Title: Miles to Go
By: Ring Red
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! sniffle
Rating: R
Note: Sorry once again for the wait, but the next chapter is finally here! RL is just being horrific lately. Thanks again for all my reviews! You guys totally keep me going! I'm glad you all seemed to approve of the love scene, or didn't hate it entirely, and that you enjoyed the reactions of the other members of the fellowship. I will say that I am having MUCH fun with that relationship and what is and isn't known about it. The Buffy/Legolas cat isn't entirely out of the bag yet...lol. All Willow saw was Buffy and a blonde Elf - she didn't stick around to find out what blonde Elf. And there may be a few more surprises still coming this way for Buffy and her Pest. As for Willow and Dawn? I'll work with them. I'm not rushing them. I want the story to progress naturally. I don't want to force Willow and Dawn to hurry up and hook up with someone just because Buffy has. They won't grow old and gray alone, okay? And I did warn you that Dawn will probably not be hooking up with anyone until the sequel which is a good ways off.
Sorry I can't say more or comment on more of my reviews, but I've got work tomorrow and have to go to bed soon. I do SO appreciate you guys and I'll love you eternally if you keep sending feedback my way! I have a good bit of the next chapter already written (as this was initially all going to be one chapter that got REALLY long) and I'm sure some nice reviews would hurry that right along...lol...and YES this is my shamelessly begging...lol...
Anyway, enough of that...here's the chapter! I hope you enjoy!
OH! Another Note: I know the social that this chapter takes place at wasn't actually in the books or movies. I just wanted to deal with a party, okay? Forgive me for taking liberties!
==========
Chapter Fifteen
==========
Once a week in Lorien the Galadhrim held a type of social with food, music, and dancing among the beautiful lanterns and moonlight. It was at this weekly function that the fellowship next saw Buffy. The brunette slayer was smiling happily as she made her way to the their table. She paused along her path to speak and be spoken to by several different Elves. This behavior was somewhat surprising, but what truly held the fellowship's attention was her changed appearance. The Slayer's long brown hair was pulled back from her face by two Elven braids and hung in loose waves down her back. She wore a beautiful baby blue gown of Elven design. She smiled at their reaction when she reached them. "What's wrong guys? Never seen a girl in a dress before?"
The male members of the fellowship rose to greet her and compliment her appearance. Willow and Dawn just rolled their eyes.
"Slayer, your beauty humbles me." Merry told her smoothly when it was his turn.
Pippin grinned and nodded. "Aye, you should dress as a woman more often, Slayer." This drew him a sharp glance from several of the other men and an elbow to the side from Merry.
Buffy chuckled and reached out to ruffle the hobbit's hair. "I'll keep that in mind, Pip. Can't exactly go stomping off to Mordor in a dress, but it's nice to know I can still do the pretty when I want to."
Willow smirked despite herself. "Cordelia would kill you for that dress. Where'd you get it?"
The companions all retook their seats and Buffy sat down across from Willow and Dawn. "Lady Galadriel sent it to me with a note. She said she knew I didn't have a dress with me and felt I might like to dress up while I had the chance." Buffy eyed both her sisters. They wore gowns as well - Willow in her favorite emerald green and Dawn in midnight blue. "And don't you two look spiffy. You're gonna break some hearts tonight."
That comment drew another frown to Willow's face. Dawn glared hard at her brunette sister. "And what about you, Buff? Been breaking any hearts lately?"
Buffy frowned at her sharp tone. "What's wrong, Dawnie? I thought you'd be happy I'm playing nice."
Dawn looked ready to attack. Willow sighed. "Buffy, we haven't seen you since yesterday morning. Don't you think you should've told us where you'd be? We've been worried sick."
Buffy's eyes widened. "But I'm fine. I thought you'd know that. We're in Lorien. What could've happened?"
"ANYTHING could have happened, Buffy." Dawn growled. "You just disappeared on us. What would you have done if I'd taken off like that? Would there be a tree left standing in the whole damn forest?"
Wincing, Buffy reached across the table for both her sisters' hands. "I'm so sorry. I completely spaced. I thought you'd know I was okay. I never meant to worry you. I was just..." she paused and her face flushed, "I got kinda distracted." Suddenly her food looked very interesting. "You know how Lothlorien is. Lots of distracting things running around."
