Spike walked out of his room, dressed in his Elvin get-up. But he wasn't as mad as he was. His duster was covering most of the fruity outfit. He went over to Buffy's door and knocked. He waited a couple of seconds before the door opened. And what Spike saw took his breath away.
Buffy was standing there, looking more radiant than he had ever remembered her being.
Her hair was wavy from not using her straightening iron for the last couple of weeks. It was half up, lazily tied at the back of her head. Her face was bare, not having any make up on. But she still looked gorgeous to him. Her big hazelish-green eyes were staring intently at him. They sparkled with the intensity that only the sun could rival. Never in his life, or even his un- life, had Spike ever felt his knees go weak. Now was the first time.
"What?" She asked
"Nothing, I was just looking at your get-up. I think mine is better than yours" No matter how beautiful a woman was, Spike was always the smart ass. She smiled in return, knowing that he was joking.
The material of her dress was soft and feminine. It was exactly what she was, ever so soft and ever so feminine. But at the same time, with the less girly shade of color, a pale grey, it exuded a sorrowful tone. It was probably exactly what she was feeling at the moment. The girl had a lot of sorrow in her heart that Spike knew no one would ever understand
Not even him.
Even though he wished he could be the one to ease it.
"Well we better get going. Don't want to be late. "Buffy said walking out of her room and closing the door.
They started down the hall way, over to the great hall, where the feast was being held. Both walked in stride with one another. Spike enjoying the silence.
But then Buffy, ever the chatter-box turned to him and said "You look ridiculous with that duster on. It's a fashion No-no" Buffy said, the Californian valley-girl inside her was screaming.
"Well, what do you expect of me luv? I'm not walking in there with the namby- pamby outfit."
"All the guys are going to be wearing it. You don't have to feel embarrassed"
" Well I do. This isn't me. Tight pants, tight shirts…. colors; it's just not me." Spike said irritably.
" Well I was just thinking that maybe they will get insulted at the fact that you are hiding the clothes that they generously offered to you."
"Listen can we just drop it?" Spike asked.
' Sure, fine." Buffy quickly.
When they arrived at the great hall, there were a small number of individuals there. The hobbits were among the group that both of them knew, so Buffy and Spike took up seats next to the four. Spike sat next to Pippin, while Buffy sat next to Spike at the end.
" 'ello!" Pippin said excitedly.
" What's got you all excited Pip?" Buffy asked
"Isn't it obvious luv? Theres going to be a feast. Food galore" Spike said with a smile on his face. The Hobbit nodded with a wide grin.
Finally, more people started to file into the room; including Gandalf and Elrond. All stood once Elrond arrived at his chair.
"Welcome to the feast of the Fellowship. It is in the honor of our brave friends who are going on a perilous journey that will determine the fate of us all." Elrond said as he raised his goblet. "All who are joining Frodo on this quest please rise."
"To a safe trip to you all, and an even safer return" He said before he took a sip of the wine. "Ah before dinner is served. There is something that I would like to tell the nine who are going on this journey, that two more will be joining your quest."
The group looked around curiously to see who the two warriors to join the journey were.
"Will Master…. Spike and Lady Buffy please stand." Elrond said, hesitating on Spikes odd name. Buffy and Spike did rise, only to be greeted with a cackling laugh from the scruffy blond man named Boromir.
" Elrond, you have got to be jesting. You plan to send a woman, one who looks young enough to be a child, on this perilous journey?" Boromir said chocking back another laugh.
'It is true, I am not jesting" Elrond said serenely.
"Is there any reason to send such a helpless looking female on this death trip?" Buffy's hot blond elf asked.
"Yes there is. These two, it may seem obvious to most, are not of this world. It is through the hobbits that we learned that these two fell from the sky through a vortex" A couple nodded in understanding "We are planning on sending them back to their land as soon as Gandalf reaches Isengard"
" Isengard is no longer friendly towards the light. Why must we go there to send them back? Why not have Gandalf do it here, in Rivendell, where there is no fear of enemy's eyes watching?" Asked Boromir
"Because Boromir, I do not have the means in doing such an act. Isengard may have turned towards Sauron, but it still does contain things that are of some use .Among those are the means of opening such a portal to send our two friends back home" Gandalf said.
