Title: Miles to Go

By: Ring Red

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! *sniffle*

Rating: R (for later chapters and language)

Feedback: Sorry, but I don't have time to reply to my replies this chapter! If I did then I would have to wait until later to post the chapter. I'll make up for it next chapter I promise! THANK YOU to everyone who did reply! PLEASE continue to do so and know how much I appreciate you! I just am in a really big hurry today...lol...and thought you might like some more to read. Hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think! Your feedback definitely keeps me going. I was really thrilled with all the comments on the last chapter!

THANKS AGAIN! And I promise to try to find more time to reply next time!

Note: This is sort of a transitional chapter, not much action, but I hope you like it anyway! We're finally getting to Lorien...Yay!



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Chapter Nine

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Far too soon, Aragorn insisted they resume their journey. His grief still cut deep, but he knew to remain would be folly. The three sisters supported his decision when several of the other companions protested. Reluctantly the company resumed the course Gandalf had laid out for them. Her guilt weighing down upon her, Buffy now chose to stick close with Aragorn and aide him where she could. She more than anyone understood the burden of leadership and the shadow of grief he marched under.

Willow, once again, kept closely to the ringbearer and his Sam. Dawn trudged along beside them and fought to brighten their spirits as best she could, but it was a losing battle. Still she pushed on. It was not in her nature to give up when faced with hard times.

"Oh god, Wills, Buffy's gonna freak." Dawn teased at one point. She and Willow had pretty much reverted to calling their sister by her true name even around the other members of the fellowship. Shared battles, pain, and grief from Moria bound the companions together now. There was no reason for continued secrecy.

Willow read the twinkle in Dawn's eyes and threw her a small smile. "Why?"

Dawn grinned. "We're headed for Lothlorien. Can't you just imagine Buffy in the middle of all those elves? We'll be lucky if she doesn't kill someone."

Willow snickered at their old joke. Buffy's aversion to the Firstborn was still a point of amusement even though it didn't truly apply anymore. "Should make things more interesting."

Frodo and Sam looked to the sisters. Frodo spoke. "Does Slayer dislike the elves for some reason?"

"And how." Dawn nodded.

The air lightened around them as they considered this more amusing topic. Willow sought to explain. "Buffy and the elves of Mirkwood have...a slight difference of opinion."

Legolas gave a very uncharacteristic snort from his position some five feet behind them.

Ignoring the snort, Dawn smiled. "Yep, they think Buffy, Will, and I shouldn't live in their forest and Buffy thinks they should all take a long walk off a short pier."

Willow giggled and Frodo smiled slightly. "Do you truly believe this will prove a problem once we reach Lothlorien?"

"Nah." Dawn shook her head with mock seriousness. "Buffy won't actually kill any of them...she'll just maim them a little."

Frodo laughed lightly and both Willow and Dawn were thrilled. Sam, on the other hand, now looked concerned. "Maim them, you say? But..."

"She's just joking, Sam." Willow assured the frowning hobbit. "Buffy will play nice. She didn't kill anyone in Rivendell, now did she? Besides," Willow mused, "I wouldn't be surprised if Lorien changed Buffy's views of the Firstborn considerably."

Dawn lifted a brow. "You think?"

Willow grinned mischievously and nodded. "Oh yeah. I could always tell Buffy was fascinated with the elves before we actually landed in Middle-Earth. She always loved the Rivendell and Lorien stuff in the movies. She just got her feelings hurt by our not-so-warm reception in Mirkwood."

The hobbits were confused by much of the sisters' speech, but didn't want to push for an explanation and interrupt.

"Maybe." Dawn sounded doubtful.

"I'm telling you, Dawnie," Willow smirked, "let these elves be nice and respectful and Buffy will be an elf-lover all over again."

Dawn looked thoughtfully at her redheaded sister and the twinkle in her eyes. Then Dawn's eyes widened. "You think Buffy's in for some Elven smoochies!"

Willow's smirk just grew. "Do you remember Haldir?"

A huge smile curved Dawn's lips. "Oh, hell yes, I remember Haldir." She paused thoughtfully. "Haldir and Buffy, though? I don't know." She bit her lip. "I always thought she'd go more for the Imladris twins myself. All that long dark hair and soulful blue-eyed goodness..."

"Pfft." Willow waved that suggestion aside. "Not a chance. Haldir all the way. Besides, most all of the elves have blue eyes, Dawnie."

