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: I know it's a tiny bit shorter than the last one, but I had to end it there because the rest goes into the next chapter, which is jam packed!

P.S - as I realise that when this site shuts down or acts up, it can be extremely frustrating for all involved, I would like to make it known that this fic is available at another site, and is updated at the same time as this. It will always be available there if there are any problems with this site. The sites name is: - Twisting the Hellmouth and the link to both the site and my fic will be posted in my bio.

Review responses:

Alliana Greenleaf Halliwe - giving Elrond a heart attack is what she does on a daily basis.

Anna - hi! And the Balrog is not the full surprise and not in this chapter. It is fire related though… yes, Legolas is getting all protective over his friends' virtues and more than slightly mad at Aragorn. Boromir hasn't figured out what Buffy is yet because Denethor didn't know that she was a slayer and nobody who knows has told Boromir yet. And I never said that Buffy saved Aragorn… yes, Lothlórien comes after Moria. (laughs) Just ignore the laughing, you'll find out why soon…

BuffyandDracolover - because he doesn't know that Legolas likes Arwen.

clcountry - I think everyone thinks that by now!

Dragonstar - okay, I think this site is cutting out the last half of e-mail addresses! Because I still don't have yours! Please e-mail me or else post a comment on my livejournal so that I can get that way if it's not too much bother.

FallenStar2 - why, thank you! Yes, Buffy and Aragorn finally got a moment together, it's a pity that it can't last without something interrupting them. Yes, Aragorn's little bombshell of a revelation should definitely throw Buffy and Legolas! And yes, Boromir is starting to realise that things are being kept from him and that he's not exactly the most trusted member of the Fellowship. And yes, painful is a good word to use…

Goldenshadows - thanks! Yes, there will be a sequel, which I'm already working out the plot to. And Lórien is going to be interesting… that's all I'm saying.

Haley - the wargs only took up a few pages so don't sweat it if you can't remember. And Boromir makes a habit of assuming too much. You can expect Legolas and Aragorn to have words and that is all I'm saying on the matter…

Kit-Kat - yeah, if Aragorn suddenly started being in the land of the not dense I think Buffy would have a heart attack. And to quote myself 'Gandalf. Must. Die.'

Lady Alathon - it means that he won't rush into things and blurt everything out at once. (eyes reviewer warily) what is this nasty idea you're harbouring or do I even want to know?

Lady of the Wood - soon…

Lunawolf - aww, come on! I would have liked to hear your idea on it!

MiShA - Aragorn won't reveal anything to Buffy until after Moria. And the surprise should be good… very good…

Pamie884 - I didn't realise that the Boromir and Legolas scene was so funny! And I know everyone wants Aragorn to spill the beans, but nothing's going to happen until after Moria. They are a little busy at the moment after all…

Procrastinating - yes, I like to keep the updates regular and punctual. It stops all that nasty lynching of the author. And sorry but 'A Light to You' is discontinued. But I have other BtVS/LotR fics in the works, I promise!

Rachel - I really don't know if you're being sarcastic or not…

Restive nature - welcome back! :) I know, RL is such a nuisance. And you're right, I didn't want Buffy to take over the Watcher scene. I feel she's there to enhance the story with her own plots like every other character but she's not there to take over the story or Tolkien's work. Yes, Gimli and Legolas are constantly sniping at each other, a little childish but hey, everyone saw the scene at the Council of Elrond… and what's a glow-worm thingy?

ShawThang - thanks! I'll update once a week until otherwise stated until about December 22 or 23 and from then on you'll probably have them twice a week or so until about January 7.

Sierra-Falls - both types. I do hope your day got better though!

Sparky24 - hi! Things are coming together but they're also coming apart… and yes, the Golden Wood should be very interesting….

Star - thanks! Legolas is only in the dark for the moment, don't worry! And Moria should be super exciting. I have a big surprise planned for Gandalf and co. And it's nice to see that Boromir is growing on people.

Trickster-jz - thanks for all your nice comments! I'm glad that you like it!

Vik - wicked man? I so hope you weren't referring to me! I'm a woman!

Wild320 - thanks! And don't worry, Buffy and Legolas will find out eventually.

