Chapter 7

Back at Helm's Deep, Willow greeted her best friend with a bear hug. "You're alive!"

"Of course I am." Buffy replied. She looked at Legolas. "I made a promise to an Elf."

Willow hugged Legolas and then Aragorn. Buffy and Legolas walked around the bodies of Uruk-hai and found Gimli perched on top of one.

"Well….." He prodded.

Legolas toyed with his bow cockily. "Final count: forty-two."

"Forty-two? That's not bad for a pointy-eared Elvish princeling. I myself am sitting pretty on forty-three."

Legolas drew an arrow and shot the Uruk under Gimli. "Forty-three."

"He was already dead!"

"He was twitching!"

"He was twitching because he's got my ax embedded in his nervous system!" For emphasis, Gimli moved the ax and the Uruk twitched violently.

Buffy crossed her arms. "You boys are pitiful." They looked at her. She shrugged. "Sixty four." Their jaws dropped. "But I would keep that to yourselves. Wouldn't want anybody finding out a GIRL beat you." She smiled and walked off to find Eowyn to thank her for helping with her hair. It was messy, but never once fell in her face.

Buffy, Legolas, Willow, Gimli, Aragorn, Theoden, Gandalf, and Eomer rode on, headed towards Isenguard. "Sauron's wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift." Gandalf said. "The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-Earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little Hobbits somewhere in the wilderness."

They rode carefully through Fangorn forest. Isengard was drawing near and possibly another battle. Buffy glanced at Legolas and he smiled at her gently.

"You two are going to make me ill." Gimli said.

Aragorn looked back at them and laughed. "Leave them alone, Gimli. Passion blooms in the midst of war." Buffy blushed and aragorn laughed again. He dropped back to ride next to her. "It is not strange that you have fallen for him. I find myself in the same circumstance."

"Arwen." Buffy said.

"Yes." Aragorn looked away sadly.

"You know, you don't ahve to let her go. I've been there before. Legolas isn't the first immortal being I've been with."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Fell in love with a vampire. Yes, the very thing I was sworn to kill. Bufy he was different. He had a soul. And he loved me and I loved him, but that was the problem. See if we... you know, did IT he would lose his soul, revert to his evil self, and go on torturing and killing me and my friends."

"I am glad you didn't do IT."

"We did. That's how we found out. Since then, we've been on eggshells around each other. But we're not together. I haven't talked to him in a while now."

"Isenguard nears." Legolas said, trotting up on Buffy's other side. To their surprise, they found Isenguard in ruins and Merry and Pippin lounging on the fallen wall. They laughed and waved.

Merry stood. "Welcome, my lords and ladies, to Isengard!"

"You young rascals!" Gimli called. "A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting and….. and smoking!"

"We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts." Pippin said. "The salted pork is particularly good."

"Salted pork?"

Gandalf shook his head. "Hobbits."

"We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry said. "We'll take you to him."

They followed directions from Merry, riding with a rider, and Pippin, riding with Buffy, to Treebeard.

Buffy watched in awe as the giant tree... Ent... talk to Gandalf. "Young Master Gandalf." The tree said. "I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone, I can master, but there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."

"Show yourself." Aragorn whispered.

"Be careful." Gandalf said. "Even in defeat Saruman is dangerous."

"Well, let's just have his head be done with is." Gimli interjected.

"No. We need him alive. We need him to talk."

Buffy whispered to Legolas, "I could make him talk. Just give me two hours, some rope, and a knife." He just smiled and patted her hand.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King….." A deep voice, Saruman, said. "And made peace afterwards." The looked up to see Saruman on top of the tower. "Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"

"We shall have peace." Theoden said. "We shall peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there. We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged. When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace."

"Gibbets and crows? Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The Key of Orthanc. Or perhapds the Keys of Barad-dur itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!"

"Your treachery has already cost many lives." Gandalf said. "Thousands more are not at risk. But you could save them, Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel."

