FIRST KNIGHT BY ASHA DREAMWEAVER

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Summary: BtVS/LotR. Buffy gets sent to Middle Earth to help bring down Sauron. Her duty, like the Istari, is not to confront Sauron directly but to help those fated to face him bring him down. More specifically she's to help the King of Gondor get on his throne. Will Arwen and Aragorn's love stand against the shadow? Will Legolas be able to keep a secret, that if revealed, could shatter the lives of those he cares for? Will Buffy be able to fulfil her duty? Will Denethor be able to put aside his animosity for the man who would supplant him? Will the ringbearer reach Mount Doom, or will he be cut down before he reaches his goal? And will Boromir resist the lure of the ring?

Author's notes: Thanks for all the reviews! And look, this chapter is about 7000 words! Yay! And in case I wasn't clear before, this fic will continue all the way up to the Return of the King.

By the way, I would just like to point out that the Riddle of Aragorn would have existed at this time, as I think it was written by Bilbo. The Battle of Five Armies was in 2941, ten years after Aragorn was born and as the Dwarves and Hobbit passed through Rivendell, I assume this is when Bilbo first met Aragorn. Therefore I also assume that this riddle was long written by the time this chapter is set in.

Review responses:

Anna - thanks for the compliments! The twins will have plenty of chances to compare Aragorn and Buffy though… hint, hint

Batgirl Beyond - Awww! Thanks! Hope you enjoy this chapter too!

Catlimere - Buffy is a most definitely unique woman. Especially in ME. Yes, Denethor is spiteful. After all, in RotK, he tries to burn his injured, unloved son alive because he himself went insane. Wouldn't you be proud to have him as a dad? And he does scream 'mine!' when it comes to who rules Gondor! And about Buffy's love life, I was just thinking that myself when I was writing it. Aragorn is a great catch isn't he? Pity about the fact that her competition is her gal pal, Arwen 'fairest of all' Evenstar. Talk about trying to live up to the impossible! And Arwen's feelings will be showcased as we go along. And the idea you had about the expression on Aragorn's face when Ecthelion told him who his new lieutenant was, I'm thinking about writing a flashback to show that. It would have been priceless indeed! And Buffy and Aragorn? Together? Make only mischief?! More like catastrophe! Remember, Buffy would have gone on to turn a town into a crater!

Charmedfanatic3000 - Yes, this fic will cover the FotR, TTT and RotK. Buffy's going to be very busy come the War of the Ring. So many stupid people to insult, so little time…

Crash-Bash - You know, I have a computer game with the exact same title as your pen name… Thanks for the review! And as for Denethor's declaration, considering the drunken groping and rather obnoxious air, I'd wait for more sincere sentiments…

Delphine Pryde - Denethor, always has been and always will be, an absolute idiot. But you're right, at least Boromir and Faramir came out of it. Obviously, they inherited everything from their mother.

DragonStar - cool! I like your new word! 'Buffyism'! J and yeah, Buffy will be spicing things up a bit further for dear ol' Aragorn!

Eliza17 - Yes, Buffy will be meddling with the Fellowship.

Haley - Denethor's always brewing something up. All the way up to RotK in fact but you will get to see a bit of his early attempts as well….

Herald-Mage Brianna - Every family is entitled to one mad person. cough Denethor cough Buffy's extra love interest so far has been Denethor, who she decked, and I have not yet determined to give her another. Though you have sent a nice plot bunny running around in my head. After all, Aragorn does need some competition… grins And there will be NO Buffy/Legolas or Buffy/Haldir. A girl can be friends with two cute Elves without trying to kiss them! The Glorfindel pairing is an interesting thought… but seeing as how they got on in previous chapters, they're more likely to kill each other than go all lovey-dovey.

Gaul1 - Gandalf will meet with Buffy in the future. And as for the Buffy/Arwen angst, I can't make it easy on them by having them write to each other. That clears up the drama far too quickly!

Jess aka BRTW - I hope this was update was quick enough for you!

