Tolkien owns everything except for Buffy who is the property of Joss Whedon.

Much appreciation for the reviews! They're what keep me writing! Just to put many of the reviewers at ease, I promise that I will finish the story! Even if it takes me awhile to do it ; ) I know exactly what is going happen, it's finding the time to write it all down that takes so long. Don't worry I'm not going to leave you guys hangin'.

Prophecy

The night sky was a deep, solid black, making it nearly impossible to see anything. Buffy could just make out the shape of the large stone that sat half-buried in the ground before them.

"What is that?" she asked Elrohir.

"The Stone of Erech," he answered in a subdued tone.

"Who's Eric?"

Elrohir smiled at her question and reached behind him to pull something from his saddlebag. "It is not a person. The stone is named after this place, the Hill of Erech. It is said that the stone fell from the heavens many ages ago." With a careful tug he removed a shining, silver horn from his bag.

"Very pretty," Buffy said appreciatively.

Elrohir passed the horn to Aragorn, who then blew upon it. The sounds that issued forth from the instrument caused Buffy's skin to crawl. After a quiet, tense moment passed the music of several answering horns could be heard faintly. A chill wind blew over her and she knew without looking that the Dead were gathering around them.

Aragorn dismounted and walked to stand by the stone.

"Oathbreakers, why have you come?" he asked.

A voice answered, faint as if coming from a long distance.

"To fulfill our oath and have peace."

"The hour has come at last," Aragorn said. "Now I go to Pelargir upon Anduin and you shall follow me. When this land has been cleansed of the of the servants of Sauron your oath will be fulfilled. You shall have peace and depart this world forever. For I am Elessar, Isildur's heir of Gondor."

Suddenly, Halbarad unfurled a large standard, which looked to be as black as the night around it. Silence fell over the Company and not a word was spoken as they prepared to camp for the night.

"Legolas! Elladan!"

Buffy started as Aragorn's voice broke the quiet that had settled over the group.

"You two take the first watch," he rolled his blanket out and laid down.

The ground was hard and cold, a sharp rock dug into her back and Buffy shifted restlessly trying to remove the offending stone. She tossed back and forth, unable to rest with the presence of the Dead around them.

"Can you not lay still?!" Gimli muttered grumpily.

"I can't help it," Buffy hissed. "It's those dead people. I can feel their ghosty little eyes on me, it's freaking me out. They're all cold and wispy and - and, you know, dead."

"Go to sleep, Buffy," she heard Aragorn say from where he lay, on the other side of Gimli.

"But -," she protested.

"Sleep," Aragorn ordered.

"Yes sir, you Royal Pain in the -"

"Buffy!" Gimli cut her off before she could finish her thought.

"All right, all right." Buffy rolled over and shut her eyes tightly. She lay there listening to the deep breaths of those around her and only after several hours had passed did she finally sink into restless sleep.

* * *

Legolas scanned the area around him with senses alert. The intense quiet of the night was broken only by the occasional snore from Gimli and the shuffling feet of the horses. Just beyond the camp Legolas could make out the faint, wispy forms of the Dead, but they caused him no distress. It would be several hours before he was relieved of his watch so, he sat down on the barren ground and tried to get more comfortable. He felt a soft, refreshing rush of air pass over him, carrying a sweet, familiar scent. His brow furrowed in confusion, where could it be coming from?

"Legolas . . ."

He stiffened as his head whipped around searching for the source of the voice.

"Legolas Greenleaf . . ."

The voice was familiar and seemed to be close by, but he saw no one. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and realized the air smelled of mallorn trees. It smelled like Lothlorien.

"Open your eyes, Prince of Mirkwood."

He obeyed the command and gasped sharply. The Dead were gone, the camp was gone, Aragorn, and Buffy . . . they were all gone. He was standing in small clearing surrounded by golden mallorn trees and he wasn't alone.

"Mae govannen,"said Galadriel. The Lady of Lorien stood before Legolas, garbed in her customary white with eyes full of age and wisdom.

"Mae govannen," Legolas repeated a little breathlessly.

"There isn't much time," she said, her form becoming slightly transparent. "I have gazed upon my mirror and seen something great and terrible. I have called to you so that I might warn you."

"Warn me of what?" he asked.

"The Slayer is in great danger . . ." Galadriel's body suddenly flickered in and out, her voice trailing off.

"Buffy, what -"

The Lady held up her hand to stop his question. "I cannot hold this connection for long, Legolas, so you must listen and heed my words."

Legolas nodded and remained quiet.

"Your blood, to save her life," Galadriel's statement echoed in his mind as her ancient eyes gazed into his own. "If this does not come to pass, whether Sauron is defeated or not, a terrible evil will rise in Middle-Earth and the Slayer will perish."

"What have you seen? What is to happen to her?"

"I know only that it will occur soon, within days," answered Galadriel. "You must stay near her. The time will come when her life will be threatened in a terrible way, the worst way for her. Only through the spilling of your blood may she live."

