A/N: Here's the new chapter!
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'I am getting way to used to this.' Dawn thought as energy swirled and pulsed around her, crackling sounds could be heard, and bright sparks could be seen all around when she opened her eyes. The air was vibrating around her body as she fell, could pick up on the little tremors of the energy as she was propelled through the air.
Past places, familiar faces, colors blurred past her, mixing together, representing her life. A mass of emotion and muddle. Nothing could be properly identified, yet still separated from one another. Each vision came so fast she began to wonder if she had indeed seen what she thought she had. Was it just another part of her imagination?
Thoughts of Buffy, and what Whistler had told her came to mind, but she pushed them away, fought against the memories of what would be a previous life. She was afraid of the emotions that might be released in she tried to analyze what she was feeling at that very moment in time. She was afraid to release her anger, her hatred for the powers that be. Who knows where it might take her.
She'd let her emotions simmer; keep them from boiling over until, until.until she was ready. When she was ready, ready to strike back against Glory, against the powers, against everyone that took her away from her family. She would vent her anger and hurt on a worthy source; she would not let it all out yet. Not yet.
If she let it all out now, the feelings would pass, and all she'd be left with would be a longing for home, and a deep sadness. She wanted to inflict the same pain and hate she was feeling at the moment on those that had hurt her most.
'I will stop, think about what has happened to me, and what I shall have to do to get home. But not until I have got my revenge. Once I have my revenge against Glory, then and only then shall I think about what I am feeling, and what I shall do about it.' She promised herself.
This portal was different from the last one. This one was more surreal, more vibrant. The energy seemed to welcome her this time. No longer was it fighting against her, but pulling her towards its center.
Dawn clung tightly to her bag as she fell, hoping that the bag was properly zipped up, that she wouldn't lose any of her most important possessions. 'Don't undo, don't undo, don't undo!' She repeated in a mantra.
No longer was she tumbling around like a rag doll as she fell. Instead she stayed in one position, as if she was gracefully diving into a deep aquamarine pool of crystal clear water. Wind whistled past her ears calling out to her as it raced past.
No longer were there any sharp, jagged rocks waiting to catch her on their spikes. There was no danger of her hurting herself as she fell, or so she hoped.
A small soft thud indicated her arrival. Dawn caught her breath and moved back, leaning against her heels as she knelt and looked around. She knew in an instant that Middle-Earth was going to be nothing like she was used to back home.
To her left a wide river ran it's course. Wide and deep it flowed, the distant crashing told her of the waterfall which was at the end of it's path. Soft moss and grass covered the area that she landed on, but down closer to the river edge there was a pebbly shore. Dawn stood, and in doing so she noticed the firm springiness of the ground beneath her feet.
Tall trees grew high above her. Large and old, no doubt it would have taken several of her to wrap her arms around one of the trunks and link up once again. The leaves were fresh and young, full of youth despite the gnarled trunks that were twisted and bent that they grew off of. Ivy and other creeper plants had climbed the trees frame, adding their own unique pattern to the bark of the trees.
Dead wood littered the floor around the base of the trunk, indicating that the fallen branches had become detached from their life source in a storm.
A cloud passed over the sun, sending the forest into darkness. The shadows from the trees loomed over Dawn, becoming more and more aggressive. The river was eerily quiet, and not a leaf rustled. Dawn held her breath waiting to see what would happen.
A few seconds later the cloud passed and once again the forest along with Dawn were bathed in a golden light. It was warm on her skin, providing a sense of security and safety. The tree's stretched in it's light, and silver and gold was reflected off the surface of the river as it rushed past her eager to be on it's way.
Letting out the deep breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding, Dawn picked up her abandoned bag and slung it over her shoulder. Walking over to the shore of the river she bent down and looked at the reflection in the water.
An unknown person stared back at her. The face was the same, but the eyes had changed, and they themselves had changed her face. Her eyes.her eyes were so unrecognizable. They were still wide, innocent looking, but deep in the sapphire depths there was darkness, death, despair. Three things that Dawn had a deep intimacy with.
She splashed her hand in the water, destroying the image before her. Cupping her hands together she rinsed the grime off of her face. The cool water waking her up, Dawn began to think more clearly.
'I'm going to need a place to camp the night. Food as well would be good, really should have bought more with me other than the sandwiches I picked up at the chemist.'
But a safe place to camp and have a wash, where she could bath her wound took priority.
Dawn looked over to the other side of the river desolately. Her eyes following the movement of the water and they paused, settling on a location further down the stream. It appeared to be some sort of cove. A few boulders lay further in shore, small shrubs were scattered around, mostly at the tree's bases, the trunks covered with moss. Some plants had gown over the hard boulders and had wound their stems tightly over the cracks, clinging to the hard rock.
"Looks as good a place as any to start. I am so going to have a bath before I sleep tonight. Hello hygiene." She mumbled to herself as she started the journey to the sheltered inlet.
She wove her trail through the tree's and plants of the forest, amazed at the beauty that was around her, often pausing to have a better look at the scenery as she passed.
The sun was hot and high in the sky, no clouds left floating about to protect her from it's scorching heat. Her only source of protection in the trees that surrounded her.
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Arriving at the bay, Dawn was able to get a better view of it.
The water lapped quietly at the edge of the shore. It was calmer here, no longer fighting for dominance and control, not fighting for the power of choosing its direction. Towards the other side of the river, the rampant water still rushed by, not pausing for anything that was in it's way.
The forest had stopped a little way back; about twenty yards back from the perimeter of the river, allowing for a small semi-circle of pebbles from the river bed.
Dawn walked over to a big oak, and placed her bag down beside it. Taking her jacket off she threw it down and the ground and sat down on top of it. This would do for tonight she decided, although she would have to be on her way tomorrow. She'd need supplies; food especially presided foremost at the front of her mind.
Dawn's stomach rumbled and she opened her pack and pulled out a crumpled brown grocery bag. She pulled out the pack of sandwiches and ate one of them, her hunger over-riding the sogginess of the bread, and the lip lettuce that resided within.
Leaving the remaining sandwich at her side, Dawn ignored it. Her hunger was partially sated, and the sandwich would be of more use tomorrow, when she would be without food until she arrived at the nearest town, city, village, whatever you wanted to call it. She lent back against the great oak, waiting for the food to make it's way down to her stomach. Debating what she should do.
She could feel the dirt and grime on her skin each time she moved, her clothes rubbing against the mud, causing it to flake off and crumble as she walked.
She cool water looked enticing, and the fact that the forest seemed deserted didn't exactly help on her list of why she should not jump into the river for a wash.
But she'd need a wash soon; she was smelly, covered in sweat and perspiration that had dried upon her skin. Covered in blood as well, she still hadn't washed it off since Glory had had put a blade into her stomach. She was mad at herself for losing the weapon, couldn't remember where she'd last had it. She'd intended to use it to kill Glory, pay her back for what she had done to her family. Pay Glory back for she had caused her to lose.
Stumbling over a stray tree root that was raised out of the ground, Dawn dived head first into a patch of in dry blood, smell, and have got fruit juice in my hair. I'm taking a bloody bath berries. Their skins broke, and their red juices were released into her hair.
"Oh no." She moaned. Trying to pick the split berries out of her hair. "This is the last straw! I don't care who's gonna be watching. I'm dirty, covered, even if it is in the river." She muttered angrily.
Coming to her intended destination, she chucked her stuff down on to the ground. Reaching down into her bag she pulled out her shampoo, conditioner and soap and tossed them onto a ledge at the side of the river. 'Wow, slayer powers do have their perks after all.'
Undressed, she grabbed a small dagger out of her coat, and dove into the water. Letting the water wash away the dirt, pain and hurt.
