Apologies for the longer chapter, I just thought it would be a sin if I divided it into two different ones. Anyway, this is it, the finale. The grand finale. The last chapter. The stopping point. The closing certain. The conclusion. . . well not the conclusion, but what are you complaining for? Part two will be out soon. It isn't like I am going to stop the story line so spontaneously. Sheesh people! :)



CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: Taken. . . no more time.




"Your father?" Buffy asked softly.


"What of my father?" Legolas asked impatiently. "He is the King, what do you expect from him? To be a loving father and resistant to what he expects is right for me?"


"He sounds. . ." Buffy looked away woefully. ". . . like my father."


Legolas seemed surprised by this and thought for on what he could say, "You had a mother, didn't you?"


"Yes, I had a mother." Buffy turned her eyes to him and frowned. "She died awhile ago from a disease that's common to most humans. I suppose you don't know what a tumour is, do you?"


"It sounds terrible, whatever it is." Legolas said, and without realising it his hand found hers and he gave it a light squeeze for assurance. "My mother had died also, when I was younger."


"Do you think about her often?" Buffy asked softly, unaware of their hands.


Legolas smiled gravely, "Too often actually, as much I can spare. She was a big part of my life. . . especially when my father hadn't been there for me when I needed him. But a mother can do so much, right?"


"Right." Buffy agreed and there was a pause. "Legolas,"


"Yes?" he murmured softly, his eyes scanning the soft spring in front of them.


"How- how did your mother die?"


Legolas' soft face changed so suddenly, so quickly that Buffy felt a lurch in her stomach and quickly regretted every asking him anything about his mother. Becoming aware of their twined hands, Buffy pulled away quickly.


"Look, I'm sorry." Buffy apologised. "Sometimes my mouth opens and it has a hard time closing."


"Why did you pull away?" Legolas asked worriedly. "I am willing to tell you, if you can sit still and not be. . . well, disturbed by my touch. I like touching you,"


Buffy swallowed a lump in her throat and reluctantly scooted closer to him, letting her hand catch his in hesitance and she smiled comfortingly budging him to continue.


"So what happened to her?" she asked softly.


"It was a long time ago. . . I was only a child. . . father told her that the weather had changed for a purpose and that the Lady of Imladris was waiting for her." he took a moment to think this over. "She did not know that the Lady was to travel over the Undying Lands to the Valinor, so she was ready to go the following day. . . but the party had never reached Imladris before they were flooded out near the mountains. And that was when the spiders came,"


Buffy's eyebrow furrowed, "Spiders? Big spiders or little spiders?"


"Big spiders." Legolas answered.


"I've have trouble with spiders in school before but-" realising she wasn't closing her mouth again, she apologised. "Keep going, I'm listening. Somehow."


"The spiders came. . ." Legolas continued. "Without notice to my mother's guards, but they were no help even if they did hear them coming. Because of the flood, the spiders were drawn to it and they were attracted to their scents. Days later a messenger set out to Imladris and came across their bodies. . . mangled. . . torn. . . dead."


Buffy pursed her lips in understanding and softly ran her thumb against his hand, her eyes compassionate when he looked back at her. His face was impassive but inside his body was aching with desire for more than just her thumb to caress his body.


"I. . ." Legolas was choked with emotion. "I came across her body. It was. . . horrible."


"I was the first to see my mother's dead body too." Buffy said. "I know how you feel."


There was finally a gleam in Legolas' eyes and he closed the distance between them, his hand coiling through the strands of her golden hair and bringing his face to bury within it. She smelled of Lothlórien's woodland scent, and it engulfed him as his other hand cupped her cheek and brought her face near his, their lips barely touching and enlightening a shudder from Buffy that she felt all the way to her toes.


"It seems that you are the only one that knows, Buffy." he whispered, kissing her on the lips. "That understands. . ." he kissed her more tenderly and lightly ran his tongue against her bottom lip. ". . . the way I feel. . ." he laid her back against the soft grass and ran a hand under her dress, working his way to her waist. ". . . the certain way I want things. . ." his long fingers ran themselves against her breast, and Buffy arched her hips into his groin. ". . . and I want you Buffy. . ."


"Legolas," Buffy moaned, her eyes fluttering close.


"Do you want me Buffy?" Legolas asked seductively.


