FIRST KNIGHT BY ASHA DREAMWEAVER

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Summary: BtVS/LotR. Buffy is 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 has 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, which 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: Thank you for all the reviews! Okay, you seem to have divided into three camps; the ones who want to lynch me for Buffy's rejection, the ones that understand why I did it, and the ones who haven't mentioned anything yet. Please note that I am working towards a wider plot and they can hardly realistically jump into each other's arms without working through fifty years worth of baggage.

Happy new years!!!!!!!!

p.s - for all who asked: - the White Tree is the symbol of the Gondorian royalty.

NOTICE: I have changed e-mail addresses. This was a change forced due to my last address suddenly not allowing me to send e-mails. Anybody trying to contact me, please take note. It is now 'ashadreamweaver at yahoo dot ie.'

Review responses:

Anna - hi! And 'karma' is such an appropriate word! Ah yes, the White Tree, the symbol of the Gondorian royalty. I will let you guess the rest. Buffy is stronger, but she is also weaker. No gain without pain as I say. But Narya is at the heart of it. Buffy did kill the slayer killer, but no one said that Sauron sent only one….

Black Phoenyx - and Joss Whedon did kill Buffy. Twice. Thanks for all your wonderful compliments! And no, I don't enjoy watching you suffer. At least not much.

ChibiChibi - divine intervention, I'm sure. No, there was no other slayer called when she did. Even if that was still functioning in ME, her ability to activate a slayer was lost when she activated Kendra. It's Buffy's turn to freak and panic for a bit. Allow her it. Aragorn had his fifty years of wake-up time, and months of sulking time

Dreamer Child - sorry, no Buffy the White. Buffy couldn't really take Gandalf's place. I don't think she would like the beard. And trust me; it is not going to take much to make Éowyn jealous. And you may have just written something that's prophetic…

FallenStar2 - why, thank you! :) I am so glad that you got the little role reversal I set into the fic. I thought it was ironic. Apparently, a lot of people don't agree with me. And how did you know that Galadriel was going to be instrumental in fixing things? It is always the women who have to fix the men's messes. And the jealousy thing is going to be an interesting subplot for sure….

Goldenshadows - thanks! No, she only heard some of what Legolas told her. Basically only enough to know that Elrond was the cause of one giant mess. Yes, there is a good chance that there will be someone crossing over in the sequel, but none of the three you mentioned. You are close though

Haley - Of course, it will. But there will be plenty of fodder thrown to the readers to keep them alive! Ah yes, the poll about Boromir. Well, I have had my mind made up for a while now and let's just say that his departure should be an interesting event for all involved…

Idrisien - okay, you did touch a nerve, but I always try to welcome constructive criticism. Only a flame will really get me furious. And Sauron and the Nazgûl have been around. Sauron returned to the newly completed Barad-dûr in 2942, but he and the Nine had been around, in a standoff with the White Council for centuries before this, called 'The Watchful Peace'. Gandalf knew it was Sauron in Dol Guldur by 2850, and told the White Council so, (which consisted of Elrond, Galadriel, three wizards, and Círdan for definite.) And Sauron actually never reforms. After his defeat at the hands of the Last Alliance, he was rendered bodiless and so he remained until his final defeat at the hands of Frodo and Sam. The Nazgûl's strength was linked to their master's and the Ring's, but when Sauron departed for Barad-dûr in 2942, he left three fully embodied Nazgûl behind in Dol Guldur to hold it, while the Witch-king had the rest in Minas Morgul.

So they were around and up to strength, about thirty years before Buffy's arrival in ME. That is why I used them so early in the fic. They do not travel openly until the hunt for the Ring, but they were around and tormenting Mirkwood for many decades before that. Also, they did not have to travel the main roads so could avoid suspicion. The Wise already knew that they were again abroad, but could not kill them as they could only fall with the One Ring. But they also never shared this info with the realms of Men, with whom they had little ties. The Rohirrim feared Galadriel and her realm, and only the chieftain of the Dúnedain would have been inclined to have been told by the Elves.

And Buffy is going to cause some changes, but I'm not going to wreck the story entirely to show them. It has to start off subtly, so that the gap gets wider for TTT and then wider still for RotK. Also, I copy lines from the books and movies because they are what the characters say. I may tweak them a little but I want to hold true to Tolkien's characters until the division between his events and mine become obvious. It has to happen gradually or else I get slated for not bothering to even look at canon. Also, Gandalf is a Maiar, he holds the 'flame imperishable', aka 'the secret fire' inside him. It is a feature of all the Maiar of Valinor, where Gandalf comes from, and gives them their powers and immortal life.

I say the Nazgûl are 'unkillable', because in many ways they are. They're not alive, but they're not dead. And Glorfindel foretold that the Witch-King would die 'not by the hand of man will he fall.' So Éowyn really fulfilled prophecy. She was a woman. But to kill a Nazgûl, and I mean really kill it, was tough work and it was a rare breed that could do it, so they generally were regarded as 'unkillable'. And yes, the prophecy could apply to Buffy, but I'm not stealing Éowyn's thunder. Besides, if I killed him off now, who would head the siege of Gondor in RotK?

Also, I am not about to minimise Buffy's abilities. They are going to come into play at Boromir's death, show even more in Rohan, and stun some people at Helms Deep. And as for what I have planned for the RotK, I can assure you that a lot of canon is going to be rewritten to achieve what I have planned. As to where the monsters I have added, some retreated into the dark places of the world after the First Age, and popped back up when I needed them. Buffy's blood has demonic DNA, and Sauron served Morgoth in the First Age so he knew how to make a few mega-monsters. Yes, everything has consequences and some that Buffy has not yet foreseen. And by Eru, this has turned into a thesis. So if you have any more criticisms or queries please feel free to e-mail me.

