Hello everyone! The next chapter will be out on Sunday.

Review Responses:

harmoni, hee hee, just the kind of response I was hoping for. Read on to find out what happens to her and Aragorn....

John, I hadn't explained it until that chapter so you hadn't missed anything.

Kyra2, you get to find out in this chapter...

LOTR Notes:

Isengard - city that holds Orthanc, which is where Saruman lives.

A/N:

The next two chapters take place exclusively on Middle Earth.

Because fanfiction. net seems to have issues in allowing special characters used in these fics. When they are speaking Elvish it will look like this. When telepathy is being used, it will look like this.

Chapter Twenty-One

Arrivals

Draco caught Spike's wince as he dismounted. They had reached the fortress shortly after the townspeople. He had to admit that he did feel a bit safer behind the huge rock walls.

The fortress sat in a great bay of the mountains. The walls stood at least thirty feel high with one huge tower called the Hornburg. A causeway led up to the gate located in the tower.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked as he walked up to his uncle.

"An orc got lucky and cut my arm," Spike answered.

"It's got to be bad if it's still bothering you," Draco said, trying to get a look.

Spike twisted out of his grasp. "It's fine, just a scratch with a poison tipped blade. Nothing my healing powers can't handle."
"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Go check on Dawn and Harry. I'll take care of the horses." When Draco didn't move, he gave him a light push. "Take care of your girlfriend and friend. They need you as much as you need them."

Draco nodded and began looking for Dawn and Harry. The two had been wrapped up in their grief and he had left them alone. Therefore, they had gotten separated, forcing him to search now.

He understood their pain for he had the same hole in his heart. The redhead had been the first of Dawn's friends who had accepted him for who he was. She had shown him kindness and compassion while her brother ranted and raved at her for doing so. It was she who had helped him get back together with Dawn after their first huge fight.

Now she was gone. He would never hear her joyful laughter, have her trusted advice and willing ear to listen ever again. She was gone.

The blond swallowed back his tears as he found Dawn and Harry. They looked around lost and confused, as if they couldn't remember how they got there. He quickly walked up to them. "Come on. Let's find a place to rest," he said as he gently lead them inside.

Dawn and Harry mutely let him lead them through the people. They had stilled their faces until they could grieve again in private.

It didn't take Draco long to find an empty room and he pulled the two inside. Once he had shut the door, Dawn and Harry dropped to the floor as one. Draco crossed to them and joined them. He wrapped his arms around them and only then did he let his tears fall.

"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I know she was your friend, too. I was just so angry."
"It's ok, Potter. I was a bit angry myself."

"It's my fault she's dead," Harry choked out. "I should have never started dating her, it's just too dangerous. She never would have followed me here if we weren't dating."

"You don't know that," Draco said.

Harry pulled back to look at him and Dawn. "Are you sure? She said herself that she wasn't going to let me wander in another dimension without her. It's my fault."

"She would have come anyways."

"No! It was because I was foolish enough to involve her. I should have waited until Voldemort was defeated before..."

"Stop it!" Dawn cried. "If Buffy had waited until her life wasn't dangerous she wouldn't have dated anybody, let alone Spike. Don't let Voldemort keep you from living the life you want to lead."

His green eyes overflowed with tears. "I can't believe she's gone. I didn't even get a chance to tell her that I loved her."

Dawn pulled him back into the group hug. "She knew. You didn't have to tell her, she already knew."

scenebreak

Ginny grunted as she slowly dragged Aragorn's unconscious body out of the water and onto the rocky shore. She had been able to get her wand out and slow their descent some, but they had still hit the water at a good speed. It had knocked the air out of her and she had lost Aragorn for several long seconds.

He had hit the water harder and had already started floating down the river. She swam over to him and tried to keep his head out of the water. It had been a painfully long time before the cliffs had given way to an accessible shoreline.

She sat on the ground next to him as she took a short breather and checked over her injuries. Somehow she had only ended up with a few cuts and bruises. Deciding she would live, she turned to inspect the Ranger.

A long cut on his arm had already stopped bleeding, but she ripped the edge of her tunic to bandage it. A large knot on the side of his head worried her though.

"Aragorn... Aragorn, wake up," she said as she shook him. "Oh please wake up, I don't know where to go."

"Arwen," he whispered.

"No, no Arwen. Just Ginny."

His eyes fluttered open and it took several seconds for them to focus upon her. "Where are we?"
"On the bank of the river, farther downstream. Can you sit up?"

He gingerly pushed himself up and gasped in pain.

"What's wrong? What hurts?"

"My head," he answered as he pressed the heel of his palm to his forehead.

She pulled her wand out and waved it while muttering a few words. "How's that?"

"A little better," he said releasing his head.

"Wish I could do more but I haven't had any first-aid classes. The only reason I know that one is because of all our quidditch injuries," she said in way of apology.

