Xander looks up as he sees Wesley and Aragorn approaching him. Without breaking stride Xander brings his sword down in an arc and waits for them.
Aragorn grows concerned for his young friend. Every available moment Xander is practicing with his sword and knives. Legolas has even taken to showing him the bow and arrow. He refuses to rest unless at night when the light is no longer available to them.
"If you won't rest at least spar with the both of us." Aragorn places a hand on Xander's shoulder.
Xander smiles at his new friends. Who would have thought he would bond with Wesley? They both had changed so much since Xander was in high school. "I know you guys are concerned about me. But I'm fine, really. You and Wesley use your weapons all the time. The knowledge of how to use them is in my head but I haven't actually used them for sometime. Not much call for swords against vamps." He turns pleading eyes to Wes and Aragorn, "I have to be the best I can be for Wills. I can be there for her as a friend when this is over but I need to be there for her now as a warrior. Do you understand?"
Aragorn and Wesley pick up their swords. If their friend is that determined they will be there for him. "Let's spar."
Buffy and Angel watch as Xander, Wesley and Aragorn spar a little away from where their camp is set up. Aragorn is correcting his stance and giving tips while he spars with Wesley.
"He's matured since the last time I saw him." Angel notices.
Buffy looks at Angel sadly, "I think we all have. The fight with Glory took a lot out of us but I think Xander hasn't really dealt with it all yet. I think he has put his emotions on hold until we get Willow back. I'm afraid he's gonna blow before this is over."
Before Angel can respond Legolas melts out of the shadows, "Orcs approach."
"I take it that's a bad thing." Buffy says as she picks up a weapon.
Arargorn stops Xander and Wesley's sparring as Legolas motions to him. Gimli and Gandalf join Legolas and the others.
"Orcs."
"This is your first test. They are fierce fighters." Aragorn turns to Legolas, "How many?"
"A small band, about twenty."
Gimli looks up at the moon, "'Tis a full moon, there will be plenty of light to see."
Legolas notches his bow and suddenly turns, firing into the shadows surrounding them. A yelp of pain can be heard and he smiles while he notches another arrow.
Aragorn turns at the sound of a twig snapping and raises his sword to battle the Orcs.
Buffy ducks as an Orc swings his sword at her. As she turns she sweeps her leg and knocks the Orc down before lowering her sword into him.
Wesley takes a quick look at Xander to make sure he is holding his own and sees him behead an Orc. Satisfied Wesley turns back to his own creature.
Gimli laughs as he swings his axe again. "That's three."
There is an eerie silence when the battle finally finishes and the bodies of the Orcs litter the ground.
"Do you think Sauron is behind this?" Angel asks as he holds his arm that was nicked in the battle.
Gandalf answers, "I feel him growing stronger and I know he is aware we are traveling but as to this attack I do not know."
~~~~
Willow walked by a stream and lazily dipped her toe in. She came to her safe place shortly after her other self helped Sauron kill the wizard in the tower. She knew that if she was to continue fighting, and she would continue fighting, she needed time in her safe place. Time away from Sauron using her to destroy. She knew that Sauron counted on the added bonus of destroying her will while using her other self to do his bidding. But her other self was becoming aware. Becoming another sentient being like Ben was with Glory. They may have shared the same body but they were two separate beings.
A sound behind her caused her to whip her head around and go into battle stance. Never before had something threatened her while here but this was new territory. She'd never had anyone come into her place like Legolas had.
Willow relaxed when she saw it was Legolas that had made the noise.
"Back again? I didn't summon you did I?" Willow tried to concentrate. She didn't think she brought him there.
Legolas smiled, "No, I don't think either one of us controls when I come to your safe place."
He sat down next to her and looked into her eyes, "I am sorry about Saruman. Gandalf told us that though you fought bravely, Sauron defeated Saruman."
A tear escapes Willow's eye, "He felt me fighting for control and so I retreated to fight another day. But when I did I allowed the other me to have control. I felt like I was there but everything was hazy." Willow looked down at the blade of grass that she was shredding, "I came here before the battle was over. I knew that if I were to continue fighting I needed to cocoon myself away." Willow paused before she continued, "Do you think I'm a coward? Buffy would never retreat or hide."
Legolas lifted Willow's chin so she was looking into his eyes, "Never. Even Gandalf says that you fight harder than King Theoden when Saruman possessed his body."
"Who is Gandalf?"
"A very strong white wizard who helped defeat Sauron the first time. He also drew Saruman out of the Theoden when he was possessed, so he would know how strong Theoden fought."
They sat in companionable silence for a while before Willow softly whispered, "Thanks."
Legolas smiled but didn't look at her, "You're welcome."
As they quietly sat she told him that the Orc attack had been planned by Sauron and that she feared it would be one of many.
He told her of her friends that came to this realm, how they were traveling and fighting together. Willow giggled at the thought that Xander and Wesley were bonding.
Legolas couldn't stop the smile that spread across his lips at the sound of Willow's giggle. He vowed that he would hear her laugh in person before this adventure was over.
Willow leaned in and brushed a quick kiss on Legolas' cheek. "I don't know how you come to my safe place but I'm glad that you do. Just being able to talk to you . . .knowing that you, Xander, Buffy and the others are also fighting makes me feel a little less alone."