Lizdarcy2 - No, Buffy is not one of the Istari like Gandalf. There were only five Istari, all wizened old men. What she is in relation to Gandalf and his 'tasks' will be covered when the two meet in a future chapter. And yes, Arwen has already met Aragorn. See my answer to ShawThang for a more detailed analysis.

N/A - Aragorn's thoughts will be covered shortly, partly in this chapter, and he will be prodded along by some rather dangerous helpers…

Saint Maverick - Hope this was fast enough for you!

ShawThang - Has Arwen met Aragorn as a man yet? Yes and no. Aragorn is, from direct descent, a scion of Númenor and so he ages slower and lives longer than other men. In Númenóreon custom, the Kings of old relinquished the crown when their sons were ninety years of age, so I take it that the age that they would be seen as men and not as boys differed from the ordinary men with shorter lifespans. So at twenty, Aragorn would really still have been a boy, even if he felt differently, and especially so to a few millennia old Elf. Aragorn met Arwen, who greeted him as distant kin and foster brother, when he was twenty. He fell in love with her but she didn't fall in love with him 'til they met in Lórien in 2980 when Aragorn was 49. So, in my take of things, Arwen still thinks him a boy at this point in the story. As for Denethor, read on and see…

And major thanks to:

Aleviel, Dragon pink (gee thanks!), Jania, Malfeus, Night-Owl123,

And again, major thanks to my beta, iceflame55!

CHAPTER SIX: A CROWNLESS KING

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost,

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not touched by the frost,

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring,

Renewed shall be the blade that was broken,

The crownless shall again be king.

- the Riddle of Aragorn.

While Aragorn was reasonably sure that the mystery that was Lieutenant Eliza was no real danger, he of all people could not afford to take chances. And so, he decided to write to his foster father, Lord Elrond of Rivendell. At the very least, he would be able to confirm Eliza's claims of being familiar with some of the Dúnedain around Bree.

Adar,

I wish your advice on a matter that has been much bothering me in recent times. A healer attached to my company, who goes by the name of Eliza, has awoken such curiosity in me that it will not go away until I have the answers I seek. Short of frame, with long blonde hair and hazel eyes is how she looks. Deceptively fragile in my opinion. This healer after winning a great battle against the Corsairs of Umbar, who took two captains hostage, led Ecthelion to promote her to my lieutenant.

But ada, strange enough as the tale is already, there is yet more to tell. She has strength, speed and skill that I have not seen in any of the younger races. She moves more like an Elf in terms of fleet-footedness than the race of Men to which she says she belongs.

While she has not shown any signs of plotting against anyone save the pirates, my lack of knowledge about her makes me wary. Ada, she knows I'm one of the Dúnedain. I know not how but I fear if she knows that much, then she knows who their chieftain is too.

She has claimed to have a passing acquaintance with some of the rangers who frequent Bree. If you could set someone to check this and send a reply, it would put my mind at ease. From my limited knowledge about this woman, she is not one whom anybody would forget meeting. Especially those who make her angry. She seemingly has no fear of authority as evidenced by the way she punched Denethor, son of Ecthelion unconscious for an as of yet unnamed reason.

I would dearly value your advice on this matter, adar. While she has saved my life, I feel as though she's a lion on a fraying leash.

Estel

-------------------

Rivendell.

Though Elrond was aware that he really should be paying attention to what Erestor was saying, he couldn't help sneaking glances out of the window every few minutes. He wasn't the only one doing it, Erestor and Glorfindel were trying to be discreet about it but they were still looking out the window themselves.

The reason for this heightened level of paranoia amongst the residents was very simple. Not only were all the children of Elrond home for once, but the twins' closest friend amongst the Edhil, Legolas Thranduilion, was visiting the fair valley whilst conveying a message to Elrond from his father.

And 'twas well known that the twins' penchant for mischief only increased when their friend from the great wood was around.

Glorfindel and Erestor had every reason to be wary. Glorfindel had incurred the twins' wrath after he let slip a rather embarrassing childhood incident to Legolas, who had nearly fallen into hysterics from laughter. That had not pleased the terrible twosome, who incensed ever more by the teasing that the Wood-Elf gave them, had vowed to perform some horrible, nasty, fiendishly clever revenge on Glorfindel. Of the exact details of their threat, Glorfindel wouldn't say. The Balrog-Slayer feared little, but there were very few beings who didn't fear the twin terrors of Rivendell.