And major thanks to:

Fairieangel, ms8309, Night-Owl123, vixen519,

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE PART TWO

The West-gate of Moria, 3019, TA. January 13 , - Night.

Even as the last showers of dust fell upon them, they knew that they were trapped. The only way out was blocked off, and they were stuck in this Dwarven tomb, with no certainty of coming out the other side.

Gandalf fitted a stone onto the end of his staff, producing a narrow beam of light outwards from it, "We now have but one choice." he said gravely, "We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of the world."

Even as Buffy shuddered, Gandalf was continuing, "Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."

"I swear, when I find out who's responsible for this huge cosmic joke, heads are gonna roll." Buffy said even as Aragorn linked their hands together, holding her hand tightly in his to offer her comfort against her own memories.

This simple gesture comforted them both and they started to pay attention to the conversation of the others ahead.

"The passage is blocked behind us now, and there is only one way out - on the other side of the mountains." Gandalf was saying, leading the way with his lighted staff.

"I felt that something terrible was near from the moment my foot touched the water," Frodo said, trembling slightly, "What was the thing, or were there many of them?"

"I do not know," answered Gandalf, his expression solemn and disturbed, "But the arms were all guided by one purpose. Something has crept, or been driven out of dark waters under the mountains. There are older and much more terrible things than orcs in the darker places of the world." He did not speak aloud his thought that whatever it was that dwelt in the lake, it had seized Frodo first among all the company.

Boromir muttered curses and other things under his breath, but the echoing stone magnified the sound to a hoarse whisper that all could hear, "In the deep places of the world! And thither we are going against my wish! Who will lead us now in the deadly dark?"

"I will," said Gandalf, spearing the man with a deadly look, "And Gimli shall walk with me. Follow my staff!" he called.

From behind him, even the wizard had to chuckle at Buffy's next grumbling sentence, "If we die in here, I'm gonna kick your ass. I mean it!"

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Gandalf's Point of View (POV)

'If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road?' Saruman's taunt haunted him still.

He had not been able to best the other wizard; the head of their order that seemed to have shattered until it left only him sworn to their original purpose, and because of this failure he had lost his only option to avoid the dangers of Khazad-dûm.

He had not been insensible to the power of Aragorn and Buffy's warnings. When the future King of Men, and the Vampire Slayer herself told you the same thing, you were a wise person to take their word on it.

But even though he had made a dangerous choice, he knew that it was the only one left to them. And it was now out of their control anyway, through the intervention of the watcher in the water.

But he could not shift his mind away from Aragorn's warning, intermingled with Saruman's gleeful taunts.

He knew that even one such as he might meet his match here.

And sometimes knowing the history of Middle Earth brought more harm than good, as he knew all too well what had originally befallen the Dwarves who had once held this as their most impressive stronghold.

'Moria... You fear to go into those mines. The Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke there in the darkness of Khazad-dûm… Shadow and flame…'

Unbidden, his eyes fell to the ring finger of his right hand and he deeply felt the irony embedded in his fate.

Shadow and flame indeed.

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Legolas's POV

The dark, dank walls felt like they were closing in on him as his mind replayed that final, dreadful clang of the doors slamming irrevocably shut. Trapping him in these thrice damned mines.

He had not been prepared for the attack from the water, but then again, none of them had ever dreamed the dank lake harboured such a creature as that.

But he could not help but shudder as he realised what the creature had doomed him to; four days at least of traversing this festering darkness without hope of light or any growing thing. He was a Wood Elf by nature and his father had thought him at an early age to draw strength from living things, but here this place was barren.

And filled with malice. The very walls seethed with it.

For a moment, he thought longingly of Arwen, who had taken it upon herself in Rivendell to entreat him to stay at the bequest of his father, and he took comfort in the memory of her gentle smile and biting wit. Shaking his head sadly, he pushed her out of his mind; - he had no right to think of her that way, especially when she had only been doing his father a kindness.

And if only his father could see him now… Legolas was sure that an 'I told you so Greenleaf' would be a very heavy feature of that conversation. Eru only knows how he would have reacted to his son travelling through the mines of Moria.

He trusted Gandalf's ability to lead them to safety, and he knew well of Buffy's great abilities to sense danger coming, and in this group, they not only had three people who had passed through these halls but a Dwarf of Durin's line as well. There could not be a better company for this endeavour.

