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: And now for the moment of truth! Will he live or won't he? And a hint, there will be scattered romance in the next chapter.

Review responses:

Allen Pitt - You were not meant to see it coming. Aragorn will not be getting any rings of his own. He has a crown coming to him. That is enough for any man. And as for Buffy's life, well you are going to have to wait and see….

Anna - yes, Buffy never follows any plans set out for her. She surprises the Valar a lot. After all, she is not exactly one for following rules or conventions! Aragorn will not find out from her mouth, but let's just say that in a future event, she is going to do something that's going to be it a little obvious that something's up. And yes, I started back at school last week. It sucks, especially since I have 12, three hour long each, exams in four weeks.

Anorien - I think he is going to get more than a 'taste'.

Anyanka of the Ocean - welcome back then! You printed it all out? Wow, isn't it like a couple of hundred pages by now? Novel length almost, I think. Moreover, I assure you that Faith will not come into this story. Ever.

Arikajayne - wish granted! And no Éowyn romance with Boromir! I am sticking to canon with that girl!

ChibiChibi - A Nazgûl goes by many names, amongst them Ringwraith, wraith, Black Riders, the Nine, the Ulairi etc. The flying monster has no name, so it's just flying monster. And you are wrong about Boromir!

Emerald sorceress - you just might be right…

FallenAdieu - you should never underestimate me. It's a dangerous thing. I twist things around in directions no one expects!

FallenStar2 - yeah, Galadriel likes meddling. Yes, she will get Narya back. And I have a very evil muse. Who has some extremely nasty plotlines coming up…

Greeneyes - depends on how crazy your thinking is…

Haley - conversation? I cannot see them having a civil conversation over that. More like a shouting match!

Kit-Kat - well, Gandalf did have to go to Lórien to collect the messages that Galadriel sends to the fellowship. So I figured that it would be good to have a scene between them. Plus, they do the explaining thing so much better than I do. And about the letter, well Galadriel was the only one who could do it since Buffy definitely was not going to. And nobody said that Aragorn has taken in anything yet. You haven't seen any of his reactions yet! And you have hit on one of the things that might be in the sequel. And Buffy - motherhood. Well, I was actually planning in that eventuality to write a short fic to deal with that, with humour, drama and no baddies for once.

Light Spinner - he is your fave character in FotR? That's good then. And I think Aragorn has decided to throw rash out of the window, unless he gets angry, and go with sneaky.

Lindiel Eryn - (bows and waves) I have always freely admitted that I was evil. Perhaps I skimped on the health warnings? Hmmm…. Ah, yes, Éowyn. Let's just say 'spanner in the works'. (Cackles madly)

Lph - the scythe was from Buffy's home world and part of the slayer line. It couldn't pass into ME and so remained behind.

Lunawolf - he is sneaky, isn't he? Pity Buffy doesn't know that he knows that she knows about the bond.

Maethoriell Uini Tawar - you may not, but you can curse me all you want!

Mari - I don't think I did. (Shrugs) Oh well… and you get your wish!

MiShA - it will be explained gradually throughout the chapters. As for a clue…. Let's just say that another name for Narya is the Ring of Fire…

pamie884 - oh, don't worry, I have meaner ones. And yes, that confrontation between Buffy and Aragorn should be very interesting once it blows.

phoenix83ad - I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Horrid Cliffhangers. About hobbit interaction, I really never clicked with Frodo or Sam in the books or the films so I find writing about them too much is tedious. But please remember, the irrepressible duo Merry and Pippin are not finished in this story yet! And while Gollum and Buffy would he hilarious, she'd end up killing him within five minutes. And I quite like Gimli. I think he's a wonderful character for banter and humour!

PrecariousPersonata - thank you! And Buffy's presence had to affect something! So I thought that I'd go for broke! And Buffy is not Narya's bearer currently. And yes, the sundering of the link means the Three would probably continue to hold their power even after the One Ring is destroyed.

RedsLover03 - Totally agreeing. Sean Bean as Boromir was just so cute!

Sabia - thanks! Buffy is going to change quite a few things…

Shadow Master - thanks! And it looks like you get your wish. The fic diverges from here on out.

ShawThang - yes, Aragorn's reaction is typical. But just wait until he gets crafty!

sparky24 - 'Interesting' is not the word for it. And Buffy is my main focus. But I can do other things too.

Star - thanks! And I personally think that both Buffy and Aragorn are crazy! And I like Boromir and Gimli and so I am fleshing out their roles some! Glad to know you like it! And I hope you like my take on Faramir.

Stoic - sorry, but I didn't agree…. I figure I can do both and really screw around with things while I'm at it… and I think Aragorn's courtship is going to be a battle. Most likely literally.