Erestor was wary simply because the twins' were not known for caring much about the safety of innocent bystanders when it came to thoroughly destroying the dignity of their victim. And because of his place as chief advisor, poor Erestor was in the line of fire so to speak because of the amount of time he spent with Glorfindel. Elrond could only pity him. Not even he and Galadriel together could tame the twins. And if one listened to Thranduil, nothing tamed Legolas. Not even the Nazgûl.

The sound of laughter and some angry shouting came through the windows once more and Elrond could have swore Glorfindel actually jumped! Obviously, Elrond had been poring over paperwork for too long. Dismissing the relieved advisor and jumpy seneschal, Elrond decided to take a look at what the pyn neth were up to.

Elrohir was sopping wet and soaked to the bone, looking absolutely furious and on the verge of killing something. Or someone. That someone would probably be the duo of Legolas and Arwen, who were holding an empty bucket between them and seemed to have ganged up on the younger of the twins for some reason. While the two culprits laughed as Elrohir chased them about, Elladan was flopped down on his back, snickering at his brother's plight. Which promptly led the younger twin to scoop up the now discarded bucket, fill it with water from a nearby waterfall and empty it on an unsuspecting Elladan.

"I will get you for that gwanur-neth!" Elladan roared and took up the chase while Arwen and Legolas looked at each other and then collapsed with the force of their mirth, watching the ridiculous display the twins were putting on.

He saw something unexpected then and he took a sharp breath as he recognised it. It was subtle, very understated but it was there. There was a quiet admiration for Arwen in the Prince's eyes when he looked at her. A scion of one of the lords of Doriath might be enough to turn Arwen's head… he remembered the long pondered over words. He knew that both Oropher and Thranduil haled from the now long destroyed Doriath. Could Legolas be the one Celebrían had meant?

Oh Eru, please let it be so, Elrond prayed fervently. His youngest child, Aragorn, had been in love with Arwen since he was a boy. The coming of that infatuation he had been long warned about by his wife, but it was still a blow to see it come to pass. He loved Aragorn dearly, but the life of his only daughter was a price too heavy to pay.

He could not blame Aragorn for loving his daughter, but he couldn't let Arwen choose a mortal life because of him. Aragorn had aimed too high this time. Elrond did not want to break his foster son's heart either, but he would not willingly part with his daughter, even if Aragorn was the greatest of men still living.

But if his fears were to come to naught, and Arwen would choose an Elf as her love. Well, that was a different story, and though his heart ached for the pain it would cause for Aragorn, he would encourage it wherever it led.

-------------------

The Grey Havens. 2510, Third Age.

The family and close friends of the house of Elrond were gathered on the docks, saying their final farewells to Celebrían, Lady of Rivendell, before she sailed West. Having been attacked and abducted by orcs on her way home from her native Lothlórien, she had never recovered from her ordeal. Though her twin sons had found her and brought her back to their father, who healed her bodily wounds, all joy had left her life. If she stayed in Middle Earth, her fading was inevitable.

The only respite for her would be to sail to Valinor in the West, where she could heal her hurts. Thought it sundered her family apart, before her children had made their choice, she could linger here no longer. A year had passed since her abduction and she knew now that no matter how hard she tried to be strong for them, she would find no healing on the hither shores.

She embraced her husband, both having said their tearful goodbyes in the privacy of Círdan's house. Elrond would not follow her 'til his task on these shores was complete. Until Sauron was destroyed, he would not join her.

Elladan and Elrohir she embraced tenderly, imparting some last advice to her mischievous sons, "Try not to terrorise your sister, and when the time comes, return to me," she said tearfully. "Don't throw your lives away in hate because of this."

The twins had developed a worrisome all-consuming hatred for orcs that was terrifying to see unleashed. She had heard of their exploits from Glorfindel, who worried over their future, and she had no wish to see them die for their lust for vengeance.