Kit-Kat - Since I am dragging out the 'happy ending', I figured that I would be merciful. Cave trolls? Make them relatives and he might have more success! Yes, Éowyn is going to toss a few more sparks into a pool of dynamite.

Kurt - definitely

Lali-chan - I have actually never come across another Buffy/Aragorn pairing. However, the site 'Twisting the Hellmouth' is all about Buffy crossovers, including BtVS/LotR. The link is in my bio.

Light Spinner - Aragorn is going to need intervention and some serious proving of himself to do that. And me, pulling something tricksy? Why, I never!

Londaron of Erendaer - what thing?Mari -

MiShA - Buffy is still the slayer, let's just say they upgraded her a little.

Moonbunny77 - you were meant to be confused about her death. It is meant to be explained gradually. Even Buffy doesn't know how she is alive, but she is kinda used to that sort of thing.

PrecariousPersonata - she is stronger and she is weaker. The consequences are gaining strength in one area, losing it in another. But that's not about to become obvious yet. Yes, the flower has something to with her return… and her future. And Buffy is always haunted by her past relationships; Angel took her heart, crushed it, nailed it to the floor and then did a jig on it, and then he let it heal for a while, ripped it out again, and stomped on it some more. And while this is her fourth life, she has only died three times. Only.

Saint Maverick - Sorry, no affair with Éomer in the works. Though I do have an idea for another fic involving him and her…

Sapph89 - thanks! I am so sorry about the Christmas you've been having. It must suck. I am glad that you enjoy the torment that I put Buffy and Aragorn through. It tends to get me death threats though. As it happens, I just changed e-mail addresses so see my notice at the top, as it is there. You have me curious now, you know…

Shadow Master - glad you like it. I think that keeping her away would only have dragged things out. And yes, I can't just have her fall into his arms, now can I? The Narya question is resolved next chapter. Good ideas on what to do with it but I already have my own little devious plot.

Shimmyontherooftops - the ray of hope has to come, but by an unlikely bearer.

Star - (claps) thanks! And don't worry, Buffy is still the slayer, but let's just say that her destiny has had a bit of a tweak by certain people. There is no other slayer in ME in this fic. Yes, the Legolas/Gimli friendship is fodder for so many humorous scenes; I scarcely know where to begin…

Tsuki No Yasha - no, I don't hate you. But thank you. But yes, Aragorn's being all romantic, and now, it's Buffy's turn to be in denial. Thanks for reviewing!

Vixen519 - that is hopefully explained in the first part of this chapter. Remember, Buffy's been burned, no incinerated, too many times before.

Wizathogwarts - yes, the death thing is meant to be explained gradually. And Buffy's little chat with Legolas where she doesn't hear the full story only that 'Elrond intervened' is why she doesn't believe Aragorn. She knows that out of honour, Aragorn probably has broken it off with Arwen, but she thinks that he still loves her, and while he does care for Buffy, not as much as he does Arwen. That explain it?

And major thanks to:

AJaKe, Annje, Athene Saile, BB, Becky, Danni, Draco's Slytherin Vampiress, Ellie, emerald sorceress, EverAfter-01, General Mac, GoldenRat, GredForgeLvr, Imp17, Little Red Rabbit, Lunawolf, luvbug6919, narmolanya, Night-Owl123, No longer a member, scruffybunny, Tara6, tenshikoneko03, Tomm Byrn, TroubleMakerQueen, Wild320,

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: MISUNDERSTOOD

"We dance round in a ring and suppose,
But the Secret sits in the middle and knows."
-- Robert Frost, "The Secret Sits"

But again, she pulled away and tears were in her eyes, "Get a grip on yourself Aragorn and open your eyes! There is no us. There is no future for whatever us you've thought of. It was a dream Aragorn, nothing more."

She saw the crestfallen expression on Aragorn's face as she forced the words out, but her determination did not waver. She had no doubt that he spoke true, that his and Arwen's troth was broken. But she also knew that it was Elrond's doing, playing to Aragorn's conscience and honour; the result of a father's desire to ensure his only daughter lived.

She knew he cared for her; but it was not the love he bore for Arwen, his precious Undómiel. She loved Aragorn with all her heart, but she could not stand to be forever second best in his eyes. He was too honourable to say so, she knew, but she could not tolerate living with him, even marrying him, when she knew that she had only been his second choice.

Not to mention she had no clue if Arwen had also had a sudden change of heart, and if Aragorn had broke it off with her while the elleth was still in love with him, then getting together with her best friend's ex-fiancé was not exactly Buffy's style.

And so she would have to give him up completely rather than suffer that constant gnawing doubt.

But even as she stepped away from him, she saw the fire of determination flare in those grey eyes, but even as he opened his mouth to say something, one of Galadriel's handmaidens entered the grove.

"Hirilen," she greeted Buffy, "Lady Galadriel has sent me to help you get ready for the celebrations." (My lady)

While the thought of the oncoming party didn't please her at all, she would have taken any opportunity to get out of this awkward situation.

"Yes, I'll come right away," she said, ignoring the mutinous expression of Aragorn. "Namárië Aragorn. And I hope that you regain your senses soon." (Farewell)

And with that, she hurried out of the grove, eager to put as much distance between herself and Aragorn as possible, and leaving the ranger to muse why the Valar always had to take their sport in the choices of his heart.

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Galadriel's Halls, Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien.

