Title: New Journeys 5?

Author: David A. Knapton

E-mail: If you want but it's polite to let the author know you are doing so.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the crossover idea. The characters belong to the owners of BtVS and Lord of the Rings.

Spoiler: End of season five of Buffy and other than including Buffy and Dawn LotR follows the book not the films.

Rating: 12A/PG-13

Pairing: Dawn-Amaurëa/Legolas Buffy-Elenwë/Haldir plus book pairings

Summery: The Council mark 2 part 1

Notes: Most of the dialogue relating to the Council of Elrond is taken direct from the book.

Thanks so much to Canada Bradshaw for stepping in and betaing this story.

'' Thought.

Feedback: If you wish.

Reviews:

From: gylzgurl ( http: ) luv the fic and can't wait for the start of the b/h pairing... ooh! with the d/l pairing, can Buffy give him a hard time-I hope Buffy gives him a hard time too! From: Just Me( ) A great chapter, it was touching and funny, can't wait to see where you take the story next.

Thanks, I can't wait to see where this story goes either! But it is going to be one of, if not, the longest stories I have written to date. I am on chapter 12 and they are still in Lórien and we have all of The Two Towers and The Return of the King to go.

Dawn stood on the balcony of her room looking out over the beautiful valley of Rivendell as dawn came, she could not remember seeing anywhere so awe inspiring as her new home. A bird began to sing from its perch on the vines that wove their way all around the balcony, on a whim Dawn began to sing a song her mother use to sing, her eyes went wide at the sounds her own voice was making, it was then that she realised all the valley seemed to have stilled to listen.

At the conclusion of the song silence reigned as if to make sure she had finished, before the birds began to sing again but now they all sang in joy to the Elf maiden's voice. Dawn smiled in hope as she held her hand up to the bird on the vine, without hesitation it flew to her finger and began to sing its heart out.

A gentle knock came from the door, "Come in," she called out quietly so as not to disturb the little bird, she looked down at it smiling, "Fly away now and bring your friends tomorrow," she giggled to herself as it flew to a nearby tree Dawn turned to the Elf maid that had entered her room.

"It is said that all the birds of Doriath would fall silent to listen to Lúthien Tinúviel sing my lady," the maid said with awe in her voice.

Dawn blushed, "I don't know what really made me sing like that, but it felt like the thing to do, this place is so beautiful it makes me want to sing all the time," she explained. "So is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes Lady Amaurëa, Lord Elrond asks that you join him and your sisters for breakfast," answered the maid.

"Of course," smiled Dawn before looking down realising she still wore the silver dress from the evening before, "I think I should change first though," she said.

"Do you wish my aid my lady?" asked the maid.

"Yes," sighed Dawn, "I think I'm going to miss zips! And please just call me Amaurëa. What's your name?" she asked as the maid came towards her.

"Elwing, Amaurëa. What are 'zips'?" she asked curiously.

"They are these little pieces of metal attached to the edge of clothes that when you pull another piece of metal that is attached to the end they hold the two edges together... I'm not explaining it very well, am I?" giggled Dawn as she saw the confusion on Elwing's face.

"I am sure you are doing your best," said Elwing joining in the giggle, "It sounds like something Dwarves would think of."

"Really, maybe I should talk to the ones from last night. Anyway, zips made getting dressed much easier. Oh well, I guess I'll get use to it," smiled Dawn as she stepped out of the beautiful gown that Buffy had lent her yesterday. "Could you see to it that it is returned to Buf... I mean Elenwë, I don't want her accusing me of stealing her clothes," said Dawn.

Elwing laughed, "Lady Elenwë use to borrow Lady Arwen's clothes when she was young, so Lady Arwen finally told her that if she was going to do that she would dress her to make sure she wore them correctly."

"Oh, so that was why Arwen did it," laughed Dawn.

Elwing showed Dawn to the private dining room where her father and sisters waited for her along with Gandalf and Glorfindel.

"Welcome Amaurëa, my daughter," Elrond greeted her warmly before guiding her to a chair next to Buffy.

"Good morning father, everyone," said Dawn smiling at everyone, she was finding it easier to think of Elrond as her father each time she addressed him as such.

