Miscellaneous
Answers: I may have to write a Buffy/Aragorn for all of you who have been asking for one. I'm afraid and you'll soon see why that couple would not be so probable in this world. I posted the first part of 'I Capture the Sun' this evening, and it will hopefully be updated once a week. I have more time on my hands now that I have finally completed and turned in my last senior paper. Thank you for your encouragement on that story, and this as well.
Pairings: There are book pairings. It will be Buffy/Unconventional, before you read further.
Events: This fiction is also one that will follow the end of the trilogy (from 'Riders of Rohan' onward) through the end of the 'Return of the King', but will hopefully go in a different direction from there. At most, there will be 20 chapters from the original story, and hopefully another 5 to follow, unless one of us gets ambitious enough to continue on. Otherwise, we will likely leave the story where it already ends. This story follows the path of Rohan through the events of the books.
Thank You's: The reviews are enlightening and hearken to me... they actually make me want to complete the revisions for Journey's End. Many thanks to you all for your kind words and encouragement... without your opinions, this story would forever remain in the vault of our faithful guild. I really do appreciate reviews, as this is the first story I have ever written, not to mention the first crossover, first Buffy story and first Lord of the Rings story. I would love opinions, even if they are suggestions, as I am working to fix this story to somewhat be plausible.
Point One to Water Mage: I think you just struck the reason why we decided not to finish this in the first place and why we finally came back to it. Case in point, we're trying. We really are. We feel out of our element. The thing about the strength and personality, we know. She's coming into her own (with the ironic pop culture references to come, astoundingly enough). As for her comment about Gandalf, she's seen a Witch, her best friend, one of a circle of powerful people in her life. And yet she's in a place considerably less high-tech than the world she just left behind and seeing someone with the power that Willow could have is... it makes her realize just what Willow could do given the same powers, or if they are the same power. I really hope our version of Buffy improves. Otherwise it is quite back to the drawing board because I will have to give up on the fact that pulling a heroine into a different story is a little beyond my skill.
Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns 'The Lord of the Rings' book series. Joss Whedon controls the world of Buffy. Peter Jackson and company own "The Lord of the Rings' films. We only own a part of the plot.
Summary: Buffy is summoned to fulfill an oath before she can rest in peace.
Chapter Summary: Buffy meets the Fellowship's trio.
Chapter Warning: This chapter is pretty much one of the few originals of the story, set to give Buffy more ME character development. The end of it may have some minor book references.
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Chapter 6
A New Dawn
Written by Alyson Kay
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By the time they returned to the room, the others had gathered around the King and were feasting on what looked like a roast pig. Or else it was raw. Buffy silently closed her mouth and backed away.
"Will you not join us?" Éowyn asked quietly.
"Oh, okay," Buffy replied, her eyes on the pig's little eyes staring right back at her. "Sure… why not?"
"Why do you hesitate?" Éowyn asked, smiling at the young woman's reluctance. She looked as though she'd never seen an animal on a table before. Well, maybe she hadn't. She certainly had not seen one with little yellow eyes staring straight at her.
"That… pig keeps staring at me," Buffy said uncomfortably. Éowyn followed her gaze and frowned when she saw that Éomer was glancing at them, frowning.
"I am hoping you do not mean my brother," she said in a voice of barely concealed amusement at the ravenous looks upon the faces of the men (and others) inside the Hall.
"Oh, not him, although he's not winning any brownie points either," Buffy said reassuringly. "No, I meant the actual pig… it looks… alive… you didn't by any chance go and capture one of the three little pigs from the fairy tale now, did you?"
Éowyn, who hadn't the faintest idea what Buffy was talking about, only shook her head. Seeing that Buffy was still going to hesitate, the Marshal stood up and made his way to the entrance.
"Will you come in, or will you wait until all of the food is gone before you join us?" he asked.
Éowyn was called by Théoden to come forward, and Éomer, in his usual style, grabbed Buffy by the arm and started hauling her backwards out of the sight of the others.
