A/N: I just want to thank everyone who read and enjoyed my journey into Middle Earth. Thank you so much for all your kind words.
Part 19
Sam and Frodo followed Gandalf to the opening of the wood. There to greet them were knights in shiny mail and tall guards in black and silver. As the Hobbits approached the knights and guards bowed in honor.
As they passed by the knights they came to an open area where many warriors were gathered. As the Hobbits and Gandalf arrived there was a trumpet sounding and the warriors all raised their swords in tribute.
At the end of the open area stood four large chairs with two occupied. In one sat a dark haired man clad in mail with a sword stretched across his knees. Next to him was a slender red head woman dressed in blue.
As Sam and Frodo got closer the man reached for the woman's hand and they rose. With happiness the Hobbits recognized Strider and ran to greet him.
"Strider!"
"It is Strider, right? Or am I still asleep?" Sam asked.
Aragorn smiled at his two friends, "It is indeed Strider, Sam. We've come a long way since Bree when you did not like the look of me. But you two have come the longest of all." He knelt down on his knee before Sam and Frodo. Willow laid her hand on Aragorn's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Sam and Frodo noticed this and were curious as to who this woman was.
Aragorn reached up and held Willow's hand before rising, "Willow, it is with honor that I present to you Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins of the Shire. Frodo and Sam do you remember Galadriel telling us after Gandalf left us that the yelde ned naar would use magick in our aid to defeat the Dark Lord?" As Sam and Frodo just nodded without taking their eyes off Willow, Aragorn continued, "This is Willow. She is the daughter of Heaven's Fire."
Willow smiled and gave a small curtsey. "It is very much an honor to finally meet you both."
Frodo and Sam's blush that had finally begun to fade from all the attention they were receiving rose again at Willow's kind words.
Aragorn rose and held out both hands to Sam and Frodo. Sam took his left and Frodo his right. Willow walked beside them as Aragorn led them to the chairs and indicated that they should sit there. Before sitting Aragorn signaled for the celebration to begin.
Before the delighted eyes of Sam and Frodo musicians, acrobats and jugglers entertained them. Even Gandalf lit a few fireworks in their honor. At the end of the celebration Gandalf led them to a nearby tent for their new clothing. "Rest tonight for tomorrow we return to Gondor."
When they had finished dressing there was a scratch at the tent.
"Come in."
The tent flap opened and two people entered. One was dressed in silver and brown the other in white and green. Sam and Frodo didn't know why two squires were sent to them. They didn't have need of a squire. It wasn't until they got closer that Sam recognized them.
"Mr. Frodo. Look it's Pippin and Merry."
There was a happy reunion among the Shirefolk. Frodo looked at both Merry and Pippin, "It looks like we are not the only ones that had an adventure, Sam."
"Indeed not." Pippin said before throwing his chest out in pride, "As you can see Merry and I are knights of the City and of the Mark."
"Well, come on. Tell us the tale of your adventure." Sam said.
"Let's go outside under the trees." They would always be happiest among nature.
Frodo, Sam and Merry followed Pippin to the edge of the forest and sat among the flowering trees. Before they could begin there was a sound behind them and Frodo turned quickly.
It was with relief and joy that he saw Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli come to join them. With tears of happiness and hugs all around the fellowship was finally reunited. They sat among the trees and heard the tales of the Willow's arrival, Ents, Helm's Deep, the final battle and Sam and Frodo's journey to Mt. Doom.
~~~
The city of Gondor made ready for the return of their King. News had spread that he was coming. The scouts on the walls relayed to the others that a great host was approaching.
Aragorn stopped outside the gates. Even though Sauron was defeated he still didn't want to cause unnecessary political fighting in his home. His people had been through enough. If they did not wish for a King but the Steward instead Aragorn would respect that. He felt Willow's hand in his and gave a silent prayer of thanks for brining her into his life. This return would have been hollow without her. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Willow smiled, "What was that for?"
"Being here with me and how lucky I am that you are."
Willow stood on tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss. "Right back at you."
