I, Alone

Title: I, Alone

Rating: T, by the new fanfiction standards… likely cause is violence, adult content and strong language.

Pairings: Buffy/Legolas, Buffy/Other

Teaser: Buffy journeys to find the meaning of her immortal existence only to find the bitter truth that will lead to her ultimate defeat… never the journey, but the destination.

Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and company own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. J.R.R. Tolkien owns the 'Lord of the Rings' universe. I own my thoughts, visions and characters, including all original characters you are about to meet.

Reviews: Reviews for the previous chapter are posted on the website inside my profile. I felt this easiest as it saves me time and it saves you spam.

Author's Notes: Very little is known about the far east of Middle-earth. All we know for sure is that the Easterlings came from the east (big surprise there, huh) and that Saruman once journeyed out there with two other Wizards of the Istar. We also know Aragorn went there, but never knew what he saw or what he found. Needless to say, I hope this becomes the challenge and adventure I've been working for. This chapter took forever to write because the element was just off. Just a bit of a warning… this chapter turned out… weird. But it'll get better.

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Part II

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"So… what do you know of this place?"

After a day of riding mostly silent through the grim landscape, she was eager to talk again. She wasn't used to silence no matter how much she tried to convince herself she wanted it.

"I only know what Aragorn has told me."

This took her by surprise as she stared at his back. "You know someone who was out here in the middle of nowhere?"

"You did not ask me," he replied, his tone muffled by his position.

Buffy resisted the impulse to roll her eyes. "Would you care to tell me what he told you?"

He maintained his silence long enough to pull the horse aside a small brook. As he dismounted, she finally could feel her legs again after hours upon hours of riding. "Legolas?" she asked, sliding off of the horse and pitching forward, catching herself by latching onto the horse. Slipping around the backside, she saw Legolas crouched by the water, the water running over those smooth, pale hands. "What is it?"

"Do you not sense it?" he asked calmly.

"Sense what? We haven't seen anything since we saw those wargs and that was days ago," Buffy murmured as she approached him, falling to her knees beside him. "What are you sensing?"

"I feel unsettled," he replied, staring hard at the water. "The feeling has only grown stronger as we cross these plains."

"You sense danger," she surmised, sitting hard on the rocks and stretching her tense legs towards the water.

"Do you not sense danger?" he asked her, pulling his hands from the water.

"I feel something," Buffy admitted. "I don't know if it's danger or just… I think I'm afraid. We really don't know what's beyond these borders, do we?" As she spoke, she was mentally kicking herself. Why was she putting him on the spot like this? This had been her idea and she was just… she didn't know what she just was. Guilty? Not really, unless something really bad happened. But she was feeling somewhat unsettled.

"We know a little."

She turned to look at him, eyes filled with confusion. "I thought you said—"

"What Aragorn told me took him great strength," Legolas said, cutting her off. "What he saw were horrors unimaginable, even by the Slayer."

This captivated her attention as she leaned closer to him, their horse behind her, headed for the brook to drink.

"My father once told me that in the east, the land of Rhûn, our people first awakened. There the journey began to Valinor."

"Valinor?"

"The lands founded by the Valar where only a straight road is revealed to Elves."

"Ah, you mean the road to the west," Buffy said, leaning back on the sun-bleached stones.

"I do."

She propped herself up on her arms, staring intently at him. "It's a good story."

"There are those who chose to remain behind in Rhûn and there are those that during the long journey to Valinor even more remained; my ancestors among them. During that time, my people have seen nothing but war and misery and strife."

"That was their choice," Buffy said quietly. "You can't blame them for staying behind."

"The land east is nothing but disaster," Legolas said, glancing at her.

"But in a way, it was the birthplace of the Elves."

"And of humans."

"Then we're taking a trip back to the beginning," Buffy said, sitting up slightly. "There is nothing wrong with that."

"The beginning of our people was thousands of years ago," Legolas continued. "So much has changed since our people left. Many of the foes fought by Gondor in wars past were from Rhûn. Many were Easterlings and some undoubtedly came from beyond."

