Hello everyone! The next chapter will be up on Sunday.
Review Responses:
Panther28, It has almost been a week and a half in ME and almost three weeks in our time. You'll see the time difference better in chp. 25.
John, first for your question, it's just the way it was in the book and the movie. The movie played the scene up some, but the book never told how the gunpowder was placed or lit, just that it exploded. As for the bows, it rained in both the book and movie. I couldn't really mess with the weather, Buffy and Co. wouldn't have affected it. Tolkien even had them shooting arrows in the book. Legolas even comments at one time that he has to scrounge for arrows because he's out. Until you had said something, it never occurred to me that rain would affect the bows.
harmoni, thanks for letting me know about the fight scene. I usually have problems when I just write a tiny one in a chapter, but to have a whole chapter of nothing but fighting was reeking havoc on my nerves. And aren't I so cruel to Ginny and Dawn? The sad thing is, is that I'm not done with them yet. :)
Kyra2, thanks for the review! I'm glad you found that last chapter exciting. I was kind of worried about it.
Thanks to my beta, PuNKyCoWGiRL!
Chapter Twenty-Three
On To Isengard
Draco smiled as he saw the orcs running. He couldn't believe they had won against impossible odds. Dawn you can leave the caves. The orcs just retreated.
What happened?
Gandalf arrived with Éomer and about a thousand horsemen.
Whoo hoo! I'll tell the others.
He urged his horse forward until he was sitting next to Buffy and Spike. The three looked at the forest that extended out in front of them. The trees shook and creaked as the orcs ran into them.
"Since when were there trees?" Buffy asked. "I don't remember riding through trees yesterday."
"Because we didn't," Spike said. "I think Gandalf brought them."
"Me?" Said the wizard, who was just a few feet away. "That is no deed of mine."
"Then if not yours, whose is the wizardry?" Théoden asked.
"It is not wizardry, but a power far older. A power that walked the earth, ere elf san or hammer rang.
Ere iron was found or tree was hewn,
When young was mountain under moon;
Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe,
It walked the forests long ago."
"Great more riddles," Spike said. "Do you have an answer for that one, or are we supposed to figure it out?"
"If you would learn that you should come with me to Isengard," Gandalf told him.
"To Isengard?" They all cried.
"My men are weary and there are not enough of them to assault the stronghold of Saruman."
"He's got a point," Buffy said. "It's been a long two days. A lot of them are injured."
"I go not to fight, but to talk," Gandalf said as he turned to Théoden. "He has done you a great injury, it would be fitting if you were there. Let all who are to ride with me rest now. We will journey under the shadow of evening."
Théoden nodded his head in agreement. "Lady Buffy, I owe you a deep apology. You have more than proven that you are no mere woman, but a warrior to be reckoned with. I am sorry that I've treated you so poorly over the past several days. I know now that you were also as concerned for the safety of my people, as I was."
"It's no biggie," she said with a smile. "You were under a lot of pressure and I was a complete stranger arguing with you. It was kind of understandable."
"I am still sorry."
"Apology accepted."
They turned then, to go back into the Keep to rest. Legolas rode up next to Buffy. "Have you seen Gimli? I wish to know how he fared."
"I think I see him over there," she pointed. "Let's go pay him a visit." She turned to the others. "I'll see you guys inside." Then she and Legolas rode over to where Gimli sat calmly atop an orc smoking his pipe.
Legolas and Buffy dismounted and stood before the dwarf. "Final count, forty-two," Legolas said.
"Forty-two? That's not bad for a pointy-eared Elvish princeling. I myself am sitting pretty on forty-three," Gimli said with pride.
Quick as lightening Legolas drew an arrow and fired. It landed in the orc between Gimli's legs. "Forty-three," he said smugly.
"He was already dead."
"He was twitching."
"He was twitching because he's got my axe embedded in his nervous system!" Gimli wiggled the ax in the orc's head and the orcs' body moved in response.
"I really hate to disappoint you boys, but I lost count at seventy-five," Buffy said sagely.
