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: some lines in this fic have been taken from 'The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen', from the appendixes of the Lord of the Rings.
And to clear something up Saruman is NOT the Mouth of Sauron. The Mouth (hereby after to be referred to as the MoS). In RotK, chapter name: The Black Gate Opens, the MoS is described as follows:
"There rode a tall and evil shape, mounted on a black horse… The rider was robed all in black, and black was his lofty helm; yet this was no Ringwraith but a living man. The Lieutenant of the Tower of Barad-dûr he was, and his name is remembered in no tale; for he himself had forgotten it, and he said, 'I am the Mouth of Sauron'. But it is told that he was a renegade, who came of the race of those that are named Black Númenóreans, for they established their dwellings in Middle Earth during the years of Sauron's domination, and they worshipped him, being enamoured of evil knowledge. And he entered the service of the Dark Tower when it first rose again, and because of his cunning he grew ever higher in the Lord's favour; and he learned great sorcery, and knew much of the mind of Sauron, and he was more cruel than any orc."
Review responses:
Alliana Greenleaf Halliwe - you have a psychic streak, don't you?
Anna - about the flashback you mentioned, I really haven't given it much thought as I've been caught up with the repercussions of this chapter. By the time you've read it, you'll see what I mean. But I might do it now that you've put it into my mind…. Buffy is not immune to the Nazgûl blade per say, but as she's literally already possessed by another spirit, (her slayer nature), the poison can't turn her into a wraith and just acts as a strong sedative with hangover like after-effects. Sorry, no hints about Sauron's plans! That plotline is being held in a safety deposit box in Zurich!
Catlimere - Your reviews are always a treat! :) and if you have some really twisted imagination (like me), a plot can be twisted any which way you like. Liked your way of putting things, 'one step forward and three back with these people'. Too true, though glad you thought it was in character. And in reference to it, it's gonna be one step forward, ten steps back in this chapter. And no, the Mouth of Sauron is not Saruman! See author's note for full details. Arwen? Matchmaking? Well, she's a little busy in this chapter but she might have a part in it in the future. And you're right, there's only so much a slayer can take and that's going to be tested in this chapter! (evil music plays…)
ChibiChibi - about the re-reading thing, I wouldn't sweat it. I've a friend who still hasn't got to the RotK section of the book after FOUR years.
Cristina - Thanks! :) Your vote is noted and thanks for all the lovely compliments!
Dani - Good ideas! Are you psychic? :)
Darkseed - I don't know. I was of the opinion that Boromir always was a good man. Even Isildur couldn't resist the lure of the ring and after his father died to try to destroy it, he should have known better. In my opinion, Boromir wanted so desperately to save his people, remember he was much loved and respected in Gondor, that he fell to the power of the ring, kinda like temporary insanity, but he then redeemed himself by trying to save Merry and Pippin when he could have gone after Frodo again or gone back to Minas Tirith with his tail between his legs. I always thought that his death just made his redemption very tragic.
Dreamer Child - Thanks! Yes, Legolas/Buffy friendship is in the wings. Aragorn not gonna forget about Arwen so easily. Read on to see the whole saga. And to give a general idea of when Aragorn stops being dense, does sometime around the War of the Ring suffice?
Eámanë Aldaríon of Rivendell - Mae govannen! Thanks so much! :) Glorfindel won so everyone's happy. Well, except Arwen. Your idea is good but I've already given Arwen a role to play in the Hobbit pick up and delivery. Yeah, I like Boromir too, and it is most definitely a war against the masses. Cool writing on the whole death scene anyway, your own work? Kudos to you! I think Denethor hated Faramir plenty without Boromir's death. After that, he just wanted to send Faramir off on suicide missions. And yes, the Buffy vs. Denethor meeting in the War of the Ring will not be pleasant! Anything but! Thanks for the long review! I LOVE long reviews! Your ideas are always really thoughtful! Happy reading! Námarië!
Gregdoreza - Oh, she knows that his sons are not fools. And as for Éowyn, she will have the hots for Aragorn but I'm rather fond of pairing her with Faramir.
Herald-Mage Brianna - what show? Sorry, but I didn't get that. Sadly, Faramir will not be going with Fellowship. He's pivotal in helping Frodo and Sam pass through Ithilien.
Imp17 - Yes, everyone seems to be looking forward to Buffy/Boromir interaction. And thanks for the review! :)
JeanB - interesting points… hmm, plenty of fodder for ideas there…. All of the troublemakers in the same place? Pity is an understatement in that case. I made Buffy somewhat immune to the venom because her power originated from a nasty demon so it gives her a sort of natural immunity to the lure of darkness sort of thing. It'll have a sedative sort of effect but nothing lethal like Frodo would have experiences. And you should know better than to underestimate the Witch-King by now… (grins evilly) I don't want to give too much of the game away but let's just say Sauron didn't want a certain slayer dead just yet so she walked free because they'd already gotten what they wanted from her. For now.
Jenn - Loyalty comes in many forms and I've got so many ways to show you if Boromir lives. If he doesn't, well some other character can do it. Thanks for your comments!
Jess S1 - Legolas interaction will grow heavier with time, especially when Aragorn's not around to monopolise him. Faramir will NEVER be Boromir's shadow. Even the appendixes mention how they totally got on with each other and though the other was super.