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Dawn allowed her head to slip under the cool soothing water, and she ran her fingers through the separated strands of hair that was being pulled about in the current of the river, washing out any remaining conditioner.
'Ahhhh.it's nice to be clean again.' She contemplated as she felt the water moving across the skin. Surfacing again in need of oxygen, Dawn inspected her hands. Not a speck of dirt remained, her skin taunt and smooth, only blemished by the small cuts and grazes that remained from her ordeal.
Looking at her hands, she studied the lines on them. They were small, smaller than most peoples, but she liked them. Often she'd compare them to others, they were unique, no other pair in existence, and maybe that was why she liked them. She liked the way her fingers remained the same width along the whole of her finger, not becoming slimmer towards the nail. She admired the rounded tips of her fingers, the shiny nails that were clean, void of all dirt. Her hands could look graceful; make her seem childlike, yet they were powerful. Able to wield a weapon in battle, able to kill.
She was proud of the minuet scar on the inside of her right thumb, where an over-enthusiastic puppy had chewed it. Adored her middle finger on her right hand, studied the way, at the end of the joint it leant towards the right, never having grown back straight after she'd broken it in one of the numerous battles that she been involved in.
She ducked under the water again, and tilted her head back as she came up, the water pulling her hair back and away from her face. Wading through the river she pulled herself up on to a flat ledge, smooth from the years of abuse it had received from the river.
She stuck out her leg, her toes pointing upwards towards the sky as she studied them. Small dark hairs barely visible at the moment, but they soon would be.
'With all the things I remember to get at the chemist, and I forget a bloody razor.' She berated herself. Sighing she reached across and picked up the soap from the other bottles on the ridge. 'Unless.' she considered, eying the dagger by the shampoo.
She picked it up.she could wash it afterwards.as long as she washed away every last remaining soap sud.it should be alright.Buffy would have had a fit if she could see her now. 'But she isn't' Dawn decided firmly. 'No Buffy, no lecture on the misuse of weapons.anyway.it's only until I next see Whistler.' She reasoned.
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The boats glided swiftly along the river. Smoothly riding out their course and the current. All eight companions were silent, even the curious childlike hobbits were lost in their own thoughts as they traveled down the river.
Legolas surveyed the riverbanks either side of them. Long had he known of the orcs on the east side, and now there was another shadow threatening to settle over them. The shadow had been growing, and only he could sense it, understand what it really felt like, the others.the others had no clue of it's malice and evilness; they could not comprehend what he could sense from it. They were still too young, too innocent at the moment. Even if they could sense it, their fears soon disappeared, leaving them to think that it was part of their imagination, they pushed it out of their minds, but he was unable to do that. The threat of it so great he could do little else but concentrate on it.
The dark magic of the shadow had spread its discontent throughout the forest, whispering its malicious thoughts and feelings, persuading the tree's to harm those that seek shelter within.
He inspected the river further ahead of his friends, watching for any unusual movement that might lead to the downfall of is comrades if not spotted quickly enough. And with his advance senses of sight and sound that duty fell to him.
His eyes strained as he searched the rivers shore for any orcs, or any new mischief. His eyes pausing on the calm water ahead of them.
He turned briefly back to Aragorn, about to tell him of an ideal mooring place for their small boats, soon it would be getting dark, and they would need to be settled before darkness fell. The hobbits were in need of a rest and food, no doubt they would soon start to complain that while the lembas was good food, it did not feel like they'd eaten a complete meal, and therefore, were still hungry. Camp would need to be set up, watches organized. At times like these it would be unsuitable for the fellowship not to be settled before dark.
A glimpse of movement captured his attention out of the corner of his eye, out of instinct he pulled his bow from it's place across his back and notched an arrow in seconds. He pulled the string back, ready to release at what ever was lurking beneath the water. The water providing camouflage for the lurking figure.
His blue irises only partially visible, as he squinted trying to get a better look at what was beneath the clear water. He would not be able to see clearly until it came up above the surface of the river.
The warrior in him commanded that he release the arrow, let it fly towards his intended target, but something within himself told him to wait.
He gasped as a dark head came up for air, arms came up and pushed the water back from her face. She was skinny, undernourished, that was clear from the pale skin, the hollows on her face. Eyes that matched the colour of the river looked straight at him and he held his breath thinking that she had seen him.
'Don't be stupid.' The logical part of his mind told him. 'She is a human. She wouldn't be able to see the boats yet, let alone the occupants inside them.' Her eyes were large with disbelief, and inviting red lips parted in surprise. The figure shook her head, a small smile on her face as if she believed herself to imagining what she had just spotted.
Slowly he slid the arrow back where it belonged and lowered his bow. He glanced across at the others and noticed that they were looking at him, waiting for him to tell them what he had seen.
He shook his head at their silent questions, the hobbits curiosity dwindled as it became apparent that he was not going to tell them what he had seen, if it was dangerous he would have told them, and currently be releasing arrow after arrow towards his intended target.
Boromir and Gimli both turned back to paddling their boats, and within 30 seconds only Aragorn was left studying the elf intently. For the first time in centuries Legolas was hardly aware of being watched, his attention captured by the woman further downstream.
"We should set up camp over there." Legolas told Aragorn, motioning over to the next available area of shore suitable for pulling up their boats, and setting up camp. Aragorn nodded, curious as to what the elf was studying so intently.
Legolas turned his attention back to the figure, 'I'm making sure that she's not a threat to the fellowship.' He told himself. 'She could be a spy, or another ally of Saurman or Sauron. I'm just doing my job.'
His heart skipped a beat when he couldn't see her in the place where she had been moments before. She was now sitting up on the ledge that jutted out, her head bent in concentration as she ran a dagger along a far too smooth and a far too long leg. Pointing her leg towards the sky she ran her hands up and down it before putting it back down into the water. Dangling it over the ledge she swung then about playfully in the water as it passed by.
Dark hair fell across her shoulders and her chest, sliding across her skin as she moved. The dark hair partly hiding her small delicate shoulders, and firm pert breasts. Now that she was out of the water he could see her rib cage poking out. Painfully visible in the sunlight that shone down on to her, that fell across her body.
A wound on her midriff seized his attention and scrutiny, it hadn't yet healed and needed immediate attention, it was already infected, by any human standards an infected wound like that should have caused death by now, and if not death she would be ill with fever, some dark magic was at work here. In league with Saurman she must be, to still be alive.
There was bruising around the cut, and other scars, pale white in colour were slashed across the skin, one under the other, right down beneath her bellybutton. Stopping a few inches above.
A jolt in the boat brought him back to his companions and his assessment of her body was put on hold while the fellowship pulled the boats up to shore.
"Why not carry on further downstream? We have a little while longer of daylight left yet, let us continue, or at the most have a break for the little ones before we continue our journey once again." Boromir voiced.
Aragorn looked across to Legolas, waiting for him to oppose Boromir's suggestion, to give his reasons for stopping here tonight. But it was clear that something else had the elf's attention instead, as he stood by the edge of the river still gazing out across the rapids.
"We stop here." Aragorn announced, leaving no room for any further discussion on the subject.
"Plenty of time for a proper dinner then." Piped up Sam, as he started to unload his boat.
The rest of the fellowship blended into the background as Legolas continued to watch the young woman in the water. 'Beautiful enough to be an elf, but her ears have rounded tips. Anyway what would an elf be doing all the way out here? A Nymph? Possibly employed by Saurman, after all what would a mortal be doing this far out in the wilderness? A nymph. She had to be a nymph, there's no other possibility.'
She stilled as if she felt his uninvited eyes on her as she waded through the river on her way back to the shore. Slowly she turned again, and looked straight in his direction.