"Yeah, but not beautiful long silky brown hair." Dawn reminded her. "Buffy's always liked brunettes. Hello, Angel!"

Willow rolled her eyes playfully. "Hello, Spike!"

Dawn smirked. "That was not his natural hair color."

Willow pouted. "I still say Haldir."

Dawn's smirk turned evil. "Wanna bet on it?"

Willow frowned thoughtfully before nodding and looking over to meet her sister's twinkling eyes. "You're on. My brand new crossbow says Buffy goes totally lustbunny for Haldir."

Dawn nodded back. "That Celtic dagger of mine you've always wanted says Buffy jumps one, or both, of the twins."

"Both?" Frodo gasped out shocked.

The sisters now remembered the presence of their companions. Frodo and Sam looked shocked, embarrassed, and slightly horrified...but they didn't look defeated and that was a definite improvement.

The sisters shared a glance and burst into giggles. They heard a sound of disgust from behind them and watched as the Prince of Mirkwood pushed past and jogged to catch up with Aragorn and Buffy at the front of the company. That just set them off laughing again.

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"Stay close, young Hobbits." Gimli spoke in a whisper. "They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell, and are never seen again."

Willow and Dawn shared a smirk. Gimli had obviously decided to have a little fun at the hobbits expense. If this played out true to form then he would get his own back soon enough.

The hobbits shivered and took a few steps closer to Willow and Dawn. The sisters patted their four little friends' shoulders in reassurance and kept walking.

Gimli smiled at their reaction before he continued speaking boldly. "Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." His mouth opened to continue his boast, but an arrow appeared right in front of his face. The dwarf snapped his mouth shut and froze. The other companions found themselves in similar situations. They were surrounded by Elven archers.

Willow considered throwing up a shielding spell just in case, but she was still feeling weak from healing Legolas and it really wasn't needed anyway. She just smiled sweetly at her particular elf instead and waited for the scene to play out.

At the front of the company, Buffy barely contained the impulse to shove the arrow out of her face and beat the ass of the elf holding it. What was it with these pointy-eared freaks and arrows anyway? Legolas obviously correctly read her irritation because he placed a hand on her shoulder in reassurance. Buffy looked down at the hand in surprise and more than a little dismay. She WAS reassured. Why was she reassured?

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." The voice was cool and arrogant. If fit the elf that stepped forward perfectly. As characteristic of much of his race, he had long blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes, but something made this elf stand out. He was definitely a cut above the rest and he knew it.

A wide grin curved Willow's lips and she looked in her little sister's direction. Dawn just rolled her eyes unimpressed.

The blonde elf was obviously in charge and asked that Legolas and Frodo climb up into a tree with him to a talan (or platform) so they could discuss what was to be done with the fellowship. Legolas and Frodo agreed and a rope ladder was lowered down. The strange blonde elf climbed quickly out of sight, Legolas, Frodo and an uninvited Sam followed after.

Once upon the talan the blonde elf welcomed them speaking haltingly. He then introduced himself as Haldir and the two elves behind him as his brothers Rúmil and Orophin. He excused their silence by explaining that most of his people knew little Westron. Fortunately, Haldir had traveled beyond the Golden Wood and though rusty in practice he did understand the Common Tongue. The elf then continued to explain that word of the fellowship's journey had reached them by way of the messengers of Elrond. "And since you come with an Elf of our kindred, we are willing to befriend you, as Elrond asked; though it is not our custom to lead strangers through our land. But you must stay here tonight. How many are you?"

"Eleven," said Legolas. "Myself, four hobbits, three women; and two men, one of whom, Aragorn, is an Elf-friend of the folk of Westernesse."

"The name of Aragorn son of Arathorn is known in Lorien," said Haldir, "and he has the favor of the Lady. All then is well. But what of the three women that travel with your company? Surely this quest is no place for them?"

Legolas paused so Frodo and Sam spoke up in his stead. "They are great warriors."

Haldir looked to Legolas. The Prince nodded. "The three sisters were chosen by our guide to accompany us on this journey. They have fought well beside us thus far and are set to follow our course to its destined end."

The other elf's eyebrows raised and his eyes sparked with interest. Legolas watched him warily.

"You have spoken only of ten companions." Haldir finally drew back to the topic at hand.

"The eleventh is a dwarf," said Legolas.