Lady of the Wood - Now, if I told you that, what would be the fun? Seriously, thanks for the compliments! :) and I LOVE long reviews! And your comments about Boromir are duly noted and added to the growing pile. :)
Lunawolf - oh boy, if you hate Arwen now, what are you going to be feeling like at the end of this chapter? And remember, if you kill me, you'll never find out what happens! And yeah, I always personally envision Thranduil as being the manic kind of scary as opposed to the really scary kind of scary. And if you understand that, you are VERY good! :) As for the Arwen thing… well, I hope you're not going to set out on a killing spree! (ducks thrown keyboard!) Have a nice time in Scotland!
Mari - Aragorn - very stubborn man. That about sums up everything he does. NO BUFFY CLONES! And about your idea, what would Boromir do in Rohan? Sorry, but I just need clarification on that. As for your other question, Denethor would never allow Faramir to go somewhere where dear daddy couldn't make him miserable for being born.
Mj - Comments duly noted. Your Legolas/Buffy question is answered in this chapter so I won't spoil it for you.
N/A - it is a little late but don't worry, Glorfindel won out. And do you have a psychic streak?
Pam - Thanks! Cool ideas by the way! And yeah, Aragorn likes to beat himself up. A lot.
Restive Nature - Thanks a million! :) I never said Buffy specifically would be the only one to save Boromir if he lives. I don't think it could be as clear-cut as that. But good analysis on Buffy. Nah, Thranduil won't be playing matchmaker. Having Legolas fall for a mortal would NOT be a good thing in his mind! As for Buffy, the twins, the ranger and Legolas… that would be a scary gathering in anyone's opinion! Even Sauron's!
Shadow Master - Éowyn deserves the glory she got and I'm not going to take it away from her. Buffy will be a little busy around then anyway. (looks mysterious) As for Buffy clones - there's been stories with Buffy clones?! Note my shock here. I am doing NOTHING of the sort. Mouth of Sauron is NOT Saruman. You are on to something with some part of your review though. The Mouth of Sauron has something nasty planned for Buffy and that's all I'm saying on that. I never liked killing off the main characters either, as long as I liked them anyway. Sadly, there are no warehouses around Parth Galen. So alas, no 'Lethal Weapon' type explosion.
ShawThang - I dearly hope that Buffy is nowhere near Mary Sue land!
Shimmyontherooftops - thanks! Your vote has been taken into consideration. I get what you mean about Faramir but I'm not that cruel! The 'battle' becomes war in this chapter! Thanks so much for all the compliments!
Star - Thanks! Ff . net likes to eat things on me too. A LOT. It really makes for havoc and frustration when trying to post. Kudos to you for your in-depth answer and ideas! :) They are really well-thought out and all round super! And as for Boromir's future if he lived, there's plenty of titbits in the appendixes to sort out something! Thanks so much for the review, the obvious amount of time you put into it really meant something and I was really perked up reading it, so thanks again. Glad to know you're enjoying my fic.
Stone Cooper - RL will permit updates to continue speedily until September 1st. After that RL will interrupt with a bang! Arwen action in this chapter! They'll only encounter Bilbo in Rivendell, Buffy arrived in ME after the Battle of Five Armies.
Svarra - Thanks! Although, Sam wasn't tempted very much either so I think he's worth a mention. Your reasoning is very good though! :)
And major thanks to:
Anon, Anonymous, Anonymous, Anonymous, boo, Delphine Pryde, DragonStar, gaul1, goldenshadows, Haley, harry, Jania, little mause, loz-179, majbitca, Malfeus, ms8309, Nefertare, Night-Owl123, Pans, Wood Elf,
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE EVENSTAR (AND THE SLAYER)
Mirkwood, 2980, TA. The month of Lotessë, (May).
If Buffy had been surprised to have Legolas show up at her door for no apparent reason, she didn't show it. Welcoming him in, they chatted comfortably for several minutes before Legolas broached the subject he had come to discuss.
"Buffy, can I speak plainly?" he asked, "There is a matter that I want to talk about with you, because I feel that we can each understand what the other is going through."
Uh-oh, Buffy thought, suddenly wary but she nodded in the affirmative. "What's up?" she asked casually.
"Your feelings for Aragorn." Legolas said without preamble.
Buffy gaped at him for a second before concealing her shock. "Damn Elves," Buffy murmured under her breath before answering, "Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently.
"You are in love with him." he stated without any infliction.
"I don't have the slightest clue what you're going on about," Buffy lied, flashing him a small puzzled smile.
Legolas just looked at her with one eyebrow raised, "You lie. You know perfectly well what I speak of. Do not play me for a fool, Buffy. At least refuse to answer instead of lying to me, and to yourself. Denial will get you nowhere."
"I didn't deny it! I just didn't admit it!" Buffy said stubbornly, refusing to get into the whole mess with one of Aragorn's best friends.
"So I am right?" he asked softly, not wanting to pressure her too much.
"Do I have a sign on my forehead that says so or something," Buffy said exasperated, "'Cos you wouldn't be the first Elf to tell me that I'm hopeless when it comes to love."
"I did not come to condemn you, I came because I think we can both understand what the other is feeling."
"What do you mean?"
"I believe that I love Arwen as you do Aragorn. As we both have gifted love upon another only to not have it returned, I thought that we had something in common."
"You like.. Arwen?" Buffy said slowly, she hadn't seen that one coming.
