Tidbit: The
average person makes about 1,140 telephone calls each year.
Chapter eight
Buffy couldn't explain the way she felt when he was leaning against her. It was a strange feeling… almost like she was recoiling from it since it was so damn familiar. And she remember exactly why it was familiar, and the anguish of it all came at her at once and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Maybe staying in the dark would help… maybe if she could see no one, no one could see her. But when he squeezed her hand her eyes lightly opened and though it felt right, she couldn't forget the memories of her and Angel.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Couldn't be better." Buffy muttered into the bush.
Legolas smiled and the weight was lifted from Buffy once he stood out from the bush. He offered her his hand, but she neglected it and crawled out by herself. Legolas frowned deeply and wondered at that, but Buffy brushed passed him and helped the Hobbits up before walking over to Gandalf.
"What were those?" She asked.
"Spies of Saruman!" Gandalf cried. "Now our Southern pass is being watch. We must pass through Caradhras."
"Gandalf–" Aragorn began, but the wizard silenced him.
"There is no other way." He then cast Buffy a dark look. "This is what was meant to be."
---
They walked along the deep snow of Caradhras when it began getting worse. The Hobbits, with their feet so large, kept stumbling down the hill, and the last one to fall was Frodo. Buffy tried to dodge the tumbling Hobbit, but she got drug down with him and she hit the ground hard. The numbing feeling from her body spread all the way to her head and she opened her eyes to try and remember where she was.
And there it was… staring back at her as though it was watching her… and watching everything around them.
But it made her feel strange, almost different, and she knew somehow that it wasn't right. This shouldn't be near her or any of the others in the fellowship. The Ring was a tiny glint under the blazing sun, and yet Buffy could only see the red eye. Buffy tried closing her eyes, but it was still there, staring at her.
"Buffy…" It murmured.
Buffy squeezed her eyes closed even tighter and slapped her hands over her ears. But it was still there.
"You cannot hide forever, Buffy."
"I can if I think I can." She opened her eyes and picked up the Ring. "Get away from me." And she flung it further down the hill, it never once sinking into the snow. Buffy stood wobbly, and when she was balanced on her feet she saw that everyone was looking at her. Taking a deep breath, she pointed a shaky finger at the Ring. "I think you might want to take that back, Frodo… it asked for you…"
"Are you alright?" Legolas asked, running straight for her. "Are you hurt?"
"You ask me that too much." Buffy straightened out her shoulders. "It almost seems like you care."
He frowned. "But I–"
"Boromir!" Aragorn shouted and both Legolas and Buffy whirled around.
He was standing there, and though his back was to Buffy, she could see the gold band between his fingers. He rolled it around idly, ignoring the commands Aragorn was shouting at him, until Buffy saw the same, haunting eye. It called to her again.
"For god's shake, give it back!" She cried, slapping her hand against her forehead.
Boromir, with a jerk of his head, was pulled back from the Ring and to Buffy's voice, an amused look on his face. For a moment he stared hard at her, trying to read something, but when he couldn't he turned back to Frodo and Aragorn and made his way over, the Ring outstretched in his hand.
"Silly thing, that Ring." He said, once Frodo snatched it from him. He laughed. "I fear not… here you are Frodo… I mean not to frighten you." He turned back around and threw up the horn he carried. "Not for Gondor nor for any Hobbits…"
When he walked passed Buffy, he looked down at her thoughtfully.
"And it seems," He continued, and Legolas squeezed her shoulder strongly. "that perhaps the Ring calls to you." He smiled. "I'd be careful as well, Mysterious Lady. Things may change."
"Like your attitude?" She muttered, watching him walk off angrily. "Asshole…"
"Do not worry about him." Legolas whispered, giving Buffy a comforting smile. "He doesn't know what he's talking about, Buffy."
"Don't you mean, Mysterious Lady?" She said.
"Let us continue on!" Gandalf called from the front of the line. Buffy sighed.
"I'm so glad California doesn't have snow."
---
Creepy Gandalf was really kind of… creepy. Buffy knew better than to ask him why they decided to go this way. It wasn't a very good choice in paths. As she looked down at the snow around her waist, she decided Gandalf was off his rocker. Sighing, she took a deep breath before plundering further into the snow.
