Part 6

Two days of travel passed without much rest. They were gaining on the Orcs but they still hadn't caught up with them. Willow softly mumbled threats against Aragron, Legolas and Buffy. She cursed Buffy's Slayer strength, Aragorn's stamina and Legolas' Elvish speed. She took consolation in the fact that Gimli couldn't keep up either. Oh, and the fact that Buffy broke two nails and her hair was as far from perfect as hers was.

Aragorn held up his hand for everyone to stop. Willow and Gimli sat where they were and leaned on each other. Buffy came over to sit next to them.

"You know, Willow. Adventure looses its appeal after two days of no indoor plumbing or toilet paper. If I have to use leaves or grass one more time I'm gonna scream. And have I thanked you for warning me about poison ivy?"

Willow smiled, "Only about a hundred times. I believe you're my slave for life and I get to name all your children. I'm thinking I like the name Griselda for your first daughter."

Buffy shuddered. "We'll negotiate on that one. Seriously, you doing okay?"

"Oh sure. I just coughed up a lung about a mile back so . . . you know, less weight."

Gimli laughed.

Legolas and Aragorn turned as one with shocked looks on their faces. Legolas didn't think he had ever heard Gimli laugh. He smiled as he looked at Willow. Both she and Gimli were doing a good job of keeping up with him, Aragorn and Buffy. They both refused to give up and he thought it was their pride that refused to ask for breaks.

"There is a lake just over that rise. We will camp there for the night."

"Oh thank God" Willow mumbled.

Buffy stood and held her hands out for both Gimli and Willow. With a sigh Willow grasped Buffy's hand and let her help her up.

Gimli refused with a smile. He would not give the elf further reason to tease him.

They sat up camp when they reached the lake. Aragorn and Legolas went hunting, Buffy and Willow went to get firewood and Gimli volunteered to skin and cook what the others brought back.

Willow set her bunch of twigs down and walked to the water's edge. Bending down she placed her fingers in the water. She smiled when she felt the warmth. 'Just like bath water' she thought. She'd ask Aragorn if there were any beasties in it. If not, she and Buffy were bathing tonight. She didn't think she could last another day without at least rinsing the grime off.

"What is it that causes such a heartfelt sigh?"

Willow yelped and spun around. Her arms spun like a windmill trying to keep her balance. Legolas laughed as he reached out to steady her. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

Willow grabbed onto him to keep from falling over. He gave a tug to get her away from the water and she bumped into him. He gently put his hands on her shoulder to steady her.

He looked down into her twinkling eyes and with an inward sigh gave in to the impulse that he had been fighting against since they shared a canoe.

Buffy smiled as she watched Legolas bend his head to give Willow a kiss. Buffy had come running when she heard Willow yelp. She had stood just out of eyesight when she saw Legolas and Willow together.

"I hope your friend does not break his heart. Legolas can be soft hearted."

Before Buffy could retort she remembered that Aragorn left his soulmate, Arwen to go on this quest. "Willow would never knowingly hurt anyone." She turned sad eyes to Aragorn and continued, "I know what it's like to be parted from your other half because of circumstances. It's painful and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But, life is short and you have to grab happiness where you can. Love is worth all the risk."

"Wise words from one so young."

"Young in years but not in life. Okay, enough brooding. What's for dinner?"

Aragorn held up some rabbits.

Buffy bit her lower lip and hoped Aragorn didn't see her distaste. Give her a good ole supermarket where meat came wrapped in plastic trays and you didn't know it came from a cute, furry animal.

"Yum. Can't wait."

~~~~

Buffy smirked as Willow blushed when she caught her gaze. Walking up behind her Buffy softly whispered, "So, were the Elf smoochies as good as you thought they'd be?"

Willow got a dreamy look, "Better."

Legolas couldn't help but overhear. He moved to stand on the other side of Willow. "For me as well, Maranwe."

Willow jumped at the feel of Legolas' breath on her ear, "Okay, you're gonna have to start wearing a bell or make some noise when you sneak up on me like that."

"See, it's not so fun to have a stealth guy appear out of nowhere is it?"

Grabbing an opportunity to change the subject Willow approached Aragorn. "How well do you know that lake?"

"Very well, Lady Willow. I have camped here many times."

"Anything in it that's dangerous? I mean, is it safe to bathe in it?"

Buffy covered her laugh with a cough when she saw Legolas' eyes glaze over at Willow's question.

"It should be safe enough. Gimli can stand guard to protect your backs."

Buffy looked over at Gimli and winked, "No peeking."

Gimli blushed and grumbled.

Buffy laughed and went to grab Willow's hand. Leaning close she whispered, "Do you think Disney patterned the Dwarf Grumpy after Gimli? I don't think I'll ever be able to watch Snow White again without thinking of him."

They quickly undressed at the water's edge and dove into the warm water.

"God, this is heaven. I'll never take plumbing for granted ever again. Or soap, or shampoo, or hair dryer, or . . . well, you get the idea."

Willow smiled over at Buffy, "Have I thanked you today for staying with me on this adventure?"

"Twice, I think. I'm using it as a bargaining chip against naming my daughter Griselda."

"We'll see."

Buffy splashed water at Willow. Willow blinked a few times and then splashed back. Buffy sputtered and splashed some more. Willow narrowed her eyes and splashed harder. Soon a water fight had begun.

Gimli smiled in the darkness as the sound of laughter floated in the night's air.