DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Buffy or LOTR characters, their respectable authors do!

RATING: R- rape, sexual situations, language, violence

SUMMARY: Set after series 7 Buffy, during Fellowship- Buffy and Giles are sent to Middle Earth when the vampires and demons find a portal from Sunnydale. Buffy offers her services to Lady Galadriel, and soon starts to feel something for Haldir, but when the Fellowship arrive in Lothlórien, Boromir finds something he wants as much as the Ring.

NOTE: Sorry I haven't updated, I've been back at school, and well, it's a crap excuse but it's a real deal! BASTARD SCHOOL! So I'm sorry, but you can ring my school and complain! My modern history teacher is to blame; bastard and all that homework!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: RETURNING FROM DUTY

It had been several months since Buffy and the army of elves had been in Caras Galadhon; they had been held up in the woods, fighting orcs and wargs, not to mention big yucky demons and stupid vampires who managed to break through the magic that protected the borders. They were fast and furious. Buffy couldn't remember the last time she had seen Giles; it had been so long since she had seen him. Not even the elves seemed to know.

Her and Haldir were slow in progress. Due to the busy life of a slayer, she didn't get much alone time with him, but she grew to respect him more and more. And want him more and more.

The group of twenty or so elves and slayer, walked through the woods, back to Caras Galadhon.

Buffy couldn't stop thinking of the hobbits, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn. She didn't hate Boromir, but she couldn't help but wish him some pain.

Haldir led her to Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.

"Nae saian luume' . You have returned safely," Lady Galadriel said, "and it pleases my heart, but I am afraid your work is not yet complete, young slayer."

"What?" she asked. "I've been working my ass off for, God knows how long, and I still have to? What happened to finding my peace?"

"Come for walk with me young warrior," she said taking Buffy's hand and led her into the garden, Buffy looking back at Haldir for a moment who watched her intensely. Lady Galadriel sat on a stone bench and Buffy sat next to her. "You shall find your peace, I have seen it."

"Really?"

"First, you must destroy the Master."

"Trust that bastard to get in the way."

"The fate of this world depends on it. Frodo has destroyed the ring, but it is you who must stop the Evil who still lingers."

"I can do that. I am the Chosen One right?"

"That will not be your hardest task."

"It gets worst? That bastard killed me once."

"Nay, when you return, you must face a new path. One of solitude and love."

"Love? Haldir?"

"He will ask you to spend the rest of your days together."

"But that's forever?"

"Yes, and he will ask to be your lover, your friend."

"But."

"Think upon this while you go to war. Good luck young slayer. Orophin and Rumil shall accompany you."

"Okay, but don't I get to see Giles?"

"You shall meet in the halls of Gondor."

"Aragorn?"

"Yes."

"When do I go?"

"Now."

Buffy followed Lady Galadriel to the front of the Lady and Lord's talen, where Orophin and Rumil were with three horses and Haldir. Buffy stretched her tired muscles nervously, before going over to the group.

"We ready to rock and roll?" she asked, trying to cheer up the gloomy group.

"Perhaps I may speak with you first?" Haldir asked and she followed him a little way from the group. He placed a ring into her hand. "Remember me."

"How could I forget you?"

Haldir stroked her cheeks, the tears starting to form. He was everything Angel was. and he was everything she needed. He could heal her, she knew he could, but now? She was so young!

"Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au' ," he whispered.

Buffy felt the angry tears threatening to burst. What if Galadriel was wrong? What if she didn't come back?

"I want to tell you something, that I told my sister, before I jumped. The hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave, live. for me. If I don't return I want you to know that you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"But you shall return, for I have seen."

Buffy kissed him on the lips before turning and leaving. She mounted the horse, taking a sword handed to her by Lord Celeborn, and turned to look at Haldir. She smiled weakly and galloped off after his two brothers.

She would have to be strong. She would come back, no matter what. The Gods weren't taking her this time.