"I guess I never thought of the east as where all of the bad guys came from."

"Rhûn is more than a land of evil. The land has historical roots with my people, with the Dwarves, with man… but all has changed."

"What did Aragorn see?"

Legolas opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again and stared out over the water.

"Legolas?" Something had to really be bothering him if he was twice unwilling to speak of this. "You don't have to tell me."

"He saw desolate… he saw grief and anger and pain… so many people to the east suffered under the tyranny of Mordor. Without that control…"

"You're worried about what we're going to find," Buffy said.

"We should not remain here too long," he said instead, rising to his feet and looking around. "There may be foes watching us undetected."

The thought of being watched by an army of bad guys made her skin crawl. Brushing the dust from her clothes, she rose. He had every reason to be distant with her. She wasn't forthcoming with details either. She longed to reach out to him, but she held back. How would he react when he discovered the only reason for this crusade was a few words in her head and the image of a woman she had never met? She was going to have to be honest with him eventually as they were in this together.

"Legolas…"

He held up his hand, his posture sudden wary and alert. She turned her head and followed his line of sight. It was then that she heard the distant sound of trumpets. "Horns."

"We must go," he said, riding over to where she was standing and offering her his hand. She took it, mounting the horse behind him. Within seconds they were running again, drawing straight north against the wind. As the sounds of civilization faded, she realized that the line of trees was growing closer.

On and on they rode, urgency apparent in each step of their steed. They soon began to climb, the elevation slowly rising as they reached the top of a hill. Glancing out over the land, she felt something hitch in her breath. Despite the lack of true beauty, she saw something in the land that was lost in California. It was natural. And it took her breath away. And then…

"I see water."

"We must be drawing close to the sea."

"There's a sea?" she asked.

"The brook we found is a tributary to the same river from Mirkwood that flows into the Sea of Rhûn."

"Really?" Buffy asked, staring hard at the horizon. "Because I see water… I think we're following the river, right?"

"It must flow right into the Sea."

"Which would make sense because this place is as barren as the Sahara," Buffy blathered on, not really knowing much about the Sahara. "I would guess that would be the reason for trees."

"It may be dangerous for us to move through the forest. It is likely that it is guarded by dark men."

"You mean by wicked men?" she asked lightly. "Relax… it's nothing we haven't handled before." Under her breath, she added, "I hope."

With that, Legolas directed their horse down the steep incline and into the woods. This slowed their steady progress and again Buffy found herself in the woods. "Didn't think I'd be back here so quickly," she said under her breath. Then she realized who she was riding with. "You must love the fact we're back in the trees."

"I am quite fearful of what these woods might bring," Legolas replied. "They may be fair teeming with Eastern men."

"God forbid I get to look at something other than an Elf," Buffy grumbled, wincing again as the horse began down another incline.

Onwards they rode, sunlight filtering through the trees before all around them fell into shadow. Darkness was swiftly overcoming them as day turned into night. At last they reached an opening in the dense forest near a small creek. Both Legolas and Buffy were willing to ride out the night, but they also knew their horse needed rest.

"I'll take watch," Buffy volunteered as she slid from her mount, wincing as her aching legs hit the ground. If the powers that existed somewhere else were so willing to give her back to dead, immortal life they could have at least given her something. This was her opportunity to break away from the monotony of this journey. She hadn't been expecting excitement or grand battles, although killing something wouldn't hurt. She felt restless when all they had been doing for the past two months was riding a horse. Before he could argue, she took her sword from the saddle and stalked off into the darkness. She heard him calling after her, but she didn't want to be abandoned at camp again. She'd had too many nights like that.

The cool air that breezed through the brambles was refreshing on her face. She tipped her face to the wind and took a deep breath. This was what she lived for she thought as she exhaled deeply and shook out her sweaty hair. Slipping between the trees she ran, resisting the urge to whoop and scream out. This felt beautifully like freedom, without attachments and without boundaries. The only thing holding onto her was an Elf.

That sudden though took her out of her reverie. She suddenly felt cold as she inhaled and stopped, her back pressing against a tree. When they were out moving, she couldn't really think. This was the only time she had to collect her thoughts. This was when the dark thoughts came out.

