I CAPTURE THE SUN
Pairings: Buffy/Legolas. I might as well point out that at this point, it will be eventual.
Teaser: Buffy ends up in Heaven, which happens to be Middle-Earth. But not everything is as heavenly as it seems as she's come in the middle of a war and finds a piece of Heaven worth fighting for.
Rating: T, by the new fanfiction standards. If blood and gore bother you, this should still be all right to read.
Revised Summary: Buffy Summers had been given a new life and for thirty years she lived as the powerful, feared leader of a warrior clan of women… and then her friends pulled her out of Heaven. Now she lives in a world she no longer understands surrounded by people who cannot help her. Friendships will be tested and loyalties will be stretched to their limits but she will never rest until she fulfills her last promise and fights in the war she knows has come.
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon. The 'Lord of the Rings' book series belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. The plot is (hopefully) my own.
Timeline: The story is currently set approximately fifty years before the start of the Fellowship.
Gratitudes: Despite the fact the last chapter may have thrown for a loop, I'm still grateful to all of you who have read it.
Kanikan - Well... I know my Buffy is a bit off. That was one of the problems with this chapter. It explores her role as 'just as Slayer' versus her role of 'a Slayer and a ruler'. Though she gave up her rights to rule, she knows her people need her. I think the difference is, her family extends beyond Dawn in Sunnydale; she has two women she rose as daughters from when they were quite young and now she knows they are in danger and she also knows she has the power to stop this danger. As for the heartlessness, it wasn't entirely so. It will have serious implications of her future in ME because she is going to feel like she left someone behind instead of feeling as though she just dropped out of the sky. Thirty years sans Dawn will get someone to hope that Dawn has a better life. To be with her again and then be parted possibly forever. It kind of makes you think that there was some higher power involved with her longing to return, does it not? In any case, thank you for your thoughts on my inconsistencies. I am glad you are enjoying the writing, however.
General Mac - of course.
Toniboo - Oh, some reactions will be priceless. It was so much fun to write a few of them. As for your question, see my little note a few paces down. The current answer is they will have a limited space.
vampy the chosen one - The only reason ME is her "true" home is because she was there longer than she was on her own Earth. Thirty years versus about twenty. And thank you for your nice compliments!
XinnLajgin - I was always going to send her back... it was just a matter of when. And she is back for good.
Tap Dancing Widow - I really had no real good way to let Dawn down easily. It would have been difficult for Dawn to face either way. That is why I am considering a sequel as an answer to your first question. As for your second, the stories will only intersect a few paces longer.
Irismoon – it may be impossible to explore Tara's heritage at this point, but there is a partial explanation at the end of this chapter… and as sort of a hint, she is not related to Galadriel.
Damia – Enjoy the read.
Athene Saile – As this story is nearing its end, it would be impossible to explore her place in this world, but it would make for a good sequel, along with other things worth exploring.
Moon, gates, slaying – Well, thank you very much for the comments. I apologize for the lack of B/L interaction in this chapter, but I do hope to make up for it in the next part.
Lady Katanya – There is much that could happen and only some that will. I hope you like the end of this story.
Part Summary: Sacrifices are made, alliances are won and families part as the greatest battle of their lives begins.
Notes: Something about the last chapter… it has set up a potential storyline that may be explored in a sequel. Because this story is almost over, the implications of what happened in the last chapter won't come to light. I was thinking of doing a companion piece to this story, because there a lot of things that could be explored. Last chapter was one of about four choices I had and I think I made the right one. I think you'll soon see why. This chapter I am scared to death to release because this is a major battle chapter, with major action and what I might call extravagant energy. I hope you like it.
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Part XVIII
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MirkwoodForest
Spring 3019
The snarling creatures were getting closer. Buffy felt a slight chill as she gazed at their swelling numbers; there had to be at least twenty of them now. She kept her hand up, but soon realized it just presented a tempting target for one of these creatures to latch onto. She attempted to back away, but felt the cold trunk behind her, the winter's chill seeping into her coat and her thin, shiny top. If only she had been more prepared before taking a little leap back in time!
There was another problem that soon presented itself. She saw the Elf moving stealthily towards her. He wanted her to see him. He wanted her to see her adversary. She had begun her journey into this world by battling these creatures. It would only make perfect sense that she would face her re-entry in this world by fighting the same.
Before she could react to these two very near threats, she heard a loud boom in the distance. The whistling sound that followed sounded rather familiar. Turning, she backed into the trees just as a large, flaming bomb soared over the trees and landed between the two near foes. As the large object skimmed the tips of the trees, they broke off, showering the earth with blackened tips upon the newly-fallen snow. It provided a stark contrast, as nearly the one between an immortal Shadow fighting for goodness and the dark Elf placed in this world by evil. As they eyed one another over the flaming object over the howls of burning hounds, she held her breath as she moved amongst the trees. She could feel his eyes follow. She wanted him to follow. Though she was without a weapon of any sort to use, she had to do something.
Hearing the sounds of more flaming balls being released from their catapults, Buffy kept to the trees as she saw two more flaming objects far overhead and heard the distant sound of their descent. It sounded like thunder, but it was enough to prompt her into action.
The Elf decided to spring first, but she was ready. He leapt over the lines of flames, the hounds growling as he passed between them. His gloved hand brought forth a long, deadly sword which reflected brightly from the snow. Buffy placed her hands by her side and let out a long, pent-up breath. Already she felt calm. She felt whole again.
He swung out at her and she twisted easily from his grasp. As he swung behind him, she dropped and rolled under his parry, chuckling as she snapped back to her feet. Turning to gaze at her reproachfully with those eyes, she felt a slight shiver in her spine. His eyes had no depth to them whatsoever. There was no light. There was only malice. This Elf had known torture and had seen death unlike so many Elves. She thought that they didn't understand it. This one seemed to get it. And that thought alone frightened her.
He struck out again and she executed a quick kick to push the blade from her side, sending him off-balance. As he retaliated with a sharp blow, she felt her body fly gracefully backwards until she slid into a tree and moved to the ground. The snow was cold on her face as she pushed the crystals from her eyes, getting to her feet. The Elf was waiting for her. His next two swings were one after another, sending her flipping backwards and then leaping sideways. As she attempted to move from this last parry, the tip of his sword sliced into her coat. She felt the cold blade nick her shoulder. Turning with accusing eyes, she gazed at her wound before lifting her chin to face her enemy.