"Seventy-five?" They asked in surprise.
"They don't call me the slayer for nothing."
scenebreak
"I can't believe Buffy and Spike are letting us sleep in the same room, in the same bed, with no one else around," Dawn said as she slipped under the covers with Draco. A small room had been provided for them to rest in after they had cleaned up.
"Probably because they knew we are too tired to do anything but sleep," he answered, pulling her close. He inhaled her soft scent as he buried his nose in her damp hair.
"True," she said, her voice already heavy with sleep. After a few minutes she said, "I'm worried about Ginny."
"Hmmm, why?"
"Something happened during the battle."
"Like what?""I'm not sure," she admitted, her eyes falling shut. "But she was pale and wouldn't say much. Just kept saying she was tired.""Maybe she was," Draco mumbled."I don't think so," Dawn said, just before drifting off to sleep.
scenebreak
Faith sat in the Scooby common room and stared at the fire. This was the first time in nearly three weeks that she had a moment to herself, and she was spending it worrying.
It was just that, suddenly, there was so much setting on her shoulders. She was, for the first time, the only slayer. Well, technically Buffy was still alive, but she was on another world. That meant Faith was the sole slayer in her world.
It also meant, that she was the one responsible for the world's safety and the others looked to her for guidance. The scoobies not so much, but the students did. It was terrifying.
She finally understood what it was like to be Buffy and felt even guiltier for what she had put the older slayer through. All that time, she had been envious of Buffy and her friends never knowing how hard it was. How lonely it was. She couldn't wait for Buffy to come back and resume her leadership role.
Not that Faith was giving up, she was just feeling a little out of her element. She had accepted this job and she was going to do it to the best of her ability - no matter how much it scared her.
scenebreak
The sun was already beginning to set when the company finally rode out of the Deep. While the main company and Théoden had rested, the people of Rohan set about burying their dead and burning the orc bodies.
When they reached the edge of the woods they halted, the horses balking. The trees were grey and menacing with a mist hanging about them. Gandalf moved forward and the others had no choice but to follow.
"It is hot in here," Legolas said to no one in particular. "I feel a great wrath about me." No one felt inclined to disagree.
They had been riding for some time when Buffy asked, "How far is it to Iceland?"
"Pardon?" Gandalf asked.
"She means Isengard," Spike supplied.
"Ah. About fifteen league. But we will not ride all the way there tonight."
"Ok," Buffy said and they resumed riding in silence.
The trees themselves seemed to press upon them and they were loath to disturb them. When at last they had passed through, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"There are eyes!" Legolas cried. "Eyes looking out from the shadow of the boughs. I've never seen such eyes before." He whirled his horse around to go back.
"No! No!" Gimli said from behind him. "Do as you please in your madness, but let me get down from this horse. I wish to see no eyes!"
"Stay, Legolas Greenleaf!" Gandalf instructed. "Do not go back into the wood. Now is not your time."
Legolas seemed to almost pout, but refrained from going back into the wood. Large figures could be seen moving through the trees.
"You need no weapons," Gandalf said as some of the king's men reached for their swords. "Those are herdsmen, they are not enemies. In fact, they are not concerned with us."
"Herdsmen?" Harry asked.
"They are the shepherds of the trees. The Ents of Fangorn Forest," Gandalf explained.
Harry remembered Legolas mentioning them when they had camped beside the woods what was only a few nights before.
After several hours they stopped by the shores of the Isen River to camp for the night.
Buffy and Spike, having gotten their fill of sleep earlier and being nocturnal creatures, volunteers to be part of the first watch. Legolas and Aragorn, who were also part of the first watch, approached them after everyone had fallen asleep.
"Will you not tell us now how you accomplished that leap during the battle?" Legolas asked.
Spike sighed. "You're not going to like it, mate."
"Let us decide that," Legolas said.
"You've seen for yourself what Buffy is able to do."