It was snowing harder each minute that went by and only Legolas seemed to be handling the weather rather well.
Buffy cast him a longing look. "W-what kind of s-shoes do you w-wear?"
Legolas looked down at each one of the fellowship sadly and tried to look amused.
"The Elvish kind."
Buffy frowned and said no more. No one did. The snow was getting heavier as they approached the thin layer of the mountain, and the Hobbits were struggling to stay above the snow. Aragorn and Boromir decided to carry them across, and Buffy suddenly felt lost from way behind the line. That was, when Legolas approached her and held out his hand.
"W-what?" She asked.
"Take my hand, I will carry you." He said.
Buffy almost laughed, if it wasn't for the little icicles hanging from her mouth. "That's alright."
Legolas seemed taken. "Do you not trust me?"
"Of c-course I trust you." She sniffled. "I just don't t-trust this s-snow."
"Think of this as an adventure!" Gimli shouted, his voice even loud over the snow.
"The only a-adventure I'm getting out of this is the kind t-that doesn't count this blizzard."
Gimli and Legolas both looked puzzled. "What is it then?" They asked.
Buffy almost grinned. "Trying to tame you guys."
Walking over this mountain was getting worse and worse. Buffy wasn't use to this, she was use to bathing suits and hot, humid days. The single thought of laying, tanning on a beach made her smile and for a moment she felt like she was actually on one. But the mountain shook and Buffy was distracted by a low voice, some distances off.
She stopped as everyone continued walking.
"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya!"
Buffy flinched and turned to Legolas. "What is that?"
Legolas looked up at the sky, a troubled look on his face. "There… there is a fell voice in the air."
"What's it saying?" Merry or Pippin asked, Buffy couldn't see who it was from all the snow.
Gandalf motioned forwards. "It's Saruman!"
Buffy felt the mountain shake, rougher than the last, and a streak of lightening cause the top of it to tumble down on the others. Snow and rocks came piling down on the fellowship at top speed. All Buffy felt was her body getting pushed hard into the rocky cliff and out of harm's way. The rocks hit the edge of the mountain, barely missing the fellowship, and she looked up to see that her captive was in fact, Legolas.
"Are you–" He began.
Buffy held up a shaky hand. "Don't even ask."
"He is trying to take down the mountain!" Aragorn shouted. "Gandalf– we must head back!"
"No, we will not!" Gandalf shouted back, and Buffy's crazy meter for Gandalf went sky high.
"He's crazy." Buffy said, not really meaning to say it so loudly.
Gandalf hurried his way to the very edge of the mountain, and Buffy shook her head hopelessly. He raised his staff against the falling snow and let his free arm rise with a clenched fist. "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i'ruith!" He shouted against the wind and the moment was intense. Buffy's mouth became arid. Everyone held their breaths, and for a moment they all thought it was safe. But Buffy heard it, and she knew the others did as well.
"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto- carrinar!" It was Saruman.
Another streak of lightening zapped out from the graying sky and struck the mountain top. Buffy fell flat against the snow and sunk deep into it, and she saw the second avalanche come crashing down on the fellowship. She hadn't had time to dive, or duck for cover, so she reached out and grabbed whoever was closest to her. Boromir. He grabbed on to her and Merry, pushing them close to the side of the mountain as the pile of snow crashed down on them all. Buffy felt something smack into her head, and darkness erupted around her. An eerie silence followed suite and the first to pop out from under the blanket of snow was Legolas.
Shaking the snow from his face, he watched the top of the snow carefully, and a small hand reached out.
He hurried over to it and tugged hard. Finally he broke free Merry from under the snow and he went to help the others. One by one they all re- appeared, perfectly unharmed and cold. But Buffy wasn't there. Legolas felt a rush of panic in the tips of his fingers and he began digging around wildly for her. Where was she? Why wasn't she up like the others? A sudden shout from behind made him stop and he whirled around to see Boromir cradling Buffy in his arms.
"No!" Legolas cried, hurrying over to him. "Give me her, give me her!"