"This is really getting old," Buffy muttered as she rubbed at her bicep again. "Not to mention the fact you keep staring. It's not like I killed your puppy, so why do you keep looking at me? What about me is so appealing to stare-age?"
"I would have once seen you as a traitor," Éomer said in his low hiss of a voice. "But now I find that you are in league with Gandalf Greyhame and of this you did not inform me."
"I was kind of busy at the time," Buffy snapped, glaring right back at him. "You were trying to kill me, remember? You're the one who had the pointy end of the sword at my neck, not the other way around. What would you have done?"
"If you believe that my King will allow you to ride to war with us… you are sorely mistaken," Éomer said coldly.
"I won't ride for Théoden then," Buffy replied, her anger giving way to an exultant smile. "I'll go with Gandalf. He trusts me. He knows what I am."
"What are you, besides one who twists words and makes lie all of the spoils the Golden Hall offers?" Éomer demanded.
"You brought me here, you... you…" Words utterly failed her in her moment of frustration. She longed to throttle him to death, yet she held her stance. "Okay, so your sister made me a guest here, and for that I am thankful. But I don't go around collecting any spoils, your worship, and I'm the last thing you can think of as evil! Do I look even remotely threatening to you?"
"There are some who would speak otherwise," Éomer said darkly. "But I truly believe you are formidable despite your lack of stature."
"Good," Buffy said, crossing her arms in front of her. "As for the twisting of words and making good with all the spoils, I didn't lie to you. I'm from the north and I'm not from this world. That's all I can tell you because I don't even know where I am and how I got here. The only other person who knows is your sister, and I happen to like her."
"And you took in account her honor," Éomer said, giving this woman at last a compliment.
"I didn't like the way he was looking at her," Buffy said, lifting a hand to wipe at her eyes. Tears of resentment and frustration were growing closer to breaking, and she'd be damned before she let this man see her cry. She hid her shaking hands of anger and restlessness and eyed the man still staring down at her.
"You have a woman's honor, yet you fight as though you were a man," Éomer continued.
Forcing herself to swallow hard, she looked up at the taller Marshal. "It's the story of my life," she said, trying to keep the hard edge out of her tone.
He took in her tragic face, her tear-stained eyes and the fact that her hands wouldn't stop quivering. "You are restless," he observed.
"No," she replied, finally getting the courage to walk past him. "You just piss me off." This was the fastest way to get away from him. He made her feel uncomfortable, and she wasn't willing to deal with these emotions just yet. It was beyond frustrating to know she was the only one in this world of her kind. At least the Powers could have killed off another one of her friends to give her some company, in an ironic humorous twist of things.
He watched as she retreated into shadows before turning back towards the room. He found Éowyn there, anger in her eyes.
"What have you done?" she asked her brother, before rushing off after the younger woman.
"She was not truthful," Éomer said quietly to no one in particular.
Éowyn found Buffy sitting on the last stair. Her head was in her hands and she seemed to be trying to pull herself together. "He does not understand what it is like to be one of us," Éowyn said gently, reaching a hand out to grasp the woman's shoulder.
Buffy lifted her tired eyes and smiled. "Yes, he does," she said with a bitter laugh. "The only problem is, it scares him." Rising, she brushed off her dark gown and matching cloak. "I should probably go back in there and face the music, huh?"
Buffy and Éowyn both reentered the room and found themselves the center of attention. Apparently her argument with Éomer had sounded outside these thick, stone walls. With a sigh, she took the seat offered to her by Gandalf and gave him a grateful smile. At least one person still believed in her. She was also relieved that Éomer would no longer look at her. It made a good change from all of the staring.
She realized then that she was in the company of a man, an Elf and a dwarf, all of whom she didn't know, but had seen just a few days ago. As Gandalf handed her a prepared plate, he took the liberty of introducing her to these three members of the former Fellowship.
"I do not believe you have yet met Merilin, who has come to my service upon my return in Lothlórien." The men murmured their consent; all with their eyes on the young woman who was trying to eat without being stared at for once, and finally set her bone aside and lifted her intense hazel-eyed gaze.