The Elf staggered backwards at her first thrust outwards. His sword went spinning away during their second. As another flaming ball whistled less than twenty feet above their heads and landed in the trees behind the Elf, he fell to the ground at her perfectly executed roundhouse. He was back on his feet as quickly as she had been and pushed out, catching her wounded arm and twisting her to the ground. She lifted her left leg and nudged him from behind, sending him spiraling over her shoulders and into the field, rolling head over heels until he landed in what she was quick to deem no-man's land. When she rushed down to greet him again, he gazed at her with eyes full of stunning clarity.
"If you destroy me, the darkness will take you," he sneered as he recoiled from another solid hit to his coldly fair face.
"I don't think it will," she said cheerfully, using a left hook this time and watching as his head spun.
"You will have no choice in this matter," he replied, catching her opposing right hook and sending her off balance. "They will fight to the very last, until everyone you love and care for lies dead in this ravine."
Her next hit had more force behind it. Knowing that he was goading her into an easy victory, he smiled up with cracked, bloody lips. "I will kill," she snapped, leaping backwards as he attempted to stand up, "every single one of your stupid minions if I have to. And I will get you." There was a dark, hungry look on her face now. He smiled again and felt another solid hit. He didn't break underneath her hold. He was quite beginning to enjoy this fight, despite his lack of any feeling in his face.
"Nay, lady," he replied, catching her speeding fist and crushing it in his strong grasp. He heard her inhale sharply as he bent her fingers sharply back and snapped them. She didn't cry out, but kept a reproachful watch on him. "In the end, this darkness will consume you."
"I'm the one darkness fears the most," she said, hints of anger in her tone as he snapped back another of her fingers. She didn't cry out. She didn't even blink as he took her entire arm and wrenched it far backwards with such speed and agility that her body recoiled, landing hard on the ground. As he twisted her arm up behind her and brought his hand to her fragile throat, he thought about how easy it would be to squeeze the life from this pathetic being. A Lady of Shadow, truly? She was little more than a weak, twisted woman with a mindset of greatness that will never come.
Even as she felt his cold hand close around her throat, his palm pressing against her chin, she knew she had to act. Sharply, she brought her head back, their skulls colliding as he fell backwards, stumbling over the trees and landed sharply on his backside. Spying a glint of silver on her ankle, she lifted her sodden pants leg and was stunned to see a silver dagger held in its holder strapped to the top of her boot. Removing her new weapon, she held it in her hand and turned to the Elf rising. Holding the knife out of sight, she advanced on him. There was a cry in the distance. Above her head, the faint hint of dawn was approaching.
"You are little more than a child," the Elf replied callously as he moved around her. She turned to follow him, her knife hidden in her injured hand beneath her coat sleeve. She was going to be careful before striking. He was most dangerous now as his face was beginning to bruise and blood flowed freely from his cracked lip and a deep cut over his eye from where he'd struck the tree. He moved behind her. She let him. As he came at her from behind, his arm looping around her neck and lifting her roughly, her feet flying into the air, she withdrew the blade and as she pushed her own momentum forward, they staggered downhill. As they separated, she turned her wrist and sank her dagger into his chest.
She heard him inhale as he fell away from her. She spun around, keeping hold of the knife. He lifted those ageless eyes to meet hers with a knowing look, but seeing the resilience on her face confused him. Surely by now she should have been taken by the darkness… right? Surely by now, she would have been his…
She twisted the blade as she pushed it out. As he moved back, his hands clutching his deep wound, he glanced up at her with a face filled with betrayal and confusion. For a moment as she stood there, clutching the bloody blade, she pitied him. The lies that Mordor must have passed to him for his allegiance…
Hearing the snarling pack behind her, she lifted her hand and glanced behind her to see the large number of grumbling beings. Slowly, she stepped back and gestured them forward. "Have at it," she said under her breath as the creatures practically tripped over one another in their haste to get forward. Even as they attacked their former master, she didn't hear him cry out once. A tense smile graced her face as she cleansed the dagger in the snow, her bare fingers wiping away every last trace of immortal blood. One of the being snorted and the Elf was quickly consumed by flame. Slipping her dagger back into its holder on her ankle, she calmly walked over and lifted the Dark Elf's curved sword. "How I envy you," she said, speaking to the now-deceased Elf as he was dragged by the creatures deeper into the woods. "At least you got the easy way out."
She turned to head back into the woods when she heard the distinct sound of an Orc horn some paces behind her. Knowing that she had little time to spare, she moved into the woods at a brisk run, sword in hand.
A moment later, she heard an answering horn.
x-x-x
"Volley!" a voice shouted out. Quickly half-dozen straps were released as the flaming balls were released into the air, sailing towards the large Orc army heading from the south. From the north, the men of the village stood behind their leader, her women paced around her. The archers were standing just downhill, readying their bows for the first onslaught. The main regiment of her army was still behind them, left in what remained of the village after those horrible fire-breathing creatures had been set loose within. They had since left since the call of the Nazgûl and for this, Siri was most grateful. They had taken out a round dozen by the time she had even noticed them. They were lethal, deadly and apparently under the Shadow's thrall.
Siri made the motion for a quick reload and she watched as large wraps containing anything that could be used to make sure an object were loaded back into their war towers. There was an odd red mist from the fires to the east and for a moment Siri pitied the Elves in their fight with the majority of the Orc army to the east, towards the Mirkwood King's lair.
"Again!"
Siri watched as another six flaming balls were released into the woods. This time, the cries of the burning Orc sounded much closer. Glancing down, she lifted her bow and quickly fitted an arrow. On either side of her, a long row of men and women repeated her motion. Two figures quickly moved along, lighting the end of their arrows with fire. If the Orcs were going to play dirty, Siri was prepared to fight with fire. As the Orc horn blew from the forest below, Siri gave the order for the horns to sound. One by one they sounded. Then they released the arrows.
They found their marks for the most part as more than a fair share of Orcs appeared at the tree line. "Fire at will," she shouted as she quickly rearmed, the others following suit. As wave after wave of arrows met the Orcs below, they were not without their own archers. "Aim for the archers!" she shouted quickly, pivoting to fire at a line of Orcs emerging from the protection of the trees, armed to the teeth with crossbows.
She feared her order was given too late.
Though the first volley downed a small number of the crossbow artists, she watched as a few from her own line were felled from the evil below. Those firing the catapults abandoned the towers and took to their own bows, and for some time there was a frenzied exchange of fire between both groups.