"Good morning Amaurëa we all heard you singing earlier, your voice is very beautiful," said Arwen looking to her sister as she sat opposite.

"Yes daughter, though I did not understand the words it stirred my heart," Elrond smiled as Dawn began to blush.

"Dawn you always had a lovely voice but now your Elven heritage has been revealed it is beautiful, you should sing more," encouraged Buffy.

"Yes Amaurëa, I alone of these present have heard Lúthien Tinúviel sing, you are her equal in both song and beauty," Glorfindel told her.

All Dawn could do was blush even more and look down at her breakfast.

Elrond decided to draw everyone's attention away from his youngest daughter, "Come Elenwë tell us a tale of the land you and Amaurëa have dwelt in," he asked.

Buffy nodded knowing why he was asking her, "Of course father... Let me see... This was my favourite tale, although until I returned here I did not know why!" she explained. "It is called A Midsummer-night's Dream... Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace; four happy days bring in another moon..."

"I didn't know you liked Shakespeare let alone knew any in so much detail," smiled Dawn looking on in wonder at her sister as she finished the first act.

"Another thing you did not know about me," smiled Buffy before turning to Elrond, "Perhaps later I will be able to finish the story but do we not have a Council to attend?" she pointed out.

Elrond rose with a nod, "Yes Elenwë, it would not look well if the host was late for his own Council," he smiled.

There were some murmurs as Elrond led his two youngest daughters to seats among the many Elves assembled for the Council, Gandalf and Glorfindel took the seats they had occupied the previous day.

"My friends as you are all aware our previous attempt at Council was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of my daughters Elenwë and Amaurëa, I requested their attendance here as I believe, as does Mithrandir, that the Valar in their wisdom wish it so. Furthermore I have asked Elenwë to explain in brief where she has been and what she has been doing so that you may judge for yourselves my decision to include them at this meeting." Elrond turned to Buffy, "Daughter will you tell your tale?" he asked stepping aside for her.

As Buffy rose to speak, everyone rose in deference to her, she looked around, "Please my lords resume your seats," she said. So there would be no mistake later the Elf that walked to the centre of the chamber was not just Elenwë, daughter of Elrond but the slayer personified. "My lords, as some of you know while returning from Lothlórien with my mother Celebrían and others we were set upon by orcs, on her supposed escape Celebrían told all that I had perished with our companions.

"It saddened her deeply to lie to my father and family about my fate, what she was unable to tell anyone was that it was Oromë that had rescued both of us from the orcs and took me into the West to train for a great task. Mother joined me in part because of the lies she would be required to tell and also so that I would have at least one member of my family with me..." Buffy then went on to tell the Council about slayers, Glory and the final fight, and Dawn's creation from her.

Buffy walked back to her seat next to Dawn who smiled at her, "Wow that was a good story, I was there and even I found it interesting," she said.

"Yet another Elven trait, most elves are good story tellers," laughed Buffy quietly as the Council continued.

Many things were told over the course of the morning but as Dawn had little knowledge of most of them she hardly listened. The only thing that got her interest was the tales of the Rings of Power and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

"...Then the watch upon the walls of Mordor slept, and dark things crept back to Gorgoroth. And on a time of evil things came forth, and they took Minas Ithil and abode in it, and they made it into a place of dread; and it is called Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery. Then Minas Anor was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; and these two cities were ever at war, but Osgiliath which lay between was deserted and in its ruins shadows walked.

"So it has been for many lives of men. But the Lords of Minas Tirith still fight on, defying our enemies, keeping the passage of the River from Argonath to the Sea. And now that part of the tale that I shall tell is drawn to its close," finished Elrond sitting with his daughters.

At once Boromir stood up, "Give me leave, Master Elrond," he asked, Elrond nodded for him to continue. "First to say more of Gondor; for verily from Gondor I am come. And it would be well for all to know what passes there. For few know of our deeds, and therefore guess little of their peril.

"Believe not that in the land of Gondor the blood of Númenor is spent, nor all its pride and dignity forgotten. By our valour the wild folk of the East are still restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay; and thus are peace and freedom maintained in the lands behind us, bulwark of the West. But if the passages of the River should be won, what then?