"She's been struck." Boromir concluded. "Her head is bleeding and her eyes are closed solid. Leave her be, she is still alive."
"Why isn't she breathing, why is she not moving?" Legolas could feel the tears somewhere behind his eyes well up.
"She is unconscious." Gandalf said, coming over to them to examine Buffy. "Hold her while."
"Gandalf, we must get off the mountain." Aragorn shouted.
"Yes, we must make for the Gap of Rohan. We must make it to my city." Boromir insisted.
"No, it brings us too close to Isengard." Aragorn argued.
"Then it is decided, we must go forth to Moria!" Gimli growled.
Gandalf turned to regard Gimli, a worried look on his face. The others waited patiently as Gandalf thought on this, obviously troubled with the decisions. Legolas, oblivious to what was going on, held Buffy's hand in his as he took her from Boromir. She was so cold… when she moved, Legolas started at it but she only buried her face into his chest. He must be warm. He removed a piece of her hair and smiled down at her.
Gandalf turned away from the Elf and the girl to look at Frodo.
"Let the Ring bearer, decide."
Frodo looked shaken under everyone's gaze. Choose such a strong choice? He looked over at Gimli and remembered how much he talked about Moria. It was must be different from Caradhras… So he looked back up at Gandalf and smiled wearily.
"We will take the Mines of Moria." Was his decision.
Gandalf sighed. "So be it."
And so they began traveling the rest of the way through the mountain, struggling at first, and the moment they reached dry land Legolas hurried Buffy over to a warm place, where Aragorn and Gandalf came over to tend to her. Her lips were slightly parted, and her eyes still looked like they were frozen shut. Tiny icicles hung low from her hair and her face was a pale green. Legolas worried on her, but Gandalf and Aragorn assured him she was fine. She does not look fine, he reminded himself, watching as they tended to the wound on the side of her head. Everything would be fine and she would be up, better than ever. He took a deep breath and turned to the sky. It was still dark, but the snow was melted far behind them and the weather was humid. Perhaps this was the perfect choice Frodo made.
Chapter eight
Buffy couldn't explain the way she felt when he was leaning against her. It was a strange feeling… almost like she was recoiling from it since it was so damn familiar. And she remember exactly why it was familiar, and the anguish of it all came at her at once and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Maybe staying in the dark would help… maybe if she could see no one, no one could see her. But when he squeezed her hand her eyes lightly opened and though it felt right, she couldn't forget the memories of her and Angel.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Couldn't be better." Buffy muttered into the bush.
Legolas smiled and the weight was lifted from Buffy once he stood out from the bush. He offered her his hand, but she neglected it and crawled out by herself. Legolas frowned deeply and wondered at that, but Buffy brushed passed him and helped the Hobbits up before walking over to Gandalf.
"What were those?" She asked.
"Spies of Saruman!" Gandalf cried. "Now our Southern pass is being watch. We must pass through Caradhras."
"Gandalf–" Aragorn began, but the wizard silenced him.
"There is no other way." He then cast Buffy a dark look. "This is what was meant to be."
---
They walked along the deep snow of Caradhras when it began getting worse. The Hobbits, with their feet so large, kept stumbling down the hill, and the last one to fall was Frodo. Buffy tried to dodge the tumbling Hobbit, but she got drug down with him and she hit the ground hard. The numbing feeling from her body spread all the way to her head and she opened her eyes to try and remember where she was.
And there it was… staring back at her as though it was watching her… and watching everything around them.
But it made her feel strange, almost different, and she knew somehow that it wasn't right. This shouldn't be near her or any of the others in the fellowship. The Ring was a tiny glint under the blazing sun, and yet Buffy could only see the red eye. Buffy tried closing her eyes, but it was still there, staring at her.
"Buffy…" It murmured.
Buffy squeezed her eyes closed even tighter and slapped her hands over her ears. But it was still there.
"You cannot hide forever, Buffy."
