Title: Miles to Go

By: Ring Red

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING! (pout)

Rating: R

Note: Okay, here's the next chapter. It's a pretty long one. Sorry for the wait again, but life will be life. On the upside, we're finally leaving Lothlorien! We'll actually be getting back to some action soon.

I want to thank everyone who reviewed. You guys are great and you really keep me going. I love the comments and suggestions. They just make my day.

Okay, I'm trying to keep this short so we can just get into the chapter. Thanks again for all the reviews!

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Chapter Eighteen
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Pippin poked his head into the pavilion and grinned at two sisters. "Tasere, Aara, Slayer's sparring with Legolas! We're going to go watch. Will you join us?"

Willow's eyebrows shot up. "She's sparring with Legolas?"

"I thought they weren't speaking to each other." Dawn mumbled.

Merry's head joined Pippin's and he rolled his eyes. "Well, they don't have to, do they? They just have to try to beat each other."

Pippin nodded. "Speech not required."

Willow and Dawn shared a glance. Willow shrugged. "I don't want to miss this." She climbed to her feet.

"Me either." Dawn agreed.

A smirk curved Willow's lips. "Besides, knowing those two I'll be needed for medical assistance."

Ten minutes later the rest of the fellowship had been gathered and they all made their way to the training areas. They spotted a small group of spectators. The audience formed a loose circle and Buffy and Legolas were obviously already sparring beyond them for the sounds of metal upon metal rang through the air. Willow noticed Haldir's familiar form among the spectators and jogged over to stand beside him. "Hey."

Haldir acknowledged her arrival and greeting with a nod.

Willow frowned. "What's wrong? Why aren't you sparring with Buffy? Did you two have a fight?"

Haldir's gaze turned amused. "Arato and I have not quarreled, Tasere. Legolas wished for his chance against her. Who am I to deny him?" He didn't add that he'd never been given the chance to object to being replaced. Had the marchwarden attempted to stake a claim he had no doubt that it would now be himself and the Prince in a far-less-friendly match. But Buffy did not wish this information revealed to her sisters or the fellowship as yet. Haldir did not understand why Buffy and Legolas continued to conceal their involvement, but it was not his place to interfere.

"What is this new weapon that Slayer wields?" Aragorn asked curiously as the other companions caught up to Willow.

Willow continued to watch Haldir. He was hiding something and it bugged her. She really didn't want to believe it, but the poor guy was obviously pining after Buffy.

"Oh my god! Will look!" Dawn nudged Willow in the side and then pointed for her redheaded sister to look at Buffy. Willow frowned and complied, then her mouth dropped open in surprise. "The scythe! Where'd she get the scythe?"

Willow saw now that Buffy and Legolas were not fighting with swords or daggers as she'd assumed. Legolas swung an ax and Buffy somehow had the slayer scythe. How could it be here? Was it maybe just a copy? Willow watched as Buffy spun in the air and twisted the scythe in an intricate move before bringing it down to clash against Legolas' ax. The warrior and weapon were too perfect - too balanced. That was no copy. To confirm her suspicions, Willow muttered a magic revealing spell under her breath. Both Buffy and the scythe lit up like Christmas trees.

"Is that really it?" Dawn asked quietly.

Willow nodded. As the fight continued it become even more obvious. Legolas was an extremely skilled Elven warrior. Save Buffy, Legolas was the strongest fighter in the fellowship, but he couldn't even touch the slayer with her current weapon. The scythe was made to enhance and strengthen the slayer and it was doing its job. Willow didn't know if there existed a warrior capable of besting Buffy when the scythe was in her sister's hands. Watching Buffy move was watching art - watching magic.

"What is this scythe?" Aragorn questioned.

"The slayer's weapon - Buffy's weapon." Dawn answered. "But it isn't supposed to be here. Buffy didn't have it when...when we fell. Faith had the scythe. It should still be back on our Earth."

"Well the lass certainly fights well with it." Gimli mused. "I didna believe her capable of fighting better than she did with those daggers a few days past."

"Nor did I." Boromir agreed. "But we were both wrong."

Aragorn nodded. "I pity the foe to face it in a true battle."

Gimli chuckled. "I pity the Elf to face it in this mock one. He's not looking so very impressive now, is he? I do believe he's even getting a might dirty." As they spoke, Buffy tripped Legolas and he fell backward toward the ground. Rolling with the fall, the Prince sprang back to his feet and the match continued.

Dawn giggled. "I'm almost certain I can see a tangle in his hair."

"Oh hush up, you two." Willow rolled her eyes.

The match came to an end shortly thereafter and Buffy ran over to join her companions. "Lookie what the Valar gave me! Isn't it pretty?"

The companions laughed and Willow and Dawn quickly began questioning their sister. Buffy answered them as well as she could with other people listening. "Galadriel and I had this long talk about the Powers and the Valar and our destiny. I have loads to fill you two in on." She paused and smiled widely. "Then she had me pull the scythe out of her mirror. It's my gift from the Valar. They give way better gifts than the Powers do."

"Huh?" The sisters asked together.

Buffy snickered. "As I said - I have loads to fill you two in on. Let's go find somewhere private." The slayer turned and tossed the scythe lightly to Legolas. He caught it and looked at her with lifted brows. Buffy smirked. "Watch it for me while we talk, okay? I'm not heading back to the pavilion and I don't want to have to lug it around."

"Of course." Legolas agreed.

