All of Middle-Earth belongs to Tolkien and Buffy is the evil genius of Joss Whedon.

I know, I know, I need to update more often ; ) Sometimes it just takes a little while for inspiration to strike but, anyway, enjoy the new chapter!

P.S. - I posted this earlier today and then reread it and then decided that I didn't like it. So, I pulled the chapter and rewrote it. Here is the much improved and longer version.

Review! Review! Review! pretty please?

Return to Edoras

They rode swiftly, without stopping. Aragorn led the way, his shoulders stiff with resolve over his chosen course, while Buffy fidgeted restlessly on her horse. Although she had become accustomed to riding horseback she could not help but miss the relative comfort of traveling by car. After all, cars did not stop every ten feet to eat grass nor, did they smell quite as badly as the horses did. She stared ahead blankly at the rolling plains of Edoras. God, she was bored. Legolas and Gimli had been sent ahead to scout for trouble and the twins continued to avoid her. She sighed deeply, causing Aragorn to look over to her.

"Is something amiss?" he asked.

"Just a little travel fatigue," Buffy answered.

"Well, you shall rest in comfort this eve," Aragorn said to her. "We will reach Edoras by this afternoon."

"Edoras? We're going back there?"

"For only a short while, but I imagine you will have a chance to sleep in a real bed for one night."

"And I can see Eowyn again," said Buffy happily. "I have missed having another girl around - and a bath! I can have a bath! I can wash my hair!" Buffy fingered a strand of her hair and eyed it critically. "I think it might have bits of Uruk-Hai in it."

* * *

By late afternoon they reached Edoras and Buffy was ecstatic to see Eowyn again. The White Lady of Rohan stood tall and proud at the doors to the great hall of Meduseld, waiting to greet her guests. Buffy quickly dismounted and ran up the steps to give Eowyn a hug.

"It is so good to see you again!" Buffy said.

"Yes, I have -" Suddenly, Eowyn drew away and backed up several steps.

"What? What is it?" asked Buffy concerned. Eowyn's nose was slightly scrunched up and Buffy's eyes widened. "Oh God! It's me isn't it? I smell!"

Eowyn nodded apologetically.

Buffy noticed that Aragorn had come up beside her and she turned to him accusingly, "Why didn't you tell me I smelled?!"

Aragorn looked at her blankly and Buffy observed his own rather dirty appearance.

"Never mind," she said.

Eowyn greeted her guests warmly and quickly ordered food prepared for them. As they turned to go inside Buffy stopped abruptly and looked back.

"Where is Legolas?" she asked.

"He had to see to Arod," answered Aragorn. "He was favoring his front hoof."

"Oh," Buffy said. Her question would have to wait then. Besides, at the moment she was more concerned with getting a bath. She begged Eowyn to have one prepared for her and her friend quickly agreed.

"I will bring you fresh clothes and have these cleaned," Eowyn said before leaving with Buffy's dirty clothes bundled in her arms.

Buffy soaked until her skin was properly wrinkled and then she set about scrubbing the grime from her hair. It was wonderful to be clean, she thought as she dried herself off. Wrapping a soft linen towel around her she began to comb the tangles from her wet hair. It was almost down to her waist, she noticed and then sighed, what she wouldn't give for a hair salon right about now. There was a soft knock at the door and Eowyn entered.

"Feeling better?" she asked.

"Much," answered Buffy. Eowyn handed her a soft cotton gown and Buffy dressed quickly.

"You look very nice," Eowyn said.

"I actually feel like a girl again," Buffy replied smiling. "C'mon, let's go eat I'm starving!"

* * *

Night fell swiftly and by the time the Company had eaten their fill the moon hung high and full in the sky. Buffy stared down at her empty plate and groaned.

"I ate too much," she said rubbing her eyes.

"Bah!" Gimli said while polishing off his fourth helping. "You eat like a girl!"

"I am girl!"

"Well - uh - yes," the Dwarf stumbled, "about what I said -"

"You mean that I was strong and sturdy like a man?"

"Um - yes, well you are obviously not a -a man and . . ."

"And?" Buffy prompted.

"Imsmarmy," he mumbled.

"Gimli, I don't think you're smarmy," Buffy said.

"I'm sorry," he said more clearly.

Buffy smiled and gave the Dwarf a kiss on his cheek.

"You're forgiven," she said. "Besides, you meant it in a good way."

