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To Isengard

A great horn blast filled the air shattering the silence inside the room.

"We ride out," Theoden ordered.

In a matter of moments the horses were brought up from the caves and the remaining Rohirrim mounted for one last confrontation. Buffy quickly grabbed her horse and lined up next to Legolas and Gimli. She drew her sword with one hand and gripped her reins tightly with the other. Gandalf was here and Buffy suddenly knew that everything was not lost.

The door flew open and they rode out.

Buffy gaped at the sight that met her eyes. Upon a ridge sat Gandalf glowing in his white robes and behind him were a thousand men on foot. She looked out over the land to observe the effect the wizard's arrival was having on Saruman's forces. Everything seemed to have stopped for a moment and it was then Buffy noticed that something was very different.

"Since when is there a forest outside Helm's Deep?" Buffy asked.

"Mithrandir," Legolas breathed. "Come, I would see more of this forest before the spell changes."

The Elf spurred his horse ahead and Buffy was forced to follow or be left behind. As a group they plunged into the ranks of the remaining Orcs and cut down one after another from atop their horses. The reinforcements brought by Gandalf poured down the ridge and leapt into battle with the hosts of Isengard. From the top of the keep the horn sounded again as the enemy was attacked on two sides.

Then The White Rider joined the fray.

Glowing in the morning sun Gandalf and Shadowfax raced down to meet the Orcs. The forces of Saruman trembled and swayed before him. Buffy watched in amazement as the Orcs began to throw down their weapons. They ran in the only direction left open to them, to the shadows of the trees.

"They're getting away!" Gimli roared.

"I don't think so," Buffy said.

And she was right. For once the Orcs passed under the shadow of the trees they were never seen again.

* * *

Buffy gazed warily at the dark forest that sat outside Helm's Deep. There was something really wrong about those trees she could feel it. The hosts of Isengard were gone, vanished into the shadows and she, Legolas, and Gimli carefully made their way across the battleground. There were bodies everywhere though most seemed to be of Uruk-Hai. In the aftermath of war Buffy felt a deep sadness and anger at what occurred. So many dead, she didn't think she would ever get the sound of their screams out of her head.

Eomer, Aragorn, and Theoden stood with Gandalf surveying the land. Buffy suddenly wished she could be as calm about what had happened here as they seemed to be.

"What sort of wizardry conjures up an entire forest in moments?" asked Eomer regarding the woods.

"Wizardry?" Gandalf replied. "I know of no such spell. The trees are no deed of mine but of a power far older. From before the time of the Dwarves or the Elves."

"Can you tell us of this power?" Theoden inquired.

"If you wish to seek the answer I advise you come with me to Isengard," said Gandalf.

Buffy drew herself away from her black thoughts at the mention of Isengard. The battle here at Helm's Deep was just one more thing Saruman would have to answer for. She smiled grimly at the thought of finally having a chance to avenge Boromir's death and to avenge the deaths of all those who perished here.

"I will come with you if that is your counsel," Theoden said. "However, my men are weary from battle. We must rest before we begin another journey."

"Then all who wish to come with me shall rest today and we will depart under the cover of night." Gandalf turned Shadowfax and galloped back to the keep.

At the mention of rest Buffy felt all her exhaustion come crashing down on her. Her cuts and bruises began to ache and she could feel every strained muscle. She groaned involuntarily.

"Buffy?" Aragorn said.

"Are you all right?" Legolas moved to her side.

Buffy looked at the Elf. His blue eyes showed concern as he placed a hand on her arm.

I kissed him! She thought suddenly feeling her cheeks grow warm. Buffy gave herself a mental shake. This really was not the time and place to be thinking about that.

"I'm fine," Buffy sat up straighter and beat back tiredness for a little while longer. Theoden was watching and she refused to show any weakness before him. With a swift kick to her horse she followed Gandalf back to the keep.

* * *

There it was again.

That stupid, creepy rock.