"The power of the Black Land grows and we are hard beset. When the Enemy returned our folk were driven from Ithilien, our fair domain east of the River, though we kept a foothold there and strength of arms. But this very year, in the days of June, sudden war came upon us out of Mordor, and we were swept away. We were outnumbered, for Mordor has allied with the Easterlings as well as cruel Haradrim; but it was not by numbers that we were defeated. A power was there that we have not felt before.

"It was like a great black cloaked and hooded horseman. Wherever he came a madness filled our enemies, but fear fell on our boldest, so that horse and man gave way and fled. Only a remnant of our eastern force came back, destroying the last bridge that still stood in ruined Osgiliath. I was in the company that held the bridge until it was cast down behind us. Four only were saved by swimming, my brother and myself and two others. But still we fight on, holding all the west shores of Anduin.

"In this evil hour I have come on an errand over many dangerous leagues to Elrond; a hundred and ten days I have journeyed alone. But I do not seek allies in war. I came to ask for counsel and the unravelling of hard words for similar dreams came to my brother and myself just before and after the sudden attack.

"In the dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice crying:

Seek for the Sword that was broken:

In Imladris it dwells;

There shall be counsels taken

Stronger than Morgul-spells.

There shall be shown a token

That Doom is near at hand,

For Isildur's Bane shall waken,

And the Halfling forth shall stand.

The gifts of the Valar will be offered,

Other lands she has dwelt but now returned,

Guardian of the Key,

Which hope in resides.

Of these words we could understand little," Buffy sighed as she exchanged a look with Dawn. "And so we spoke to our father, Denethor, wise in the lore of Gondor. He told us that Imladris was of old the name among the Elves of a Far northern dale, where Elrond the Halfelven dwelt greatest of lore-masters. Therefore my brother, seeing how desperate was our need, was eager to heed the dream and seek for Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many had heard, but few knew where it lay."

"And here in the house of Elrond more shall be made clear to you," said Aragorn standing up. He cast his sword upon the table that stood near Elrond, the blade was in two pieces. "Here is the Sword that was Broken!"

"And who are you, and what have you to do with Minas Tirith?" asked Boromir.

"He is Aragorn son of Arathorn," said Elrond, "And he is descended through many fathers from Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil. He is Chief of the Dúnedain in the North."

Dawn smiled to herself, 'Oh not only a hottie but possibly a king as well, way to go sis.'

"Then it belongs to you, and not to me at all!" cried Frodo in amazement as he sprang to his feet.

"It does not belong to either of us," replied Aragorn sadly, "But it has been ordained that you should hold it for a while Frodo."

"Bring out the Ring, Frodo and then Boromir will understand more of his riddle," said Gandalf solemnly.

There was a hush, and all turned their eyes on Frodo. He was shaken by sudden shame and fear; and felt a great reluctance to reveal the Ring, until he chanced to look into Dawn's eyes, there he saw such kindness and understanding that it lifted his heart and as she smiled at him in encouragement he felt his hand reach for the chain around his neck and held up the ring for all to see before placing it on the table with the sword.

"Behold Isildur's Bane!" announced Elrond.

Boromir's eyes glinted as he gazed at the Ring. Buffy started to grow suspicious of that look! "The Halfling!" Boromir exclaimed, "Is then the doom of Minas Tirith come at last?"

"The riddle did not say that," said Buffy rising and facing Boromir. "My life of late has been involved with many such prophesies, or dooms if you wish. They always have more than one meaning, yes it could foretell the end of Gondor but it could also mean the end of Mordor and its evil," she pointed out. "I was returned here for a reason, I think I am meant to return with you to Gondor and face this evil."

"But you are a maiden," said Boromir.

Dawn jumped to her sister's aid, "Duh, what gave it away?" she asked bringing confused looks on everyone's face but Buffy's who just smiled at her, "Sorry. But Elenwë is also the Slayer. And if I understood the last part of your dream, she just offered you the gifts of the Valar, which they gave her," she pointed out before sitting again.

