I am going away for the Holidays so I've quickly added this chapter so people won't get as frustrated as I'd get if an author doesn't update for a long time. I know oh oh it's short but just deal with it until I get back please. LoL knew you'd understand! Keep reviewing I love to read them; criticism or not, they're all wonderful. Thanks again. :)


CHAPTER SIX: A lot of rain




When the dead Orcs were piled high and burnt into the rising sun, Buffy trailed over to where her horse lay rested and comfortable against a set of leaves. Sensing the Slayer's discomfort and heavy steps, the horse stood and lifted his snout so she saw that smug look across his face.

Buffy rolled her eyes and grabbed onto his reigns, untying them and leading him over to the camp. Gimli was already preparing himself with some yellow bread and a container of water.

'Tired?' asked a concerned voice.

Buffy turned to Eomer with a smile. 'Kind of, but I feel bad.'

'You are such a kind hearted woman, why ever do you feel bad for?' he said.

'I promised your sister I'd think about her on my first kill and all I thought about was the blood.' Buffy shrugged. 'I'm fascinated by different races' body fluids and everything that goes with it.'

Eomer nodded even though he didn't really understand why Buffy would feel bad for.

'We have scouted the area.' Aragorn shouted, tossing a bag over his horse and saddling it. 'and Legolas has reported seeing cloaked figures some leagues away.'

'We should hurry then, it may yet be my sister.' Elrohir said, already on his feet.

'We do not know.' answered Aragorn gravely. 'But let us hold hope to whatever may be furlong. I still have hope,'


meanwhile


A powerful hand reached forwards and grasped the pommel of his sword with fury. The Slayer was close by, not only could he see it he could feel it. And it was only a matter of time before she came to him, and it was only a matter of time before he could corrupt her. And he would.

'My Lord. . .' said a placid, eerie voice. 'She fights well. She will put up a grand combat and defend herself.'

'Is she? I am not worried about that.' the dark voice said. 'As long as I have what is hers, she will come.'

'I hope you are right.' the goblin said, his face showing disappointment to his Lord's ineptitude.


afterwards


'Keep riding!' Aragorn demanded from the front of the party. 'We are gaining on them!'

'How much further do we have to ride?' Buffy asked breathlessly.

'As soon as we reach our destination.' Eomer answered.

'Great.' muttered Buffy. 'We don't even know our destination, do we?'

'We are headed towards my home,' Legolas answered wearily. 'but do not find welcome there.'

'Don't worry,' Buffy said hotly. 'I won't.'

Rain pelted down among them on their second night, making it very hard for the riders to see. The Elves, however, were persistent to continuing on the road if they wanted to reach Mirkwood and the cloaked riders in time. Aragorn agreed with them but the others were restless. Buffy, watching the debate in silence, raised her hand and shouted a loud SHUT UP so they were able to hear what she had to say.

'I have an idea that might make everyone at least agree,' she said over their voices, and when she had their attention she continued. 'I don't know if we can all continue in this weather but maybe if we all split up with different people, everything will work out okay?'

There was a pause from the males.

At last, Elrohir spoke up: 'Edoras is close by. . . maybe the Lady is right, we should dissever into groups.'

Buffy nodded in agreement, 'Yeah. The people who want to go to this Edoras place can, and the people who don't can all continue to Legolas' home.'

'That is probably the wisest thing you have yet to say.' stated a guard.

Buffy didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or insult, but she thanked him anyway.

'Then that is what we will do.' Aragorn said. 'We will cross Rohan and make for Edoras to decide who will be coming with my party to reach Eryn Lasgalen. But let us still have hope in finding my wife before then.'

I doubt it, Buffy said silently her eyes trailing up to the bleak sky.

They rode onwards, hard and long, ceasing only to check which direction to head towards. Aragorn made it a responsibility to ride ahead of everyone else, never returning to them unless they all caught up.

Buffy's tired steed cantered and faltered, but she held him up and awkwardly patted his sweaty neck. As long as he knows he isn't the only one that's tired, he may yet keep up. Legolas noticed the girl's attempts to keep her horse comfortable and secretly smiled at how well she adapted to its liking. Feeling his scrutiny Buffy turned her sore neck and eyed him wearily. What was that. . . constipated look for? She wondered on it for a moment longer until Aragorn blew on his horn and hollered for them all to halt. Buffy waited on top of her horse anxiously, wishing she was a little bit taller.

'We enter Edoras.' he said. 'we make no haste and we seek momentary shelter from the rain. Let's go!'

Buffy urged her horse forwards and leaned into him, feeling the heavy weight on her shoulders being lifted as the tall gates in front of Edoras open and welcomed them with warm summer breeze sun.

'Halt!' ordered a guard on a balcony above the entrance. 'What news do you bring from the South?'

'Devastating news, but we want entrance.' answered Aragorn and when the guard remained where he was, he added very firmly, 'I am King in Gondor, open now or I will be forced to knock down these fortresses!'

The guard hesitated, his tiny eyes narrowing as he inspected the man who called himself the King and gave a signal to one of the other guards. Buffy sighed in relief. She thought there was going to be a fight if these guys wouldn't open the gates. But the signal the guard had given his men wasn't for opening the gate, but whatever it was caused at least a dozen guards to come hastening down on steps against the stone balcony, weapons drawn and their eyes ever watchful on the people in front as they all settled in one long line.

Imrahil turned an angry eye to the guard on the balcony.

'Going against the Lord of Gondor's demands will set you in a mess of things!' he spat.

The guard chuckled, 'I doubt you say who you are, but that was a very nice attempt. How many people attempted that in the last week, Monty? Five? Yeees, five!'

'Yesum, five last week and exactly two this week.' Monty answered.

'Oh, this is getting annoying.' Eomer grumbled, dismounting his horse and half- stomping and half- striding over to the line of guards in the front. 'I am Eomer nephew of King Théoden of Rohan. If you do not open these fortresses I will do as King Aragorn bids and knock the fortresses down. If you go against me you will find harsher punishment. So. . . what will you do?'

'Eomer? Heir to Rohan?' the guard on the balcony asked curiously.

'That is who I am,' Eomer stated. 'now open these gates or I will show force upon them.'

'Then it is true!' the guard exlcaimed. 'The heir of Rohan has returned to us after the death of the King.'

'Aye. What are you waiting for, open the gates!' Gimli grunted from behind Legolas.

'As you wish, my Lord.' the guard muttered, waving his hand and this time signalling them to release the ropes that held together the gates. Slowly the gates were lifted and a long path opened in front of them, and there were no people to be seen. Buffy waited until Aragorn was first to move towards the entrance to actually move herself.

As she entered she stared around Edoras and tried to get a good picture of a lively city with lively people and happy faces. But all she saw were saddened faces, dark shadows and a lot of rain.