"I still think this is taking cruel and unusual punishment to a whole new level." Buffy complained to her long time friend, "I mean a party? Where everyone's going to be asking, gee, how did you come back from the dead? Which I'd like to point out that I still don't know. And how were the accommodations in Moria? Not exactly my idea of a fun evening."

"I would have thought that you more than anyone would have understood the need for levity. The fellowship is beginning to feel the weight of their burden; would you begrudge them a chance to relax?" Galadriel pointed out pragmatically.

"When it's at my expense?" Buffy said, "Of course."

Galadriel looked at her knowingly, "And I presume that this reticence has nothing to do with your conversation with Aragorn earlier today? You have been unusually flustered since then."

"You miss nothing, do you?" Buffy said in exasperation, "This is really, really frustrating. Did everybody see this thing coming except me? I guess Elrond must have put in a good word for me. So lovely of him to poke his big nose into my private business. Of course, that's another story entirely. Where was I again? Oh. Right. My current problems. Exactly how many people know of Aragorn's new leanings?" she demanded. "Besides the whole of Lothlórien?"

"Why do you torment yourself so?" Galadriel asked gently, "You have longed for him for so long. Why do you always seek to hide in the dark places in the world?"

"Because there is nothing there that can harm me." Buffy answered, gazing moodily at the beautiful scenery that the Golden Wood effortlessly provided. "I've cried enough tears for him. I refuse to cry any more."

"Why must you think that it will end in despair?" the Lady asked, squeezing Buffy's arm in comfort, "Can you not see this as a chance for happiness?"

"To be second best to a man who's hopelessly in love with your granddaughter? I don't think so."

"And so you lie to him instead."

"I didn't lie. Dishonesty is the gift that keeps on giving, but I haven't been lying. He knows it's his duty to continue his line. Even if Arwen is sailing West. But I need more than just affection."

"How do you know that it is not love?" Galadriel asked, not judging, just trying to help the slayer work through her feelings.

"There's Love and then there's Lust." Buffy said grimly, "And Aragorn has lusted before, but never loved me as more than a friend. If he can't have Arwen, why not try me? It's not as if someone hasn't spilled the beans on my secret."

"It seems that love is in the air this season." Galadriel said, "Yours is not the first floundering relationship to take root here."

"Ha, not where I'm standing it isn't!" Buffy said bitterly, "And the man seems to have a habit of getting engaged in Lórien."

"I believe that his feelings are true, Buffy," Galadriel said, her blue eyes seeing deep into Buffy's soul.

"Okay, just so you know for future reference, you're supposed to be on my side in these situations. Not his. I've waited fifty years for him, Galadriel, and he didn't have a clue. And now just because he's spouting all this lovey-dovey nonsense, I'm supposed to jump into his arms and pretend the past never happened?"

"A love that is denied only grows stronger," Galadriel warned. "You can bury your heart behind all the layers of armour that you choose, but you cannot erase what you feel."

"I'm not about to jump into something that I know isn't going to last," the slayer said wearily, sinking into a seat beside the Lady of the Wood, "I had a vision quite a few years ago." she said quietly, with infinite sorrow, "It was of Aragorn and Arwen, …. And their child. Aragorn was King, Galadriel; I know that he's going to do it. But Arwen was his queen, not me. And it was their child that I saw, that I heard laugh. Whatever obstacles are between them at the moment; in the end, they will be together again. He still wears the Evenstar necklace, and they will marry, and have a son. I know this lies in the future. I'm not setting myself up for heartbreak that I know is coming."

"Foresight is both a blessing and a curse and should be wielded with the respect it deserves." Galadriel said softly, "But what it shows us is not always what will come to pass."

"But I know this will. If we win, it will happen. And I couldn't bear it if I gave in now."

"Buffy, you have to talk to him again." Galadriel urged, "Things have changed, you cannot be so tied to the past as to be afraid to grasp the future."

"What? No! No, no, no. I have to avoid him again." Buffy said, "I cannot stand it if I have to hear more of those lovely lies. After all, never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid forever. I don't have to see him and I won't. By the time we leave here, he just might be sane again."

Galadriel stood, and looked at her friend sadly, "Then I am sorry that your own folly blinds you to your road to happiness. Deceive yourself all you want Buffy, but please, do not deceive me."

And with those parting words, she left the room, leaving behind a perplexed and strangely annoyed slayer.

"I didn't even get to bitch at her!" Buffy swore, but the Elf Lady's words rang in her head long after the Lady herself was gone.

-----------

While her time spent with the slayer had been infuriating, Galadriel had been able to ascertain one thing of import.

Such as what Narya had done to Buffy.

It seemed that the slayer had forgotten about the Ring for the moment, for she had never once looked at it or alluded to it.

But it had changed her. Nenya had assured her of that.

Whatever the Valar had in store for the vampire slayer, they had just given her another weapon, which she did not even realise that she had.

The time of the Elves was nearly over, and the West beckoned to her, but she took comfort in the knowledge that even as the world of Men came to ascendance, the Elves would not be forgotten as long as the line of Elros continued on.

A bittersweet smile graced her lovely face as she thought on it, and that the Queen of Men would never let the Third Age sink into distant myth.

Not in the glorious kingdom they would forge.

-----------

Later that day, as she knew he would, Elrond opened a link between them. She had spoken to Arwen long enough to know that he had seen Buffy die and she knew that once her luminous granddaughter had passed on the extraordinary tale of her survival, he would wish to know more.

"How could this be? How could she survive? A mortal?" he asked.

"The slayer is a species unto herself. But I believe that there were loftier hands than ours in this miracle. Varda herself spoke to me, Eärendilion." she answered, a bout of homesickness taking her as she thought on that voice from three ages past.