But it was when she made to embrace her youngest child that she felt the most unsettling feeling come over her. While not as skilled as her august mother, she had inherited the foresight of her line and what came to her now was enough to have her staggering back, face white with fear and distress.

Ignoring the concerned exclamations of her sons and husband, she held her daughter close, pressing a kiss into the dark hair. Quietly, she spoke, knowing that the keen hearing of Elrond and the twins would pick up on her words, "Your choice lies before you daughter. To set sail with your father and reunite with me on the Western Shores or to stay in Middle Earth and be sundered from your family evermore."

"Why say you this naneth?" Arwen said in confusion. "Why to me and not to Elladan and Elrohir?"

Celebrían closed her eyes for a moment, and prayed to the Valar to give her the strength to do this, and then to leave afterwards, even now that she saw that her daughter's future was so uncertain. "Because nín Undómiel, I see you tempted towards a mortal life and it terrifies me that I might not see you again."

"But naneth, I have no reason to choose as such," Arwen said soothingly, seeing her father's growing distress as he stood behind her mother, "I will leave when Ada takes ship and we shall meet again in Aman. There is nothing to fear."

"So you say now," Celebrían said brokenly, "But you cannot say your heart will not be swayed by what is to come in the future. Just promise me one thing Arwen, that you will not confuse your heart's stirrings for true love. You will make your choice, I pray it shall not be the wrong one. The doom of Lúthien shall not avail you if your heart is conflicted nín Undómiel…" The silver haired lady trailed off as something else came to her, something that at least put a wan smile on her face, "Pay attention to a sister of the heart and you shall not be led astray."

Accepting her husband's arm, she whispered for his ear only, "Beware the one who will come to steal her heart. In Lúthien's image she was born, I would not have her die for her Beren. Guard her well hervenn." She discreetly pressed a piece of paper into his hand. It had been written last night when she had wanted to tell Elrond of what she had seen for their children's futures before the catastrophe that had befell her. He pocketed silently, dropping a kiss on her lips and led her to the waiting white ship.

Then, shortly afterwards, Celebrían took ship, leaving Elrond to shoulder the burden of what was to come.

But once he was alone in the room he was lodging in in Círdan's house, he drew out his wife's message and read it with no small amount of trepidation. But it was the lines referring to Arwen that gave him some small hope that the disaster of Lúthien's choice could be averted.

The message read, "A scion of one of the lords of Doriath might be enough to turn Arwen's head… wish him well…"

-------------------

Aragorn eagerly reached for Elrond's reply when it came with one of the messenger birds of Rivendell.

Ion nîn,

Must you get involved in everything that even hints of trouble? I assure you Estel, this Eliza's story, has been thoroughly checked out. The twins themselves vouch for her. I am not sure if that is meant to be reassuring or not, but they say that this woman has no connections to the Dark Lord and that she is well able to keep secrets. I concur. She is well thought of in Lórien.

I believe she is one that you can trust with your secret, if you so wish to disclose it. And I am well aware of her disregard for decorum. I am unsure whether she has been a bad influence on the twins or whether they have been a bad influence on her.

As for her other attributes, that is her own story to tell. Pray, stop harassing her about being a spy for Sauron and she might be more forthcoming, yes? Try some of that charm you used to swindle the kitchen out of all their sweet pastries when you were younger. And if that fails, offer her a new weapon as a peace offering. Elladan and Elrohir assure me that she would be delighted with a new 'toy'.

Try not to get yourself killed or I will set the gwenyn on you.

Ada

Well, that was informative, Aragorn thought in disgust. 'Well thought of in Lórien'?! The Galadhrim shot first and dumped the bodies later. How on earth did she get in there?! And a weapon as a peace offering? Knowing his luck, she would use it to kill him. And who in all of Arda called their weapon a 'toy'?!

-------------------

2976. Minas Tirith.

Five years had passed since Buffy's promotion and she had carved out quite a nice life for herself in the White City. Once Aragorn had his suspicions assuaged by his father and actually tried to see Buffy's good qualities, a friendship had sprung up. Respect had come later when he realised that Buffy was a very good person to have watching your back in a fight.

