Title: New Journeys 6?

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 2 and Dawn meets her big brothers

Notes:

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

'' Thought.

Feedback: If you wish.

Reviews:

I don't know what happened but for some unknown reason, probably some evil plan of Sauron's, most of my replies to the reviews didn't appear!

Dilvish

Good story. Just one thing: Elwing is the name of Elrond's mother, I think you should have chosen another one.

ANSWER. There are only so many names in any language so if you consider the total number of elves many would have the same names. Besides how would we know that the Elwing in my story isn't the daughter or granddaughter of one of Elrond's mother's friends!

Just Me

Love the chapter, please update as soon as is possible.

ANSWER. I plan on posting a chapter each Thursday until you catch up with what chapter I'm writing, almost ready to send chapter 12 to my beta.

gylzgurl

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?

ANSWER. I did have a little fun writing Buffy's meeting with Haldir, but you'll have to wait until chapter 10 to read it, sorry. I am trying to work Buffy giving Legolas a hard time but at the moment they haven't had the time. Maybe when they get back to Lórien! Ooops just ignore that last bit.


Silence reigned for several moments until it was broken by Elrond. "This is grievous news concerning Saruman for we trusted him. It is perilous indeed to study the arts of the Enemy to deeply, for good or ill," he said sadly. "But of the tales told today Frodo's was the most strange.

"It is long years since I was on the westward roads and I had forgotten Bombadil, if indeed this is still the same that walked the woods and hills long ago, and even then was older than the old. That was not then his name. Iarwain Ben-adar we called him, oldest and fatherless. He is a strange creature, but maybe I should have summoned him to our Council."

"He would not have come," said Gandalf.

"Could we not still send messages to him and obtain his help?" added Erestor. "It seems that he has a power even over the Ring."

"No, I should not put it so," said Gandalf. "Say rather that the Ring has no power over him. He is his own master. But he cannot alter the Ring itself, nor break its power over others."

"Would he not take the Ring and keep it there, for ever harmless?" asked Erestor.

"No, not willingly," replied Gandalf. "He might do so, if all the free folk of the world begged it of him, but he would not understand the need. And if he were given the Ring, he would soon forget it or most likely throw it away. He would be a most unsafe guardian."

"But in any case," added Glorfindel, "To send the Ring to him would only postpone the day of evil. He is far away, soon or late the Enemy would learn of its hiding place and would bend all his power towards it. Could Bombadil alone defy that power? I think not. I think that in the end, if all else is conquered, he will fall, Last as he was First; and then Night will come."

"I know little of Iarwain save the name," said Galdor, "But Glorfindel, I think, is right. The power to defy our Enemy is not in him. What power still remains lies with us, here in Imladris, or with Cirdan at the Havens, in Lórien or Mirkwood. But have they the strength, have we here the strength to withstand the Enemy, when all else is overthrown?"

"I have not the strength," replied Elrond, "Neither have they."

"Then if the Ring cannot be kept from him for ever by strength. Two things only remain to attempt, to send it over the Sea or to destroy it," surmised Glorfindel.

"But Gandalf has revealed to us that we cannot destroy it by any craft that we possess," pointed out Elrond. "And they who dwell beyond the Sea would not receive it, for good or ill it belongs to Middle-Earth. It is for us to deal with."

"Yes we must seek a final end of this menace, even if we do not hope to make one," said Gandalf.

"I agree with Gandalf," said Buffy, having remained quiet for some time. "Over the years I have been a slayer; I have faced seven very powerful enemies with little or no hope of winning, yet won through in the end. While we have the will to go on we may yet prevail."

"Well put my young Elf," smiled Gandalf.

"And she even died once," added Dawn before she could censor herself, "...But she got better," she added lamely.

"When did you die daughter?" asked a shocked Elrond.

Buffy looked daggers at her sister, who had the good grace to blush, "You had to tell him that didn't you," she said in English before turning to her father. "It was only for a moment or two, I drowned but on Earth many people have the knowledge to revive a person who drowns if they are quick. A friend came upon me and did so," Buffy told him. "So the Ring, what are we going to do with it?" she asked Gandalf trying to get her father from looking at her so intensely.

Gandalf allowed himself a brief smile at Elenwë's antics before returning to the subject at hand, "Yes Elenwë, what to do with the Ring?" he said. "If the return to Bombadil is dangerous, then flight to the Sea is now fraught with gravest peril. My heart tells me that Sauron will expect us to take the western way, when he learns what has befallen.

