Chapter Three

A New World

When Buffy woke up, she felt refreshed, like she had been in a very deep sleep. She looked around her, suddenly feeling disoriented. This wasn't her home, it wasn't even anywhere in the council. So where was she?

And then she remembered. It all came flooding back in a sudden rush, making her feel dizzy so she couldn't sit up.

"So, you're awake," said a voice beside her, startling her.

She managed to sit up eventually and saw Tara sitting in a chair beside the bed, a slight smile on her face. "You must have needed the rest!"

Buffy slowly began to take in her surroundings. The room was made of stone, and although fairly Spartan, with only the bed, a desk with a lamp on it for light and a shielded area for changing with a basin for washing , it was descent enough. It wasn't the Hilton, but it would do. "I guess I did. But…where am I? How long was I asleep?"

"A couple of days," Tara admitted.

"What?" she exclaimed in shock. "Why didn't you wake me up?" It was then that she noticed it was night outside the tall window.

"Calm down Buffy, you needed it. Travelling between dimensions can be…complicated and tiring for those people not used to it. You needed time to adjust, because, well, you're not exactly the same as when you left your world."

Buffy frowned slightly at this comment. "Ok, I think you need to do a lot of explaining Tara. Right now."

The young witch nodded…and Buffy noticed her appearance was slightly different then it had been on her world. No longer transparent, Tara could quite easily pass for human. "First you must get dressed so I can show you your new home." Tara pointed to the clothes at the end of the bed.

Buffy groaned at the simple dress laid before her. "Please tell me you're kidding! Couldn't it at least be pretty? I thought I was supposed to be helping royalty."

"You are," said Tara. "But not yet. And if you were going to look like a princess of some strange land, then our plans for getting you into the citadel wouldn't work. . There would be to many questions about your past and your background and family…we can't afford that."

"Wait a second, we?" asked Buffy, picking up the dress. "You're still…a ghost right? or an Angel or whatever? Because you look…and if you are, how can you help me?"

"We need to be subtle Buffy," said Tara patiently. "I've studied this world for a long time. Between me and Boromir…who actually lived here, by the way, I'm sure we can teach you the way of life here easily enough! And yes, I'm still not of the living."

"But…" started Buffy, getting frustrated with her friend.

"Nobody will be able to see me but you. And I won't be here for ever. Just in the first few weeks, to help you on your way."

Buffy looked around again and sighed. "Home sweet home. Well, I guess I chose this didn't I?" she sighed. "But I really should have looked at the brochure first! Ok, I'll get ready. But you've gotta spill. Starting with where am I again?"

Tara smiled as Buffy went behind the shielded area of the room to get dressed. This was going to take a while!

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Buffy tried to listen to what Tara was saying, she really did. But there was so much to take in. She was now saying something about the city being built on seven levels, each of the seven circleswere guarded by high walls of stone, each with a gateway you had to pass. In order to walk through the different circles, you needed passwords, otherwise any stranger could walk into the city and the king's life would be in danger. Tara seemed very amused when she said this.

"At the moment we're in the fifth circle. But it's only temporary," said Tara. "Soon…you'll be moved up into the seventh circle, maybe even the Citadel it's self."

Buffy glanced at Tara. The street they were walking down was narrow, some areas of pavement and buildings were made of marble and looked half built.

"They're going to be rebuilding this city to its former self soon," Tara explained. "Washing away all signs of war."

"If a city like this can be invaded," Buffy murmured, looking around at the large scale of everything around her, "Then I'm glad I missed out on the war."

Tara nodded. "I'm glad you did to, although not all of the danger has passed just yet, a fact King Elessar will find out soon."

"This king has a lot of names," Buffy muttered. "I thought I was helping a guy called Aragorn?"

"You are," said Tara as they continued to walk. "Elessar means Hope. It is a name chosen by the elves."

"Ok, I'm confused again," said Buffy. "I thought he was king of men?"

Tara stopped and looked at the slayer carefully. "I can see this will be harder then I thought. We'd better get back so we can talk freely, otherwise anyone overhearing will think you're…"

"Crazy? I guess if I'm talking to myself it would look weird. Not the best first impression I want to make. But first, how exactly am I getting near Aragorn anyway? With all this password stuff…"

"You have an audience with the future queen in a couple of days. Several women from the city do. Some jobs have opened up within the castle with the wedding coming up at the end of the week. It's the perfect opportunity to be near the royal family and to get close to them."