"Hello," she said calmly.
"She is known to be a Dagnir of her people," Gandalf continued, his eyes on the young woman as he spoke, his hand on his chalice.
Instantly, two of their faces started to transform from mild puzzlement to blatant misunderstanding, as though they weren't sure what they heard was the truth.
The Dwarf was the first to speak, however. "And what exactly is this Dagnir?" he asked, staring at a woman just taller than he was. Buffy was finally pleased to find someone shorter than her that wasn't a child.
"She is a Slayer of demons," the Elf replied in wonder, his long golden hair swinging fairly about his face as he turned to Gandalf. "These are the works of legends, Mithrandir. How did she come to this world?"
"I died," Buffy replied. Now everyone, including the King, was staring at her and she started fidgeting under all of the attention of so many males. Especially good-looking ones, because even King Théoden, old as he was, had a bit of youthful drive in those blue eyes of his. "I was told by the Powers… err, really unhelpful people who try and mess with my life, really… I had to come here and fulfill one last destiny." She made a face as she looked down. "I didn't ask for it, and once again they screwed with me. They dumped me in a place where men are apparently on steroids and women have become the Stepford wives."
"And yet you have come before me," Théoden replied, surveying this woman in a new light. "You have risked great ill will to come before a King whose mind was overthrown."
She gave him a guilty smile. "Maybe a little," she admitted.
"It does not matter how she got here," Aragorn, the Ranger said. He was staring at this smaller woman with great interest now. "What matters now are her intentions."
"I'm in this to the end," Buffy replied calmly, glad that no one, least of all Éomer, was going to start yelling at her again. "No matter what happens, you have my loyalty and my sword. I think you'll find it quite useful, considering this arm has been used to slay hell-gods and evil preacher men." She was gazing at the King now, who seemed to grow even stronger in the presence of her intense gaze.
"Then, Merilin the Dagnir, I shall tell you this," Aragorn replied. "I am Aragorn of Gondor, and this is Gimli, son of Glóin and Legolas of the Woodland Realm."
"I know who you all are," Buffy replied with a shrug. "You were part of some Fellowship that is now broken."
"Broken yes, but not abandoned," Aragorn said, a bite to his voice. Buffy studied his face a moment before shrugging again and returning to her meal.
"Indeed this is a new day," said Théoden, gazing between the white wizard and this young woman who was supposedly a strong fighter of some sorts. "Much do I owe to Éomer, for opening my eyes to the poison before me, and remaining ever faithful by my side." He gazed at his nephew fondly and raised a goblet to him. "You bring back more fortune that you have realized." His eyes darted over to the blonde sitting two chairs away, who returned his gaze intently.
Buffy sighed inwardly. Trust the King, of all people, to say something that would make that blasted Marshal glare at her again. She was in no mood to get into yet another shouting match with him. No, she was glaring at her plate now, the tension evident in how she held her fork.
"Now comes the question of my heir," Théoden said, as though it were an afterthought. He turned to his counsel. "I have no son, as Théodred has fallen. I shall name Éomer to be my heir lest the King fall in battle. But he is to fight, and there must be someone to remain behind."
"What about Éowyn?" Buffy asked loudly. Once again she became the center of attention, but this time she didn't flinch or look away. "She's a good woman, and a good leader. Everyone likes her, or at least no one's tried tossing stones at her yet." At this, the Dwarf made a carnal noise, as though clearing his throat. She chose to ignore it as coincidence and turned expectantly back to the King.
"Then it is settled," Théoden replied as he rose to his feet, lifting his goblet. "Let this hour be the one where my heirs come forth and meet one last time. Éowyn shall rule in my stead, ere the battles go ill. Long may she defend Edoras and the Mark." Everyone rose to toast to her, and Buffy was among the loudest who cried, "Hail!" Only hers was a jumbled, "Heh!"
Éowyn stepped forward, a golden goblet in her hand, with wine. She walked up to her Uncle and said something in her own native tongue and he took it, sipping from it before clasping her hands. "The day will come when Rohan's strength will come alive," he promised her. "You will see these days renewed."
