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: While I hate to crush hopes, (who am I kidding? I LOVE to do it!), for all those who want a quick fix to the Buffy/Aragorn saga, it will not be forthcoming. Did any of you really think that I would let you or them off that easy? One battle is over, but the war has only begun….
Warning!: the author accepts no fault for any homicidal rages induced.
P.S - there will be smut and cuddly scenes to sustain you though!
Review responses:
Alliana Greenleaf Halliwe - sure, just e-mail me and give me the details!
Anna - giddiness seems to be the order of the day… keep wondering about Denethor, he will show up in later chapters though so you'll get to hear it first hand…
BuffyandDracoLover - no, Boromir will not be making a move on Buffy.
ChibiChibi - Of course it had to be intense! It was the Break-Up! And sadly, I never make anything easy in this fic.. Well, except trouble. That always comes easily. You're on the right track about Frodo and Buffy's reaction to the Ring.
Colon - the torture is not over yet…
Draco's Slytherin Vampiress - Yes, it will take a while. You really didn't think I was going to let you off that easy did you?
FallenStar2 - I think in this story, Arwen could be the only one to tell Aragorn the 'truth'. and let's just say that Arwen is very intent on finding her own happiness!
Gaul1 - Estel has to get his own head around it first.
goldenshadows - This is Aragorn, of course it's going to be a while! Arwen and Legolas shall come together in their own time…
Haley - I wouldn't leave you hanging that badly!
Heavenstar3 - yes, that would make Buffy Queen.
Hinomi - I have a slight tendency to lurk myself. And that question came up A LOT!!!!
immortalwizardpirateelf-fan - yes, your suggestion had considerable merit so I let it inspire me…
Jania - I hope to make her journey… unconventional… to say the least.
Jess S1 - (bow dramatically) thank you! Yes, Boromir has heard tales of 'Eliza', direct from Denethor's mouth. I'll leave the rest to your imagination… And there will be plenty of B/A interaction in the future!
Julie - plenty more drama! I'm nowhere near done yet!
Lady Alathon - Buffy's mithril shirt is still with her. But with no battles, there's been no need to wear it lately. Am I working on 'A Light'? sadly, the answer is no. I got a really, really flaming e-mail which pointed out a lot of flaws in basically everything which I hadn't seen before. As I kinda agree with their assessment, I am concentrating on writing better quality fiction, especially of the BtVS/LotR variety. Boromir ass kicking will be prevalent. And plenty of Arwen/Legolas.
Lady of the Wood - you're gonna have to get used to the wait! But the waiting should be interesting… Arwen will commence plotting on how to snare an Elven Prince soon… and is Buffy gonna tell Aragorn anything about the bond? No, not yet.
LilPsychoGrl51 - thanks! Yes, Aragorn not gonna confront Buffy for a while! And unfortunately, I'm evil, and so tears have no effect!
LizaGirl - Don't worry, Arwen will not disappear from this fic.
Lunawolf - you'll adore me at the end then. Or hate me.
Malfeus - awww! Thanks! And I sadly don't have telekinesis, which would just be so handy to have!
Mari - of course it won't be easy!
MiShA - Aragorn's not totally there yet though… yes, there will be some Boromir/Buffy interaction in the future!
Pamie884 - don't get your hopes up yet..
Phoenix83ad - aww! You cried? And I personally hate the 'it's not you, it's me' line. Yes, Aragorn is a tad overprotective, just watch how he gets now that he knows he loves her! Yes, plenty of Merry and Pippin to come. Those two have this absolutely insatiable curiosity don't they? And what will happen now? That's a very good question…
psycho elf - hi to you too oh friendly rival! And yes, I know. ONE vote, talk about a close race! I actually flicked through your story too, and though LotR/PotC was never really my thing, I had to admit that it is good. Congratulations to you too and I'll probably see you or your speech at the awards ceremony!
restive nature - (Asha bounces happily) yes, Elrond had great trouble trying to teach Buffy to be a lady and he still hasn't managed it! But you're right, she has come a long way. And yes, Buffy does have a tendency to get walked on emotionally. Unfortunately that's generally coupled with a need for some kick ass revenge when things get ugly. And I would imagine the word 'diet' to hobbits is the equivalent of Sauron appearing on anyone else's doorstep with an army in tow. And yes, Aragorn would never have figured it out on his own, so Arwen nudged him along. I mean, if he can't realise who he himself is in love with, how does she expect him to figure out who Buffy loves? And you do have a psychic streak, don't you? You really gave an accurate depiction of where I'm going with this fic, and the B/A relationship. Good call!
Seraya - so sweet!
ShawThang - thanks! And of course I'll drag them through the mud first! Would I be Asha if I didn't? I mean, come on, I have a tendency towards evil that just keeps increasing… not to mention that I have so much fun to have with those characters yet… Yes, this fic will cover the Arwen/Legolas thing so no worries there!
Sparky24 - overprotective thy name is Aragorn.
Star - somebody's happy. Good call on the chapter number but as this story gets bigger every time I go back to it, I can't say for sure.