With that Buffy pushed back her chair and headed back to her room. Her bed was looking very attractive right now but, before she reached the stairs she felt a hand on her arm.

"What did you do to Gimli? His face has turned as red as his hair."

Buffy smiled at Legolas before reaching up and whispering into his ear. "I did just this," she said giving him a kiss on his cheek.

"Well, he is a lucky Dwarf indeed," Legolas replied. "Were you retiring for the night?"

"Yes," Buffy said. "Why don't you walk me to my room, there is something I've been wanting to ask you."

Legolas obligingly hooked his arm through hers and led her up the stairs. Buffy waited until they reached the hallway outside her room before turning to the Elf.

"What does, vanilla silo tire, mean?" she asked curiously.

"Who said that to you?" Legolas asked his eyes narrowing.

"What does it mean?" she repeated.

"Your beauty shines bright," he said.

"You can't distract me with compliments!" Buffy said flustered.

"That is what it means," he said softly running a finger down her cheek. "Vanilla silo tire, Buffy. Your beauty shines bright."

"Oh," she mumbled.

Then he kissed her. Her hands found their way around his neck and he pulled her closer. Mamma, she thought, this was - this was - completely off topic! She was not going to let herself get distracted! Even if it felt . . . really . . . really . . . nice . . . No! Off topic!

"Off topic!" Buffy said pulling back and breaking the kiss.

"You are very strange sometimes," Legolas said.

"You are distracting me!" Buffy said. "I have to ask you something."

"You already did."

"No, I have something else to ask you."

"Then ask me!"

"You called me, melamin, once," Buffy said. "I want to know what it means."

It was interesting to watch someone look both shocked and terrified at the same time. Legolas's eyebrows shot up into his forehead and his eyes widened. There seemed to be a million thoughts running through his head before he took a deep breath and his features relaxed.

"It means, my love," he finally answered.

Buffy stood slightly stunned before stammering, "Y - You mean like a-a sweetheart or a -a darling. Or maybe the way British people mean it - you know, 'Top of the mornin' luv'. Just a silly endearment - not - not that you really -"

"I mean it," he said softly.

"What?"

"Amin mela lle. I love you, Buffy."

"Oh that's - that's . . . nice," she replied. "Well . . . good night."

And before Legolas knew what had happened Buffy had slipped inside her room and shut the door behind her.

* * *

That's nice?

Legolas loved her and that was the best she could come up with? That's nice?

Legolas loved her?! Loved her! Buffy paced quickly back and forth in her room. Her long skirt swished against her legs as she tried to deal with what had just transpired. He loved her! This was serious. This was more than just flirting and stealing the occasional kiss. Did she love him? She was afraid she might and these things never turned out well. Sure, he loved her and yes, she might very well love him too, but she knew the ending to this story. He was immortal, she was not. He'd just leave her in the end. They all left.

She couldn't stay here. She needed to get out. Her senses were whirling and she couldn't think while closed up inside. Cautiously peeking out the door to make sure Legolas was not waiting Buffy stepped out and shut the door. She hadn't gone more than two steps before Eowyn came rushing up the stairs, tears streaming down her face.

"Eowyn!" Buffy grabbed her friend and stopped her from going any further. "What is it?!"

"He's going to kill himself!" Eowyn cried.

"What! Who?"

"Aragorn! The Paths of the Dead mean certain doom!"

Buffy regarded the frantic look in Eowyn's eyes.

"Oh dear," she said. "You're in love with him."

Eowyn just looked at her sadly. Buffy pulled the weeping woman back into her room.

"Eowyn," she began, "I hate to tell you this but . . . Aragorn is in a relationship."

"I did not think he had any kin," she sniffed.

"No, I mean he is involved with someone," Buffy tried to explain.

Eowyn's brow wrinkled in confusion and Buffy sighed. She sat down on the bed and motioned for Eowyn to sit beside her. Buffy quickly recounted what she knew of Aragorn and Arwen and hated to see the devastation that passed through her friend's eyes.

"It does not change the way I feel," Eowyn said when Buffy had finished. "And I can do nothing to stop him from pursuing this course!"

"I think that he is doing the right thing," Buffy said. "That is why we are all following him."

"Would that I could follow him too! Even if it meant death! Theoden has commanded me to remain here."

"Theoden can't tell you what to do! You are your own person!" said Buffy outraged.

"He is my king," Eowyn replied.

"Is this because you're a girl!?" Buffy asked.