She managed a weak smile as those around the table rose and began to drift off. Buffy caught one last movement as Gandalf pulled her aside. Éowyn had gone up to Aragorn and had offered him the goblet, smiling. He sipped at it, but didn't return the pleasantries. Buffy stiffened slightly. She was going to have to talk to that Ranger about his manners.
"Our work in this land is done for now," Gandalf told her as she continued to slowly eat her way through a hearty bit of pork and vegetables. "We must go with Théoden-King, as you have now pledged your life to him and I have work left to complete."
Buffy stopped chewing for a moment, looking thoughtful. "I have, haven't I?" she asked, swallowing and reaching for her own glass. Gandalf saw the reproachful look she threw towards the new First Marshal glaring at her from the doorway. "Maybe now he'll leave me alone."
"I do not think that is his intention," Gandalf said quietly. Buffy nearly choked as she turned to the wizard in surprise.
"What?" she asked, her eyes widening. "You mean he's going to keep torturing me until I'm dead? Oh, this is just…" she cut off again, and shook her head in mock-misery. "Can't I just once die in peace? Please… please, please, please."
"I know that you did not ask for this life and that it was a life given to you," Gandalf said. "I have faith in you that these others will share. I walked and strayed out of thought and time and for awhile I saw your life."
Her eyes clouded over as she looked thoughtfully at him. "You watched my life? It wasn't that impressive. A battle here, an apocalypse there…" She gave a bitter chuckle. "Which life of mine did you get to see? There have been three of them."
"I watched you die to save your world," Gandalf said quietly. "There is no greater heroism than this, and yet you live with the weight of the world on your shoulders. You have fought for many years alone, but now it is time to cast that aside. It is time for you to become more than a Dagnir. It is time for you to live again."
There was a deep sadness lost in her eyes as she looked back at him. "I spent many years working alone to save the world," she replied. "And that world killed me. Not once, not twice, but three times. I'm done living in the shadow of that world. Maybe it's time I start to live in this one. If I keep going around thinking all I'm good for is dying again…" Her eyes darkened and she sighed. "Then I'm already dead, and I don't even exist. Not here, not anywhere. I don't understand it if these are the choices." She glowered at her plate before pushing it away. "I don't know how to live in a world I don't understand. I come from a place where the power was in the woman… and here? All I see is a severe case of Testosterone poisoning." She clapped her hands and raised her eyes to the ceiling. "Command me, lord, for I wish to go and get my head chopped off at your earliest disposal…" Trailing off, she rolled her eyes. "Just another taste of home," she classified quickly at Gandalf's puzzled look as she returned her gaze to her plate.
"You will understand this world when you see what it is they're fighting for," Gandalf replied, patting her hand comfortingly. "What you need is faith in those around you, and that is not your decision solely to make. No… all we have to decide is what to do with the time that has been given to us. You fight because you believe in something. These men fight for their country, their kin and their lives. They have more to live for. It is time you put your faith in them and become the one we all hope you can be."
Buffy gave him a small smile. "You sound like I did a few months ago," she said fondly, smiling at her old Buffy-pre-combat moments.
"I was hoping it would find you in a piece of mind," Gandalf replied, bowing his head. "You have left to live for, Merilin."
"Gandalf, you know I like you already, because you remind me of my Watcher," Buffy said, regarding him thoughtfully. "Please, call me Buffy. I don't know if I'll ever respond to Merilin."
"In their company, you are known as Merilin, and such as I will call you. If you wish it, I will call you whatever your heart desires as long as you put forth the effort a world is waiting for you to do," Gandalf replied. "Once you look upon this world as it truly exists, you will see what it is we are fighting and dying for. But for now, we must hasten. As Rohan's army gathers strength, we must ride swift and hard to the north. To do this, we leave a part of the adventure behind. We must leave Frodo and Samwise to continue their journey."
"Oh, those are the other two!" Buffy said, clasping a hand over her mouth. "They're the ones with the Ring, right?"