"Are you sure of this Elenwë?" asked Elrond looking to his daughter, "Such a thing has not happened in my lifetime. To see my own daughter place herself in danger is very hard for me. You have only just been returned to us, if... you were to die," he said very quietly as if to himself.

"Father," she said just as quietly as she grabbed his hand, "I am as sure as I can be, all my instincts are telling me I must go. I think my gifts were not just meant for use on Earth but also here in Middle-Earth."

Aragorn seeing how distraught Elrond and his daughter were getting drew the council's attention away from them so they had a chance to compose themselves again. He turned to Boromir again, "As Lady Elenwë says it does not mean the end of Minas Tirith and Gondor. In my heart, I feel it means doom and great deeds are indeed at hand. For the Sword that was Broken is the Sword of Elendil that was broke beneath him when he fell. It has been treasured by his heirs when all other heirlooms were lost; for it was spoken of old among us that it should be made again when the Ring, Isildur's Bane, was found.

"Now you have seen the sword that you have sought, what would you ask? Do you wish for the House of Elendil to return to the Land of Gondor?"

"I was not sent to beg any boon, but to seek only the meaning of a riddle," said Boromir, "Yet we are hard pressed, and the Sword of Elendil would be a help beyond our hope... If such a thing could indeed return out of the shadows of the past," he looked with doubt at Aragorn.

"I forgive your doubt," Aragorn said, "Little do I resemble the figures of Elendil and Isildur as they stand carven in their majesty in the halls of Denethor. I am but the heir of Isildur, not Isildur himself. I have had a long hard life and the leagues that lie between here and Gondor are a small part in the count of my journeys.

"But my home, such as I have, is in the North. For here the heirs of Valandil have ever dwelt in long line unbroken from father unto son for many generations. Our days have darkened, and we have dwindled; but ever the Sword has passed to a new keeper. And this I will say to you, Boromir, ere I end.

"Lonely men are we, Rangers of the wild, hunters... but hunters ever of the servants of the Enemy; for they are found in many places, not in Mordor only. If Gondor, Boromir, has been a stalwart tower, we have played another part. Many evil things there are that your strong walls and bright swords do not stay. You know little of the lands beyond your bounds. Peace and freedom, do you say? The North would have known them little but for us. Fear would have destroyed them.

"What roads would any dare to tread, what safety would there be in quiet lands, or in the homes of simple men at night, if the Dúnedain were asleep, or were all gone into the grave? And yet less thanks have we than you. Travellers scowl at us, and countrymen give us scornful names. Strider I am to one fat man who lives within a day's march of foes that would freeze his heart, or lay his little town in ruins, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet we would not have it otherwise.

"If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so," said Aragorn.

Dawn leaned over to Buffy, "See, slayers aren't the only ones to work in secret," she said in English with a little giggle, which Buffy returned.

"But now the world is changing once more. A new hour comes. Isildur's Bane is found. Battle is at hand. The Sword shall be re-forged. I will come to Minas Tirith," finished Aragorn.

"Isildur's Bane is found, you say," said Boromir. "I have seen a bright ring from the Halfling; but Isildur perished ere this age of the world began, they say. How do the Wise know that this ring is his? And how has it passed down the years, until it is brought hither by so strange a messenger?"

"That shall be told," announced Elrond.

"But not yet, I beg, Master!" interrupted Bilbo, "Already the Sun is climbing to noon, and I feel the need of something to strengthen me."

"I had not named you," said Elrond smiling, "But I do so now. Come! Tell us your tale. And if you have not yet cast your story into verse;" Buffy and Dawn both giggled. "You may tell it in plain words. The briefer, the sooner shall you be refreshed."

"Very well," sighed Bilbo, "I will now tell the true story, and if some here have heard me tell it otherwise..." he glanced at Glóin, "I ask them to forgive me. I only wished to claim the treasure as my own and be rid of the name of thief that Gollum gave me. But I understand things a little better now..."

Dawn and Buffy sat enthralled by the hobbit's tale, smiling at the riddle game. Bilbo was not as displeased, about missing his midday meal has he made out. He recounted his adventure with Gollum, at full length. He would have also given an account of his party and disappearance from the Shire, if he had been allowed.