Svarra - I'm planning on keeping the resentment of Denethor and changing things!

vixen519 - wouldn't you like to know?…..

Wizathogwarts - thanks! And don't forget that Gandalf's even more cryptic so of course that conversation should be doubly interesting! Bonded herself to a higher being? Who? She's bonded to no one but Aragorn. And go you! You're one of the only ones to notice the wording said 'fall' not 'death'! Good on you!

And major thanks to:

BB, CharmingStar, Coopers McFarley, Ebs, Fish Head The 3rd, General Mac, GoldenRat, goldenshadows, Jade Hunter, Kate, Imp17, jumping-jo, Maleficus Lupinus, Night-Owl123, Siren's Call, Sukera, Tara6, The Lady Reaper of the Shadows, Tsuki no Yasha, viggo lover, Wild320, wolfboy68,

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: DEAD MEN

"Those who live by the sword tend to get shot by those who don't."

- Unknown

The Falls of Rauros, 3019 TA, February 26.

Even as he fought to go to their aid, the Uruks herded him back, until at last he made a misstep. Crying out in shock as the ground gave way beneath his feet; his sword fell from his grip as he went over the edge.

The Uruks jeered him at his fall and heeded their leader who shouted for the maggots to get moving, they had a delivery to make.

His fingers scrabbling at the loose shale, one arm next to useless to him, he desperately grabbed at the crumbling ledge, fighting to hold onto his life, even as the roar of the falls sounded beneath him…

And the Uruk-hai archer was coming towards him once more, crossbow raised…

The dirty metal of the bolt pointed at him was, he suspected, going to be the last thing he ever saw.

The large Uruk leered at him, a mocking smirk further twisting its features, and raised the crossbow to finish him off, even as he felt his hold on the crumbling ledge slip further away with every passing minute.

But just as he closed his eyes in anticipation of death as the bolt released, he heard the familiar clash of metal on metal, as a spinning dagger knocked the bolt off course, implanting itself harmlessly into the ground. Instantly his eyes scanned for his saviour: - Aragorn.

The ranger sped out of the tree line and instantly the Uruk abandoned the more tame sport of trying to finish off the man of Gondor in favour of trying to kill the rather incensed ranger.

They dodged out of his line of sight, the ranger steadily gaining a small advantage over the huge Uruk, but Boromir could not allow himself to worry about the outcome now. The ranger was a skilled swordsman, Elven trained, if he could not finish off one orc, no matter its size, then he would not be Aragorn.

Scrambling for a foothold, he froze even as he felt the shaky stone under one leg giving way, leaving him dangling with one foot clutching at nothing, and with his hands fast losing their grip on the ledge. Looking down, he eyed the churning waters of the Falls of Rauros with no little fear and trepidation. He had always thought that he would either triumph over the shadow that plagued his lands and die old and grey, or be slain in battle. Somehow, getting hit with arrows and then drowning because he could not pull himself back up did not have quite the same heroic ring to it.

Keeping himself still, he resigned himself to the fact that without help, he would be food for whatever fish foraged in the river. Now, if Aragorn would only just hurry up!

Nearly ten gut-wrenching minutes later, during which Boromir had slipped so much as to not be able to see over the edge onto the hill itself anymore, a shaggy dark-haired head became visible. "Boromir!" Aragorn cried at the sight of the proud man of Gondor clinging to the side of a cliff.

But Boromir could see the shale giving way under Aragorn's feet, the clay hitting him as it crumbled, and he could not allow the man to go to his death as well. Not when it was within his power to do more for the White City than Boromir ever could.

"No!" he cried, "Do not come any closer! The ground gives way, Aragorn!"

The ranger shook his head stubbornly, "We must get you up, give me your hand," he said, starting to move closer.

But this time even the ranger could not ignore the precariousness of the situation that they now found themselves in. If Aragorn came forward one more step, then he and Boromir would plummet to their untimely deaths.

Aragorn shook his head, refusing to give up, "No. There must be a way!"

Boromir sighed, "There is none," he said, "I have done great evil this day, son of Arathorn, and this is my penance it seems. The Uruks took the little ones. Merry and Pippin fought them, but could not win."

"Stay still." Aragorn ordered, seeing Boromir fall another half foot.

"It is no use," Boromir said, trying to impart the inevitable to the ranger, but then he speared the older man with his gaze, wondering how he had not marked it before. How could the ringbearer have dealt with the Uruks that swarmed the green? "Frodo. Where is Frodo?" he asked urgently.

Aragorn looked older than his years as he replied, "I let Frodo go."