Haldir did not like this news. It took much convincing for the dwarf to be allowed to continue with the party and only then if Legolas would claim responsibility for him and he could be blindfolded at a later point to hide their path to Caras Galadhon. It was finally agreed upon and Haldir nodded. "But now we must debate no longer. Your folk must not remain on the ground. We have been keeping watch on the rivers, ever since we saw a great troop of Orcs going north toward Moria, along the skirts of the mountains, many days ago. If you have indeed come from Moria, the peril cannot be far behind. Tomorrow early you must go on."

"The four hobbits and three women may climb up here and stay with us...we do not fear them. There is another talan in the next tree. There the others may take refuge. You, Legolas, must answer to us for them. Call us, if anything is amiss!"

The Prince of Mirkwood did not like this news. He frowned. "The hobbits I will send up, but the sisters should remain with the rest of our company."

Haldir's brows lifted again. "Do you trust us not, Elf kin?"

Frodo and Sam both shot Legolas alarmed looks. It would not do to offend the Lorien elves.

Reluctantly, Legolas backed down. "I shall put the question to the sisters. They will rest where they choose."

Haldir nodded his agreement with this decision. "Very well. Send those agreed upon up the ladder. We will await them."

Frodo and Sam eyed the Prince curiously. He ignored their interest and nodded to Haldir before descending the ladder once again. The fellowship looked to him for answers when he reached the ground. "We will rest in the trees tonight. Merry and Pippin are to join Frodo and Sam with the Lorien elves. Myself, Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli are to take another talan in the next tree."

Buffy's frowned. "And what about us? We ground bound?"

Legolas shook his head and eyed the slayer broodingly. "The choice of resting place is yours. You may join the hobbits and my kin or remain with the rest of our company."

"Oh-kay," Buffy shrugged and looked to her sisters. "What ya think? Personally, I could care less."

Dawn shrugged. "Doesn't really matter, does it?"

Willow frowned. "I'd like to stay close to the hobbits. I know we can trust the elves, but...I'd just feel better."

Buffy nodded. "Guess that means we bunk with the pointy-eared pests."

Dawn shot Buffy a hesitant look. "It might be best if you didn't call them that. You know, in the interest of getting off on the right foot and all."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "They shoved arrows in my face, Dawn. Have you forgotten how not fond I am of that welcome?" The slayer waved goodnight to the rest of their companions and walked over to grab the rope latter. She quickly ascended with Merry, Pippin, Dawn, and Willow behind her. When she reached the top she looked the elves over with guarded eyes. They were definitely hotties...too bad they were elves. "We're supposed to bunk here?"

Haldir smiled and eyed the three female warriors with appreciation. "Yes, milady, if it is your wish to do so. I am Haldir and these are my brothers Rúmil and Orophin." He pointed to each brother. "May I request your name?"

Buffy shrugged finding herself curiously shy. She wasn't accustomed to such a welcome by elves. "I'm Slayer...or some call me Arato. These are my sisters Tasere and Aara." She pointed to Willow and Dawn.

Haldir smiled and bowed gallantly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Arato." He turned to Willow and Dawn in turn. "Lady Tasere. Lady Aara."

Buffy found herself smiling back at him widely. Maybe not all elves were so bad after all.

Spotting the dreamy expression on the slayer's face, Willow shot her youngest sister a triumphant smile. That Celtic dagger was so hers. Dawn just rolled her eyes in reply. The game wasn't over yet.

In the other talan the remaining members of the fellowship tried to get comfortable. Aragorn noticed the odd expression on their Elven companion's face. "What troubles you, Legolas?"

Boromir snorted. He had his own ideas of what troubled the Prince and he wished him luck with that one. It would not be an easy path.

Gimli had obviously caught on as well. He grinned at the ranger. "I do believe the princling worries over our three sisters. Tis the first night this week that he rests more than five feet's distance from them."

"Surely you know the elves will protect them should any danger befall them during the night?" Aragorn sought to reassure the Prince.

Still Legolas remained silent.

Gimli smirked and leaned back onto his pallet. "Aye, but who will protect them from the elves?" The Prince glared hard in the dwarf's direction.

Boromir snorted again. "Or more importantly, who will protect the elves from them?"

Aragorn and Gimli could not help but agree with that sentiment. Legolas kept his own council.

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End of Chapter

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Ring Red