"You remember much from the counsel of Galadriel," Gandalf told her with him patented patient smile. "Yes, their journey continues and their paths will lead them into Ithilien. But our journey takes us west towards the great fortress of Rohan, Helm's Deep."
"All right, I'm going," Buffy grumbled. "Just don't expect me to be nice to the King's nephew. We didn't meet on good terms and it'll be a cold day in hell before we part in anything of the like." She paused a moment. "And about that other stuff… I have to try. Buffy Summers doesn't give up without a fight and it's about time I see what a fight is like in this world. As long as I don't have to face that idiot Worntongue again, anyway. Because he's a dead man."
"This is all I ask," Gandalf replied, bowing his head again.
Buffy rose and set away her things before she left the room. She was unaware that she was being followed until she reached the steps. Turning, she swung out her arm, which was caught in an iron grip. Her eyes widened when she saw who it was standing there. "Uh, Aragorn… what can I do for you?" she asked uneasily, taking a few steps away from him. She was kind of getting tired of people grabbing her all the time. Was that the way things worked in this world? If they did, she was going to have to work on that, too.
"I know how it feels to carry the weight of those left behind," he said gently, placing his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. "You should not have to carry the weight of the dead." That said, he strode past her and back up the stairs, just as great horns sounded from above. Buffy stared after him, a frown line appearing in her forehead. Apparently everyone spoke in riddles.
"The men are ready!" a voice shouted from above them.
"It's my lucky day," Buffy muttered as she followed Aragorn's steps and found herself back in the Golden Hall. Many men were in this room, dressed in more of that pretty silver armor. Spying Gandalf's white cloak glowing brighter than anything these men could wear, she edged closer to him. She wasn't too happy to see that the Elf was standing right next to the wizard, and she really didn't feel like talking to anyone else right now. In fact, she was beginning to regret even getting out of bed. She would have turned and just walked out until a voice came into her ear.
"Merilin."
It was Éowyn. Feeling relieved, Buffy ducked away, but not before Gandalf had seen her. Even as he called out to her, Buffy wouldn't dare turn back. Éowyn was the first person, besides her infuriating brother, who had taken her up in this Hall, and Buffy wasn't about to let that go to waste. She was beginning to consider Éowyn as more than a mere acquaintance.
"What is it?" Buffy asked her.
Éowyn cast a look at the men in the room before drawing Buffy into the shadow of the far corner. She looked almost reluctant to say what was on her mind, but was dead-set to speak of it. Finally, "You will not like what you find."
"I've seen a lot in my time," Buffy said firmly. The last thing she needed was Éowyn's pessimistic attitude again. "You're human, right? You fight, you live, you die, you shack and you pray to whatever power you believe in that today isn't your last. If these men are fighting for something so big for my puny little brain to understand, then I'm part of an army now and we've declared war on evil. I've done that. I'll deal."
"You do not know this world, and I fear for you safety when you do see what it is we have been fighting for," Éowyn explained, seeing the darkened look on the other woman's face.
"You'd be surprised at what I've lived through," Buffy said softly. Her eyes were down, and a flash of her old life came before her gaze as she lifted it up again. There was no fear in her eyes, only a grim realization and the determination of someone who have faced a lot in a short amount of time. This world was proving to be no different. She knew that some of the men could probably see her, and she was being weak, but she no longer cared. She wasn't part of their boy-scout fight-club. No, she was part of something else. She was in the service of the Wizard. That counted for everything in her life. It was her life. And it was going to be the end of her life. "I've faced demons and vampires and hell-gods. I've died three times and I'm still here, aren't I? You think I haven't seen anything? No one's seen me yet. When they do, they're going to find out that I'm not just a legend." She was stronger than a coward; she always had been. Living in the shadow of an old life wasn't going to change that; she'd given up on being normal years ago. "I'm for real and I'm not going away, no matter what I see. If this is war, then it's war. And they're about to meet someone they never saw coming."