"I can if I think I can." She opened her eyes and picked up the Ring. "Get away from me." And she flung it further down the hill, it never once sinking into the snow. Buffy stood wobbly, and when she was balanced on her feet she saw that everyone was looking at her. Taking a deep breath, she pointed a shaky finger at the Ring. "I think you might want to take that back, Frodo… it asked for you…"
"Are you alright?" Legolas asked, running straight for her. "Are you hurt?"
"You ask me that too much." Buffy straightened out her shoulders. "It almost seems like you care."
He frowned. "But I–"
"Boromir!" Aragorn shouted and both Legolas and Buffy whirled around.
He was standing there, and though his back was to Buffy, she could see the gold band between his fingers. He rolled it around idly, ignoring the commands Aragorn was shouting at him, until Buffy saw the same, haunting eye. It called to her again.
"For god's shake, give it back!" She cried, slapping her hand against her forehead.
Boromir, with a jerk of his head, was pulled back from the Ring and to Buffy's voice, an amused look on his face. For a moment he stared hard at her, trying to read something, but when he couldn't he turned back to Frodo and Aragorn and made his way over, the Ring outstretched in his hand.
"Silly thing, that Ring." He said, once Frodo snatched it from him. He laughed. "I fear not… here you are Frodo… I mean not to frighten you." He turned back around and threw up the horn he carried. "Not for Gondor nor for any Hobbits…"
When he walked passed Buffy, he looked down at her thoughtfully.
"And it seems," He continued, and Legolas squeezed her shoulder strongly. "that perhaps the Ring calls to you." He smiled. "I'd be careful as well, Mysterious Lady. Things may change."
"Like your attitude?" She muttered, watching him walk off angrily. "Asshole…"
"Do not worry about him." Legolas whispered, giving Buffy a comforting smile. "He doesn't know what he's talking about, Buffy."
"Don't you mean, Mysterious Lady?" She said.
"Let us continue on!" Gandalf called from the front of the line. Buffy sighed.
"I'm so glad California doesn't have snow."
---
Creepy Gandalf was really kind of… creepy. Buffy knew better than to ask him why they decided to go this way. It wasn't a very good choice in paths. As she looked down at the snow around her waist, she decided Gandalf was off his rocker. Sighing, she took a deep breath before plundering further into the snow.
It was snowing harder each minute that went by and only Legolas seemed to be handling the weather rather well.
Buffy cast him a longing look. "W-what kind of s-shoes do you w-wear?"
Legolas looked down at each one of the fellowship sadly and tried to look amused.
"The Elvish kind."
Buffy frowned and said no more. No one did. The snow was getting heavier as they approached the thin layer of the mountain, and the Hobbits were struggling to stay above the snow. Aragorn and Boromir decided to carry them across, and Buffy suddenly felt lost from way behind the line. That was, when Legolas approached her and held out his hand.
"W-what?" She asked.
"Take my hand, I will carry you." He said.
Buffy almost laughed, if it wasn't for the little icicles hanging from her mouth. "That's alright."
Legolas seemed taken. "Do you not trust me?"
"Of c-course I trust you." She sniffled. "I just don't t-trust this s-snow."
"Think of this as an adventure!" Gimli shouted, his voice even loud over the snow.
"The only a-adventure I'm getting out of this is the kind t-that doesn't count this blizzard."
Gimli and Legolas both looked puzzled. "What is it then?" They asked.
Buffy almost grinned. "Trying to tame you guys."
Walking over this mountain was getting worse and worse. Buffy wasn't use to this, she was use to bathing suits and hot, humid days. The single thought of laying, tanning on a beach made her smile and for a moment she felt like she was actually on one. But the mountain shook and Buffy was distracted by a low voice, some distances off.
She stopped as everyone continued walking.
"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; nai yarvaxea rasselya!"
Buffy flinched and turned to Legolas. "What is that?"
Legolas looked up at the sky, a troubled look on his face. "There… there is a fell voice in the air."
"What's it saying?" Merry or Pippin asked, Buffy couldn't see who it was from all the snow.
Gandalf motioned forwards. "It's Saruman!"
Buffy felt the mountain shake, rougher than the last, and a streak of lightening cause the top of it to tumble down on the others. Snow and rocks came piling down on the fellowship at top speed. All Buffy felt was her body getting pushed hard into the rocky cliff and out of harm's way. The rocks hit the edge of the mountain, barely missing the fellowship, and she looked up to see that her captive was in fact, Legolas.