But if that was so, then why was a shadow of foreboding lurking at the edge of his mind?

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Frodo's POV

Safely sandwiched between the duo of Gandalf and Gimli, and his loyal friend Sam, Frodo tried to squash the fear that dwelt inside him.

Still damp from his untimely sojourn into the lake, with that… that thing, he could not forget the incident, nor the fact that the Ring had seemed almost... gleeful when the creature had had him in its grasp.

And now, partly through his choice and definitely due to his presence, the company were forced to endure this toil because of him.

He could not help but feel guilty at causing anyone harm, and terror at what could be awaiting them in these abandoned halls. Even though his dear Sam tried his best to keep his spirits up, he could not help but feel depressed and overwhelmed in this encompassing darkness that seemed to stretch on forever.

As he followed in the wizard's wake, he could not help but feel panic rise up within him at his undertaking, accepted by his own words and his stupid stupid mouth!

How could he, one lowly hobbit, accomplish such a thing as to destroy the One Ring of Power?

Especially when he could feel its sibilant voice forever digging ever deeper into his mind….

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Boromir's POV

Boromir could not help but feel anger as he trudged along the stone halls, occasionally stepping on an old bone or arrow that crunched underfoot with a sickening snap.

Against his wishes, they had entered the mines and how he had been right, even if it was not wolves that had trapped them! They had been very effectively trapped between the walls and the creature that seemed to stalk the lake.

And so they had been forced to enter this tomb of Dwarves, and even he, far away in Gondor, had heard tales of this treacherous place. Those who went in, did not come out again.

And yet, here they were, striding forward into unknown darkness. Sometimes he wondered if he was cursed.

Not only was he stuck in these damned mines, he also had to contend with being constantly upstaged by the man who claimed to be his king. It would be enough to drive a lesser man into the pits of despair but Boromir would not let it claim him.

He would survive this, and return to his homeland and fight for his people.

And no one, not even a pretender to an extinct throne, would stop him saving Minas Tirith, his only home and the only love of his heart.

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Aragorn's POV

Even though he knew that he should be concentrating on the daunting task ahead of them, Aragorn could not help his mind straying to thoughts of Buffy's small, warm hand tightly encased in his.

He was burning for her, and yet not in a situation to make himself known or even to explain even half the complicated situation that was his current predicament to Buffy properly, and his own frustration was slowly killing him.

He could not believe that he had been blind for so long.

His feelings at Arwen's admittedly gentle sundering of their relationship had started in anger and resentment, and had eventually passed into begrudging acceptance, but as time went on he began to see that the Elf Lady was once again right.

While he had loved Arwen deeply and she would always hold a place in his heart, he had never felt so violently in love with her as the feelings being with Buffy brought out in him. He had never been able to regard a woman as fully his equal, both off the battlefield and on it for Arwen had ever been sheltered from the darker things in the world by her father and brothers, but the ever courageous Buffy was able to take such things in her stride and challenge him to go even further.

It was a novel experience and one that he was gradually coming to realise that he enjoyed immensely.

Buffy could infuriate him just as much as she could comfort him, and this constant source of novelty into their relationship ensured that it was never a boring thing.

As his feelings for Arwen were dampened and put in their proper place by time, distance and understanding, he could feel his feelings for the besieged Vampire Slayer grow deeper by the day.

He could safely say that he was in love with her, and falling harder with every realisation that hit him, and he longed to take her into his arms and tell her so but was bound by time, circumstances and convention.

Not to mention his dear friend Legolas's extreme offence on behalf of his friend Arwen. He almost sighed; it was a deep and tangled mess that he was in. And there was no way he could profess his feelings for Buffy and ask permission to court her until the debacle that was his nullified betrothal was cleared up without any doubt.

And then he could woo Buffy in the way he should have many decades ago, and when the time was right, he would do something that he was certain that would secure his, - and hopefully her's as well, - future happiness.

And ask her if she would be his wife.

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Buffy's POV

Buffy really couldn't believe that this was happening to her again.

Through long and often painful experience, she knew all too well that dark underground places of ill repute were just prime gathering grounds for all sorts of nasties.

The rest of the company were all disquieted, lost in their own thoughts and fears, and she honestly wasn't much better.

