Title: Miles to Go
By: Ring Red
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! *sniffle*
Rating: R (for later chapters and language)
Note: Thanks for all my reviews again! You guys are great! This chapter actually took longer to get up than I hoped because real life is being very mean lately. I also might have more spelling and grammer errors than usual because I'm without a spell checker of any kind and don't have a beta reader. Sorry about that and I hope you enjoy it anyway! Hopefully it won't be THAT bad.
I will warn you now that this chapter strays away from the journey and into relationship stuff...hehehe...I just couldn't resist. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! But fear not, for I have not forgotten the One Ring, the Not-So-White Wizard, or the Horrible Sauron! We will defeat them yet! Please just have patience with me...*pout*...there are too many hot Elves to ignore!
PLEASE keep the feedback coming! I'll love you forever and you definitely keep me writing. I appreciate all your comments and ideas.
Here goes...
/ / / / / / / / / /
Chapter Twelve
/ / / / / / / / / /
The next few days passed without much notice among the fellowship. Time seemed to move differently in Lorien. They spent the days resting and eating and mourning the loss of Gandalf. But soon they felt revived and full and the grief began to ease. Then they began to truly enjoy and appreciate their surroundings. They walked among the Elves and explored the Golden Wood and they even began to genuinely smile again. The magic of Lorien wove its spell and the shadows on their hearts were lifted for a time.
At about noon on their fifth day in Caras Galadhon, by Buffy's counting, the slayer stood at the edge of the pavilion on the forest floor where the companions slept and looked up at the beautiful trees and talans above. Willow walked up to stand beside her. "What's wrong, Buffy?"
Buffy shrugged. She wasn't exactly sure herself. Something within her just ached. She couldn't even remember when it began. It just...was.
"Where is everyone?" Dawn questioned as she joined them.
"Aragorn's out exploring." Willow answered. "He says he just wants to appreciate the beautiful scenery, but I think he's moping over Arwen. She was here with him the last time he came to visit. I think this is where they fell in love."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Depresso much. Why doesn't he chill? He marries her in the end anyway. I swear the guy loves to brood. He's like a non-vampiric Angel." She paused. "Where are the hobbits?"
Willow smiled. "Eating. Where else? I promised to join them soon, but I'm stuffed. They're determined to make me fat."
"I wish them luck. You haven't even gained a pound." Dawn looked to her overly broody slayer sister and tried to draw her into the conversation. "What about Boromir, Buffy? Seen him?"
"He's being tempted, Dawn. The Ring's calling to him now. This isn't a happy holiday for him."
Dawn winced. "I forgot." She paused thoughtfully. "What are we going to do about that? We aren't...we can't just let him die, can we? He's not coming back like Gandalf."
Buffy shrugged. "I don't know, Dawnie. It would be interfering to save him, but...I don't know if I can willingly let him die. I don't think it's in me to do that."
Willow shook her head. "It's not in any of us. We'll think of something and we'll deal with the consequences, but Boromir does not deserve to die. If I were truly from this world, that Ring would have me wrapped in knots. Thankfully I seem to be immune."
"We all are." Buffy mused. "One of the perks of being dropped here, I guess."
Determined to get back to a happier subject, Dawn continued. "And Gimli? Where's our favorite dwarf?"
Now Buffy frowned deeply and turned her face away from her sisters. "He's off with the Pest somewhere. Legolas dropped by yesterday and picked him up to go off exploring together and then they headed back out today."
Dawn smirked. "Well, at least they're starting to get along. I always loved their friendship in the books and movies. They were just so cute and funny together."
"It is nice to see something good come out of this quest." Willow agreed.
"Where's Legolas been sleeping by the way?" Dawn asked. "He's just kind of abandoned us, hasn't he? He spends all his time off with other Elves and only drops back by for meals. I wonder if he has a honey stashed around here somewhere?"
Willow reached out to ruffle her younger sister's hair. "That isn't any of your business, little Missy. Legolas' lovelife is his concern."
Hearing that comment, Buffy couldn't help but snort. "Wish you felt that way about mine." Her tone wasn't quite as teasing as she would have liked and both her sisters looked at her concerned. Buffy shrugged. "What?"
Dawn lifted a brow. "Right back at ya, Buffy. What? What is your problem?"
"I don't have a problem." Buffy told them defensively. "I just don't want you two messing around in my lovelife anymore. Leave it alone, okay?"
