Jacqueline Rex: I know and I mean to update sooner but there are certain things in life that isn't based around this story. I will post as soon as possible, just keep reviewing please. :)


AGAIN! You guys ROCK.


CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: Teleëa in Lothlórien



The wind whistled in the air and it sounded through the leaves as Buffy strained her ears for any twinge of movement anywhere around her. But sensing nothing, she relaxed against the branch and laid back against the tree, warm winter's rays of sunlight pouring against her face. As soon as she allowed her eyes to close in comfortable resignation, strong hands wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her onto another branch and into the lap of a blonde haired Elf.


"Nice one." Buffy said breathlessly. "I nearly fell out of the tree and nearly had a heart attack. What else can you do?"


Haldir grinned excitedly, a gleam tinting his eyes and making Buffy shudder with response. And that was what he had expected her to do as his hands wrapped more tightly around her hips, straddling her in his lap and bringing her closer.


"Anything you desire, my lady." Haldir answered, cupping her cheek and bringing her face closer to his. "But I can also do so much with my mouth… like a kiss."


"You're going to kiss me." it wasn't a question.


Haldir's eyes lit up in surprise and for a moment he was stunned by her blunt statement. Then he lowered his eyes and tilted her head so Buffy's nose was gently pressing against his cheek, their lips barely touching when out came a sharp pitched voice.


"An Elven maid there was of old, a shining star by day: Her mangle white was hemmed with gold, her shoes of silver gray. A star was bound upon her brows, a light was on her hair. As sun upon the olden boughs in Lórien the fair!"


"Legolas." Buffy said with a sigh.


"Her hair was long, her limbs were white, and fair she was and free; And in the wind she went as light as leaf of linden tree. Beside the falls of Nimrodel, by water clear and cool, her voice as falling silver fell into the shining pool."


"Who is he singing about?" Buffy asked.


"Nimrodel the fair." Haldir answered with chafe. "Apparently Legolas Greenleaf would rather not have us alone in the tree. Shall we go?"


"Elf what do you think you're doing!" came Gimli's voice, huffed and angry. "You promised me more archery catastrophe and you're here snooping around singing like a nit wit!"


"I am not snooping," Legolas spat back. "I am singing of Nimrodel the-"


"Don'tchu give me that banquet song of Elves load of Uruk- Hai bunkum, you know damned well you were sneaking around," Buffy heard Gimli shift through some leaves and land onto the ground with a heavy thump. "Buffy you may come out now, supper is being served."


"We better go before the Hobbits get to the first course." Buffy said with a grin, removing herself from Haldir's warm embrace and falling gracefully next to Legolas. "Not snooping around are you?" she asked through gritted teeth.


Legolas went to answer with a better denote but was forced to close his mouth when Haldir landed beside Buffy, a hand immediately wrapping around her waist and draping against her thighs. Buffy said nothing of this as she was use to the intimate positions her and Haldir had continued to share.


Over their share of time together in Lothlórien, the two had grown closer together in ways that Buffy could have never imagined happening, especially with her time spent in Middle- earth. But somehow the rejection from Legolas, the loss of her home and the loss of finding a way home all fell together and she sought Haldir for that missing comfort.


And her hand found his.


"Anything else we need to know?" Buffy asked.


"Perhaps I am the one who isn't being informed on things." Legolas replied doggedly.


"Maybe you're the one who doesn't know how to take no as an answer," Buffy said.


"Perhaps you are the one who needs to assure your decisions!" Legolas exclaimed.


"Maybe you're the one who needs to open his big head and realize that you can't get everything you want!" Buffy shouted, turning around and walking away briskly.


Haldir set his jaw firmly and crossed his arms. "For Elbereth's sake Legolas, you are nearly three thousand years of age. Perhaps you should act it and set a firmer example when it comes down to the members of your household."