Of course, all their time spent together, on and off the battlefield, hadn't helped Buffy's lust bunnies any, she acknowledged morosely. Lust had become love. Love had become love-sick. Aragorn, while willing to have the odd dalliance here and there, was head over heels for Arwen. Which left no room for little ol' Buffy. It didn't help that he was such a great catch in her opinion.

After he got over the urge to interrogate her and accepted that she could do a lot of things others couldn't, for no explainable reason, he'd been quite content to let her kick ass the way she felt like it. And an even bigger plus, he didn't seem to care if she fought better than him. Unlike Riley, or Spike, or Angel, he didn't care about the slayer.

Ok, he knew her as Eliza, but what was a name? Spending the better part of a decade in Middle Earth had changed her, and it turned out that Galadriel had been right. Having the freedom to not be a slayer and just be herself had taken a huge load off her shoulders. She didn't have to kill monsters left, right and centre if she didn't want to. And when she did, she got paid for it. All in all, a nice arrangement.

Physically, the only concession she'd made was to allow her hair to grow almost to waist length. There weren't too many hairdressers in Middle Earth, and even fewer that knew the first thing about cutting women's hair. Habitually she wore it in a thick braid, down her back when in the city and coiled up on her head when she was with her troops.

And since Denethor, she hadn't indulged in any flirtations. It was enough to drive a girl mad. Chivalry was a big thing here in Gondor. But at least Denethor, who got grumpier every year, had left her alone. The man was getting married to Lady Finduilas, daughter of Prince Adrahil of Dol Amroth. Buffy honestly didn't know what the woman saw in him, but hey, if she wanted to marry the crazy guy, who was she to stop her?

Anyway, there was to be a big party tomorrow after the wedding, so Buffy had to sort out her gear for tomorrow. She and Ecthelion had come to an arrangement a couple of years back, she put in the mandatory appearances at social functions without decking anybody else, such as his son, though how he found out about that she didn't have a clue, and he'd cover her ass in the event of any more Buffy mess ups.

As she got used to Middle Earth, it didn't happen that often but Buffy was still rather high-spirited as he put it, and had a very nasty temper. He'd said that he really didn't want to have to have her arrested. She'd agreed totally. She'd never looked good in chains.

-------------------

The wedding had gone off without a hitch, even if Buffy had had to hide her snickers during Denethor's very poetic, very familiar vows. And now the ensuing party could also be considered a success, judging by how everyone had lightened up and were enjoying themselves.

Of course, that could have something to do with the copious amounts of wine being drunk by the revellers. Even Buffy herself hadn't been immune to its effects, and was now pleasantly tipsy.

And so when an also pleasantly tipsy Aragorn asked her dance. Instead of warning bells going off in her head, she said yes. Even though she still wasn't any good at this fancy dancing. Fancy being a polite word for very slow. She just forgot about her reservations and relished being in the arms of the only man who'd caught her fancy in Middle Earth. Elves didn't count. They were all so cute it should be a crime.

For Aragorn's part, he'd got the idea of asking Eliza to dance from Denethor's usually cutting, and for once, enlightening, remarks. "You are quite taken with the 'Lady' Eliza," Denethor said curiously and with more than a little venom, "Have you a taste for wargs or is it just that particular one you are attracted to?" Denethor's opinion of Eliza had taken a drastic downhill slide when she refuted his advances so eloquently.

Aragorn hadn't been pleased by his tone or his insinuations but it had opened his eyes a little. He actually didn't know why he hadn't seen it before, but Eliza, for all of the mystery surrounding her, was very attractive and they got on very well together when they weren't trying to pry information out of the other.

And so here he was, dancing with her. And for the first time since he'd lain eyes on Arwen Evenstar, he felt a stirring in his blood.

Once the tune ended, he led them over to one of the small seating areas scattered around the room. "How is it that I have known you for so many years and yet every time I think I know you, you do something to prove me wrong?"

She smiled softly, "Let me guess, you just realised that I normally don't dance?" At his nod, she continued, "Well, I can't very well refuse my captain now, can I? He could assign me night patrol for the next three weeks."