Siri, beginning to realize that more had fallen than she had originally thought, spun on her heel to call the retreat. The horns had just sounded when the unthinkable occurred.
The Nazgûl shrieked from the other side of the trees. Siri, her heart filled with dread, turning to look as the Orcs lifted their weapons in victory at the thought of their lords returning from the assault on Minas Tirith. Frozen though she was in her fear, Siri prayed that a quick death would greet her. She was not willing to endure torture and pain under this constant attack…
Instead, she saw something that stunned her mind completely. Words could not express her emotions the instant a figure emerged from the far forest and began attacking the Orc archers, downing them one by one. As the Orcs realized they had been deceived, they turned to attack the newcomer. Yet she had not come alone. Growling creatures emerged behind her, attacking Orc after Orc as she ordered them onwards.
She heard a loud cry from someone behind her and spun, seeing Alywn standing there, her bow held loosely at her side, her eyes wide with disbelief. Was she actually laughing? Siri could not understand how such a miracle was possible. It was as though the ones who looked after them had been waiting for this moment before springing such a gift…
And yet there she was, Buffy, their former leader and guardian, moving between the Orcs.
Prying a horn from the hands of its dead bearer, she blew as loudly as she could, wanting to let Buffy know that she was there to back her up. Then, dropping her bow and removing her sword, she aimed it towards the throngs of Orcs now emerging from the forest and gave the call to charge forward.
Buffy surged forward, quickly drawing the curve sword on the underside of an Orc, nearly cleaving him in two as he fell away. Turning, she lifted her sword again, only to see a young woman in a dark cloak at her side, her own shorter swords spinning rapidly as she downed two Orcs in one quick swoop before moving on. Glancing over the heads of all of those now attacking the Orcs head on, she finally saw Siri swinging her sword with practiced ease, taking out foe after foe. Spinning the sword behind her, Buffy drove it through the sternum of an attacking Orc before she twisted the blade, drawing it down as the Orc collapsed at her feet. With a smug smile, she lifted her hands and watched as her growing hounds moved onwards.
Despite the charge the villagers had received from watching their fallen leader return to battle, they soon began to realize that they were fearfully outnumbered. What they did not realize was that the Orcs had been pressed westward by Thranduil's forces. While the villagers were attacked from the south, more foes began to arrive from the east, quickly flooding into the valley below the city.
Buffy soon realized that unless she got these people out of there, they would be bottled up and strategically picked off one by one. Turning, she looked for someone with the authority to issue such an order. She wanted this to be Siri's call. Cold sunlight met her face as she glanced up at the sun. Feeling slightly stronger, she turned and continued to fight off her foes rapidly, watching as the Orcs started piling at their feet. Then she saw something that made her blood chill. The trees in the distance were twisting and the sound of thunder was growing nearer. Realizing what this could mean, a retreat was their only option for survival. Turning, she shouted, "Retreat to the hills! Retreat to the hills!"
"Retreat!" a deep baritone voice came, along with the sound of a horn Buffy had not yet heard. "Retreat!"
Siri turned and watched as many removed themselves from battle and began pushing towards the north. Buffy turned to face the east and saw creatures moving amongst the trees. She had to cut them off and fast. Turning, she clutched the arm of a young woman who turned to face her breathlessly. Her face was smeared with Orc blood, which seemed to drip from her fingers. Yet she understood Buffy's instructions to conveniently burn the front patch of the forest, pushing the Orcs south away from the sunlight and back towards the place where they could be faced head-on.
Below in the valley, Siri was refusing to accept defeat and kept fighting, though she realized she was attracting more attention now. As Buffy moved with others to dump vast barrels of oil and wood in the dry brush near the tree line, Siri continued to fight alone. She knew she was acting foolish and could not hold back an entire army as her mother could, but she felt like she had something to prove. She had to have something to show for, since she was certain that her return to this forest must have disappointed her… Despite the overwhelming relief of knowing that their strong leader had returned and was willing to fight on their side, she still felt the inane emotion of wanting to hold onto her leadership role… Buffy had named her Queen after all…
Buffy whistled over the blood hounds. The humans watched apprehensively as the snarling dogs tore their fangs from the Orcs they had been devouring, black blood whetting the snow as they trotted over in a large pack to stand before the woods. As she gazed at the woods, waiting for the second front to come, she felt something tug at her heart. Something was seriously wrong. Spinning, she headed back to the top of the hill, where only half of the forces that had gone into the woods had emerged. Spying Alwyn, she moved towards the woman, who lifted a trembling hand and gestured downhill. "Siri," was all she needed to say.
Buffy felt her jaw drop as she saw Siri's dark hair flying as she kicked at an Orc before using her knife to forcefully nudge her enemy away. What on Arda was this girl trying to prove? "Siri!" she shouted. "Get out of there!"
Siri turned and nodded her head, acknowledging what Buffy had said. But Buffy knew better. She began moving downhill, lifting her sword again with her injured hand. She felt the others start to follow but she shouted back, "No, stand your ground!"
"Buffy!" Alwyn shouted in alarm as Buffy continued to move down towards the swarm of Orcs now circling around Siri.
Siri was surprisingly holding her own, backing towards the hill.
Alwyn glanced at the survivors and quickly found a group of bows on the ground. "Cover them," she uttered to herself. Raising her voice, she added, "Cover them!"
"Who do we cover?" a young man asked, holding his bow and looking back from the eastern ridge where the Orcs were getting ever nearer to the south, where both of their leaders were facing imminent danger.
"You must divide," Alwyn replied, desperation in her voice. "As soon as the Orcs reach that clearing, set that line ablaze. The rest of us will cover them."
The man nodded and took a few aside as they lit their torches on fire and awaited the return of the second wave of foes coming from a separate direction.
Siri was nearly halfway up the hill now as Buffy met her, charging beyond to kick one Orc aside and cut down two others. As the two women moved away, Buffy felt as though they were safe once more. However, the ridge they were moving backwards on was uneven. Buffy's foot hit an incline and she stumbled, falling to the side, nearly losing grip of her sword and completely falling away from Siri, leaving the exhausted woman in clear sight of any foe.
An Orc archer took sight of her and fired from its crossbow once before a barrage of fire from the hill overtook his frame. But as he died, he smiled; he had hit his mark. Siri cried out as the arrow pierced her shoulder, forcing her to drop her sword and swing dangerously to the right. Before she knew what had happened, she was falling towards the circle of bloodthirsty Orcs awaiting their chance to retaliate for all of their own that had been taken. Buffy, finally regaining her balance, could only watch helplessly as Siri collapsed forward. "No," she moaned, rushing forward.