Legolas moved away into the shade of the tree's, the elvish cloak allowing him to blend in with the colours. Still she looked at him. Her eyes narrowed, trying to pick him out from the shadows in which he stood. She was looking straight at him, he could feel her eyes on him and the small hairs at the back of his neck stood up on end as a tingle raced down his spine.
Turning away she became submerged once again underneath the water rising quickly, her dark hair fell over her back, and she twisted it into a messy bun, before pushing the dagger down through the middle of it, holding it in place.
A small smile played around the corners of his mouth at her display of the weapon, she could feel him watching her! He was pleased that he had had that effect on her. The brandishing of the weapon had been to show him that she was armed, and not helpless.
Her back was to him now, and picking up some items on the ledge she moved across to the shore. A few wisps of hair had come lose and were stuck to the back of her neck. She possessed spirit, which was clear.
The water was becoming shallower as she reached the shore, her back exposed to the sunlight, which highlighted the water drops randomly splattered on her back. It would have been perfectly smooth and creamy in complexion if it had not been for the scratches and bruises that covered her body.
It was a shame, without the cuts and areas of brown and yellow she would be a truly exquisite creature. Rather a shame really that he'd never see her again, he contemplated.
Small trails of water ran down over her buttocks and down her legs as she reached the shore. Bending over, she gave him a very nice view of her bum as she picked up a small towel, wrapping it around her body he could see that it wasn't really big enough and barely covered the tops of her thighs.
She twisted around slightly, and looked over in his direction before flashing him smirk and disappearing into the forest. Legolas gave small start when she smirked over at him.
'She knew. She knew that I was watching her, and she could see me the entire time. She knew!' Legolas's face clouded with anger as he realized. 'She nothing. Nothing but a common whore to smile and show herself off like that. She's nothing! I should have allowed the boats to carry on, to catch her naked and embarrass herself. She's in league with Saurman! How else can she stay safe with the orcs prowling the east side of the river shore? How could I have mistaken her for an elf? How could I have hoped that she was one of my own people? How could I have been attracted to her? How-'
"Legolas. Legolas-"
"Elf!" Came Gimli's bark, as he interrupted Aragorn who was trying to bring the blonde out of his thoughts.
"What?" Legolas asked as he turned around from where he was looking out over the water.
"Are you going to help set up camp or stand over there looking at nothing?" Gimli queried.
"Why? Do you need some help?" Legolas teased grinning.
"A Dwarf? Need help from an elf? Never!" Gimli responded, as the two of them settled into a companionable banter, while Legolas pushed the woman to the back of his mind.
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She had felt his eyes on her the entire time she was washing, at first she thought it was paranoia.but when it hadn't gone away.she'd thought that her imagination was playing tricks on her, even when she had seen him the first time in the boat she had put it down to her imagination!
Even if he was real how would he even be able to see her? By the time that his boat would have reached her she'd have been long gone, she'd have spotted them before they spotted her. 'Must be the slayer powers kicking in.'
She could have sworn that she looked him straight in the eye, had seen him as clear as day, the long blonde hair, pointed ears, those mesmerizing blue eyes, and those lips.those lips that could promise so much with one glance, so soft, yet with a hidden power behind them. She could tell that hidden behind those clothes his body was lean, a weapon, made of muscle, firm and un-yielding, something that like any hunter could provide both pleasure and pain, which ever he chose.
But always her gaze returned to the potency of his eyes. Blue, ice like at times, and yet they changed with his mood. Never staying one particular shade when he was watching her.
She had no idea why she had done it. It wasn't something that she'd usually do. There was no reason why she had played with him as he watched her bathe, maybe it was because she couldn't see him, unless she really tried, but she could feel his eyes on her, exploring her body. Maybe it was because she'd never see him again.
Or maybe it was the need to be wanted, the need to be desired after what Buffy and Brian had done to her. He'd slept with her sister just because she wouldn't sleep with him. Just because she hadn't felt ready to take that step into their relationship yet. They'd only been going out a few months; she'd never had a particular good opinion of most males, well no surprise there.
She never saw her father, Giles had suggested killing her, Angel had turned evil after sleeping with Buffy and tried to kill her, she knew it wasn't really him.but it didn't really help with the trust issues, and even when he did come back, he'd left again, and he hadn't only left Buffy, he'd left her, the one he used to tease and call his little sister.
Oz had slept with a fellow were-wolf, cheating on Willow in the process, Xander kissed Willow while dating Cordelia, and then when engaged to Anya had left her at the altar. Spike had tried to kill her on numerous occasions before he had his chip, and then when he was 'good' had tried to rape Buffy because she didn't love him, Riley had always called her kid, and had allowed vampires to feed off him and then given Buffy an ultimatum!
Her first kiss was with a vampire, Ben had nearly killed her and even Wesley had left. Not to mention the other guys that had tried to kill either her or Buffy, take a look at Warren, Jonathan and Andrew for goodness sake!
And maybe, just maybe because she didn't want to end up like Buffy. Buffy.Buffy whose soul mate slept with her and then turned evil, Buffy who slept with Parker and then got dumped the next day, Buffy who when with Captain Cardboard drove him to the vampires, Buffy who slept with Spike just because she wanted to feel something.
It was no wonder that she had problems trusting males was it? And then when she took a blind leap of faith agrees to go on a date with a guy, only to find him in bed with her sister. Goddess, a therapist could earn a fortune from her!
She still couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe that Buffy would sleep with her boyfriend.
*Flashback*
"How could you?" Dawn whispered brokenly as she looked at her sister and boyfriend in bed together. "Buffy? How could you? Betrayal and anguish bubbled up inside her, trying to take over and burst out.
"Dawn.oh Dawn.please Dawnie-" Buffy pleaded, holding up the covers trying to cover up her body. Brian merely looked a little uncomfortable, at being caught in the middle of their argument. No shame or sorrow crossed his face, only embarrassment at being caught red handed in the act.
"Don't call me that!" Dawn yelped. "Don't call me that! Your not my sister!"
"Dawn please listen to me-" Buffy implored.
"No why should I?" Dawn yelled breaking in. "I trusted you! I confided in you! How could you Buffy?! You were one of the few people that I believed wouldn't try it on with him! The other potential I thought, yeah they would, but you? There were four females that I that I had utter trust in! Two of them are gay, one of them is married, pregnant and currently living in England, you were the forth one! Why damn-it why? Answer me!" She screamed at them.
She wanted to break down in tears, cry and scream over the betrayal of her sister and boyfriend. But she wouldn't, she wouldn't let them see the hurt they had caused her. No! Now was the time for anger, later she would grieve, but not now.
"It was a mistake Dawn,.we.we both were drunk and.and" Buffy tried to explain.
"Drunk?! Drunk?!" Dawn laughed humorlessly. "Where are the bottles?! Where is the stench of alcohol?! Tell me." She shrieked before picking up the vase throwing it at the wall behind them. "Who long has it been going on?" She spat out.
"Since the end of March." Buffy admitted, her face downcast in shame.
"March? Since the end of March?" Dawn asked seemingly to herself, her voice quiet, so quiet that Buffy could barely hear her.
"Yes, but Dawn please you have to understand, I never meant for it to happen, I never wanted it to happen, I never wanted to hurt you-" Buffy started as she walked across to Dawn, the overthrow wrapped around her naked body. She reached out to touch Dawn, but Dawn moved away before she could, backing out of the doorway into the hallway.
"The end of March. You only meet him on the 19th, Kennedy's birthday. So tell me, how long was it before you were fucking? 3 days? One week? Two weeks? Or maybe it was the same night?! What's the matter Brian? Every time you got frustrated trying to sleep with me you'd come over here and screw my sister?
