her deep blue eyes.
I am the Lady Galadriel. We will talk later.
You bet we will, Willow answered.
*****
Willow followed Galadriel silently. The Elf had woken her from her sleep and gestured her to follow. The redhead extracted herself from Legolas's arms and followed. Lord Celeborn had given Willow her own room, but she had needed to be with her friends.
She followed the Elf silently. The whole city was quiet. Everyone slept or silently lamented the loss of Gandalf.
They came into a clearing. Aragorn stood waiting by a small waterfall. She looked at him questioningly but he only answered with a shrug.
Galadriel motioned Willow to join her at a small pool at the waterfall. The redhead approached slowly, eyes watching the lady's every move. Galadriel poured water into the pool.
"Will you look into the mirror?" she asked.
"Sure," Willow answered. "What's in there?"
"Things from all space and time," Galadriel answered. "No one knows what they will see. The mirror decides for you."
"Why is Aragorn here?"
"He is here on a hope of mine that you will bring an image of his ancestors to light," Galadriel admitted. "He has many doubts of who he is. He must realize he comes from a long line of protectors."
Willow nodded. She leaned over the pool.
At first she only saw her own reflection. Then the image wavered and she saw something else. Buffy's house, the living room, right after she had been sucked away.
-Where is she? Spike roared.
The group floundered around. Buffy got on the phone to call Giles and then Angel.
Another image bounced up. Everyone arriving in Sunnydale to look for her. The LA Fang Gang and Giles with a whole bunch of Watchers. Riley appeared eventually. They poured over books. Buffy and the vampires beat up several creatures for information. Fred scanned the web. Riley made calls to the military.
Time passed. Connor got larger. He was walking soon enough. Dawn grew, became more beautiful than ever. Everyone looked harried. Xander appeared lost, Anya beyond pain. Angel was frantic. He yelled a lot, especially at Lorne.
Tears flowed down Willow's cheek. Gods she wished she could talk to them, let them know she was all right. Her tears continued to flow. A few hit the pool. The images wavered and then glowed.
Magic bounced off the pool and took form in front of her.
"What is this?" Aragorn demanded, drawing his sword.
"I know not," Galadriel admitted. "This has never happened before."
A cavern appeared before them. Willow approached the image slowly. Something important was about to happen.
"Willow?" came a voice. A very familiar voice. Dawn, beautiful at eighteen, stepped in front of the image.
"Dawnie," Willow whispered.
The girl broke into a grin.
"IT'S WILLOW!" she shrieked. "GUYS, I FOUND WILLOW! COME QUICKLY!"
Footsteps were heard resounding off the walls. Her friends filtered into the cavern.
"Red," breathed Spike in relief. He made for the redhead. Only to be stopped by an invisible wall. He pounded on it furiously.
Angel's words came back to the redhead.
Then we found you, perfectly safe and sad around the edges. We reached out for you, but no one could get to you. You were out of our reach forever . . .
Tears flowed down her cheeks. This was it, the last time she would ever lay eyes on her friends.
"I'm okay," she whispered to them. "I can't come home, but I am okay."
"What do you mean you can't come home?" demanded Xander.
Angel stepped forward. "Willow just hold on, we'll find a way through."
"There isn't a way through," she told him through her tears. "This was all meant to be. I'm sorry I can't come home. I'll miss all of you forever, but this is what was meant to be."
"NO!" came Buffy's protest. "Nothing is set in stone. We are getting you out of there."
Their pleading and demands broke her heart. Willow's knees gave out from the force of her sobs. Arms encircled her. She looked up. Aragorn held her in his arms, eyes watching her carefully. She smiled at him and then turned to her friends.
"I'm safe here," she assured them. "I've got some friends here who can take care of me. You could say it's in their blood."
"Who the hell is that guy?" Spike demanded.
"Do I know you?" was Angel's question.
"He's of you," Willow answered softly. "Know that I am safe with him. He is of you."
"Connor," breathed Angel. The vampire grinned. "My Connor makes it."
"You all do," she whispered.
"My lady," came Galadriel. "The image is wavering. You must say your farewell."
