Part 3

Frodo looked deep into Willow's eyes trying to judge her true character. He saw a sense of darkness there but not any more dark then what he sensed in the others of mankind. He knew that the Lady Galadriel knew of her coming and the Lady had also spoken to Aragorn of Willow's path. Turning his head he looked at the other traveler.

Despite his earlier fears of the two women he relied upon the judgment that had gotten him this far. "Your company would be most welcome."

Willow breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn't have gone if Frodo had protested. This quest was more about him than it was about her following a path.

Buffy gave Willow a beaming smile, "See, Will. Seizing is a good thing."

The Fellowship looked at Buffy strangely. "Seizing?"

'Where's a good demon when you need it' Willow thought.

"Seize the moment. Kind of my philosophy of life. Life is too short to worry about the little things."

Legolas turned to Willow and saw her pink cheeks. "That sounds like a good idea. Why would you not think seizing is good?"

Buffy answered, "When I first met Willow she was very shy. I was trying to convince her to seize the moment and meet a guy. It turns out the guy she met was a vampire. But he WAS cute."

"Vampire? What is a vampire?"

Buffy looked over at Boromir. "A vampire is a human form possessed by a demon. To make you a vampire they have to suck your blood. And then you have to suck their blood. It's like a whole big sucking thing. Mostly they're just gonna kill you."

Legolas turned shocked eyes at Willow, "And this was what you met? How did you escape?"

"Buffy came and saved me as usual."

"You saved her?" Boromir questioned. "But surely you don't have the strength to fight a demon."

"Buffy is a 'Chosen one'. There is only one girl born in every generation that fights the forces of darkness and Buffy is it."

Frodo sat up when he heard this. This must be why the Lady Galadriel knew of their coming. Buffy was a warrior against the forces of darkness. She would be of great help in their quest.

"Don't be so modest, Willow. She may have needed saving then but I rarely have to save her now. She's a power to be reckoned with in her own right. Besides unlike me, she CHOSE to fight the forces of darkness."

Frodo looked over at Willow. She chose her quest just like he had chosen his at the Council of Elrond. Maybe they had more in common than he thought.

Buffy watched as the Hobbits tried to stifle another yawn.

"It's late and we'll let you sleep."

Willow went to rise to follow Buffy and found Legolas' hand at her arm helping her up. She smiled her thanks and turned to follow.

Aragorn turned surprised eyes to Legolas when he heard him mumble maranwe. destiny

"Anwave?" truly

Legolas turned his eyes away from Willow and answered, "Anwave."

Arwen had said the same thing to Aragorn many years ago. Once their destiny is found there is no one else for them.

~~~~

Buffy opened her eyes when she heard Galadriel and Frodo pass her by. Wondering what was going on she decided to follow them. She watched as Frodo looked into a bowl at the top of a pedestal. Suddenly he fell back. From Buffy's position it didn't look like he was hurt so she wouldn't interfere . . . yet. He and Galadriel were talking but Buffy was too far away to catch what they were saying.

As she moved closer she saw Frodo hold out his hand. She couldn't see what it was but she did hear Galadriel say, "You would give this to me freely?"

Just before Galadriel started to glow, Buffy felt a tingle go down her spine and it wasn't a pleasant tingle. As she saw Galadriel start to glow Buffy jumped down and stood in front of Frodo so she was positioned between them.

"Instead of a Dark Lord you would have a Queen. But I shall not be dark but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and Night. Dreadful as the Storm and Lightening. Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!"

With each word Galadriel grew taller and glowed brighter. Buffy looked around for a weapon. If Galadriel had given her the wiggins before she was giving off major wiggins now. Just as she spied a small knife on Frodo Galadriel changed back into the small Elvish woman dressed in white.

"I have passed the test. I shall go to the West and remain Galadriel."

"OK, what the hell just happened here?"

"Warrior, you have shown a brave heart. Frodo is the ring bearer and is taking the "one ring" to Mt. Doom where it will be destroyed."

"Yeah, saw the movie. Not that I paid much attention past the hotties in it. I'm talking about your glowing act. What was that all about?"

"I have long desired to know the power of the ring. When Frodo offered it to me freely I was overcome with what might be. But I passed the opportunity and know that I will remain Galadriel."

Buffy reluctantly got out of battle stance. She still gave her the major wiggins but she understood about tests.

"Come, warrior. Would you look in my mirror?"

"What will I see?"

"Some see the past and some see what will be. But for you, I will show you your home."

Buffy went to the bowl were Galadriel poured the water and looked in.

She saw the living room where everyone had gathered for Willow's birthday. Xander and Anya were arguing. Spike was comforting Dawn.

"Can I get a message to them that Willow and I are fine so they don't worry?"

"This is only a mirror, a reflection of events.  But I can speak to one in a dream. Choose wisely and your message will be given."

Buffy knew not to choose Spike, no one would believe him. If she chose Dawn they may think it was wishful thinking on her part. No one would believe she'd choose Anya so that left Xander.

Buffy pointed to Xander, "Give the message to Xander. But you should make the message from both Willow and myself."

"It shall be done. Now rest. You will journey in the morning."