"I think I am in love with her," the Elf admitted somewhat sorrowfully, "I am unsure because I have not dared approach her when Aragorn is so… vocal about his feelings for her."
"Didn't want to be a bad friend, huh?" Buffy said sympathetically, "Boy, do I know that feeling! But before I say anything more, I presume this conversation is confidential?"
"I have held my tongue for a decade," Legolas said wryly, "I am hardly going to start gossiping now."
"Good," Buffy said, "But are you sure Arwen doesn't like you back?"
"I think she sees me as a close friend, perhaps even a brother, but the Evenstar harbours no other feelings for me," he answered sadly, silver-blue eyes morose and wistful.
"You are immortal," Buffy said trying to cheer him up. While she wasn't as close to him as she was to the twins, she'd gotten to know him a bit since her stay in Mirkwood and thought he was someone who'd be a good friend once they got past the initial awkward stage. "You've got plenty of time to convince her you're perfect for her."
"And if she chooses a mortal life to be with Aragorn?"
"Then we're both gonna be depressed little people," Buffy said lightly in an attempt to mask the hurt she felt at that thought.
"I am sorry, Buffy, that Aragorn's heart is bestowed on another," the Elf said quietly but sincerely, "If it makes you feel any better, I do know that Lord Elrond would much rather the object of his affections to have been you, rather than Arwen."
"Elrond would have rathered Aragorn married an orc than Arwen," she answered with a bitter chuckle, "Don't mind me Legolas, I'm used to having the worst luck with men."
Legolas didn't seem to believe she was alright and hesitantly, he reached out and wrapped an arm around her, giving her a hug for comfort.
And so, united in longing, grief and understanding, Buffy and Legolas grew to become very close friends in the short time Buffy stayed in the forest.
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The southern parts of the Forest of Mirkwood, currently under the sway of Dol Guldur, one of the Dark Lord's fortresses, in the year 2980 of the Third Age, in the month of Nárië (June).
Oftentimes during their stay, Buffy and Aragorn joined Legolas's patrol to help him get drive back the foul things that sought to overthrow the Elves of Mirkwood.
But it was on one expedition into the orc and spider infested southern parts of the forest, that it all went drastically wrong.
Surprised by a sudden onslaught from the three Nazgûl that resided in Dol Guldur, the patrol was sundered when its members were forced to fight their way out of the trap. Three people, having been singled out by the Ringwraiths for imminent execution ahead of the other Elves of the patrol, were forced deep into the dark recesses of Southern Mirkwood.
Aragorn, Buffy and Legolas, the unfortunate people singled out, were forced to flee in the opposite direction to the rest of Legolas's patrol after he sounded the retreat, lest they lead the Nazgûl to chase them right into the lands Thranduil held.
Only Legolas had the slightest idea where he was going and after hurriedly discussing it with the two humans, he said that the Nazgûl would probably have blocked all routes back to his father's stronghold, and that the only way to avoid an untimely trip to Dol Guldur was to disappear for a while.
He proposed seeking shelter under the boughs of Lothlórien until it was safe to return to the Elvenking's Halls and both Aragorn and Buffy agreed, somewhat unnerved by the ominous creaking of the twisted trees that somehow held malice towards them, and of the shrill shrieks of the Nazgûl as they drove orcs before them in an attempt to find their small party.
And so it was, that after many days of hard riding that left even Legolas weary and left both Aragorn and Buffy near comatose from lack of sleep, none of them having dared rest until they were within the secure borders of the Golden Wood, the trio came to the borders of the wood and were guided to the city of Caras Galadhon by the Marchwarden, Haldir.
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Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien, 2980 TA, in the month of Nárië (June).
Galadriel greeted the three travellers as soon as they reached Caras Galadhon. All three were feeling much revived since they had slept long with the border patrol. "The servants of the enemy hunt you still," she said knowingly, "So you shall rest here a while and you, Prince Legolas, may return to your father's halls when the pursuit slackens. As for you Elessar and Dagnir nín (my slayer), I fear other matters shall call you to leave the Golden Wood when the time comes."
As they all made to thank the Lady of the Wood, a dark-haired elleth (Elf-maid) came rushing into the talan. Arwen Undómiel, having heard of their arrival and delighted to have so many friends in Lórien at once, came to greet them. "Buffy! Legolas! Estel! Suilaid!" (greetings!)
Even as Buffy was drawn into a hug from her friend, she noticed that Aragorn's eyes were fixed on the ecstatic elleth, clouded with love and longing. Buffy forced herself not to look at him after that, and after shooting Legolas a quick glance out of the corner of her eye, noticed that he was equally pained and trying to hide it.
But even as they were led away to get some food and freshen up a little, Buffy was acutely aware of Aragorn staring yearningly at Arwen as the chattering elf-maiden led the disheartened slayer away.
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That night, Aragorn was bade by Galadriel to cast aside his wayworn raiment and she clothed him in silver and white, with a cloak of Elven-grey and a bright gem on his brow. Then more than any kind of Men he appeared, and seemed rather an Elf-lord from the Isles of the West.
And thus it was that Arwen beheld him again after their long parting; and as he came walking towards her under the trees of Caras Galadhon laden with flowers of gold, her choice was made and her doom appointed.