Willow stepped closer to Buffy. She wrapped an arm around the slayer's shoulders and pulled Buffy into her side. "Okay. We're just trying to help. We want you to be happy."
Buffy forced a smile and tried to ignore the ache in her belly. "We're in Lothlorien. This is the most beautiful place on this world and probably several others. What's not to be happy about?" She looked back out over the view.
Willow and Dawn shared a concerned glance.
/ / / / / / / / / /
Two days later...
"May I request an exchange of lessons, Lady Arato?" Haldir smiled gently as he approached the brooding slayer. She was currently watching Dawn give crossbow lessons to Gimli and four eager hobbits.
Buffy frowned up at him. "What kind of lessons?"
He sat down beside her. "Lady Aara informs me that you trained her in using this crossbow and that you began lessons yourself with the longbow during your stay in Rivendell. I find myself fascinated by the weapon and would greatly appreciate your training in the proper use of it. In return I would assist you in honing your skill with the longbow."
The ache in Buffy's chest deepened. Then she realized why. Legolas had made much the same offer. Of course, that offer came long before they entered Caras Galadhon and she ceased to exist. A surge of anger and hurt welled inside the slayer, but she forced a smile to her lips and met Haldir's eyes. "When do you want to start?"
An hour later Buffy was shaking her head. "You're still trying to hold it like a longbow. Hold it more like a shotgun..." he shot her a confused look and Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes, "which you don't have in Middle-Earth. Nevermind. Here, I'll show you." She stepped up behind the Elf and positioned his hands and body herself. Then she led him through aiming and firing. The bolt only missed the center of the target by a few inches. Buffy met the Elf's grin with her own. She nodded. "Excellent. Now do that again without me wrapped around you." The Elf lifted a suggestive brow and his eyes twinkled with mischief. Buffy felt her face flush and rolled her eyes. "Just shoot the damn crossbow." Haldir nodded and turned back to face the target.
Then it was Buffy's turn to play pupil. "Your feet are too far apart." Haldir instructed. He bent down to move the slayer's legs closer together before moving back again and nodding satisfied. "Now relax and focus on the target." She drew on her instincts and the lessons provided by her different trainers. A twang sounded and the arrow flew forward to strike dead center of the target. "YES!" Buffy jumped up in the air and faced Haldir triumphantly. "Go me! I rock!"
Haldir grinned curious. "You rock?"
She nodded happily. "Totally."
Throwing back his head, the marchwarden gave a loud laugh. Buffy stared at him. "What's funny?" He continued to laugh and her eyes narrowed. "Are you laughing at me?" Stepping forward she reached up to whap him on the arm. The Elf froze for a moment and stared down at her in shock. Then he threw back his head and laughed again. Buffy rolled her eyes, but surrendered to giggles herself. She felt the best she had in days.
Shaking her head and continuing to giggle, Buffy turned to bend down and retrieve her hand-made crossbow. As she stood once again she scanned her surroundings and froze. Her eyes met turbulant blue. Her mouth went dry and she fought to keep her face neutral. When did he get there? As soon as she finished the thought, Legolas jerked his head to the side and broke eye contact. He turned and stalked away back into the forest. Buffy frowned after him. The ache she'd forgotten a few hours earlier came back full force. Why did she feel like she'd done something wrong?
Haldir watched the retreating form of the Prince before looking back to his companion. Pain flickered in the slayer's eyes. He sighed. "I believe it is time to return you to your sisters, Arato. Shall we continue our lessons tomorrow?"
Buffy shook herself and looked back up into Haldir's eyes. She nodded. "Sure. We can work on other stuff too, if you're game. It's been a while since I've had a decent sparring partner."
"Of course," Haldir nodded. "I am also quite skilled with a sword and daggers."
Buffy smirked. "And so modest too. How do you keep the girls away?"
Haldir just grinned back. "Perhaps I do not." The slayer rolled her eyes and laughed. It was precisely the reaction the marchwarden wanted. He would not allow Arato to suffer because the Prince was too blind to recognize what was right in front of his own face.
The next day Haldir and Buffy spent time working with swords as well as the bows. They enjoyed each other's company and they enjoyed the workout. Haldir was continually amazed at how powerful such a petite woman could be. Buffy was just thrilled to find someone she didn't have to hold back that much with. She couldn't go all out, she'd lost that privilege when she lost Spike six years earlier, but Haldir could pretty much hold his own. It was fun to get back into the training and it was even more fun to see the shock cross the marchwarden's face when she pulled off some particularly amazing move.