"You like night patrol," Aragorn said, "You're one of the few who do."

"So?" she said airily, "And good sir, considering that you have half the unattached maidens of Gondor after your hide, why are you dancing with me? Lady Golwyn is most interested in you."

"Lady Golwyn wants to eat me alive, and then take my purse when I die," Aragorn said, shuddering in the disgust at the thought of the very adventurous Lady, in the bedroom anyway if the rumours were anything to go by. "And those 'unattached maidens' seek a husband and I shall be bound to no man's child yet."

"Commitment issues?" Buffy quipped, wondering what had gotten into her. She was usually more careful to guard her tongue around the quick witted Dúnadan.

Aragorn stared at her for a moment before shaking himself out of his shock. Eliza could be very bawdy at times, he remembered, and knew a thousand times more than she actually said. No shrinking wallflower there, he noted. "Aye. Let us say that I have a hard road ahead of me and no woman deserves to be dragged down it with me."

"A woman might not take too kindly to a mere man telling her where she can and cannot tread," Buffy teased, "Have you never heard the saying 'hell hath no fury than a woman scorned'?"

"Hell?" Aragorn asked in confusion.

"Think of Morgoth's Fires and you've just about got it," she answered nonchalantly.

"Aye, then I think it must be your motto. And if not yours, surely that of your house."

"Nah!" Buffy dismissed his notion, her face taking on a faraway expression as she thought on the slayers that came before her. "If anything, the motto of my house is 'she will die young' or even better; 'one dies and another comes after'."

"A rather morose sentiment," Aragorn said in wonderment, "But as 'tis you who said it, I find myself less surprised than I should be."

"So, back to what we were discussing Master Evasive, have you no woman waiting on you? Or do you prefer men?" she added the last as an afterthought, enjoying Aragorn's eyes bug out.

"Eliza!" he sputtered, absolutely scandalised, only making her laugh more, "You have a wicked, wicked tongue and a truly evil mind."

"And you like me for it! Now answer my question Thorongil, or I shall be forced to conclude that the fairer sex is not to your liking. And I'll tell that to Lord Denethor. 'Twould get rid of the swarming maidens anyway."

"And condemn me to ridicule and torment," Aragorn hissed before his voice took on a wistful tone, "There is one who holds my heart but she has noticed me not. Nor will she. She is too far above me for me to ever attain."

Buffy's heart clenched painfully. Arwen… "Maybe you'll find your happiness eventually." she said sincerely, ignoring her rising jealously, "Any woman would be blessed to have you. Even if you would drive her mad!"

"And 'twould be a brave man indeed that dared approach you!" Aragorn jested in return, somewhat uncomfortable with the turn their conversation had taken, "Have you not found anyone you find worthy of you yet? Or are you content to punch the city's lords and be done with it?" He would never know how badly he had touched a nerve.

Buffy didn't know what had come over her but she was suddenly feeling very hot, "As great as this conversation is, can we take it outside? It's really hot in here."

Aragorn didn't protest as they walked out, encased in a nice happy bubble that being tipsy brought.

It was a lovely night, slightly chill but the moon was full, giving out plenty of light for Buffy's sharp night vision to see by. She sighed with relief as the loud boisterous music the band were currently playing was dulled through the thick wooden doors. Sometimes, having enhanced hearing was a curse in gatherings such as this. Especially when the band was playing all of three feet away from you.

Being outside soothed her burgeoning headache, and Aragorn's presence was a comfort. Even if there was something niggling at the back of her brain, something she should remember… But she was perfectly content at the moment and so she ignored it.

She vaguely remembered that Buffy and any alcohol related substance did not go well together. But at the moment, she really couldn't care. It felt nice to have a good friend, even if she wanted him to be more. It had been so long since she'd left Sunnydale, and even then the bitterness at her so-called friends' betrayal still lingered. If there was one thing she knew about Aragorn, son of Arathorn, was that he didn't betray his friends, not unless they decided to serve Sauron anyway.

Leading the way to the nearby balcony, she relished in the feeling of fresh air. But the combination of fresh air and an alcohol induced buzz went straight to her head, and she staggered with a sudden fit of lightheadedness. Belatedly, she noted that apparently processing alcohol faster was not one of her slayerly gifts.

