Buffy belongs to Whedon and everything else Tolkien's.

Wow, yeah, so it's been awhile and big apologies for that. I just haven't had that much time to write lately as I am about to move. Anyway, hopefully it won't be so long between updates next time. This chapter is rather heavy on the dialogue and low on action, but important in that it is pretty much setting up things for the last few chapters. Lots more action in the next installment, I promise. I hope everyone enjoys it and remember to push the magic review button and tell me what you think.

Also a really huge THANK YOU to whoever nominated this story for the Crossing Over Awards. I mean, geez, really THANKS.

One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

With a loud yawn and a satisfying stretch Buffy slowly awoke from a deep, untroubled sleep. Soft morning sunlight filtered in through her bedroom windows causing her to blink as her eyes adjusted to the light. She pushed back the covers and rose from the bed while smothering another yawn with her hand. Catching sight of herself in her mirror she realized that she was already dressed and ready for the day. There was something odd about that fact, but she couldn't quite think what it was.

Buffy made her way downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Good morning sunshine," a chirpy voice said as she entered the room.

"Mom," Buffy said surprised. Why was she surprised? Why wouldn't her Mom be here? Buffy's brow furrowed as she tried to figure out why this felt so wrong.

"Did you sleep well?" Joyce asked her daughter.

"Yeah, fine," answered Buffy still confused. Something wasn't right here.

"I made you something to drink," Joyce handed her daughter a large cup. "Do you want pancakes or waffles? I think I'm feeling waffley today, but if you'd rather have pancakes . . ."

"No, I'm waffley - I mean waffles are fine." Buffy looked down into the plastic cup her mother had given her. The liquid inside was dark and thick. "What is this?"

"It's good for you, drink up."

Without knowing why she did it, Buffy reached down and stuck her finger into the cup. It came back bathed in a bright red liquid.

"MOM! This is blood!"

"Of course it is, honey," answered Joyce matter-of-factly. "Your going to need it, so make sure you drink it all."

"What? I'm not - I'm not drinking this." Buffy's head was whirling. "I'm not a vampire," she muttered pouring the blood into the sink.

Joyce turned to look out window and Buffy followed her gaze. The sun was sinking rapidly and the sky had exploded into bright oranges and pinks. A large, dark shape passed in front of the window momentarily blocking out the fading daylight.

"You have to be careful Buffy," said Joyce soberly. "It will be dark soon, that's when the monster will come for you."

"What monster? And how can it be dark already, I just woke -," Buffy blinked as sudden realization hit her. She opened her eyes and looked at her mother sadly, "Your dead."

* * *

Several hours and many miles later Buffy was still thinking over her dream. They had come to a stop at Calembel upon Ciril, it was a rather pretty spot, she realized. The grass was a rich green and a stream flowed clear and cool from a dense wooded area nearby. After helping with Arod she wandered off into the trees, telling Aragorn she was going to collect some fire wood. She really just wanted some time to herself, to get away from the depressing presence of the Dead , and to think. Legolas had been joined to her hip for the past few days and, while she enjoyed being near him, it was getting to be a bit much. She had spent all day on a horse with him which, she had to admit, wasn't a bad thing. Smiling, Buffy thought back on how nice it was to sit with his arm around her waist and her back pressed close against his chest. A tension was building between them that was becoming very distracting. She couldn't help the way she stroked his hand at her waist or suppress the shiver that Legolas's breath at the back of her neck caused. Still, a girl needed some time to herself every once and a while.

Wandering aimlessly among the trees, she absently picked up some branches laying on the ground. She was tired and hungry but, then again, so was everyone. Well, except maybe the Elves. They seemed to have boundless energy. It was irritating. She reached up and pulled the pins from her hair. Sighing with pleasure as her scalp tingled she shook her head. Her hair was dirty, she could feel the knots in it, and she was sure she must have circles under her eyes. Why oh why couldn't she have been sent to a dimension with concealer? And detangler? And possibly lipstick?

Kicking at a rock she found her thoughts again turning to her dream. It had plagued her all day, but she could not seem to puzzle it out. It was starting to give her headache. She figured the monster her mother had warned her about was the vampire, but the rest . . . Blood, why blood?

It's always about the blood.

Spike's words came back to her, and she sighed in frustration. Couldn't she get a break? An entire world away from Sunnydale and it was still about the blood. It must be a Slayer thing.

Her gaze searched the ground for more branches and, finding none, she reached up to break off a low hanging limb from a nearby tree. Suddenly, there was a hand gripping her wrist and she felt her arm pulled back.

"I would not do that if I were you. You never know when the trees might take offense."

"Legolas," Buffy turned her wrist still held in the Elf's hand. "How did you find me?"

"Elvish instinct," he answered. At Buffy's look he smiled, "I also asked Aragorn."

"Ohh, how very instinctual," Buffy said wryly.

"You looked to be deep in thought."

"S'nothing," she muttered. She hadn't told Aragorn or Legolas of her dream. If she didn't know what it meant she doubted they would. Besides they already had enough to worry about.

"I turned around and you were gone," Legolas turned his hand and linked his fingers through hers. "I was worried."

