Authors note: Hello at last I'm back and have written my next chapter! It's taken me ages to update because I have had a Very stressful past two weeks what with all my coursework and application forms and interviews. However I put that aside for a bit to write this. I'd like to dedicate it to fairy17 who I now know is Cassie because she has been pestering me for ages for this chapter!

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story and I own none of the locations. These belong to Joss Whedon and J.R.R Tolkien. Oh and there are a lot of references to the Secret Diaries which I do not own…unfortunately.

***

Buffy struggled to carry a large wooden bucket filled to the top with water across the courtyard. She was tired from the amount of cleaning that she had done. Who knew that such a beautiful place could have so much weaponry and armour? She'd spent what felt like hours in the armoury polishing and shining until everything was absolutely spotlessly sparklingly clean. If I ever have to see another weapon while I'm here!  She had thought. She had wanted to take one of the weapons and break free but she had been kept under close guard.

Now she was cleaning the horses. The dress that she had been forced to wear was covered in straw and hay and she was quite sure that she smelt of horse manure. Urgh, I need a bath, stupid Elrond, stupid horses, stupid place, she thought. She stumbled further along, the sky was beginning to get a little darker and Buffy was beginning to wish she had worn her watch.

As she got towards the house she heard the sound of a horse whining and she could hear the sound of hooves thundering on the ground. Turning she saw a white horse heading her way. Heading right towards her. Buffy dived out of the way just as the horse reached her. She landed on the floor with a thud and the bucket landed on top of her spilling water everywhere. Well I did want a bath, she sighed, a warm one would have been nice, now I smell and I'm soaking wet.

She stood slowly wringing the water out of her dress. The horse, which she had jumped out the way to avoid, was now standing on the stairs to the main entrance. On top of the horse sat a woman. She, like the men, had pointy ears and Buffy saw was very pretty. Buffy could also see that there was someone else on the horse. A child. Elrond came out of his house and moved swiftly towards the horse, the woman dismounted and Elrond reached up and took the child. He disappeared into the house. The woman turned to look at Buffy. She looked disgusted at the sight. Tutting she raised her chin and followed gracefully after Elrond.

***

The hand from the vampire dust and orc blood had soon become a head, then a body until at last an entire creature had emerged from the goo. The creatures' forehead was deformed and its eyes blazed yellow. Almost like the vampires Buffy had brought with her but unlike the vampires the creatures skin was dark and it had very little hair. The hair it did have was greasy and long. It looked around taking in the sight of the forest, which was now very dark and motionless. A smile drew across the creatures face and it leaned back and let out a loud and piercing screech.

All around the creature the earth began to bubble. A hand burst through right by the creatures' leg. Then another and another. Soon the clearing was being filled by more of these creatures. Some looked more like the vampires and others looked like orcs. Each one that emerged screeched like the first and then stood silently in a row watching the others burst through the ground.

***

Boromir entered the horses' stable where Buffy was working. He walked in slowly with a smile on his face. He had jumped at the chance to come and get the girl when Elrond had asked. He walked in further and stopped. She didn't look as pretty now. Her hair was wet and was sticking to her face and her clothes were covered with hay and straw. Well she is doing a dirty job… he thought to himself. She hadn't noticed him walk in. He moved closer and coughed softly. Buffy jerked backwards slowly and raised her fists.

 "Hello Lady Buffy," Boromir happily,

Slowly she lowered her fists, "Oh hi," she said bluntly,

"I have some good news," he beamed,

"The only good news you can give me is that I can go and have a hot bath and then go home," she said hopefully,

"No," he said, "Lord Elrond has asked for you to come and see him, you don't have to work in here anymore,"

"Oh great," she said sarcastically.

Boromir left the room and Buffy followed him slowly leaving all the equipment on a table at the side of the stables. They walked in silence following the halls. She doesn't look very happy, say something to her… "Do you like horns?" Boromir said suddenly,

"Huh?" Buffy said quickly,

"Do you like horns?" he repeated,

"I urm…why?" She asked eyes wide,

"Well I have one…" he began,

Oh brother Buffy thought,

"…And I wondered if you would like to see it?"

Buffy coughed suddenly, "WHAT!" she felt her cheeks reddening

Boromir looked really awkward, "Well its just that…well its very big…"

Buffy couldn't say anything; mouth open she tried to but no sound came out, she just stared at Boromir,

"… And I though," he continued, "that you would like to have a go at blowing it,"

"I WOULD WHAT!" she stumbled, she saw the look of shock on his face added, "It's a very nice offer, but I'll pass thanks,"

"It's supposed to summon the armies of my country," he said quietly,

"Huh?"

"Oh and it's a really nice colour too, it is white with a gold edging and silver markings,"

Buffy was looking at Boromir puzzled as though trying to work something out. Suddenly her eyes widened, "Oh," she said, "you meant a real horn,"

Boromir looked mystified, "yes of course, what did you thing I meant?"

Buffys' face reddened, "Oh I…err…nothing,"

"Ahh we are here," he said suddenly. He walked ahead of Buffy to a large door. Knocking gently he stood back.

"Enter," came the voice from the inside.

Boromir opened the door and waited for Buffy to go in and then he shut the door behind her. Idiot! "do you like horns?" What idiot asks a girl about horns? He sighed and walked away grumbling to himself.

***

Buffy walked deeper into the room. She could see the lady who had nearly knocked her over and Elrond who was standing by a window a few feet away from her. As Buffy entered both turned to face her. "So it was you," the woman said tranquilly, she stood and glided towards Buffy. "Me?" Buffy asked,

"It could only have been you,"

"I'm a little lost here…" Buffy began,

"They are all out of shape because of you," the woman breathed,

"I'm sorry I don't know what you are talking about,"

"Daddy tell her, I can't bear to say it," she sighed,

Elrond turned around looking very awkward and said, "you have been trying on my daughters dresses,"

Buffy felt her mouth drop open, "I have what?"

"Especially her purple ones," Elrond continued. He looked as though he didn't want to be here.

"Dresses?" Buffy mouthed too shocked to say anything, "I haven't had time, it was probably you,"

"I thought it might have been him at first, but when he said there was another woman here…"

"ME!" Elrond screamed, "I am a MALE ELF! I don't wear dresses!"

"Well I didn't…"

"Just stop,"

"Well you…"

"Stop,"

"I didn't mean…"

The door to the room burst open and one of the elf guards ran in, "Sir, the other hobbits have arrived,"

"Excellent," Elrond said standing up, "I desire a word with Lord Aragorn,"

The guard looked at the floor, "Lord Aragorn has not come. They say he disappeared."

***

Ok that was it. I hope you enjoyed it. And I won't leave it so late until the next chapter… I'll try please no more death threats…Oh and Buffy will kick butt in her next chapter. Coming up: Spike gets sent to M.E and Aragorn gets to kick butt too!