"Funny," Legolas said with a step closer to Haldir. "because sometimes I feel like the only one who is acting normal around here. Your relationship with the slayer is folly, it can't be taken seriously. You are an Elf, she is mortal." his eyes shifted downwards as he eyed the other Elf strongly, and as his eyes fell back onto his face, the expression remained impassive. "Chances for seeing her again lies thin. She may die."


Haldir's eyes flashed dangerously.


"Then I shall die as well." and he left with a swift throw of his robe.


Gimli watched the exchange and paused.


"I figured you and the lass would have ended in a hitch," he said once Haldir had left ear shot. "but I suppose people change and you ought to as well."


"There's no time for feelings Gimli." Legolas said softly. "Our lives are yet doomed. We may yet come out of this alive, but for Buffy and the ring bearer I can only pray to Iluvatar. Let us go,"



* * *


The luminous glows streaming along the mallorn trees provided light for the dinner alfresco, light music playing in the background as Elves and Hobbits entered the dance floor with the clapping of their hands. Buffy smiled at the orchestra, doubting that this was anything like The Bronze, and hesitated as to whether or not she should join them and make an ass out of herself in front of the Galadhrim.


"You had your fair share at drinking B," Faith said reassuringly, Boromir's hand stroking her leg from under the woodland console. "just go and have fun, you've been workin' your ass off for only God knows how long!"


Buffy paused. "I can't," she protested.


"Yeah you can!" Faith shouted, giving Buffy a light push towards the middle of the timber floor.


"My wine glass is likely to be empty in a few minutes!" Buffy shouted back. "Maybe I'll just go get more while the music people take a break."


"The music people never take a break." barked a semi conscious Gimli. "you best go on the dance floor and have a chaffing good time!"


"But Haldir isn't here." Buffy said with a frown. "I'll go look for him…"


"No you don't!" Faith said with a laugh, grabbing hold of her hands and leading her to the dancing Elves. "Let's show them how we do it at Sunnydale!"


"I don't think bang dancing is suitable in Middle- earth Faith," Buffy said doubtfully. "But I trust you."


As the two women centered the floor near the orchestra, Legolas sat watching them with grave silence. Boromir watched from beside him as well, though his eyes were ever watchful on Faith.


"You care for the woman?" Legolas asked gently.


"I have known no other strange and alluring as Faith." Boromir answered with a nod. "Aye, I know if it's not love then it is most definitely attraction."


"Attraction." Legolas agreed, his eyes falling on Buffy.


Her body was moving in graceful adulterant movements, her slender body forming curves that he had by all odds noticed in her Hobbit clothing. Never the less, the dancing was without doubt erotic and foreign to his Elven eyes, and if it wasn't for the firm grip at the edge of the table he was sure to loose control and do something irrational.


Fighting the urge to take her away from everyone and take her as his own, his eyes focused on who was approaching her. Long blonde hair gently fluxed behind her back and she caught the gaze of the Prince, a sad smile on her face, and turned back to Buffy, an arm going on her shoulder.


Legolas' heart lurched at the thought of what The Lady of the Wood had to say to the slayer.


"Yeah?" Buffy asked.


"I must have a word with you Buffy," Galadriel said softly.


"Uh…" she gave Faith a hard look. "Sure."


"Over to the trees, my dear." she added when Buffy did not move.


"What is it?" Buffy asked worriedly.


Galadriel smiled to lull Buffy's concern. "I have come to give you something for your duties to the Fellowship."


"Deed of conveyance?" Buffy said then shook her head. "Never mind. What is it that you have to give me?"


"For your honor I give you the jewel of Teleëa * of Rhûn *, North of Lothlórien." Galadriel answered with a smile.


But Buffy was dubious. "You're giving me jewelry? Ok seriously, all those new dresses were nice and those warm baths were very nice -" considering I shared them mostly with Haldir "- but I can't accept jeweler- oooh!"


Galadriel had extended her hand while Buffy carried on with her blithering, a light green pentagon shaped jewel lying flat out in the palm of her pale hand. It was something Buffy had never seen before and it was almost too real to look at.