Silence then followed. The group seemed to excepting this new circumstance.
"And we must protect them? Along with the Hobbits?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes, but we plan on giving Buffy and Spike some sparring lessons. The basics will be learned. That is why I need you, Aragorn and You, Legolas to aid in training them tomorrow." Buffy's hot elf nodded. So that's his name' Buffy thought.
Buffy was trying not to tell these people off for them calling her a helpless girl many times throughout the conversation. She kept her cool, which was very unlike her. Normally, she would have told them to fuck off and storm out. But she didn't, which made her very proud of herself.
"Tomorrow at dawn, you will train with Aragorn and Legolas tomorrow." Elrond said to Buffy and Spike. "And now that this is over, let the feast begin."
Dinner was then served. The food was delicious and savory. Never had Buffy tasted something so… tasty. It was probably loaded with fat. Buffy could feel all of this go to her thighs and butt. But she didn't care. This food was too good to pass up.
Spike was enjoying his meal as well. It was no onion-flower or spicy Buffalo wings, but it was just as good.
Soon everyone started sidelong conversations with the people next to them. Spike spoke with Pippin. They were speaking joyously over past events. Gandalf spoke with Elrond and Frodo.
Buffy quietly listened to Spike and Pippins conversation, picking at her food.
"What are you?" Buffy was startled when the elf next to her (Her hot one that she was eyeing before) asked her a question
"Come again?" Buffy asked confused.
"Sorry, I did not introduce myself to you. I am Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I was just wondering what you were." He blushed.
"Well I'm human." Buffy stated slightly confused by his question.
"Yes, but I can sense something about you. Magic floats about you and your friend. You both exude something I have never seen before."
"And what is that?" Buffy asked.
"I don't exactly know yet what it is with your friend there. But with you, it's a confusing combination of darkness and purity." His eye locked with hers. It sent shivers down Buffy's spine. "You have a dark aura around you, a warrior's aura who has only seen the worst of things. But you are only a woman, so this cannot be true. Maybe it's left over magic from your travels between worlds." He laughed slightly.
"Maybe" Buffy said with a smile on her face. Why tell this gorgeous guy about her alarming strength now? Couldn't she just be normal for once? " So tomorrow, your training Spike and I? I must warn you, I sometimes get carried away." Buffy lied.
"Do not worry. Its really simple once you gain your skill."
"Yea I guess" Buffy smiled.
"So lady…. Buffy. How do you plan on keeping up with us through this journey?" Asked Boromir as he chewed on his steak.
"Don't worry buddy. I'm sure I won't find it that difficult to keep up with you men. In fact, you may be surprised that I'm much more than you expect." Buffy said icily.
"If you say so." Boromir chuckled.
Now this really got Buffy going. Now more than anything, she wanted prove her strength to these buffoons. Not very super heroe like of her, but she didn't care anymore. This chivalry stuff was really getting to her. A moment ago, she didn't want to show her ability to the elf next to her, but to appear innocent and small. Now she wanted to prove what she really was; the ultimate ass kicker.
Spike could feel Buffy tensing up next to her. He could sense her annoyance coming off of her in waves. She was going to be dangerous tomorrow. Pent up anger really made Buffy much more of a deadly fighter. Spike made a note to himself to stay out of her way.
"What is it woman? I have heard that you are a great talker from lord Aragorn. But here you are, your tongue is there back behind your teeth, not uttering a word." He said jovially.
"You have no idea to whom you are speaking to. You don't know me, nor does Aragorn. I choose not to answer back to your stupidity." 'Woah, Buffy thought 'where is all this maturity coming from?'
"Good move girl. But I will make sure that I will come to your training lesson tomorrow, to see how much stupidity is within me. And believe me, I am no mere peasant." Boromir said acidly. This woman really was something else.
Sensing the anger coming off of Buffy, Gandalf spoke up "Boromir, I do believe that this is not time to start with our guests." And at that, everything was finished.