Boromir nodded then, with a small smile, "Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the Ring from him, Aragorn. I failed in my duty, my pledge, my sworn word, and I am deeply sorry." he said, pleading for this last forgiveness.

"The Ring is beyond our reach now." Aragorn said, "Frodo has left the company."

Boromir's eyes clouded with shame, "Forgive me. I did not see it. I did not believe its treachery was so foul. I have failed you all."

Aragorn tried to give all the comfort he could without moving, "No, Boromir." he said softly, "You fought bravely. You have kept your honour. It has not deserted you. You overcame the Ring's pull in the end. You have kept your honour, Boromir, son of Denethor."

Again, he tried to reach the man, but Boromir knew there would be no saving him now. "Leave it! It is over. The world of Men will fall. And all will come to darkness. The shadow shall consume all." he said in despair, "And my city to ruin…"

Aragorn shook his head sadly, "I do not know what strength is in my blood." he said softly, but with conviction, his eyes locked on Boromir's, "But I swear to you, I will not let the White City fall. Nor our people fail. Not while I live."

Boromir smiled and saw what he had refused to see all along. That Aragorn was perhaps the man to restore the glory of Gondor and return the hope to his people, "Our people." he said, trying out the word, "Our people…"

"If you should see my brother, Faramir," Boromir said tremulously, "Tell him that I am sorry that I could not come back to him. A heavy burden now falls to him, I fear. Aragorn, I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My king…." he said the words that he had refused to even think for so long.

And then his grip was gone, and he fell into the tumultuous waters of the falls, leaving Aragorn and a newly arrived Legolas and Gimli to mourn his passing.

Hauled back from the crumbling edge by Legolas, Aragorn stared into the water, and mourned the loss of a man who could have been great, and he stared at the only remnants that Boromir left behind; a bloodied cloak, a dented shield, a cloven horn and a broken sword. The only things that spoke of the man's valour now.

"Be at peace, son of Gondor." Aragorn whispered to the wind.

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

Buffy was still searching for Boromir when a familiar presence entered her mind, 'Buffy!' the voice of Galadriel came to her, 'A great evil is about to happen.'

'You betcha,' Buffy replied, 'Boromir tried to take the Ring from Frodo, Aragorn's last known position was being bombarded with orcs, and at last count, I still haven't found Boromir or anyone!'

'Boromir's destiny is not yet complete. It is within your power to save him…' Galadriel said urgently, 'The orcs have defeated him and even now, he flounders in the waters. If you do not hurry, he will drown. He is wounded. He cannot save himself. Go to the Falls, the Dwarf will come to your aid.'

Buffy just blinked, 'You do realise that it's creepy when you seem to know everything, right?' she said, but then thought of Boromir's plight. Whatever his feelings, he did not deserve that fate. 'I will go,' she answered, 'And how exactly is Gimli going to help me?'

'I will send him to you,' the Lady said urgently, "But you must hurry!'

'What do I have to do?' Buffy asked, her feet swiftly carrying her down to the lowest ground near the Falls of Rauros.

'You are a trained healer,' came her reply, 'Help him! For I fear that it will be a great evil if he should fall now…'

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

Buffy sped down the steep embankment to the river, and found the Dwarf waiting for her there. He wasted no time, "The Lady Galadriel said I would see you here. A right shock too, lass, I tell you. But now, you have got to fetch that man. Dwarves are not meant for swimming."

"How did you get away from the others?" Buffy asked, quickly stripping her weapons off and her outer tunic and cloak.

"Aragorn and Legolas think that he is already dead," Gimli replied, "I said that I would go look for you before they got worried and beat a trail back here."

Buffy nodded, and then started to wade into the river, "Wish me luck in Boromir-hunting!" she said and then she dove into the raging current of the river, and started swimming, leaving the Dwarf to stand watch on the bank.

Buffy felt the sharp chill of the frigid water seep into her very bones, but she pushed it out of her mind and reached out to the waiting presence of Galadriel, 'Where is he? Which way?' she demanded.

With the detailed directions from the Lady of the Wood, Buffy pushed towards the falls, letting the current carry her until she saw the shape of a man bobbing in the water. She had found him.

They were barely thirty feet from the roar of the falls when Buffy swam up beside him and locked her arms around the half-unconscious man. Grunting at the weight of him, and the awkwardness of trying to hang onto the much taller and bulkier form of the man, she started to swim backwards, back towards the shore where Gimli waited.

She could not tell if Boromir even knew she was there, but she could see the blood that turned the water red around him, and worried at what wounds had been inflicted on him before his fall. She did not want to save him from drowning, only for him to still die at the hands of orc inflicted wounds.