Usually she would pass off at jewelry especially when it was given to her by a person she had just met, who so happens to be the most powerful Elf in the world, but seeing how it was a gift and how it shone very prettily under the moonlight Buffy took it in her hand, eyes still round like saucers.


"It's beautiful," Buffy said in awe. "how much did this cost?"


"Cost?" Galadriel repeated.


"Oh sorry, I forgot the rules of gift giving. Never ask how much it costs, especially something like this." Buffy's eyes were round again as she looked back up at Galadriel. "Excuse my french, but damn, thank you. Uh… I don't know what else to say but, thank you thank you!"


Buffy wrapped her arms around The Lady and squeezed tightly, even though Galadriel struggled awkwardly in the tight hold.


"Would you like to know how it works?" She attempted.


"Works?" Buffy said in surprise. "I don't think it needs to do anything more but look good, but okay. Shoot."


Galadriel said nothing and Buffy frowned.


"Well are you going to tell me?"


"You shall find out soon enough Slayer," Galadriel said, softly placing her hand in Buffy's and lifting the jewel to her heart. "Place it around your neck at all times, never take it off for sometimes our greatest powers aren't strength enough to save our own lives… and the lives around you."


"That's something to think about." Buffy whispered, looking down at the Teleëa.


"Go then, everyone awaits you." Galadriel took Buffy by the chin and lifted her face towards her and laid a soft kiss on her forehead. "You shall do well Buffy of Sunnydale, I am sure of it. But never take off that jewel."



* * *


Buffy couldn't sleep that night, like all the other nights she lay awake thinking about things. But this time her mind was focused on the jewel against her neck, glistering brightly at the neckline of her dress.


The noises around her faded as her fingers tapped lightly against the Teleëa.


"That's a lovely gem, Buffy." Legolas whispered from the other end of the talan. "It adorns your skin. It fits you."


Buffy nodded, unaware that she was being watched. "I know. That's the scary part."


Legolas hesitated. "I suppose you and Haldir are officially… hooked?"


"Haldir didn't give me this, Legolas." Buffy said sharply. "Galadriel actually did and it's a gift for my, uh- it's just a gift, okay?"


Legolas nodded and knew not to press the matter of the jewel on.


"We will be leaving tomorrow, you should get some rest." he said softly.


"No, I'm fine." Buffy said.


Legolas hesitated, his eyes falling where the jewel lay against her chest. "Buffy," he said firmly, "can you tell me what you last remember happening before coming here. Can you tell me what went on?"


Buffy's face fell and she looked up to meet his gaze.


"I don't think I have the time to explain it all to you, but have you ever had the feeling that you could be two places at once?" Buffy asked.


"No, I haven't." Legolas replied uneasily. "But what are you trying to say?"


Buffy took a deep breath and wrapped her hand around her jewel.


"I've been having these feelings, these dreams that maybe I'm not really here." Buffy said. "Like… I am in some kind of dream state and I can't wake up. If you really think about it it gets your mind going and I just can't stop thinking about it ever since Gandalf died."


"Is that an answer to my question?" Legolas asked, raising an eyebrow.


Buffy sighed and looked back up at him. "No."


"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine." Legolas said quickly.


"I do want to talk about it!" Buffy protested. "But I can't."


Legolas nodded and drew himself up on his elbows. "When you need to talk, I am here."


"So is everybody else," Buffy added miserably, closing her eyes to a dark sleep.



* Teleëa isn't really a jewel in the history based around Tolkien's work and everything, but I felt like maybe I should make something up and Teleëa is what I came up with. It'll be based around further into the parts of Buffy's time in Middle- earth, so keep an eye opener for the Teleëa.


* Rhûn is where the Easterlings are (were) and they'll have a part in the story too. But I can't say too much because I don't want to ruin anything. Be patient, and sorry for the delay again.