The rest of dinner was mostly eaten in silence. Conversation between others remained, but Buffy, Spike or Boromir did not speak. Dessert was delicious with many sweets and pastries. Buffy could literally feel every calorie going to her butt. This wasn't a refined carb, and Doctor Atkins would not be happy about her jumping off the bandwagon. But the food was amazingly delicious and Buffy felt it was worth it.
They were all getting ready to leave when Legolas turned quickly to Buffy "Would you mind if I walked you back to your dormitory?" He asked
Buffy quickly answered with a 'Yes'.
He offered his arm to Buffy in a gentlemanly fashion. She accepted with a big smile on her face and they were off.
Spike watched with a pained look on his face as the two walked away. He could not help but feel his heart break at that moment. Even though he knew Buffy would never love him, it still pained him when he saw her with another man; or in this case, Elf. He loved Buffy more than she would know, and it killed him everyday what he would never know that it would be like to be hers; to be loved by her and to know that he was hers. Like Angel knew.
Spike retreated back to his dormitory, his mind reeling with emotion
Buffy and Legolas walked in relative silence. Finally Buffy, who could not bear the uncomfortable silence anymore, opened her mouth with the first dumb thing she could think of "So you're a prince, what's it like?" What the hell was she saying?
He laughed "What an interesting question." His blue eyes sparkled " I have never been asked what it is like to be a prince. But, there's a first time for everything. But to answer your question my dear, it's nice being a prince, albeit a bit stressful. There really is no need to get into it"
"Oh I can understand stress, believe me." Buffy said.
"How would you know what the feeling of immense stress is like?" Legolas inquired.
"My job is one big stress fiesta. You don't know what that means do you?" Buffy asked at the look on his face. "I won't even bother explaining. But yes, it's very stressful."
"A beautiful woman such as you should not have to endure such terrible feelings." Legolas said quietly "You should lounge in the sun like the queen you are."
Buffy blushed at this comment, but she had to agree, "Tell me about it."
The couple arrived at Buffy's door moments later. For Buffy, it felt strange because it felt like she just got off from a date with this guy… elf. An elf to which she had just met hours ago. Is this what men usually did? Walk you to your house after a date? If they did this in Sunnydale, it would make her job a whole lot harder. More people out at night meant more bodies to count in the morning/ Buffy were so not into the dating scene right now, and her current rendezvous' was usually with a 190 year old vampire. But you could never call that dating.
"Well this is where I get off." Buffy said awkwardly. God was she sixteen again?
"I've had a wonderful night in your company Lady Buffy. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow." With that he kissed her hand and left.
Buffy was never into dating. But one thing she could say is that dating in another dimension where the men are chivalrous and polite is a hell of a lot better than dating in the 21st century. But she still hated chivalry; polite bastards.
"The air has shifted.
The tide has changed.
The moons phases have lost their track.
Two strangers announce their arrival
An enemy who is deceiving to the eye
A heart full of strength and hope
A warrior of old
A warrior once thought gone
The darkness richness consumes the warrior
Darkness that only the evil at heart know
The warrior was created from this darkness
Sarumans eyes widened at the parchment in his hand. How could it be? A warrior of old, that was once thought gone? He was terminally confused about this. What was this all about? He has studied the books and knew every page. But this, this message was something that he had never seen. Was it a sign? Was it a prophecy? If it was, then this matter should not be ignored. He would see to this soon.
The only warrior of old that Saruman could think of was the Varno. A powerful and deadly fighter, but it had been long thought that he had gone missing before the Dark Age.
But He could not deny he felt something was off. For a very long time, Saruman had felt magic in the air. Something deeply dark and powerful was out there, and it was calling to him. The air hummed, just as it was stated in this prophecy. He felt something in the distance, a growing force. It haunted him. Whatever was out there, if this warrior was truly out there, he needed to find it.
And so the day began, with the sun shining brightly through Spikes window. Out of reflex, as a ray of sunlight streamed out of the window he felt the warmth on the sheets, he jerked his foot away. This normal vampiric reflex woke him. His eyes fluttering open, from the annoying streams of light. Spike groaned. He forgot to close the curtains again. This was a recurring incident every morning. His mind was always else where at night.
Namely Buffy.