"Varda?" he replied, the shock in his voice audible, "Elbereth herself?! They are meddling with the fates of the peoples of Middle Earth once more?"

"As with every war that heralds the ending of an age. We already know that they do not want Sauron to win. Perhaps they intervene to make up for Saruman's betrayal." she said, deep in thought.

"But why Buffy? Why choose her over Gandalf?" Elrond mused, unable to figure out the logic behind the decision, "She is strong. However, Gandalf is one of the Istari, one of the Maiar. His flame could have been rejuvenated."

"Who can say what the Valar have decided?" Galadriel said, "It was not easy even when the Eldar still dwelt in Aman. How much harder would it be to know their thoughts when seven thousand years have passed since the darkening of Valinor?"

"Then we must place our trust in the fellowship and hope that 'tis the Valar's will that they should succeed."

"If they should stay together long enough to achieve anything," Galadriel warned, "I see trouble in their future. I fear the fellowship shall be torn asunder."

Elrond was silent for a long while, "Will they survive?" he asked his austere mother-in-law.

"Even the wisest cannot say," she answered, "But they are stronger than you think and many have survived worse."

"What have you seen before them?"

"The Mirror shows too many things to be certain, but I think the man of Gondor shall be the first to fall to the Ring. His father, in his quest for power, has levelled an unthinkable burden on him. His reason, his history of the lore, wars with his desire to obey his father. Nevertheless, all is not yet lost. There is still hope."

"I am told that 'tis only a fool's hope," Elrond said quietly.

"Then we are all fools, for we have none other," Galadriel answered solemnly, and silence fell between them.

-----------

Though her heart was heavy with the burden of war, Galadriel found that Arwen's simple request lifted her heart into a state of playfulness, and she began to harbour hope that mayhap both hers and Thranduil's wishes would yet come to pass.

"Thranduilion," she greeted the solitary prince, alone in a flet as he prepared for the feast.

He bowed, "My lady," but she laughed at his courtly manner.

"I bring a letter to you, from my granddaughter. She charged me with making sure it passed into no other hands but yours." She handed over the thick letter to the puzzled prince, and then she smiled at him reassuringly, "Do not be afraid to pursue your heart's desire, Legolas," she said, "You may find that it is more attainable than you think."

And with that, she left him to peruse the letter she had dutifully given to him.

Scarcely knowing what to make of this latest event, Legolas stared at the folded parchment for a moment before slowly opening it.

Nín ernil taur, (my forest prince)

Legolas, I know that I am forward in writing this letter, but I hope that our long friendship will weigh in my favour and you will not look upon me as imprudent. I cannot say how sorrowed I was not to be able to give you a proper farewell, and so I hope to remedy a few oversights through this letter, as I did not have the opportunity to do so in person.

Nín Greenleaf, I have much to tell you but first I think it is time to tell you, my dear friend of many years, my choice. I have chosen to remain one of the Eldar. I chose an immortal life. I shall not take the road of my father's brother.

By now, I hope that Aragorn has ceased to be stubborn and told you that our troth has been broken. If he has not, then let it be known that I set him free because my heart was no longer his, and never was in full. It was an infatuation of my youth, when the tale of Lúthien and Beren enchanted us. But time rendered that infatuation into something much less than what it first was, and I knew that it was time for Aragorn and I to part, for our happiness could no longer be assured by the other.

But know I must reveal a secret of my heart, and forgive me if I shock you dear Legolas, but this must be said. I have gifted my heart to another, though I can only guess at how he feels in return. Though he is gentle, I know all too well that he possesses his father's mercurial temper in full, though tempered with his mother's patience. He has caught my eye for some time, but while I was bound to Aragorn, I could not act nor even think upon it with honour.

Love is blossoming in my heart for him, deeper than it ever has for any not of my kin, and so I write to you now, to tell you whom he is, and to ask you how he feels in turn.

Legolas, the one who has captured my heart is you, and I much desire to know how you feel, and if I have a chance with you. But I could not speak to you before you departed with your company, and so I entrusted this letter to my daernaneth to pass to you should you come near the Golden Wood.

I would say more, but I feel that this is a matter for when we next meet in person. There are so many things that I wish to say that cannot be put on paper. May your journey be safe so that you come back to me unscathed. And may the grace of the Valar go with you under stars, moon and sun.

Hopefully yours,

Arwen Undómiel.

For many minutes, the woodland prince gaped at the letters written in Arwen's flowing hand. And then with the most welcome words sinking in, a smile blossomed across his face.

It seemed that true love did indeed conquer all obstacles, even if it was not known that they were even there. And that his heart's desire had finally hearkened to him.

His heart was so light and filled with love that he scarcely knew how to react, Undómiel loved him back!

He could only hope that he would indeed see her again, after this war had ended. He wanted that very much indeed.

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Caras Galadhon, Lothlórien. Evening.

The grand feast was held that eve, if eve it was in the timeless glow of Lórien, under the dappled canopy of golden leaves. The Elves danced and laughed and made merry; those so sombre in their charges now showing themselves as fey as their Mirkwood cousins as they revelled in the music, and the feasting, and the celebrations.

Though the night was young, the feast was already accounted a rousing success. If an Elven feast could charm a compliment out of a Dwarf, then it would go down as a rarity in the eyes of any kindred.

Indeed, the evening would have been most perfect if the guests of honour, the Fellowship of the Ring, had not been so distracted.