Elrond raised his hand, "Well told, my friend, but that is enough at this time. For the moment it suffices to know the Ring passed to Frodo, your heir. Let him now speak!"

Frodo stood, less willing than Bilbo to speak in front of so many, until he glanced once more at Dawn who smiled at him. He told of all his dealings with the Ring from the day that it passed into his keeping. He was questioned closely on every step of his flight from Hobbiton to the Ford of Bruinen as well as everything he could recall concerning the Black Riders. Finally he was allowed to sit again.

"Not bad," Dawn heard Bilbo say, "You would have made a good story of it, if they hadn't kept on interrupting. I tried to make a few notes, but we shall have to go over it all again together some time, if I am to write it up. There are whole chapters of stuff before you ever got here!"

"Yes, it made quite a long tale," agreed Frodo. "But the story still does not seem complete to me. I still want to know a good deal, especially about Gandalf."

Galdor of the Havens, who sat near by, heard him. "You speak for me also," he said and turned to Elrond, "The Wise may have good reason to believe that the halfling's trove is indeed the Great Ring of long debate, unlikely though that may seem to those who know less. But may we not hear the proofs? What of Saruman? He is learned in the lore of the Rings, yet he is not among us. What is his counsel... if he knows the things that we have heard?"

"The questions that you ask, Galdor, are bound together," explained Elrond, "I had not overlooked them, and they shall be answered. But these things it is the part of Gandalf to make clear, and I call upon him last."

"Some Galdor," began Gandalf rising, "Would think the pursuit of Frodo, proof enough that the halfling's trove is a thing of great worth to the Enemy..." he began going on to tell of his search for proof that Frodo's ring was the Ring.

"...At once I took my leave of Denethor, but even as I went northwards, messages came to me out of Lórien that Aragorn had passed that way, and that he had found the creature called Gollum. Therefore I went first to meet him and hear his tale... Into what deadly perils he had gone alone I dared not guess," said Gandalf.

"There is little need to tell of them," said Aragorn. "If a man must needs walk in sight of the Black Gate, or tread the deadly flowers of Morgul Vale, then perils he will have. I, too, despaired at last, and I began my homeward journey. And then, by fortune, I came suddenly on the creature. He was covered with green slime. He will never love me, I fear, for he bit me, and I was not gentle.

"I returned north making him walk before me with a halter on his neck; I deemed it the worst part of all my journey. I brought him to Mirkwood and gave him to the Elves, for we had agreed that this should be done; and I was glad to be rid of his company. For my part, I hope never to look upon him again; but Gandalf came and endured long speech with him."

"Yes, long and weary, but not without profit," said Gandalf. "For one thing, the tale he told of his loss agreed with that which Bilbo has now told openly for the first time, I also learned for the first time that Gollum's ring came out of the Great River nigh to the Gladden Fields where Isildur fell.

"And if that is not proof enough, Galdor, there is the other test. Upon this very ring," said Gandalf glancing at the Ring on the table near Frodo, "Are set the letters that Isildur reported and may be read if one has the strength of will to set it into a fire for a while. That I have done, and this I have read:

Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul."

The change in the wizard's voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, Dawn shivered as she placed her hand over her ears, looking to Buffy she realised all the Elves had done the same!

"Never before has any voice dared to utter words of that tongue in Imladris, Gandalf the Grey," said Elrond sternly as the shadow passed.

"And let us hope that none will ever speak it here again," answered Gandalf as sternly. "Nonetheless I do not ask your pardon, my friend. For if that tongue is not soon to be heard in every corner of the West, then let all put doubt aside that this is indeed the Ring of the Enemy.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them.

"Know also, my friends that I learned more yet from Gollum. It is beyond all doubt that he went to Mordor, and all he knew was forced from him. Thus the Enemy knows that the One is found and since his servants have pursued it almost to our door, he knows we have it here."

All sat in silence until Boromir spoke. "He is a small thing, you say, this Gollum? What became of him? To what doom did you put him?" he asked.