"So you have come here for information? I have some for you." Saruman held out a big, black, glowing marble thing. "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. You know this, don't you Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closet to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have sent him on can only lead to death."

"I've heard enough." Gimli said. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob!"

"Gimli." Buffy said. "Calm down."

"And this little girl you all call a warrior." Saruman scoffed. "She will only bring more death to you all, and yet you still let her prance among your ranks as one of you. She will die with the rest of you as I watch and laugh."

Legolas reached for an arrow, but Buffy stopped him. "He's just talking now." Buffy said. "Buying time. He doesn't know one thing about me."

"Come down, Saruman." Gandalf said. "And your life will be spared."

"Save your pity and your mercy. I have no use for it." Saruman pointed his staff and shot a massive fire ball at Gandalf. Willow held up her hand and said, "Protect!" A shield of yellow light shot up around the group and they watched as the fire swirled around them, but never touched them.

"Saruman," Gandalf said. "Your staff is broken." Saruman's staff shattered in his hand. Worm boy walked up behind Saruman.

"Grima, you need not follow him." Theoden said. "You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down."

"A man of Rohan?" Saruman said. "What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Theoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires."

"Grima, come down. Be free of him."

"Free? He will never be free."

"No." Grima said.

"Get down, cur!" Saruman slapped down Grima.

"Saruman!" Gandalf said. "You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know."

"You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!"

Suddenly, Grima was there with a knife. He stabbed Saruman in the back repeatedly. Legolas pulled an aroow and shot. Grima fell with an arrow in his chest. It was too late for Saruman, though. He fell off the tower and landed on a spike on a giant wheel. The spike jutted out of his chest and he lay still, dead.

"Send word to all our allies." Gandalf said. "And to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike."

The wheel began to move and Saruman's body was plunged under the water. "The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard said. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees."

Pippin suddenly hopped off Buffy's horse and waded through the water. "Pippin." Buffy scolded. "Come back here." He picked up the shiny black Orb thing that Saruman had dropped. There was fire glowing in the middle of it.

Gandalf rode over to him. "Peregrin Took. I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now." Pippin reluctantly handed it over and Gandalf hurriedly wrapped it up in his robes.

Buffy held out her hand. "Come on, Pippin. It's time to go." She helped him onto the horse in front of her. "You ok?" He nodded slightly.

Soon, they were galloping back to Edoras.

In the Great Hall, everyone was gathered to celebrate victory and honor the slain. "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country." Theoden said, glass lifted. "Hail to the victorious dead!"

"Hail!"

Buffy stood back with Legolas and Willow. She had opted not to drink, but refused to miss the dinner. Afterwards, there was music, dancing, and more drinking. The Slayer had been given a new dress and this time she wore it without cutting it to fight in. The dress was similar to the one before, but the skirt had more length and intricately detailed fabric to it and it was red velvet with a gold and black suede belt around her hips. She had allowed her hair to dry naturally and it was in loose waves down her back.

"No pauses." Eomer said, handing a glass to Legolas. "No spills."

"And no regurgitation." Gimli said.

"So, it's a drinking game?" Legolas asked.

"Last one standing wins!"

Eomer offered one to Buffy, but she declined. "I had a bad experience once. No more excessive drinking for Buffy." She kissed Legolas's cheek. "But good luck with that."

Legolas held up the mug and sniffed while Gimli began to chug his. Buffy giggled and Legolas started to drink.

Across the room, Gandalf stood with Willow. "That was quite the display of power today."

"Yeah. I didn't think I could do it." Willow said.

"Where did you learn that?"

"Well, I didn't actually. I sort of, well, I sucked it out of a book." Gandalf stared at her. "It's a long and highly complicated story."

"I see."

"Listen, I know Buffy's got feelings for Legolas."

"Yes. They seem to be more than just feelings, though. Don't you think?"

"Yeah. Well….."

"Willow, I know that you love your friend, but she is a woman capable of making her own decisions. She will do what is right for her in the end."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Willow looked over at Buffy smiling up at Legolas.