It was far too late. One Orc took his poisoned blade and thrust upwards, the metal plunging through her abdomen and slicing upwards towards her spine. At her sharp inhale, he drew the blade out. It was then that cover fire from the hill sprayed ruin upon them all as Buffy arrived, one arm reaching out and clutching Siri around her waist and pulling backwards. Siri could only gasp as she knew that her end had come. She saw darkness as her face tipped towards the cerulean sky. It seemed so cold that she would die under a perfect morning.
Buffy's face suddenly hovered above her own and she heard her voice as though it were an apparition, "Hold on, Siri… we're almost there…"
Siri could only moan as she choked, a thin stream of blood emitting from her dry lips. She heard the voices of others close in and felt their hands close around her body, pulling her away from danger. She could see a flash of gold and knew that Buffy had moved down to cover them. Arrows looked like lines drawn in the perfect sky. She felt something cold and wet behind her, but soon realized that she had been placed on the frozen ground. There were frantic footsteps around her and cries of alarm. She didn't understand why they were so upset. She just wanted to close her eyes and rest a while.
"Move!" Buffy shouted, pushing two men away. Falling to her knees, she took Siri's hand and held it. Siri turned her face slightly towards her. "Siri… please…"
"It's okay," the woman sighed, her voice pinched and tight, likely from the fact her lungs were collapsing from the blunt attack on her body. "I…"
Buffy's eyes were full of angst now. She looked ever so close to tears. Siri longed to tell her that it was going to be okay. She wanted to tell her that she was going to be all right. She was going to close her eyes and rest. And then she would be home again, with her true family, where she belonged. She felt the tears in her eyes drip down her cheeks onto the frozen ground. She mustered all of the emotions she could and squeezed with her hand. When she felt the resounding squeeze in return, she knew that Buffy understood what she was trying to say. There were just too many things to say.
"Cover that flank!" Alwyn shouted, moving onwards as more than a dozen others came behind, firing flaming arrows to the south.
"They're coming!" another voice shouted, this one masculine. The Orcs were breaking the eastern tree line.
Buffy turned her face back to Siri and felt a crushing weight of defeat touch her. She hadn't been fast enough. Had she just pushed herself a little harder, she would have gotten back. She would have been able to save Siri. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"No," Siri said, giving the slightest motion of shaking her head. "Nothing…" She let out a soft cry as the ground around her trembled with the renewed footsteps of archers. She could smell the intense smoke from the fire now burning to the east. "I…"
"Just close your eyes," Buffy said in a quiet, pained voice. "It's time to rest."
"I…"
She felt Buffy's hand on her cheek. It was so warm. She felt her skin react strangely to the warmth. Everything seemed to be fading away. Knowing that the last thing she could do was close her eyes and drift to sleep, she felt darkness overcome her.
"Find your way home," Buffy whispered, her voice trembling slightly as Siri let out a long, deep breath before remaining still and moving no more. Pulling her hand away, she gazed at the peaceful face of a woman who had resigned herself to her own fate. She had sacrificed her life so that the others could escape. Perhaps they were more deeply related than she had originally thought. Getting to her feet, she lifted the Dark Elf's sword, her fist closing around the hilt. Seeing the high line of fire now forcing the Orcs to the south, she turned to glance at the sky. Feeling an overwhelming rage settling into her, she stared at the swelling numbers now moving towards the hill from the south. They were waiting to see power? She would give them power…
Taking a deep breath, she screamed. It wasn't the piercing cry of the Nazgûl, but a deep cry expressing her loss and her emotions, all welled into a cry that was unanswered by all. The Orcs paused in their pursuit to watch her. Even her own people were backing away in alarm, looking astounded by this show of emotion from their leader. Turning, Buffy violently kicked an empty barrel down the hill, causing a few Orcs to fall over backwards in their attempt to get away from her. Lifting her sword, the strength of the sunlight suddenly fell gleaming into the valley and all the darkness was chased away.
Quailing under the brilliant light, the Orcs began a retreat. Buffy spun around, lifting her injured hand and whipping her arm about in a circle. "Archers!"
They were ready. They came forward in a solid line and volley after volley fired at the retreating Orc army as they disappeared under the cover of the forest canopy. But not even the forest could hide these creatures from a Slayer's rage. Lowering her sword, she drove it into the ground, the earth splitting beneath the force of her thrust. The hill they stood upon trembled and from the earth came pure white light that seemed to emanate into the woods. Hearing the terrified shrieks of the Orcs and the distant horns of the Elves, she knew the time to advance had come. Moving around the sword, she walked amongst the bodies and took Siri's sword, holding it in both hands.
After the archers had gazed at one another, Alwyn took the bold step forward. "My Lady?"
"Gather the dead," Buffy said, her tone devoid of all emotion. Alwyn would have given anything to see Buffy's face in that moment, but she allowed her former leader her moment of grief. "Bury them before nightfall. Tonight, we're going on the hunt."
"Then let us summon the others," a male called out, charging forward. "We have over one thousand to our numbers, Lady. They will fight under cover of darkness."
"Then call to them," Buffy said, turning her back and facing them. "But let them know that any man or woman who ventures into the darkness may not come out alive. All of you with injuries are asked to remain behind. I don't have time for weakness." She walked back up the hill, dropping Siri's father's sword at their fallen leader's side. "This has to end."
x-x-x
To the south and west, Galadriel stole to the shores of the Anduin, watching as hundreds of white Elven ships carried her own forces across the channel to the Mirkwood forest on the other side. To the north, she saw great flashes of red, even in the brilliant daylight. Her own archers had been given the order to hold out until nightfall before beginning the pursuit to cast down Dol Guldur. It was time for the fortress of Darkness to be laid to waste. Too many lives had been lost in this war already.
She felt the strength of her mate, Celeborn, at her side. Turning, she saw the woods of Lothlórien for the final time before her Marchwarden bade her enter her own ship. As the ships began to cross the river and head to the cover of the southern forest, she had felt the third assault on Lórien had been the most difficult and most trying yet. Though her ring was deeply connected with the One Ring, she still had the power to repel the forces of darkness.