"The Nine have been unhorsed, but that is but a respite, ere they find new, and swifter, steeds. Only the waning might of Gondor stands now between him and a march along the coasts into the North; and if he comes, assailing the White Towers and the Havens, the Elves may have no escape from the lengthening shadows of Middle-Earth," said Gandalf.

"Long yet will that march be delayed," said Boromir proudly. "Gondor wanes, you say. But Gondor stands, and even the end of its strength is still very strong."

"And yet its vigilance can no longer keep back the Nine," pointed out Galdor. "And other roads he may find that Gondor does not guard."

"So two choices but remain," said Erestor, "To hide the Ring for ever; or to unmake it. But both are beyond our power. Who will read this riddle for us?" he asked looking around.

"None here can do so," replied Elrond gravely. "At least none can foretell what will come to pass, if we take this road or that. Too often the Elves have fled to the Sea. I believe that way should be shunned. Now at this last we should take the hard road, a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk into peril... to Mordor. The Ring should be sent to the Fire."

Silence reigned once more until Boromir stirred, Dawn looked at him, sensing that even with all that had been said, he still had hope of using the Ring against Sauron. Her suspicions were then confirmed. "I do not understand all this," he said with some heat. "Saruman is a traitor, but did he not have a glimpse of wisdom? Why do you speak ever of hiding and destroying? Why should we not think that the Great Ring has come into our hands to serve us in the very hour of our greatest need?"

"Have you heard nothing of what has been revealed here?" said Buffy rising and turning angrily towards him. Then she smirked at him, "But let me guess what you really mean is you should be the one to weld it."

Shocked silence descended until Boromir rose, towering over Buffy, who stood her ground. "How dare you, a mere female Elf, speak to me the heir of the Steward of Gondor like that?"

"I speak as I wish in my father's house," growled Buffy clenching her fist, as most of those present rose in defence of the Elf maiden.

Dawn looked around in shock, true she knew little about the people of her new home but Buffy's reactions were not as she had grown uses to since waking yesterday. Then a gold glint in the corner of her eye caused her to look at the Ring. She did not know how she knew but felt certain it was the cause of the sudden conflict.

While everyone else was distracted by Buffy and Boromir's growing argument, Dawn rose and without considering the implications she walked over to the table and picked up the Ring, hearing Frodo's strangled cry as he saw her do so.

"Dawn!" cried Buffy turning with alarm towards her sister.

Dawn smiled at her sister as she felt the Ring scream in pain as she calmly walked over to the hobbit and kneeling in front of him and looped the chain that held the Ring over his head and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, a look of peace coming to his face. "Put it away, it is causing my sister and Boromir distress," she said before standing and with the chamber silent returned to her seat.

Buffy looked at her sister in wonder before turning to her father and Gandalf, "What just happened?"

"I am not sure!" mused Gandalf looking closely at the now blushing Elf maiden. "Let us examine it."

Buffy looked at the now blushing Boromir, "I apologise my lord, I had no cause to attack you like that," she said with a curtsy.

Boromir blushed as he bowed in return, "Nay my lady, it is I that must apologise," he said solemnly.

"Thank you my lord," said Buffy before walking back to her place next to Dawn. "Thanks sis, I think you were right, I think it had something to do with the slayer part of me, I felt the pull of the Ring," she said.

"Yes Elenwë I think you may be correct!" said Gandalf. He looked at Dawn who still blushed, "What made you do such a dangerous thing? Did you know somehow you would be safe from the influence of the Ring?"

"I was worried that Elenwë would attack Boromir, I did not want anyone to get hurt," explained Dawn quietly. "I just knew that it was the Ring causing it and that I had to stop it, but I didn't know it would react as it did!"

"What mean you daughter?" asked Elrond, finally getting his feelings under control, he had thought at the moment Dawn's hand had touched the Ring she would be lost to them!

Dawn frowned in confusion, "Huh!" she could not help smiling at the confusion on her father's face, "Sorry, what I mean is, didn't you hear the Ring scream like it was in pain?"

"No Amaurëa, I heard nothing," Elrond told her.

"Oh, well I guess it was in my head then. I had to let it go as I sensed that it would start to retaliate if I didn't release it."

"It seems that Iarwain is not the only one the Ring has no influence over," mused Erestor.

"Yes be that as it may, it does not bring us any hope of an easy solution," pointed out Glorfindel.

"Yes exactly!" said Bilbo rising. "It seems to me that if we are going to send the Ring to Mordor all that is to be decided is who will go?"