Tiamante Salazar Tameran - thank you! I'm always glad to welcome new readers! Thank you for all your wonderful comments and I hope you continue to like my fic!
Wild320 - 'hardships' is an understatement. Just a friendly warning.
And major thanks to:
Batgirl Beyond, Darkvampirewitch, Destiny's Dragon, ellie, Fish Head the 3rd, Imp17, Lanfear1, Little Red Rabbit, lysia1982, Mesa Juu-Chan, moonbunny77, Ms8309, N/A, Night-Owl123, Rain Dancer2, TroubleMakerQueen,
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: PANDEMONIUM
"Buffy…."
Aragorn lowered himself to the ground shakily, sitting down on the soft grass. He had never expected the night to end like this, for him to lose his beloved Arwen…
The Evenstar's words still rang in in his mind as he sightlessly stared at the ring of Barahir, 'She is your heart's choice… Give her the ring, Aragorn; for it was always hers and never truly mine…'
Clenching his fist around what had been their betrothal ring, Aragorn tried to contain the sheer rage that was building in him.
He had never been unaware of the many obstacles that lay in his and Arwen's path but he had never expected for her to be the one to sunder them!
He had loved her since his youth and only now did he find out that she did not feel the same, in all truth had never felt the same!
And then to even think of the words she had spoken about Buffy!
He had long owned that she was a dear and cherished friend but to think that he was in love with her! Had Arwen only been trying to soften the blow? He shook his head, he had never known Arwen to lie so blatantly, and even less was she wrong in matters of the heart.
To even think of it on the most basic level, the two women were polar opposites. Arwen was the dark seductive beauty of the night whereas Buffy was as golden as the sun.
And Arwen had said that Buffy was in love with him too.
His eyes narrowed, had Buffy been the real cause behind Arwen leaving him? Arwen counted Buffy as a dear friend, almost as a sister, and with her family's pressure for her to give him up, had the Elven lady given in at last?
As warming as that illusion was, it was simply an illusion.
Aragorn knew full well that nobody could out-stubborn any member of the House of Elrond, and he also knew he could not lay the blame for this at anybody's feet.
He could storm and rant and rave and it would make no difference. Arwen's choice was made and declared, final and forever, and she would not be swayed now.
He realised now that she had tried to provide for his future happiness by bringing Buffy into the conversation but he knew it could never have been anything more than wishful thinking on her part, Buffy had long ago rejected him, and treated him akin to a war-brother.
Just because he was thoroughly miserable, was no reason to inflict it on Elrond's halls, he decided to seek the solitude of his rooms that night, to think and ponder on the direction his life had newly taken.
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Elladan smiled wickedly at his younger brother, "I really do not see why ada (dad) despises this information gathering so much, it really is too easy!"
Elrohir snorted, "If Aragorn or Arwen had not been so busy with each other, and noticed us, I wager we would still be running."
"For news such as this!" Elladan exclaimed, "It would be worth it. Arwen is safe at last and our dear thel neth (little sister) has enlightened Aragorn about his feelings for our very own Dagnir (slayer)! I wager this should be fodder for some matchmaking now, without the shadow of Arwen's expected wrath. How do you think our dear Buffy shall handle this development?"
Elrohir snorted, "Buffy has never had to bother with a love-sick Aragorn before, and now she should have him chasing her around in ways she never expected. This could prove very entertaining, my brother."
"Indeed," the elder twin replied seriously, "Arwen is safe and for that I am glad, and now I shall make amends to Aragorn by trying to unite him with Buffy."
"I can safely say that shall be the plan for everyone involved in this mess." Elrohir said wryly. "Not to mention we can concentrate on some much needed revenge on those grubby little Dwarves!"
"Of course," Elladan said, "Dresses were just too much, and I daresay Legolas would not be disinclined towards some fun at the Dwarves' expense…"
Elrohir just smiled, "I am nearly looking forward to that as much as I long to see Buffy's reaction to Aragorn's new state of bachelorhood."
"It should be madness indeed…" Elladan said in a low voice, "But for now I think it is time to give Aragorn a little push in the right direction…"
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Aragorn's chambers, the Last Homely House, Rivendell. 3018 TA, October 30.
"Doors. People use doors." Aragorn said the moment he saw the twins come into his room through the window.
"But where is the fun in coming in the expected way?" Elladan replied.
Elrohir nudged him out of the way and went over to his ailing foster brother, "I am sorry, muindor (brother), but we know what passed between you and Undómiel (Evenstar) in the gardens this night."
"Then why are you not rejoicing?" Aragorn replied bitterly, pushing the younger twin away, "Arwen is safe from my bad influence, and your sister is forever returned to you. Was there need to gloat?"
"Pen neth (young one)," Elladan said softly, joining his brothers on the sofa, "We hurt because you hurt. Need we any other reason to come? But this is for the best, Estel (hope), and by Eru, Buffy has been waiting long enough."
Aragorn looked at them in puzzlement, surely what Arwen had said had been a mistake on her part?
"I know not what plot has been hatched between you, but there is nothing between me and Buffy!" Aragorn exclaimed angrily, "And I resent the implication that she had something to do with Arwen's decision!"