Buffy swallowed deeply and opened her eyes. "What do I want?" she whispered. "I want to feel loved."


"Say you want me, Buffy." Legolas persisted. "Say my name Buffy, say you want Legolas, not Haldir."


"But I want. . ." Buffy hissed in a breath when Legolas' teeth gnawed on her neck. ". . . I want you."


----


"Buffy!" Haldir called the following morning.


Buffy's tired eyes looked up and smiled in time as Haldir approached, his arms wrapping around her waist and swinging her in the air.


"I have been meaning to talk to you," he continued, settling her down. "about us."


"What about us?" Buffy asked worriedly. Had he seen anything last night? She hoped not.


"There is one gift that I have wanted to share with you since I laid eyes on your fair beauty." he said and took her hands in his. "I want to bind you to me."


Buffy's eyes narrowed, "Excuse me? Bind? Haldir I don't know what sort of thing you are into but I can assure you that I'm not into anything that deals with bindings and. . . stuff."


"What sort of 'thing' do you think I am talking about?" Haldir asked. "I can assure that humans do it as well."


"Are you talking about having sex?" Buffy said dryly.


"Sex?! Sex, indeed!" Haldir looked appalled, and for once Buffy was the one to give the weird look. "Sex is such a foul way of putting it, my dear, that is why we say bondage instead. I - I want to bind you, not sex you"


"Like that sounds any better." Buffy said, and could have laughed if Haldir wasn't so persistent as he pushed her gently against him, leaning her body against a tree as his lips stroked her own in a gentle motion.


She was glad that they weren't anywhere near where the others were loading up the boats, because the situation had finally adapted to each other's body heat as Haldir and Buffy fell to the floor, wrapped in each other's arms and kissing in soft patterns and Haldir offered soft whispers to ease the mood. He had never felt this much lust for anyone before.


Buffy was glad he was holding onto her because she was sure that if he wasn't she'd probably not know what to do. To be quite honest, she didn't want to do this. Not now.


But thoughts distracted her from what really was going on.


Angel had been her first, definitely not her last.


Spike doesn't count, she chided herself before the thought flashed through her mind. And that thing with Dawn's little boyfriend doesn't count either, I was under a stupid spell.


Are you sure it was a spell?


Buffy cringed against his mouth, but didn't let him pull back.


Yes I'm sure it was a spell. Willow nearly raped him and look at what she is!


She can be bi sexual, y'know.


Haldir's hand moved to her thigh but she brought it back to her hip, angry with her inner sentient.


What are you getting at? she thought angrily.


Um, well. . . seeing if you're ready to have sex. I mean, it has been almost a day since you have had sex and Haldir does mean something to you? Right? All those other guys were like toys, you played with them and eventually you got bored. But Haldir. . . pretty, pretty Haldir. An Elf no less! Did you even think twice when you started this infatuation that he was hm. . . let's see. . . IMMORTAL?! What is your deal with immortals anyway? Are they much BIGGER then mortals or something?

Buffy paused, stricken with a sudden pain.


"You stopping shall kill me, Haldir murmured against her.


"Haldir get off of me," Buffy choked out. "NOW."


"Buffy?" Haldir asked worriedly, standing with her and stilling her when she made to leave. "What is wrong with you, I thought you wanted this as much as I."


"Apparently not." Buffy muttered but shook her head. "It's not you. It's me," how many times have she heard that before? "I can't do this, I'm tired." she finished lamely.


"What were you doing last night that has made you so tired?" Haldir asked suspiciously.


Buffy sputtered and crossed her arms in defence. "What's that suppose to mean?"


"It is meant as a question, so answer it." he demanded.


"Fine, you want my answer?" Buffy snapped angrily. "Fine. I can't do this, okay? You are an Elf Haldir, I'm. . . the Slayer, aka not an immortal. I can't be infatuated with someone who I'll probably won't even see again, and if we do see each other again I can't be involved with you. I wish this was different Haldir, really. I was already involved with someone who couldn't stop time. I'm. . . sorry."


But Spike's words from her dream came back to her as she walked away.


"Immortality."

"Were you fooling yourself or him?" a voice asked and she started at it.


"I don't think that's any of your business, but I wasn't fooling anyone." Buffy said defensively. "There is absolutely no foolishness going on around here."


"I was thinking, that perhaps you would like to share a boat?" Legolas asked, reluctant to follow her.


