Readers: I do want to go along with the book, but how many of you actually read The Two Towers? Well, that doesn't matter at all, because I suppose I'll go along with the movie until they actually reach the Kingdom of Rohan. So, for now, it's movie time.


Btw, the fighting scenario is coming along nicely. . .



CHAPTER TWELVE: REMEMBERING part three





The wind picked up and Buffy shuddered. Death stung the air and blood stained the ground. She couldn't really place where she was, but just that it had been awful. They were under attack just that night, and they were on the battle field before tens of thousands of Orcs and Demons, ready to fight. But who was near her? Buffy's head turned around and she caught sight of Éowyn and the Hobbit Merry, and on the left she saw Eomer, Gandalf and Théoden in lead.

Yes. Battle was just beginning, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had disappeared somewhere from campsite. Maybe they had the right idea and ran away from all this mess.

Because for the first time, Buffy was afraid.

A thunderous roar sounded in the air and Buffy stilled her shaky hands and clutched to the handle of her sword to steady herself. Another roll of what sounded like thunder rolled off the sky and a purple flash of lightening struck down at the raging war. And then it began. The demons started all at once and worked their way towards the people of Gondor, and Buffy knew that no matter how many strong men were on their side, many were likely to die. Even herself.

Even, perhaps, Gandalf. Or Éowyn. Or Théoden. Or Eomer. Or the Hobbit!

Fear and anger at the mere thought flushed through Buffy's shaking body. She was ready to defend those people.


Flashback


Buffy felt the wind pick up and her clothes fly all around her. Something was going on, but for some strange reason she could not see anything. Then the wind died down and the whistling in her ear ceased, but when she opened her eyes she had fallen onto a soft plate of brown grass and dirt. Once the birdies in her head stopped moving, she was able to sit up and observe her surroundings. Everything changed. Where was she?

She was in the middle of a large gap, tall green trees somewhere in the distance, and a distinct evil stained the air and it made it hard for Buffy to breathe. But once her nerves calmed a little she was able to breathe easily and get up on her legs.

She stumbled at first but gained her balance.

'Hello?' she called and frowned, touching her head. 'The last thing I remember was getting thrown down and unable to get back up. It was so weird, why wasn't I able to get back up?'

A rumble on the ground was her answer and her head turned swiftly to the left, where dark figures were seen coming towards her. Black figures coming at her fast. Hesitating, and at least counting more than fifty of those figures, she dodged the path and neatly stooped down behind a large boulder where she was unable to be seen by anyone. Or anything.

The rumbling on the ground became more rigid and a flock of birds flew out from a bush in terror.

Buffy rolled her eyes and laid her hands on the boulder, watching as tall dark creatures emerged from their place behind the boulder and forwards North. Or South? They were indeed tall, black and running in a writhe matter. They were definitely demons, Buffy figured that from the start, but as the last pass she noticed them carrying something on their backs. Humans?

Anger flooded through her veins and when they all ran pass the boulder, she emerged.

And the entire group of demons halted almost in unison.

'What is it, Uglúk *?' snarled a demon.

Surprised, Buffy remained where she was with her arms crossed over her chest.

'I smell man flesh!' Uglúk growled back, moving ahead of the group. 'The travelers are close by. I can feel them. Hurry and keep up pace, or else we will leave you to rot in this sun. That counts for you too, you lousy Southerners!'

The demons were off on their trail at once. Man flesh? If they smelled me, why didn't they just attack me? Buffy thought. I mean, jees, if Demons from other planets sense my slayerness, then what trouble am I really in?

Buffy sighed and shook her head, turning and starting at the place where she woke up to. But something else had caught her attention and she faced a narrow hill, and not far off into the browning grass were three people, all in a hurry, running up towards her. Had they noticed her or not, Buffy could not guess, because they were coming closer and without a quick rush up the hill they had passed right by her.

And that was when she noticed them closely. Two men and a midget.

Dumbstruck, Buffy called out to them: 'Hey, wait!'

The midget and dark haired man hadn't noticed her call, but the taller blonde stopped short and turned his head around.

A girl? He asked himself. What in the name of Ilúvatar is a child doing here?

'Legolas, what is it?' Aragorn demanded.

'There is a child up there!' Legolas shouted, his Elven eyes catching the small figure of a girl. 'No, not a child. A mortal woman!'

'Is this some kind of witchcraft?' Gimli growled, readying his ax.

Aragorn followed the Elf's gaze and shook his head.

'That is a woman.' he agreed. 'Let us go see what she wants, but keep your weapons ready if anything.'

When they approached her, Buffy hesitated but held out her hand.

'Um. . . Hello.' she said awkwardly.

'Who are you and what is your business?' Aragorn demanded.

'I am called Buffy in my land, and my business?' Buffy frowned. 'I am unemployed, if that's what you mean.'

'Her words are spells,' Gimli said angrily. 'Let us kill her now and be on with our trail- -'

'No offense, but I don't think any of you three could take me.' Buffy interjected pointedly.

Aragorn ignored both Gimli's grunts of protest and Legolas' muttering, and closely regarded the young woman standing before them all as though she were equal to them on their journey through Middle- earth. But who exactly was she and why exactly was she speaking in riddles? Aragorn's questions were going to be answered.

'If you answer our questions,' Aragorn began steadily, 'then you may come with us if you wish.'

'Where are you going?' Buffy asked.

'Answer our questions, woman.' Gimli growled, and Legolas nodded in agreement.

Aragorn shot them both a look before beginning with the first question, 'What is your name?'

'I told you,' Buffy said, exaggerated. 'Buffy Anne Summers. Happy? Next question.'

'Who sent you?' Legolas asked.

'No one.' Buffy replied calmly. 'All I remember is a bright light and someone asking for my order.'

Legolas did not like that question and grabbed onto Buffy's arm, his blue eyes piercing her own in search for any hint of uneasiness or lies. But what he found there startled him and he released her immediately. All he saw in her eyes was strong determination and deep, dark feelings. The Elf shuddered, his head lowering.

'You are not from this world, I gather.' Aragorn said softly. 'and whether this is dark magic being performed on our own eyes, I do not know. But I do know that you have answered yet every question that seem right to ask, so you may come with us until we reach the great Kingdom. There, decisions will be made.'

Buffy frowned with an uneasy feeling forming in her stomach. 'Okay.' she agreed. 'Fine. But, just warning you, there are a pack of angry and I imagine hungry, demons on the prowl. They are some ways ahead.'

'YRCH!' Legolas exclaimed, his hands forming in a tight clench.

'And they were carrying something.' Buffy continued, seeing how this topic was very edgy with the three men. 'I think it was a child, but I can't be too sure. I only caught a glimpse of them- -'

'A hobbit, not a child.' Aragorn corrected. 'Two of them. They are yet alive, let us continue South!'

'Great,' murmured Buffy. 'the South.'


End of flashback