"Are you–" He began.
Buffy held up a shaky hand. "Don't even ask."
"He is trying to take down the mountain!" Aragorn shouted. "Gandalf– we must head back!"
"No, we will not!" Gandalf shouted back, and Buffy's crazy meter for Gandalf went sky high.
"He's crazy." Buffy said, not really meaning to say it so loudly.
Gandalf hurried his way to the very edge of the mountain, and Buffy shook her head hopelessly. He raised his staff against the falling snow and let his free arm rise with a clenched fist. "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i'ruith!" He shouted against the wind and the moment was intense. Buffy's mouth became arid. Everyone held their breaths, and for a moment they all thought it was safe. But Buffy heard it, and she knew the others did as well.
"Cuiva nwalca Carnirasse; Nai yarvaxea rasselya; taltuva notto- carrinar!" It was Saruman.
Another streak of lightening zapped out from the graying sky and struck the mountain top. Buffy fell flat against the snow and sunk deep into it, and she saw the second avalanche come crashing down on the fellowship. She hadn't had time to dive, or duck for cover, so she reached out and grabbed whoever was closest to her. Boromir. He grabbed on to her and Merry, pushing them close to the side of the mountain as the pile of snow crashed down on them all. Buffy felt something smack into her head, and darkness erupted around her. An eerie silence followed suite and the first to pop out from under the blanket of snow was Legolas.
Shaking the snow from his face, he watched the top of the snow carefully, and a small hand reached out.
He hurried over to it and tugged hard. Finally he broke free Merry from under the snow and he went to help the others. One by one they all re- appeared, perfectly unharmed and cold. But Buffy wasn't there. Legolas felt a rush of panic in the tips of his fingers and he began digging around wildly for her. Where was she? Why wasn't she up like the others? A sudden shout from behind made him stop and he whirled around to see Boromir cradling Buffy in his arms.
"No!" Legolas cried, hurrying over to him. "Give me her, give me her!"
"She's been struck." Boromir concluded. "Her head is bleeding and her eyes are closed solid. Leave her be, she is still alive."
"Why isn't she breathing, why is she not moving?" Legolas could feel the tears somewhere behind his eyes well up.
"She is unconscious." Gandalf said, coming over to them to examine Buffy. "Hold her while."
"Gandalf, we must get off the mountain." Aragorn shouted.
"Yes, we must make for the Gap of Rohan. We must make it to my city." Boromir insisted.
"No, it brings us too close to Isengard." Aragorn argued.
"Then it is decided, we must go forth to Moria!" Gimli growled.
Gandalf turned to regard Gimli, a worried look on his face. The others waited patiently as Gandalf thought on this, obviously troubled with the decisions. Legolas, oblivious to what was going on, held Buffy's hand in his as he took her from Boromir. She was so cold… when she moved, Legolas started at it but she only buried her face into his chest. He must be warm. He removed a piece of her hair and smiled down at her.
Gandalf turned away from the Elf and the girl to look at Frodo.
"Let the Ring bearer, decide."
Frodo looked shaken under everyone's gaze. Choose such a strong choice? He looked over at Gimli and remembered how much he talked about Moria. It was must be different from Caradhras… So he looked back up at Gandalf and smiled wearily.
"We will take the Mines of Moria." Was his decision.
Gandalf sighed. "So be it."
And so they began traveling the rest of the way through the mountain, struggling at first, and the moment they reached dry land Legolas hurried Buffy over to a warm place, where Aragorn and Gandalf came over to tend to her. Her lips were slightly parted, and her eyes still looked like they were frozen shut. Tiny icicles hung low from her hair and her face was a pale green. Legolas worried on her, but Gandalf and Aragorn assured him she was fine. She does not look fine, he reminded himself, watching as they tended to the wound on the side of her head. Everything would be fine and she would be up, better than ever. He took a deep breath and turned to the sky. It was still dark, but the snow was melted far behind them and the weather was humid. Perhaps this was the perfect choice Frodo made.