Having had most of the day to cool off, the two sisters felt the rest of their anger melt away at their sister's sincere words. Now the harder emotion was replaced with amusement. Willow lifted a brow. "Distracting things running around?"
Dawn smirked. "Yeah, Buffy, what distracting things running around exactly? Do these 'things' have names perhaps?"
Buffy face flushed even brighter. "Uh...well...no..." She shook her head and looked back up at her sisters with a far-too-innocent expression. "I've just been...exploring...and...hanging with the Elves."
"And you didn't sleep in the pavilion last night because?" Dawn's smile was equally sweet.
Buffy's eyes widened and she gulped. "Oh yeah, about that. I wanted to get the real feel of Lothlorien. You know," she shrugged unconvincingly, "the full Elven experience. I just bunked down in one of the talans."
Willow and Dawn shared knowing smirks. "And how was that Buffy?" Dawn questioned.
Willow's grin turned evil. "How exactly was your Elven experience, Buffy?"
Buffy bit her lip. "It was...interesting." Then her eyes brightened. The sisters could practically see the light bulb appear above her head. "So interesting in fact that I might just need to study this Elven experience further. You know, for like research purposes. So, if I don't come back to the pavilion on some nights - don't sweat it." She smiled sweetly. "I'm just studying."
Willow and Dawn fought desperately not to laugh. A choking sound down the table saved them. They looked to their other companions. The sound came from the future king. Aragorn was, once again, beet red and apparently choking on whatever he'd been trying to eat. Boromir just shook his head as he beat their leader on the back to help him clear his airway. Gimli threw back his head and roared with laughter at the site. The hobbits were confused at what all the fuss was about. They looked back and forth between Aragorn and the sisters. Legolas sat in the last seat on the table looking supremely bored. His eyes met Buffy's lazily for a moment and a small smirk curved his lips before he looked away.
Buffy ignored that smirk, or did her best to, and frowned at Boromir. "He okay?"
The man of Gondor's eyes were laughing as he met hers. "Aye, Slayer. Aragorn just has a problem digesting certain things." That set Dawn and Willow off into giggles.
A few moments later, Aragorn finally stopped coughing and began to breath normally again. He refused to look in the sisters' direction.
"Arato?"
Buffy looked back to see Haldir standing behind her wearing a grin. She grinned back. "Hey, Haldir. What's up?"
Frowning momentarily over her strange wording, he then shook his head. "I would be honored if you would share the next dance with me?" He held out a hand in invitation.
The slayer bit her lip. She could feel Legolas' eyes burning into her. Still, he had nothing to be jealous of. He needed to chill. But... "I don't actually know any Elven dances, Haldir."
The marchwarden's grin turned knowing. "I am certain you know at least one." Buffy ignored the choking sound that resumed down the table. She couldn't pull her eyes away from Haldir's anyway. He knew. Somehow the Elf knew exactly what she'd been up to and he knew who she'd been doing it with. His eyes twinkled. "I will help you with the more difficult steps."
Buffy felt her face heat again. "Alright, but if I stomp your delicate Elven toes don't blame me." She climbed up from her seat and took his offered hand. She prayed Legolas didn't pull a dumbass again. It was just a dance. As Haldir led Buffy to the floor she began to feel strange. A wave of hot emotion poured through her. She jerked and frowned.
Haldir looked to her concerned. "Are you well, Arato?"
Still frowning, Buffy reached up to rub her forehead. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just..." she met Haldir's gaze, "I feel a little strange all of the sudden." The emotion returned with another flash of heat and...jealousy? "It's almost like I'm channeling..." She remembered where she was and who was listening and snapped her mouth closed. "I'm fine." She brought her eyes back to Haldir's.
His eyes were widened in shock.
"What?" Buffy questioned.
Haldir pulled back on a mask of calm. He shook his head. "Nothing, Arato. Shall we continue or do you need to rest?"
"No, I'm cool." Buffy assured him. "I think I just ate too fast or something." She motioned for him to continue and followed after him.
==========
Willow was pouting. She sat at the fellowship table watching her sister and Haldir dance. The marchwarden laughed as Buffy went left when she should've went right and then gently corrected her. "Pfft!" The witch rolled her eyes and looked to Dawn sitting beside her. "Look at them! It's not fair! They're rubbing it in, you know. They're just loving that I'm never getting my dagger."