Buffy and Aragorn studiously avoided each other, both smarting from wounds inflicted by past and present misunderstandings; Boromir of Gondor seemed to have had some sort of epiphany as he darkly glowered at Aragorn; while Gimli chastised a strangely glowing Legolas for his inattention to their usual battle of insults and wits. Only the hobbits seemed truly merry at the party; for they had found that the larders of Lórien were just as richly stocked as those of Imladris.

All in all, it lent a slightly disquieted atmosphere to the whole affair.

------

While Aragorn had stomached the hurt at Buffy's rejection, he had understood it and accepted it as only one long familiar with the nuances of Buffy's character could do.

From the hints that had been dropped, Buffy had pined fruitlessly over him for nearly fifty years, and from some hints dropped by Galadriel, he had a vague idea that someone had been so cruel and callous as to wound her heart deeply in the past. So he understood her reluctance, but did not mean that it did not hurt.

In truth, he realised after mulling it over despondently for many hours, what else could he have expected from his ever stubborn slayer? Ever the first to fight and the last to yield, she could out stubborn the twins, and even Elrond himself at times, - no mean feat by anyone's standards.

Ever wilful, she would not make things easy for him. He already sensed that she was going to fight him every step of the way, and in a perverse way, he found he was almost looking forward to their battle of hearts and wiles. If Buffy did not believe his love true and tender, then he would just have to make her believe.

He would chase her; woo her, show her how much she meant to him, how dearly she was valued and cherished, and hopefully, he would win her.

But if it took from now until the end of Arda, he would keep trying and as he sent a calculating, devious little smirk in the direction of the skittish slayer, he would see how long Buffy could hold out against her own heart, and his.

He did not think on failure, for he honestly could not imagine his future if he did not succeed.

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"I am almost surprised to see you here, Buffy." Haldir said, joining her in her little staked out corner of the glade.

"You were expecting somebody else?" Buffy asked sarcastically, "Didn't you hear? I'm the biggest fodder this place has seen for the gossip mill in the last five years at least."

"As usual, you are most enchanting," he drawled, "All you have to do to prove yourself as ill-tempered as a sulking bear is to start skewering some people. But then again, mayhap your words and glares do that enough."

"They forced me to be here, they can put up with it," Buffy grumped, "It's not like it's intentional."

Haldir just smirked at her dark glower, "Is that so Lady? And here I thought you just enjoyed running circles around people, glowering at them so balefully."

"Shut up, Haldir," she snapped at his way too merry tone, "I am so not in the mood for dealing with this right now."

"Then I shall leave you to your glaring," Haldir said, bowing gallantly, "May your temper be sweetened ere we meet again."

"Have a good time. Somebody should. And lay off the insults, okay?" Buffy said as he left her to her solitude.

It was not to last long.

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From across the room Boromir had watched the returned slayer carefully as the evening wore on. He thought her elegant, as her race befit, but wild as her nature demanded, - for Lórien had amply provided him with information on what exactly a 'dagnir' was. Elegant but wild was a gross understatement to many here who had been on the receiving end of her steel.

Her wit and vivacity seemed dimmed this eve, but he had seen and heard enough in the Golden Wood to be able to descry the problem.

Less lore-steeped than his brother Faramir, Boromir nonetheless had had a steward's education, and while he admittedly preferred the battlefield to the library, he was not ignorant of his history, especially that of Gondor.

His father had charged him to bring the One Ring to Gondor at all costs, no matter that his reason warred with that decision. But he had forsaken his father's decree so far by helping to send the Ring and its bearer on its way to Mount Doom, to throw down Sauron once and for all.

He knew the dangers and the risks, he had heard the insidious whispers of the Ring, forever calling out to any who could hear it and whom it could ensnare. But surrounded by the wisdom and lore of ancient Imladris he had seen the prudence of destroying it rather than using it. 'Twas a pity that it was certain that his father would not feel the same.

When Denethor had had too much to drink, or his tongue was loosened some, he had oft muttered darkly against the 'usurper' that he felt sure that Gandalf the Grey was grooming to supplant him. Faramir and Boromir had heard much of this ill-directed malice through the years, had heard how Denethor would not give up the rule of Gondor to any save his favoured son, and even then, only in death.

Boromir was of two minds about Aragorn's claim to his lands, but he knew that his father would not even stop to consider the consequences before he made a move to get rid of the ranger who would be king. He knew not what methods to which his father would resort to get rid of his rival, but he feared what could happen. To everybody involved.

But he was not blind to the undercurrent that ran between Buffy and Aragorn; and Merry and Pippin had gossiped freely when he raised the subject. To the minds of the majority of Lothlórien, it seemed that Buffy was to be Aragorn's lady, if she would take him. Which she had not.

That meant that if Gandalf's plans involving Aragorn at last came to fruition, there was a good chance that this woman would be Boromir's new queen. And if she was rumoured to be almost certainly engaged to the ranger, then she had to have influence over him.

He had heard many black tales from his father about 'Eliza' of the Gondorian army, but they had never been matched by the men who had served with her, most of whom were retired or dead now. One of the Dúnedain she had said, for she aged like one, and obvious that Denethor hated her with a passion for some reason.

It would not help Aragorn's fortunes with the Steward of Gondor in the slightest.

But this revelation on his part, that it would not only be Aragorn of the fellowship to ascend to a throne, had brought to mind some counsel of Faramir's, before he had left Osgiliath on his journey to the Council of Elrond.

Faramir had said that two would come unforeseen to the guarded city by roads long lost and because of this, they would change Gondor's fortunes forever. He had not understood it at the time, but he felt that he was beginning to now.

But whatever his feelings, honour compelled him to warn Buffy of his father's machinations ere she fell victim to them. No such warning would be given to Aragorn. If he wished to be King, he would have to prove himself more than he had before Boromir would ever bend his knee to him.

