Hello all! The next chapter will be up next Sunday.
Review Responses:
Panther28, that's me, queen of the unusual pairings. So far, I think I'm the only one to do an Anya/Snape pairing too. I like mixing things up and surprising my readers.
John, thanks for the anniversary wishing. When you combine the time spent on this one and its prequel it's actually been almost two years. Whew, actually kind of scary when I put it that way.
Harmoni, that's our Faith, changing the way things are done. You've got to respect her for that. And you've finally figured out her pairing. I hope everyone is happy with my choice, even if it is a little strange.
narmolanya, thanks also for the review for the prequel. I got that reaction a lot about Anya and Snape. It was just what I was going for. :) As for Remus and Faith, what can I say, I'm crazy about off the wall pairings. Oh, and I usually update every Sunday, there's no way I can update faster than that.
A/N: 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.
Special thanks to my beta, PuNKyCoWGiRL.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Divided
Spike and Aragorn rode in the rear with the Rangers. Aragorn was surprised to see that Elrohir and Elladan, Elrond's sons, were also present. Since he had been raised in Rivendell by Elrond, he saw the two elves as brothers. He greeted them warmly, but quickly sobered at their message.
"I bring word to you from my father," Elrohir told him. "The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead."
"Always my days have seemed to me too short to achieve my desire," Aragorn mused. "But great indeed will be my haste ere I take that road."
"It doesn't exactly sound inviting," Spike added.
"No, my friend, it is not."
"Let us speak no more of these things upon the open road," Elrohir cautioned.
Aragorn noticed that Halbarad carried a staff that was wrapped in a black cloth instead of a spear. "What is that that you bear?"
"It is a gift that I bring you from the Lady of Rivendell," Halbarad answered. "She wrought it in secret, and long was the making. But she also sends word to you. The days now are short. Either our hope cometh, or all hopes end. Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee. Fare well, Elfstone."
"Now I know what you bear. Bear it still for me a while," Aragorn softly. Then he seemed to draw into himself and the others let him alone.
Spike moved next to Elladan. "What's his problem?"
The grey-eyed elf coolly regarded him. "It is an internal affair."
"I could care less about what it is," Spike said. "Is it going to affect him in a fight?"
"It should not," Elladan answered.
"Should not or will not? I don't want to be countin' on him to help protect my friends if there's something that could screw him up and put us all in danger," Spike said hotly.
"It will not affect him," the elf assured him, seeing something in Spike's eyes. "It is a family matter that we don't discuss."
"I can respect that," Spike said with a nod.
scenebreak
"Do you know what that muster Aragorn was talking about is?" Dawn asked as she rode next to Ginny.
"Not sure," Draco answered from the other side of Ginny. "We weren't there for all the planning so we could have missed it."
"I guess. What do you think, Ginny?"
The redhead just shrugged and continued staring listlessly ahead. She had been unusually quiet since the battle at Helm's Deep, but she hadn't said a word since Harry had left.
See. I told you something was wrong. Dawn said worriedly.
It was a terrible battle, maybe she just needs some time to adjust. Draco suggested.
Dawn mentally shook her head. It was no worse than the one at Hogwarts last year. I think it's something else.
What do you want to do about it?
Nothing now. We'll have to wait until we can get her alone.
"I'm worried about Pippin," Merry said quietly from behind Draco.
"He'll be fine," Dawn assured him. "He's with Buffy and Gandalf. They'll take care of him."
"But Sauron thinks he's Frodo and has the Ring," Merry said.
"Hey, Buffy killed a hellgod. She can handle anything Sauron will throw at her," Dawn said.
Didn't she die in that fight, too? Draco asked.
Yes, but not because of Glory She looked at the small hobbit. "He's going to be fine."
Merry silently nodded his head, but his eyes were still filled with concern.
scenebreak
"Mr. Frodo," Sam said as they watched the sun sink over the trees. "I don't think anyone is coming for us."
Frodo couldn't help but silently agree with his friend. They had been there in the same spot for three weeks and no sign of help had shown itself. He only hoped that nothing had happened to their friends that would prevent them from searching for he and Sam. It caused his worry to shift from he and Sam's plight to that of his friends'.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked worriedly when his friend had failed to respond to his earlier statement.