Sam and Frodo smiled at the interaction. They had gotten to know Willow on the short journey to Gondor. She was kind and listened with excitement of their tales growing up in the Shire. She promised that she would visit them and meet the rest of the Shirefolk. Frodo was sure Willow would fit right in.
A trumpet sounded bringing each out of their thoughts. The gates opened and a solitary figure walked toward them.
Aragorn squeezed Willow's hand before meeting him.
Willow, Theoden, Gandalf, Eomer, Legolas, Gimli and the Hobbits followed Aragorn.
Faramir meet Aragorn in the middle and knealt, "The last Steward of Gondor surrenders his office." He holds out a white rod.
There was silence and then Aragorn took the rod. He then handed it back. "That office is not ended and it will always be yours and your descendants."
Faramir stood, smiled gratefully and turned to the walled city, "People of Gondor, hear the Steward. Behold! One has come to claim the kingship. Here is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, chieftan of the Dunedain, Captain of the Host of the West, bearer of the Star of the North, wielder of the Sword Reforged, whose hands bring healing, the Elfstone, Elessar of the line of Vallandil, Isildur's son, Elendil's son of Numenor. Shall he be king and enter the city?"
Willow snorted and looked over at Gimli, "Sheesh, that's a long title."
Gimli turned his laugh into a cough.
All the people on the gates and surrounding yelled, "YES!"
Faramir turned to the man standing next to him. The man opened the box he was holding and Faramir took out the crown.
"It is tradition that the next king received the crown from his father before he dies. Since that can not be it is with the authority of the Steward that I give you the crown."
Willow had tears in her eyes as she watched Aragorn reach for the crown and raise it over his head. "Out of the great sea of Middle Earth I am come. In this place will I live and my heirs until the ending of the world."
Aragorn lowers the crown and hands it back to Faramir who is in shock.
Aragorn smiles, "By the labor and valor of many I have come into my inheritance. In token of this I would have the Ring bearer bring the crown to me and set it on my head if he will. For this is his victory."
If Willow hadn't loved Aragorn already she would have fallen in love with him for that alone.
Frodo came forward and took the crown from Faramir and walked to where Aragorn knelt. Frodo set the White crown on his head.
Aragorn rose and Faramir cried, "Behold the King!"
The gates opened and people cheered and everyone followed Aragorn into the city.
~~~~
Aragorn found Willow sitting by a window looking out at the stars. He stood just watching her and how the moonlight played across her features. His brow wrinkled in concern when he heard Willow sigh.
Willow jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Aragorn looking at her in concern. She smiled and placed a soft kiss on his hand.
"What causes you to sigh?"
"I was just wondering what Xander and Buffy were doing now."
He pulled Willow to her feet and then sat back down with her on his lap. Dreading her answer he asked, "Do you regret staying here?"
Willow turned shocked eyes to his. "No. I just miss my friends. I just want to know that they're okay and tell them I'm okay."
A voice from the shadows said, "I can open a doorway for you to see your friends. I am sorry that I can only do this once."
Aragorn stood and held Willow's hand. "Willow, may I present the Lady Galadriel."
Willow's mind was racing. Where had she seen her before? "Have we met? You seem so familiar to me."
I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae a han noston ned 'wilith. Whispered in Willow's mind. Of course the night she had fallen asleep after researching the Gate of Celestial Fire. In her dream she saw a blonde woman that whispered those words.
"You were in my dream."
"In a manner of speaking, Willow. I knew the time had come for your arrival so I visited you in a dream to make sure you were ready."
"I can see Buffy, Giles and Xander again?" Willow asked excitedly.
"If you wish, you may see them now."
"Thank you."
Galadriel raised her hands and spoke in Elvish.
~~~
Buffy and Xander opened the door to the Magic Box. They noticed a table overturned and objects scattered all over. It looked like a fight had taken place.
"Giles!" Buffy yelled as she searched frantically for him.
"Over here." Xander yelled when he saw him slumped against the far wall.
Giles eyes flickered and with a moan he opened his eyes.