Somehow word had gotten out about their training because by the end of the session several of the members of the fellowship and an assortment of Elves had come to watch. They split up into two cheering sections and even language barriers could not keep everyone from having a good time. One particular Elf was conspicuously absent from the crowd...or so the slayer believed.
/ / / / / / / / / /
"So Buffy, sparring with Haldir again today?" Willow questioned her sister with a grin across the crowded breakfast table. The entire fellowship was present, as was their habit at mealtimes, and most of them looked at the slayer curiously.
Buffy nodded as she swallowed. "Yep. Much fun to be had. That Elf can fight. He's my best sparring partner since Spike." It amazed her that thinking of the vampire didn't hurt as much anymore. A part of her would always love him, just as she would always love Angel, but they were another world - another life. She could finally accept that now.
Willow looked thrilled. "He's like Spike? Like with the...the chemistry and the...the sparring?"
Dawn groaned and thumped her head down on the table. "I'm never getting that crossbow." Some of the companions looked at her in confusion, but Frodo and Sam snickered. Dawn lifted her head to glare at them.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "What did I tell you about my lovelife, Wills?" Willow had the grace to look slightly repentive, but only slightly. Buffy snorted. "No, not like chemistry wise. It's not like that. He's just a good sparring partner, Will. I can really cut loose with him and it's great. Besides," she grinned, "he's so damn arrogant that even a girl kicking his ass doesn't bruise his ego."
The table, save one silent unhappy Elf, burst into laughter.
"Do you mind if we watch again, Slayer?" Pippin asked eagerly.
"Feel free. I perform well for an audience." She told them with a grin.
Willow burst into hysterical laughter. Everyone looked at her curiously. She shook her head. "Sorry. Flashbacks of the Sophomore Talent Show."
Buffy groaned and lifted her hands to cover her face as she chuckled as well. Dawn just rolled her eyes at her sisters' antics.
"What weapons willa ya use today, Slayer?" Gimli questioned as the chuckles died away.
Buffy bit her lip twirled her fork through her fingers. "We'll probably finish off with the crossbow and longbow again because we both need more practice, but I think we'll start out with daggers."
Dawn leaned forward and shot Willow an evil smile. "You can borrow my celtic dagger, Buffy. I won't be needing it."
Willow glared at her younger sister. Frodo and Sam snickered again.
Two hours later, Buffy and Haldir faced off again. They held a dagger in each hand. Their audience watched them with quiet anticipation. Buffy smiled visciously at the marchwarden. She'd walked past Legolas speaking in Sindarin with a particularly lovely elleth earlier and suddenly had plenty of frustration and aggression to burn off.
Haldir was slightly concerned, not for his safety for he trusted Arato - but for her state of mind. What had that ignorant Mirkwood Prince done now?
The marchwarden had little time to ponder the problem before Arato attacked. Then they were trading blows and clashing metal on metal and there was no time for idle thinking at all. The Slayer was art in motion. Grace and form and lethal precision. Haldir stared in awe of her talent even as he fought uselessly to ward her off. Today she held nothing back and he realized, with a touch of unwanted humility, exactly how much stronger and more deadly she was than he. This was truly Arato, this was the champion.
"Go Buffy!" The hobbits and the sisters cheered the slayer on. Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli watched in silent appreciation. It did not seem so very unlikely now that this woman fought time and again to save her world and triumphed against the forces of darkness. She was so powerful and so beautiful she was almost blinding.
Just over five minutes into the match, Haldir made a fatal error and Buffy capitalized on it ruthlessly. She swept the marchwarden's feet out from beneath him and sent him tumbling backward to the ground. Before he could move or roll away she planted herself firmly on his chest and immobilized him. With a snap one dagger lay resting against the tender flesh of his throat. Her smile turned slightly feral as she met his startled eyes. "Go me." She moved the dagger away.
Haldir nodded and grinned. "You...rock."
Buffy threw back her head and laughed. She felt free and alive and wonderful. God, it felt good to let all that out. And Haldir was so great for letting her beat up on him. She smiled tenderly down at the Elf and realized he was becoming a real friend. "No, Haldir, you rock."