"Y'know," Buffy said softly. "you don't have to follow me because of. . . what happened last night."


"What happened last night?" he whispered, grabbing onto her arm. "Tell me."


"Nothing happened last night." she spat. "so get off and leave me alone."


"You act embarrassed!" Legolas exclaimed. "yet I wonder whose name it was that you called out last night!"


"Lower your voice, you know how good Elves' hearing are." Buffy said, grabbing onto his arm and forcefully shoving him away from the crowd. "And anyway, you told me to do those things. And I was still. . . not sober from dinner."


"Your desiring yells were not slurred to me." Legolas taunted.


"Why am I even having this conversation with you for?" Buffy said with a sigh. "Whatever happened between us, whatever occurred that night, I'm sure it'll never happen again."


Buffy brushed pass him and moved towards the boats.


"Can you be so sure?" Legolas called out to her and added silently, "I'll have you again. . . I am desirable."


"Legolas. . ." Pippin said uneasily. "I know I shouldn't have been listening or nothing, but can you get off my bag? The lembas is going to get squished."


----


"I can't do this Faith." Buffy whispered, coming in line beside her. "It felt like yesterday when we arrived in Lothlórien, and now we have to go back to our doom? My doom, anyway."


"You can't do this?" Faith asked incredulously. "I can't do this. This is like. . . my sanctuary. Do you know how many times Boromir and me christened this place?"


"Actually," Buffy said uneasily. "I don't care."


Buffy sighed and squeezed her eyes closed when that same hot and cold feeling washed over whenever the Lady of the Wood was around. Strange how someone could make her feel that way, but when her eyes opened she met Haldir's gaze and smiled. Well, maybe two people are good at that. Then remembering she was avoiding him, her eyes shifted back to Galadriel and focused on her, Celeborn closely at her side.


"Now is the time for you all to depart from our land," he said. "and continue with your Quest with heavy hearts and troubled souls. But do not let your hearts be troubled, for in time you will know the true meaning of the Fellowship."


"It is their choice as to continue." said Galadriel. "And they shall."


"I am ready to return to my home." Boromir muttered, his eyes drifting over to Faith. "And there will be a wedding."


Faith returned his smile and Buffy started at it. She'll have a talk with Faith later on.


"Then the company will return with you to Minas Tirith?" asked Celeborn.


"We do not know our way yet, for Gandalf had told us no path further away from Lórien." answered Aragorn gravely. "We will have to decide once we cross the Anduin river and further through Emyn Muil."


"But what shore will you take?" Celeborn asked.


"The western shore and to Minas Tirith." Boromir answered before Aragorn had a chance to.


"Very well." Celeborn stated. "You shall all be given boats, but they must be small and light. You will come across the rapids of Sarn Gebir and to the great falls of Rauros, but there are other perils that you can take. But your leader. . . he shall decide for you."


Aragorn turned away, troubled.


"Come!" shouted Haldir after a moment reassurance. "The boats await your company and you must be moving quickly."


"Buffy," said an Elf. "you will be sharing a boat with the other Lady, if you will."


"Oh. . ." Buffy said uneasily. "Okay."


"Wishes from Haldir." the Elf continued. "Namaarie."


"Farewell." Buffy said softly, her eyes averting Haldir's.


"Boats!" Merry whistled. "The Brandywine is greatly missed."


"Get in already," mumbled Pippin, easing himself between Boromir and Merry.


"I will paddle," Buffy said, snatching the paddles from Faith. "I need something to plunge into."


Faith nodded and eased in the smaller boat, probably made especially for just the two girls, and Buffy eased in after her.


The Teleëa shifted beneath her guimpe and brushed against the bruise that had been formed there last night. Her fingers brushed against it and her eyes caught Legolas' and she frowned. There were more bruises than that. With that, Buffy paddled her way away from the pebbled rocks and further into the shore, whereas Galadriel's voice spoke with warning in her head.


"Remember what I told you Buffy."

Buffy did not bother to turn around. "Yeah… keep the necklace on at all times."


"With days like these, time brings nothing but pain." and Galadriel was right.


----


As Buffy paddled along the river Anduin with water flapping against the sides of the boat, her eyes drifted momentarily to the other's. Inside Aragorn's boat Frodo and Sam had fallen asleep, and in the other Pippin and Merry were deep in conversation while Boromir paddled away. Gimli and Legolas were behind them, so she could not tell.