"Now just hold on for one minute you pointy eared freak," Spike hissed. "Red is not saying goodbye. She's coming with us."
Galadriel frowned. "This is the great poet William Exeter?"
Willow laughed. "He's just a grumpy old man who can write pretty poetry."
"Willow!" Dawn cried. "Don't leave. Not again."
"I'm sorry," Willow answered. "I'm so sorry."
The cavern faded. Other images appeared. Her friends, all assembled in Buffy's house once more. Xander and Anya sat on the couch, both simply staring forward. Buffy wandered from room to room, putting things away and then taking them out again. Giles sat in the far corner of the dining room, pouring himself drink after drink after drink. Angel sat in the kitchen, brooding away the time. Fred sat next to him, cuddling Connor to her herself, calming the agitated baby. Riley sat on the staircase, looking at the front door as if willing Willow to walk through it. Gunn and Wesley watched on helplessly as Cordelia bit her nails and muttered to herself. In her room, Dawn lay on her bed. She was sobbing and clutching a photo of the redhead to her chest. Spike sat on Willow's old bed, in her old room. There was a pink sweater laid out before him.
-That lilac number. Could have eaten you right then.
Spike buried his head in her sweater as blood tears rolled down his cheeks.
Willow wanted to die for all the grief they felt. Slowly time passed. Her friends were able to smile again. They accepted their loss and turned their heads to other things. Marriages happened. Babies happened. Connor grew, became the Saviour. He binded the realms, made all things peaceful. They all lived happily ever after.
The image slowly dimmed. Willow was left in the clearing with Aragorn still holding her up. Silence reigned.
"Hope you got something out of that," Willow finally whispered to the man. She quickly extradited herself from his arms and ran back into the city. She ran fast. Soon, she came upon the room Celeborn had made for her. Slamming the door behind her, Willow fell onto the bed in tears.
Her door creaked open.
"My lady?" Legolas called. She lifted her head and stared at him mutely.
He shut the door behind him and approached the bed.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly. Willow shook her head.
"Can I help?"
She looked at the Elf. He was always around for her. Throughout their mission, she had been drawn to him. He saved her, helped her, and generally looked out for her. And there were all those kisses. Slowly she realized the Elf loved her. She also became aware that she loved him as well. But how to say it?
"Willow?" he asked, blue eyes lined with worry.
She smiled at him. "That's the first time you called me Willow instead of my lady."
Legolas shrugged slightly, a smile forming on his own lips.
Willow sighed and got up. Wordlessly she held out her arms for the Elf. He sunk down beside her and pulled her into his embrace. She buried her face into his neck and closed her eyes.
"I love you," came his whisper.
"I know," she replied. Willow raised her head to look him in the eyes. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. Willow sighed in contentment. She pushed up against him, turning them both around as one. She lay down on her back, pulling him with her.
No more tears were shed that night.
*****
Willow woke with the sun shining on her face. She moaned slightly and buried her head into soft blond hair. That woke her right up. She didn't have blond hair.
Willow opened both eyes slowly. She turned her head slightly. Legolas lay asleep next to her, arm draped across her stomach. The events of the previous night came back to her. Oddly, she wasn't at all embarrassed or even self-conscious. She was content, not happy after all she saw last night, but content here with her Elf. Her Elf, her Legolas, her love.
Smiling, she gazed at him. He eventually opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Good morning," he answered. His hand came up to stroke her cheek. "Never leave me."
"Never," she consented.
Happy, the Elf planted a kiss on her lips and gathered her up in his arms. Willow lay in his embrace happily.
*****
They were leaving Lothlorien.
The Fellowship was assembled by the shore of the Great River. The Elves of Lothlorien gathered to see them off. There were three boats supplied to them. All three were crammed pack with food and various other supplies.
Lady Galadriel drew Willow to the side.
"Lady Firelight, I have a gift for you," the Elf presented a crystal bracelet. "A protective charm. It will always let you know where your love is."
"Love?"
"I am not as blind as you think," Galadriel shot a glance at Legolas. "Your lover, Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood."
Willow blushed slightly.
