You will not believe what happened today. I was sitting here totally minding my own buisness and I got the weirdest phonecall Some guy claiming to be called Strider was on the other end and I thought it was Devon messing around but I was wrong. Xander came to get me, he totally respects who I am he should teach Buffy some things, oh right we went to the magic box and there was a guy called Strider. He looked so weird. I mean his clothes were like out of a medieval movie or something. He acted strange too and kept bowing to me. I'm not totally sure why I had to go to the Magic Box to see him...Oh he had a cool sword and I wanted to touch it but Giles took it and said that it was no toy. Hello I'm 15 I am not a kid...besides he was waving it around like it was some toy! Sheesh. Buffy didn't show again surprise surprise so Tara took me and Strider home. He's staying with us he was really interested in the TV, I don't know whats wrong with him. I saw on TV once about this couple who had kept their child in a box and...


"Dawn." A hand came slapping down on top of her diary,

"What!?" she cried taken by surprise,

"Lady Tara said you should get some rest," he said, a small twinkle appearing in his eye,

"Ok Ok, you know I can take care of myself,"

"This town is no place for a young lady to go looking for trouble," he said his eyes now serious,

"Uh huh," she nodded, "goodnight."


Dawn flicked the light off and settled down into her bed. Closing her eyes she began to think of her favourite things. The sound of shuffling paper and furniture made her open her eyes again. Strider had pulled her chair from by the desk and was sitting by the window, his sword in one hand and the curtain in the other peering out of the window.

"Urm Strider, what are you doing?"

"Its ok Dawn you rest I will keep watch and keep you safe."

"Urm its ok. We made you a bed downstairs on the sofa,"

Dawn was sure she heard him mutter under his breath, "I'll make sure they don't trap you in the telomone," then he said to her, "Very well."

He stood and put away his sword then walked iut quietly and gracefully. Dawn sighed then settled back to sleep.



***

October 19th

After a night studying the books for any information on the alternate universe Strider has come from myself and the others are all extremely tired. Our research has been unsuccessful even with the new information Strider provided us with. I worry that we will be no help to him. From what he has told us about his world it is a beautiful place threatened by a great dark force which is about to arise with the aid of a ring. He was on a mission to help a 'ringbearer' take this ring to a Lord Elrond but found himself here alone. He also informs me that he has many names and that we may prefer to call him Aragorn. This information and his behaviour around us suggest that he is an excellent warrior one who may be useful to us in our battle against the vampires. He seems to have taken a shine to Dawn and I had to agree to let him take her home. I believe he is determined to protect her after the telephone insident. Unfortunately I was unable to keep his sword as he said it was essential to him as a 'Ranger.' I have heard nothing from Buffy and fear that something may have happened to her.



***

Dawn awoke to come face to face with Strider who was peering down at her. "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" She screamed startling herself and him. "What are you doing?!"

"Pardon me Lady Dawn but I thought you had been attacked and I was just making sure you were unharmed," he said quietly. From the look on her face he continued, "I was downstairs asleep on the ofa,"

"sofa,"

"sofa, and I heard a noise which I knew was not you. I ran as fast as I could and got the beast alas I thought I was too late but you are fine," he smiled brightly as though his story was perfect, but she looked back at him blankly wiping the smile from his face.

"What was it?"

"I'm sorry?"

"The beast, may I see it?"

"I don't think that is wise it is very messy. I should just..."

She looked at him crossly and he continued, "Ok but I warn you." He raised his sword; half way down embedded on the sword was what resembled Dawn could only think her favourite pig alarm clock. Now however it was just a few bits of wire and broken plastic.

"My alarm clock," she sighed.

"I'm sorry," he pulled the pig of the end of his sword and attempted to push it all back together.



***

When Dawn emerged downstairs with Strider on her tale she could see Tara working hard in the kitchen. The smell of Dawns' favourites pancakes was wafting down the passageway. Hurrying into the kitchen Dawn grabbed a stool by the breakfast bar and sat down.

"Morning Dawnie, Strider," Tara said, "I made your favourites, but urm I di..didn't know what you like for breakfast."

"I will eat whatever you give to me, Lady Tara, whatever you are cooking smells delicious."

"Tara makes the best...urm"

"What is this?" Strider asked moving over to the window where the Summers' radio sat.

"Its a radio, you turn it on by..."

Strider had already turned the dial and the radio blasted out music at full volume. Tara ran over to the window and turned the music down. When she looked back she could only see Dawn.

"Where did Strider go?"

"I don't know,"

They heard a shuffling noise in the living room and went in Strider was just emerging from behind the sofa. He looked at them his cheeks reddening a little.

"I wasn't hiding I was looking for a place to hide you two."

Dawn and Tara exchanged looks then returned to their breakfast.