"Lady Buffy," he said gallantly, taking her hand and kissing it formally, eyes locked on Aragorn's somewhat angry expression at his move. It was subtle, but it was definitely jealousy. So the rumours were indeed true.

The lady in question snatched her hand back and glared at Boromir balefully, "Why thank you for that Boromir, it was either incredibly annoying or incredibly embarrassing, I'm not sure which. When I've decided, you can guarantee the appropriate revenge in the near future."

And now to see if Buffy held any affection towards Aragorn…

"Forgive me, Buffy, but it was a whim," he said apologetically, mollifying her slightly, "The ladies of Gondor like the practice very much, and as you were once one, I thought you might not be adverse to my charms."

"Gee, sounds like someone's ego needs deflating." Buffy said, wondering what had come over Boromir, it couldn't be Denethor - the next generation, could it?

"You mock the son of the Steward of Gondor?" he said playfully, surprising Buffy with his light-heartedness, "Or have you set your sights on someone higher? 'Tis not only my charms that makes me so popular with the ladies."

"Oh, yeah, an oversized ego would have something to do with it." Buffy said, "Did Gimli or Legolas or Haldir put you up to this? 'Cos it isn't funny."

"What?" Boromir asked, "Can you not accept any attentions from any man besides your ranger?"

Her eyes widened, and he knew that he had guessed right. "Aragorn is a good man in his fashion, I suppose, but would you not settle for someone else?"

An infinite sadness came into her eyes then and at the hurt he saw there, he dropped the charade. "Forgive me, Buffy, but I had to ascertain whether there was any affection between you and Aragorn ere I started such a delicate conversation."

"So you're just winding me up, now?" Buffy asked, feeling a sharp snap of annoyance at the so called jest, "What fun."

"No," he said earnestly, "But I wish to talk to you of Gondor, and of my father, I would not do so except that I believe you need to know if only to keep Aragorn from walking into a trap."

That caught her attention, "What do you mean?"

"You have heard of my brother Faramir?" he asked, and she nodded, "Well, he has foresight at times, especially in his dreams. Keen is his sight and some say that he is akin to the Númenórean lords of old, who could penetrate the minds of others. He gave me some sage words of counsel ere I left for Imladris, though I did not understand their meaning until recently. You see, I believe that he speaks of you and Aragorn. He said that two strangers would come. You are the only strangers whose coming could signal importance, - and good, - to Gondor so... I knew."

She was silent for a moment, "Why me?"

"Because, to whatever end, your fate is tied with Aragorn's. Some say that if Sauron loses this war, you will be the new Queen."

The slayer looked pained at his words, "That is not my fate, but another's," she said, "But I have been charged with Aragorn's protection until he gets his throne. So spill it, buddy."

"But you love him, and he seems to care for you," Boromir said in puzzlement.

She looked at him strangely, "Stop being insightful. It's creepy. Where did you get that hint?"

"The hobbits, everyone." he replied.

"I am so going to kick their ass." she growled, "Okay, come on, what's the deal with this 'delicate' conversation?"

"It relates to my father," Boromir began, his expression grave, "He knows of Aragorn's existence. He has for some time. He thinks that this is a plot of Gandalf's to supplant him, and place Aragorn on the throne. I fear what lengths he may go to to ensure that Aragorn never gets the chance."

"I'm not surprised," she said honestly, "To be blunt Boromir; your father is an ass. And he has already tried to kill Aragorn once before. I personally broke his arm. If he decides to do so again, I'll break his neck."

Boromir blinked, "I love my father but I cannot condone his actions, or you breaking his neck."

"We're in the middle of a war," she said grimly, "Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do. No matter whose butt it is that you have to kick. What does Denethor have up his little sleeve? And don't pull any punches; I am more than aware of his total jerkiness."

And so Boromir, feeling that he could trust this woman, this warrior, confided in her about the state of Gondor and the nuances of Denethor's rule and his deep-seated hatred of Aragorn and 'Thorongil'. And also of his secret in the Tower of Ecthelion and his desire for the One Ring.

When he had finished, she was quiet for a moment, but then she looked up and the intensity of her gaze caught him. It was almost as though a fire sparked behind those hazel orbs.

"Boromir, listen to me, forget your father's demands. The Ring will bring Gondor nothing but pain and probably mass destruction. You follow his little order and you are very likely to die. You are a better man than Denethor could ever be. Prove it. If the Ring… bothers you, I'll try to help, but please," she pleaded, placing a hand on his, "Don't give into it. Whatever it tries to tempt you with. Don't let your own loyalty be the thing that gets you in the end. Promise?"

"I shall do my best, Buffy," he said honestly, "But I cannot guarantee anything."

"Story of my life." she replied, and then they moved on to lighter topics, the wariness between them now finally dispelled and they laughed and talked as they started to build a friendship.

Across the room, Aragorn seethed with jealousy as he watched Buffy laugh and smile at Boromir in a way that she now refused to do with him. What in Arda did he have to do to gain her attention if she so easily forgot his declaration of love so lately done?

And how in Arda was he going to work with Boromir when he felt like throttling him?

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But Buffy was not oblivious to Aragorn's unnerving, lingering stares, and while Boromir was an amusing and intelligent person to have a conversation with, she was acutely aware of the feel of grey eyes boring into her back.

And so, she tried to ignore it and when that failed, she was determined not to show how rattled it was making her, and so when someone handed her a glass of wine, she gratefully took it.

It was to the start of four glasses of potent Elvish wine.