Legolas was chugging just as fast as Gimli now, but the ale was having no effect on the Elf. Buffy glanced at the nine or so glasses on the table and then over at Gimli's thirteen or so. The Dwarf was getting to the point of passing out by the looks of him.

"It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women!" Gimli announced.

Buffy stared at him, one eyebrow lifted. He belched and began to drink, slower this time.

"I feel something." Legolas said, staring at his hand. "A slight tingle in my fingers." He looked at her, seemingly alarmed. "I think it's affecting me."

"Nah." Buffy said. "Gimli's almost gone. Keep going."

"What did I say?" Gimli asked. "He can't hold his liquor." With that, the Dwarf passed out, falling to the floor.

"And that's the game folks!"

Legolas took Buffy's arm and slipped it through his, glancing at Eomer. "Game over."

From across the room, Merry and Pippin sang louder, dancing on a table. They had the crowd laughing and clapping.

Buffy laughed at them. "They're quite a show, huh?"

"You are quite the sight." Legolas replied as they walked outside.

"Really? I used to wear dresses all the time. None this pretty, but….." She trailed off.

"What?"

"Eventually it became pointless. Always fighting, never really getting to live life. Even when I went out, I had to be prepared to fight. Always a Slayer, never a normal girl."

"And now?"

Buffy lifted her skirt slightly to reveal she still wore her leather pants. "And I've got a knife ready to cut the skirt if something happens. But this is honestly the first time I've felt like this in a long time."

"Like what?"

"Well, you're going to think I'm crazy."

He touched her cheek gently. "Never meleneth (my love)."

She smiled. "I feel normal, but different at the same time. Like being a warrior is the normal thing and I'm completely accepted no matter what." She looked out at the night and the mountains. "This place is so beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you."

"Oh, I forgot about that." Legolas gave her an inquisitive look. "I forgot what it was like being wooed."

"Wooed?"

"You know, complementing a girl….. helping her out, without wanting anything but her affections in return."

"And is it working? The wooing, I mean."

Buffy took his hand and laid her head on his shoulder. "You had me at hello." She sighed and fell deeper into his warm embrace. "I think I'm falling in love with you."

"I think I loved you before I met you." He laid his cheek on top of her head and breather in her beautiful scent. It was a scent that would never leave his mind or heart again. It was a scent that everything he breathed it in, he would remember this moment, holding her close to him…. Fully being there for her like he had been there for no one else…. And his love for this tiny woman would swell beyond the boundaries of this heart and he thought he would explode. It was a feeling he never wanted to lose.

They sat on the wall, Buffy leaning against his chest, and spent most of the night outside talking. After everyone was asleep, or passed out in Gimli's case, they still stayed outside enjoying the company of each other and watching for danger. Aragorn walked outside and began to light a pipe.

"I thought you'd be asleep with the others." Buffy said, startling him.

"Buffy. Legolas. I was wondering where you two had disappeared to." He said.

"Just watching for signs of trouble."

"And what do you see?"

"The stars are veiled." Legolas answered. "Something stirs in the east. A sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving."

"Sauron?"

Legolas nodded. Buffy actually sensed what Legolas sensed. A minute passed with nothing, but then something stirred inside the walls of the building. "He is here."

There was a commotion inside and the three ran to the men's sleeping quarters. Pippin was on the floor thrashing with the now flaming orb clutched in his hands. Aragorn grabbed it and began to thrash himself. Buffy kicked it out of his hands and it rolled away. Gandalf threw a blanket over the thing. "Fool of a Took!" He said.

"Pippin!" Buffy ran to the comatose Hobit. "Wake up."

Gandalf came over and covered Pippin's eyes, muttering a spell. Pippin gasped and came back to this world. "Look at me."

"Gandalf, forgive me." Pippin said.

"Look at me. What did you see?"

"A tree. There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning."

"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?"

"I saw….. I saw him. I could hear his voice in my head."

"And what did you tell him? Speak!"

"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me."

"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?"