Aragorn was holding her hand in an effort to comfort her, and she appreciated it deeply but always her mind returned to what the Ring had blatantly threatened her with - his death.

She wasn't sure if she could hack it; sending Angel to hell had almost ruined her and she had only known him two years at the time. But Aragorn she had known for decades, and her feelings went deeper than any she had ever experienced before.

She honestly didn't know what she would do if she lost him.

Especially if his death was only to get to her.

Aragorn had a life ahead of him; and a good one too if he survived this war. He would be King of Gondor, and would never have to wander the wilds hunting out monsters again. He would be for the most part safe.

She would never have that luxury.

And even though she loved Arwen like a sister, she could not help but feel intense jealousy at what the Elf Lady would receive when the war ended.

The Queen bit she didn't really care about, but Arwen would have Aragorn forever, deeply in love with her and snagging one of the few men who didn't mind if they were upstaged by their girlfriend or lover or wife.

She had never really had that; even with Angel, they couldn't be equals, forever running the risk of making his soul go bye bye yet again. After he had miraculously come back, things had never been the same. And Buffy had lost the only person who could even attempt to understand her.

But she knew she could have been happy with Aragorn; he didn't need her to look after him but he didn't take offence when she did either, didn't go all macho about having a woman help him like Riley had. Due to growing up with the Elves, he had the understanding, rare in this world, that men and women were equal, and that he didn't have to prove himself to her or vice versa.

It was different and very nice, and she had to admit that she had grown used to it.

In this world, she didn't have to hide her abilities; fighting went on every day somewhere and she could quite happily go around with a sword strapped to her hip and a bow on her back and no one would blink an eye.

She had even found a surrogate family in Galadriel and the House of Elrond, all of whom accepted her as she was, who didn't resent her, didn't betray her, and whom she could genuinely admire.

But despite all of the knowledge, strength and friends that she had gained since coming to Middle Earth, she still wanted to be loved and it hurt so badly that Arwen had so easily gotten what she so dearly wanted.

Maybe it would be better if she could just disappear after Aragorn and Arwen's wedding. It would hurt too much otherwise to be around them, watching them be so happy and she always feeling the sting of intense jealousy rising up within her.

She was sure that Elrond or Galadriel would help her if she wanted to, and she wasn't the type of girl who could stand by forever and watch her heart break. She just wasn't strong enough.

Besides her heart had already been battered to a bloody pulp too many times to do anything else.

But on the other hand, she didn't know how she could leave them; they were such good friends to her.

She held back a sigh; she'd just have to wait and see if she survived this first.

Only then could she worry about what in the name of Arda she was going to do with her life when the dark lord wasn't around no more and the Elves left for the West.

After all, there wouldn't be much need for a Vampire Slayer then…

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The Mines of Moria , 3019 TA, January, 14 , - Dawn.

Of course, their hopes for a quiet trip had to be dashed.

Just before dawn that day, Pippin once more put his foot in it.

Having been annoying Merry by throwing small rocks and pebbles at him, the hobbit chose the wrong rock to yank at. Stumbling into a loose shale wall, Pippin somehow managed in prime Took-ish fashion to destabilise the roof above their heads, and he gulped at the ominous rumble that sounded overhead.

Luckily enough, the collapse was small, and did not block any important passage, nor did it crash into any of the company, but it filled the halls with a thick dust that made breathing hard and enough noise to certainly wake something up.

"Well, I'd say this qualifies for a worst-timing-ever award." Buffy choked out, coughing madly.

"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf cried, banging a hang-dog Pippin on the head with his staff. "Crush yourself next time and save me the bother!"

"Save it Gandalf. Better to light a candle than curse the damn darkness." Buffy said profoundly, then paused as if sensing the others did not understand, "Well, get on with it Gandalf. Make with the light!"

Gandalf harrumphed but the familiar glow appeared on the top of his staff.

"Obviously, this mine is a disaster waiting to happen." Legolas said shakily.

"There is no equal to Dwarven craftsmanship!" Gimli defended stoutly, glaring at the Elf.

"Gimli, as much as I appreciate the Dwarves' work. They built Demonsville." Buffy said, "Lay off Legolas." She then shuddered, "Anybody else feel that?"