The twins' eyes met above Aragorn's bowed head and wordlessly came to an agreement.
"Calm down, pen neth," Elladan said soothingly, "We only wish to be a comfort to you this night, we know that Arwen has wounded your heart, but time heals all wounds. And 'tis better that you suffer this hurt now rather than both of you locking yourselves into a marriage where the love has long faded and the affection would then be soon to follow."
"Arwen spoke nothing but the truth this eve," Elrohir said, rubbing Aragorn's back as the human sat stiffly, jaw clenched with hurt and anger, "She has only been the last to notice that your heart was gifted elsewhere for the most part."
"How dare you say that?!" Aragorn cried, jerking away from his brother's touch, "I loved Arwen with every fibre of my being, and if things had cooled perhaps of late then it was because of the stress of the gathering shadow! I love her!"
"You are just determined to be stubborn, are you not?" Elrohir said wryly, looking askance at his foster brother, "'Tis not the time to act like a spoiled child who has been denied their treat, but to act as the King you were born to be. Just because Arwen has voiced her discontent and made her choice at last, with sincere regret as to the harm she inflicted on you, and you will not heed her good advice, then listen to this cold fact of mine. Your destiny is to be King of Men Aragorn, or fall in the attempt. If you should prevail, then a wife you must take. Shall you only marry for alliance simply because you refused to heed our sister's words, and actually look for the truth hidden in your heart?"
Elladan swiftly backed his gwenneth (younger twin) up, "You cannot hide from the truth forever, Aragorn, and you may blame anyone and anything you like, but it shall not change things save that you shall end up an embittered, miserable man who discarded his chance for happiness and contentment through sheer stubbornness. We can aid you no more, muindor nín, (my brother), your own heart and good sense must lead you to open your eyes. Give things a chance, Estel, I do not want to see you upset."
"Cuio vae!" (fare well) the twins said softly, and then departed from whence they came, leaving a newly sobered Aragorn to his heavy thoughts.
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Aragorn sat, lost in thoughts, long after his brothers had left and 'twas only with the growing rays of Anor that he roused himself from his contemplative state.
Time had cooled his temperament and soothed his anger and bruised feelings somewhat, and he at last felt ready to look at this whole situation somewhat objectively.
Arwen said that he loved Buffy. The twins said it too, and they seemed so sure as to have been privy to discussions on this matter before. He pushed aside his annoyance at his family discussing his love life and tried to concentrate on the things that he had to make certain for himself.
He knew that he valued Buffy as a exceptional and dear friend. They had been through too much together for him not to. But did he care for her beyond the bounds of friendship?
She was a truly magnificent person, unique in all his acquaintance, and possibly the most skilled warrior he had met.
He could also not deny that he had been attracted to her before. With all that fire and passion within her, who could not? She was such a woman that any man would be honoured to possess her affections.
But he had loved Arwen for so long and so deeply. How could he just disregard that in the space of a day just because the lady in question wished him to? Why should he have to push aside all that he felt because Arwen had delayed her dose of 'truth' for so long?
This was his life and he did not appreciate the multitude of people telling him how to live it!
All they wanted was a king on Gondor's ancient throne so that peace might be secured. None had ever bothered to ask if he has ever felt any desire for the chains of rule.
Marry, they said, marry and sire an heir. Was that all that they wanted from him? He thought furiously. Why should he have to constantly suffer from their lack of understanding about his own feelings? He had never wanted the task laid upon him.
And though Arwen had tried to understand, she had been born to royalty and knew not any other way. Legolas was much the same, save that he better understood the toll that constantly fighting the shadow took on a person.
But Buffy…
She had accepted his responsibilities and his destiny with her unique brand of flippancy, and had been a true and steadfast friend to him throughout all the years since they had met, able to commiserate with him over unfair callings.
He remembered his initial suspicions about her when she had been in Gondor with him, and he still remembered the feeling of desire that she had inspired in him then.
He had pushed those feelings away, had allowed no other woman to influence him since his troth with Undómiel (Evenstar), but mayhap it was time to see if they had ever been real, or a mischance of memory.
After all, if she really cared for him, then he at least owed her, owed them, a chance to see if there was any truth to Arwen's words after all..
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Ensconced in her own apartments, safe from the inquisitive stare of her father, Arwen sank back into her favourite well stuffed chair, relieved beyond measure that the hardest part of the night was over.
Making the break with Aragorn had been one of the hardest things she had been forced to do in her long existence. He had looked so hurt and lost that she had felt like an orc for hurting him so. But she had known that it had to be done and the longer she delayed it the worse it would have been for both of them.
But as much as she hated hurting Aragorn, she could not deny that she finally felt free for the first time in half a century.
Free to pursue the one she did want to bind herself to.
And since the person in question was quite conveniently in residence in the valley for the moment, she had her opportunity.
Arwen was not as openly devious as her brothers and father but she had more than her fair share of the Peredhel (half-Elven) propensity for trouble, and what she wanted, she normally got. Within limits of course.