Éowyn's eyes were still weary as Buffy stepped away from her. Gandalf called to her and she came to him, looking troubled. Aragorn and Legolas were currently being tortured into putting on the Rohirric armor, something Buffy found most amusing until Gandalf nudged her forward at Éothain's command of, "Let the man who does not wear armor step forth!"
Éothain wasn't sure whether to laugh or not at the sight of the young woman standing there, glaring behind at the wizard who simply glanced away. Rolling her eyes, she glanced at Éothain expectantly. The lieutenant stood there, waiting for orders. When none came, he finally spoke up. "Is this some foolish trick or do we adorn all of the women in our land with the armor of a rider?"
"Do I look like I'm one of you?" Buffy snapped, losing patience completely. "I wouldn't be able to fit into any of that anyway. It was built for Goliath."
"You must ride with armor," Gandalf said, blinking benignly at her.
"So the Wizard speaks," she said with a tight smile as she turned to glare reproachfully at him. "Thanks a lot."
Sighing, she turned to Éothain. "You wouldn't happen to have any of that shiny stuff for someone like me, would you?"
"We do not clothe women in such things," Éothain told her disdainfully. "And seeing as how you are a woman, there is no place for you in war."
That was obviously not the right thing to say, for it took the strength of Éomer to hold back this woman from attacking his lieutenant. "You don't… know who… you are talking… about!" she cried as she tried kicking and punching her way to him, as other guards surrounded Éothain, looking stunned. Aragorn quickly stepped forward, and with the strength of two, they managed to drag Buffy across the floor. When her feet were firmly on the ground, she spun on Éomer. "You had no right to do that!"
"And what right have you to attack my men on the eve of battle?" Éomer shouted back. "We do not have time for this."
"Éomer is right," Aragorn said with a sigh. "We have not the time nor the patience for such outbursts."
"I'm not going to stay behind," Buffy said angrily, her eyes narrowing.
"No, she will have to come," Gandalf said as he parted the crowd, Legolas and Gimli at his side. "But I must ask that you keep your temper in check, Merilin. There is no time for this anger. Reserve your anger for the battle."
Buffy, looking very put out, sighed and held up her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry," she said, although she sounded anything but. "Now can I please get some armor?"
"We have nothing for a… person of your size," Éomer said regretfully. She turned her sharp eyes towards his and he averted his gaze. He wasn't used to seeing women in the position of attacking his men… and winning. Never had he seen it before. Treachery was she, but courage she had, too. This could prove useful in Rohan's favor. "Come with me."
Buffy followed Éomer through the Golden Hall until they came to rest in a room cluttered with old armaments. He was holding a tough-looking shield and he handed it to her. She took it easily. It was then he noticed the look on her face.
"Do not despair over a simple argument," he said, as he opened a cabinet and began searching inside. "War has come and now is not the time to bicker simple misunderstandings. He does not know of you as I do. He did not hear your tale as I have."
"All you know is that I kill demons for a living," Buffy retorted as she glanced around the room. "Where are we?"
"My own private stores," Éomer said, his voice muffled by the sound of his cabinet. "Éowyn knows not to enter here."
"That makes sense," she muttered, giving her shield a bit of a twirl. Her hand glided over the smooth surface, bearing a horse in green. "It's a nice shield."
"This belonged to my cousin," Éomer replied, pulling his head out of the cabinet and handing her a pile of something that looked like a bunch of necklaces sewn together. "These both were among his things. This mail should fit you as well as any we have. And this shield should long protect you from the assaults of Sauron."
"Stylish," she quipped, holding it out before her. "It kind of puts Liz Taylor to shame."
She realized that being here in his private room was costing him a level of his own pride and dignity. The least she could do was say her thanks. "Thank you," she said, giving him a genuine smile. As she turned to leave, she seemed to comprehend something. "You were not wrong about me wanting to become a member of this House," she said, and he turned to look at her, surprise in his face. "Your sister is a wonderful woman, much more than you give her credit for. Even if both you and your Uncle die, I have a lot of faith she'll be able to sustain Rohan."