When the shore was within easy distance, she felt the presence of Galadriel leave her mind, and knew that the Lady had trusted her to ensure that all went well from here on out. She had her instructions, and she knew what she had to do.

Even if Boromir kicked up the biggest temper tantrum since Sauron lost for the first time back in the Second Age.

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

When she reached the bank, Gimli was there to help her out and between them they hauled Boromir onto dry ground.

Hurriedly, she moved back the sodden fabric from the man's chest, and inwardly winced at the wounds that were anything but pretty. He had two barbed Uruk crossbow bolts embedded in his shoulder and arm, and he had the beginnings of some heavy bruising on his shield arm.

He had obviously not gone down easily.

But as ugly as the wounds were, what worried her more was the ragged, hoarse breathing of the man. He had swallowed river water, and if she did not get it up, then the infection that would follow would ensure that he did not live long.

Quietly asking Gimli to start a small fire, and to keep the smoke hidden and hand her her pouch of healing herbs, the Dwarf was surprised to see that all of Buffy's usual liveliness melted away to be replaced with the intense concentration of an experienced healer.

"You have done this before," he said, more of a statement than a question.

"For years," Buffy replied, gently but efficiently removing the crossbow bolts from the man, trying to cause as little extra damage as possible, and cleaning them before wrapping them in thick bandages. She placed a bowl of water with next to the injured man, and ignoring the quiet presence of the Dwarf, gave Boromir a thump on the back, not holding back all of her slayer strength.

Even as she rolled him over, he was sputtering and coughing up water and at last, he seemed to be regaining some state of awareness.

"Boromir?" Buffy asked, easing the man up into a sitting position as he expelled the water from his lungs.

He looked at her blearily, and Gimli leaned forward in interest, "B-Buffy?" he croaked, his voice hoarse and raspy.

"Hey buddy," she said, "Nice to see you awake. I had to fish you out earlier, you know."

She was startled when his shield arm grabbed her tunic and hauled her forward, "T-they t-took M-merry and P-pippin!" he said, forcing the words out of his much abused throat.

Buffy gently detangled his grip from her tunic, "We know," she replied soothingly, "But it's time to take care of you first, mister."

Giving him a tonic to soothe his sore lungs and throat, she tended him to half an hour with Gimli's faithful help before he recovered a modicum of strength. She could practically feel the time slipping away, if she and Gimli did not return soon, the others would come looking for them, and they would have enough trouble explaining things as it was.

"Boromir," Buffy said urgently, as Gimli doused the fire, "I have a task for you. Lady Galadriel has spoken to me; she says that you are to go to her in Lórien. You must leave as soon as you are able."

"I cannot leave the little ones to pain and torment!" Boromir rasped, "I failed in my duty towards them. I must go after them!"

"You must go. Or else she foresees doom for the White City. We will find Merry and Pippin, don't worry, but you have to go."

The Dwarf nodded his agreement, "Aye, lad, we will find them. And skin the orcs that carried them off!"

"Your people need you," Buffy told Boromir. "Guard your city in the way set out for you, be a leader for your people after your task is done, but remember the King is coming and you shall have to make way else all is lost. This is your path, and you must follow it."

"I would be proud to serve such a King." Boromir said quietly, eyes cast down in shame, "Aragorn has proven himself far nobler and a more capable leader than I."

"You're a good man Boromir. Isildur himself fell to the Ring. Hey, the entire island of Númenor did, so you're in illustrious company. Trust me, you will prove to be a good leader. But your father shall not."

He looked at her, "Of what do you speak?"

"You know of what I speak," Buffy said, eyes intent, "He is not fit to rule and I would not trust him not to lead Gondor into ruin. But listen here, you must go to Galadriel and tell her that I said that the land of Rohan will fall unless they get some timely reinforcements. If I know her, she will know what I mean. You are also to tell her to gather the Dúnedain and make them ride to Aragorn. We are going to need all the help we can get. And to tell Elrond to bring the sceptre and Arwen's banner. The return of the king is coming after all. Got all that?"

"But why?" Boromir asked, trying to digest her orders.

"Because I've got a very bad feeling about the future," Buffy replied, "And because Aragorn's too stubborn to send for his kinsmen himself. I am not going to see him die because of sheer pride and stupidity. And Boromir, we will tell none of your journey."

If anything, Boromir looked even more puzzled, "Why? What is there to hide?"

"Your life, Boromir son of Finduilas," she said, "Your life. The Shadow does not hunt for dead men. It will be safer for all involved if you are believed dead. Galadriel will tell you your path in the Golden Wood. Head for Lothlórien, Boromir. The Lady is expecting you. And I daresay that Haldir will be stalking about waiting for you too."