The last time they had met, when he had thought her an image of Lúthien, her foremother, and called her Tinúviel, he had been a boy. Green to her eyes, lacking experience of the world and besotted with a dream that had died in the First Age.
But now, he looked more than any man she had seen, even those Kings of Arnor she had seen in her youth, and lordly and magnificent did he look, fairer to her eyes than any Elf-lord she had seen, save a few perhaps. The pride and dignity of nearly forgotten Númenor encompassed him and she felt drawn to him as she had not felt for any male in Middle Earth.
She felt her heart flutter with the first stirrings of love and instead of resisting, she gave in wholeheartedly.
"Lady Evenstar," he greeted her, "May I walk with you under the boughs?"
"You may, hir nîn (my Lord)," she answered, Aníral toled an govaded nin? (Do you want to come to meet me?). Or do you seek Tinúviel once more?" She had to know whether he cared for her revered beauty, or for herself.
He walked closer to her, and looked her in the eye, "Tinúviel herself could not compare to you, Arwen," he said with emotion, and he seemed to be keeping himself from touching her, "In all my days in this world, I have not felt such for anyone save you. I see you and I long to hold to you, to hear your voice, anything to stave off the loneliness I feel knowing that I am not worthy of you and never can be. I am mortal kind and you are Elf-kind, I know this. But my heart will not be silent, no matter how much I bid it to quieten."
She was silent for a long while, weighing his words in her mind, but when she spoke at last, her eyes were bright, "Mortal blood flows in my veins too, and that of my father's kin. I look upon you now and you seem to me like one of the Lords of my people that dwell in the West. I do not know what I feel for you, but I say this, you have awakened something in me that I did not know existed and I would see where it leads. To whatever end. Walk with me, Aran o Gondor (King of Gondor), and let us not speak of the future in favour of getting to know each other. Dark times await us outside these borders, but for now, let us enjoy the light."
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A few days later, an excited and delirious with happiness Aragorn visited Buffy in the guest talan that she normally occupied when she was in the Golden Wood. He wanted to talk with her, and she agreed readily.
She had not spent much time with him these past few days, and had instead passed the time with Legolas and Galadriel. Arwen was also conspicuously absent during these times, and both the Slayer and the Elf Prince knew that their respective loves were together, re-learning the ways of courtship as a couple, though the two morose warriors never mentioned it.
She followed his lead by sitting down in the soft grass and when the silence stretched too long, she broke it. "What's bothering you Aragorn? If you keep on frowning so much you'll end up all wrinkly."
"I need your advice," Aragorn blurted out, and proceeded to near babble, (yes, babble!) to Buffy's immense surprise. Aragorn normally didn't babble. Obviously, love had fried his brain circuits. "I need to know what Arwen likes and I cannot ask any of her family for fear of them trying to lynch me and I know that you are good friends with her, so could you please aid me in this?"
"Ok, slow down buddy and let me get this straight. You want my help to woo Arwen?" she said in disbelief. Eru hated her, it was so obvious. Why else was her life hell?! "Why me?"
"Because I consider you as a sister to me, and I know you are close to Arwen as well. I trust your judgement in such things."
Buffy really hadn't thought her heart could hurt more than it ever had during the whole Angel saga, but apparently, someone just wanted to prove her wrong. He thought of her as his sister?! He might as well have stabbed her in the gut and it would have hurt less. Her heart felt like it was cracking in two and it was all because of him.
Why did she always have to go for the guy who didn't want her/couldn't be with her/plain didn't want her? Who had she annoyed in a past life to deserve this?
"I think Arwen might return my love you see," he was saying, "And I have longed for this chance for such a length of time that I cannot imagine ruining it now through unwitting folly."
Buffy pasted a smile on her face that was so false, even Aragorn would have seen through it if he had been paying attention to her, instead of his fantasies about life with Arwen, and swore to herself that she wouldn't ruin this for her friends.
She would keep her peace, and she and Legolas could both suffer in silence.
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As if to prove to Buffy that the universe was indeed conspiring against her, 'twas Arwen who sought her out next. Buffy had planned to go and talk Haldir into sparring with her to work off her mad and then to go to her talan and cry into her pillow. Someone Up There definitely hated her guts. With a rare vengeance.
And to follow the theme of the month, all Arwen wanted to talk about was Aragorn. She seemed to want Buffy to not only be absolutely delighted for her and super encouraging but to play Devil's Advocate as well.
Buffy really wasn't sure how much more of these heartfelt conversations she could take.
"I love him," Arwen had admitted, "I am nearly sure of it. When he is near, I feel… lighter, happier. My heart flutters when I see him and I think of him when I dream. Oh, but Buffy, would that we had never met! Though I might not know the joy I feel now in his presence, at least I would not have to make such a terrible choice!"
Buffy had mentally counted to a thousand to keep her composure and though she had vowed to support her friend, she felt she had to point out the enormity of the sacrifice Arwen was thinking of making.
"But the choice of the children of Elrond is not one to be taken lightly," Buffy warned, "Once you make your choice, you can't change your mind. As long as your father stays in Middle Earth, you will have an immortal life. But he'll leave after Sauron falls and if Aragorn lives to see it, you will be parted from him forever. You will never see your mother again and honestly, I don't see Elladan and Elrohir choosing a mortal life. Not with the whole of Valinor yet to be terrorised by them! Mortality isn't all it's made out to be, Arwen."