"What?" Aragorn asked.

"The cold draft of paralysing fear?" Buffy said, "Something heard that. Let's get moving!" She glared at Gandalf who was studying the halls with something resembling fascination, "Isn't there something you should be doing right about now? Like getting us out of here!" she snapped.

"Buffy," Aragorn said in admonishment, "I do not think he could feel any worse over this course."

"Let's test that theory." Buffy said, "Because I'm not standing around waiting for the baddies to come looking."

And so the Fellowship continued on for some time, until they came to an opening, where there were three passages to choose from.

Gandalf stopped and then said, "I have no memory of this place."

"Are we lost?" Pippin asked bluntly.

"No," Merry replied impatiently.

"I think we are!" Pippin insisted, while Merry tried to quieten him.

"Shhh! Gandalf's thinking." he said.

"Merry…" the younger hobbit said.

"What?"

"I'm hungry."

"Oh for the love of the Green Dragon!" Merry exclaimed and stormed off with a, "Shut up Pip!" for good measure.

But Aragorn still took it upon himself to reassure him as Gandalf pondered, "Do not be afraid!" he said as Gandalf and Gimli whispered together; the others were crowded behind, waiting anxiously. "Do not be afraid! I have been with him on many a journey, if never on one so dark; and there are tales of Rivendell of greater deeds of his than any I have seen. He will not go astray - if there is any path to find. He has led us in here against our fears, but he will lead us out again, at whatever cost to himself."

"Then why are you afraid?" Pippin asked with his characteristic boldness and Aragorn could not reply.

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Hall Twenty-One, The Mines of Moria, 3019, TA. January 14 , - Night.

At last, Gandalf stood up and called the company to him, starting to walk down one passage. "He's remembered." Merry said with relief.

Gandalf's bushy eyebrows twitched, "No, but the air does not smell so foul down here. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose." he said, "Let me risk a little more light."

The light on his staff brightens and the fellowship found themselves in a great hallway, with tall pillars as far as the eye could see. "Behold the great realm of the Dwarf-city of Dwarrowdelf." Gandalf said.

"There's an eye opener, and no mistake!" Sam exclaimed as he looked around.

But both Buffy and Aragorn were ghostly pale as Buffy remembered her own flight through this large chamber. "Are we to sleep here?" she asked shakily.

"Only a fool would sleep soundly in this place." Legolas said before Gandalf could answer, "'Tis too exposed. We need somewhere smaller."

Gandalf agreed and after some searching, to the left of a great arch they found a stone door; it was half closed, but swung back easily with a gentle push. Beyond there seemed to be a wide chamber cut into the very rock itself.

"Steady! Steady!" cried Gandalf as Merry and Pippin pushed forward, glad to find a place where they could rest with at least more feeling of shelter than an open passage. "Steady! You do not know what is inside yet. I will go first."

He went in cautiously and the others filed behind, "There!" he said in vindication, pointing with his staff to a large dark hole in the middle of the floor.

"One of you might have fallen in and still be wondering when you were going to reach the bottom," said Aragorn to Merry, with a wry grin, "Let the guide go first while you have one."

But they were only laying down their bedrolls, Buffy's arms shaking slightly as she did so, when Pippin got bored, and started dropping stones down the hole in the floor. They all turned to look when they heard the ominous thudding.

At first it was the pitter patter of rock on rock but then far below, as if the stone had fallen into deep water in some cavernous place, there came a plunk, very distant, but magnified and repeated in the hollow shaft.

"What's that?!" Gandalf cried in surprise. He was relieved when Pippin confessed what he had done but he was angry and Pippin could see his eye glinting. "Fool of a Took!" he growled angrily, "This is a serious journey, not a hobbit walking-party. Throw yourself in next time, and then you will be no further nuisance. Now be quiet!"

Nothing more was heard for several minutes, but then there came out of the depths faint knocks; tom-tap, tap-tom. They stopped, and when the echoes had died away they were repeated; tap-tom, tom-tap, tap-tap, tom. They sounded disquietingly like signals of some sort; but after a while the knocking died away and was not heard again.

"Well, that can't be good." Buffy said with false bravado.

"That was the sound of a hammer, or I have never heard one," Gimli said with dreadful certainty.

