Tidbit: Mosquito repellents don't repel. They hide you. The spray blocks the mosquito's sensors so they don't know your there.


Chapter six



Buffy couldn't speak with Gandalf alone, there was no possible way of talking to anyone alone. The fellowship was so huddled together that everyone had trouble going to the bathroom alone, which Buffy had to make sure no one was around to do. And Legolas was charmed by Buffy's heritage, her sister, her father, her friends and life back in Sunnydale.


"And that was only because Xander is never serious." said Buffy on their fourth day of traveling, and it was becoming late so Gandalf called everyone to a rest. "But he's really sweet, and I guess I miss him and Willow the most out of everyone in the Scooby gang."


Legolas nodded in understanding. "They sound like interesting people."


"That's because they are!" said Buffy with a snort. "You should meet them, I think you'll like them."


"I would like that." He truthfully smiled. "I would want to meet all these people, they all sound like you."


Buffy gave him a strange look. "There's some side affects to meeting my friends, though. Nausea, upset stomach, headaches, and wild tantrums"


Legolas laughed, despite not really understanding what she was saying. She smiled at this and they both walked over by Aragorn, who was deep in conversation with Boromir. When Boromir saw whom was approaching, he made to leave but the Ranger grabbed his forearm and held him back.


"Gandalf is searching the area." explained Aragorn.


"And he told us to wait here?" Buffy asked.


Aragorn nodded slowly. "He told me to wait here and watch everyone, so I am obliging to his wishes."


"Great, I feel like I'm getting baby- sat." Buffy muttered, walking over to the woods. It was pretty dark in there, but she could see movement from somewhere near an empty gap and some shrubs. "Hey-"


"I do not like the way the wind is blowing." Boromir interjected.


"The season is simply changing." replied Legolas, and Buffy heard his light footsteps against some fallen leaves. "Buffy? What is it? What are you looking at?"


The slayer ignored him and tried to focus on the movement dead ahead of her, but the wind was so strong that her eyes kept watering up and loosing contact. So she stayed still and knew the others were trying to see what she was seeing, but they said nothing. They probably don't see it! Buffy thought desperately and tore her gaze from the wood when the familiar, happy voice of Gandalf rung the air. A sigh of relief flooded through her. Though she'll never admit to it, she was glad Gandalf was back. They'll be safe with Gandalf.


"There is nothing to be frightened of." Gandalf said, much to the relief of the others. "And you must have dropped this while you were walking, Buffy." He handed over the blade Elrond had given her.


Buffy's eyes widened and she snatched it eagerly.


"Where the hell did you get this from?" she cried.


"That matters not, but do remember where you leave your possessions." He walked away swiftly.


"I don't remember dropping this!" Buffy exclaimed, turning on Legolas. "You were walking with me, did you see it drop?"


Legolas shook his head. "No, I did not." he whispered.


Buffy groaned. "Why does he always have to talk like he'll explain everything later?"


"Do not upset yourself so, Buffy." said Legolas, laying his hand on her back and rubbing it slowly. "I doubt he means to make you frustrated, but that is just Gandalf. He knows much, but I'm sure you must have- well, misplaced it, somehow."


"Somehow?" she said angrily. "How did I somehow misplace my damn weapon? I am careful, Legolas, real careful."


"I know-" He began.


"No, you don't know." Buffy sighed in resignation, turning around and walking over to the Hobbits.


Legolas watched her closely and shook his head. "I do not understand."


"She is a woman, Legolas." Aragorn said, coming up from behind him. "You must be careful with what you say."


"But I said nothing!" Legolas protested. "I said nothing that would anger her, and she suddenly smiles?"


Aragorn made some sort of noise from the back of his throat, and Legolas took it as a laugh. "A woman… remember."


---


Buffy spent most of her time that evening with the Hobbits, finding their company amusing and fun, but somehow without Legolas everything felt different. Pippin let out a cry of triumph as he collected his pile of leaves from a disgusted Sam, and Buffy laughed along with Merry and Frodo. Maybe the company of the Hobbits wasn't as bad as she thought.


Notwithstanding, she caught glances with the Elf, who stood leaning against a tree, an impassive look sketched on his face.


The wind howled and Buffy wrapped her arms around herself tightly. Even though it was chilly out, and the ground was very uncomfortable, she found sleep hard from all these thoughts that keep popping into her mind. A soft whimper came from her left and it made her jump. She relaxed when Frodo rolled over on his side, his legs curling to his chest and his fingers fingering something in its grasp. It was the Ring.