She could see the face in her dreams. She could feel the ground vibrate as the figure walked towards her. The gnarled, old hand reached up to touch her face. "You have finally begun," came her echoing voice, speaking from boundless wisdom. "Your journey has finally begun. You will find your strength. Your time will come."

"When?" Buffy whispered, her lips moving in the still night air. "When will my time come?"

"You have taken the first step of completing your journey. You alone will find the way."

Buffy found her head spinning with the riddles and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in a stunning white garden, surrounding by chirping birds and flowering pots. Hearing a soft sigh, she glanced up and saw the bridge. There was a figure shrouded in mist.

Wordlessly, she began to walk to the bridge. The trees parted and bent before her.

Her bare foot touched the first step and she continued to press forward until she found herself standing alone on the bridge. There was great beauty around her. But then she turned around and saw something quite different. Bodies were scattered about the ground and the river that flowed was red with blood. There was a stale air of smoke and smoldering piles of kindle. She opened her mouth to question what was going on when a heavy hand landed on her shoulder. She slowly turned around, coming to face the intruder…

Buffy opened her eyes, found herself staring at an unfamiliar face and screamed.

Back at the camp, Legolas heard her scream. He had sensed the danger for some time but had neglected to follow through on it. If she were in danger, she could take care of herself. She had always been independent in that way.

A hand came out of nowhere and pressed itself over her mouth, effectively cutting off her scream.

"No, no, no, no, no," the creature said, a silly smile showing off gapped front teeth as he backed away. Her scream died in her throat as she sized up her attacker. "We mustn't have that," he continued, stepping away from her. Something lifted from her knees and she realized the person who had attacked her was much smaller in person compared to her. She felt her heartbeat return painfully and she slowly stepped forward.

"What the hell are you?" she asked slowly, holding out her hand as the figure stared solemnly up at her.

"What I am doesn't matter, miss," the figure said in a childish boy's voice. "We thoughts you were in troubles, miss."

"We?" she asked breathlessly.

The scream had cut off. Sensing more danger than he had moments before, he glanced back at the horse well hidden in the grass. Making up his mind, he darted off into the woods, following his instincts.

Buffy stared blankly at the small figure, but before she could stop herself, she began laughing. Loudly.

Legolas lifted his head when he heard the welcome sound of her laughter. It didn't come in the midst of the snarl of a wild animal or the victorious cry of an enemy foot soldier. Instead, he heard laughter.

"No, no, no, miss… you mustn't do that either."

"Why not?" she gasped, pressing a hand to her stomach which had tensed painfully in midst of laughing hysterically. "Are you going to make short jokes? Because that would be really, really—" Her voice was cut off as something launched painfully into her back. She squealed as she fell onto the ground. Tiny fists beat into her back and she resisted the urge to laugh again, instead groaning as she pushed herself up painfully. The figure on her back slid down, but not before two bits of rope was slipped around her arms. One jerk later and she found herself kissing the dirt again.

"Are you kidding me?" she asked, grinding her teeth and struggling to break free.

"No, no, miss, we never kid."

"You are making the hugest mistake of your life."

"Are we?"

An arrow suddenly darted between two of them and they whimpered, backing away. Buffy used the time to break free of her restraints and stumble back onto her feet, backing towards a single tree as Legolas suddenly appeared, a second arrow cocked and ready to fire.

"You will not come near her again!"

"Oh, no, no, no," the lead figure whispered as three others ran into the woods. 'Oh, no, master will not like this at all, no, no, no…"

"Your master?" Buffy gasped, coming to stand next to Legolas. "Who is your master?"

"He would only be worried for mistress's safety, yes, yes," the small figure said, coming forward. In the passing light from the moon high above, Legolas's eyes narrowed as he recognized the figure.

"He's a stoor."

"Begging your pardon, good lord, but I am far from a stoor, yes, yes," the figure said, bowing unnecessarily to Legolas. "But you lord will hurt us if he try to protect mistress."