"Yes, Sam. I think you're right," Frodo said softly as he watched the shadows stretch out on the ground.
"What are we going to do now?"
"I'm not sure," Frodo admitted. "Let's stay here one more week and see what happens."
"One more week? Are you sure it's safe?"
"No, Sam, I'm not. But we don't have much of a choice now do we?" He turned to look at his best friend. "We knew that there were risks when we accepted this responsibility. We just might have to find an alternate way back to Middle Earth."
"How are we going to do that?"
"I haven't figured that part out yet."
After a moment, Sam asked, "What do we do when our one week is up?"
"Well... We'll leave and see if we can find anybody. Find out where we are. Then decide what to do."
"You know, after everything we've been through - Moria, Ringwraiths, orcs, all the flights in the dark, I've never been more scared than I am now."
"Me neither, Sam."
scenebreak
Remus walked into the Scooby common room late Sunday night and was surprised to see Xander staring into the fire. The werewolf quietly crossed the room and set the book he had borrowed onto one of the tables, then walked over to the couch.
"You're up late," Remus said as he sat down.
"Eh, just pulling a deadboy," Xander said. At the other man's confused look he explained, "Pulling an Angel. He was always the brooding one."
"What are you brooding about?"
"Same thing as everyone else," Xander answered with a sigh. "They've been gone for three weeks. We should have found something by now. If this keeps up, they're gonna be in Middle Earth forever."
"Willow, Tara, and Ron haven't found anything new, yet?"
"Nope. They've expanded their search to include Europe, but apparently our dimension is a haven for demons that are hiding from their own dimension." Xander wearily rubbed his eyes. "Wills said that at that speed it's going to take months to find Frodo and Sam. By then, it could be too late to save Buffy and the others in Middle Earth."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. You guys seem to be the resourceful type. I'm sure you'll find them before anything happens," Remus assured the younger man.
The two stared into the fire for a while until Xander said, "You and Faith seem to be getting along."
"Yes, she's a remarkable woman," Remus said.
Xander eyed the man carefully. "She tell you everything about her past?"
Remus nodded. "Yes, and she's told me that she's trying to redeem herself. Something I see in every action she takes."
"Good," Xander said, turning his gaze back to the fire. "She needs someone to look out for her, and support her."
"You could be someone to support her."
Xander shook his head. "Nah, too much history. I know she's changed 'cause I can see it, but sometimes it's hard to forgive someone who tried to kill you."
"And yet you were able to forgive Willow, Buffy, and even Anya for trying to kill you, but not Faith," Remus astutely pointed out.
"Yes, I know," Xander said, not really surprised that the man knew about all the incidents. "Well, it was always different where Faith was concerned. I'm trying to be better than that, but it's hard. Until I can straighten myself out, I can't be there for her."
Remus nodded and smiled. "Sounds like a very grown up thing to say."
"I know, it kind of sucks - this growing up business. Sometimes I think my life would have been better living in ignorant bliss."
"Where would you be if you had done that?"
"Probably in a dead end job back in Sunnydale, and probably an alcoholic on top of that. That is, if I hadn't died first."
"See, ignorance isn't always bliss," Remus said as he patted the younger man gently on the knee. He stood and headed for the door.
"Take care of her," Xander said when Remus reached the door.
"I plan to," the werewolf answered before quietly slipping out the door.
scenebreak
Buffy smiled faintly at Harry and Pippin's sleeping forms curled up on the ground. They had stopped shortly after daybreak to rest the horses. Gandalf was staring off into the distance, smoking his pipe. She could hear him whispering,
"Tall ships and tall kings
Three times three,
What brought they from the foundered land
Over the flowing sea?
Seven stars and seven stones
And one white tree."
"What's that all about?" Buffy asked, moving to sit next to him.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping? I know you could not have received enough last night."
"Benefit of being a slayer. I can go forever on just a few hours of sleep. So what about stars, stones, and a tree?"