Really what did it? What made her so bloody irresistible? Was she an easy lay? Was it the fact that she was my sister, or maybe because of the superior strength and battle skills? The fact that she was a super-hero? Did you get her to dress up in a 'wonder woman' outfit? Y'know before you shagged her?" Bile rose up at the back of Dawn's throat as she realized how long they had been cheating on her.
"So, once and for all, after you meet, how long before you were acting like a bitch in heat Buffy?" Dawn shouted at her.
"D-dawn? How can you speak to me like that? You're m-my s-sister" Buffy stammered.
"I don't know? How could you sleep with my ex-boyfriend? You're my supposed to be my sister."
"Ex-boyfriend, Dawn we haven't spli-" Brian interjected.
"Yes Brian." Dawn turned on him, "Ex-boyfriend, I just haven't got around to telling you yet. But don't worry, I'm sure Buffy would be more than happy to be a shoulder to cry on, in fact I'm sure that she would be willing to do a whole lot more than that!
You disgust me! Both of you!" Dawn hissed venomously before spitting on the ground in front of Buffy's feet. "Stay away from me, I never want to see you ever again. You're my sister Buffy, how could you?" Dawn chocked before rushing along the hallway and down the stairs.
"Dawn! Dawn?" Buffy called out, following her out as she pulled the quilt more tightly against her skin. "Dawn where are you going? Come back! We need to talk about this-"
Dawn whirled round; angry at what Buffy had done to her, and the way she was now turning the blame on her.
"I'm going somewhere you can't find me! There is nothing to talk about. I hope your both very happy in the future, you deserve each other. You were my sister, I thought I could trust you; obviously I was very sadly mistaken. Stay away from me." She warned Buffy.
"Dawn, you can't walk away from this!" Buffy told her.
"Watch me," was the cool reply.
"Dawn!" Buffy screeched, grabbing her by the arm as she made her way to the front door.
In that second the little left of Dawn's self control snapped, and whizzing round she balled her hand up into a fist, she struck Buffy, the force of her punch and the shock of it throwing Buffy back onto the wooden floor of the hallway.
Buffy looked up at her sister from where she was sprawled out on the floor. She lifted her hand and gently probed the spot on her jaw where Dawn had just hit here.
Dawn looked at them. For the first time really looked at them. Her ex- boyfriend was standing a the top of the stairs, a shallow selfish man, who cared nothing for others, and her sister a harden embittered woman, who blamed fate for the losses in her life, never once thinking that her own actions might have once been the cause for her heart-break.
"Stay. Away. From. Me." Dawn punctuated clearly, before slamming the door behind her on her way out.
*End Flashback*
And yet, less than forty-two hours later she was tied to the top of another tower, once again by Glory and watching a battle rage below. And she'd forgiven Buffy. Because that was what you were meant to do right? Forgive those that you'd be leaving behind. Let them have peace, let them believe that you love them
Buffy had taught her the most important lesson in life. That if you're betrayed once, it is their fault, if they betray you twice, it is yours. Buffy always hurt her the most, when all she had tried to do was to be their for her. She had made the mistake of trusting too easily once, it would not happen again.
She wanted to see Buffy again, wanted them to get on with their lives, realize that they should not be pulled apart by some man. She did want Buffy in her life, but that was because she wanted family, she didn't want to be left alone. But even if Buffy did become a permanent feature in her life (once she got it back) she would not trust her completely again. Just the same as she would never trust another man again.
She was stupid to tease him! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Well it wouldn't happen again. 'Really, he probably thinks that I'm no better than some common slut.' Why had she grinned at him? Why, why, why? She should have covered up straight away once she had spotted him. She should have ignored the way he ran his eyes over her body, should have blocked out the chills that ran up and down her spine.she should have ignored him, should have moved to another part of the river where he couldn't spy on her.
She should of.she should have, she should of what? It was too late to worry about it now, any way, it's not as if she'd see him again was it? Nope. She wouldn't see him again so there was no reason to fret over it was there?
No, she'd forget all about the hot blonde in the boat with the pointed ears, she would, she really, really would. After all, it was just her luck to fall for some one that wasn't human. So the simple solution to this was to forget him, she'd put him out of her mind like she did with her nightmares of Glory, The First, the night her mother had visited her, she forget, she'd forget them all.
Her skin was now dry, and after pulling on her underwear she searched through the first aid kit for some antiseptic cream, and some bandages for the wound on her stomach.
Dropping the towel on the ground she covered any small remaining cuts and scraps with the cream before inspecting the wound on her stomach. It was closing faster than she would have thought. But then again, many of her smaller scratches had healed completely, and the larger ones were now the only ones that she had left, and they were half their original size.
Her fingers traveled over the thin pale scars that were slightly raised. They'd always remain, despite the lotions, the patches, the creams that she had used they hadn't faded. Unless you looked closely at her stomach you'd never know they were there, but she knew they were. Had always felt self- conscious when in the presence of other people. Only Willow had noticed that she'd stopped wearing tops that revealed her stomach, even the smallest part of her midriff she had started to cover up.
Cautiously she spread the cream around the edge of the cut, the scab that had finally formed was still soft from her wash in the water. She wound the bandage tightly around, trying to protect it from the clothes that would rub at it later on.
Pulling the rest of her clothes on that she had traveled over in, she packed her bag. The man, or whatever she had seen had been traveling with companions; it wouldn't be safe to stay where she was at the moment, not if he knew where she was.
'See that was good, I'm detaching myself from any thoughts other than the threat that he might be.that's good, right? The only threat that he could now be is that of a predator with his weapons, and if his body was his weapon.that would be bad, which is precisely why you are moving.' She reminded herself. 'Because I might not be able to resist, strike that. I might not want to resist- ok. No more thoughts going in that direction. They stop right here, right now.'
She slipped on her wrist guard, and strapped her sword on to her side. Her axe would have to stay in her pack, she wouldn't be using it as a first choice weapon anyway, but it was always handy having one about, you never knew when you might have to slice and dice and a sword didn't always get the job done, too often had they shattered in the past.
The sword that she was currently using had been an 18th birthday present from Faith and Robin, her name was engraved on the mantle of the sword, along with a couple of sapphires encrusted around the engravings. Faith had gone ahead and gotten it for her, despite what Buffy had said about it being an ir-responsible gift, Robin had countered that, booking her some lessons in weaponry when she had visited them in England. She'd kept it, had put up a good fight against Buffy, but still she was only allowed to use it with either hers or Willow's supervision. Or at least that was what Buffy had believed.
Slipping the dagger she'd previously had in her hair to its place in her boot, she grabbed a hair band, and pulled her hair up off her face. She didn't want it to be snagging on every-other branch while she was walking.
Tossing the bits she had removed from her bag back into, it she set off once again into the forest. Only the smell of strawberries and mint from her shampoo remained, signaling that she had stopped there briefly.
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Dawn looked up and saw in front of her once again the large head, carved out from stone, perched on the large mound of soil and leaves. Moss grew over the stone, partially hiding it, but still the strong features of the face still shone through.
She'd been walking for a while. At first she had made good progress, but of late she had been trailing around in circles, unable to break the cycle that she was currently caught in. Dawn sighed and plopped herself down on the ground, leaning against the smooth, hard surface of the rock. She rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance. She was getting nowhere. Had been walking around in circles for the past three hours. She could feel a headache starting to form. 'Why didn't I pick up any aspirin?' She berated herself as she massaged her temples.
She felt her eye lids dropping as the warm sun shone down on her, the small breeze caressing her face, lulling her to sleep. 'Just a few minutes nap to rest.just a few minutes.' Her breathing relaxed, and her breathing became lighter, and dropped in to a steady rhythm as she drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: Should Boromir live or die in the next chapter? Let me know what you think! Review? Please? Come on people it's Christmas!