It sat quiet, covered by a dark cloth. Buffy wondered why she kept ending up here in front of it. The black walls of Saruman's inner sanctum stood cold and glassy around her. Well, here was the rock but where was the wizard? Her muscles tensed expecting him to enter at any moment. She scanned the room and made her way over to the window. Looking out onto the grounds of Isengard Buffy felt her eyes widen. She blinked and looked again. Funny, it looked as if Isengard was being attacked by a bunch of . . . trees?

"It doesn't belong to him," Gandalf said from behind her.

Buffy spun and blinked.

"Haven't we done this before?" She asked.

There was a flicker and suddenly Gandalf was gone. Aragorn stood quiet and tense in the wizard's place. Another flicker and Gandalf was back.

Okay, Buffy thought, what was that about?

"Take it," Gandalf said calmly.

"Take what?"

But Gandalf was gone again and Buffy found herself alone.

"Slayer," said a black voice called.

Buffy spun ready to attack but saw nothing. Her eyes darted quickly around the room expecting Saruman to be hiding in the shadows.

"Come," the voice called except this time it reverberated through her head. She wasn't sure if she had heard with her ears or her mind.

"Closer."

Buffy approached the stone, she didn't seem to be able to stop herself.

"Look," the voice commanded and Buffy obeyed without thought. Her hand drew the cloth away and -

* * *

Buffy awoke with a gasp and shot up into a sitting position. Around her Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn slept on. She reached up and pushed her hair off her forehead. Her skin was damp with sweat and she was breathing hard. It was the second time she had dreamt of that stone . . . And what was up with those trees? Crazy. She sighed in frustration and collapsed back onto her pallet. Maybe it meant nothing. After all she had been exhausted . . . Buffy abandoned the thought almost as soon as it formed. She knew it had been one of her slayer dreams but what was it trying to tell her? She suddenly missed Giles. He had always been helpful when it came to interpreting her dreams and he always took them seriously. She didn't know if her friends here, Gandalf especially, really understood how significant a slayer dream could be.

Buffy rolled over and closed her eyes. There were still hours yet before they left for Isengard and she knew she needed all her strength to face Saruman.

* * *

Buffy watched as Gandalf passed into the dark wood that now sat outside Helm's Deep. The Rohirrim hung back unwilling to enter and Buffy didn't blame them. There was something hostile about the trees. A never ending shadow hung about them making it impossible to see very far into the wood. Legolas immediately followed the wizard seeming more intrigued by his surroundings than afraid. Gimli and the Elf rode upon the same horse and Buffy could hear the Dwarf grumbling about having to pass through the wood. She entered the trees cautiously and was surprised to find that the road passed directly through the forest with the trees towering on either side.

"It is hot in here," said Legolas.

Buffy agreed pushing her sleeves up. The air felt close and oppressive. She felt sweat breakout on her skin.

"There is great anger here. Do you not feel it Gandalf?" asked Legolas.

"Yes," the wizard answered.

"I wonder what became of the Orcs?" Gimli said.

"That, I think, no one will ever know," said Gandalf.

Buffy heard the clank and rattle of metal as the Rohirrim began to enter the wood. It was silent for awhile but Buffy could see Legolas constantly looking from side to side. Her neck hurt just watching him. Gimli would grunt and complain if the Elf tried to slow down to regard the wood more closely. The two were ever bickering back and forth to Buffy's amusement.

They came through the wood without harm despite the menacing presence of the trees. The road that ran east to Edoras and north to Isengard lay stretched out in front them. Buffy felt a sense of excitement as her destination grew closer. With every mile her desire to confront Saruman grew stronger.

Buffy turned and took once last look at the wood. She squinted. Did she just see -

"Eyes!" Legolas cried. "There are eyes in the shadows of the trees!"

He turned his horse sharply and rode back towards the trees as Gimli cried out in protest.

"Stay, Legolas Greenleaf!" Gandalf commanded bringing the Elf to a halt.