"Do not be embarrassed," Galadriel admonished. "The love he has for you is truly beautiful. Your love for him is likewise. This charm will help you find him if you are ever lost."
Willow thanked her and turned back to her company.
"Lady," a hand on her arm stopped her. "Do not wait too long to tell him that you love him. It is something you both need.".
Willow stared at her long and hard. Finally, she smiled and thanked the Elf once more. She turned around and rejoined her group.
* * * * * * * * * * *
They were in a forest now. It was pretty, peaceful, and calming. And Willow couldn't enjoy it. Every time she blinked, she saw Gandalf falling away from her. Falling to his death because she didn't have enough magic to save him. She let another person down.
They walked in quietly; no one had words for their grief. Legolas was holding her hand as they walked. She would have enjoyed it except she wanted to hold onto the Elf and cry till her eyes dried up.
Gimli and the hobbits walked ahead. The dwarf was telling the hobbits some story about an enchantress in the forest. Whatever, like that mattered. Bring on the evil enchantress. Killing something right about now sounded good.
"Don't you lads worry," Gimli assured them. "I have the ears of a fox."
Then he saw the arrow pointed at his face. They were surrounded by Elves, all pointing arrows at them. Willow was getting real tired of having projectiles aimed at her.
Legolas had his bow up immediately. An arrow pointed at his head stopped his movement. The Elf holding the bow motioned him to lower his weapon.
A flash of lightning followed by a yelp from the offending Elf drew everyone's eyes to Willow.
Her hands crackled with electricity. Her eyes glowed green. The witch had had enough.
Aragorn placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"It is all right," he soothed. Willow lowered her hands and her eyes slowly returned to normal. She shot their captors deathly glares. They all backed up a bit.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," stated one of the Elves snidely, breaking the tense silence.
Gimli seethed in indignation. Willow smirked a bit.
"Haldir," Aragorn whispered to the head Elf. Willow frowned. She knew what he was saying. But he was saying it in Elvish. Since when was Willow fluent in Elvish?
"We must see the Lady and Celeborn. We are in need of your help," Aragorn finished.
The Elf frowned. He looked at Willow in slight suspicion. She returned his gaze steadily.
"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Woods," he announced finally. "She will decide what to do with you."
And with that, they were ushered away.
*****
They were led to a city hidden deep within the forest. Like much of what she had seen in Middle Earth, the city was breathtakingly beautiful. Haldir led them into a hall.
They stopped at the base of a staircase. A couple was descending it. Willow felt their magic before she could make them out. Slowly, they came into view. Two beautiful Elves, one lady one lord, both dressed in white, both glowing.
"Lady Firelight," the male greeted her. "You have come to Middle Earth at last."
"Yeah, it's a kick ass place," she answered numbly.
The lord smiled lightly at her words and then frowned.
"Ten departed from Rivendell yet only nine are before us," he stated questioningly. "Where is Gandalf? I have much desire to speak with him."
Willow's eyes overflowed with tears. She stood crying silently, only Legolas's arms holding her upright. The hobbits began to weep anew.
"He has fallen into shadow," the lady exclaimed softly. Willow raised her face to look at her.
"The mission stands on the edge of a blade. Slip one way, and all is lost," she paused, eyes roaming over the group. She smiled slightly. "But hope remains, as long as the company is true. Come, you are weak with much toil and sorrow. Tonight you will rest safely in our city."
The lady turned to her.
Welcome to Lothlorien, Lady Firelight.
Willow's eyes widened. A mind reader.
It wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could have done. Let his sacrifice be. Forever will we chant the name of Gandalf the Grey in our songs.
Willow looked into her deep blue eyes.
I am the Lady Galadriel. We will talk later.
You bet we will, Willow answered.
*****
Willow followed Galadriel silently. The Elf had woken her from her sleep and gestured her to follow. The redhead extracted herself from Legolas's arms and followed. Lord Celeborn had given Willow her own room, but she had needed to be with her friends.
She followed the Elf silently. The whole city was quiet. Everyone slept or silently lamented the loss of Gandalf.