And it was a well known fact that Buffy and alcohol of any sort did not mix.

And unfortunately, she was not the only one to overindulge in wine that eve. A certain ranger did so too.

And all of the above spelt Trouble.

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Alone in the grove beneath her usual flet in Lothlórien, pleasantly drunk and totally oblivious to the fact that she was no longer alone, Buffy lay stretched out on the green grass under the boughs of the mallorn tree, lolling in a peaceful half-doze.

Even though her senses were keen, she did not hear the near silent footfalls of the Elvish trained but inebriated ranger and she did not notice his presence until she felt arms slide around her waist.

Thinking it to be a dream, she leaned back into the embrace that she had longed for on many more nights than this one. "Is this a dream?" she whispered as she felt a soft kiss pressed against her neck, against Angel's scar. And as she felt that long unwanted mark, she thought that she saw Angel again and heard herself speaking. 'I just know that when you're around, whether I see you or not, I feel you. Inside. And it throws me.'

Dimly, from underneath the alcohol induced haze of her brain, she knew that this was a way to tell her that this really was Aragorn. And no dream.

But she could not find the strength to push him away again, and by Eru, she was trying to do the noble thing; did she not deserve one night to remember? And so she let the cloud of denial stay where it was uncontested and let herself feel.

After a few blissful minutes of soft kisses and the comforting feel of his broad frame against hers, she spoke dreamily, her tone loosened and lively, "So, Strider, how well do you think you really know me?" she asked playfully, resting her hands on the pair of arms around her waist.

"I know that I would love to start seeing you again. I wish you could trust me enough to tell me whatever it is that you are afraid of." Aragorn's deep voice whispered in her ear, and she squirmed.

"I can't," she said, but he turned her around in his arms, and caressed her cheek with one calloused hand.

"Why do you fear me?" he said, the scent of wine strong on his breath.

She smiled bittersweetly, oblivious to her normal caution, "Because you'll break my heart, you naughty boy, and then it will all be bad and awkward and I don't want to hurt again. Angel said he loved me, you know," she rambled, "Then he left me. And Parker used me. And Riley wanted more than I could ever give. And Spike… well he was a honey in the sack but also kind of a vampire. So, again, bad. I seem to have a thing for the brooding type you know, --"

She was cut off by the feel of gentle lips on hers and with a startled sigh; she met him in a kiss. It was soft and loving, and her mouth was tenderly assaulted by his, and almost involuntarily, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She blinked as her head felt light, but ignored it. And when the kiss ended, she leaned her head against Aragorn's shoulder.

He sighed, "Why must you torment us both?" he said, his pain unfettered and lost in a bottle of Dorwinion, "Why must I suffer so?"

Long years of anger welled up inside her, for once not tempered by reason, and she pushed away from him, and stumbling, landed on her behind on the ground, "You think you had it bad?! Do you?! Curse you! You know nothing! What do you know of suffering?!" she cried, "You're the one who has been in the land of Arwen for the last sixty years! What do you know of suffering?! You never even noticed me!"

And then, to her horror, she burst into tears.

At once, strong, compassionate arms encircled her, and her head was brought to rest against the soft fabric of his tunic, which quickly dampened under her tears. "Shhh…" he crooned, rocking her softly, and she was too weary and heart-sore for even her pride to push him away.

And so she cried out her pain to him, and he just shushed her soothingly, rubbing her back and resting his head on hers.

After a while, he took another glance at her bowed head and frowned. Lifting her face up so that they could meet eyes, he looked sternly, at least as sternly as he could while wobbling slightly, at her wearied countenance. "When was the last time you slept?"

Buffy opened her mouth to answer but quickly closed it again, as she racked her muddled brain, trying to puzzle out the timeless days of Lórien, "I can't remember," she finally admitted. "I think it was when I woke up."

Sighing, and relieved to have an excuse to lay his spinning head down, Aragorn removed his wet tunic to use for a pillow, and then his boots, and lay back against the grass and gently pulled her with him, "Let us rest then, meleth." he said with a yawn.

Buffy nodded drowsily, and lay her sleepy head against his chest, feeling him place a kiss on her hair.

Drowsy from drink, unaware of their own actions, slayer and ranger fell asleep together under the watchful boughs of Lórien.

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"No dream is ever just a dream."

– Eyes Wide Shut

She woke up to the feeling of a heavy warmth draped around her waist, and the surface on which her head lay was warm and moved with every breath, but still dozing, the sensations did not register with her yet.

Revelling in the feeling of warmth and comfort, and grimacing at the throbbing pain in her head, the vampire slayer wilfully lay for many minutes in the world between sleeping and waking.

But her blissful reverie was not to last long.

As they lay there, relaxed and open for the most part, she felt something flare that she had thought that she had long since buried. With all the glee of a prisoner released after a long captivity, it soared through her, battering her carefully built walls and causing her to gasp in abrupt shock.

The bond that she had so long denied tried to overtake her, to settle irreversibly within her heart but she fought it with all her might, and just managed to push it back.

Gasping, she tried to sit up and was constricted by a heavy arm around her waist, trapping her against someone's larger frame. Eyes snapping open in horror and shock, she looked at the new mess she had somehow managed to land herself into.

All thoughts of her atrocious hangover gone from her mind, she struggled to comprehend that not only was she wrapped in Aragorn's arms, using him as a pillow but somehow the buttons on the side of her dress were unbuttoned and he was somehow naked from the waist up, wearing only breeches. Could it get any more intimate?

Her mind informed her that oh yes it could and proceeded to take her thoughts down a naughtier turn but she couldn't even acknowledge them, only sit there, half propped up, trapped by Aragorn's arm and staring at the mess before her after an absolute blanking of her mind.