"Giles, are you okay?"
Reaching a hand up to his throbbing head he looked around. "Willow! Where's Willow? Oh god!" Memories assaulted him of Willow calling his name while being sucked into some portal.
Just then an unnatural wind began to blow and a flash of white light illuminates the shop.
"What's happening?"
"It's just like what happened before. Willow read aloud from a book and this portal opened just before she was sucked through."
Buffy grabbed a weapon while Xander helped Giles to his feet. They all three watched in horror as the portal got wider.
Giles looked on in confusion. There was no magickal tendrils this time just a split in the room. Through the portal there were fuzzy images and what looked like a room.
Buffy dropped the weapon when she recognized Willow on the other side.
"WILLOW!"
Buffy, Giles and Xander approached the gateway. A voice said, "Do not approach too close. The magick that surrounds the doorway is powerful and may hurt you if you get too close."
Buffy ignored it and got closer. An arc of magick came out and struck her. It wasn't enough to hurt but it was enough to agree with the voice. She wasn't going to get closer unless Willow looked like she was in danger.
"Buffy! Are you okay?"
"Just peachy."
Willow turned her eyes to Giles, "It was the Gate, Giles. I fell into another reality."
"You aren't a vampire are you, Willow?"
Willow laughed and turned to Xander, "Nope. Much better reality than last time. Haven't even put on leather once."
That got Aragorn's attention. He was going to have to ask her about that.
Willow took a deep breath. "I wanted to see you one last time."
Before she could continue all hell broke loose on the Sunnydale side.
"What do you mean one last time?"
Giles placed comforting hands on both Buffy and Xander. "Perhaps if you let her continue she'll tell us."
Willow smiled her thanks. "The portal that I accidentally opened sent me to a place called Middle Earth. To you I've been gone only a short amount of time but for me it has been months." Willow turned to Aragorn and held out her hand.
Xander narrowed his eyes at the newcomer while Buffy just marveled at him and the look of tenderness he gave Willow.
"This is Aragorn."
Xander watched as Willow looked at Aragorn. She had such a look of contentment on her face. He sighed in resignation. His best buddy had found love.
"I've decided to stay here. I will miss you so much and believe me that the decision was very hard." Willow began to get tears in her eyes when she realized this was probably the last time she would ever see her friends again.
Buffy sighed and suddenly was overcome with the desire to see Angel again.
Giles marveled at the shy young girl he had met one afternoon in the school library. She was no longer that young girl. She had finally found someone that saw the Willow he knew she would become one day.
Giles smiled gently at Willow. "You are truly a wonderful young woman and I am very honored to have had you in my life."
Silent tears began to trickle from Willow's eyes. Aragorn kept Willow facing her friends but held her in his embrace.
Buffy watched as Aragorn leaned down and place a soft kiss on Willow's head. Buffy smiled at her friend through her tears, "I see you found someone that gets an A+ in Willowy Goodness."
This brought a laugh from Willow.
"I'm gonna miss you, Willow. I wouldn't have been able to do all that I did without you."
Giles came up behind Buffy and placed his hand on her slightly trembling shoulder.
Xander just stared at Willow. He couldn't imagine a world without her in it. This would be the last time he saw her. How do you tell your best friend goodbye?
He felt a hand in his and looked over at Buffy who was silently crying.
"Willow, I can't imagine a world without you in it. I know there comes a time when life takes you in different directions, I just never thought ours would. I pictured us as old and living next door to each other in the nursing home. Since that's not going to happen you know that I'll always be beside you. When you're feeling homesick just think of me and I'll be there. I love you, Willow."
Xander looked at Aragorn holding a crying Willow in his arms, "Just love her."
"Always and forever." Aragorn replied.
Aragorn gently turned Willow back around so she could watch her friends one last time as the portal slowly closed.
Willow watched as Giles held Buffy and Xander in a tight group hug. With a sad smile and a wave they said goodbye to the other as the portal closed.
The last thing Buffy saw was Aragorn tenderly pulling Willow into a kiss.