No one answered. Frodo glanced at all the faces, but all but Dawn's was turned away, the look she gave him made up his mind. All he really wanted to do was return to the Shire, but if it meant saving this Elf maiden from darkness and shadow he would assault the Black Gate by himself. Finally he spoke, "I will take the Ring," he said quietly, "Though I do not know the way."

Elrond raised his eyes to Frodo, "If I understand aright all that I have heard, I think that this task is appointed for you Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will." Buffy looked at Frodo with a look of both sadness and understanding on her face. "This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great.

"But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, I will say that your choice is right; and though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Haldor, and Húrin, and Túrin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them."

"But you won't send him off alone surely Master?" cried Sam jumping up from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the floor.

Dawn and Buffy both giggled. "No indeed," smiled Elrond, "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to council and you are not."

Sam sat down, blushing and muttering. "A nice pickle we have landed ourselves in, Mr Frodo!" he said; Dawn and Buffy held each other unable to stop laughing.

Elrond looked sternly at his two daughters while Gandalf and some of the Elf lords smiled in amusement. "What amuses you my daughters?" he asked.

Buffy turned to their father, wiping the tears from her eyes, "Sorry, I think with all the talk about doom and destruction, what Sam said just broke all the tension, we did not mean any disrespect father," she said.

Elrond smiled lightly, "Very well," he said before turning to Frodo, "I will order scouts to be sent out and after they have reported of the Enemy we will make plans for your departure."

When Buffy and Dawn left the chamber they found Arwen sat waiting for them, she rose smiling, "I hope you two did not embarrass father to much," she said greeting them.

"Only once I think," giggled Dawn.

"And almost gave him and the rest of us heart attacks when you picked up the Ring!" declared Buffy; Arwen looked worried. "Don't worry, it seems there is something about our sister it does not like, she said it screamed when she touched it."

"Strange indeed Elenwë," mused Arwen, she smiled, "I waited here to tell you that Elladan and Elrohir are expected to return within the hour." She suddenly looked behind them causing Buffy and Dawn to turn to see Aragorn leaving the chamber; they smirked at each other as they noticed Arwen lower her eyes blushing slightly, "My lord Aragorn," she said.

"Lady Arwen," replied Aragorn, "My I speak with you for a moment privately!"

"Of course my lord," Arwen smiled, she turned to her sisters, "Please excuse us Elenwë, Amaurëa."

Buffy giggled, "Don't they make a sweet couple," she said in English. Dawn laughed.

Arwen's eyes narrowed, "What say you Elenwë?" she asked.

"Oh ah nothing of importance, just that Amaurëa and I should go and await our brothers," Buffy said putting her best 'I did not say anything about you' look on her face.

"Yes sister mine, why do you not take Amaurëa now."

"Of course," Buffy taking Dawn by the arm and they walked along the terrace laughing.

As they walked along a path towards the stables Dawn looked speculatively at Buffy, "Can you tell me something? You seem different since we arrived here... sort of happier, why?" she asked.

"Several reasons really," said Buffy, "For one I know we are safe from evil here, so I can relax, but mostly it is because when the Valar sent me to Earth they blocked my Elven side. As anyone that knew me, before I was taken, would tell you, I have always been like this.

"Elves generally are more fun loving than the other races of Middle-Earth, but are almost shy among others, they call us stand offish, but for some reason I was never like that... maybe that was one of the reasons the Valar chose me?"

"Maybe you're right. Where are we going?" Dawn asked looking around.

"The first place our brothers will go, the stables," Buffy explained before without reason she began to giggle as they came within sight of a very large willow by the side of the river.

"So what's so funny?" asked Dawn in confusion.

Buffy pointed to the willow, "When I was about your age one of Aragorn's ancestor's came here to hold a council with father and Gandalf, king Celebrimbor brought his son Malvegil with him, he continually tormented me, I could never get my own back until it snowed heavily one day.

"Every morning he would come here and watch the sun rise over the mountains, several times I tried hiding in the tree but he always caught me. Anyway that morning I used one of our Elven abilities, we can move over snow without leaving any footprints, knowing he would not suspect I was there as no footprints were anywhere near the tree.

"He stood under the tree as was his want and just as the sun appeared over the mountains I shook the branches as hard as I could, the snow hit him like an avalanche, burying him up to his neck. I jumped down and for the next half hour, I danced around him singing silly songs and laughing at him.

"That was when mother came looking for me, she got so angry with me. When the gardeners dug Malvegil out he was actually blue, it took all of father's healing skills to save him. When he was well enough father and mother made me his personal maid until he was fully recovered..."