"Yes," Gandalf agreed, his expression troubled, "And I do not like it. It may have nothing to do with Peregrin's foolish stone; but probably something has been disturbed that would have been better left quiet. Pray, do nothing of the kind again! Let us hope we shall get some rest without further trouble. You, Pippin, can go on the first watch, as a reward." he growled and rolled himself in a blanket.

The hobbit could only look dejectedly at the hole, before sighing and throwing himself down to take the watch.

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But as the watches changed, rotating until it was Buffy's turn at last, Gandalf awoke from his light sleep and went to her.

Without preamble he took her aside, where the sleeping ears of the company could not hear them, "I must speak to you Slayer," he said urgently.

Sensing the distress in his tone, she agreed readily, "What's up Gandalf?" she asked.

"Forgive me," he said and placing his hands on either side of Buffy's head, he muttered an incantation.

The change came almost at once.

Buffy's eyes glazed over, locked in a forced vision, and after a moment, unseeing eyes locked onto Gandalf's, "He is here. Waiting. He hungers for blood, to take your life. Can you defeat him little fool? Or will shadow and flame consume you through your once brother?" she sneered, her accent changing.

Gandalf sighed and nodded, his suspicions confirmed, and broke the spell. It only confirmed what he already knew deep within.

Shaking off the last vestiges of the vision as she came back to herself, Buffy's eyes narrowed and she looked fit to skewer the wizard. "How dare you ----!" she exclaimed, only to be silenced by Gandalf's hand across her mouth.

Knocking it off rapidly, she took the hint to be quiet and instead gave him her version of a death glare, which informed him that if he did not explain himself, he would be in for a beating.

"I am sorry I had to do such a thing, Buffy," Gandalf whispered apologetically, "But I had to know. And only you would have been able to take the spell without harm. Danger stalks us, and I had to know its cause. Again, I apologise for the manner in which I did so, but do allow me to explain."

She nodded shortly, "I'm waiting," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

The wizard sighed, and began to speak of his dilemma, and about the evil he knew was coming for him, until he felt her own anxiety nearly matched his own, and that he had explained his situation clearly.

"So we're being hunted, you feel someone's already let on that we've arrived, and that some really nasty baddie is coming to kill us all if it catches us? Delightful." Buffy summed up.

Gandalf looked at the woman, and decided that he had to do this, he had to take this chance. To do otherwise was to condemn not only himself, but Elrond and Galadriel, and their realms of Imladris and Lórien. "Things feel ill my young slayer, things go ill indeed. And I must now entrust you with a heavy burden."

Buffy studied the weary wizard, "I'm almost afraid to ask at this point. But I sincerely hope its not that hat of yours. I do have some fashion sense thank you very much."

"No Buffy, it is not a hat." He held out his closed hand, unfurling his fingers to reveal a golden ring set with a ruby. His voice dropped below even a whisper, "This is Narya, one of the three Elven rings. You must keep it safe."

She gasped in disbelief, "You're a Ringbearer!" She stared at him for a moment, "Okay, how come I didn't know? I mean I figured out the other two!"

"You must take it for me, Buffy." Gandalf said urgently, with an almost fervent desperation, "You must guard it and then deliver it unto the Lady Galadriel for me. I cannot risk it falling into the hands of the Enemy. You must take it!"

"It was entrusted to you. I cannot take it. I'm no Elf." Buffy said, refuting him, "I can't take it. Don't do this to me Gandalf!"

"But of all here you are strong enough to defend it." the wizard replied.

"I'm not strong!" Buffy denied furiously, "The Ring calls me so badly. I'm too risky to give this too!"

"Do you think that the Ring calls only you?!" Gandalf replied with just as much passion, "It calls all of us but some are better able to understand its evil than others; you are such a person. Take it!"

"Can't you give it to Legolas?" Buffy tried, "At least he's an Elf. And you know they won't kill him for having it like they would a mortal that they'll probably think stole it!"

"He would be one of the first to be suspected and Aragorn has too much to protect as it is. It has to be you." Gandalf insisted. "I cannot risk it falling into the Enemy's hands if I should fall."

"And neither can I!" Buffy said, "I don't exactly have a safe job Gandalf! Give it to one of the others if you must, but don't do this to me."