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'I am getting way to used to this.' Dawn thought as energy swirled and pulsed around her, crackling sounds could be heard, and bright sparks could be seen all around when she opened her eyes. The air was vibrating around her body as she fell, could pick up on the little tremors of the energy as she was propelled through the air.
Past places, familiar faces, colors blurred past her, mixing together, representing her life. A mass of emotion and muddle. Nothing could be properly identified, yet still separated from one another. Each vision came so fast she began to wonder if she had indeed seen what she thought she had. Was it just another part of her imagination?
Thoughts of Buffy, and what Whistler had told her came to mind, but she pushed them away, fought against the memories of what would be a previous life. She was afraid of the emotions that might be released in she tried to analyze what she was feeling at that very moment in time. She was afraid to release her anger, her hatred for the powers that be. Who knows where it might take her.
She'd let her emotions simmer; keep them from boiling over until, until.until she was ready. When she was ready, ready to strike back against Glory, against the powers, against everyone that took her away from her family. She would vent her anger and hurt on a worthy source; she would not let it all out yet. Not yet.
If she let it all out now, the feelings would pass, and all she'd be left with would be a longing for home, and a deep sadness. She wanted to inflict the same pain and hate she was feeling at the moment on those that had hurt her most.
'I will stop, think about what has happened to me, and what I shall have to do to get home. But not until I have got my revenge. Once I have my revenge against Glory, then and only then shall I think about what I am feeling, and what I shall do about it.' She promised herself.
This portal was different from the last one. This one was more surreal, more vibrant. The energy seemed to welcome her this time. No longer was it fighting against her, but pulling her towards its center.
Dawn clung tightly to her bag as she fell, hoping that the bag was properly zipped up, that she wouldn't lose any of her most important possessions. 'Don't undo, don't undo, don't undo!' She repeated in a mantra.
No longer was she tumbling around like a rag doll as she fell. Instead she stayed in one position, as if she was gracefully diving into a deep aquamarine pool of crystal clear water. Wind whistled past her ears calling out to her as it raced past.
No longer were there any sharp, jagged rocks waiting to catch her on their spikes. There was no danger of her hurting herself as she fell, or so she hoped.
A small soft thud indicated her arrival. Dawn caught her breath and moved back, leaning against her heels as she knelt and looked around. She knew in an instant that Middle-Earth was going to be nothing like she was used to back home.
To her left a wide river ran it's course. Wide and deep it flowed, the distant crashing told her of the waterfall which was at the end of it's path. Soft moss and grass covered the area that she landed on, but down closer to the river edge there was a pebbly shore. Dawn stood, and in doing so she noticed the firm springiness of the ground beneath her feet.
Tall trees grew high above her. Large and old, no doubt it would have taken several of her to wrap her arms around one of the trunks and link up once again. The leaves were fresh and young, full of youth despite the gnarled trunks that were twisted and bent that they grew off of. Ivy and other creeper plants had climbed the trees frame, adding their own unique pattern to the bark of the trees.
Dead wood littered the floor around the base of the trunk, indicating that the fallen branches had become detached from their life source in a storm.
A cloud passed over the sun, sending the forest into darkness. The shadows from the trees loomed over Dawn, becoming more and more aggressive. The river was eerily quiet, and not a leaf rustled. Dawn held her breath waiting to see what would happen.
A few seconds later the cloud passed and once again the forest along with Dawn were bathed in a golden light. It was warm on her skin, providing a sense of security and safety. The tree's stretched in it's light, and silver and gold was reflected off the surface of the river as it rushed past her eager to be on it's way.
Letting out the deep breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding, Dawn picked up her abandoned bag and slung it over her shoulder. Walking over to the shore of the river she bent down and looked at the reflection in the water.
An unknown person stared back at her. The face was the same, but the eyes had changed, and they themselves had changed her face. Her eyes.her eyes were so unrecognizable. They were still wide, innocent looking, but deep in the sapphire depths there was darkness, death, despair. Three things that Dawn had a deep intimacy with.
She splashed her hand in the water, destroying the image before her. Cupping her hands together she rinsed the grime off of her face. The cool water waking her up, Dawn began to think more clearly.
'I'm going to need a place to camp the night. Food as well would be good, really should have bought more with me other than the sandwiches I picked up at the chemist.'
But a safe place to camp and have a wash, where she could bath her wound took priority.
Dawn looked over to the other side of the river desolately. Her eyes following the movement of the water and they paused, settling on a location further down the stream. It appeared to be some sort of cove. A few boulders lay further in shore, small shrubs were scattered around, mostly at the tree's bases, the trunks covered with moss. Some plants had gown over the hard boulders and had wound their stems tightly over the cracks, clinging to the hard rock.
"Looks as good a place as any to start. I am so going to have a bath before I sleep tonight. Hello hygiene." She mumbled to herself as she started the journey to the sheltered inlet.
She wove her trail through the tree's and plants of the forest, amazed at the beauty that was around her, often pausing to have a better look at the scenery as she passed.
The sun was hot and high in the sky, no clouds left floating about to protect her from it's scorching heat. Her only source of protection in the trees that surrounded her.
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Arriving at the bay, Dawn was able to get a better view of it.
The water lapped quietly at the edge of the shore. It was calmer here, no longer fighting for dominance and control, not fighting for the power of choosing its direction. Towards the other side of the river, the rampant water still rushed by, not pausing for anything that was in it's way.
The forest had stopped a little way back; about twenty yards back from the perimeter of the river, allowing for a small semi-circle of pebbles from the river bed.
Dawn walked over to a big oak, and placed her bag down beside it. Taking her jacket off she threw it down and the ground and sat down on top of it. This would do for tonight she decided, although she would have to be on her way tomorrow. She'd need supplies; food especially presided foremost at the front of her mind.
Dawn's stomach rumbled and she opened her pack and pulled out a crumpled brown grocery bag. She pulled out the pack of sandwiches and ate one of them, her hunger over-riding the sogginess of the bread, and the lip lettuce that resided within.
Leaving the remaining sandwich at her side, Dawn ignored it. Her hunger was partially sated, and the sandwich would be of more use tomorrow, when she would be without food until she arrived at the nearest town, city, village, whatever you wanted to call it. She lent back against the great oak, waiting for the food to make it's way down to her stomach. Debating what she should do.
She could feel the dirt and grime on her skin each time she moved, her clothes rubbing against the mud, causing it to flake off and crumble as she walked.
She cool water looked enticing, and the fact that the forest seemed deserted didn't exactly help on her list of why she should not jump into the river for a wash.
But she'd need a wash soon; she was smelly, covered in sweat and perspiration that had dried upon her skin. Covered in blood as well, she still hadn't washed it off since Glory had had put a blade into her stomach. She was mad at herself for losing the weapon, couldn't remember where she'd last had it. She'd intended to use it to kill Glory, pay her back for what she had done to her family. Pay Glory back for she had caused her to lose.
Stumbling over a stray tree root that was raised out of the ground, Dawn dived head first into a patch of in dry blood, smell, and have got fruit juice in my hair. I'm taking a bloody bath berries. Their skins broke, and their red juices were released into her hair.
"Oh no." She moaned. Trying to pick the split berries out of her hair. "This is the last straw! I don't care who's gonna be watching. I'm dirty, covered, even if it is in the river." She muttered angrily.
Coming to her intended destination, she chucked her stuff down on to the ground. Reaching down into her bag she pulled out her shampoo, conditioner and soap and tossed them onto a ledge at the side of the river. 'Wow, slayer powers do have their perks after all.'
Undressed, she grabbed a small dagger out of her coat, and dove into the water. Letting the water wash away the dirt, pain and hurt.