Spike put the pillow over his head, blocking the sunlight from irritating his eyes. Slowly but surely, he felt himself falling back into the bliss that was sleep.
Tap…….tap….tap.
"Shit!" swore Spike at the sound of the tapping on his door. I sleepily got up from his bed and went to the door and opened it, only to find the object of his blissful dreams standing on the other side.
"You ready to kick some snooty chivalrous ass?" Buffy asked brightly. She wasn't dressed in any elfish get-up, just normal clothes. Her eyes were glistening with excitement and she was holding two swords. Spike got a very, very strong feeling that she was going to be hell to deal with today. "Here" She handed him one of the swords.
"You're in a mood I have not seen in a long while luv. I presume you're excited about showing off you ass kicking abilities"
"You have NO idea." She enunciated boldly." But I have a plan. I want to play a trick on them; especially Boromir and Strid- Aragorn, whatever his name is."
"Really? That sounds nice luv. And a hell ova lotta fun" He said with a wide grin forming on his face "So how are we going to do this?"
"Well they think that we're, especially me, weak losers. We'll play along with that for a while. And then all of a sudden POW! Show them the bitchin' ass kicker Buffy is." She was getting excited.
"Hey what about Spike? Am I not an ass kicker too?" Spike said sounding hurt.
"Oh, you are. But I'm a better ass kicker than you. That's always been an obvious factor"
Now this got Spike going "Bullocks! How can you say that? I've kicked more ass than you luv! I killed two damn slayers, not many vamps have achieved that. Not even peaches in L.A!"
"Oh, but you never killed me." She said simply.
"You never killed yours truly either."
She thought for a moment. "Okay, I guess we can call it a match. But I'm telling you, later, your mine beyotch!"
'Always have been yours luv' Spike thought to himself. They walked in silence for the next couple of minutes, until finally they met up with Legolas and Aragorn. Buffy was disappointed Boromir was not there "I thought Boromir was coming?"
"I'm right here lady Buffy." He announced from behind her. "Wouldn't miss the opportunity to see the lady grace us with her skills." Every word he spoke, made Buffy seethe with anger. 'You're mine asshole' Buffy thought.
"Alright let's start." Aragorn said in a business like manner. "Now, both of you, do you know how to handle a sword."
"Not bloody rocket science." Spike said only to receive three confused looks. In response, Spike just held the sword the right way, just to make them to stop staring at him. Spike also noticed Buffy was in a very strange position with the blond elf. He was showing her how to hold the sword, and Buffy was smiling like mad at her current close proximity to the elf. Spike all of a sudden felt a surge of anger swell within his being. Now he was going to be worse than Buffy when it comes to fighting. The elf was his.
"Now, for the most effective way of fighting, you make a clean sweep from your shoulder to you're hip on the other side, with this edge of the blade towards you're enemy." Aragorn spoke, sounding like one of Buffy's college professors.
They followed through with the swords practice for about 15 minuets. Buffy looked over at Spike and could tell that he was bored senseless. She was too, but she was waiting for the right moment to show all she was worth. The moment finally came.
" I think we are ready for you first sparring lesson." Aragorn said "This is where you learn the most in fighting-"Buffy drowned out his monotone voice. Now was her time to kick some ass! Aragorn went to go duel with Buffy, but she quickly stepped over to Boromir, giving him a menacing glare.
The duel started Buffy with Boromir and Spike with Legolas. Buffy pretended to act like a beginner for a while, and as soon as she noticed Boromir was getting bored, she decided it was time. She sent a glance over in Spike's direction for the signal.
"Alright buddy, you getting bored?"
"No, I'm quite content lady. But to be truthful I'm quite tired of this." He said
On the count of three, Boromir thrusts his sword at Buffy. She ducks, backs away from his second swing, wheels and kicks his legs out from under him. He goes down and Buffy gets on top of him, blocks another swing, and pins him. He drops the sword. Boromir looks dumbfounded; as does Aragorn.
"Did that wake you up?" Buffy asked proudly.
"You've had training?" He asked surprised.
"Sure do. More training than I'd like anyone to know" Her voice was hard and sorrowful.