The sound of cheering penetrated her brain and Buffy looked up to see their audience screaming and cheering and jumping up and down. The Elves were even getting into it, though admittedly with less enthusiasm than the hobbits and her other companions. She laughed again as she looked them over and realization dawned. This was her family now. This was what Galadriel meant about not locking her heart. This world - this journey - was not the end. Her life wasn't over. It was just beginning.
Then some sixth sense made her turn and look out into the forest. She spotted him almost instantly. The color of his tunic made him blend in with the tree he leaned against, but her enhanced eyes could not be fooled - and somehow she thought she would have found him anyway. He was staring at her, his eyes roving over her form like a caress, until he looked further down and his expression twisted into a grimace. He quickly removed the telling emotion and met her eyes again with blank blue orbs before turning to walk away.
But it was too late. Buffy saw it - and she recognized it. Legolas was jealous, violently so.
But why?
Buffy looked back down at Haldir and it dawned on her. She groaned. Here she was intimately stradling the marchwarden with not a clue that it might look suggestive to everyone else. Sure, she and Haldir knew that there was no real chemistry between them, and neither wanted to try to build on it even if there was, but did anyone else? Their audience was certainly eyeing them curiously. Except Willow...who looked like Christmas (or whatever the Wiccan equivalent was) had come early. And Dawn who looked like someone had stolen her favorite leather jacket.
Oh god...
Buffy lifted her hands to her face and groaned again. How did this become such a freaking mess? Wait a minute! This all started when the Pest decided to ignore her right before they got to Caras Galadhon. That pointy-eared idiot had acted like she didn't exist and now he was running around jealous because she made friends with another Elf? The frickin' nerve! Wait until she got a hold of him!
Her eyes flashing with anger, Buffy looked back down at Haldir beneath her. He watched her curiously. She shrugged. "It's been fun, Hal, but we'll have to pick this back up tomorrow or something. I have a Pest to kill." Hopping to her feet, Buffy stalked past their confused audience and in the direction the dumbass had departed. Mister Perfect Prince Leggy was fixing to find out the price of royally pissing off a Slayer.
/ / / / / / / / / /
End of Chapter
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Well? FEEDBACK? Pretty Please?
Ring Red
By: Ring Red
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! *sniffle*
Rating: R (for later chapters and language)
Note: Thanks for all my reviews again! You guys are great! This chapter actually took longer to get up than I hoped because real life is being very mean lately. I also might have more spelling and grammer errors than usual because I'm without a spell checker of any kind and don't have a beta reader. Sorry about that and I hope you enjoy it anyway! Hopefully it won't be THAT bad.
I will warn you now that this chapter strays away from the journey and into relationship stuff...hehehe...I just couldn't resist. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! But fear not, for I have not forgotten the One Ring, the Not-So-White Wizard, or the Horrible Sauron! We will defeat them yet! Please just have patience with me...*pout*...there are too many hot Elves to ignore!
PLEASE keep the feedback coming! I'll love you forever and you definitely keep me writing. I appreciate all your comments and ideas.
Here goes...
/ / / / / / / / / /
Chapter Twelve
/ / / / / / / / / /
The next few days passed without much notice among the fellowship. Time seemed to move differently in Lorien. They spent the days resting and eating and mourning the loss of Gandalf. But soon they felt revived and full and the grief began to ease. Then they began to truly enjoy and appreciate their surroundings. They walked among the Elves and explored the Golden Wood and they even began to genuinely smile again. The magic of Lorien wove its spell and the shadows on their hearts were lifted for a time.
At about noon on their fifth day in Caras Galadhon, by Buffy's counting, the slayer stood at the edge of the pavilion on the forest floor where the companions slept and looked up at the beautiful trees and talans above. Willow walked up to stand beside her. "What's wrong, Buffy?"
Buffy shrugged. She wasn't exactly sure herself. Something within her just ached. She couldn't even remember when it began. It just...was.
"Where is everyone?" Dawn questioned as she joined them.
"Aragorn's out exploring." Willow answered. "He says he just wants to appreciate the beautiful scenery, but I think he's moping over Arwen. She was here with him the last time he came to visit. I think this is where they fell in love."
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Depresso much. Why doesn't he chill? He marries her in the end anyway. I swear the guy loves to brood. He's like a non-vampiric Angel." She paused. "Where are the hobbits?"