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Dawn allowed her head to slip under the cool soothing water, and she ran her fingers through the separated strands of hair that was being pulled about in the current of the river, washing out any remaining conditioner.
'Ahhhh.it's nice to be clean again.' She contemplated as she felt the water moving across the skin. Surfacing again in need of oxygen, Dawn inspected her hands. Not a speck of dirt remained, her skin taunt and smooth, only blemished by the small cuts and grazes that remained from her ordeal.
Looking at her hands, she studied the lines on them. They were small, smaller than most peoples, but she liked them. Often she'd compare them to others, they were unique, no other pair in existence, and maybe that was why she liked them. She liked the way her fingers remained the same width along the whole of her finger, not becoming slimmer towards the nail. She admired the rounded tips of her fingers, the shiny nails that were clean, void of all dirt. Her hands could look graceful; make her seem childlike, yet they were powerful. Able to wield a weapon in battle, able to kill.
She was proud of the minuet scar on the inside of her right thumb, where an over-enthusiastic puppy had chewed it. Adored her middle finger on her right hand, studied the way, at the end of the joint it leant towards the right, never having grown back straight after she'd broken it in one of the numerous battles that she been involved in.
She ducked under the water again, and tilted her head back as she came up, the water pulling her hair back and away from her face. Wading through the river she pulled herself up on to a flat ledge, smooth from the years of abuse it had received from the river.
She stuck out her leg, her toes pointing upwards towards the sky as she studied them. Small dark hairs barely visible at the moment, but they soon would be.
'With all the things I remember to get at the chemist, and I forget a bloody razor.' She berated herself. Sighing she reached across and picked up the soap from the other bottles on the ridge. 'Unless.' she considered, eying the dagger by the shampoo.
She picked it up.she could wash it afterwards.as long as she washed away every last remaining soap sud.it should be alright.Buffy would have had a fit if she could see her now. 'But she isn't' Dawn decided firmly. 'No Buffy, no lecture on the misuse of weapons.anyway.it's only until I next see Whistler.' She reasoned.
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The boats glided swiftly along the river. Smoothly riding out their course and the current. All eight companions were silent, even the curious childlike hobbits were lost in their own thoughts as they traveled down the river.
Legolas surveyed the riverbanks either side of them. Long had he known of the orcs on the east side, and now there was another shadow threatening to settle over them. The shadow had been growing, and only he could sense it, understand what it really felt like, the others.the others had no clue of it's malice and evilness; they could not comprehend what he could sense from it. They were still too young, too innocent at the moment. Even if they could sense it, their fears soon disappeared, leaving them to think that it was part of their imagination, they pushed it out of their minds, but he was unable to do that. The threat of it so great he could do little else but concentrate on it.
The dark magic of the shadow had spread its discontent throughout the forest, whispering its malicious thoughts and feelings, persuading the tree's to harm those that seek shelter within.
He inspected the river further ahead of his friends, watching for any unusual movement that might lead to the downfall of is comrades if not spotted quickly enough. And with his advance senses of sight and sound that duty fell to him.
His eyes strained as he searched the rivers shore for any orcs, or any new mischief. His eyes pausing on the calm water ahead of them.
He turned briefly back to Aragorn, about to tell him of an ideal mooring place for their small boats, soon it would be getting dark, and they would need to be settled before darkness fell. The hobbits were in need of a rest and food, no doubt they would soon start to complain that while the lembas was good food, it did not feel like they'd eaten a complete meal, and therefore, were still hungry. Camp would need to be set up, watches organized. At times like these it would be unsuitable for the fellowship not to be settled before dark.
A glimpse of movement captured his attention out of the corner of his eye, out of instinct he pulled his bow from it's place across his back and notched an arrow in seconds. He pulled the string back, ready to release at what ever was lurking beneath the water. The water providing camouflage for the lurking figure.
His blue irises only partially visible, as he squinted trying to get a better look at what was beneath the clear water. He would not be able to see clearly until it came up above the surface of the river.
The warrior in him commanded that he release the arrow, let it fly towards his intended target, but something within himself told him to wait.
He gasped as a dark head came up for air, arms came up and pushed the water back from her face. She was skinny, undernourished, that was clear from the pale skin, the hollows on her face. Eyes that matched the colour of the river looked straight at him and he held his breath thinking that she had seen him.
'Don't be stupid.' The logical part of his mind told him. 'She is a human. She wouldn't be able to see the boats yet, let alone the occupants inside them.' Her eyes were large with disbelief, and inviting red lips parted in surprise. The figure shook her head, a small smile on her face as if she believed herself to imagining what she had just spotted.
Slowly he slid the arrow back where it belonged and lowered his bow. He glanced across at the others and noticed that they were looking at him, waiting for him to tell them what he had seen.
He shook his head at their silent questions, the hobbits curiosity dwindled as it became apparent that he was not going to tell them what he had seen, if it was dangerous he would have told them, and currently be releasing arrow after arrow towards his intended target.
Boromir and Gimli both turned back to paddling their boats, and within 30 seconds only Aragorn was left studying the elf intently. For the first time in centuries Legolas was hardly aware of being watched, his attention captured by the woman further downstream.
"We should set up camp over there." Legolas told Aragorn, motioning over to the next available area of shore suitable for pulling up their boats, and setting up camp. Aragorn nodded, curious as to what the elf was studying so intently.
Legolas turned his attention back to the figure, 'I'm making sure that she's not a threat to the fellowship.' He told himself. 'She could be a spy, or another ally of Saurman or Sauron. I'm just doing my job.'
His heart skipped a beat when he couldn't see her in the place where she had been moments before. She was now sitting up on the ledge that jutted out, her head bent in concentration as she ran a dagger along a far too smooth and a far too long leg. Pointing her leg towards the sky she ran her hands up and down it before putting it back down into the water. Dangling it over the ledge she swung then about playfully in the water as it passed by.
Dark hair fell across her shoulders and her chest, sliding across her skin as she moved. The dark hair partly hiding her small delicate shoulders, and firm pert breasts. Now that she was out of the water he could see her rib cage poking out. Painfully visible in the sunlight that shone down on to her, that fell across her body.
A wound on her midriff seized his attention and scrutiny, it hadn't yet healed and needed immediate attention, it was already infected, by any human standards an infected wound like that should have caused death by now, and if not death she would be ill with fever, some dark magic was at work here. In league with Saurman she must be, to still be alive.
There was bruising around the cut, and other scars, pale white in colour were slashed across the skin, one under the other, right down beneath her bellybutton. Stopping a few inches above.
A jolt in the boat brought him back to his companions and his assessment of her body was put on hold while the fellowship pulled the boats up to shore.
"Why not carry on further downstream? We have a little while longer of daylight left yet, let us continue, or at the most have a break for the little ones before we continue our journey once again." Boromir voiced.
Aragorn looked across to Legolas, waiting for him to oppose Boromir's suggestion, to give his reasons for stopping here tonight. But it was clear that something else had the elf's attention instead, as he stood by the edge of the river still gazing out across the rapids.
"We stop here." Aragorn announced, leaving no room for any further discussion on the subject.
"Plenty of time for a proper dinner then." Piped up Sam, as he started to unload his boat.
The rest of the fellowship blended into the background as Legolas continued to watch the young woman in the water. 'Beautiful enough to be an elf, but her ears have rounded tips. Anyway what would an elf be doing all the way out here? A Nymph? Possibly employed by Saurman, after all what would a mortal be doing this far out in the wilderness? A nymph. She had to be a nymph, there's no other possibility.'
She stilled as if she felt his uninvited eyes on her as she waded through the river on her way back to the shore. Slowly she turned again, and looked straight in his direction.