"I would expect nothing less of her," Éomer said, bowing his head. "However, before we continue to make light of my sister's duty, we must make haste and ride to war."
"You make it sound so easy," Buffy said, stepping out of the room and holding the door open so that he could exit.
"We have already lost too many," Éomer said as they walked towards the doorways leading into the sunlight. "To lose more would bring Rohan permanent defeat."
"You're a good General," Buffy said sarcastically. "Nice and pessimistic… just like Caesar himself." She shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Look… If these people ever had a reason to fight, it's because they believe in something. If you don't believe in winning, why should they?"
"What do you believe in?" he asked her as she set her shield on the ground near her boots.
"I believe in living, breathing, dying, bleeding… I just wanna live," Buffy said, looking around the room again. "I've fought all sorts of nasties, so you don't have to worry about me. I'll hold my own. But these people, they need their General Scorpio. I'm in this to the end, or so the Powers say. Even if it's tonight, I'm with you."
"It may very well be," he said, looking at her again. "Can you ride horseback or will you need to—"
"I'll ride," Buffy said quickly. The thought of riding either in front of or behind another rider made her flush slightly. "Besides, don't want to be a burden."
They burst out of the doors then. The sight before her took her by some surprise. There were more than a thousand riders trotting through the pathways and out of the gate. Two horses were brought forward at the sight of the Marshal and the wizard's charge. Buffy hastily donned her armor and was surprised to see that it fit her quite well. She glanced up as Éowyn came rushing up to them.
"Edoras shall be emptied tonight," she said, handing Buffy her belt and her sword. "We will go to Dunharrow and make our stand there if indeed this end has come." Buffy chuckled as she sheathed it.
"Thanks," Buffy said, as she managed to get on top of her horse again. Her back creaked in protest, but she managed to get on top of the handsome saddle and pat her grey mare's head lovingly. "Don't get yourself killed, Éowyn," she said softly, taking the other woman's hand in her own leather-clad grip. "There'll be time for that later."
In the distance, she saw the golden hair of the Elf and the squatter form of the Dwarf ride out with Aragorn past the gates.
Éomer was much more proficient getting on his horse. With a final nod to his sister, he rode off. Buffy hesitated a moment. This was her second big step forward. Éowyn saw the fear in the woman's eyes and sighed.
"Do not be afraid," she offered. "Whatever end may come, there is now hope in this world. You bring me faith, and for this, no treasure of this House can ever repay."
Buffy gave her a sad smile. Giving her horse a final prod, she rode off after Éomer.
Most of the men were already gathered in the fields. Buffy soon joined them and rode up to Gandalf, who looked quite impressed that she was able to both mount and control her mare. Her wry glance towards him told him that she was indeed a novice at this, and he chose not to comment on this further.
Then she realized that Gandalf wasn't riding any horse. She was about to offer her own when a white stallion came from the fields, neighing. When the horse stopped, it stopped in front of the wizard, who mounted him cleanly.
"Shadowfax, the lord of the mearas," he explained to Buffy's mystified expression. "This is a gift from the King. But ride, we must."
Théoden and Éomer were both at the front of the large group now, and the entire group was pulling themselves into lines. Gandalf rode ahead and Buffy quickly made to follow, except her horse started darting anxiously sideways, as though she knew of her rider's reluctance to leave this comfortable city behind.
Maybe she didn't know what to expect. But she'd find out when she got there. It had always been the story of her life. It would continue to be the story of her life. And she would probably die not knowing everything she needed to.
"Behold Théoden King and the White Rider!"
Then, as one enormous and very disorganized column, the entire group charged forward.
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As promised, another update. They will usually be done twice a week unless something comes up. Since this story is finally nearing completion, I am comfortable releasing these chapters now. They are usually between 6 to 10 pages in length and currently there are twenty two parts. I hope to finish this story prior to graduation and moving back home, but where the winds of fortune take me, no man (or being) can say.
In the next chapter, Buffy rides into the Black Night and falls into familiar territory when it comes to leading before wisdom.