Willow smiled. "Eating. Where else? I promised to join them soon, but I'm stuffed. They're determined to make me fat."
"I wish them luck. You haven't even gained a pound." Dawn looked to her overly broody slayer sister and tried to draw her into the conversation. "What about Boromir, Buffy? Seen him?"
"He's being tempted, Dawn. The Ring's calling to him now. This isn't a happy holiday for him."
Dawn winced. "I forgot." She paused thoughtfully. "What are we going to do about that? We aren't...we can't just let him die, can we? He's not coming back like Gandalf."
Buffy shrugged. "I don't know, Dawnie. It would be interfering to save him, but...I don't know if I can willingly let him die. I don't think it's in me to do that."
Willow shook her head. "It's not in any of us. We'll think of something and we'll deal with the consequences, but Boromir does not deserve to die. If I were truly from this world, that Ring would have me wrapped in knots. Thankfully I seem to be immune."
"We all are." Buffy mused. "One of the perks of being dropped here, I guess."
Determined to get back to a happier subject, Dawn continued. "And Gimli? Where's our favorite dwarf?"
Now Buffy frowned deeply and turned her face away from her sisters. "He's off with the Pest somewhere. Legolas dropped by yesterday and picked him up to go off exploring together and then they headed back out today."
Dawn smirked. "Well, at least they're starting to get along. I always loved their friendship in the books and movies. They were just so cute and funny together."
"It is nice to see something good come out of this quest." Willow agreed.
"Where's Legolas been sleeping by the way?" Dawn asked. "He's just kind of abandoned us, hasn't he? He spends all his time off with other Elves and only drops back by for meals. I wonder if he has a honey stashed around here somewhere?"
Willow reached out to ruffle her younger sister's hair. "That isn't any of your business, little Missy. Legolas' lovelife is his concern."
Hearing that comment, Buffy couldn't help but snort. "Wish you felt that way about mine." Her tone wasn't quite as teasing as she would have liked and both her sisters looked at her concerned. Buffy shrugged. "What?"
Dawn lifted a brow. "Right back at ya, Buffy. What? What is your problem?"
"I don't have a problem." Buffy told them defensively. "I just don't want you two messing around in my lovelife anymore. Leave it alone, okay?"
Willow stepped closer to Buffy. She wrapped an arm around the slayer's shoulders and pulled Buffy into her side. "Okay. We're just trying to help. We want you to be happy."
Buffy forced a smile and tried to ignore the ache in her belly. "We're in Lothlorien. This is the most beautiful place on this world and probably several others. What's not to be happy about?" She looked back out over the view.
Willow and Dawn shared a concerned glance.
/ / / / / / / / / /
Two days later...
"May I request an exchange of lessons, Lady Arato?" Haldir smiled gently as he approached the brooding slayer. She was currently watching Dawn give crossbow lessons to Gimli and four eager hobbits.
Buffy frowned up at him. "What kind of lessons?"
He sat down beside her. "Lady Aara informs me that you trained her in using this crossbow and that you began lessons yourself with the longbow during your stay in Rivendell. I find myself fascinated by the weapon and would greatly appreciate your training in the proper use of it. In return I would assist you in honing your skill with the longbow."
The ache in Buffy's chest deepened. Then she realized why. Legolas had made much the same offer. Of course, that offer came long before they entered Caras Galadhon and she ceased to exist. A surge of anger and hurt welled inside the slayer, but she forced a smile to her lips and met Haldir's eyes. "When do you want to start?"
An hour later Buffy was shaking her head. "You're still trying to hold it like a longbow. Hold it more like a shotgun..." he shot her a confused look and Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes, "which you don't have in Middle-Earth. Nevermind. Here, I'll show you." She stepped up behind the Elf and positioned his hands and body herself. Then she led him through aiming and firing. The bolt only missed the center of the target by a few inches. Buffy met the Elf's grin with her own. She nodded. "Excellent. Now do that again without me wrapped around you." The Elf lifted a suggestive brow and his eyes twinkled with mischief. Buffy felt her face flush and rolled her eyes. "Just shoot the damn crossbow." Haldir nodded and turned back to face the target.
Then it was Buffy's turn to play pupil. "Your feet are too far apart." Haldir instructed. He bent down to move the slayer's legs closer together before moving back again and nodding satisfied. "Now relax and focus on the target." She drew on her instincts and the lessons provided by her different trainers. A twang sounded and the arrow flew forward to strike dead center of the target. "YES!" Buffy jumped up in the air and faced Haldir triumphantly. "Go me! I rock!"