And yet she felt as though fortune had altered in their favor. Despite the large numbers of Orcs and other fell creatures that had swept into her woods unchecked and unforeseen, they had all been slaughtered under the merciless force of her own Elvish guards. But things were direr to the north. Thranduil did not have a ring to protect his realm and all of his woods were burning under violent red light. At night Galadriel could hear the lament to the Silvan brothers and sisters who had lost their lives in the violent struggle for life to the north.
Galadriel was going to do all she was able to protect those she considered kin. Though slightly off-putting and quite rude when he needed to be, Thranduil was still King of an Elven realm and not since the time of Unnumbered Tears or the attack on Sauron in the First Age had any Elven alliance been as strong.
She was pleased to see that the first ships had already made it to the opposite shore and were quickly setting up a perimeter that would allow their Lord and Lady to cross into the fabled realm. In days of old, this land would have been protected, not by the Shadow but by the Lady of Shadows. She would have repelled the Orcs in those days, Galadriel thought with a firm smile. Though she had received word of her disappearance, she could feel the power in waves from the north. Despite her disappearance, her spirit had endured. But this power was much different than the power she had felt before. That power had been to protect the innocent, Galadriel thought as her ship reached mid-stream… this power belonged to vengeance.
x-x-x
By nightfall, many fires were burning as the extent of Siri's forces was now gathered in the valley. All along the ridge were mounds of buried bodies. In the distance, large fires consumed dead Orc. Buffy had also ordered those hounds destroyed. Despite the fact that they had followed her as Sauron had once willed, she assumed he would be a little ticked if he discovered how completely unhelpful they had been in securing this forest as a victory. There was also the issue that they weren't too choosy when it came to mealtimes, either.
Alwyn marched amongst the forces, pleased to see that they were all well-armed and prepared to do as Buffy asked them. Though Buffy had been once again named General in a long, outstanding war that would likely kill them all, she had no reservations in fighting. She was getting tired of all of this fighting.
After looking over the forces, Alwyn found Buffy near the edge of the ridge, crouched down near a grave marker with a sword at the head. Siri's father's sword would remain with her always, Buffy had decided. It was a marker that closed the book on the once-powerful family. Though the line had cleanly fallen, it was Alwyn who had informed her earlier that it was not so.
"She had kids?" Buffy asked in disbelief as four young men shoveled newly-hewn earth over her daughter's broken form.
"She had three children," Alwyn confirmed in a soft voice, misty-eyed. "The youngest has just learned to walk…"
Now alone in her own corner of the makeshift graveyard surrounded by the deceased, she gathered dirt in her hands and let it drift back to the mound, feeling as though she were empty inside. It was only way to steel herself for doing what she was prepared to do. "The others told me what you had done," she whispered, letting the rest of the dirt fall to the earth. "They told me that you were willing to hold up my bargain with King Thranduil… that you were willing to go to whatever end. I see in you what I have done to my own… family. You gave your life to save theirs… so did I. I don't think it gets easier than that. It cheapens it… it's the easy way out. You have your death all cut out nicely for you and you take that fork instead of taking the one that leads down a road that no one can follow. When I left this world behind, I was ready for it. Now I feel like I've left someone behind and I don't know…" She lifted her injured hand to cover her eyes, which were starting to tear. "I'm sorry, but I didn't know you had family here. I didn't know that your line went on or I would have fought harder… I'm the one who can't die! I just… please, Dawn, if you can hear me… forgive me… please?"
"Buffy," a quiet voice spoke from behind her, signaling Alwyn's return. "The forces are ready."
"Keep them in the forest, two large groups. No one travels alone. I'll take the sky route." Brushing the tears from her eyes, she leaned over and pressed her hand to the dirt. "I guess we're never too old to realize that we're never too wise to know we've left something behind. Thank you… I love you. I always loved you. You were my daughter, no matter what anyone else said. And I think today you proved to me that I had more of an impact on you than I thought. I'm proud of you, my little Siri. I hope you're with your real mother and father now. Look after your people… they need your graces now more than ever." Biting her lip, she retracted her hand and got to her feet. Smoothing her long coat and her top and trousers beneath, she turned to face the large army now marching downhill, their torches bobbing in the distance as they disappeared amongst the tree trunks. Seeing Alwyn and the other lieutenants on the hill, Buffy gestured them onwards. "Nothing survives," she told Alwyn in a low voice. "When you find the enemy, signal for backup. I will not have useless deaths on my hands because of incompetence."
"Yes, Lady," Alwyn said, bowing her head quickly. "The appropriate orders will be given."
"Thanks," Buffy said, and watched as Alwyn broke off to speak to the others. Once exchanging these words, they all turned to the south. Buffy took a deep breath and moved to the lines. Glancing up, she pulled herself into the trunks and began to move silently above them, keeping at a pace where she could see movement in the distance. Seeing a red haze many miles away, she knew that the Orcs had retreated into their corner. But an injured animal backed into a corner was more dangerous than before, Buffy recalled as she quickened her pace.
x-x-x
It was nearing dawn when Buffy slowed at last, hearing the sounds of a distant battle. She glanced behind her and spotted the movement of a reasonably-sized army moving steadily south. She turned back and crossed the narrow gap between branches. Landing in a crouch, she took a moment to decipher the sounds. There were the usual grunts and groans of Orcs, but judging by the movement, there were other fell beings that were much larger. She would place them at a Troll's size and for that they would need aerial support. She decided to wait until the others came before she put archers in the trees. They were still a few days from Dul Guldur, but it sounded as though the Orcs had met resistance on their return to their lair. It had been a long journey from the north, lasting days. She couldn't count how many as the trees blotted out all color, melding darkness and light into one blurry shadow. She would have thought a week had passed had she been counting the days, but time wasn't important here. The Orcs had been swooping south towards their stronghold and, judging by the sounds, they had met their match. She forced her exhausted body to cross to the next tree and to the next before falling against the limb, lying in wait. Her people were hours behind and she knew that she had to wait before any plan of attack would become possible.
She was tired enough to sleep in this tree. She remembered sleeping for a few hours the day before. Stretching out and leaning back, she felt the sturdy trunk provide ample support for her cramped figure. She knew that falling asleep would only bring nightmares, Slayer-crafted dreams of Sunnydale and of Dawn. She didn't need that guilt when she was about to lead an army into its most intense test yet. She didn't need the added pressure. And yet there was little else to do. Closing her eyes, she rested for awhile.