Everyone was eager to get Southwards and there was no sign of the enemy. Birds were the only thing that disturbed the darkening sky down the Anduin and the company had stopped shortly for a break, and were continuing in their boats the following morning. Dark birds crowded the sky, sending waves of danger through Buffy's veins. She didn't like this place at all, and it was getting creepier by the moment.


And not to mention her arms were beginning to ache.


They had stopped another night and Buffy was unloading when something in the water caught her eye. She dodged her head to get a better look and was startled to see someone, or something swimming closely.


"Gollum." Aragorn stated gravely. "He has been following us again since Moria and well down Nimrodel in Lothlórien."


"Creepy guy." Buffy stated and walked off for another night sleep. But she had no sleep that night.


By the eighth night the rapids of Sarn Gebir had chosen to slam stealthily against their boats, giving the company a hard time as they paddled through it. At last Boromir had said something.


"Hoy there Aragorn! We must move back! The rapids will overpower us!"


"Back then, back!" Aragorn shouted.


As they struggled against the rapids, Buffy felt something twinge against the side of the boat. She looked down quickly, and regrettably as the paddle slipped from her hands, as another arrow flew down at her.


"YRCH!" cried Legolas. "We are under attack!"


Panic issued through Buffy's body as she tugged faster and faster, trying to keep up with the other's. At long last they had reached the shore, docking their boats and exiting it as fast as they could.


"Elbereth Gilthoniel!" Legolas sighed.


Buffy looked up as a dark, winged rider flew into the air, darkening the already heavy sky and burdening no light down upon the washed up Fellowship. Buffy looked on in anger.


"Fire, Legolas, fire!" Aragorn demanded and a Lórien arrow flew through the air.


Wailing erupted the sky as the hooded beast flew back to where it came from. Buffy let out a deep breath of relief and smiled fondly at Legolas, who in turn returned her one but said nothing.


"Lembas." Gimli said, offering Faith and Buffy a slice. "Bless the heart of the Elves for giving us some!"


"Some, this is my fourth loaf!" Merry grunted when Pippin jabbed him with his elbow. "Er- I mean, my fourth piece!"


"Here we will rest tonight," Aragorn said. "tomorrow will be our last day here. Sleep wisely."


The following morning came quickly and Buffy opened her eyes to pebbled rocks and someone's foot. The toes wiggled and smacked Buffy in the face, emitting a growl of pain from her part and the person's feet stood at once.


"Sorry." Pippin said tiredly. "Thought you wouldn't mind me sleeping beside you."


"No. . ." Buffy yawned. "I don't I care."


"Where is Frodo, by the way?" Merry asked.


"Did he not say he was going for a walk?" Legolas asked, taking his eyes from Buffy to study the woods.


"That was near hours ago!" Sam cried and stood. "Where do you reckon he is?"


At that moment Boromir chose to appear and Buffy saw him shudder at Aragorn's look, but knew nothing of it.


"Where have you been, Boromir?" he asked firmly.


"And have you seen Frodo?" Sam asked snappishly.


"Yes and no." Boromir answered gravely, coming to stand beside Faith as he kissed her cheek. "I have seen him and I have talked to him, but. . . I am not sure."


"What did you say?" Buffy asked softly.


"I will not say, I do not have the heart to." and that was final.


"This is not good, not good at all." Sam said miserably. "We have to find him!"


"Good idea." Pippin and Merry said in unison.


"Let's pair up!" Buffy cried. "Wait! GUYS! Wait!"


They all dashed for the woods one by one, but Boromir and Faith remained. Buffy shook her head sadly and made to follow, but Legolas reappeared and looked down at her pointedly.


"You remain here." he ordered.


"Yeah right." Buffy made to move around him, but he would not let her pass. "I mean it, move out of my way."


FRODO! FRODO!


Sung the voices of the Hobbits and Legolas turned away briefly. Buffy took this as an open shot and shoved Legolas from her way and darted into the woods, jumping over logs and dodging low branches as openings begun to open before her.


Beren clanked and swayed at her side, eager to get out of his patch, but she paid it no head. Already the battle began and Orcs appeared from the shrubs and upon the top of the hills.


Buffy took a steady breath and unsheathed Beren, Legolas and Gimli appearing at her side.