"Oooh good punishment, that could have been where all your unique punishments of me came from," giggled Dawn.

"Could be," smiled Buffy. "Anyway as I looked after him we started to become friends... the first and only mortal friend I had here," she finished sadly.

"Why have you not had other mortal friends? What is it some kind of rule or something?" asked Dawn seriously.

Buffy looked at her sister, who could see the pain of loss in her eyes for the first time; "No, Elves generally keep to themselves because it pains us so much to make friends with mortals then lose them after, what is to us, such a short time. Another reason we are sometimes frowned on by the other races, because we try to protect ourselves from them and the friendships that would arise.

"I now know what Angel felt like back on Earth! But enough morbid thoughts, there are Elladan and Elrohir, let's go and introduce you to them," said Buffy mischief coming to her eyes.

"Oh hey this should be fun," giggled Dawn as she joined Buffy as they skipped towards the stable doors their brothers had just entered.

Buffy stop Dawn at the edge of the stable courtyard, "I have an idea, I'll hide here you go on a little... when they come out the door and see you, with your looks they will wish to know you, just slowly bring them back here."

"Okay could be fun, but you do realise what your suggesting is kind of icky, them being my brothers," pointed out Dawn. "How do I tell them apart by the way?"

"I can't really explain that but Arwen and I are the only ones that have been able to! But anyway it will probably be Elladan that does most of the talking as Elrohir has always been kinda shy around strangers," explained Buffy as she hide behind one of the storage sheds.

Dawn gave a little giggle, "Okay, here goes." She slowly walked into the yard, careful to avoid the odd bit of horse dropping and on a whim; she started to sing the same song as she had that morning, still not quite believing how beautiful her voice was! Even the horses snorting and moving around their paddock stopped to listen.

Moments after she finished her two brothers appeared at the stable doors, looks of wonder on both their faces. Pretending not to notice them, she began moving back towards where Buffy hid, she had only taken a few steps before Elladan and Elrohir caught up with her.

"My lady has a beautiful voice, may we know your name! For you are a stranger to us," Elladan said as he walked by her side.

"Thank you Elladan, my name is Amaurëa and I only arrived here yesterday," answered Dawn giving him a warm smile.

"How know you my name lady Amaurëa?" asked Elladan, "And how know you that I am not Elrohir?"

"Of that I cannot say but have not your sisters always been able to tell you apart!" said Dawn giving them a smile full of mischief.

"You play with us lady Amaurëa," smiled Elladan, "Know you our sister Arwen?"

"I know all your sisters, brother," Dawn said as they neared Buffy's hiding place.

Confusion crossed both brothers' faces, "My lady is mistaken, we only have one sister," said Elladan.

"And what of me?" came Buffy's voice before she appeared around the side of the shed. "Has it been so long that you would forget me?" she said laughing at the shocked looks on their faces.

"What trick is this that they would insult our dead sister so?" said Elrohir angrily, speaking for the first time as he moved to stand in front of Buffy.

Buffy's eyes lost their mischief to be replaced with love, "It is no trick Elrohir, it really is me, your sister," she said before the mischief returned. "Would you like me to remind you of all the times you and Elladan would chase me around the house, while I ran naked before you, because I wished not for mother to dress me when I woke in the mornings."

Elrohir gently searched Buffy's face for any lies; his eyes went a little wide, "Elenwë! Is it really you?" he asked, more in hope than anything else that the vision of his youngest sister would not suddenly vanish before his eyes.

Buffy's eyes misted up as she flew into his arms, "Yes it's me, brother, I have returned," she cried.

Dawn's eyes also misted up as she looked at her brother and sister hugging, she turned to Elladan, "Any chance I could get a hug too?"

Elladan pulled his eyes away from his two siblings to look at Dawn, "As much as I would love to oblige lady Amaurëa it would not be correct to do so, we are strangers," he said solemnly.

Dawn ignored him and jumped into his arms, "I may be a stranger but I'm also your sister, Elladan," she stated.

Elladan pulled Dawn out of the hug, "My lady I may have thought that I had but one living sister but I am sure that I only ever had two sisters," he said sadly.

Buffy pulled out of Elrohir chest to look over at Dawn and Elladan tears running down her cheeks, "She is your sister, Elladan, she came back with me," she explained.

Elrohir looked down at his sister, "How can that be true Elenwë?"

"Trust me it's true, we will explain it all to you... in a while," said Buffy diving back into the hug.

This time Elladan did not resist when Dawn attempted to hug him, his eyes misting up.