"Protect mistress from what?" Buffy asked darkly, taking a few steps forward.

"They were trying to protect you," Legolas explained, turning to her.

"They tried to attack me!" she exclaimed. "I know they're… little, but they knocked me to the ground. And they have… fists. Yes, I saw fists." Seeing the impish look on the leader's face, she shook her finger at him. "Don't try to deny it, shorty. You were trying to hurt me!"

"Not hurt you, mistress, never hurt you," the figure simpered. "You were alone in these woods, mistress, yes, yes. We would never hurt you, no, no, no."

Buffy pressed her palm to her face and sighed. "All right."

"The woods are full of wicked men, yes they are. They will try to hurt poor mistress if mistress does not come with us to master's house."

Buffy glanced up, her hand falling away. "So, you're trying to save me."

"Yes, mistress, to save you, yes, yes. Are you not worth saving?"

Legolas turned to her and even in the darkness she could see the warning in his eyes.

"I can't go with you alone," she said. "I'm with my fellow traveler here."

"But evil lord tried to hurt us, yes, yes, he tried to hurt us." There were more of these creatures appearing out of the darkness now. "Master will not hurts you. Master will loves you."

"I don't need love and I'd hurt him if he tried to hurt me back," Buffy announced as the creatures were now surrounding them. "But I'm not going anywhere unless my friend comes with me."

"He mustn't come no, no, no… he holds the light of the Eldar, yes, yes."

Buffy glanced at Legolas, who was lit from within. "I'm responsible for him."

Two of the small men glanced at one another and it seemed a silent understanding passed between them. "The lighter can come too, yes he can. But mistress must hurry."

As the small men headed off into the darkness, Legolas turned to Buffy. "You need not go."

"I think it would be rude to turn down an invitation," she protested. "I'm not going to spend my first night in a foreign woods surrounded by little men making enemies."

"What about the horse? If she were to come down against enemy foes…"

"So, we'll take her with us," Buffy said. "I'm sure she'll be safe wherever we're going."

"I only hope your words to be true," Legolas said, a distrustful look on his face as he saw the small figures beckoning them forward. "I do believe them to be Stoors, no matter their size or insistence they are anything but."

"I don't know what to expect," Buffy admitted as they walked back towards the clearing to claim their horse. "But I won't mind the company."

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"What's this? Two travelers lost in the darkness?"

Buffy found herself staring at something that looked like a hobbit. It was wide and it was shorter than she was. The top of his head was still inches below her shoulders.

"We're not lost, but we are traveling."

"Why would a tree squirrel and his mistress be traveling in a land as dangerous as this?" The man sounded amused as he stood back to gaze at them. He nearly chortled at the look on the Elf's face. He looked mutinous and ready to throttle him. The woman beside him looked rather angry as well, but her face softened as he opened his arms.

"You are more than welcome to my home."

"We will not be staying," Legolas said with great effort.

"You would refuse an invitation from I?" the man asked incredulously. "Surely not… do come in."

Buffy held back despite the obvious warmth and comfort that appealed to the place. Legolas stood stoically by her side, refusing to even move. "I'm sorry, but we should really be going…"

"You will not be rude," the man said, staggering forward. "Come, come… I have food and drink, plentiful for my… guests."

Just the way he said 'guests' made chills race up and down her spine. Summoning her courage, she stepped inside. She felt Legolas' presence behind her and his comforting hand on her back.

"Please tell me I didn't make a huge mistake," she breathed to him as the door slammed heavily behind him.

"Time will tell."

Great, so he didn't trust her. She could hardly blame him. Not wanting to be chased down by tiny men wielding weapons which in most circumstances would be a nightmare, she had agreed to this arrangement.

"Here, this is for you, lady."

Buffy felt something being stuffed into her hand. She stared at the ancient looking goblet looking like it had been hewn from the trunk of a tree. "Thanks?" she asked timidly, lifting the glass to sniff at it.

"I require nothing of sustenance," Legolas said coolly.

"You are being rude, yes, yes, yes," the man said, offering Legolas another goblet. "Drink, drink. I will not have my guests starve. Your steed will be well cared for." He sat and stared at them with beady eyes while gulping from a large tankard mug. "Yes, yes… you have come from the west?"