Legolas moved away into the shade of the tree's, the elvish cloak allowing him to blend in with the colours. Still she looked at him. Her eyes narrowed, trying to pick him out from the shadows in which he stood. She was looking straight at him, he could feel her eyes on him and the small hairs at the back of his neck stood up on end as a tingle raced down his spine.
Turning away she became submerged once again underneath the water rising quickly, her dark hair fell over her back, and she twisted it into a messy bun, before pushing the dagger down through the middle of it, holding it in place.
A small smile played around the corners of his mouth at her display of the weapon, she could feel him watching her! He was pleased that he had had that effect on her. The brandishing of the weapon had been to show him that she was armed, and not helpless.
Her back was to him now, and picking up some items on the ledge she moved across to the shore. A few wisps of hair had come lose and were stuck to the back of her neck. She possessed spirit, which was clear.
The water was becoming shallower as she reached the shore, her back exposed to the sunlight, which highlighted the water drops randomly splattered on her back. It would have been perfectly smooth and creamy in complexion if it had not been for the scratches and bruises that covered her body.
It was a shame, without the cuts and areas of brown and yellow she would be a truly exquisite creature. Rather a shame really that he'd never see her again, he contemplated.
Small trails of water ran down over her buttocks and down her legs as she reached the shore. Bending over, she gave him a very nice view of her bum as she picked up a small towel, wrapping it around her body he could see that it wasn't really big enough and barely covered the tops of her thighs.
She twisted around slightly, and looked over in his direction before flashing him smirk and disappearing into the forest. Legolas gave small start when she smirked over at him.
'She knew. She knew that I was watching her, and she could see me the entire time. She knew!' Legolas's face clouded with anger as he realized. 'She nothing. Nothing but a common whore to smile and show herself off like that. She's nothing! I should have allowed the boats to carry on, to catch her naked and embarrass herself. She's in league with Saurman! How else can she stay safe with the orcs prowling the east side of the river shore? How could I have mistaken her for an elf? How could I have hoped that she was one of my own people? How could I have been attracted to her? How-'
"Legolas. Legolas-"
"Elf!" Came Gimli's bark, as he interrupted Aragorn who was trying to bring the blonde out of his thoughts.
"What?" Legolas asked as he turned around from where he was looking out over the water.
"Are you going to help set up camp or stand over there looking at nothing?" Gimli queried.
"Why? Do you need some help?" Legolas teased grinning.
"A Dwarf? Need help from an elf? Never!" Gimli responded, as the two of them settled into a companionable banter, while Legolas pushed the woman to the back of his mind.
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She had felt his eyes on her the entire time she was washing, at first she thought it was paranoia.but when it hadn't gone away.she'd thought that her imagination was playing tricks on her, even when she had seen him the first time in the boat she had put it down to her imagination!
Even if he was real how would he even be able to see her? By the time that his boat would have reached her she'd have been long gone, she'd have spotted them before they spotted her. 'Must be the slayer powers kicking in.'
She could have sworn that she looked him straight in the eye, had seen him as clear as day, the long blonde hair, pointed ears, those mesmerizing blue eyes, and those lips.those lips that could promise so much with one glance, so soft, yet with a hidden power behind them. She could tell that hidden behind those clothes his body was lean, a weapon, made of muscle, firm and un-yielding, something that like any hunter could provide both pleasure and pain, which ever he chose.
But always her gaze returned to the potency of his eyes. Blue, ice like at times, and yet they changed with his mood. Never staying one particular shade when he was watching her.
She had no idea why she had done it. It wasn't something that she'd usually do. There was no reason why she had played with him as he watched her bathe, maybe it was because she couldn't see him, unless she really tried, but she could feel his eyes on her, exploring her body. Maybe it was because she'd never see him again.
Or maybe it was the need to be wanted, the need to be desired after what Buffy and Brian had done to her. He'd slept with her sister just because she wouldn't sleep with him. Just because she hadn't felt ready to take that step into their relationship yet. They'd only been going out a few months; she'd never had a particular good opinion of most males, well no surprise there.
She never saw her father, Giles had suggested killing her, Angel had turned evil after sleeping with Buffy and tried to kill her, she knew it wasn't really him.but it didn't really help with the trust issues, and even when he did come back, he'd left again, and he hadn't only left Buffy, he'd left her, the one he used to tease and call his little sister.
Oz had slept with a fellow were-wolf, cheating on Willow in the process, Xander kissed Willow while dating Cordelia, and then when engaged to Anya had left her at the altar. Spike had tried to kill her on numerous occasions before he had his chip, and then when he was 'good' had tried to rape Buffy because she didn't love him, Riley had always called her kid, and had allowed vampires to feed off him and then given Buffy an ultimatum!
Her first kiss was with a vampire, Ben had nearly killed her and even Wesley had left. Not to mention the other guys that had tried to kill either her or Buffy, take a look at Warren, Jonathan and Andrew for goodness sake!
And maybe, just maybe because she didn't want to end up like Buffy. Buffy.Buffy whose soul mate slept with her and then turned evil, Buffy who slept with Parker and then got dumped the next day, Buffy who when with Captain Cardboard drove him to the vampires, Buffy who slept with Spike just because she wanted to feel something.
It was no wonder that she had problems trusting males was it? And then when she took a blind leap of faith agrees to go on a date with a guy, only to find him in bed with her sister. Goddess, a therapist could earn a fortune from her!
She still couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe that Buffy would sleep with her boyfriend.
*Flashback*
"How could you?" Dawn whispered brokenly as she looked at her sister and boyfriend in bed together. "Buffy? How could you? Betrayal and anguish bubbled up inside her, trying to take over and burst out.
"Dawn.oh Dawn.please Dawnie-" Buffy pleaded, holding up the covers trying to cover up her body. Brian merely looked a little uncomfortable, at being caught in the middle of their argument. No shame or sorrow crossed his face, only embarrassment at being caught red handed in the act.
"Don't call me that!" Dawn yelped. "Don't call me that! Your not my sister!"
"Dawn please listen to me-" Buffy implored.
"No why should I?" Dawn yelled breaking in. "I trusted you! I confided in you! How could you Buffy?! You were one of the few people that I believed wouldn't try it on with him! The other potential I thought, yeah they would, but you? There were four females that I that I had utter trust in! Two of them are gay, one of them is married, pregnant and currently living in England, you were the forth one! Why damn-it why? Answer me!" She screamed at them.
She wanted to break down in tears, cry and scream over the betrayal of her sister and boyfriend. But she wouldn't, she wouldn't let them see the hurt they had caused her. No! Now was the time for anger, later she would grieve, but not now.
"It was a mistake Dawn,.we.we both were drunk and.and" Buffy tried to explain.
"Drunk?! Drunk?!" Dawn laughed humorlessly. "Where are the bottles?! Where is the stench of alcohol?! Tell me." She shrieked before picking up the vase throwing it at the wall behind them. "Who long has it been going on?" She spat out.
"Since the end of March." Buffy admitted, her face downcast in shame.
"March? Since the end of March?" Dawn asked seemingly to herself, her voice quiet, so quiet that Buffy could barely hear her.
"Yes, but Dawn please you have to understand, I never meant for it to happen, I never wanted it to happen, I never wanted to hurt you-" Buffy started as she walked across to Dawn, the overthrow wrapped around her naked body. She reached out to touch Dawn, but Dawn moved away before she could, backing out of the doorway into the hallway.
"The end of March. You only meet him on the 19th, Kennedy's birthday. So tell me, how long was it before you were fucking? 3 days? One week? Two weeks? Or maybe it was the same night?! What's the matter Brian? Every time you got frustrated trying to sleep with me you'd come over here and screw my sister?