And though she had been tethered to Aragorn for many decades, chance had made it so that her own eyes had been opened in more ways than one, and that she had found he who would be the one to make her happy.
Arwen knew from her own good sense, her own heart and a healthy dose of foresight, that this Elf was to be the one for her, her one true mate.
The only snag in the situation was that she did not know how the Elf in question felt.
Legolas was a reserved Elf by nature and by position, growing up in the forest of Mirkwood as the shadow's influence had spread had cautioned him on giving out information that an enemy could take advantage of.
She knew that he lost his reserve when amongst friends, but over the last few years, a wall had been built between them, and she knew not how to scale it. She wished that she knew its cause but it has eluded all her efforts to find it.
Legolas's demeanour towards her of late had been politely formal, but with none of the joy or care that had characterised their friendship for the past few centuries. It was enough to nearly make her weep, but she sternly told herself that she was the granddaughter of the Lady of the Wood, and that was a lady who did not allow mere obstacles to hinder her path to what she wanted.
She loved him, she knew, his claim on her heart was one that Aragorn had never managed, and so she knew that the love she bore for him was the real thing, not another illusion of circumstances, and she wanted at least a chance to see if her love was anyway returned.
Her heart had made its decision and she would now have no other than the one whose gentle ways and mercurial temperament had stealthily won her regard, then her affection, and finally, unbeknownst to her, her heart.
But to assure herself that she at least had a chance of breaking down the mysterious barrier between them, she needed the advantage of time, and her heart was glad and light as she settled on her choice, and the manner of it.
Crossing to her balcony, she sought out her grandfather's star in the sky, Eärendil, sailing forever in his ship holding the Silmaril aloft, and gazed intently at that star for awhile, knowing that he looked down upon her as she stood there, and basking in his approval for a choice well made.
"I, Arwen Undómiel, daughter of Elrond Peredhel and Celebrían," she began, intoning the words that would announce her choice to the Valar, "do hereby declare my choice as one of the children of Elrond to the Valar. I choose to belong to my Elven kindred, and I choose an immortal life. Do you accept this?"
Eärendil's star winked once in a violent flash of light, and Arwen's face lit up in a smile. Her choice had been accepted and acknowledged, and as the light of her grandfather's star bathed her in its glow, she felt the mortal part of her being shorn away and her immortal flame revitalized.
She was now gifted with the full life of the Eldar, her choice declared and accepted, and she would sail West and see her mother again, their family would not be sundered because of her.
Now all she had to do was figure out how to subtly enlighten a certain Elven Prince on her newfound eligibility and her interest in him.
For all her gifts, Arwen got the sinking feeling that that would take longer than she thought, and more time than she had before Legolas left for Mordor.
What was that saying that Buffy had told her? 'All's fair in love and war' she had said. Arwen was now in the middle of both, and it seemed such an apt phrase to use.
She could only hope that she would not shock Greenleaf too badly…
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"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
- Nietzsche
The day after his bachelorhood was restored to him, Aragorn found himself summoned to Elrond's study, and he could only dread what the Elvenlord was bound to want to talk to him about.
Entering into the room with all the enthusiasm of a man heading for the hangman's noose, Aragorn trudged inside and sat in the chair that Elrond indicated.
He could feel those knowing grey eyes on him, and the slight smile that graced Elrond's normally sombre features told the ranger all that he needed to know. There was no way in Arda that the Elvenlord did not know what had happened by now.
"I take it that you know why I have called you here?" the Elvenlord said.
Aragorn nodded sullenly, "To gloat, I presume," he said darkly, "You have got your fondest wish."
"Aragorn," Elrond said softly, "I do not gloat at your pain, but you cannot ask me to lie about my happiness that my daughter shall not die a mortal death and so be lost to me forever. But you are not without hope Estel."
"You are too right," Aragorn said sarcastically, "I am sure that my latest venture into certain death shall be made all the better by this… this… betrayal of trust that your fair daughter so cheerfully dispensed to me yestereve."
"You cannot blame Arwen for this Estel!" Elrond exclaimed, shaking his head at his foster son's typical pigheadedness, "She did this for the good of you both. Surely you did not expect her to stay when the love that held her there faded? Are you to be so stubborn as to deny yourself all chance of happiness just to spite us?"
"What happiness, adar?" (father) Aragorn sneered, placing deliberate emphasis on the title he had once bestowed so willingly upon the Elda when he had simply been Estel, and not Aragorn. "What happiness could I possibly have when those who I thought were family are plotting against me?"
Elrond flinched at his foster son's tone, "Estel, please," he pleaded, "Do not be like this. None of has ever wished to hurt you!"
"But you did!" Aragorn cried, "And am I supposed to forgive you because you did not do it 'intentionally'?! I feel like I do not know you anymore!"
Even to the ranger's rage clouded eyes, the Elvenlord looked suddenly weary, as if the weight of ages had finally fallen upon him, but he could not heed any of his concern and instead gave way to his pain.
Elrond held out a hand beseechingly, "Please, ion nín, (my son), I never wished to hurt you. Arwen came to this choice by herself. Do not blame me for trying to assure you some happiness in the future!"