Expecting to nearly fall, and trying to gather herself, she was surprised at what happened next.

Strong arms caught her as she stumbled, holding her close to a tall form. Her head fogged all the more as she realised whose arms. Aragorn was holding her. Trying to escape his grasp while she still had enough wits about her, she tried to leave but Aragorn held her firm.

Turning her around so that she faced him, her breath caught at the sight of his dilated grey eyes, looking almost black in the moonlight. Their gazes locked and for a moment, an eternity, their breaths caught.

Taken aback by the strange feelings welling inside him, Aragorn ignored the voice of common sense telling him this wasn't a good idea, that it would all come to ruin in the morning when they were sober, but he gave in to the impulse to touch her.

Gently, he placed a hand on her cheek, rubbing his thumb along the soft skin, marvelling at the feeling of this strong woman trembling because of him.

For her part, Buffy was frozen. Here was what she wanted, offered to her on a silver platter, all she had to do was take it… But as much as her conscience screamed 'Arwen!', she was helpless to do anything. For the first time since she had been called as the Vampire Slayer, Buffy wanted to give in to him, secure in the knowledge that she could trust him and that they could be equals. Without her having to put up with an inferiority complex, whether it be a soul or lack of one, or over simply being normal. Aragorn was the first man, (the vampires/demons didn't count) that she respected, and who could respect her back. Not envy her for her life, or for being what she was.

Aragorn leaned down and brushed his lips over her, and Buffy couldn't do it anymore.

Both locked their voices of reason away, and kissed each other with a passion that surprised them both. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as he grabbed her by the waist.

Lungs screaming for air, Aragorn pulled back, giving Buffy some time to gather her suddenly addled wits. But as she realised what she'd done she wondered if she hadn't been deaf, dumb and stupid the entire time. She'd kissed Aragorn! Aragorn who was in love with Arwen, her friend! What sort of Cordelia wannabe was she?!

Luckily, Aragorn seemed to sense her newfound reticence and didn't press any more, even though she could feel that he wanted her. He insisted on escorting her back to her apartments though, both of them being less than lightfooted at the present time, and gave her a light kiss on the cheek at the door.

Alone in her rooms, Buffy decided that she'd deal with all this complicated stuff in the morning, and grabbing a glass of wine she drowned her sorrows in the rich red liquid before falling into a fitful sleep.

-------------------

'Twas a groggy, pained Aragorn that woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache that made him wish he had slept much longer.

His memories of last night were fuzzy, and he tried to remember the events after the feast. As it all came back to him, his eyes widened impossibly. He… and Eliza…. They had… Oh dear Eru, what had he done?! He was in love with Arwen! And Eliza was too good a friend to have as a mere bed partner. How in Arda was he going to handle this?!

And worse, even though the memories were hazy, he was fairly sure that he had enjoyed himself immensely. And for the life of him, he couldn't remember whether he had made an offer to her that would leave her disgusted with him. Eliza did not strike him as the type to jump into bed with anyone on a whim. Even her captain. Especially not her captain.

How was he going to handle this? He counted her as a friend, but if she took offence….

He could only ignore it and hope that she did the same or else he honestly did know what he would do.

Because as much as he told himself it should mean nothing, that it did mean nothing, a part of him that sounded suspiciously like the twins reminded him that he had enjoyed it, and that he would not mind doing it again…

By the Valar, was he losing his mind?

-------------------

Around the same time Aragorn was beating himself up, Buffy was panicking, absolutely horrified with herself. Exactly how was she going to face Aragorn after this?! She had to work with the man, and if he decided to make a big deal over this… this… thing, then it wasn't as if she could show him the sharp end of her sword!

Not to mention if it got back to Arwen! Or even worse Elrond! If she had to sit through one more 'don't act like a tavern wench from Bree' speech coupled with the 'if you let my son die than all sorts of wrath and ruin shall fall upon you' speech, she would scream literally.

And for all that Elrond had survived the Last Alliance, he wouldn't survive Buffy Summers!