"Wait…wedding? What about what happened in my vision?"

"Buffy, I always new you weren't the most patient person in the world, but at least give me the chance to finish explaining things!" said Tara, startling the slayer into silence.

"Great, well…if I'm gonna be playing maid in middle earth, then I'd better get paid well for it. And I'm talking same salary as Jennifer Lopez, or the deals off!" Buffy complained finally.

Tara laughed and began to lead Buffy back to her accomodations.

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Arwen sat in her chambers, even more confused then she had felt in a long time. She remembered her conversation with Galadriel a few days ago and it hadn't held the answers she had hoped for. In fact it hadn't helped at all.

"I know that I love him," she told Galadriel desperately. "But….I also love my family. I don't know what to do!"

Galadriel looked at her granddaughter sadly, and shook her head. "There is nothing I can do for you Arwen. This was your choice and you have to decide what truly lies in your heart. This is your choice to make."

"I'm asking for your advice lady," Arwen said angrily. "Is there no comfort you can give me? I'm about to give everything up for you. Tell me it will be worth it!"

Galadriel hesitated. "If it is the king you are worried for he will be broken. But there is always hope in desperate situations and he will not be shattered forever. I believe someone has come to help him, should you decide to join us."

Arwen had raised an eyebrow at this. "And who would that be?" she asked bitterly.

Galadriel shook her head. "I know not. But I had a dream. There will be help for you. I couldn't see a name or face, but I sensed….someone. But you should know this, we care about you more then you know and will respect any decisions that you make."

Arwen groaned loudly. "Why are you always so cryptic!" she suddenly shouted. Then she looked away and when she spoke again, she was more calm. "I wish your mirror was here," she said finally.

"It does not always show you clear answers Arwen," sighed the queen of Lothloriel. "Although foresight is helpful, it isnot the answer to everything."

But Arwen needed answers now, because her time was slowly running out. Maybe it was now finally time to talk to Elrond and her brothers. Their answers would probably be the same as Galadriels, but she needed their support as well and their opinions.

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She later found Elrond in the study, surrounded by books of old lore and the history of men. Elrond looked up at her with a smile and as always, Arwen was surprised whenever she saw him now. Like Aragorn, peace had changed him for the better, and Arwen realised that she had forgotten her father could be just as carefree and mischievous as anyone else, when the pressures of war were not on him.

"Hello my daughter," he greeted her. "This library can be interesting! Not hardly as good as Imladris, but still…it passes the time to look up the old tales and see how much things have changed."

She nodded. "Not really my idea of fun adar," she told him softly.

He frowned then at her tone of voice. "Is everything alright Arwen?" he asked in concern.

She tried to blink away the tears that threatened, but something must have given her away.

"Talk to me my child," he asked her. "Tell me what troubles you?"

As Arwen explained her new found situation, Elrond tried hard to look thoughtful and concerned. But the more she talked and the more he heard, the more his spirits rose.

"Arwen," he said finally. "You know my feelings on this matter. I would be overjoyed to have you come with me when the time comes, but I have also come to terms with your decision to stay," he added as an afterthought.

She nodded in defeat. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Everyone else has. Well…Galadriel anyway."

"Ah, yes. The lady of the wood and her cryptic ways," he laughed. "Come daughter, I'm sure there is a way round this decision. More then anything else, I would not see you hurt," he hesitated then as the full seriousness of the situation fell on him. "Although I have regarded Aragorn as a son for many years."

Arwen shook her head. "Either way, someone will be hurt adar, there is no way around that. But…I think I have known my decision for a long time, but haven't had the courage to admit it."

Elrond placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. "When will you tell him?" he asked softly.

Arwen looked away into the light of a nearby candle. "As soon as I can."

TBC

By the way, I hope that I've got the description of Minus Tirith correct.. I did look it up in return of the king, But if you notice anything wrong, please let me know. It's been a while since i've read the books. Thanks for reading and leaving reviews.