Chapter Four - "A Glimmer of Hope."

-

After Willow had bathed and dressed - spending the night in bed with her clothes on had done little good for either her or the clothes - she rejoined the others and they went in search of Elrond, finding him with Gandalf in one of the many quiet studies scattered about Rivendell. With them were two Elves, nearly identical in appearance and of a clear kinship with Elrond.

"My sons, Elladan and Elrohir," Elrond said as Willow and the rest entered. "Recently returned from a long journey."

The two younger Elves nodded respectfully.

"We have word for you from the Lady Galadriel," Elrohir said. "She had heard of your arrival and bade us to bring you her counsel. She knows of your friend's plight and she says hope yet remains that you may rescue her. Even in the depths of the Dark Tower."

"Hope remains if you set out swiftly," Elladan added. "Before long, the pass east over the mountains will be blocked by snow and beasts."

"Well, let's go, then!" Xander said. [*Finally* they're getting their act together.] "Saddle up the horses, shine the swords, whatever you do around here, right, Giles?"

The ex-Watcher smiled, but shook his head. "Let's allow a little planning, Xander. As Aragorn said, one simply doesn't waltz into Mordor."

Slightly deflated, Xander sat back down. "Okay. So how do we do it?"

In response, Elrond unrolled a large, yellowing scroll. On it was a map of Middle-earth, from the Sea to the eastern marches of Mordor.

"Deja-vu," Xander muttered as he stood up again to get a better look at the map. So did Willow and the others. "What is it with Elves and maps?" he whispered, mostly to himself.

"The map is for you, not them," Elenya whispered back, somehow having heard him.

"Few roads now lead to Mordor, and all are guarded," Elrond began, pointedly ignoring the hushed exchange. "In truth, I can see little hope for you. Were it not for the Lady Galadriel's foresight, I would see none at all. But few now living see farther and clearer than she. The Morannon, here," he pointed at the very northwest corner of the mountain-walls of Mordor, "are unbreakable by any force of arms, and guarded well by eyes that see through all spells. And the tower of Minas Morgul is home to dark sorceries. And, it is said, to the Nine Riders. One of their number claimed your friend, if your tale is true. You cannot hope to pass into Mordor by that road."

"So that's it? There's only two ways into the whole country?" Willow asked, staring down at the map. "What about all this?" She pointed at the open eastern border of Mordor.

Elrond traced the line of the long river that flowed from the Ash Mountains to the Sea of Nurnen. "There is a strong watch along the Nurnduin, and many patrols of Orcs and Variags."

"And yet, fewer and weaker than upon the Enemy's border with Gondor," Elenya noted. "In all this wide land, there must be openings to slip through. Even the Lidless Eye," she paused and made a quick gesture over her breast, "does not see all."

"You do not understand the depths of Sauron's power and fear. You would be found. And as you are now, not even the dullest of Orcs would let you pass," Gandalf said.

"As we are now, perhaps. But if we were to disguise ourselves?" Giles mused. "As soldiers of Mordor, or slaves, or along those lines."

The Grey Wizard shrugged. "Perhaps. Such a trick may work for a time."

"Pallando used it often," Giles said.

"Ahh..." Gandalf smiled, a faraway look on his face. "He was always daring."

"He was," Giles said with a nod.

"Was?" Willow asked him softly. For the first time, she wondered if it wasn't just Buffy's kidnapping that had driven Giles and Elenya to Rivendell. Neither of them had spoken of Pallando or Rhûn much since the reunion with Willow and Xander.

"Pallando is gone," Elenya answered on Giles' behalf. The two men had become close friends over the years, and the Blue Wizard's passing was something Giles was not yet ready to speak of. "He gave up his mortal guise to make sure your slumber is - was? - not disturbed, even if a hundred ages of the world passed by."

"Oh." Willow frowned slightly then let her gaze settle on Giles. The ex-Watcher removed his glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose with a thumb and forefinger but kept his head lowered. She could've sworn she'd seen tears but it could've been her eyes playing tricks on her.

"He gave up his mortal guise?" Xander, however, was still trying to wrap his mind around what exactly had happened to Pallando. "What's that supposed to mean? How's that protecting our slumber? Um, past slumber which is our present slumber because we woke up in the future ... in the past ... and ... Wait." He paused, ran through the dialogue in his head, trying to make sense of it. "Oh never mind. I give up."

"His power protects you in this world. He placed your bodies where Sauron and his Dark forces could not reach you. And to further vouchsafe you he became a barrier himself," Elenya explained. She waited to see if it registered with Xander but she noticed that Willow nodded a little. At least one of them understood what the Wizard had done.

"We suspect that is why Sauron struck at you in your present -" Giles paused when both Xander and Willow looked him. "Our present, I mean," he corrected. No matter how much time he spent in Middle-earth, he couldn't forget where he really came from. "Once you awakened from Pallando's spell, he was free from guardianship. His power no longer kept Sauron at bay."

"I still don't understand how Sauron managed to open a portal to the future," Xander started. But he didn't get far with his query. Willow placed a hand on his arm. Now wasn't the time to worry about how Sauron managed it, they had to plan, to prepare. "Okay ... never mind," he murmured.

"We're definitely grateful he'd do such a thing," Willow said as she offered a sympathetic look in Giles and Gandalf's direction. [I couldn't imagine what would've happened to us if he hadn't done it.]

"He rests now," Gandalf said, casting a glance in Giles's direction. "But let us not lose sight of the matter of the day. Tricks and ruses will not avail you. Do you really understand what you face?" he asked them. "There is no light in Mordor and no hope."

"Say not 'no hope', friend, but rather little," Elrond corrected. "If you are to succeed, it will not be by your own efforts alone."

"It is always so. Valar valuvar, Ilúvatar valuvar," Elenya murmured, again making that quick gesture over her breast.

"Násie," Elrond and his sons replied, as did Gandalf and, surprisingly, Giles. Willow and Xander stared blankly.

"And all our wisdom and aid can only serve to ease your path a little," Elrond continued, staring gravely at Willow and Xander.

"I don't care. We're going to get Buffy," Xander declared. He looked at Willow and Giles, and breathed a sigh of relief when they both nodded. "Uh, not that we're turning down the wisdom and aid part..."

"Very well. I do not see what end lies before you, but I will not deny the wisdom of Galadriel, or the counsel of my own heart," Elrond declared. "For our part, we will do what we can to see you safely through the first stage of your journey, as before."

-

End Chapter Four.

More to come! Hope you all continue to enjoy!