Dark were her dreams, seeing spinning lights and dark shadows moving about her. There were voices, both harsh and consoling. And, in the end, there was a great, flaming eye. It was focused to the north where large contingents of men were marching on the Black Gates of Mordor. The voices stopped as she watched the march from above. The gates had opened and many fell creatures moved through, circling around the small groups of men. And yet, even when the battle began, they didn't give up. They kept fighting and buying time for something… she didn't quite know what it was. But she felt a dark power and realized that the One Ring was in Mordor. It was ever close to returning to its master. It was drawing nearer and nearer…
There was a shrieking cry as eight winged creatures turned from the eagle foes and soared into the dark realm. The Eye had turned towards Mount Doom. In the moment of silence she had remaining, she felt as though the entire world were holding its breath…
With a sharp gasp, she awoke. There were the sounds of footsteps moving beneath her now and she rolled onto her stomach. Panting, she spied the beginnings of her own army moving stealthily through the darkness. They had been trained to march in the woods in shadow and moved without light or speaking. Pushing herself to her feet, she continued leaping from tree to tree as the army moved beneath her. Already the battle had moved south. Either the Orcs had been destroyed, which she deemed unlikely or else whoever the Orcs had been fighting had retreated. Knowing that the only thing standing between the forces of good and the total annihilation of these woods were the Elves, she feared what she would find as they moved south. Knowing they had many miles to cover, she continued moving. Time was now against them. Sauron was close to recapturing his prize. If he received what he had been looking for, all of their lives would end. And she would be returned to the darkness.
Miles to the south and east, the forces of Thranduil were pressing onwards. Elves moved forward in long lines, attempting to pin the Orc army to the western borders of the forest. For weeks now the Elves had moved south, pushing the Orcs from their realm. Thranduil himself led his own forces atop his steed, his eyes callously glimpsing for traces of this black foe. He was more than tired of waiting for the next assault from Sauron. Too many Elves had lost their lives in this war as it was. He was prepared to end this line before the next assault came. The woods to the north had suffered grievously, burning for many days before the strength of the Elves endured. Much had been destroyed in his realm, but as he had learned from his darker past, more could be rebuilt.
His guards moved onwards, the Elven archers moving ahead of what remained of his cavalry. Dol Guldur was less than a day's ride from the north and he continued to move his forces down. His archers were already engaged in battle, trying to pick off the fleeing Orc army one by one.
To the far south, the full forces of Lórien were engaging the entire Orc army. They had returned to their fortress at last only to find Lord Celeborn and thousands of Elves waiting. With the power of Galadriel's protection over them, they continued to battle through the night. It was only when Thranduil's forces arrived at last did a great rousing cheer rise through the ranks of the Elves as the Orc army stood no chance. Galadriel moved amongst her guards, casting down the black posts guarding the dark fortress. The Orcs within defended their realm to the last being, but stood no chance against the merciless Elves. Long had they fought these foes. Long had they defended their realms. The time had come for the Elves to return the pains and hurt from all of the previous wars. Though they would later deny it, the Elves were enjoying themselves as they continued to slay their dark opponents.
To the north, the sounds of battle were all too obvious. They were more than a day away now, Buffy thought as she neatly flipped over a smaller branch and landed before her army. Her lieutenants quickly came forward at her beckoning.
"What battle is this?" Alwyn asked uncertainly, her eyes gazing into the dark trees before them. There was a light haze over the treetops in the distance.
"It is possible that Elves survived and have taken on the army," Buffy said steadily. "I don't know who commands them, but I do know there are a lot of them. That Orcs numbered in the thousands when we took them on. It is possible their numbers have grown. Now… we're less than a day from Dol Guldur. I know the men and women are tired and probably sick of walking in the darkness. I'm just asking you to do this one more time. We're going to cover the western flank to prevent the Orcs from escaping. They will try and move under cover of darkness towards the river. We can't let them leave and we certainly can't let them get to the mountains. If they do, they'll only come back with a bigger army. Now I know that you're scared. I'm scared, too. I don't know what we're going to find or what will happen. All I know is that you're the best trained army I have ever seen and you know how to get this job done. I trust you as much as I trust myself. Our allies down there are fighting for their lives, their freedom. Let's give them the message that they're not alone."
The lieutenants exchanged a brief, tense smile.
"We're with you," an older man said, inclining his head.
"We were always with you," Alwyin said, distinct pride flashing in her eyes. "You are our General, our leader, our Lady… our Queen."
Buffy waved this notion aside. There would be time enough to sort out titles later. "Archers will take to the hills and await the signal. I want the rest of you to prepare for battle one-on-one. This is just good, old knife work and I know you're good at it because I trained many of you myself. Now, let's show these Orcs who we really are… men and women of the north."
That said, the army quickly divided, the archers moving precariously into the trees under their former leader and now strict General. Buffy led them southwest, around the fortress of Dol Guldur. As the hours passed, the sounds of battle grew louder. Messengers were sent back and forth through the trees and a problem was soon discovered: the half-Trolls had not yet made their way to the south. They were still east of battle but moving rapidly towards the Elves. As Buffy knew her forces would easily knock them down, she arranged for half of the archers to move east and kept the rest moving south. It was time to end this battle once and for all.
Drawing down her own bow, she kept running along the topmost branches until at last she could see the battle taking place in the woods below. She glanced behind her and saw forces moving rapidly down the western slopes. The ground was higher there and made for easier movement because they were no longer under the cover of trees. There was no longer the threat of an attack from the Nazgûl. Buffy knew this. She could sense somehow that either they no longer existed or their power was greatly diminished.
The fortress now in sight, she began to set up the archers in a way that when the Orc army finally showed its true size, they would be prepared. She flipped down to the ground, shouting up at Alwyn to be prepared and to fire at anything that wasn't glowing, excluding her. Moving into the forest on foot, she came to the northern borders of the fortress. Around her were many dead Orcs, many in burning piles of flesh and carcass. There were dead Elves, too. Their tragic glow had faded, but their figures were still extraordinarily standing out like a dislocated limb, with their gaunt figures and long, fancy couture. Drawing her bow to her shoulder, she removed the sword the dark Elf had used and held it in her hands as she moved into a clearing. All she heard was eerie silence. There was no song, no voices, no laughter. Sensing a trap, she moved to the center of the clearing and stood still. There was a tense silence only rocketed by a flock of ravens that took flight. Seeing this as a sign, she lifted her sword and let the tip glance to her forehead before lowering it. It was now or never.
She screamed as though her life depended on it. She heard the stunned gasps from above her. She knew her people had not expected her to play shadow now, but she was desperate to get the full forces of the Orcs into the center so she could have a go at them. It wasn't fair for the Elves to have all the fun.
