Part 9
The travelers ran toward yet another rock outcropping when Aragorn stopped. In the distance there were riders rapidly approaching. Aragorn motioned for everyone to get down and let the riders pass.
Buffy, Gimli and Aragorn knelt behind some rocks while Legolas pulled Willow down next to him behind a small hill. They watched as the group of riders trotted passed them. Aragorn stood and caught their attention.
"Riders of Rohan."
The small group of riders turned as one and the travelers soon found themselves surrounded with spears pointed at them.
There was a collective gasp as the riders found themselves forced back and their spears suspended in mid-air.
A man wearing a helmet with horsehair dismounted. "I see no white mark on you yet you use magick to attack."
Buffy went to stand next to Willow, "Attack? Who was attacking first? Is it a custom in your land to attack first and ask questions later? Cause I gotta say I really don't like it. First elves attack without reason and then horse headed jerks attack. Not liking this Middle Earth much."
Gimli and Legolas smiled and waited for the rider's response who was looking at the two women in shock.
Eomer just stared at the women standing in front of him. The blonde was like his sister but not. "Who are you and what business brings you to Rohan?"
Before Buffy could answer Aragorn laid a hand on her arm, "I am Aragorn, this is Gimli, Legolas, Buffy and Willow. We are looking for friends who were taken by the Orcs."
Buffy still bristled at the jerk but relaxed under Aragorn's touch. The bigger picture was to get Merry and Pippin back.
"If you do not serve the white wizard whom do you serve?"
Gimli bristled at the attitude Eomer was exhibiting. "How do we know YOU don't serve the wizard?"
Willow was very tempted to use one of the floating spears and whap this Eomer upside the head with it.
Eomer's shoulders seemed to slump when he answered, "I serve my king, Theoden though he doesn't seem to know friend from foe these days."
Sure just when I'm ready to whap you one you make me feel sorry for you, Willow thought.
"Have you seen a band of Orcs carrying two Hobbits? They would appear as children to your eyes."
"We came across a band last night. All were destroyed." Eomer pointed toward a plume of smoke. "I did not see what you describe but you are welcome to look."
Buffy made a face. Ewww. Just what I want to do, look through a pile of smoking Orc bodies to see if I can find some friends. What kind of place was this when Aragorn and the others didn't even flinch at the idea? Sunnydale was looking better every day.
"I am sorry." Eomer motions for horses to be brought to them. "May these bring you better luck."
A man brought out three horses for their use. Aragorn thanked Eomer for his kindness. Eomer cleared his throat and waited.
"What? We said thank you." Buffy asked.
Eomer pointed to the still floating spears.
Willow blushed. "Sorry." She waved her hand and the spears returned to their owners.
"Thank you, Lady Willow." Eomer smiled as he mounted his horse and turned to join the others.
"So rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets the horse by themselves?"
"Rock, paper, scissors?"
Buffy demonstrates and holds her hand in a fist, "This is rock. It beats scissors." She then holds her hands flat, "This is paper. It beats rock." She then holds her two fingers out, "This is scissors. It beats paper."
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas still looked confused.
"Here, Buffy and I'll demonstrate."
Buffy and Willow stood with their hands by their sides. "One, Two, Three."
Buffy held her hand out flat and Willow's hand had two fingers out. "See. Scissors beats paper."
A look of dawning comprehension came across their faces and Aragorn shrugged, "Sounds fair."
So on the planes of Edoras, near Rohan the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors was played for the first time in Middle Earth.
Buffy grumbled as she looked over at Aragorn who sat alone on his horse.
Willow giggled as she cuddled closer to Legolas on their horse. She whispered in his ear, "I think the more time Buffy and Gimli spend together the more alike they become."
They covered more ground quicker now that they were on horseback. They soon reached the smoldering pile of Orc bodies. They quietly and somberly dismount and walk toward the burning carcasses.
Gimli sifts through with the handle of his axe. He gives a cry when he sees a little belt and charred sheath. He gingerly lifts it with a knife.
"It's one of their little belts."
Buffy lays a comforting hand on Gimli's shoulder.
Willow winds her arms around Legolas' waist as he bows his head in grief, "Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath." May they find peace after death.
Aragorn angrily kicks the burning pile, "We have failed them."
He stalks off to the side, away from the others. As he does so he glances down. He bends down to get a closer look at the tracks. He softly glides his hands over a spot on the ground and mumbles.
Willow notices Aragorn's odd behavior, "Is he okay? He hasn't snapped has he?"
"Snapped?"
"Yeah, gone mad with grief?"
Legolas listens carefully with his Elven hearing.
"A hobbit lay here. They crawled."
Legolas smiled, "No, I think he found tracks."
They all move to follow Aragorn who has moved on, following whatever captures his attention.
He bends down suddenly and picks up a length of rope, "Their bonds were cut." He turns and shows them the cut marks on the rope.
He points to foot tracks, "They were followed and they ran over there."
Aragorn points to the trees. "Fangorn Forest."
They all follow Aragorn into the forest. Gimli sees something on a leaf and he moves to get a closer look. He sees that it's blood and he licks his finger and then rubs it on the spot. Bringing his finger up for a taste he spits it out. "Orc blood."
Buffy sees that Willow is still and silent. Her eyes are closed and she's gone pale.
"Willow, are you all right?"
"There is ancient magick here. I feel it. It's powerful." She sways on her feet, "Almost too powerful."
Legolas steadies her, "The trees are very old. A lot of memories." He closes his eyes and concentrates, "They are speaking to each other."
Both he and Willow's eyes pop open in fear, "Something's out there."
Aragorn and Buffy both ask, "What?"
Willow's eyes glaze over, "A white Wizard approaches."
Gimli raises his axe, Aragorn his sword and Buffy grabs a knife off of Aragorn's hip. Legolas pulls his bow around and sets an arrow.
"We must be quick."
"I know. . .attack first." Buffy mumbles.
As one they turn and attack but a bright white light blinds them. Buffy, Gimli and Legolas' weapons are deflected off the white light. Aragorn's sword becomes too hot and he drops it. Willow mumbles an incantation and the white light disappears.
Willow drops to her knees breathing heavily. Before Buffy or Legolas can get to her the bright light reappears behind her. As it fades a white wizard stands with flowing white robes and flowing white hair.
"Wonderful translocation spell, Willow."
"GANDALF?!?"