Arwen's luminous face was grave, "I know what my choice entails. To either be sundered from my love, or my family. Ai! A more difficult choice I have never faced!" She looked like she was being torn in two and Buffy's heart went out to her.
She pulled the taller woman to her, urging her to lay her head in her lap, and soothingly played with the long dark hair. "Arwen, you don't have to make this choice now. You can't rush into something like this! And trust me, beating yourself up over it is not going to do any good! And listen, you have to ask yourself this; do you really love him? And if you do, do you love him enough to sacrifice everything you are? There's a big difference between being 'in like' and 'in love'. I've made the same mistake before Arwen. Are you sure it's love?"
"I have never felt this way before mellon nîn (my friend)," Arwen said fervently, "I do not know what madness has taken hold of me, but I have never felt such.. Such joy when I am with someone. If love is this madness, I have not the experience to tell. 'Twas part of the reason I came to you."
Buffy ignored the devil on her shoulder saying get rid of the competition and instead listened to the angel, which was telling her to be a friend and not a nice little backstabber type person. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to say the words even though they were killing her.
"Arwen, I can't tell you that. It's something you gotta find out for yourself. And you're not going to do that talking to me. If you wanna find out if you really love him or if you're just infatuated, you've got to spend time with him and find out."
Even if the sight of you together kills me, Buffy thought.
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Lothlórien, 2980, TA, the season of Lairë (Summer).
Then for a season they wandered together in the glades of Lothlórien, until it came time for him to depart. - From 'The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen', the appendixes of the Lord of the Rings.
For the whole of summer they courted, heedless of the rumours that floated around the Golden Wood, saying that their Lady's granddaughter would bind herself to a mortal, and the foster son of her father no less!
They walked, they talked, they danced, they spent time together whenever possible. And for all intents and purposes they were nearly joined at the hip.
For Aragorn's part, he felt buoyed with love, ready to go out and face down Sauron himself if only his Lady were to ask it of him. She was his meleth (love) and his heart and head were filled with thoughts of her.
Though some part of him reminded him that he had dreadfully neglected both Legolas and Buffy. But Legolas had spent much time trying to gather information from his father's realm on whether it was safe to return to his home and Buffy had made a habit of trying to see how much she could scare the warriors of Lórien by asking to spar with them, so his guilt was assuaged somewhat.
He knew he was hopelessly in love with her. He adored everything about her. From the mischievous Arwen that had trained under Elladan and Elrohir, the Twin Terrors of Rivendell, to the awe-inspiring Arwen whose gifts and manner made obvious that she was a scion of Kings, of Lúthien Tinúviel, the greatest of Elven sorceresses and of Melian the Maia.
But 'twas the eve of Midsummer and to those who dwelt under Lórien's boughs, summer had nearly passed into autumn, and though he had lingered in the Golden Wood as long as he could, he could linger no more. And now a choice must be appointed to his beloved and a question asked.
Once more walking under the golden boughs of the mellryn, she turned to him with her deep grey eyes, already knowing the subject which he wanted to broach.
No words passed between them on the matter, but each knew the time had come at last to discuss the future and what it held for them.
"Man lu telithal na nin? (When will you come to me?)" Arwen asked, stopping and sitting down on the green grass, her back leaning against a mallorn tree.
"Neth thín. (At evendim.)" he answered, "On Cerin Amroth."
She nodded once, "Then I shall meet with you there."
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In the grand talan of Galadriel, in the Lady's bedroom, a miserable, and down in the dumps Buffy sat clutching a beautifully embroidered pillow, having just finished telling Galadriel about her suspicions regarding Aragorn and Arwen's relationship. And on how she suspected that a commitment was imminent between them.
"Are you feeling better now?" the Elf-Lady asked sympathetically.
"Yeah, I'm getting there." Buffy sniffled, "I'm wanting to pummel him right now but what can I do? He's chosen who he wants to be with and it's not me."
"You should not give up hope. Elrond will not support this match. And whatever the ramifications for Middle Earth, neither will I or Celeborn. Arwen is our granddaughter. I do not want to lose her to a death beyond the circles of this world."
Buffy glared furiously at her pillow, "I may be in love with him but I am not desperate. I want him to be with me, yes, but not as second best to Arwen or anybody. I couldn't take that. I want him to be with me because he wants to and because he loves me. Not just because I'm the best of the rest."
"I have never known Aragorn to be so cruel." Galadriel said serenely.
"He's not. At least not intentionally. He's just as dense as the rock of a Dwarven mine. Especially when he's beating himself up for being related to Isildur."
"Mayhap if you had made your interest known ere he reunited with Arwen?" she prompted.
Buffy flopped on her back, staring upwards in frustration, "Aragorn would either have run a mile or be with me because he pitied me. Not what I want and definitely not something to boost a girl's ego."
Galadriel stood up, "'Tis nearly evening. Will you join me for dinner?" she asked.
Buffy shook her head, her blonde braid swinging from side to side, "Nah. I'm gonna take a walk for a while to clear my head. I'll snag Legolas away from his maps and reports and we'll go to Cerin Amroth. He says he can see Mirkwood from there so it should cheer him up a bit."
If only she had known it would turn out to be the opposite…
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Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien, 2980, TA, the season of Lairë (Summer). The Eve of Midsummer.
