Part 10
Gimli and Legolas drop to one knee and bend their heads in relief while Aragorn looks on in stunned disbelief.
"How? How is this possible?"
Buffy rolls her eyes and pffts. "Easy. I mean I've come back from the dead like what, two or three times already."
Gandalf chuckles at this while the fellowship looks at her like she is an alien, "After I defeated the Balrog I was whisked away from thought and time. I was taken to the realm of the Slayer. While there two warriors caught my attention. One was born to fight the forces of darkness and the other was born to wield the magick against the forces. I knew I was sent there to bring them to join us in our fight."
Buffy and Willow look at Gandalf stunned. "You mean YOU'RE the reason Willow and I got sent here? We're supposed to fight this Saffron guy."
Willow automatically corrected Buffy, "Sauron."
"Whatever. We thought Anya sent us with a wish."
"Oh she did. She was just the tool that Galadriel and I used."
"Birthdays really suck on the Hellmouth." Buffy mumbles.
"One stage of the journey ends, another begins. Come we must go to Rohan."
Gandalf leads them out of the forest and back to the clearing.
"What's in Rohan?"
"King Theoden is under the influence of Saruman. We must rid him of his hold."
Gandalf gave a piercing whistled. Buffy and Willow covered their ears and looked at him in awe.
"That would be great for patrolling. Can you teach me how to do that?"
Gandalf smiled at Buffy as he watched a beautiful white horse approach. "Of course, my dear. It's very easy and I'm sure you'll have an easy time of it."
Willow looked on as Gandalf swung up on to the back of Shadowfax. Willow walked up to the horse and it nuzzled her cheek. Legolas laughed as the horse tried to kiss Willow.
"Looks as if someone else has fallen for her Willowy charms." Gimli whispered to Aragorn.
Willow grinned up at Gandalf. "He's beautiful."
Gandalf reached down and patted Shadowfax on the neck. "This is Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers."
Buffy reached down to Gimli to help him up behind her while Legolas reached down for Willow.
Willow swung up on to the back of the horse and snuggled into Legolas who grinned broadly. Aragorn and Buffy just rolled their eyes at the two of them and kneed their horses into a gallop.
"Come, we must make haste to Rohan. Be careful what you say there for I'm afraid we won't be most welcome at the Golden Hall of Meduseld."
Legolas kneed his horse to follow Gandalf and the others. Rohan was a half a day's ride from Fangorn Forest and could be seen gleaming in the distance.
Willow and Legolas used their riding time to tell each other of their lives. Willow told him of her time growing up in Sunnydale and fighting the demons of the Hellmouth. Legolas told her of his childhood in Mirkwood, how he and Aragorn became friends and how the fellowship really came to be.
Soon the riders reached Rohan and the large dark gates opened to allow the travelers to enter. There were small dwellings scattered about the stronghold. The people became curious and stopped what they were doing to watch as the travelers rode by. Dismounting, they made their way to the top of the stairs where they were greeted by the ward of the door.
"Welcome travelers, I am Hama. Please I bid that you lay aside your weapons before entering."
"Why?"
Hama blinked at the small blonde woman that had asked the question.
"I'm sorry I don't understand."
"I asked why you want us to lay aside our weapons."
"It has been decreed by Grima Wormtongue."
Buffy laughed, "And people make fun of MY name." Buffy gave a quick lunge and had Hama in a stranglehold. Gimli laughed delightedly at Buffy.
Buffy whispered in Hama's ear, "I'm just saying that if we wanted anyone dead we wouldn't necessarily need weapons."
Aragorn looked over at Gandalf and saw his slight nod. Buffy saw the signal between the two and let Hama go.
"Fine, I'll give you my weapons. I just thought you should be aware that not all killers use weapons." Buffy reaches down and hands Hama her knife that she had taken from Aragon earlier.
Lifting off his sword Aragorn hands it over to Hama. Then he bends down and takes the small knife out of his boot and turns it over, also. Legolas and Gimli give up their weapons reluctantly to Hama.
Willow shows her palms up and slowly turns and smiles, "No weapons on me. I don't believe in them."
They began to walk up the steps but Hama blocks their path.
"I am sorry but I must also ask for your staff, Gandalf."
"My staff? Surely you would not begrudge an old man his walking stick?"
Legolas' lips began to twitch and he quickly schools his features into a disinterested mask before Hama turns to him. Buffy leans in to Willow and whispers, "Ooh, now I get it. Don't really lie but don't really tell the truth. You magick people are tricky." Willow just smiles and winks at Buffy.
Hama considers Gandalf's question and then nods. The guards lift the heavy bars across the door and they all enter the great hall of Theoden.
Placing Willow on his right like he was holding on to her for support and leaning heavily on his staff Gandalf leads the party toward the dais.
All Buffy can see is an old man bent with age sitting on what she assumed was a throne. Next to him was a younger man, though still older, that must be an advisor for he was whispering in Theoden's ear and watching them approach.
Willow stopped and shuddered at the sensation that was creeping up her spine. There was evil here and it seemed to be emanating from the front. Gandalf spoke to her in her mind what you feel is Saruman's hold on Theoden
Buffy leans into Aragorn, "Let me guess the weasely looking guy that needs a shower is Grima Wormtongue. Man his parents must have hated him."
Gandalf lets go of Willow's arm when they reach the center of the hall. Taking a few more steps forward Gandalf booms, "Hail Theoden, son of Thengel."