Aragorn looked around to get his bearings. "We must continue on to Helm's Deep."

"We'll never make it on foot."

A smile crossed his face. "Who said we were going on foot?" He asked as he gestured behind her.

Her jaw dropped when she saw Brytta standing a few feet away. "How is that possible?"

"There are a few rare horses who are so loyal to their owner that they'll follow them unto the ends of the earth."

Ginny slowly stood and approached her horse. Brytta bent down to nuzzle her cheek. "But why me?"

"Only the horse knows why. He's named after a very generous king of Rohan," he answered as he came up beside her. "Perhaps he senses that he can provide something for you."

She could only stare at the horse in wonder.

"Come, we must continue on." He stood there and waited. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah. I was just waiting for you to get on him first."

"Nay, my lady. He has chosen his master. I would not demean his choice by removing the reins from your hands."

"You mean..."

"Yes, you are to sit in front."

Swallowing nervously, she climbed into the saddle then waited for him to join her. When he was seated, she urged the horse forward.

They had been riding for hours when Aragorn spotted something on the horizon. "Hold up," he said.

Ginny followed his gaze. A weight plummeted in her stomach as she saw the black bodies marching forward. "What are they?'

"Uruk-hais. They're marching on Rohan. We must hurry."

Not needing to be told twice, Ginny kicked her heels and they raced towards Helm's Deep.

scenebreak

Spike heard excited voices and he looked out to see two very familiar figures riding through the gate. "Buffy, luv. You've got to see this."

Confused by the cheer she heard in his voice, she walked over to the window. "Oh my god," she breathed. Dawn, you guys need to go to the king's throne room.

Why?

Just trust me. All three of you need to go. Buffy ordered.

We'll be there in a sec.

Buffy grabbed Spike's arm. "Come on!"

The two made it to the courtyard in time to hear Gimli growl, "I'm gonna kill him!"

Gimli made his way to Aragorn and said, "You are the luckiest, the canniest and the most reckless man I ever knew!" He wrapped his short arms around the Ranger's waist. "Bless you, laddie."

Ginny had little time to giggle before she found herself in a bone-crushing hug.

"Don't scare me like that again," Buffy cried.

"Air," Ginny croaked. Buffy lessened her hold, but only slightly. "Sorry, I'll try not to."

"My turn," Spike growled and Ginny was suddenly in the vampire's arms. "You gave us a good scare."

"Didn't mean to. I was trying to help Aragorn," she said into his shoulder.

"And help me she did. But we must speak with the king," Aragorn said seriously.

"Yeah, it's not good," Ginny added.

The five headed to the hall where the king was, but were stopped outside of the door by Legolas.

"Le ab-dollen. You're late." The elf looked the man over and frowned slightly. "You look terrible."

Aragorn couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. He looked down as Legolas handed him the knife he had left in the orc.

"Try to hold onto your weapon next time."

"Hannon le. Thank you" Aragorn said before embracing his friend.

Legolas turned to Ginny. "I am glad to see you again, Lady Ginny. I was saddened by the thought that the world was without your beautiful voice."

A blush crept up on her cheeks. Cheeks that got redder when the elf hugged her as well.

"Sweet Merlin," Draco whispered when he saw the two figures by the door.

"Oh my god," Dawn echoed.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming," Harry insisted. "Please tell me that I'm not dreaming."

"Nope. Here in the flesh," Ginny said as she walked over to them.

Harry threw his arms around her and pulled her close. "I thought I had lost you."

"I'm not going anywhere," she assured him.

He pulled back and looked into her brown eyes. "I love you. I didn't want another second to slip by without telling you that."
She smiled. "I knew, but it was nice to hear you say it. I love you, too."

Dawn and Draco could restrain themselves no longer and threw their arms around the embracing couple.

After a few moments Spike spoke up. "As touching as this is kiddies, we need to have a chat with the king."
The four broke apart, except Harry kept Ginny's hand firmly in his own. They followed the rest of their company into the hall where the king unknowingly awaited them.

After Théoden got over the initial shock of seeing Aragorn and Ginny alive, the Ranger got down to business.

"On our ride here, Lady Ginny and I saw a great host of Uruk-hai heading this way."
"It was huge," the redhead added.

"A great host you say?" Théoden asked thoughtfully.

"All Isengard is emptied. They are ten thousand strong at least."
"Ten thousand?!" Théoden asked in surprise.

"No biggie. Spike and I can take care of the first nine thousand, you guys can have the rest," Buffy said cheekily.

Théoden whirled to face her. "This is no game, girl. This is no time for laughter."

Her eyes narrowed. "Who said I was laughing?"
Aragorn stepped between them. "They will be here by nightfall."

"Let them come!" Théoden and Buffy said at the same time.

The king glared at her, then turned to a man they had been introduced to as Gamling. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall."
Gamling nodded and left.