Eowyn shrugged in response and wiped her cheeks dry

"Stupid male chauvinists!" Buffy muttered. "Just because your a girl your supposed to sit at home and wait! Well, that's just - that's just - ughh! . . . Do you want to come with us?"

"Yes! More that anything I wish to be freed from my chains! I long for adventure and for the opportunity to fight, to defend my home! To be free of my gilded cage, to - "

"Uh, right." Buffy interrupted. "I think I get the point. If you want to come with us, then you'll come with us,"

"It is not that simple," Eowyn stated. "Theoden and Eomer will be furious, and you know Aragorn will not allow it."

"You are right about that," Buffy replied and then smiled. "I have an idea . . . but first - and I'm not trying to be cruel - you need to forget about you and Aragorn. There is no coming between him and Arwen and you'll only hurt yourself more by clinging to him."

"How? It is not as if I can simply stop, I love him."

Buffy pulled her friend into a hug and truly felt for her. This was the ugly side of love. The painful, heart wrenching, tear filled side. For Buffy, pain and love always seemed to come hand in hand. Seeing Eowyn's devastation only reminded her of all the anguish that inevitably followed the joy; and, as she reflected back upon Legolas's earlier declaration she wasn't sure if she could put her self through it all over again.

* * *

It was in the deep of night when Buffy awoke abruptly. She was instantly restless, her senses heightened and alert. Her body was telling her it was time to patrol, to hunt. She rolled over and tried to push her instincts aside, attempting to go back to sleep. After all, there were no vampires here to dust. After spending several hours working on a plan to sneak Eowyn away with them in the morning, Buffy had been exhausted. She hadn't even been able to find the energy to worry more over her situation with Legolas. And now her Slayer self was telling her to rise and shine in the middle of the night.

"Damn it," she muttered. She knew this feeling. The Slayer side of her was awake and ready to fight so, there would be no rest for quite a while.

Kicking off her covers she jumped from the bed and quickly pulled on the blue gown she had worn to dinner. Perhaps a good long walk would calm her senses down . . . and give her time to think.

It had grown quite cool throughout the Golden Hall and Buffy tried to rub the chill from her arms. Goosebumps rose on her skin and the hair on her neck began to stand on end. Maybe this wasn't just a result of the temperature . . . Before she consciously knew why, she was headed straight for the large entrance doors to the Hall. She pulled the huge doors open with ease and stepped out into the night. Ignoring the chilly air her eyes searched the sky. She could feel it up there, somewhere. It was near.

"You there!" called a guard. "What are you about, my Lady?"

Buffy did not respond, her gaze glued upwards. Suddenly, her muscles seized and her blood began to heat. Black against the bright light of the full moon was a winged figure flying in circles over Edoras. It wheeled back and forth as Buffy followed its every motion with her eyes. She heard a cry go up from the guard, but paid it no attention. A part of her brain recognized that this was not the same winged creature that they had seen outside Isengard. That one had appeared as a massive animal-like shape, whereas this one was smaller and more compact. It looked like man with large, leathery wings. The thing was too far away to make out much more than its general shape but, Buffy knew without a doubt that it was looking down on them, on her, with burning, blood red eyes.

The creature dove and a volley of Rohirrim arrows went flying up after it. Unfortunately, the thing was out of range . . . but, maybe . . .

Where was Legolas?

"Buffy! What is it?" asked Aragorn. He had heard the guard's cry and come running.

She wordlessly pointed upwards and heard Aragorn suck in a sharp breath.

"Nazgul!" he hissed.

"No, it's not like the thing we saw at Isengard," Buffy said. "But . . . it's bad . . .evil . . . I can feel it." She turned towards the Ranger, "Where is Legolas?"

"Right behind you," the Elf answered. Before she could ask him he had an arrow nocked and aimed.

Buffy looked back at the creature before turning to Legolas and saying, "Aim for the heart."

His arrow flew and they watched as the winged figure tumbled backwards and fell several feet. It then recovered and struggled back up but, its left wing appeared to be injured. The creature turned to the south and wheeled away into the night.

Buffy heard Legolas say something angrily in Elvish and knew that he was berating himself for failing to kill the thing.

"I missed," he said stiffly.

"No," Buffy replied, "you hit it and injured its wing. You did not miss."

"What was it?" Aragorn asked.

Buffy looked at Legolas and nodded in answer to his unasked question.

"That was it," she said. "That was the monster I saw in the palantir."