They came into a clearing. Aragorn stood waiting by a small waterfall. She looked at him questioningly but he only answered with a shrug.
Galadriel motioned Willow to join her at a small pool at the waterfall. The redhead approached slowly, eyes watching the lady's every move. Galadriel poured water into the pool.
"Will you look into the mirror?" she asked.
"Sure," Willow answered. "What's in there?"
"Things from all space and time," Galadriel answered. "No one knows what they will see. The mirror decides for you."
"Why is Aragorn here?"
"He is here on a hope of mine that you will bring an image of his ancestors to light," Galadriel admitted. "He has many doubts of who he is. He must realize he comes from a long line of protectors."
Willow nodded. She leaned over the pool.
At first she only saw her own reflection. Then the image wavered and she saw something else. Buffy's house, the living room, right after she had been sucked away.
-Where is she? Spike roared.
The group floundered around. Buffy got on the phone to call Giles and then Angel.
Another image bounced up. Everyone arriving in Sunnydale to look for her. The LA Fang Gang and Giles with a whole bunch of Watchers. Riley appeared eventually. They poured over books. Buffy and the vampires beat up several creatures for information. Fred scanned the web. Riley made calls to the military.
Time passed. Connor got larger. He was walking soon enough. Dawn grew, became more beautiful than ever. Everyone looked harried. Xander appeared lost, Anya beyond pain. Angel was frantic. He yelled a lot, especially at Lorne.
Tears flowed down Willow's cheek. Gods she wished she could talk to them, let them know she was all right. Her tears continued to flow. A few hit the pool. The images wavered and then glowed.
Magic bounced off the pool and took form in front of her.
"What is this?" Aragorn demanded, drawing his sword.
"I know not," Galadriel admitted. "This has never happened before."
A cavern appeared before them. Willow approached the image slowly. Something important was about to happen.
"Willow?" came a voice. A very familiar voice. Dawn, beautiful at eighteen, stepped in front of the image.
"Dawnie," Willow whispered.
The girl broke into a grin.
"IT'S WILLOW!" she shrieked. "GUYS, I FOUND WILLOW! COME QUICKLY!"
Footsteps were heard resounding off the walls. Her friends filtered into the cavern.
"Red," breathed Spike in relief. He made for the redhead. Only to be stopped by an invisible wall. He pounded on it furiously.
Angel's words came back to the redhead.
Then we found you, perfectly safe and sad around the edges. We reached out for you, but no one could get to you. You were out of our reach forever . . .
Tears flowed down her cheeks. This was it, the last time she would ever lay eyes on her friends.
"I'm okay," she whispered to them. "I can't come home, but I am okay."
"What do you mean you can't come home?" demanded Xander.
Angel stepped forward. "Willow just hold on, we'll find a way through."
"There isn't a way through," she told him through her tears. "This was all meant to be. I'm sorry I can't come home. I'll miss all of you forever, but this is what was meant to be."
"NO!" came Buffy's protest. "Nothing is set in stone. We are getting you out of there."
Their pleading and demands broke her heart. Willow's knees gave out from the force of her sobs. Arms encircled her. She looked up. Aragorn held her in his arms, eyes watching her carefully. She smiled at him and then turned to her friends.
"I'm safe here," she assured them. "I've got some friends here who can take care of me. You could say it's in their blood."
"Who the hell is that guy?" Spike demanded.
"Do I know you?" was Angel's question.
"He's of you," Willow answered softly. "Know that I am safe with him. He is of you."
"Connor," breathed Angel. The vampire grinned. "My Connor makes it."
"You all do," she whispered.
"My lady," came Galadriel. "The image is wavering. You must say your farewell."
"Now just hold on for one minute you pointy eared freak," Spike hissed. "Red is not saying goodbye. She's coming with us."
Galadriel frowned. "This is the great poet William Exeter?"
Willow laughed. "He's just a grumpy old man who can write pretty poetry."
"Willow!" Dawn cried. "Don't leave. Not again."
"I'm sorry," Willow answered. "I'm so sorry."