"Her skills are most impressive," Aragorn said. "I've never seen the like.""Superior speed and strength are given to slayers to help us fight the evil in our world," Buffy said.
"Is the evil there really that much stronger than humans?" Aragorn asked.
"Much. Your orcs are nothing compared to the baddies I fight." Buffy waited and let Legolas and Aragorn process the information.
It was Legolas who figured it out first. He looked at Spike, "You're part of that evil."
"Once was. Sometimes a slayer's heart is enough to turn an evil one good," Spike said with a small smile as he gazed lovingly at Buffy.
"What manner of evil are you?" Aragorn asked.
"Vampire," he answered with a shrug. "Drink blood, go all demony."
"You drink blood?" The two asked in surprise.
"Yup. A little every day." He inwardly winced when he saw the fear in their eyes. "Relax, I don't need your blood. It's all taken care of."
"You can trust Spike," Buffy assured them. "I trust him with my life."
"It is not that we did not trust him," Legolas said with a frown. "It is that we are more saddened by the fact that you did not tell us sooner."
"We just weren't sure how you'd take it." Buffy said, looking out into the surrounding darkness. "My own friends have problems accepting it. So if they had problems, you can see why we were worried about you."
The two nodded and went back to their posts.
scenebreak
Shortly before noon, they reached a hill overlooking Isengard. Great pillars of steam rose up from the water that filled the city. Sections of the wall that surrounded it had been reduced to rubble and the great gate was twisted on the ground. Inside the ruined city was a tall, dark tower that Gandalf informed them was called Orthanc and Saruman resided there.
As they rode down the hill, they became aware of two small figures sitting atop a great rubble heap next to the gate. There were bottles and bowls laid out beside them with food still piled up.
One of the figures stood and said, "Welcome my lords to Isengard!"
Dawn leaned over to Buffy. "Is it me, or does Merry seem drunk?"
"You young rascals!" Gimli cried from his perch behind Legolas. "A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and smoking."
Pippin, whose mouth was still full of food, leaned forward and replied, "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."
"Salted pork?" Gimli asked.
Gandalf shook his head and muttered, "Hobbits."
"We're under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard," Merry said, throwing his arms wide. It was only then that he noticed certain members of the company. "Buffy! Dawn! When did you get back?"
Théoden laughed. "It cannot be doubted that we are witnessing the meeting of dear friends. So these are the lost members of your company? Gandalf these days are filled with marvels. Are these not halflings of the old tales?"
"Hobbits, if you please," said Pippin.
"Very well, hobbits."
Dawn and Buffy dismounted and quickly climbed the rumble to hug their friends.
Merry grinned when he was finally released. "I have wandered in many lands since I've left my home and never had I met any people who knew stories about hobbits."
"I have heard of the halfling fold who lived in holes in the ground, but they are more of passing tales. And they have never mentioned that they could spout smoke from their mouths," the king said in slight wonder.
"That is not surprising," said Merry, settling back down on the rubble. "It is an art which we have not practiced for more then a few generations. It was Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom in the Southfarthing, who first grew the true pipe-weed in his gardens, about the year 1070 according to our reckoning. How old Toby came by the plant..."
"You do not know your danger, Théoden," interrupted Gandalf. "These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table, of the small doings of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, and remoter cousins to the ninth degree, if you encourage them with undue patience. Some other time would be more fitting for the history of smoking. Where is Treebeard, Merry?"
"Away on the north side, I believe," Merry replied. "Oh, and he left you a message. I was coming to it, but I have been hindered by many other questions. I was to say that, if the Lord of the Mark and Gandalf will ride to the northern wall they will find Treebeard there, and he will welcome them."
Gandalf smiled. "Well, Théoden, will you ride with me to find Treebeard? When you see him, you will learn much."
Buffy and Dawn sat upon the rubble. "We'll stay here and hang out with Merry and Pippin," Dawn said as she grabbed an apple off one of the plates.
"I believe we shall stay also," Aragorn said, looking at Legolas and Gimli.
The old wizard smiled and rode off with the king and his men.