"Oh, let me guess," Aragorn said, "By now, Elladan and Elrohir have told you about Arwen's suspicions, and you, in all your wisdom, have decided to play along and ruin yet another friendship for me!"
Elrond could not deny some of that, "If you speak of Buffy, then yes, the gwenyn (twins) have told me what passed between you. They said they saw you when you were Thorongil and Eliza of Gondor. She is a fine woman Aragorn, you could not do better…"
Aragorn's eyes narrowed into slits of angry grey fire, "So you have spied on me for that long?" he hissed, "I had thought you above such tactics, Lord Elrond, and I can scarcely believe that you have the sheer temerity and audacity to address me as your son when you have conspired to ruin my life!"
"Aragorn!" Elrond cried in dismay, "I did not…"
Aragorn did not allow him a chance to defend himself against the charges laid against him, "I care not for your platitudes or pitiful attempts at explanations. I have had enough, my lord, I am sick of your machinations. From this moment, consider us not on speaking terms. I shall go to Mordor, and if I survive I might decide whether I ever wish to see you again!"
The man who would be king turned on his heels and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him, leaving a subdued Elvenlord in his wake.
While Elrond was delighted that his daughter had chosen an immortal life, and to his and Thranduil's joy, seemed to harbour some affection for Legolas of Mirkwood, he had paid a heavy price indeed for assuring his daughter's contentment.
It seemed that in gaining Arwen, he had lost Aragorn…
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Later that day, Elrond called the family in to discuss the disastrous argument with Aragorn, and they were all much subdued by the end of his tale.
"I had no idea that I had hurt him so grievously," Arwen said guiltily, her head bowed in grief and shame.
Elrond was quick to reassure her, "Aragorn does not lay all the blame at your door, iel nín, (my daughter) but he is hurting now and denying himself the very thing that could succour him."
"That is our brother," Elladan drawled, "He is more stubborn than an entire herd of mules. I wonder if Buffy knows exactly what she is getting herself into."
"Buffy as of yet knows nothing, Elladan," Elrond warned, "And she shall not hear it from you two."
"We are not announcing the dissolving of our engagement publicly yet," Arwen said, "Aragorn's hurt is too fresh, and I do not wish to push him into doing something drastic."
"So we let him plod along to Buffy at his own pace?" Elladan asked, "The poor slayer will be ancient before he realises anything."
"You do your brother no credit," Elrond admonished, "But some aid might be needed, but I think none of us shall be the ones to provide it. We cannot lose any more of his trust, lest the damage become irreparable."
"But what then are we to do?" Elrohir asked, looking at his father.
"We can do nothing but watch and wait and hope that their hearts shall prevail, and that he shall come back to us," Elrond said heavily, "Aragorn will not suffer our interference now and I cannot bring myself to injure him further."
"Then we must let fate take its course," Arwen said softly, "And hope to Eru that they make the right choices."
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Buffy wasn't exactly the world's biggest fan of gossip, but she acknowledged that it did have its uses and it had certainly been helpful when the grapevine got around to her that morning.
With an expression that advertised someone's imminent death, she stormed through the halls of the Last Homely House, and even Arwen's attempts to stop her only earned her a "Sorry but I've got to go deal with an imbecile."
Reaching Erestor's office, she waited until the counsellor noticed her and then demanded to know where a certain someone was. "What's Aragorn's schedule for today? Where would I find him if I wanted to kill him?"
"Why would you want to do that?" Erestor asked in puzzlement. "Do you not wish to talk to him first?"
"No, I'm rather interested in killing him though." Buffy said snarkily, "And speed it up mister before I get the impression that you're covering for him."
"Well, Buffy, as he is technically a guest of the valley, I cannot help you kill him," Erestor said apologetically.
Buffy growled in such a manner as to inspire fear in Erestor's heart, "I swear, men can be such jerks sometimes, dead or alive." she groused, "I am so gonna remember this Erestor!" she called as she left.
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At the other side of the house, Arwen had taken it upon herself at Erestor's charge to warn Aragorn of his impending doom, and to start the process of him getting used to seeing her in another light.
Aragorn was studying the effects of Morgul poison in the library when a head popped in to the room, "Aragorn, Buffy is on the warpath," Arwen said quite cheerfully, striving to sound as normal as possible, "Elladan and Elrohir are trying to hold her off so you have got about two minutes before she gets here. I would suggest running. I have already heard what you did. And I doubt even valiant Glorfindel will stand in her path."
The ranger clamped down on the searing pain that came from seeing Arwen's face again, and replied scathingly, arching an eyebrow and saying, "Valiant Glorfindel?" he repeated. "You did not see him go chasing the twins all over Imladris, screaming 'My hair! My hair!' last week."
"I did not, but I would wager that it would only make him the more capable of killing something," Arwen replied, "Go easy on Buffy, Aragorn, she has a right to be mad after what you did."
"It is none of your business what I do anymore, my lady," Aragorn said tightly, "After all you have no claim on me, so what I do is none of your concern. Leave lady."