"Why so worried?" asked Buffy curiously. "You've been acting like my shadow for the past two days. Any particular reason?"

Taking a step closer Legolas breathed into her ear, "It pleases me to be near you."

"Oh," she replied, a pleasant shiver running down her back. "It pleases me too."

The tension that had been building between them suddenly burst as Legolas bent down to kiss her. What started as a soft exploration of lips, soon became hard and hungry. There was no Dark Lord, no evil ring, crazy dreams, or impending apocalypse. All that mattered in this moment was that they were together. It was suddenly vital and necessary that they touch and hold each other.

"Buffy," Legolas breathed, trying to give words to what they were experiencing, "I have never wanted this much before. I - "

The Elf broke off unable to describe the need they both felt. Sliding a palm slowly up his chest Buffy felt Legolas shiver. She looked up at him and found that she did not have the words either so, she kissed him instead.

Legolas's hand tangle in her hair as he responded and her arms locked around his neck. A bright, burning fever coursed through them. They had to be closer, they had to be closer right now. There were just too many things separating them. Buffy's hands began working the laces of his shirt and - Wait a minute, she realized, how had they come to be lying on the ground? That thought was quickly swept away as she felt Legolas's hand touch bare skin at her waist. Suddenly, his hands seemed to be everywhere at once and she felt herself straining for more. Her own hands were busy as well. When she finally succeeded at his fastenings and felt his cool skin under her palm, they both gave a sigh of pleasure. Everything just felt so right, everything was perfect.

A cool wash of air passed over her skin and Buffy felt lips trail down her neck to her -

"Legolas!" she gasped in surprise.

"Buffy!"

Buffy blinked, that wasn't Legolas's voice.

"Legolas! Where are you? We want to start the fire!"

Oh my God! That was Halbarad. And he sounded close. Buffy sat up, pushing Legolas off her. Where was her shirt?

"Return to camp!" Legolas called in a strained voice. "We will be there shortly."

He pulled Buffy's shirt over her head, helped her with her coat, and pulled her to her feet. They didn't speak as they headed back, but Legolas did stop to place a kiss on her forehead.

Halbarad and Elrohir were waiting for them just outside the tree line. The Elf was watching them with smirk.

"Where is the wood?" asked Halbarad.

"What!?" Buffy cried. "What wood? There was no wood!"

"There was no wood in the forest?" Elrohir asked

"Oh that woo - um, no, no wood." Her face a brilliant shade of red, she walked over to where the others sat and took a place next to Gimli.

"Buffy?" she heard the Dwarf ask.

"Mmm?" she mumbled.

"Your mithril coat is on backwards."

* * *

A little while later, after a fire had been started with wood gathered by the twins Buffy watched Aragorn gaze broodily out at the night. He sat apart from them as usual, wrapped in his cloak. The closer they came to Minas Tirith, the more withdrawn and sullen the Ranger had become. She understood that he had a lot on his mind, she knew what it felt like to be in his situation - well, except for the whole him being a king part - but she thought she had talked him out of his brooding spells. Buffy looked over at Legolas, they had purposefully sat on opposite sides of the fire after returning from the forest, and after catching the Elf's eye she nodded in Aragorn's direction.

"You should go talk to him," she said.

"Talk?" Legolas asked confused. "Do you wish me to relay a message for you?"

"No," Buffy said a little exasperated. "He is troubled, I think he needs someone to talk to him."

"It could be the presence of the Dead," Gimli said. "They certainly make me feel more on edge."

"I think it's more than that," Buffy replied. "He has a lot weighing on him, which is why you should talk to him."

"Me? No, no - surely you would be better at that!" Legolas was starting to look a little panicky.

"I've already had a heart to heart with him, I think -"

"Your hearts were together?" Halbarad asked in confusion.

"It means I've already had discussion with him," Buffy looked at Legolas. "I think he needs to talk to another guy, like a male bonding thing."

"You wish to tie them together?" Elladan inquired.

"No! Ew! I am not into that whole M&S thing!" She shook her head.

"M&S?" said Gimli. "What does that stand for?"

"It's - It doesn't matter," Buffy was not explaining that. Especially to a Dwarf. Besides she didn't exactly know what it meant anyway, only that it had something to do with tying people up - and she had seen that one thing on MTV where the guy wrapped the girl up in saran wrap - that was weird. It didn't seem like a very sexy thing to do, and wouldn't it be really hot and uncomfortable?

"Buffy?" Legolas prompted.

She started out of her wandering thoughts and turned back to Legolas. "Go talk to him."

"I would not know what to say." Legolas tried to back out.

"Legolas, he needs a friend right now. Please?"

"Perhaps, you are right," he responded. Aragorn had seemed rather disturbed of late.

"I often am," Buffy said with a wink. "It's one my strengths."

With a small smile Legolas rose and walked off towards the brooding Ranger.

* * *

"Aragorn."

Aragorn turned to see Legolas approaching. "Is something amiss?"

"No, I thought you might want some company."

"My thoughts are company enough," the Ranger replied tersely.

Legolas sat down next to Aragorn and the two remained silent for several minutes. Finally the Elf spoke while staring off into black night, "You seem troubled."