"The stones are called the palantíri of the Kings of Old, which means that which looks far away. The stone we retrieved from Orthanc is one of them. The Noldor made them and brought them here from over the sea. They were distributed throughout the land to enable communication and sight over great distances. I believe it to be part of Saruman's downfall."
"How could this plant stone mess up Sour Man?" Buffy asked.
"Sauron must have obtained one and mastered it to his purposes. I guess that it was the Ithil-stone, for he took Minas Ithil long ago and turned it into an evil place - Minas Morgul," Gandalf began. He paused to take a puff on his pipe. "Saruman probably used it to see into the surrounding territory, but it eventually wasn't enough. He searched farther and farther until he was ensnared by Sauron."
"And turned a good guy into a bad guy. What happened to the other five stones?"
"I do not know. They could be buried or drowned deep."
Buffy frowned and reached her hands back to begin braiding her long hair. "That's not good. Who knows who could be out there watching and telling ol' Sour Puss what's going on."
"What about the white tree?" She asked when she finished braiding.
"It was a sapling that was planted in Minas Tirith by Isildur. It died and was replaced. That one is currently dead, but since no sapling could be located the Withered Tree was left standing."
"That's kind of morbid don't ya think?"
"They see it as a symbol of hope. As long as a tree stands, the people of Gondor will persevere."
"Ok, so not so morbid."
They stared out over the rolling plains for some time lost in their own thoughts. Buffy's eyes suddenly widened when something occurred to her. "You said these stones were used by the old kings, right?"
"Yes."
"Then there would be one in Minas Tirith right? I mean that's where the King of Gondor lived isn't it?'
"Oh my. Let's wake the other two and press on," he said quickly standing.
scenebreak
After they arrived back at Helm's Deep, they were given time to sleep before an afternoon meal. But before she could sleep, Dawn slipped off to check on Haldir.
"You're moving awfully good for someone who nearly died a few nights before," she said cheerfully when she found her friend.
"Elven healing," he said with a smile. "I believe we heal at least as fast as your sister."
"Cool. So what's with the packing?"
"Galadriel sent a message. We will soon be needed in Lothloríen. I am afraid we need to leave as soon as possible."
"We're leaving this afternoon, too." She said with a little pout. "I wish we could have visited longer."
"Me too, Amaureä." Then he surprised her by hugging her tightly.
Her eyes were filled with tears when they pulled apart. "Take care of yourself, mister. I want to see you in one piece when this war is over." Then she turned and quickly left.
scenebreak
Dawn and Draco awakened to find they didn't feel rested at all. They roused Ginny just in time to eat so they were unable to question her.
Ginny, for the most part, was quiet and only spoke when spoken to. She seemed to be mostly unaware of her surroundings. Dawn was hard pressed to get her to pay attention when Merry pledged his services to Théoden.
Her eyes were haunted and her face pale and drawn. Dawn and Draco kept exchanging worried glances while they made sure the redhead was getting enough to eat.
"It is near the hour that we set for our going, lord," Éomer said, breaking the peace of the meal. "Shall I bid the men sound the horns? But where is Aragorn?" He asked, noticing that the Ranger was not present.
"We will make ready to ride," said Théoden. "But let word be sent to Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh."
Everyone began moving and the other worlders went to gather their packs and horses. They gathered just outside the Deepening Wall and waited for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
Éomer walked through the gate a short time later followed by Aragorn and Halbarad who carried a great staff shrouded in black. The twins, Elrohir and Elladan, were right behind them along with Legolas and Gimli.
Aragorn approached Théoden his face was grim and weary. He looked like he had been up for days. "Strange words have reached me and I see new perils far off. Tell me, how long will it take you to reach Dunharrow?"
"Three days to reach the Hold and the muster will be the day after. We cannot go faster, if the strength of Rohan is to be gathered," Éomer answered.
The Ranger's face was less troubled as he seemed to reach a decision. "Then I must part ways with you here. I can no longer ride in secrecy. I will take the swiftest route east - the Paths of the Dead."
Théoden and Éomer's protests seemed to fade into the background as Dawn was suddenly faced with an awesome decision. The group was dividing again and logic dictated that someone who could communicate over distances should go with Aragorn. The only options left were her and Draco.