There was the sudden hum of an Orc horn to her east. There was one immediately to her west. As though the forest released a sigh, the archers above armed themselves, their arrows aimed for the ground.
All at once, hell seemed to break loose.
Lady Galadriel had glanced up at the sound of the Nazgûl cry, sounding so close and yet so… alone. She turned to her own forces, who were easily burning the rickety attack towers surrounding the great fortress and motioned them to move northward. This fight was apparently not yet over.
King Thranduil, who had been pursuing Orcs to the southern borders of his forest, gazed up at the Nazgûl cry. Giving a dark smile and a quick order to his guards, they turned north.
Orcs were now swarming from all directions. Buffy took a quick stance, holding out her sword. Knowing the Orcs would soon see that they had once again been deceived, she was prepared to do all that was necessary. After all, she couldn't exactly die in this battle. Her first kill was quick and painless. All she had to do was lift her sword of her shoulder and push backwards.
The clearing was soon overwhelmed by Orcs. The archers had an easy time picking off the foul creatures one by one. Buffy was having an even better time, cutting her way through to the tree line. Turning, she spun and kicked at another Orc before disappearing back into the cover of darkness. Pulling herself up into the trees, she was about to give the order to hit the deck and engage in hand-to-hand combat when another horn assailed her ears.
The full fury of the Elves was unleashed into the battle below her. She watched as hundreds, if not thousands of glowing creatures engaged the dark army. Another horn soon sounded as many horses thundered into play, easily running over the Orcs in question. Feeling a small smile tug at her lips, she let out a callous laugh before falling back on her heels. Next to her, Alwyn looked distinctly amused.
But Sauron's will, though fading, would not be denied. Feeling the movement in the trees to their north, Buffy turned and the smile slid from her face. She made a quick motion to Alwyn and both women armed their arrows as did the other archers. The half-Trolls were now moving in, bits of trees being tosses aside like matchsticks in their will to return to their fortress and, if they could, save the day.
The only problem was, her archers were still in the trees.
"Get down!" she cried out. "Take cover! Get to the ground!"
But it was far too late. She watched helplessly as the trees were scattered, men and women flying hopelessly in different directions. "No!" she screamed, and her own voice, raw and emotional, came back to her. She turned and began leaping forward, looking for a way to exploit a weakness. She heard the sounds of her own people being slaughtered as once they had reached the ground they became easy targets. She was about to give the order to retreat when a different horn piqued her interest.
Turning east, she saw the first beams of sunlight, the first light from the sun she had seen since she had re-emerged in this forest. Despite the vicious battle being fought only meters away, she saw another long line of forces entering from the west. The half-Trolls turned and saw that a rather large grounds force was moving in on them. Buffy blinked in disbelief and she heard Alwyn's triumphant laughter. She should have known that they wouldn't follow her orders completely. After all, they had been Siri's army.
The archers sprang into action, moving to the periphery and readying arrows. Buffy and Alwyn moved to do the same. As the half-Trolls were about to emerge into the clearing, the archers fired. The forces from the ground moved forward with their own flaming arrows. There was a loud cry from the large beings as they stumbled backwards. The sound of Elves and Orcs fighting was growing nearer now. The Elves were clearly pushing the Orcs to the north, away from their own mission of destroying the fortress of Dol Guldur. After signaling Alwyn to remain where she was, Buffy flipped down, withdrew her sword again, and launched herself into the clearing.
It was strange, fighting these fell beasts with the Elves at her side. They didn't seem to recognize her but only saw a faint, blurry shadow moving swiftly around them, taking quick shots as the body count doubled. Her own forces had trapped the half-Trolls and now they were suffering from the rapid release of many frustrations of the people. She saw young women slashing off limbs from these giants, their tears mixing with the black blood of the foes they had cut down.
Buffy's own frame was darkened from the blood of many Orcs. She had cast off her coat, revealing a long tank top-like tunic. Her arms were soon covered with spattered blood, both Orcish and her own. Once her army had taken out the half-Trolls, they were now pushing the Orcs south. The Elven army had moved back and soon all three armies were engaging the much larger force of Orcs in their own realm. Buffy, who had deemed to never set foot again inside the fortress of Dol Guldur, followed her foes under the dark archways and over the long rivers of black oil and pits of fire. She vented out every last angry emotion and every last pent-up frustration she had until she felt there was nothing left but the power of the Slayer behind every thrust, every kill, every motion… There was something poetic about her style as she cut her way through. And yet she was not without her own losses. Both men and women fell that day as the sun rose, terrible and tainted as the dawn as the Orcs suffered their worst defeat since the battle of Minas Tirith, just days before.
The battle went on into the night, with Orc reinforcements arriving from the mountains. They were cut down by Buffy's well-trained forces holding the western border and not one crossed into the forest.
When the smoke and light had cleared on the third day, Galadriel used her powers to cast down, at last, the altar and pillar marking the great fortress. Large reams of water filled the pits of fire and the long rivers of oil were cleansed with the healing power of the Elves. Feeling exhausted as though her very being were dying from within, Buffy fell at the top of the steps, gazing up at the once-tall statue of Morgoth that still decorated this very hill. Taking her sword, she removed the head, the cold stone shattering at her feet. At this, a great light shone from above as sunlight filled the realm once again.
Panting, she fell back a few steps before collapsing. She felt an involuntary scream emit and soon it was choked off, the sound of the shadow departing from her figure. There were cries as her own people rushed to her defense. Alwyn quickly pushed others aside and cradled her leader, who lifted a bloody hand and caressed her lieutenant's face. "You've done good," Buffy said weakly.
"You cannot leave us now, not with victory so near," Alwyn replied quietly, a tear trickling down one grime-covered cheek.
"This victory does not belong to us," Buffy rasped. "It belongs to all who have fought so long…"
"Save your strength," Alwyn pleaded.
"Please," a different voice replied. Buffy's people turned to see Elves standing behind them, led by Galadriel. "The shadow has departed forever, I fear." Moving closer, with the humans quickly pushing away, Galadriel moved and stooped next to Buffy's fallen figure. "The shadow has departed, dear Lady," the white Noldor queen said softly, one hand caressing the bruised face of her former foe. "Your shadow has gone. Your time to live has come."
Buffy's eyes closed as Galadriel spoke and Alwyn felt the body stiffen. "What have you done to her?"