Dawn smirked. "And the fact that Buffy knows nothing about the bet?"
"Completely irrelevant."
Dawn nodded. "Right." Still she watched her older sister and the blonde Elf thoughtfully. "It is kind of a shame, though. They'd make a really cute couple." Willow shot her an incredulous look. Dawn shrugged. "Well, I couldn't exactly admit that before. I wanted that crossbow."
Willow grinned and reached over to ruffle Dawn's hair. The brunette glared and swatted away the hand. Willow sighed and looked back over the dance floor. "I guess I shouldn't be all Miss Pouty Face. At least Buffy's happy. I'm sure her...her new Elven friend is very nice."
Now Dawn frowned. "Speaking of Buffy's new Elven friend...where is he? I mean, shouldn't he be the one dancing with our dear sister at the moment?" A smirk curved her lips as Haldir rested his hands on Buffy's waist and the slayer gave a girlie giggle they could hear all the way at their table. "He can't be too happy about her snuggling up to tall, blonde, and studly."
A laugh escaped Willow's throat. "Tall, blonde, and studly?"
Dawn shrugged. "Well, he is." Turning to look at her redheaded sister, Dawn's eyes twinkled. "Are you sure you couldn't recognize Buffy's new Elven friend if you saw him again?"
"NO!" Willow's face flushed. "All I saw was blonde hair and I still saw WAY too much."
Sighing, Dawn rolled her eyes. "Blonde hair? Well, that's just fabulous. That narrows it down to every freakin' Elf in Lorien."
Willow giggled. "Buffy's new Elven friend is her business, Dawnie. She obviously wants us to stay out of it." Dawn stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.
"Slayer has a new Elven friend?" Pippin asked curiously as he picked up on their last statement. "Did she meet them while she was doing her research?
Dawn smirked. "You could say that."
Merry frowned confused. "I don't see what the big deal is. We've all made new Elven friends. It's a bit hard not to in Caras Galadhon."
"We're just curious." Willow told him carefully. "Buffy's new Elven friend is special."
"Special, you say?" Sam questioned. "How do ya mean?"
Willow bit her lip and fought another blush. "Well..."
Pippin grinned. "Slayer was gone all day today. Did they go off on an adventure together?"
Frodo noticed Willow's flushed cheeks and Dawn's laughing eyes. Realization dawned. For a moment he thought he might flush bright red as well, but then a devious twinkle entered his eyes. "Yes, Tasere, do tell us. What grand adventure did Buffy and her Elven friend have? Did it perhaps cost you a dagger?"
Sam frowned. "A dagger?" He looked to his master. "But wasn't that what..." His voice trailed off and his mouth hung open in shock. He blushed as well. "Oh..."
Willow's eyes widened as they met the little ringbearer's. That little poophead! "Uh..."
"Oh what, Sam?" Merry questioned the gardener. "What are you 'oh'-ing about?"
Pippin grinned at Frodo. "And what's this about a dagger, Cousin?" He looked back to Willow. "Did Slayer lose your dagger today on her adventure? What did she and her Elven friend do?"
"Eep..." The witch opened and closed her mouth and tried to think of any reasonable explanation that didn't give away the truth. She could not believe that sweet innocent little Frodo had done this to her. Not only that, but he was grinning at her mischievously even now. He was enjoying this! It had to be the influence of the ring. "Well, Buffy and her...Buffy and her Elven friend...they..."
Dawn's smile was as bright as sunshine. "They played checkers." She sent laughing eyes over to meet Willow's. "They played checkers ALL day."
Willow didn't think she was capable of blushing any harder, but that statement proved her wrong. Flashbacks of Buffybot and Spike popped into mind. Add those flashes to the already fresh images of Buffy and Mystery Elf and Willow wondered vaguely if you could actually die of embarrassment. She groaned and buried her head in her hands.
The companions continued chatting as the food was cleared away and more Elves joined the dance floor. Frodo and Dawn threw veiled sexual comments back and forth every so often just to watch Willow and Sam react. All in all it was a good time.
Buffy and Haldir didn't stop with one dance. Buffy enjoyed this new kind of dancing (though this was certainly no Bronze) and Haldir enjoyed teaching her. They smiled at each other and talked as they moved. The companions continued to watch them.