Haldir grinned curious. "You rock?"
She nodded happily. "Totally."
Throwing back his head, the marchwarden gave a loud laugh. Buffy stared at him. "What's funny?" He continued to laugh and her eyes narrowed. "Are you laughing at me?" Stepping forward she reached up to whap him on the arm. The Elf froze for a moment and stared down at her in shock. Then he threw back his head and laughed again. Buffy rolled her eyes, but surrendered to giggles herself. She felt the best she had in days.
Shaking her head and continuing to giggle, Buffy turned to bend down and retrieve her hand-made crossbow. As she stood once again she scanned her surroundings and froze. Her eyes met turbulant blue. Her mouth went dry and she fought to keep her face neutral. When did he get there? As soon as she finished the thought, Legolas jerked his head to the side and broke eye contact. He turned and stalked away back into the forest. Buffy frowned after him. The ache she'd forgotten a few hours earlier came back full force. Why did she feel like she'd done something wrong?
Haldir watched the retreating form of the Prince before looking back to his companion. Pain flickered in the slayer's eyes. He sighed. "I believe it is time to return you to your sisters, Arato. Shall we continue our lessons tomorrow?"
Buffy shook herself and looked back up into Haldir's eyes. She nodded. "Sure. We can work on other stuff too, if you're game. It's been a while since I've had a decent sparring partner."
"Of course," Haldir nodded. "I am also quite skilled with a sword and daggers."
Buffy smirked. "And so modest too. How do you keep the girls away?"
Haldir just grinned back. "Perhaps I do not." The slayer rolled her eyes and laughed. It was precisely the reaction the marchwarden wanted. He would not allow Arato to suffer because the Prince was too blind to recognize what was right in front of his own face.
The next day Haldir and Buffy spent time working with swords as well as the bows. They enjoyed each other's company and they enjoyed the workout. Haldir was continually amazed at how powerful such a petite woman could be. Buffy was just thrilled to find someone she didn't have to hold back that much with. She couldn't go all out, she'd lost that privilege when she lost Spike six years earlier, but Haldir could pretty much hold his own. It was fun to get back into the training and it was even more fun to see the shock cross the marchwarden's face when she pulled off some particularly amazing move.
Somehow word had gotten out about their training because by the end of the session several of the members of the fellowship and an assortment of Elves had come to watch. They split up into two cheering sections and even language barriers could not keep everyone from having a good time. One particular Elf was conspicuously absent from the crowd...or so the slayer believed.
/ / / / / / / / / /
"So Buffy, sparring with Haldir again today?" Willow questioned her sister with a grin across the crowded breakfast table. The entire fellowship was present, as was their habit at mealtimes, and most of them looked at the slayer curiously.
Buffy nodded as she swallowed. "Yep. Much fun to be had. That Elf can fight. He's my best sparring partner since Spike." It amazed her that thinking of the vampire didn't hurt as much anymore. A part of her would always love him, just as she would always love Angel, but they were another world - another life. She could finally accept that now.
Willow looked thrilled. "He's like Spike? Like with the...the chemistry and the...the sparring?"
Dawn groaned and thumped her head down on the table. "I'm never getting that crossbow." Some of the companions looked at her in confusion, but Frodo and Sam snickered. Dawn lifted her head to glare at them.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "What did I tell you about my lovelife, Wills?" Willow had the grace to look slightly repentive, but only slightly. Buffy snorted. "No, not like chemistry wise. It's not like that. He's just a good sparring partner, Will. I can really cut loose with him and it's great. Besides," she grinned, "he's so damn arrogant that even a girl kicking his ass doesn't bruise his ego."
The table, save one silent unhappy Elf, burst into laughter.
"Do you mind if we watch again, Slayer?" Pippin asked eagerly.
"Feel free. I perform well for an audience." She told them with a grin.
Willow burst into hysterical laughter. Everyone looked at her curiously. She shook her head. "Sorry. Flashbacks of the Sophomore Talent Show."
Buffy groaned and lifted her hands to cover her face as she chuckled as well. Dawn just rolled her eyes at her sisters' antics.
"What weapons willa ya use today, Slayer?" Gimli questioned as the chuckles died away.