Dawn looked over at Spike and Draco. She knew this thought hadn't even entered their heads. Something in her gut told her that she was the one to go. Before she knew it, she heard herself saying, "I'll also ride with Aragorn."
Stunned silence descended on the group as they turned to look at her.
Spike was the first to recover. "No, 'Bit. Your sis' would kill me."
"Either Draco or I have to go. Only the two of us can communicate with Buffy. It makes sense," Dawn argued.
"Then let me go," Draco said. "They're not going to be traveling in secret. We don't want Sauron to know you're here yet."
"It's too late."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I accidentally used magic in the battle to save Haldir, " she said.
"And you were going to mention this when?" Draco sputtered.
"I had a lot of things on my mind at the time!"
"Hey! Kids! That's enough!" Spike said, interrupting their bickering. He turned to Dawn. "Give me one good reason why you should be the one goin'?"
Dawn sighed, knowing her reason wasn't the best. "Because my instincts are telling me to go. It's the only way our divided group can keep in touch."
"That's it!" Draco cried.
"What?" Spike asked.
"We've been told to do this from the very beginning! It's why Galadriel's message sounded familiar," he said in excitement.
"What are you talking about?" Spike asked.
"Only when you are divided will the fighting front be solid," Dawn said softly.
"The Sorting Hat said almost the same thing. Something like the few who are solid will be stronger divided. It's the same thing. Our bond will strengthen the fight," Draco explained.
"Still doesn't say why she should be the one goin'," Spike reminded him.
"My instincts," she said.
"Mine too," Draco added. "I don't like it, but that's what I feel."
"Fine," Spike said grudgingly.
Dawn looked at Aragorn. "Any complaints?"
"Who am I to dispute Galadriel's wisdom? We would be glad to have you accompany us," Aragorn said.
Elladan looked at his foster brother in confusion. Estel, it's not wise to bring her with us. She could slow us down.
Aragorn found it hard to keep the smile off his face when Dawn's eyes narrowed. He decided the wisest course was to let her respond.
She understands everything you just said. Dawn said, a little miffed. It seems to me that the only elves who do not assume that humans can't speak Elvish are those of Lothloríen. Perhaps the humans are mistaken that elves are the wiser race.
Elrohir laughed. She got you there brother. We have not been properly introduced. I am Elrohir and this is my brother Elladan.
She smiled sweetly at him. I am Amaureä Oiolairë.
The twins' eyes widened and they bowed before her.
"Gee, a girl could get used to this," she said.
Théoden, a little confused by the twin's sudden treatment of the young woman, could plainly see that their minds could not be swayed. "This parting grieves me, and my strength is lessened by it; but now I must take the mountain-roads and delay no longer. Farewell!" Then he mounted his horse and began leading his people out of the vale.
Spike hugged Dawn tightly. "Make sure you follow Aragorn's lead."
"I will. Love you."
"Love you, too, 'Bit."
When he released her, Dawn hugged Ginny next. The redhead hadn't said a word and it increased Dawn's concern. "Be careful, Gin."
"You too," she whispered.
Dawn turned to Draco and her heart got caught in her throat. She was unable to speak, only able to pull him in close.
Draco held on to her as if he would never let her go. This would be the first time they would be separated for any length of time since she thought he had betrayed her the year before.
"Please take care of yourself," he hoarsely whispered. "I don't know what I'll do if I lose you."
"I could never leave you. You're my heart remember?"
"And you're mine. I love you."
"I love you, too," she said, tears rolling down her face.
He gently kissed her and then let her go.
Take care of Ginny. She said as she took a few steps back.
I will. He promised. He quickly mounted his horse and gave her a final wave goodbye. Then he urged his horse to join the others.
Dawn stood and watched the man she loved ride away. She had no sure way of knowing if she'd ever see him again. She jumped slightly when she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders.
"You will see him again," Aragorn assured her softly. "He is strong warrior. He will be there to greet you in Minas Tirith."
She could only numbly nod her head and allow him to lead her inside.