And on the evening of Midsummer Aragorn Arathorn's son and Arwen daughter of Elrond went to the fair hill Cerin Amroth, in the midst of the land, and they walked unshod on the undying grass with elanor and nipredhil about their feet. And there upon the hill they looked east towards the Shadow and west to the Twilight, and they plighted their troth and were glad. - From 'The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen', the appendixes of the Lord of the Rings.
There they stood upon the fair hill of Cerin Amroth and their hearts beat with love and affection for the other. Aragorn held her close to him and lowered his lips to hers and their kiss was bittersweet, tinged with the longing they both held and the knowledge that whatever path they took, sacrifice and toil lay on it.
"Undómiel," he whispered as he pulled away, "I…" he trailed off as she placed a finger against his lips.
"Hush," she said, "I have seen such a future for you my Hope."
"I have seen only darkness." Aragorn said honestly.
She looked upon them then, a King of Men, and like her father before her, saw his fate to either rise to greatness above all living men and rival the greatest of his ancestors, or to fall to shadow with all that was left of his kin.
She knew that with her Hope involved, there could be only one outcome. She did not believe like her father, that the strength of Men had waned beyond repair and the living proof stood before her, and in her friend Buffy, once she thought on it.
But he did not believe in himself or his destiny. He was named to be the hope of Men but he had kept no hope for himself. She then decided that she would not speak of the doom that might await him and instead speak of the victory he could help create. And would hopefully share with her.
"Dark is the Shadow, and yet my heart rejoices; for you, Estel, shall be among the great whose valour shall destroy it." she said earnestly, hoping to buoy his hopes.
But Aragorn answered in a despair-filled voice, his expression grave, "Alas! I cannot foresee it, and how it may come to pass is hidden from me. Yet with your hope I will hope. And shadow I utterly reject. But neither, lady, is the Twilight for me; for I am mortal, and if you will cleave to me, Evenstar, then the Twilight you must also renounce."
There had come the words that she had both dreaded and longed to hear, and now she would have to make her choice: to be Aragorn's wife and choose to live as a mortal woman, or to refuse his proposal and bear away her love for him to the Undying Lands, where some of her family dwelled and where the rest would travel to when they grew weary of this world, and where their love would be forever evergreen.
But did she really love him enough to be sundered so completely from her people, her family, the mother that awaited her on the Western Shores? Elves married once and for life, but for her choosing a partner was more than just being happy with them. To choose Aragorn, was to choose a mortal life.
She could not say if her heart would let her cleave to Aragorn and Aragorn alone. She loved him, yes, but did she love him enough for so great a sacrifice?
Looking at his careworn face, she thought long and hard on his words. She was his hope against the Shadow's victory, their love with succour him on his travels. It would give him the strength he needed to face his destiny. Could she take that away from him?
Though yet unsure, her heart wavering, she knew that 'twould be many years of men ere Aragorn regained his throne and was free to wed her. Such years would enable her to truly see her heart's desire. 'Twould be easy to sail West if she had chanced such love and lost, rather than bear away nothing more than a memory and a chance given and lost.
She turned her gaze to the west, home of her kindred, and knew what she must do, both for herself and her blossoming love, and for the future of Middle Earth.
Still gazing in the direction of Aman, she spoke at last, "I will cleave to you, Dúnadan, and turn from the Twilight. Yet there lies the land of my people and the long home of all my kin."
Aragorn's face lit up with a joyous smile and he nearly crushed her with the force of his embrace. Even as he showered her with kisses, a warning came to her heart, and she resolved to seek out her grandmother ere too long had passed.
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Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien, 2980, TA, the season of Lairë (Summer). The Eve of Midsummer.
Buffy and Legolas had enjoyed a peaceful walk to the hill, both of them resolving to be cheerful and playful and they happily bantered back and forth until Buffy's Buffydar kicked in and she knew Aragorn was close.
Moving forward with all the stealth of the most skilled hunters, the duo espied Aragorn and Arwen in a passionate embrace upon the top of the hill.
His fingers were entwined in her dark hair, her hands were clasped behind his neck.
And it was one of the single most painful things either slayer or Elf had borne witness to.
But worse was to come and even as Buffy felt her heart breaking, and Legolas paled to a ghostly colour, the couple pledged their troth before their unknown witnesses.
"I will cleave to you, Dúnadan, and turn from the Twilight. Yet there lies the land of my people and the long home of all my kin." Arwen said and Buffy could not bear to see any more of Aragorn's exultation at his beloved's answer.
Even as she turned and fled with tears streaming down her cheeks, her devastated hazel eyes met a matching pair of silver-blue. Grief lined the prince's ageless face and though she wanted to comfort him, she knew not the words to say and so as quietly as she could, she ran back to Caras Galadhon and the safety of her talan.
For his part, Legolas was surprised by the amount of pain he saw in Buffy's face. She had known Aragorn but a decade whereas he had known Arwen since he was a child. But the slayer looked like someone who had stomached all they could take of pain, and then some.
His sharp eyes easily making out the details of the kissing couple, he felt the familiar pain his own heart ignite. It would seem the very fates had conspired against him. His father had made enemies of many Elves whose aid would have been useful; his mother had been slain by orcs; his realm was barely holding back the shadow that threatened to consume it; a war was about to erupt that would probably decimate them all; and one of his best friends was to be wed to the woman he loved.