They couldn't have, she thought in abject horror when her brain unfroze.

They absolutely couldn't have!

She couldn't have!

With Aragorn!

Arwen's ex-fiancé!

There were not enough curses in the world to sum up this disaster, she thought fiercely as she struggled to wrap her mind around the concept.

She tried to reassure herself that this was all some horrible nightmare, "Oh, no, it's okay. He's not real." She reached out to touch him, and snatched her hand back as if burned when she encountered real, warm skin, "Seems real. Very real…." she whispered, and then she groaned, "I know life isn't fair but this sucks!" she whispered violently. "How could this happen to me?!"

How could she have done the hanky panky with Aragorn? Her close friend's boyfriend? What had she been thinking? Had she been thinking? 'Cos really, looking at it from the morning after perspective, with all these lovely discarded clothes and whats nots, it looked very, very bad. Colossally bad even.

She wracked her brain trying to remember what happened last night, but then again she was never much good beyond 'fire bad, tree pretty' when she got drunk. Which judging by the hangover, she had done awesomely.

Way to screw up everything Buffy, she congratulated herself. Now you're a back-stabbing friend betrayer slutty girl. Way to go me!

Unable to bear being beside him any longer, and furious that she couldn't even remember anything to make the mess even somewhat bearable.

Carefully shifting Aragorn's arms, she slithered out of his grasp, and deciding to abandon her way too close for comfort flet, she grabbed a change of clothes and ran into the woods, where she could hopefully freak in privacy and then figure out what the hell she was going to do now.

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Less than an hour after Buffy's panicked flight, Aragorn woke up. Rolling over, he absently patted the ground beside him and then he snapped awake when he felt grass tickle his bare flesh.

Bolting into a sitting position, he surveyed the scene. Him, half naked, a dent in the grass beside him and the scent of perfume on his tunic.

Frantically trying to piece together what happened, his eyes widened when he remembered vaguely falling asleep with Buffy. Who was not there now.

While he could not make out much of the previous night, he remembered enough to know that she had been upset. And she was gone.

So he surveyed the scene from her perspective; he knew that Buffy could not hold her ale well after a memorable scene with the twins and an innkeeper from Bree. Him, half-naked, in the grass below her flet, waking up in the morning.

Cursing violently, he figured out exactly what conclusion she was going to jump to and even the goriest invectives of the Dwarves did little to ease his temper.

Scrambling up, he stumbled into his tunic and boots, and took off for the halls of Galadriel, where he hoped to find either the slayer or someone who knew where she was.

Before their own mistakes came tumbling down around him and she blasted him as a cur, and one night's misfortune ruined any hope of a relationship between them.

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Galadriel's fingers closed around the band of gold, "Are you sure you wish to entrust this to me Buffy?" she asked softly, staring at the dulled fire of Narya.

"It was what Gandalf told me to do," Buffy answered sadly, "He said that it was to go to you if anything happened to him."

"But you know that I already bear Nenya." Galadriel said, "I risk much taking Narya, for I cannot keep it. I am a ring-bearer already, and I cannot bear two. This puts the safety of both Nenya and Narya at risk."

She looked earnestly at Buffy, "Mellon, Narya I would give you, to feed the fire of your soul, and kindle the hearts of those you lead to war. Will you not take it and guard it, with the times being so dark?"

"I think that I've already proven I'm not the right person for the job," Buffy said firmly, "I mean, I died on the job once already. It's an Elven Ring. Give it to an Elf. I'm sure that you could always give it to Círdan."

And so the slayer left Galadriel holding Narya and staring with unseeing eyes at the shimmering golden flame of a link that stretched between Buffy, and the dulled Narya, whose power was now not tied to itself, but to another.

Unbidden the words came from her lip, "You cannot escape your destiny..."

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A/N: Well? Feedback wanted! Did I toss you a bone or what?! Please READ and REVIEW!!!

Well? Feedback wanted! Did I toss you a bone or what?! Please and !!!

NOTICE: I have changed e-mail addresses. This was a change forced due to my last address suddenly not allowing me to send e-mails. Anybody trying to contact me, please take note. It is now 'ashadreamweaver at yahoo dot ie.'

Next Chapter: Evasion… revelations… requests…. And farewells…

Elvish:

Undómiel - Evenstar

Elleth - Elf-maiden

hirilen - my lady

Namárië - farewell

Eärendilion - son of Eärendil

Nín ernil taur - my forest prince

Daernaneth - grandmother

Imladris - Rivendell

Dagnir - slayer

Thorongil - Eagle of the Star

Mellon - friend

Meleth - love

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Caras Galadhon - City of the Trees. The city in Lothlórien where Galadriel and Celeborn reside.

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

Eärendil - Elrond's father. Now sails the sky with a Silmaril. Can be seen as a star in Middle Earth.

Istari - the Maiar who were sent from Aman in the Third Age to resist Sauron. Sindarin: Ithryn.

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.

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

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.

Nenya - The Elven ring of Water. Galadriel is its Keeper.

Osgiliath - Was once the capital of Gondor. But during the War of the Kin-Strife (a rebellion during the time of kings around the 1430's.) it was laid siege to by the rebels and burned to ruins in 1437.

The guarded city - Minas Tirith. The city was once called 'Minis Anor' - 'Tower of the Sun' but it's name was changed when both Minas Ithil and Osgiliath fell.

Thorongil - 'eagle of the star'. Aragorn's alias when he served as an officer to Ecthelion II, Steward of Gondor and when he rode with the Rohirrim under King Thengel.

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