Pippin, ever slow on the uptake, grinned. "You know, Slayer and Haldir are looking rather chummy." He eyed the rest of the companions. "Do you suppose they fancy each other?"
Willow groaned again as Dawn burst into giggles. Frodo just shook his head and Sam muttered something about thick-headed Tooks.
Merry frowned. "What? I wondered as well."
==========
On the dance floor, Buffy smirked at Haldir. "I'm getting better. Are your feet okay?"
Haldir mock-winced. "Thankfully my people have enhanced healing."
Buffy giggled and reached out to swat him playfully on the arm. "You're just a big Elven baby. I only stepped on them twice."
He lifted one arrogant brow. "Each." He gently ran his hand along her elbow and led her into the next turn.
Buffy opened her mouth to reply, but a surge of anger and jealousy roared through her. With a growl, Buffy slapped Haldir's hand off of her arm. "Don't touch me!"
Haldir's eyes widened. Buffy's did as well. She blinked slowly. "I...I'm sorry. I don't know what happened." She was SO about to panic here. What the hell was going on with her?
Haldir smiled gently, but his eyes were hard and serious. "I believe you and your Prince need to have a talk tonight, Arato."
Her eyes widened further. It was the first time he'd actually brought Legolas up. Buffy nodded. "Okay."
His eyes softened. "Perhaps we should head back to your table now?"
"Sure." Buffy agreed. She was still feeling dazed and more than a little confused. The marchwarden led her back to the fellowship table and Buffy sat down across from her sisters. She smiled at them weakly. "Hey guys, what'd I miss?"
Pippin looked at her curiously. "Slayer, how do you play this checkers game?"
"Huh?" The strange feelings whirling within the slayer finally began to settle and she met the hobbit's eyes. "Why do you ask?"
Pippin frowned. "Well, Aara said you spent all day playing checkers with your new Elven friend."
Merry nodded. "And we wondered how to play this game."
For a moment she didn't understand. Then a memory popped into her mind. Buffy's mouth fell wide open. She gaped in horror at the hobbits before turning the same look on her sisters. Willow bit her lip hard and her face turned bright red. Dawn and Frodo burst into hysterical laughter.
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End of Chapter
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Well? Feedback? Pretty Please?
Ring Red
By: Ring Red
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! sniffle
Rating: R
Note: Sorry once again for the wait, but the next chapter is finally here! RL is just being horrific lately. Thanks again for all my reviews! You guys totally keep me going! I'm glad you all seemed to approve of the love scene, or didn't hate it entirely, and that you enjoyed the reactions of the other members of the fellowship. I will say that I am having MUCH fun with that relationship and what is and isn't known about it. The Buffy/Legolas cat isn't entirely out of the bag yet...lol. All Willow saw was Buffy and a blonde Elf - she didn't stick around to find out what blonde Elf. And there may be a few more surprises still coming this way for Buffy and her Pest. As for Willow and Dawn? I'll work with them. I'm not rushing them. I want the story to progress naturally. I don't want to force Willow and Dawn to hurry up and hook up with someone just because Buffy has. They won't grow old and gray alone, okay? And I did warn you that Dawn will probably not be hooking up with anyone until the sequel which is a good ways off.
Sorry I can't say more or comment on more of my reviews, but I've got work tomorrow and have to go to bed soon. I do SO appreciate you guys and I'll love you eternally if you keep sending feedback my way! I have a good bit of the next chapter already written (as this was initially all going to be one chapter that got REALLY long) and I'm sure some nice reviews would hurry that right along...lol...and YES this is my shamelessly begging...lol...
Anyway, enough of that...here's the chapter! I hope you enjoy!
OH! Another Note: I know the social that this chapter takes place at wasn't actually in the books or movies. I just wanted to deal with a party, okay? Forgive me for taking liberties!
==========
Chapter Fifteen
==========
Once a week in Lorien the Galadhrim held a type of social with food, music, and dancing among the beautiful lanterns and moonlight. It was at this weekly function that the fellowship next saw Buffy. The brunette slayer was smiling happily as she made her way to the their table. She paused along her path to speak and be spoken to by several different Elves. This behavior was somewhat surprising, but what truly held the fellowship's attention was her changed appearance. The Slayer's long brown hair was pulled back from her face by two Elven braids and hung in loose waves down her back. She wore a beautiful baby blue gown of Elven design. She smiled at their reaction when she reached them. "What's wrong guys? Never seen a girl in a dress before?"
