Part 2

 

Buffy and Willow followed the others as they made their way through the woods and towards what looked like a city among the trees. Willow stopped and gasped at the beauty before them. With a reverent touch, Willow placed her hand on the tree with stairs that the others had begun to climb.

Noticing that Willow had stopped, Buffy backtracked to her friend. "You okay, Will?"

With a smile Willow answered her, "Yeah, I was just feeling the power of this tree. It is very ancient but also very peaceful."

Legolas had heard the conversation behind him and with a smile continued on. He had thought when he first saw the one called Willow that she was special. To be not of Elvish blood and yet the trees granted their blessing by letting her feel their power and peace. It was rare indeed. He was looking forward to what the Lady would have to say about these strange travelers.

When they reached not quite the top, Haldir stopped before a small set of stairs. He waited while all the travelers gathered around him.

"So if this lady is in such a hurry to see us where is she?" Buffy mumbled to Willow.

Haldir glared at Buffy.

She widened her eyes at him, "What? I'm just saying that you were in such a hurry to get us to the Lady 'cause she awaits' where is she?"

Before Haldir could rebuke Buffy for her insolence there was a glow of white light at the top of the stairs.

Buffy and Willow both tensed but for different reasons. Buffy's Slayer sense was sending off alarms, of not really danger but definitely something. Willow, on the other hand felt the immense power that was coming from the light.

Willow Willow grabbed onto Buffy's arm and leaned in to whisper. "I think it was the Lady that I heard earlier. She's speaking in my mind."

Buffy really wished she had a weapon on her. Looking around she noticed a knife on Aragorn's hip. If worse came to worse she could grab that.

Aragorn lowered is gaze when the light began to dim and there stood Galadriel and Celeborn. Galadriel lightly laid her hand upon Celeborn's arm as they slowly walked down the stairs to the eight travelers and two strangers.

"Eight that are here yet nine there were that set out from Rivendale. Tell me where is Gandalf?"

Aragorn slowly raised his eyes as Galadriel looked deep, "he has fallen into shadow."

Celebron turned to look at Buffy and Willow, "Two strangers from a strange land have joined your quest."

"Nope, not joined and definitely no questing. We kinda made a wish and poof here we are. Now, if you can show us the way home we'll just be on our way." Buffy said.

Galadriel's eyes surveyed the two from a different realm and then moved over to the travelers, "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail." She glanced over at Boromir who hung his head and then she turned her eyes to Buffy and Willow, "yet hope remains while the company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled, go now and rest."

Welcome Willow. You must decide where your path will lead. If you decide to go I will help you return, but if you and your warrior decide to stay and fight the Dark Lord, your reward will be great.

Buffy opened her mouth to say something when she felt Willow squeeze her hand. Turning to look at her friend she saw Willow slightly shake her head no. With a roll of her eyes Buffy sighed, "Okay. We'll rest tonight, but I want a decision in the morning."

Fear not, Warrior. You will have your answer soon.

"Okay, now that's just creepy. Quite talking in my head." Buffy mumbled.

~~~~

Buffy and Willow settled down not too far from where Aragorn and the others were.

"Okay Willow, what's the what? Why'd you squeeze by hand earlier?"

"The Lady spoke to me in my mind while she was talking to the others. She said that I had to decide my path and that if we stay to help fight the Dark Lord our reward will be great."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Correct me if I'm wrong but this is just a STORY! I mean it's already happened, heck they even made it into a movie so our helping or not helping isn't going to change anything."

"But what if our helping is what caused it to succeed. I mean what if we're SUPPOSED to be here."

"Okay, Willow say you're right then how come we aren't in the book or the movie huh? Shouldn't there be two beautiful strangers that joined the quest?"

With a slight smile Willow said, "Editing and time constraints? All I'm saying is that the Elf Sorceress knew who I was even before she met me. Maybe it wasn't me wishing on birthday candles maybe we were supposed to be sent here."

"You just want to stay in hopes of getting some Elf smoochies." Buffy teased. "Not that I blame you."

Willow rolled her eyes, "I'm serious, Buffy."

Buffy leaned in to draw Willow into a hug. "I know you are and I can tell that you have already made your decision. Where you go I go. I'm not going back without you, besides it'll be nice to not have to worry about vampires and demons. I can see what it's like to be normal. Well, as normal as I can be."

Willow bit her lip as she glanced at Aragorn and the others, "maybe they don't want us to join them. I mean we're strangers and it's not like I can go up and say 'hey guess what, the elf lady spoke in my head and told me to choose a path and I chose yours'."

"Willow, Willow. Have I not taught you anything? What was the first thing I tried to teach you? Seize the Day! Now let's go over and introduce ourselves and invite ourselves along."

Willow stood as Buffy helped her up, "Well, let's hope this seizing turns out better than the first seizing."

Buffy furrowed her brow, "Why? What went wrong?"

Willow rolled her eyes, "I picked up a guy that turned out to be a Vampire."

Buffy smiled, "Oh yeah, but at least he was cute."

Legolas glanced up as he heard Willow's laughter. It was as beautiful as she was and you couldn't help but smile when you heard it. Turning to his compatriots he saw them begin to smile, also. Even Gimli had a twitch to his lips.

Aragorn and Boromir stood as the ladies approached. "Good evening, ladies. Please sit and join us."

Seeing out of the corner of her eye only two empty places, she quickly grabbed one leaving the one next to Legolas free for Willow.

With an inward sigh and a resolve to talk to Buffy about subtlety Willow took the seat next to Legolas.

Aragorn began the introductions, "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Legolas of Mirkwood. That is Boromir, of Gondor. Over there is Gimli, son of Gloin and the ones that look like children to your eyes are the Hobbits of the Shire. Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pipin."

Willow smiled a kind smile to the Hobbits hoping to put them at ease after Buffy's teasing. "I'm Willow and this is Buffy."

"I have not had a chance to thank you for earlier, Lady Willow. You helped to ease a tense situation."

Willow blushed at Aragorn's words. "Your welcome."

"I am curious as to what was the meaning of your words earlier. Where is it that you come from?" Gimli asked.

"We're from a land far, far away and a time long ago." Buffy began.

Willow started giggling and the others got a look of confusion on their faces.

"Sorry, pop culture reference."

"We're from a reality that is different from yours. In our reality, elves, dwarves and hobbits are nothing but legend. Stories handed down to children. I made a wish that I wanted to see a time when myth and magic were real and as Buffy said, poof here we are."

Aragorn looked at Willow and said, "I think there is more to it than that. The Lady spoke to me saying that you had a decision to make like the one I had to make earlier. You were at a crossroads of a path."

Legolas watched as Willow bit her lip and glance at Buffy. He could see she was coming to a decision of whether or not to tell them.

Willow nodded, "you're right. She told me that I had to decide whether to return home or join you on your quest." Glancing over at Buffy and seeing her nod Willow continued, "If it is alright with you and Frodo we would like to join your quest."