Gandalf grabbed her hand and forced Narya into it, closing her fingers around it, "It is your charge now, Buffy Dagnir," he said with dreadful authority, "Keep it secret and keep it safe. Tell no one, not even your closest friends that you bear this. Its only safety lies in the utmost secrecy."

She looked at her hand, at the golden ring with a red stone set in the band, radiating power and warmth. Narya. The Ring of Fire. And now she had to be a Ringbearer, just like poor Frodo, and joining the ranks of Gandalf, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Elrond and Círdan, who she must feel so inferior too. At least they had known what to do with the cursed thing.

And as Gandalf realised that she would do this for him, he left her, and returned to his sleep, with the rest of the company none the wiser to the changing of the guard that had occurred in so many ways that night.

But Buffy sat for a long time in the darkened corner, watching the play of fire in the red stone, until at last, she slipped it onto her finger, and knew that even as she saw it as clear as day, none other could, unless they be a bearer of another of the Three.

Feeling the rush of warmth and confidence, the power that was entrenched in this flaming ring, she shuddered slightly.

Gandalf had just put her piggy in the middle when it came to the battle of the Rings of Power, entrusting this one to her to carry, and she honestly didn't have a clue as to what she was going to do with it.

It was like the situation with the Key all over again.

The only problem was, she didn't know if she had the strength or the will to see it through this time around.

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When Buffy's watch was over, replaced by Aragorn, and she had at last sunk into a fitful sleep, the ranger mulled things over in his mind as he kept watch on the slumbering company.

But as time went by, he saw Frodo and Buffy growing more and more troubled in their sleep, and finally, he could ignore it no longer.

Waking the stout Samwise, he asked him to care for Frodo while he dealt with Buffy.

"No! That's not the way out!" he heard Buffy mumble in her sleep and with a burst of sudden clarity, he realised that she was having nightmares about her time in Moria.

While Frodo muttered about the Ring and shining eyes in the dark as Sam tried to calm his sleep, Buffy was fighting off invisible foes in a way that almost made Aragorn's heart break for her. The poor woman never got a break, was always in one dangerous situation or another and was expected to come out on top every time. It had to be a hard life.

Careful not to wake her, he gathered her close and rocked her gently until she started to calm down, and the distressed furrow of her brow melt away as dreaming subsided into a deep sleep.

And as she burrowed closer to him when her rest quietened, he held her close and vowed that one day, she would be in his arms and he would never let her go.

But even though it was a rare bliss on this journey to hold her close, there was always that niggling doubt in the back of his mind that said something was wrong.

And that something was going to take her away from him.

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A/N: So? What do you think? Opinions please! Please READ and REVIEW!!!!

And any and all lurkers out there are kindly encouraged to review!

P.S - as I realise that when this site shuts down or acts up, it can be extremely frustrating for all involved, I would like to make it known that this fic is available at another site, and is updated at the same time as this. It will always be available there if there are any problems with this site. The sites name is: - Twisting the Hellmouth and the link to both the site and my fic will be posted in my bio.

Next chapter: Buffy's getting worse… the Fellowship run into a slight bit of bother… and there's fire in the hole… it's an action packed chapter next people!

Elvish:

Dagnir - slayer

Imladris - Rivendell

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

Eregion - an Elven realm of the Second Age. Celebrimbor forged the Three Elven Rings here. Sauron laid waste to the city and its people, taking all the rings of power, and killing Celebrimbor and using his body as a banner.

Gil-galad - Last High King of the Noldor. King of Lindon. Died during the final battle of the Last Alliance.

Mithril - 'true-silver'. Also called 'Moria-silver'. It was the foundation of the wealth of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. It was worth ten times the price of gold, and is now considered priceless, because there has been no supply of it since the fall of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm in 1980 TA.

Moria - 'The Black Chasm', later name for the great works of the Dwarves under the Misty Mountains. Called Khazad-dûm in Dwarvish.

Narvi - Dwarf of Khazad-dûm, maker of the West-Gate, close friend of Celebrimbor.

Narya - the Ring of Fire. Set with a ruby stone. One of the Three Elven Rings. Originally given to Círdan, it was passed onto Gandalf when he arrived in Middle Earth during the Third Age.

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