"Is it that obvious?" Buffy scoffed, risking a sip from her goblet. To her surprise, what she tasted was one of the most wonderful things she had ever tasted.

"Your mannerisms are very unique from what we see here," said the man, wiping his chin with his fist and plunking his tankard down. "Come, now, drink, drink." He watched them for a moment longer before continuing. "We do not get many travelers here. There are many who have heard of us… half-breeds, they call us. Stoors, some would say." He glanced at Legolas with great dislike. "Our lineage is far more complicated then that."

"I meant no offense," Legolas said defensively, holding up his hand. "I only meant—"

"No, no, tree-squat, I know what you mean," the man grumbled, his cold eyes narrowing. "We were only descendants of Stoors. We were once descendants of dwarves. That is why we are called half-breeds."

"You didn't have to explain it to us," Buffy insisted, blinking hard as she drained her goblet. Legolas was staring at her with concerned eyes, but her eyes were drawn to the man. "We will not harm you."

The man smiled. His eyes were very cold and there was no warmth in his smile. "That is why your journey will fail."

"Why will it fail?" she asked. She was having a hard time concentrating now. The goblet slipped out of her fingers and tumbled harmlessly to the floor.

"Because you do not trust your instincts," the man said, standing up and walking over to a large barrel in the corner and peering into it. "How about you, master Elf? Do you follow your instincts?"

Legolas, who had not yet touched his beverage, was watching Buffy in concern. "I have."

"Even the slowest of canines can sense danger before it overcomes them," said the man, taking another full tankard of ale back to his stool. "Your mistress is no different."

"What's happening to her?" he asked.

Buffy felt strange. Everything was spinning and she grasped the table suddenly, knocking all that was on it over.

"What you done to her?"

"You foolish, foolish squirrel," the man said disdainfully, taking another long draught from his mug. "Yes, yes, I have called you a fool. Tee hee. Why do you reckon that no Eastern man will darken my doorstep?"

Legolas knew instantly that the unsettled feeling in his stomach was true. He and Buffy were in danger and Buffy could no longer hold herself. She was half-draped on the table and on the floor. A moment later, she slid off completely, landing on her back. Feeling sickened, he turned to glare at the man only to see that he was no longer sitting at his stool. As he rose up, something hard smacked the back of his head. As his hand reached for the knives hidden beneath his cloak, he felt something knock hard into his head again. Feeling slightly dizzy, he spun about and saw the foolish little man beating on his head with his tankard.

"What are you?" he asked, reaching for the man. "What have you done to her?"

The man smiled his humorless smile. "Only time will tell," he said in a singsong voice. "Someone's going to die…"

Before he could respond, something heavy dropped on top of his head. Glancing up as he fell to his knees, he saw that part of the ceiling had caved in. Glancing suspiciously at the man standing atop his stool, he carried a rope in his hand. "I have many ways to trap my prey, master Elf. There is no escape."

Legolas felt his breath catch in his throat. He was quite alone here. He saw shadows moving on the wall and heard the laughter as the creatures moved in. Removing his knives, he stood over Buffy's body and held the knives in a defensive stance. "You will not get away with this," he warned the man in a dark voice.

"That is what they always say," the man said in a bored voice, taking another draught from his tankard. "I wonder how they'll like Eldar."

Before Legolas could ask what the man meant, he felt stabs of pain in his legs and saw that his worst nightmare had come to life. Miniature dwarves with spears were attacking his legs. Lifting his dire glance to the man, he pinned him with his most intense look before he was brought to his knees.

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To be continued…

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I honestly did not mean for this chapter to turn out the way it had. I had dreams of bringing this character (Larizel) into the story for quite some time. I just had no idea how comical or 'cheesy' he would seem. I swear this chapter would have been the death of me. Lastly, is anyone else having problems uploading their entire document? This is getting frustrating.

Chapter 3 – Who knows what surprises the half-breeds have in store for our heroes. One thing is for certain… they will never give up.