"She is merely sleeping," Galadriel replied, satisfied as she rose. "Come. There is much work that still needs to be done."
And so their work continued through the following weeks and months. The forest was cleansed of all things evil and Dol Guldur was reduced to a fountain and four crumbled, cracked walls. As the humans moved to the north to recover what had been taken from them, Buffy recovered in the south. Under the care of the Elves, her strength multiplied day by day. Now that Sauron's hold over her had gone, she felt as though a great weight had been removed from her shoulders. All that remained was the thoughts of the cost this battle had had. Siri's death was forefront on her mind, but there were others. The village to the north had been destroyed. The people returning south had been caught in a terrible storm and were forced to seek refuge in a burning forest.
Buffy moved under her Elven guard to the north when, at last, she saw the one person she had wanted to see. Lifting her bloodied sword and raising her swollen eyes, she gazed directly into the eyes of King Thranduil, who looked taken aback to see her standing there. "My lady," he said, quickly lowering his eyes and blinking, "we thought you had fallen."
"I believe my word has been retained," Buffy said after a few moments, dropping her sword at the Elven King's feet. "I have fulfilled my promise."
Turning, she walked onwards, reaching the village before the start of summer. Many cried and gave welcome to their leader, for none now lived of the royal family that had led them. She at last met Jarron and Siri's children, who were rather stunned to see the young blonde and call her "grandmother". Buffy looked aghast as they were led away before turning and slapping Alwyn's arm. The older guard had been laughing excessively since she had spied Buffy's revolted face.
A summons was soon sent to the north for Buffy's presence at the former fortress. There was also word of an olive branch from the men of Lake Town to the east, past the borders and to the south of Erebor. The people were being welcomed in the old city. Knowing that this would mean a permanent residency at last, Buffy encouraged the council to vote to relocate. It was unanimous and on the day Buffy left for the south, the people began their long pilgrimage east. She knew that all of the children were curious to learn more about this former leader that had only been with them for days.
Buffy moved alone through the forest, her speed assuring that she would soon see the two Elvish leaders that had summoned her.
As she passed through the forest, she finally had the time to come to grips of what had happened. They had been victorious. The Orcs were now gone. Sauron had been defeated and utterly destroyed. The Nazgûl were no more. And, she thought, smiling… the shadow that had forced her into this world was gone. There was nothing left but brilliant sunshine and a warm, healthy glow that emanated from her skin. It was now warm to the touch. She thought that this was one sacrifice that was not made in vain. It was worth every step of the way, all of the blood she had shed. The only problem was, there were others who had been left behind. The time had now come to decide what to do. She could return to her people and stand as their ruler. Or she could take the uncertain future and run with it, throwing caution to the wind.
She smiled as her Elvish escort met her just south of the forest road. Yes, she thought, as friendly exchanges of conversation were made. The time had come to rebuild and repair what shattered lives were left. It was time to begin with herself.
It was time to live again.
x-x-x
Sunnydale
Two hours post battle
She had just gone into the kitchen away from their accusing stares to have a moment to herself, and they could not grant her this one peaceful moment. As she heard their footsteps follow behind, she reached into the cabinet and pulled down a glass. Turning back, she saw that Dawn was standing at the island, her arms crossed. After she had realized her sister was gone forever, she had passed out cleanly into Spike's arms. Despite Giles' hostility towards the chipped vampire, he had allowed Spike to carry Dawn back to the house. Then again, Giles was looking mighty bruised from the skirmish in the graveyards earlier.
After saying his final farewell, Angel had taken his crew and had already departed for Los Angeles. Tara's plan had gone to seed. They had stopped what could have possibly led to another apocalypse and she had succeeded in sending Buffy back to her time.
Willow had now joined Dawn at the counter. She looked lost; almost bewildered at the amount of power she had felt from Tara. Surely this wasn't all natural. Tara couldn't really explain it herself. But what she had seen during their connection was enough to convince her that what they had done was the right thing to do. She only wished it didn't have to do with the sacrifice of her best friend. Dawn's betrayed look was one thing, Tara thought sadly, but seeing the open confusion on Willow's was something else entirely. The witch just had too much to learn about magic.
Getting her water, she started to walk out of the kitchen, only to be stopped by Giles and Xander. For once, they looked to agree on something and that something was grill-Tara time. Blinking up at them, she backed towards the stove, her hand searching behind her for a weapon to use. Though her powers were invisible, she had great strength in her mind. She could feel their sorrow and sympathized with that. But if they had seen what she had, they would have been on board with this plan from the start.
"Wh-what do you w-w-want?" she stammered, looking at them all as she continued to back away.
"An explanation would be nice," Giles said in his most polite voice. Though he spoke lightly, Tara could feel the waves of anger and distrust radiating from him.
"I-I can't g-give you one," she replied, setting her glass down. "I really w-wish that I c-c-could, but I can't."
"Something pushed you to do what you did, Tara," Dawn snapped, pushing Willow away as she stormed towards the older woman. "How could you take her away from me?"
"It wasn't m-my choice," Tara said, feeling her own tears of empathy come to her eyes. Now was not the time to start crying. She would just open floodgates that would never end. "Please, D-Dawnie… you have to believe th-that…"
"It was different," Willow spoke up in a flat, distorted voice. "It was pure… it was so powerful… and it was… it was so good."
Tara nodded, sniffling back her tears and quickly brushing them aside with bruised fingertips.
"Willow?" Xander asked, watching as his best friend started to shake her head, looking indignant.
"You should have seen it," Willow replied in the same tone. "There was so much death and despair and there was no light and suddenly… there it was! There was light and it was bright and beautiful… it belonged there."
Tara felt something catch in her throat and eyed her girlfriend warily. Exactly how much had Willow seen into her own mind?
"B-Buffy?" Dawn asked tentatively.
Willow nodded, bringing a hand to her eyes as she sat down, trembling from head to toe.
Tara calmly stepped forward and gently rested her hand on Willow's shoulder. "Wh-what you saw was just a g-glimpse into a past that will n-n-never happen now," she murmured.
"How could it not have changed?" Willow asked, glancing at Tara with tears streaked across her pale face. "You brought the light back."
x-x-x-x
The next part… Buffy goes to Gondor to find out whether or not her other daughter survived the onslaught on Minas Tirith; the Elves meet to discuss ownership of the forest. And perhaps best of all, a payoff for those of you who have been waiting…
Lastly, this was the end of the Sunnydale involvement in this story. It sort of gave a bit of a hint as to who Tara was.