"I am," said Aragorn. "I worry for Arwen, I worry for Frodo and Sam, and I worry that I am doing the wrong thing. In truth, I do not wish to discuss it, Legolas."

The Elf nodded, acceding to Aragorn's wish but not before adding, "You should know that we follow you because we believe in you, in your leadership."

"My leadership may get all of you killed."

"Perhaps, but there is no one I would rather follow into battle, among Elves or Men."

Aragorn cracked a small smile at this and laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And there is no one I would rather lead into battle."

"Not even Gimli?" asked Legolas.

"Gimli fights with heart but, does not always follow orders."

"He and Buffy make a formidable team."

Aragorn grinned, "I think Buffy has been a bad influence on him."

Legolas laughed and looked back to the fire where Buffy and the others sat. He felt his heart give a tug as he watched her.

"You must tread carefully with her my friend," Aragorn said somberly.

"It is too late," the Elf replied. "I love her." I would die for her, he thought to himself thinking of Galadriel's warning.

"That is ill-advised my friend."

"You love Arwen," Legolas said defensively.

"And it has caused us both more pain than pleasure. She has chosen to stay with me and I do not know if I will ever forgive myself for taking her from her people. I will be the death of her," he added grimly.

"You have to chance to be together," Legolas argued.

"Yes, we have that at least," Aragorn replied. "Legolas, you forget that you do not have the choice Arwen had. You are immortal and Buffy is not. Have you thought about that?"

"Yes," he answered. Although not in the way you mean, he thought. "It frightens me that she could die."

"Not could, Legolas, will." Aragorn stated. "Even if she lives to a ripe old age, one day she will die."

"Then I would follow her."

"Mark my words, you will both end up hurt if you let this continue." Legolas made a sound of protest, but Aragorn continued, "It is unfair to the both of you. Do you think it will be easy for Buffy to watch herself get older while you continue to remain unchanged? And what if, after all of this is over, Gandalf finds a way to send her back to her world? She belongs there, not in Middle-Earth. While she remains here her world is left unprotected and vulnerable."

"You wish her to leave?" Legolas asked stiffly.

"Of course not, but I understand that it is her duty to return if she can."

"She has been chosen," said the Elf softly, repeating Galadriel's words.

"Yes," replied Aragorn.

Silence fell between the two friends as Legolas considered Aragorn's words. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps he and Buffy were not meant to be. It did not change the fact that he loved her, that he would die for her, but he hated the thought of causing her pain or making her unhappy. If they did find a way for her to return to her world . . . She would go. He knew that.

"I will think on what you have said," Legolas stated quietly.

Aragorn did not respond in words, instead he laid a comforting hand on the Elf's shoulder and the two remained silent. Both staring despondently out into the night, lost in their troubles.

* * *

"Poor Aragorn," Buffy sighed as she watched Legolas make his way over to the Ranger. She hoped the Elf could cheer their gloomy leader up.

"He has been rather distant of late," Elladan said. "I understand your concern Buffy, he is my friend as well . . ."

"I hear a 'but' in there," Buffy said.

"We worry for Arwen," Elrohir answered. "To lose the Evenstar of our people is a great tragedy."

"But she will be happy with Aragorn," Buffy replied.

"Of this I have no doubt, but a part of me wishes that she would follow our father over the sea to the Undying Lands." Elrohir stated.

"The sea?" Elrohir words had jogged Buffy's memory. "I had a dream about the sea and . . ." Legolas, she thought. "Why is Elrond going to these Undying Lands?"

"The Elves are leaving Middle-Earth," Gimli said sadly, thinking of the beauty of Galadriel.

"Leaving? Why?"

"Our time is past and the age of Men approaches," Elladan answered. "Every Elf at some point during their existence will come to feel the pull of the sea. Once that occurs it is only a matter of time before he or she seeks the straight road to Valinor."

"Straight road?" Buffy asked confused. "I am not following you guys. What is Valinor?"

"The simplest answer is that it is the ancestral home of Elves," said Elrohir. "For many ages it was a part of the world, but after it was attacked by a minion of Sauron the land was removed from the circles of the world. Now, it can only be reached by Elves, who seek the straight road over the sea to its shores."

"Are you guys going there?" Buffy asked Elladan and Elrohir.

"Eventually, yes," said Elladan. "Soon Middle-Earth will be bereft of our kind and left to the care of Men."

All the Elves were leaving, Buffy thought. All of them, which meant . . . Legolas would be leaving. That was why he hadn't wanted to talk about her dream. He didn't want her to know he was leaving. It would also explain why he had stayed so close to her these past few days, he wanted to spend as much time with her as he could before he left.

Buffy could hear Gimli and the twins discussing the departure of the Elves, but she tuned them out. Something inside her had cracked and broken at the realization that Legolas was leaving. It was not that he was leaving Middle-Earth, but that he was leaving her. He was leaving her. Just like they all did, her father, Angel, Scott, Parker, Riley . . . and now Legolas. At least she was consistent, she thought grimly. Maybe Saruman had been right after all, maybe there was something wrong with her.

Legolas was leaving her.