Buffy bit her lip twirled her fork through her fingers. "We'll probably finish off with the crossbow and longbow again because we both need more practice, but I think we'll start out with daggers."
Dawn leaned forward and shot Willow an evil smile. "You can borrow my celtic dagger, Buffy. I won't be needing it."
Willow glared at her younger sister. Frodo and Sam snickered again.
Two hours later, Buffy and Haldir faced off again. They held a dagger in each hand. Their audience watched them with quiet anticipation. Buffy smiled visciously at the marchwarden. She'd walked past Legolas speaking in Sindarin with a particularly lovely elleth earlier and suddenly had plenty of frustration and aggression to burn off.
Haldir was slightly concerned, not for his safety for he trusted Arato - but for her state of mind. What had that ignorant Mirkwood Prince done now?
The marchwarden had little time to ponder the problem before Arato attacked. Then they were trading blows and clashing metal on metal and there was no time for idle thinking at all. The Slayer was art in motion. Grace and form and lethal precision. Haldir stared in awe of her talent even as he fought uselessly to ward her off. Today she held nothing back and he realized, with a touch of unwanted humility, exactly how much stronger and more deadly she was than he. This was truly Arato, this was the champion.
"Go Buffy!" The hobbits and the sisters cheered the slayer on. Aragorn, Boromir, and Gimli watched in silent appreciation. It did not seem so very unlikely now that this woman fought time and again to save her world and triumphed against the forces of darkness. She was so powerful and so beautiful she was almost blinding.
Just over five minutes into the match, Haldir made a fatal error and Buffy capitalized on it ruthlessly. She swept the marchwarden's feet out from beneath him and sent him tumbling backward to the ground. Before he could move or roll away she planted herself firmly on his chest and immobilized him. With a snap one dagger lay resting against the tender flesh of his throat. Her smile turned slightly feral as she met his startled eyes. "Go me." She moved the dagger away.
Haldir nodded and grinned. "You...rock."
Buffy threw back her head and laughed. She felt free and alive and wonderful. God, it felt good to let all that out. And Haldir was so great for letting her beat up on him. She smiled tenderly down at the Elf and realized he was becoming a real friend. "No, Haldir, you rock."
The sound of cheering penetrated her brain and Buffy looked up to see their audience screaming and cheering and jumping up and down. The Elves were even getting into it, though admittedly with less enthusiasm than the hobbits and her other companions. She laughed again as she looked them over and realization dawned. This was her family now. This was what Galadriel meant about not locking her heart. This world - this journey - was not the end. Her life wasn't over. It was just beginning.
Then some sixth sense made her turn and look out into the forest. She spotted him almost instantly. The color of his tunic made him blend in with the tree he leaned against, but her enhanced eyes could not be fooled - and somehow she thought she would have found him anyway. He was staring at her, his eyes roving over her form like a caress, until he looked further down and his expression twisted into a grimace. He quickly removed the telling emotion and met her eyes again with blank blue orbs before turning to walk away.
But it was too late. Buffy saw it - and she recognized it. Legolas was jealous, violently so.
But why?
Buffy looked back down at Haldir and it dawned on her. She groaned. Here she was intimately stradling the marchwarden with not a clue that it might look suggestive to everyone else. Sure, she and Haldir knew that there was no real chemistry between them, and neither wanted to try to build on it even if there was, but did anyone else? Their audience was certainly eyeing them curiously. Except Willow...who looked like Christmas (or whatever the Wiccan equivalent was) had come early. And Dawn who looked like someone had stolen her favorite leather jacket.
Oh god...
Buffy lifted her hands to her face and groaned again. How did this become such a freaking mess? Wait a minute! This all started when the Pest decided to ignore her right before they got to Caras Galadhon. That pointy-eared idiot had acted like she didn't exist and now he was running around jealous because she made friends with another Elf? The frickin' nerve! Wait until she got a hold of him!
Her eyes flashing with anger, Buffy looked back down at Haldir beneath her. He watched her curiously. She shrugged. "It's been fun, Hal, but we'll have to pick this back up tomorrow or something. I have a Pest to kill." Hopping to her feet, Buffy stalked past their confused audience and in the direction the dumbass had departed. Mister Perfect Prince Leggy was fixing to find out the price of royally pissing off a Slayer.
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End of Chapter
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Well? FEEDBACK? Pretty Please?
Ring Red