Really what did it? What made her so bloody irresistible? Was she an easy lay? Was it the fact that she was my sister, or maybe because of the superior strength and battle skills? The fact that she was a super-hero? Did you get her to dress up in a 'wonder woman' outfit? Y'know before you shagged her?" Bile rose up at the back of Dawn's throat as she realized how long they had been cheating on her.
"So, once and for all, after you meet, how long before you were acting like a bitch in heat Buffy?" Dawn shouted at her.
"D-dawn? How can you speak to me like that? You're m-my s-sister" Buffy stammered.
"I don't know? How could you sleep with my ex-boyfriend? You're my supposed to be my sister."
"Ex-boyfriend, Dawn we haven't spli-" Brian interjected.
"Yes Brian." Dawn turned on him, "Ex-boyfriend, I just haven't got around to telling you yet. But don't worry, I'm sure Buffy would be more than happy to be a shoulder to cry on, in fact I'm sure that she would be willing to do a whole lot more than that!
You disgust me! Both of you!" Dawn hissed venomously before spitting on the ground in front of Buffy's feet. "Stay away from me, I never want to see you ever again. You're my sister Buffy, how could you?" Dawn chocked before rushing along the hallway and down the stairs.
"Dawn! Dawn?" Buffy called out, following her out as she pulled the quilt more tightly against her skin. "Dawn where are you going? Come back! We need to talk about this-"
Dawn whirled round; angry at what Buffy had done to her, and the way she was now turning the blame on her.
"I'm going somewhere you can't find me! There is nothing to talk about. I hope your both very happy in the future, you deserve each other. You were my sister, I thought I could trust you; obviously I was very sadly mistaken. Stay away from me." She warned Buffy.
"Dawn, you can't walk away from this!" Buffy told her.
"Watch me," was the cool reply.
"Dawn!" Buffy screeched, grabbing her by the arm as she made her way to the front door.
In that second the little left of Dawn's self control snapped, and whizzing round she balled her hand up into a fist, she struck Buffy, the force of her punch and the shock of it throwing Buffy back onto the wooden floor of the hallway.
Buffy looked up at her sister from where she was sprawled out on the floor. She lifted her hand and gently probed the spot on her jaw where Dawn had just hit here.
Dawn looked at them. For the first time really looked at them. Her ex- boyfriend was standing a the top of the stairs, a shallow selfish man, who cared nothing for others, and her sister a harden embittered woman, who blamed fate for the losses in her life, never once thinking that her own actions might have once been the cause for her heart-break.
"Stay. Away. From. Me." Dawn punctuated clearly, before slamming the door behind her on her way out.
*End Flashback*
And yet, less than forty-two hours later she was tied to the top of another tower, once again by Glory and watching a battle rage below. And she'd forgiven Buffy. Because that was what you were meant to do right? Forgive those that you'd be leaving behind. Let them have peace, let them believe that you love them
Buffy had taught her the most important lesson in life. That if you're betrayed once, it is their fault, if they betray you twice, it is yours. Buffy always hurt her the most, when all she had tried to do was to be their for her. She had made the mistake of trusting too easily once, it would not happen again.
She wanted to see Buffy again, wanted them to get on with their lives, realize that they should not be pulled apart by some man. She did want Buffy in her life, but that was because she wanted family, she didn't want to be left alone. But even if Buffy did become a permanent feature in her life (once she got it back) she would not trust her completely again. Just the same as she would never trust another man again.
She was stupid to tease him! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Well it wouldn't happen again. 'Really, he probably thinks that I'm no better than some common slut.' Why had she grinned at him? Why, why, why? She should have covered up straight away once she had spotted him. She should have ignored the way he ran his eyes over her body, should have blocked out the chills that ran up and down her spine.she should have ignored him, should have moved to another part of the river where he couldn't spy on her.
She should of.she should have, she should of what? It was too late to worry about it now, any way, it's not as if she'd see him again was it? Nope. She wouldn't see him again so there was no reason to fret over it was there?
No, she'd forget all about the hot blonde in the boat with the pointed ears, she would, she really, really would. After all, it was just her luck to fall for some one that wasn't human. So the simple solution to this was to forget him, she'd put him out of her mind like she did with her nightmares of Glory, The First, the night her mother had visited her, she forget, she'd forget them all.
Her skin was now dry, and after pulling on her underwear she searched through the first aid kit for some antiseptic cream, and some bandages for the wound on her stomach.
Dropping the towel on the ground she covered any small remaining cuts and scraps with the cream before inspecting the wound on her stomach. It was closing faster than she would have thought. But then again, many of her smaller scratches had healed completely, and the larger ones were now the only ones that she had left, and they were half their original size.
Her fingers traveled over the thin pale scars that were slightly raised. They'd always remain, despite the lotions, the patches, the creams that she had used they hadn't faded. Unless you looked closely at her stomach you'd never know they were there, but she knew they were. Had always felt self- conscious when in the presence of other people. Only Willow had noticed that she'd stopped wearing tops that revealed her stomach, even the smallest part of her midriff she had started to cover up.
Cautiously she spread the cream around the edge of the cut, the scab that had finally formed was still soft from her wash in the water. She wound the bandage tightly around, trying to protect it from the clothes that would rub at it later on.
Pulling the rest of her clothes on that she had traveled over in, she packed her bag. The man, or whatever she had seen had been traveling with companions; it wouldn't be safe to stay where she was at the moment, not if he knew where she was.
'See that was good, I'm detaching myself from any thoughts other than the threat that he might be.that's good, right? The only threat that he could now be is that of a predator with his weapons, and if his body was his weapon.that would be bad, which is precisely why you are moving.' She reminded herself. 'Because I might not be able to resist, strike that. I might not want to resist- ok. No more thoughts going in that direction. They stop right here, right now.'
She slipped on her wrist guard, and strapped her sword on to her side. Her axe would have to stay in her pack, she wouldn't be using it as a first choice weapon anyway, but it was always handy having one about, you never knew when you might have to slice and dice and a sword didn't always get the job done, too often had they shattered in the past.
The sword that she was currently using had been an 18th birthday present from Faith and Robin, her name was engraved on the mantle of the sword, along with a couple of sapphires encrusted around the engravings. Faith had gone ahead and gotten it for her, despite what Buffy had said about it being an ir-responsible gift, Robin had countered that, booking her some lessons in weaponry when she had visited them in England. She'd kept it, had put up a good fight against Buffy, but still she was only allowed to use it with either hers or Willow's supervision. Or at least that was what Buffy had believed.
Slipping the dagger she'd previously had in her hair to its place in her boot, she grabbed a hair band, and pulled her hair up off her face. She didn't want it to be snagging on every-other branch while she was walking.
Tossing the bits she had removed from her bag back into, it she set off once again into the forest. Only the smell of strawberries and mint from her shampoo remained, signaling that she had stopped there briefly.
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Dawn looked up and saw in front of her once again the large head, carved out from stone, perched on the large mound of soil and leaves. Moss grew over the stone, partially hiding it, but still the strong features of the face still shone through.
She'd been walking for a while. At first she had made good progress, but of late she had been trailing around in circles, unable to break the cycle that she was currently caught in. Dawn sighed and plopped herself down on the ground, leaning against the smooth, hard surface of the rock. She rubbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance. She was getting nowhere. Had been walking around in circles for the past three hours. She could feel a headache starting to form. 'Why didn't I pick up any aspirin?' She berated herself as she massaged her temples.
She felt her eye lids dropping as the warm sun shone down on her, the small breeze caressing her face, lulling her to sleep. 'Just a few minutes nap to rest.just a few minutes.' Her breathing relaxed, and her breathing became lighter, and dropped in to a steady rhythm as she drifted off to sleep.
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A/N: Should Boromir live or die in the next chapter? Let me know what you think! Review? Please? Come on people it's Christmas!