The Evenstar hesitated, "Still…" she said, "She could get hurt. I trust that will not happen intentionally? That you will not take my words and actions out on her?"
"What are you, her sister?" Aragorn said derisively, "Leave me alone, Lady."
"Apparently." Arwen replied, "And just as apparent is that you seem determined to ruin every good thing in your life. Move on Aragorn. Do not wallow in your pain.""Just go Arwen!" Aragorn exclaimed, jaw and fists clenched in anger, "I have had enough of your 'wisdom' to last a lifetime!"
The lady looked at him sadly but left, and scarcely was she gone when Buffy stormed into the room. "We need to talk mister," she all but snarled.
"I have to finish this." Aragorn protested, not looking forward to this conversation.
"Fine. Stall all you want." Buffy replied, "But I'm not leaving until we have a little chat. Very little, considering the pummelling that needs to occur."
She made to move forward as if to forcibly haul the ranger up but was stalled in mid-movement.
She shrieked in rage as strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the ground, "I do not think so tithen dagnir (little slayer). I need Aragorn in one piece for the scouting tomorrow." Elladan said, as he struggled to hold her.
"Traitor," she pouted.
"Wise one," Elladan retorted, "Now play fair, or I will have to break this up."
"Fine," Buffy said, breaking out of his grip and crossing over to get into Aragorn's face, "You owe me one heck of an explanation mister," she hissed, poking her finger into Aragorn's chest, "What were you thinking? Were you thinking?! You cannot just remove me from the Fellowship because you feel like it Aragorn! Well? I'm waiting…" she cried.
"It is complicated…" Aragorn began.
"You know, I hate that word." Buffy said, "And wasting my time is only gonna make me hurt you more so get on with it."
"I could not in all conscience allow you to go into Mordor," Aragorn said with conviction, "You have already been twice afflicted with Morgul poison and I know the Ring calls you."
Buffy's eyes widened as he mentioned that, as she had thought that only she herself knew about her reaction to the Ring, but apparently Aragorn had been more perceptive than she thought. "Ooo wow you're a sweet talker." she said, covering up her discomfort with bravado, "Still doesn't give me a reason not to hit you. You're gonna have to come up with something better than that!"
Aragorn growled himself in utmost frustration, and this was the woman his family claimed he was in love with! "Must you be so… so aggravating! Ai! You torment me!"
"You torment yourself!" Buffy snapped right back, "I thought we had covered this topic before but apparently it still hasn't sunk into your thick skull! I don't need your protection! And what's more, I don't want it!"
Aragorn had to hide the unexplained hurt he felt at her words and instead shot back with his own scathing rejoinder, "Well, perhaps if you could stay out of trouble even for a day, I might be more inclined to support your bid to go!" he cried, "But you still treat hunting orcs as a sport!"
Buffy's pride took a beating at that, and she responded with more anger, "If that's the best you've got, I'm just gonna have to kill you." she growled, moving forward.
Elladan decided the time was ripe to step in before the argument became a brawl, "Break it up, both of you," he said, "Or would you have Frodo be accompanied by two who cannot even stand the sight of each other? I would guess that he has enough of that in the others already!"
"Appealing to my conscience. Such a low blow." Buffy said, but stepped back, "This isn't over you know," she warned.
"I do not doubt it," Aragorn said, "But I still say Mordor is no place for you."
"I should be at your side. That's all I'm saying." Buffy replied, as Elladan led her out of the room, leaving Aragorn to ponder upon her words in more ways than one.
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The hobbits had been nearly two months in the House of Elrond, and November had gone by with the last shreds of autumn, and December was passing, when the scouts began to return. Some had gone north beyond the springs of the Hoarwell into the Ettenmoors; and others had gone west, and with the help of the rangers had searched the lands far down the Greyflood, as far as Tharbad, where the old North road crossed the river by a ruined town. Many had gone east and south; and some of these had crossed the mountains and entered Mirkwood, including Legolas Greenleaf and Aragorn, while others, led by Glorfindel, had climbed the pass at the source of the Gladden river, and had come down into Wilderland and over the Gladden Fields and so at length reached the old home of Radagast at Rohosgobel. Radagast was not there, and they returned over the high pass that was called the Dimrill Stair.
The sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, accompanied by Buffy Dagnir, were the last to return; they had made a great journey, passing down the Silverlode into a strange country, but of their errand they would not speak to any save Elrond.
In no region had the messengers discovered any signs or tidings of the Riders or other servants of the Enemy. Even from the Eagles of the Misty Mountains they had learned no fresh news. Nothing had been seen or heard of Gollum; but the wild wolves were still gathering, and were hunting again far up the Great River. Three of the black horses had been found at once drowned in the flooded Ford. On the rocks of the rapids below it, searchers discovered the bodies of five more, and also a long black cloak, slashed and tattered. Of the Black Riders no other trace was to be seen, and nowhere was their presence to be felt. It seemed that they had vanished from the North.
To discover the movements of the Enemy, ere the Fellowship set out, Elrond sent out many scouting groups to roam the wilds and report back what they found.