The male members of the fellowship rose to greet her and compliment her appearance. Willow and Dawn just rolled their eyes.
"Slayer, your beauty humbles me." Merry told her smoothly when it was his turn.
Pippin grinned and nodded. "Aye, you should dress as a woman more often, Slayer." This drew him a sharp glance from several of the other men and an elbow to the side from Merry.
Buffy chuckled and reached out to ruffle the hobbit's hair. "I'll keep that in mind, Pip. Can't exactly go stomping off to Mordor in a dress, but it's nice to know I can still do the pretty when I want to."
Willow smirked despite herself. "Cordelia would kill you for that dress. Where'd you get it?"
The companions all retook their seats and Buffy sat down across from Willow and Dawn. "Lady Galadriel sent it to me with a note. She said she knew I didn't have a dress with me and felt I might like to dress up while I had the chance." Buffy eyed both her sisters. They wore gowns as well - Willow in her favorite emerald green and Dawn in midnight blue. "And don't you two look spiffy. You're gonna break some hearts tonight."
That comment drew another frown to Willow's face. Dawn glared hard at her brunette sister. "And what about you, Buff? Been breaking any hearts lately?"
Buffy frowned at her sharp tone. "What's wrong, Dawnie? I thought you'd be happy I'm playing nice."
Dawn looked ready to attack. Willow sighed. "Buffy, we haven't seen you since yesterday morning. Don't you think you should've told us where you'd be? We've been worried sick."
Buffy's eyes widened. "But I'm fine. I thought you'd know that. We're in Lorien. What could've happened?"
"ANYTHING could have happened, Buffy." Dawn growled. "You just disappeared on us. What would you have done if I'd taken off like that? Would there be a tree left standing in the whole damn forest?"
Wincing, Buffy reached across the table for both her sisters' hands. "I'm so sorry. I completely spaced. I thought you'd know I was okay. I never meant to worry you. I was just..." she paused and her face flushed, "I got kinda distracted." Suddenly her food looked very interesting. "You know how Lothlorien is. Lots of distracting things running around."
Having had most of the day to cool off, the two sisters felt the rest of their anger melt away at their sister's sincere words. Now the harder emotion was replaced with amusement. Willow lifted a brow. "Distracting things running around?"
Dawn smirked. "Yeah, Buffy, what distracting things running around exactly? Do these 'things' have names perhaps?"
Buffy face flushed even brighter. "Uh...well...no..." She shook her head and looked back up at her sisters with a far-too-innocent expression. "I've just been...exploring...and...hanging with the Elves."
"And you didn't sleep in the pavilion last night because?" Dawn's smile was equally sweet.
Buffy's eyes widened and she gulped. "Oh yeah, about that. I wanted to get the real feel of Lothlorien. You know," she shrugged unconvincingly, "the full Elven experience. I just bunked down in one of the talans."
Willow and Dawn shared knowing smirks. "And how was that Buffy?" Dawn questioned.
Willow's grin turned evil. "How exactly was your Elven experience, Buffy?"
Buffy bit her lip. "It was...interesting." Then her eyes brightened. The sisters could practically see the light bulb appear above her head. "So interesting in fact that I might just need to study this Elven experience further. You know, for like research purposes. So, if I don't come back to the pavilion on some nights - don't sweat it." She smiled sweetly. "I'm just studying."
Willow and Dawn fought desperately not to laugh. A choking sound down the table saved them. They looked to their other companions. The sound came from the future king. Aragorn was, once again, beet red and apparently choking on whatever he'd been trying to eat. Boromir just shook his head as he beat their leader on the back to help him clear his airway. Gimli threw back his head and roared with laughter at the site. The hobbits were confused at what all the fuss was about. They looked back and forth between Aragorn and the sisters. Legolas sat in the last seat on the table looking supremely bored. His eyes met Buffy's lazily for a moment and a small smirk curved his lips before he looked away.
Buffy ignored that smirk, or did her best to, and frowned at Boromir. "He okay?"
The man of Gondor's eyes were laughing as he met hers. "Aye, Slayer. Aragorn just has a problem digesting certain things." That set Dawn and Willow off into giggles.
A few moments later, Aragorn finally stopped coughing and began to breath normally again. He refused to look in the sisters' direction.