"Well I don't think you have enough training. Another go?" He asked, getting in the stance to fight. Buffy was more than eager to show her abilities and strength. Since she did not show them her alarming strength yet, she figured this was the time to let it shine.
They stood in the correct stance to fight. Both raised their swords in anticipation. Buffy took the first shot, ever the impatient slayer. He blocked it. In fact she just kept on thrusting her sword in his direction, and all he did was block. Boromir seemed like he was having trouble blocking her blows too. They had strength and speed he never knew existed in a human, let alone a girl.
Aragorn and Legolas watched as Buffy fought with the speed and grace of a thousand elves. Her feet were light and her posture was perfect. Boromir just blocked, looking even more surprised with every blow she sent his way. Then he saw his chance as she dropped her shoulder, he thrust his sword down to her. But to his surprise she brought up her foot and kicked the sword out of his hands and to the ground to his left. He made an attempt to go and retrieve it, but he felt a little hand garb hold of his shoulder. After that, all was blur as he felt himself flying in the air. With a loud thud, he felt his back bruise as if connected with the stone floor.
"How did you do that?" he asked
"Hey Spike can do just as worse." Buffy said matter of factly.
"You threw him across the room. You have strength that no normal being obtains" Aragorn said. "Perhaps you are not an ally as we suspected. But a foe within our midst" He said as he drew up his sword.
"Hey, I'm a friend. Just because I have alarming strength doesn't mean I want to tear the flesh off your bones!" Buffy said nervously. At that comment, the three warriors eyes widened at her alarming description
Upon noticing it Buffy added nervously "Not that I would actually do that. Spike has the same strength as me. Watch " Buffy went over to her friend punching him in the face.
"Bloody hell!" Spike yelped. She did it again.
And again.
She started to beat him to a bloody pulp.
Until she got the reaction she was looking for.
For Spike had gotten angry enough to throw her across the room. But she had not intended to get him so angry that his Vampiric face came through. The three warriors gasped at the transformation.
"You may say you are an ally. But you're true colors, or face I may say, has finally shown through!" Aragorn yelled. Aragorn and Boromir raised their swords while Legolas hesitantly brought up his bow. "Are you aligned with Saruman to spy on us?" Aragorn asked harshly.
"No." Buffy asked.
"Come with us." Aragorn got behind them along with Legolas, forcing them somewhere.
"Where are you taking us?" Spike asked.
"The Rivendell prison." Legolas said simply. He was right behind Buffy and she could tell by the sound of his voice that he was hurt that she had deceived him.
Sure enough, they did lead them to a prison, or dungeon. The three locked the two other worldly friends in a cell and walked off.
"Are you that fucken daft slayer?" Spike yelled turning to her as soon as they left.
"Excuse me mister British man, don't use any of that talk with me. You certainly know well enough that I know what 'daft' means."
" Well at least you know something! Didn't you think for just as second that as soon as I vamped out, that they would wig? Why do you think I've been putting feeding for so long? Buffy this is our only ticket to home. If you just would have thought for just a second, that making they think we are spies is not a good thing? You are such a bloody genius in everything else Buffy, but this, you screwed up big time."
"I know Spike! Don't you think I'm feeling bad right now? I have another fucken world to save and yet, here I am stuck in a prison in another dimension where there is no chocolate. A world where every man is stuck up and chivalrous. Where I can't save my loved ones when they are in need of me the most? I know I screwed up Spike. But I have a feeling this will work out."
" How do you know?" He asked.
" Women's intuition." She said simply.
" Ah something I will never understand." He sat down next to her on the bench, setting his elbows on his knees and resting his hands in the palms of his hands. They were silent for a while. The dungeon was dark and dreary. It bothered Buffy, reminding her of the cave she met the first Turuk kahn. Spike actually didn't mind, reminded him of his crypt.
" Spike."
"Yea?"
"What does 'daft' mean?"
$&%&$%%$#&
So sorry that took so long. Had writers block and everything. Been busy with the new horse, and honestly, I had other more important things to do. Sorry for the wait.
Next chapter should be up soon…
Review.. because we all know how I love that. I really and truly do…
Later