Yes, he could sympathise with Buffy.
He too knew what it was to have to smile through one's heartbreak.
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That night while Galadriel and Celeborn presided over the necessary celebrations with brittle smiles and hidden sorrow in their every movement, Buffy and Legolas were forced to congratulate the happy couple, along with a multitude of other Elves that seemed to be trying to bore holes in Aragorn with their eyes for dooming their beloved Evenstar to a mortal death.
Buffy sat through the feast with a pasted on smile and a pounding headache that was threatening to turn into a migraine with a difference. And so when she felt that it would finally be okay to leave, she made her excuses and retreated to the privacy of her talan, where if she couldn't beat a training dummy into oblivion, she could at least cry herself to sleep in peace.
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Buffy at last fell into a restless sleep, where she had weird versions of nightmares centring around the wedding of Arwen and Aragorn, where Arwen was somehow dressed up as Faith, Aragorn was doing a damn good impression of Caleb, Legolas was in Watcher issued tweed, Elrond and Galadriel looked like Spike and Drusilla wannabes and Celeborn was doing a tango with Willow in the Bronze.
Needless to say she was a little freaked out and to try and ensure she got some sleep that night, she mixed some sleeping herbs into her water and drank deeply.
The following day, she would wish she hadn't.
((((((( Buffy walked along a stone corridor, clutching a sword to her. Looking down at herself, she realised that she was wearing armour that made her look like something from 'Xena: Warrior Princess' but as she approached the thick wooden door at the end, her clothes changed.
She was now wearing a fine gown of a wine colour with silver thread. Puzzled at the change, she at last just shrugged, if this was some kind of weird slayer dream there was nothing to do but follow where it led. And at lest she wouldn't have to see Elrond with a platinum 'Billy Idol' look!
She opened the door and stopped to look in wonder at the scene she had walked in on.
A dark-haired little boy, maybe about six or seven, was playing with a tall man whom she recognised as Aragorn. "Ada! Ada! Look!" the boy squealed as he played with his toys and Buffy gasped with shock.
This boy was Aragorn's son?!
"Eldarion! Do not overtire your poor Adar! (father)" a voice said, giving the slayer another shock when a dark haired woman entered the room, though really, with the way this thing was going, she shouldn't have been surprised. Arwen, Aragorn and their son… Yep, somebody just hated little ol' Buffy, she thought bitterly, wasn't it enough that she had to witness it in real life without seeing them playing happy families in their sleep?
The little boy turned to face her, his voice raised plaintively, "But naneth…" (mother) )))))))
And in her bed, Buffy shot upright, finally having fought free from the herbs that left her drowsy still.
Buffy clutched her pillow to her for comfort and thought on what she had seen. Arwen and Aragorn's son… that meant there really was no hope. They would marry, have kids… No room for Buffy there.
The time of pining for Aragorn was over, she thought decisively, it would only set her up for more heartbreak if she persisted in it. Well, that would be simple, let's become as bitchy as Cordelia, as heartless as the First and she just might manage to stop loving him, a sarcastic little voice pointed out.
She should have just done a Willow, and become a lesbian, she grouched. It would have been a lot easier in the long run? Who needed men?
It would have been easier to convince herself of that if that little voice hadn't pointed out that she wasn't interested in men, plural, but one man in particular.
It seemed to ignore the fact that that man was marrying someone else.
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Buffy had an unexpected visitor in her talan when she woke up from her latest fitful doze. Rubbing eyes bleary from a night of tears, she saw Galadriel sitting calmly on the foot of her bed.
Galadriel seemed to already know what ailed her, and Buffy felt grateful that she didn't have to explain her extremely bruised and raw feelings to the Lady of the Wood.
"I know how hard it was for you." Galadriel said, speaking of the night before.
"I really doubt that." Buffy said brokenly, "You kept telling me to hope, you said that I had bonded him my husband but he's marrying Arwen and I'm left high and dry."
"Hope yet remains," the Elf-lady said, "The future is not set in stone."
"It might as well be," Buffy said, her tears re-emerging to her horror, "I saw their child Galadriel! Their son! I think that makes it set in stone."
Galadriel looked taken aback, a rarity in anyone's experience, "Their son?" she whispered in shock, "Are you sure?"
"He called them Adar (father) and Naneth (mother). Yes, I'm sure." Buffy snapped, before dissolving into tears. "Why did it have to be him?!"
Galadriel wrapped her arms around her like one would a child, gently imparting comfort. "Shh, Buffy," she soothed, "You cannot give in to despair."
"Why the hell not?!" Buffy said through her sobs, "All I ever get is pain, and loneliness and betrayal! Why should I care any more?!"
"Because it is not like you to give up for anything," Galadriel said firmly, "Such behaviour does not belong to the Buffy I know."
Hazel eyes dulled with pain bored into luminous blue, "Everybody has a breaking point Galadriel. Everybody."
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But Buffy's mood improved under Galadriel's tender care and soon, she felt more like herself, if still stuck in a totally miserable frame of mind. But today, she was hanging out with a nearly equally depressed Legolas, who tried to hide the purple shadows under his eyes rather unsuccessfully.
"Are you alright? You look rather beat up." Legolas asked in concern.
"Minimal damage of the fighting kind. It's all the other kind. I presume you have the same war wounds?"
Legolas smiled wanly, "Aye Dagnir (slayer), 'tis hard to bear looking at them."