Buffy was to go with Elladan and Elrohir on the most secret and thereby most dangerous of the missions, and their purpose was only known to four people, - the three scouts and Elrond.
They were to track down the shapeless wraiths and hinder their return to Mordor as best they could and so their purpose was spoken to nobody, not even their dearest friends.
Buffy gave Arwen one last hug and then made her goodbyes, "I gotta jet. Bad guys to terrify, nasties to kill and all that jazz." she said as she mounted her horse, Mîr and followed the twins out.
"Fare ye well, Buffy," Arwen said, "May the blessings of the Elves go with you!"
The twins and Buffy's group was the first to depart, as they had the greatest ground to cover and so Buffy out of pique did not bother to hunt down Aragorn to say goodbye. She had had enough of his foul mood for the last while, and so wished to avoid him.
Aragorn and Legolas were to go to Mirkwood, whereas Glorfindel, Boromir and the Dwarves were to scout the wilds, much to the man of Gondor's disgust. The more time that Boromir spent in Rivendell, the more he was assured that the man who would challenge his right to the rule of Gondor was absolutely crazy.
Boromir looked on in a state of disbelief as his future king, (though he was loath to admit even in his thoughts) and the Crown Prince of Mirkwood managed to start a slightly more dignified version of the 'did not, did too' arguments that children were ever so fond of.
And these were two who would someday be kings! May Eru save them if they ever took their respective thrones! Boromir thought with no little disgust.
But even though the various groups seemed primed for disaster, Elrond sent them out without qualms, and their tales are not told here.
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It is impossible to please all the world and also one's father.
– Jean de La Fontaine.
The royal palace, Mirkwood, 3018 TA, November.
After Legolas, standing in front of Aragorn, had recounted the tale that led to his place in the fellowship bound for Mordor to destroy the One Ring, Thranduil Oropherion (son of Oropher) just stared at his plainly uncomfortable son.
"Legolas, for clarity's sake let me recount this, you are going to Mordor, where your grandfather was killed, to attempt to destroy the One Ring, which even the Last Alliance did not manage? And you are doing this with a grubby Dwarf, two men, one meddling wizard, four annoying hobbits and Buffy?"
Legolas winced at his sharp tone, "Aye, father, 'tis much as you said it."
Thranduil rubbed his forehead in an attempt to dispel the gathering headache he felt coming on, "Legolas, we shall discuss this later, in private," he said, causing his son to blanch and then he turned his attention to the ranger, "Galion shall show you to your rooms," he said. Aragorn, recognising a dismissal when he heard one, followed the Elf out of the room, leaving Thranduil and Legolas alone.
Thranduil just looked at his son, conflicting feelings clashing against one another, "Go get cleaned up, my Greenleaf, I shall come to your rooms later, and we shall eat together."
"As you wish, adar," Legolas said and left, leaving Thranduil to his thoughts.
The rational part of Thranduil knew that he was completely overreacting. But then again when had being rational ever been a major agenda in Thranduil's life? Being able to do what he liked was much more amusing than being all stately and serene like Celeborn and Galadriel. And considering the state of Mirkwood's many, many enemies and would be attackers/invaders, not being able to scream and yell and vent by killing lots of orcs and spiders because he was trying to be serene of all things, would end up with him quickly going insane. Especially since his father had sworn that Thranduil would never ever learn the value of patience and as a child, Thranduil had not exactly been known for his calmness.
So even though logically, he knew that his sweet, adorable child was more likely to make mincemeat out of anything that attacked him or chose to be rude rather than be the mincemeat, he still felt the slightly insane urge to make sure that nothing with any sort of claws, weapons, unfriendly temper or dubious intentions came near his son.
Even though said son was undoubtedly one of the best Elven warriors in Middle Earth, Thranduil could not help but remember the blonde toddler that had tottered about the palace instead of the lethal fighter he had now. So naturally, Legolas had to be protected from his own folly.
Especially since Legolas too often disregarded his own importance to the realm, which had only increased since his beloved Yávien's death.
While Legolas had been too young to remember the brutal circumstances surrounding his mother's death, Thranduil remembered all too well what had happened to his wife and the reasons behind it.
Yávien had been brutally killed by orcs who had recognised her as Thranduil's Queen. After they had had their fill of torturing her, they had dumped her body back in the forest for the Elven patrols to find and Thranduil had been overwhelmingly furious and grief-stricken. Since that fateful day, Thranduil had been extremely protective when it came to his only child. If the monsters in Dol Guldur had killed Yávien because she was his wife, they would have even more incentive to try and drive Thranduil to extremes by killing his only child and heir. Legolas understood most of this, which was why he tolerated his father's whims to a limited extent with some grace.
But there were times when Legolas's sense of honour and duty overrode his concern over his father's fears, and he committed himself to some wildly dangerous task in an obviously unacknowledged effort to give Thranduil a heart attack like the mortals experienced.
He could not allow his son to throw his life away to Mordor like his own father had done at the end of the Second Age.