"Arato?"
Buffy looked back to see Haldir standing behind her wearing a grin. She grinned back. "Hey, Haldir. What's up?"
Frowning momentarily over her strange wording, he then shook his head. "I would be honored if you would share the next dance with me?" He held out a hand in invitation.
The slayer bit her lip. She could feel Legolas' eyes burning into her. Still, he had nothing to be jealous of. He needed to chill. But... "I don't actually know any Elven dances, Haldir."
The marchwarden's grin turned knowing. "I am certain you know at least one." Buffy ignored the choking sound that resumed down the table. She couldn't pull her eyes away from Haldir's anyway. He knew. Somehow the Elf knew exactly what she'd been up to and he knew who she'd been doing it with. His eyes twinkled. "I will help you with the more difficult steps."
Buffy felt her face heat again. "Alright, but if I stomp your delicate Elven toes don't blame me." She climbed up from her seat and took his offered hand. She prayed Legolas didn't pull a dumbass again. It was just a dance. As Haldir led Buffy to the floor she began to feel strange. A wave of hot emotion poured through her. She jerked and frowned.
Haldir looked to her concerned. "Are you well, Arato?"
Still frowning, Buffy reached up to rub her forehead. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just..." she met Haldir's gaze, "I feel a little strange all of the sudden." The emotion returned with another flash of heat and...jealousy? "It's almost like I'm channeling..." She remembered where she was and who was listening and snapped her mouth closed. "I'm fine." She brought her eyes back to Haldir's.
His eyes were widened in shock.
"What?" Buffy questioned.
Haldir pulled back on a mask of calm. He shook his head. "Nothing, Arato. Shall we continue or do you need to rest?"
"No, I'm cool." Buffy assured him. "I think I just ate too fast or something." She motioned for him to continue and followed after him.
==========
Willow was pouting. She sat at the fellowship table watching her sister and Haldir dance. The marchwarden laughed as Buffy went left when she should've went right and then gently corrected her. "Pfft!" The witch rolled her eyes and looked to Dawn sitting beside her. "Look at them! It's not fair! They're rubbing it in, you know. They're just loving that I'm never getting my dagger."
Dawn smirked. "And the fact that Buffy knows nothing about the bet?"
"Completely irrelevant."
Dawn nodded. "Right." Still she watched her older sister and the blonde Elf thoughtfully. "It is kind of a shame, though. They'd make a really cute couple." Willow shot her an incredulous look. Dawn shrugged. "Well, I couldn't exactly admit that before. I wanted that crossbow."
Willow grinned and reached over to ruffle Dawn's hair. The brunette glared and swatted away the hand. Willow sighed and looked back over the dance floor. "I guess I shouldn't be all Miss Pouty Face. At least Buffy's happy. I'm sure her...her new Elven friend is very nice."
Now Dawn frowned. "Speaking of Buffy's new Elven friend...where is he? I mean, shouldn't he be the one dancing with our dear sister at the moment?" A smirk curved her lips as Haldir rested his hands on Buffy's waist and the slayer gave a girlie giggle they could hear all the way at their table. "He can't be too happy about her snuggling up to tall, blonde, and studly."
A laugh escaped Willow's throat. "Tall, blonde, and studly?"
Dawn shrugged. "Well, he is." Turning to look at her redheaded sister, Dawn's eyes twinkled. "Are you sure you couldn't recognize Buffy's new Elven friend if you saw him again?"
"NO!" Willow's face flushed. "All I saw was blonde hair and I still saw WAY too much."
Sighing, Dawn rolled her eyes. "Blonde hair? Well, that's just fabulous. That narrows it down to every freakin' Elf in Lorien."
Willow giggled. "Buffy's new Elven friend is her business, Dawnie. She obviously wants us to stay out of it." Dawn stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.
"Slayer has a new Elven friend?" Pippin asked curiously as he picked up on their last statement. "Did she meet them while she was doing her research?
Dawn smirked. "You could say that."
Merry frowned confused. "I don't see what the big deal is. We've all made new Elven friends. It's a bit hard not to in Caras Galadhon."
"We're just curious." Willow told him carefully. "Buffy's new Elven friend is special."
"Special, you say?" Sam questioned. "How do ya mean?"
Willow bit her lip and fought another blush. "Well..."