"He is in prison, but no worse," Aragorn told him. "He had suffered much. Still I for one am glad that he is safely kept by the watchful Elves of Mirkwood. He could work much mischief still, if he were free. And I do not doubt that he was allowed to leave Mordor on some evil errand..."

"Alas! Alas!" cried Legolas in distress, "The tidings that I was sent to bring must now be told. They are not good, but only here have I learned how evil they may seem to this company. Sméagol, who is now called Gollum, has escaped."

"Escaped?" cried Aragorn. "This is ill news indeed. How come the folk of Mirkwood to fail in their trust?"

"Not through lack of watchfulness," said Legolas, "But perhaps through over-kindness. And we fear that the prisoner had aid from others, and that more is known of our doings than we could wish..." He went on to explain how Gollum escaped.

As Legolas finished Glóin snapped at him, "You were less tender to me," he said his eyes flashing.

Dawn blushed as she found herself about to come to Legolas' defence, even though she did not know to what Glóin was referring. But Gandalf beat her to it, "Now come!" he said, "Pray do not bring all the grievances that stand between Elves and Dwarves here or we may as well abandon this Council." Glóin stood and bowed to both Gandalf and Legolas.

Gandalf then finished his tale telling of Saruman's betrayal and his imprisonment on top of Isengard and his eventual rescue by Gwaihir the Windlord.

"I saw you!" exclaimed Frodo suddenly, "You were walking backwards and forwards. The moon shone in your hair." Gandalf paused astonished and looked at him. "It was only a dream, but it suddenly came back to me. I had quite forgotten it. It came some time ago; after I left the Shire, I think."

"It was late in coming then!" sighed Gandalf. "Gwaihir set me down in the land of Rohan ere dawn; and now I have lengthened my tale over long," he said looking at the late afternoon sun. "The rest must be more brief. In Rohan I found evil already at work. The lies of Saruman had gone before me and the king would not listen to my warnings. He bade me take a horse and be gone. I took the best horse in his land, and I have never seen the like of him..."

"Evil tidings indeed if Rohan has fallen, and that the horses of the Riddermark may end in Mordor. It was not so when last I was in that land," interrupted Aragorn sadly.

"Nor is it now, I will swear," added Boromir. "It is a lie that comes from the Enemy. I know the Men of Rohan, true and valiant, our allies, dwelling still in the lands that we gave them long ago."

"The shadow of Mordor lies on distant lands," pointed out Aragorn. "Saruman has fallen under it. Rohan is beset. Who knows what you will find there, if ever you return?"

"Not this at least," stated Boromir with much conviction, "That they will buy their lives with horses. They love their horses next to their kin. And not without reason, for the horses of the Riddermark come from the fields of the North, far from the Shadow."

"Come we digress again, suffice it is that I rode North for the Shire. Fear grew in me as I rode. Ever as I came North I heard tidings of the Riders, and though I gained on them day by day, they were ever before me. I came to Hobbiton and Frodo had gone. I learned from old Gamgee that he had left less than a week before and that a black rider had come to the Hill the same evening, Then I rode on in fear.

"I eventually reached Bree where I went straight to the Pony there I had may words with the innkeeper learning that Frodo and his friends had been joined there by Aragorn so after resting the night at the inn I rode straight to Weathertop like a gale, and reached it before sundown on my second day from Bree.

"That night I was besieged on the hill-top by the Riders, in the old ring of Amon Sûl. I was hard put to it indeed, such light and flame cannot have been seen on Weathertop since the war-beacons of old. At sunrise I escaped and fled north hoping to draw at least some of the Riders with me, four indeed did follow for a while, so that helped a little, for there were only five, not nine, when your camp was attacked.

"I reached here at last by a long hard road. It took me nearly fourteen days from Weathertop, for I could not ride Shadowfax among the rocks of the troll-fells. I sent him back to his master; but a great friendship has grown between us, and if I have need he will come at my call. But so it was that I came but three days before the Ring; and news of its peril had already been brought here... which proved well indeed.

"And that, Frodo, is the end of my tale. May Elrond and the others forgive the length of it," said Gandalf. "Well, the Tale is now told, from first to last. Here we all are, and here is the Ring. What shall we do with it?"