"I'll find you later and get it back." She assured him. Then ignoring the expressions of amazement on most of her companions faces, and the knowing smirk on Boromir's, Buffy grabbed one stunned sister with each arm and turned them off into the forest.

It took precisely two minutes for the shock to wear off. Dawn spoke first. "Uh, Buffy? Something you need to tell us?"

Buffy just grinned. "About what?"

"Pfft." Willow pulled away from Buffy's arm and mock-glared at her sister. "You just left the SCYTHE with Legolas - your Elven nemesis?"

The slayer rolled her eyes. "Yeah, so?" Both sisters just stared at her. Buffy couldn't help but snicker. If they only knew. "Oh, did I forget to tell you?"

"Tell us what?" Dawn questioned.

Buffy smiled sweetly. "Legolas and I called a truce again. We decided that since we're going to have to put up with each other for the rest of the journey we might as well not be at each other's throats all the time. It's the only rational thing to do."

Willow looked doubtful. "Uh Buffy..."

Dawn was less tactful. "Since when are you rational?"

"Hmph." Buffy stuck her nose in the air and walked on.

Willow bit her lip as she watched Buffy go and hesitantly began to follow with Dawn. "Maybe this is for the best. Things would go much more smoothly if they..."

"They'll be scratching each other's eyes out by the end of the week." Dawn cut her off.

Willow snorted in agreement. "I better practice my healing magicks."

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Despite the sisters' predictions, the remainder of the fellowship's stay in Caras Galadhon was peaceful and wonderful. All their cares just seemed to disappear - or at any rate they were held firmly at bay by the magic of the Golden Wood. The companions each worked to strengthen their friendships and to heal the wounds left on their hearts by the loss of Gandalf. The wizard's fall had not been forgotten, but they found that they still had the hope to carry on as he would have wanted.

Far more soon than they wished the time to depart grew near. The night before Frodo and Sam had made their fateful trip into the glade to Galadriel's Mirror and now the fellowship prepared to move on. The companions lined up and faced those coming to bid them farewell. Each member of the fellowship was given clothing and an Elven cloak and pin. They were also supplied with plenty of Elven waybread, or lembas, and other essentials. Then the Lord and Lady arrived to see them off. They presented the fellowship with individual gifts to remember Lothlorien by.

The sisters watched with interest as their companions received their foretold gifts. They 'ahh'ed over Aragorn's beautiful sheath for Andúril and Legolas' equally beautiful bow. They snickered when Gimli received his hairs and Sam finally got the rope he'd been longing for. They stared fascinated at the vial of light given to Frodo. Then it was their turn.

Buffy shook her head as Galadriel stopped in front of her. "Nope. I've got my gifts and I more than appreciate them." She held up her scythe as proof.

Galadriel smiled. "But your scythe is a gift from the Valar, Arato - not from Lothlorien. Please accept this token." She brought forth another beautiful Elven sheath, this one made to strap to Buffy's back and hold the scythe.

Buffy eyed it longingly and finally sighed. "Okay, but no more." She smiled and allowed the powerful elleth to assist her in putting it on. Then she pushed the scythe firmly into place.

The Lady reached out to stroke the slayer's cheek softly. "I hope you will visit us again when your quest is over."

Buffy grinned. "Definitely. You won't be able to get rid of me."

Galadriel moved on to stand before Willow. "Lady Tasere, I wish I had been given the chance to know you better during your short time here. I hope you will return with Arato when she visits."

Willow blushed at the kind words. "I would be honored to visit Lothlorien again, my Lady. I have never seen such beauty as within the Golden Wood."

The Lady smiled. "I also offer this for your journey." She turned and took a beautiful red wooden staff from the arms of another Elf. She presented it to Willow. "I know that your power is not yet fully rooted to Middle Earth and that a staff is not necessary for your craft, but this tool will enhance your power. May it keep you grounded during hard times to come."

Willow eagerly accepted the staff and looked it over. Several beautiful Elven symbols were carved into the wood and it hummed at the witch's touch. She smiled. "Thank you so much. I'll always treasure it."

Galadriel reached Dawn and her eyes glowed with knowledge of things to come. "Lady Aara, you have only just begun. Weather the coming battles and prepare yourself, Key, for the Valar have much in store for you. Hold fast to those that you love and know your own heart." Dawn's eyes widened and Galadriel stroked her cheek in the same soothing way she stroked her older sister's. "Fear not. Have faith and remain true to yourself and all will be well."

Dawn nodded as the soothing touch worked its magic.

Galadriel smiled gently. "And here is my gift to you." She turned to take the item from another Elf's hands. It was a beautiful silver chain with a bright green stone embedded in a leaf dangling from it. She leaned forward and clasped the chain around Dawn's neck. "The stone lies dormant now, but it will awaken and guide you home when it is needed. Wear it always."

Dawn nodded again. "Thank you, my Lady."

Galadriel tilted her head. "We shall meet again, Aara. Take care until then."

Finally all the members of the fellowship were led to the boats and said goodbye to the Golden Wood. Galadriel's beautiful voice filled the air as she sang a song in the ancient tongue of the Elves beyond the Sea and they all watched her slowly disappear from sight. The further they rowed the more the magic of Lothlorien faded. It was as though their visit there was but a walk through a dream. Cold reality now stretched out before them, but still they held fast to their renewed strength. The fellowship would carry on.

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End of Chapter!
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Hope to hear from you soon,

Ring Red