The best outcome was that Aragorn never remembered. Alcohol tended to mess with your head, and if he did remember something, maybe she could convince him it was a dream. If that didn't work, more drastic measures would have to be taken. After all, wouldn't a nice sword hilt to the head take care of the pesky little problem?

Worst case scenario was that he would make her life hell. He was her captain and for all that she took pride in not learning the rules, she most definitely did not want to have to wheedle her way out of chamber pot duty. Talk about eeugh!

Of course, there was one teensy weensy little problem…

She'd still be left with dreams of that night and an intensified longing for what she could never have…

What was it with her luck and men? She seemed to be doomed to spend the rest of her life alone.

-------------------

When Thorongil and Eliza began avoiding each other, and acting unusually formal when they were together, Denethor's brain started spinning. What could have split the dream duo up? After five years in the army, Eliza was only second to 'he who can do no wrong' Thorongil when it came to the love of the people. For all her brazenness, people could not help but like her.

And so he watched, and he waited and he plotted.

And eventually he was rewarded for his efforts.

Thorongil was careless due to his distraction with Eliza and for once did not lock the chest he kept under his bed. Denethor had tried to open it several times but the mithril chest was bolted to the floor and he was unable to pry it open.

To think that one such as Thorongil had a fortune, in mithril no less!, hidden under his bed. 'Twas enough to make his blood boil the first time he had found it.

But now he was finally able to peruse its contents and they were more than he could ever have dreamt.

Inside, carefully placed in a cloth pouch, was a ring of legend. The Ring of Barahir, owned by Beren of the First Age, and heirloom of the line of Elendil and Isildur. Heirloom of the line of Kings! And then he moved on to the stack of letters, written in Elvish script, which he was not familiar with, though he could make out the name he sought… Aragorn…

So this was the name of the man who would dare cast him aside…

Rifling through its contents, he found much gold, items marked with the emblem of the Elves, in particular the house of Elrond he thought, though he couldn't be sure. Obviously 'Thorongil' treasured these and 'twould be best if he refrained from taking any until this Aragorn was taken care of. After all, with these tokens, when the time came, they would be enough that all would hail Denethor, King of Gondor.

All that remained was for Aragorn to die…

While tragedy on the battlefield would be best, he was not patient nor reckless enough to let his chance rest on luck. No, some things were best handled personally.

The winged crown would be his, whatever his father's views on the matter. He would restore Gondor to its former glory and be known as the King who kept the shadow at bay.

'Twas a pity that he could not keep this Aragorn to play with once the throne was secure. What better revenge than to enslave this crownless king into the service of his rival? His rival, who had bested him so greatly that there was no chance of victory left to him…

Oh, it would be sweet. Very sweet indeed….

He already knew what he would say, had seen it written in the lore of Gondor, "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta." he whispered and laughed to himself as he left…

-------------------

A/N: So? What do you think? It was Buffy and Aragorn's first kiss! Awww! Please READ and REVIEW!!!

Next chapter: We see Boromir arrive into the world. Buffy and Aragorn get a surprise. We meet up with the twins and Denethor's plans come to fruition… At a price….

P.S - does anybody know any other archives that accept BtVS/LotR crossovers?

Elvish:

Naneth - mother.

Nín Undómiel - My Evenstar

Hervenn - husband

Edhil - Elves.

Pyn neth - young ones

Gwanur-neth- younger brother

Ion nîn - my son
Gwenyn - twins

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta. - Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.

Celebrían - Galadriel and Celeborn's daughter. Wife of Elrond. Mother to Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. Sailed West in 2510 after being attacked by orcs in 2509.

Círdan - also called 'the Shipwright'. Lord of the Grey Havens. The only Elf with a beard.

Doriath - An Elven realm in the First Age. Was destroyed first by Dwarves, then by kinslayings.

Lúthien - Daughter of King Thingol of Doriath and Melian the Maia. Born in the First Age. Married a mortal man and came back from the dead as a mortal after convincing Mandos with a song to release her and her love, Beren. Considered the most beautiful Elf-maid to walk Arda. Elrond's foremother.