"My life, for hers." Legolas said.

"Perhaps . . . Perhaps not," Galadriel faded further, her form becoming a thin shadow. "The mirror was not clear." She eyed Legolas curiously. "You did not hesitate in your decision, Son of Thranduil. Would you so willingly give your life to save her?

"Yes," he answered. "Should it be required of me I would gladly lay down my life for hers. Better to give my life so that she might live and Middle-Earth be kept safe. I will die either way, but if your words hold true Buffy still has a chance to survive."

"You love her," Galadriel stated.

"Yes."

"That is not wise," Galadriel said. "She has been chosen, she walks alone."

"Not anymore," responded Legolas.

Galadriel looked sharply to her left, at something only she could see. "I must leave you now, Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I wish you and your companions luck in the final battle."

With that she was gone as suddenly as she had come and Legolas was once again sitting in camp surrounded by an army of the Dead. He found that he was breathing hard, as if he had run a great distance.

Your blood, to save her life.

So be it.

* * *

Buffy awoke groggy and disoriented. She shook her head to clear away the last bits of sleep and stretched her muscles out. The morning was cool and grey, causing Buffy to wrap her cloak tightly around her in an attempt to chase away the chill.

"Buffy."

She looked up and smiled. "Good morning, Legolas."

"I have spoken with Gimli, you will ride with me today." He offered Buffy his hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Ooookaayyy," she said, noticing the tense lines etched in his face. "What's with the drama mask?"

Legolas didn't answer, instead he took her hand and began to lead her over to the horses. Buffy stopped and pulled him to a halt.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Legolas hesitated, unsure of what to say. He had decided not to tell Buffy of Galadriel's warning. She would never agree to him sacrificing himself for her and it would only cause her distress to know of it in advance. If it came down to his life for hers, which, according to Galadriel, was only a possibility, then he only had a precious few days left with her. Despite the chaos that was all around he wanted to spend what time they had left together. He looked down into her concerned green eyes and tried to push the dark thoughts out of his head. . He did not wish to lie to her, but neither would he tell her the truth. Perhaps he could distract her, he thought. He brought Buffy's hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back.

"Ride with me today?" he asked softly.

"Ohhh nooo," Buffy said pulling her hand away. "You are not charming your way out of this."

"That did not distract you?"

Buffy shook her head.

"Then perhaps this will." Legolas bent his head and kissed her softly. What began as an attempt at diversion quickly grew and exploded into something more. Warmth rushed through the Elf's body causing him pull Buffy closer, he felt her arms lock around his neck and the kiss deepened further. He found her lips soft, warm, and inviting. Legolas thought he could happily go on kissing her forever. The sounds of the awakening camp fell away and there were just the two of them, alone. Neither one knew how long they stood there, pressed together, but finally Legolas sensed others near them and he pulled back leaving Buffy to try and catch her breath.

"Distracted?" Legolas breathed into her ear.

"Very," Buffy answered with a happy sigh.

Legolas pulled back and reluctantly released her.

"Are you really okay?" Buffy asked, still worried over his serious behavior.

"Yes, I feel much improved," he answered. Unable to resist the urge, he reached out to stroke her face.

"Are you two quite through?" Aragorn asked a little irritated. He stood several feet away with Elladan, Elrohir, and Gimli just behind him. He frowned and sent a disapproving glare at the couple. They didn't have time for Buffy and Legolas to cuddle.

Buffy felt her face burn as she saw the group who had doubtlessly seen her kissing Legolas a few moments earlier. Giving an embarrassed nod she left Legolas' side to gather her things. The familiar routine of packing gave her time to cool off and gather her thoughts. Pull yourself together Summers, she thought, her mind still a little hazy. Jerking her bag closed she slung it over her shoulder and moved to rejoin Legolas. However, before she could reach him a figure blocked her path and she looked up to see Elrohir standing before her.

"What?" she asked.

"Do I get a good morning kiss as well?" he asked with a teasing glint in his eye.

All right, Buffy thought, that's it. As her lips spread into a slow smile, she narrowed her green eyes and stepped closer to Elrohir. She was close enough to touch him now and she did, sliding one hand slowly up his chest. He stiffened and she knew she had surprised him. Bringing her foot up she rubbed it against his leg before hooking her foot behind his knee. With a jerk she swept the Elf's feet out from under him and Elrohir went sprawling gracelessly backwards into the dirt.

"That enough of a 'good morning' for you Elrohir?" she asked, while smiling sweetly down at him. Without waiting for an answer, she reshouldered her bag and walked away.

As she turned her back on Elrohir she could see Legolas and Elladan, who were doubled over with laughter. Gimli was shamelessly rolling on the ground, his entire belly shaking. Rolling her eyes, Buffy walked past them all and made her way to the horses.

They had a war to get to after all.