There was no way Thranduil was going to willingly let Legolas go on some foolish quest to Mount Doom. Even if he had to use his authority as King and order Legolas to remain in Mirkwood, an act which would most likely have Legolas refusing to speak to him for the next century.
At least he would be alive.
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Unfortunately, convincing Legolas of this decision was no easy task.
His son was far too inclined to argue back, a feat which even Elrond and Galadriel admired.
"I will not do it ada!" Legolas exclaimed, unable to believe that his father was even asking this of him, "I will not go back on my word! And you cannot make me!"
"Legolas, do not make me tie to the chair! I swear, if I have to keep you drugged until the Fellowship is well under way I will do it. No son of mine is going to get killed in Mordor!"
"Idle threats are hardly going to win this argument, ada," Legolas said, dismissing Thranduil's words, "I am truly sorry for the pain that I am causing you, but I will not go back on my word to Frodo."
"Legolas, I just do not want you to die!" Thranduil said beseechingly, "Mithrandir always has his own agenda, and the only other competent one is Buffy, who will undoubtedly be busy trying to keep that heir of Isildur in the world of the living."
"Ada, please," Legolas said pleadingly, crossing over to lean against the windowsill, "Even if you do not trust them, trust in me. I swear that I shall not die if I can help it, I do not make foolish mistakes adar. But I must see this through, else Mirkwood and the rest of Middle Earth will fall, and I cannot abide that."
Thranduil was silent for many minutes, looking at his son, the lithe frame tense, shoulders slumped, fair hair making a curtain to shield his face.
And though he regretted what he had to do to keep him safe, he knew that he could not live with himself if he did not at least try.
Coming up behind Legolas, he placed a hand on his tense shoulder, sighed and began to speak, "I had hoped that it would not come to this, that you would listen to reason. That cursed land has already claimed my father as its prize and my mother followed him in death shortly after. The grief was too much for her. I cannot allow that to happen to you my son."
"Father, you know I am a proven warrior. I would not fall so easily." Legolas protested softly, his voice earnest.
Thranduil shook his head, "Mirkwood cannot take the chance ion nín, (my son) I cannot take the chance."
Legolas made as if to turn around but Thranduil's iron grip on his shoulder prevented it, "Father? What do you mean?" he said, his voice confused.
With a move as swift as the wind, Thranduil pulled a dripping cloth out of his pocket with one hand while the other laced around Legolas's torso, yanking him back against Thranduil's chest. Legolas was too stunned and confused to react in time. What did he have to fear from his father after all?
Clamping the cloth over Legolas's nose and mouth, Thranduil clamped down on his feelings of pity for his son's plight and tightened his grip on the lithe form in front of him as Legolas finally realised his intention and began to struggle.
Gradually his struggles began to weaken and after a minute or two, Legolas went utterly limp. Thranduil carefully altered his grip to support his son's unconscious form, checking to make sure that Legolas's eyes were glazed over in a forced sleep. Legolas was too cunning to do otherwise. He really wished that his hand had not been forced thus but he knew his son and knew that once he was set on a course, the Valar themselves couldn't sway them.
Gently gathering Legolas into his arms, he carried him over to the bed and tucked him in. He was not looking forward to Legolas's reaction upon awakening. He imagined the palace – and half of Mirkwood – would be able to hear that argument.
Soundlessly, slipping out the door he set off to find the captain of his guard. The sleeping draught would wear off in twelve hours and he wanted to have everything in place by then.
Mordor would not claim another member of his family…
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A/N: Well? Opinions please! Please READ and REVIEW!!!!
Next chapter: We see if Legolas's problems in Mirkwood can be resolved… the scouts return.. The second phase of the war begins… Elrond blows up… and the Fellowship leave Rivendell….
Elvish:
Ada - dad
Thel neth - little sister
Dagnir - slayer
Muindor - brother
Undómiel - Evenstar
Pen neth - young one
Estel - hope
Gwenneth - younger twin
Muindor nín - my brother
Cuio vae - fare well
Peredhel - half-Elven
Adar - father
Ion nín - my son
Gwenyn - twins
Iel nín - my daughter
Tithen dagnir - little slayer
Mîr - Jewel
Oropherion - son of Oropher
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Dol Guldur - 'Hill of Sorcery'. A treeless height in the south-west of Mirkwood, a stronghold of the Necromancer before he was revealed as Sauron returned. Houses three Nazgûl, led by Khamûl.
Eärendil - Elrond's father. Now sails the sky with a Silmaril. Can be seen as a star in Middle Earth.
Galion - the King's butler. Appeared in 'The Hobbit'.
Oropher - King of Greenwood (now known as Mirkwood) in the Second Age. Was killed during the Last Alliance when he refused to follow Gil-galad's lead in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and he led a charge too soon, losing two thirds of his army and dying himself. Generally thought to be cantankerous. He was the father of Thranduil.
Yávien - The name of Legolas's mother and Thranduil's queen. in this story. (fictional of course). Translates to 'Autumn'. She was slaughtered by orcs who recognised her as Thranduil's Queen, and her body was dumped back in the forest for the Elven patrols to find, as a message and a warning for Thranduil.
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