"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."
"This is no rabble of mindless orcs," Gimli protested. "These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep," Théoden said. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock...."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Buffy said in exasperation. "We get it. You believe the walls will hold. I think we need more help."

"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you, Lady Buffy. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer," Aragorn said hotly.

"Gondor?" Théoden countered. "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gondor when my s... No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone." He turned to Háma. "Get the women and the children into the caves."
"We need more time to lay provisions for a siege," he argued.

"There is no time! War is upon us!" Then he left the room to help his people.

"Didn't I just say that yesterday?" Buffy asked, looking at the others.

scenebreak

Harry and Ginny had managed to find a fairly secluded corner of the fortress to rest in. As he held her, he thought of how empty he felt when he thought she was dead.

It really was his fault that she was in danger, no matter what Dawn and Draco had said. She was in danger there because they were in the middle of a war. She'd be in danger back home because she was the Boy-Who-Lived's girlfriend and Voldemort would kill her because of what it would do to him. The girl he loved wasn't safe anywhere.

He had no right to endanger her this way. It was selfish of him to put his own happiness before the safety of those he held dear. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he tried to steel his heart for what he had to do - break things off with Ginny while she was still alive.

She stirred in his arms and he looked down to see concern in her eyes. "What's wrong?" She asked softly.

"We need to talk," he said, pulling back from her.

"About what?"

"Us," he answered, dropping his gaze.

Ginny froze, but her heart started beating faster in her chest. Somehow she just knew the words that would be coming out of his mouth. "But you love me."

"It's because I love you that I need to let you go. It's not fair that I'm putting your life in danger..."
"You don't think I know that?" She cried, her own tears pouring out of her eyes. "I knew that being with you would put my life in danger. But it was because I loved you that I wanted to stand beside you and help you fight!" She had jumped to her feet at sometime during her tirade.

"I'm tired of people getting hurt or killed because of me. First my parents, then Cedric. Sirius was imprisoned for years, you nearly died. I can't carry the burden anymore!" He yelled, standing.

"That's why I'm here to help, you big idiot!" She said, poking his shoulder with a finger. "You're not suppose to carry it alone. That's what friends are for!"
He stopped and stared at her. Galadriel's' message ran through his head - you will only win if you let your friends help.

Harry dropped to his knees in front of her. "I'm so sorry. I just didn't want to be responsible if anything would have happened to you."

"It wouldn't have been your fault. I would have helped you even if we weren't dating," she said, joining him on the floor.

"How can you forgive me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Because I love you silly. Or had you forgotten?"
"No, I hadn't," he said with a small smile. Then he pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

scenebreak

After taking time for a brief nap, the other world visitors headed to the armory. They had plenty of weapons, but they were hoping to find some armor to fit them. The six had walked in to find Aragorn and Legolas already there.

"You wouldn't happen to know if there is anything lighter than chain mail here?" Spike asked as they moved about, looking over what was left.

"Nay, only the mail is left," Aragorn answered.

"Then I guess we're good then."

Legolas looked at them in surprise. "You will not wear any armor?"

"It would just get in the way," Buffy said with a shrug. "Besides, that stuff is kind of heavy."

"So says the girl with super strength," Ginny mocked with a grin. She was holding tight to Harry's hand.

"I meant for you guys," Buffy said with a roll of her eyes.

All heads turned to see Gimli enter struggling with a mail coat. "If we had more time, I'd get this adjusted," he told them. Then he let it drop and the lower half of the mail piled on the floor.

The girls started to giggle, while Aragorn and Legolas looked on in amusement.

"It's a little tight across the chest," he said defensively.

Their ears perked as they heard a horn blowing outside. Buffy and Spike frowned as they tried to place where they had heard it before.

"That is no orc horn," Legolas said. They all paused for a moment, then as one, they ran outside.

As they got close to the gate, they could hear a familiar voice. "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that Allegiance."

Aragorn ran down the steps as he said, "Mae govannen, Haldir." He surprised the elf by hugging him. "You are most welcome."

"Haldir!" Buffy and Dawn cried as they ran down to give him their own hugs.

"Lady Buffy? Lady Amaurëa?" He said in clear surprise. "I did not know you were here. Did all of your friends come?"

"Nah, just Spike and Draco. But we brought a few more. That's Harry and Ginny," Dawn said. The two waved and smiled.

"I thought you had your own war to fight," he said in confusion.

"We did. Then our war interfered with yours... It's a long story," Buffy said. "I'll tell you all about it later."
Dawn frowned and poked him. "Did you know how hard it is to try and shoot a bow and arrow from on top of a moving horse and try to hit a moving target?"
Haldir spread his hands wide and shrugged. "I offered more lessons."

"Guys, you can catch up later. If you haven't forgotten, the nasties are coming our way. I'm sure the king would like to add all the pretty elves to his reinforcements," Spike said, interrupting them.