The cavern faded. Other images appeared. Her friends, all assembled in Buffy's house once more. Xander and Anya sat on the couch, both simply staring forward. Buffy wandered from room to room, putting things away and then taking them out again. Giles sat in the far corner of the dining room, pouring himself drink after drink after drink. Angel sat in the kitchen, brooding away the time. Fred sat next to him, cuddling Connor to her herself, calming the agitated baby. Riley sat on the staircase, looking at the front door as if willing Willow to walk through it. Gunn and Wesley watched on helplessly as Cordelia bit her nails and muttered to herself. In her room, Dawn lay on her bed. She was sobbing and clutching a photo of the redhead to her chest. Spike sat on Willow's old bed, in her old room. There was a pink sweater laid out before him.
-That lilac number. Could have eaten you right then.
Spike buried his head in her sweater as blood tears rolled down his cheeks.
Willow wanted to die for all the grief they felt. Slowly time passed. Her friends were able to smile again. They accepted their loss and turned their heads to other things. Marriages happened. Babies happened. Connor grew, became the Saviour. He binded the realms, made all things peaceful. They all lived happily ever after.
The image slowly dimmed. Willow was left in the clearing with Aragorn still holding her up. Silence reigned.
"Hope you got something out of that," Willow finally whispered to the man. She quickly extradited herself from his arms and ran back into the city. She ran fast. Soon, she came upon the room Celeborn had made for her. Slamming the door behind her, Willow fell onto the bed in tears.
Her door creaked open.
"My lady?" Legolas called. She lifted her head and stared at him mutely.
He shut the door behind him and approached the bed.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly. Willow shook her head.
"Can I help?"
She looked at the Elf. He was always around for her. Throughout their mission, she had been drawn to him. He saved her, helped her, and generally looked out for her. And there were all those kisses. Slowly she realized the Elf loved her. She also became aware that she loved him as well. But how to say it?
"Willow?" he asked, blue eyes lined with worry.
She smiled at him. "That's the first time you called me Willow instead of my lady."
Legolas shrugged slightly, a smile forming on his own lips.
Willow sighed and got up. Wordlessly she held out her arms for the Elf. He sunk down beside her and pulled her into his embrace. She buried her face into his neck and closed her eyes.
"I love you," came his whisper.
"I know," she replied. Willow raised her head to look him in the eyes. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. Willow sighed in contentment. She pushed up against him, turning them both around as one. She lay down on her back, pulling him with her.
No more tears were shed that night.
*****
Willow woke with the sun shining on her face. She moaned slightly and buried her head into soft blond hair. That woke her right up. She didn't have blond hair.
Willow opened both eyes slowly. She turned her head slightly. Legolas lay asleep next to her, arm draped across her stomach. The events of the previous night came back to her. Oddly, she wasn't at all embarrassed or even self-conscious. She was content, not happy after all she saw last night, but content here with her Elf. Her Elf, her Legolas, her love.
Smiling, she gazed at him. He eventually opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Good morning," he answered. His hand came up to stroke her cheek. "Never leave me."
"Never," she consented.
Happy, the Elf planted a kiss on her lips and gathered her up in his arms. Willow lay in his embrace happily.
*****
They were leaving Lothlorien.
The Fellowship was assembled by the shore of the Great River. The Elves of Lothlorien gathered to see them off. There were three boats supplied to them. All three were crammed pack with food and various other supplies.
Lady Galadriel drew Willow to the side.
"Lady Firelight, I have a gift for you," the Elf presented a crystal bracelet. "A protective charm. It will always let you know where your love is."
"Love?"
"I am not as blind as you think," Galadriel shot a glance at Legolas. "Your lover, Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood."
Willow blushed slightly.
"Do not be embarrassed," Galadriel admonished. "The love he has for you is truly beautiful. Your love for him is likewise. This charm will help you find him if you are ever lost."
Willow thanked her and turned back to her company.
"Lady," a hand on her arm stopped her. "Do not wait too long to tell him that you love him. It is something you both need.".
Willow stared at her long and hard. Finally, she smiled and thanked the Elf once more. She turned around and rejoined her group.
* * * * * * * * * * *