Pippin grinned. "Slayer was gone all day today. Did they go off on an adventure together?"
Frodo noticed Willow's flushed cheeks and Dawn's laughing eyes. Realization dawned. For a moment he thought he might flush bright red as well, but then a devious twinkle entered his eyes. "Yes, Tasere, do tell us. What grand adventure did Buffy and her Elven friend have? Did it perhaps cost you a dagger?"
Sam frowned. "A dagger?" He looked to his master. "But wasn't that what..." His voice trailed off and his mouth hung open in shock. He blushed as well. "Oh..."
Willow's eyes widened as they met the little ringbearer's. That little poophead! "Uh..."
"Oh what, Sam?" Merry questioned the gardener. "What are you 'oh'-ing about?"
Pippin grinned at Frodo. "And what's this about a dagger, Cousin?" He looked back to Willow. "Did Slayer lose your dagger today on her adventure? What did she and her Elven friend do?"
"Eep..." The witch opened and closed her mouth and tried to think of any reasonable explanation that didn't give away the truth. She could not believe that sweet innocent little Frodo had done this to her. Not only that, but he was grinning at her mischievously even now. He was enjoying this! It had to be the influence of the ring. "Well, Buffy and her...Buffy and her Elven friend...they..."
Dawn's smile was as bright as sunshine. "They played checkers." She sent laughing eyes over to meet Willow's. "They played checkers ALL day."
Willow didn't think she was capable of blushing any harder, but that statement proved her wrong. Flashbacks of Buffybot and Spike popped into mind. Add those flashes to the already fresh images of Buffy and Mystery Elf and Willow wondered vaguely if you could actually die of embarrassment. She groaned and buried her head in her hands.
The companions continued chatting as the food was cleared away and more Elves joined the dance floor. Frodo and Dawn threw veiled sexual comments back and forth every so often just to watch Willow and Sam react. All in all it was a good time.
Buffy and Haldir didn't stop with one dance. Buffy enjoyed this new kind of dancing (though this was certainly no Bronze) and Haldir enjoyed teaching her. They smiled at each other and talked as they moved. The companions continued to watch them.
Pippin, ever slow on the uptake, grinned. "You know, Slayer and Haldir are looking rather chummy." He eyed the rest of the companions. "Do you suppose they fancy each other?"
Willow groaned again as Dawn burst into giggles. Frodo just shook his head and Sam muttered something about thick-headed Tooks.
Merry frowned. "What? I wondered as well."
==========
On the dance floor, Buffy smirked at Haldir. "I'm getting better. Are your feet okay?"
Haldir mock-winced. "Thankfully my people have enhanced healing."
Buffy giggled and reached out to swat him playfully on the arm. "You're just a big Elven baby. I only stepped on them twice."
He lifted one arrogant brow. "Each." He gently ran his hand along her elbow and led her into the next turn.
Buffy opened her mouth to reply, but a surge of anger and jealousy roared through her. With a growl, Buffy slapped Haldir's hand off of her arm. "Don't touch me!"
Haldir's eyes widened. Buffy's did as well. She blinked slowly. "I...I'm sorry. I don't know what happened." She was SO about to panic here. What the hell was going on with her?
Haldir smiled gently, but his eyes were hard and serious. "I believe you and your Prince need to have a talk tonight, Arato."
Her eyes widened further. It was the first time he'd actually brought Legolas up. Buffy nodded. "Okay."
His eyes softened. "Perhaps we should head back to your table now?"
"Sure." Buffy agreed. She was still feeling dazed and more than a little confused. The marchwarden led her back to the fellowship table and Buffy sat down across from her sisters. She smiled at them weakly. "Hey guys, what'd I miss?"
Pippin looked at her curiously. "Slayer, how do you play this checkers game?"
"Huh?" The strange feelings whirling within the slayer finally began to settle and she met the hobbit's eyes. "Why do you ask?"
Pippin frowned. "Well, Aara said you spent all day playing checkers with your new Elven friend."
Merry nodded. "And we wondered how to play this game."
For a moment she didn't understand. Then a memory popped into her mind. Buffy's mouth fell wide open. She gaped in horror at the hobbits before turning the same look on her sisters. Willow bit her lip hard and her face turned bright red. Dawn and Frodo burst into hysterical laughter.
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End of Chapter
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Ring Red