"Totally agreeing with you on that," Buffy muttered, "They're off mooning around like Romeo and Juliet and we're stuck moping."
Legolas shot her a puzzled look, "Romeo and Juliet?"
"Star-crossed lovers. Never mind!" Buffy dismissed, "How the hell are we going to get through this?"
"I leave for my homeland tomorrow," Legolas said quietly, "I cannot linger here and watch them together any longer."
"Lucky you," Buffy said, "Maybe it's time for me to clear out as well."
"But you love your stays in the Golden Wood." Legolas pointed out.
"I used to," Buffy said sadly, "But I can't watch Arwen and Aragorn do the lovey-dovey thing either. If I have to watch them for much longer and pretend to be happy for them, heads are gonna roll. And with the way I'm feeling, you know, the one he likes as a sister, it'll probably be Aragorn's."
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The Mirror Grove, Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien, 2980 TA, in the month of Urimë (August).
After Buffy, Aragorn and Legolas had all left the realm of the Golden Wood, Arwen sought out her grandmother for some much needed counsel.
She had had a disturbing vision when she pledged her troth and needed her grandmother's advice to see what she should do.
As if knowing her intentions, though Arwen had to admit that she probably had, Galadriel was waiting for her by her Mirror.
"Man lu vin achenitham? (When will we see each other again?)" Arwen asked immediately.
Galadriel cocked her head slightly, "Even the wisest cannot say," she answered, "It all depends on the paths you both choose."
Arwen nodded, it was as she had expected. "My foresight came to me when we were pledging our troth. Daernaneth (grandmother), why did I see another women in his life?"
The Lady of the Wood turned away from her, "That I cannot say either. Will you look in my mirror?"
"Will it tell me why?" Arwen demanded.
"I know not. But it may help clear the confusion in your heart."
Arwen nervously stepped up to the mirror. It was as a two-pronged blade; what it showed could be both heartening and painful. The water swirled as she looked in and long did she stare into its surface, seeing images of places, of people, of destinies as of yet unfulfilled.
Stepping away with a hurt expression, she rounded on her mother's mother, "Min lû pennich nin i aur hen telitha. (You told me once that this day would come.)" Arwen said angrily, "When my test would be appointed and that the fate of Middle Earth could ride on my choice. You did not tell me of the other."
"What good would it have done?" Galadriel answered, "You own his heart, as he owns yours. You would not have appreciated my interference."
"But I do not own his heart!" Arwen cried, "That is the problem! It is not wholly mine!"
"And yours is wholly his?" Galadriel asked knowingly, seeing Arwen flush at her words. "What is to come in the future is out of your hands, nín Undómiel (my Evenstar). In the end, it will be Aragorn's choice. And you shall have to decide whether what you have pledged is what you truly wish to hold to."
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After Arwen had left, Galadriel looked into the mirror once more.
Three paths there were, three futures that could become reality. Three paths that Arwen could walk.
But it was four people who would shape them.
She was bound not to overly interfere, lest she provoke them into choosing the wrong path, but she could not stop her heart tightening with fear when she looked into the mirror and saw the disaster that could occur, and that was waylaid by a hair's breadth.
Behind her, her husband Celeborn approached, "What bothers you, nín hervess (my wife)?"
"The future, and our Evenstar's fate." Galadriel answered, "Dark times approach Celeborn, times that may see the ending of us all."
"Can it not be stopped?" he queried, placing a comforting arm around her waist.
Her shocking blue eyes remained fixed on the mirror, "Not by us. Even the Wise cannot predict love."
"Elrond and the gwenyn have plans to change Arwen's choice. They are quite… adamant about it."
"They can plot all they want but if the hearts they seek to sway do not see the truth, then Middle Earth may be doomed. But that does not scare me half as much as some of things I have seen that will occur if Arwen chooses the wrong path. I could not protect my daughter. I do not want to loose Arwen as well."
"I think you underestimate our grandsons, Galadriel," Celeborn chided.
She shook her golden-tressed head, "Nay, I only fear that in their haste, they may destroy what they hope to create before it ever exists."
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A/N: So? What do you think?! Please READ and REVIEW!!!
Next chapter: The repercussions of Arwen's choice… we spend some time with the Rohirrim… the Grey Pilgrim makes an appearance…. and Buffy's nightmares come to life….
Elvish:
Lotessë - Quenya for May
Nárië - Quenya for June
Elessar - Elfstone
Dagnir nín - my slayer
Elleth - Elf-maid
Undómiel - Evenstar
Estel - hope
Suilaid - greetings
Tinúviel - Nightingale
hir nîn - my lord
Aran o Gondor - King of Gondor
mellon nîn - my friend
Lairë - summer
meleth - love
Mellryn - plural of the Mallorn tree of Lórien, which has golden blossoms.
Man lu telithal na nin? - When will you come to me?
Neth thín. - At evendim.
Adar - father
Naneth - mother
Urimë - Quenya for August
Man lu vin achenitham? - When will we see each other again?
Min lû pennich nin i aur hen telitha. - You told me once that this day would come.
Daernaneth - grandmother
Nín Undómiel - my Evenstar
nín hervess - my wife
Gwenyn - twins
Caras Galadhon - City of the Trees. The city in Lothlórien where Galadriel and Celeborn reside.
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.