She suddenly felt anxious.


Something about the way his fingers were curled around each other made Buffy very curious. But something else made her frightened, not just for herself, but for the others. The soft sound of rustled leaves did not distract Buffy from the strange reverie against Frodo's hand, and what exactly was inside it.


And it called to her.


"Can you tell me what you wish for?" whispered the wind. "Can you tell me what you desire?"


It wasn't exactly the sight of the great Eye that startled her, but the fact that it was trying to stare her down. Burning a bright red around the flaming eye, it began to whisper a strange language along the wind, taunting Buffy with words about returning home and dark mountains? Buffy found herself shaking her head furiously, unable to escape the black void that had somehow sucked her in.


"Destroy him, take it." the voice ordered. "or I shall take it and destroy you!"


The Eye came closer, somehow, and Buffy could feel the chilling flames on her skin.


"Listen to my voice and you will avail to my bidding."


"No!" she suddenly cried, shielding her eyes from the flaming eye. "Get away! Get away from me!"


"Buffy!" cried someone, a calming, startled voice.


"Get away from him, Buffy!" shouted Legolas, and someone pulled her away and no longer was she standing before the Eye. She was back in the woods where everyone was awake and staring at her in silent awe. "Buffy!"


"Get off of me, I hate it!" she repelled against Legolas and threw him off violently. "Stupid eye peeping thing! I hate it!"


"Eye peeping thing?" questioned Merry to Pippin and Sam.


"Calm her down!" Aragorn ordered.


Buffy focused her gaze and abruptly fell back into Legolas, her eyes falling directly on a cowering Frodo. He clutched the breast pocket of his little jacket, his face screwed in an unannounced horror, obviously distraught from a brutal tantrum. And Buffy suddenly realized what she had done and cursed lightly under her breath.


Then she felt the immense look of Gandalf, and looked up at him.


"Gandalf!" she shouted, standing and shoving Legolas off from her. "Gandalf, did you see what I saw? That cat eye looking thing? It was saying stuff to me too, I don't know exactly what he meant- I mean, I do know what he meant but…" her gaze suddenly fell on Aragorn, who looked accusing. She gaped at him and shook her head. "I didn't mean to attack Frodo, really! Its not like I'm gonna go off and take the stupid Ring. I don't even like tacky gold rings!"


When she finished her chatty blabbing, Aragorn looked away gravely.


"So you have seen the Eye." announced Gandalf.


Everyone began to murmur, and Buffy began to get angry.


"What's the Eye?" Buffy cried. "You aren't telling me things here, y'know! I need to know things too, I'm apart of the bloody fellowship!"


Thanks Spike, she added silently.


Breathlessly Buffy waited and crossed her arms as Gandalf sighed.


"Oh, I understand." continued Buffy in a hurt tone. "I don't belong here, do I?"


"I wish I could explain to you why you have seen the Eye, and why it was saying the things it had said to you, but I do know that you mean no harm to Frodo or any of us."


"SEE!" proclaimed Buffy at Aragorn. "It's not my fault."


"And, I do not feel safe here any longer, we all must continue right this instant."


"But Gandalf-" Buffy began.


Gandalf gave her a hard look.


"We will speak of this at a better time."


When Gandalf walked away, Buffy turned on Legolas and flapped her arms.


Legolas backed away a little, suddenly frightened of her rage.


"See!" she cried. "This is exactly how I described him before. Always putting things off and at the last minute explaining them. By the time he actually explains things, I wont care anymore! Ugh!"


At least she speaks to you, he mused. It felt good to hear her voice, even if it was detesting against his own. He smiled softly and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and planting a kiss on her knuckles. When she brought her hand back down, her face softened and became less confused.


"That was totally unnecessary." she said, and for a moment Legolas' heart dropped. "But you can do it again… if you want…"


Legolas smiled and nodded. "I will." And he would keep his promise, for the skin on Buffy was soft and shimmered with a glow. Buffy laughed and wiped at her face.


"That isn't glow, its called sweat."


"Let us pack." he said briskly, taking her by the hand and leading her away.


Buffy nodded, but looked back at Frodo. He was watching her as well, his little hand still clutched at his breast pocket, and Buffy had a haunting feeling the Ring was there. She shuddered and shook her head from her stupidity. Next time she'll remember not to sleep anywhere near Hobbits.