"The fellowship have split up." Gimli said gravely.


"Get ready." Legolas whispered, notching an arrow.


"I'm always ready." Buffy stated and assaulted her first victim.


This had continued for awhile, but Buffy lost count of her killings as the amount of Orcs increased. One by one she would slice their throats, stab their unkindly hearts and bitter heads and she grew tired after awhile. Legolas and Gimli fought bravely at her side, occasionally helping each other out when the Orcs grew too many, and Legolas took hold of Buffy's arm when an Orc appeared from behind her, ready to strike.


As Legolas killed the Orc a horn sounded in the air.


"THE HORN OF BOROMIR!!" Aragorn called from below a hillock.


"He's in trouble?" Buffy said worriedly, following the others close by.


"Come, Buffy." Legolas ordered but they were too fast for her and Buffy faltered and turned her attention to the Orcs.


And there was Faith, lying helplessly on the ground, an Orc towering her with his metal staff.


Her stomach lurched and she forgot all about Boromir and the others. As evil as Faith was sometimes Buffy would, and could, not let her die this way, especially with the forces of Saruman. Leaping over a pile of leaves she came to the Orc and Faith, her small body running straight into him before he could strike the fallen slayer.


Buffy tumbled and rolled with the Orc, dark locks of its hair falling against her face.


"Get off of me unless you want some twenty first century ass kicking!" Buffy shouted, lifting her legs in the air and kicking herself on her feet. "Aah ha, there. Much better. Now, come deal with someone your own size. . . babe."


"She- elf!" The orc spat.


"Um. . . not really, but close." Buffy raised Beren in the air and plunged him into the Orc's gut, coming face to face with the creature. "I'm the Vampire Slayer, nice to meet you." and pulled it out to slice off his head.


Satisfied with her slaying she turned to regard Faith, but as she turned Faith was pulled up by her feet and dangled in the air by an Orc twice her size, an intentional look on his face as his mouth edged forwards.


"Want her?" the Orc asked.


"If you don't drop her I swear I'll kill you," Buffy said in an undertone.


"Let us try, SLAYER."


That provoked Buffy's senses and she twiddled Beren so that he was aimed directly at the chest of the Orc. The Orc, unfazed by the Slayer's resultant to killing him, he laughed and dropped Faith onto the floor and kicking her so her body rolled blatantly down a hill and out of sight.

Buffy hesitated and backed away slowly, making for the hill when strong arms wrapped around her waist and shoved her into the floor.


Buffy groaned as a foot stepped onto the back of her head, grabbing hold of her hair and dragging her away from the domain. Foliage and dirt clogged into her mouth as she tried to grab hold of something that would bring her to her feet, but Beren slipped from her grasp and fell against something hard with a loud thud.


Buffy's eyes opened and she saw a quick glance at a dead body. A dead human body.


Her eyes widened and she struggled under the strong arms.


"Aragorn!" Buffy cried. "Aragorn! Aragorn!"


"BOROMIR!!!" she heard one of the Hobbits cry.


"YOU KILLED ARAGORN!" Buffy shouted in agony, trying to free herself from the new set of arms clambering onto her clothes and her body. "Let me go you. . . you vermin! You sorry pieces of cow shit! You ANIMALS! You BEASTS! LET ME GO! Let me go NOW!"


The fallen body's head turned and Buffy held back a gasp when she saw that it was not Aragorn, but Boromir. Arms lifted her to her feet and started pulling her away, but Buffy snapped back and thrust her leg into the gut of an Orc. His arms fell immediately and the others arms tugged on Buffy's pants when she dived for him.


"Buff. . ." Boromir choked out, but it was too late.


The Orcs were pulling her away from him, farther and farther away.


"BOROMIR!" Buffy cried, tears streaming down her face. "Boromir! Don't die! Don't die Boromir, please!"


Boromir opened his mouth but the words were inaudible.


Buffy fell back against the Orc's arms.


Boromir was going to die and she was unable to help him.


The trees and Orcs passed by swiftly.


She was unable to help anybody. . . including herself.


Everything was lost. Her home, her friends, her family, Boromir, Giles, Gandalf, Sunnydale, Vampires, Spike. . . Haldir and Legolas. . . the Hobbits. . . Faith. . . Gimli and Aragorn. . .


And especially herself.