Out of the trees came three tall figures. There arms and fingers were long and they seemed to have beards that looked to be made of moss. One of them raised its hand and set forth a loud call much like the sound of a horn but more beautiful somehow. Buffy gasped as other creatures came forward from the north in answer to the call. Their gait was swift and their strides large. They disappeared among the trees without a glance at the company of riders.

"What are they?" Theoden asked Gandalf.

"They are but Herdsmen," the wizard answered. "You have seen Ents from Fangorn forest."

"Ents!" Eomer cried.

"I understand now the presence of trees," Legolas said.

Buffy understood nothing at all. She stared at the spot where the Ents had vanished into the wood. These were the same creatures she had seen in her dream.

"Buffy?" Aragorn asked.

When she didn't answer he reached over, placed a finger under her chin and closed her mouth.

* * *

Buffy stood before Orthanc.

The black tower reached upwards into the deep dark of night and she studied it warily. Thick grey smoke from the fires that burned in Saruman's forges surrounded her. This is a horrible place, she thought looking around . . . and it was oddly empty. There was no one here. No Orcs or Uruk-Hai or anything.

Interesting.

A large form emerged momentarily from the smoke causing Buffy to stiffen in readiness. However, instead of the usual sense of evil that came from Saruman's minions she suddenly felt rather calm and relaxed. No threat came from the creature's presence. She saw yet another form moving quickly among the smoke but was unable to make out anything more than a large shadow. They were all around her, these mysterious forms passing in and out of the smoke.

"Come."

Buffy felt her muscles freeze up at the sound of the voice. She turned towards the heavy doors of the tower.

"Come."

"You must take it Buffy," said Aragorn who was suddenly standing in front of her. "It doesn't belong to him."

"Do not listen," Gandalf warned appearing in Aragorn's place.

"Buffy do not look," said Legolas from beside her.

She walked silently past them, her body answering the call of the voice. Climbing the stairs her was gaze fixed on the doors. Aragorn, Gandalf, and Legolas called out after her but she went on heedless of their protests. Her hands came to rest upon the heavy iron handles.

She swung the doors open and walked inside.

* * *

Buffy felt a cool hand on her hot forehead.

"Wake up," a very familiar voice breathed in her ear.

She opened her eyes to see Legolas sitting over her. Her hair was plastered to her forehead and he pushed it off her face.

"You feel feverish," he said.

"It was the dream," she said slowly sitting up.

"Another dream?"

"Yes." Buffy rubbed her temples. It felt as if a herd of elephants had gone tramping through her head.

"It is nearly time to leave," Legolas said.

"We will reach Isengard today," Buffy's eyes grew bright at the realization.

"Buffy -"

Buffy knew he was going to try to talk her out of going up against Saruman. She sat up slowly and began gathering her things.

"I need to -"

" - see Gandalf," Legolas finished with a sigh of resignation. He helped Buffy to her feet. "He is with Aragorn."

She leaned against him for a moment because it felt nice. Straightening she let the Elf lead her across the makeshift camp to where Gandalf sat smoking a pipe with Aragorn. After a quick explanation of her dream Buffy received a, "Mmmmm," from Gandalf and a puzzled look from Aragorn.

"You have given me much to consider Buffy," Gandalf said rising to his feet. "But it is time to depart. I see Theoden waving impatiently at us."

Buffy closed her eyes briefly in frustration. She had been hoping the wizard would be able to tell her something. Instead she just got a "Mmmmm" and an "I have much to consider". Wizards could be very irritating sometimes. Well, at least she was finally going to have a chance face Saruman. She felt a pang as she thought of Boromir. He hadn't deserved to die and Buffy was going to make sure the person responsible for his death paid a heavy price.

"Buffy."

Legolas stood holding her horse. She took the reins from him and mounted quickly if not gracefully. Buffy didn't think she would ever become accustomed to travel by riding horseback. The Riders were moving out and Buffy joined them with a grim smile on her face.

Saruman was waiting.