She handed him his cloak, and the pack that Gimli had brought down with him, "Your horn is cloven and your shield useless, I am sorry but they could not be saved." she said as she handed him his belongings.

But as they all stood and made ready to depart, Boromir surprised her as he went down on one knee before her, "As you command, my lady, so do I obey." he said formally, ignoring Buffy's shell-shocked expression.

His lips curved up into a sly smile, "It is an honour to obey my future Queen."

And with that and Gimli's whoop of laughter, he set off, leaving Buffy to stand there, wondering where the hell that had come from and how she would get him back.

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

Ithilien, Gondor, 3019 TA, February 26.

Faramir, second son of Denethor, was taking watch near the banks of the Anduin, in the fair province of Ithilien.

Captain of the Ithilien Rangers he was, and here in this fair green land, he was freer from the fetters of his father than he ever was in the walled city of Minas Tirith. The rangers that served with him had taken to resting during the day now, for during the night, the foul things of Mordor marched and 'twas their duty to ensure that none left this land alive if they could help it. A futile goal perhaps, for there were always more orcs and servants of the Dark Lord than there were men of Gondor.

It had been this way for as long as he could remember.

As Captain, he need not have taken a watch, but he refused to shirk his duty. It was as much his as it were his men's. Moreover, he had heard enough critiques from his father to even chance that a whisper might reach him that the youngest lord of Gondor was shirking his duty.

All was quiet, and the land showed no sign of the darkness that plagued it, and so it came to be that the majority of his watch was uneventful. Indeed, his thoughts had turned to other matters, to subjects of equipment and strategy when a faint sound split the air.

A horn blew with the north wind, the sound as familiar to him as the feel of his own sword. Instantly, he sprang to his feet but the other rangers slept on undisturbed.

The horn blew again, but it did not sound as if its source was nearby. Rather it seemed to him to be but a dim sound, a shadow of its usual force, as if it was only an echo in his mind. But he knew that horn; his brother's horn and he could not suppress the skittering unease that overtook him with the sound.

Carefully, he crept forward, and as he moved, he felt strangely drawn to the glistening River Anduin and he heeded the call. Foresight was not unknown to him or his line, but such a waking dream as this… He could not help but be wary, not when every fibre of his being told him that the wind carried ill tidings.

He watched the swift moving river, saw the reeds of the bank rustling in the wind, and he kept his gaze locked on the twinkling ribbon of water before him.

As he watched, it seemed to him that he saw a boat floating on the water, a boat of shimmering grey wood, of strange fashion with a high prow but it glowed faintly, so much so that he could not help but doubt the truth his eyes perceived.

The Enemy came in many guises, he knew, and he was too long a warrior, and in his heart a scholar, to trust in something that could be a trick of the enemy. He might be only the lesser, ill-favoured son of the Steward, but the Shadow rarely discriminated against anyone when it decided to end a line with the dark embrace of death.

As it came closer, he saw indeed that his eyes had not failed him and that the boat moved with no one to row or steer it.

A pale light was around it, casting a glimmering grey light on the water around it.

Almost without thought, he began to move and waded into the water. He knew not what had overcome him, but he knew that he had to see this out. As he waded, he noticed that the boat turned towards him, coming right at him, and he stopped still, watching as it began to float slowly by, almost within his reach. Almost.

But his heart misgave him, and he wondered whether to dare to handle it or not. The boat lay deep in the water, for all its elegance, as if it bore a heavy burden, hidden within where he could not see. However, it was only when it moved closer and began to pass him that he saw that the boat was filled with clear water, the strange light seeming to emanate from it, and within its embrace, a warrior lay asleep.

He chocked back a shocked cry, unwilling to believe what his eyes were telling him. Oh no… not Boromir… not Boromir….

He did not want to believe it, but the face and garb of the warrior within the boat were that of his beloved older brother, his once vibrant face now pale and cold with the cast of death.

He forced himself to look past his pain, the fires of vengeance beginning to burn in his breast, a near foreign emotion to him. A broken sword lay on Boromir's knee, and blood stained his clothes in many places. Bruising showed clearly on his arms, and his shield was broken and dented almost beyond repair.

He could not deny the tool working of Gondor, nor his brother's gear and garb. Only his horn was missing, the very one that had sounded only minutes before. And he noticed that his brother now wore a fair piece of craftsmanship around his waist, a belt of linked golden leaves.

He could not hold back his despair; "Boromir!" he cried in dismay and heartbreak, "Where is thy horn? Whither goest thou? O Boromir!" he cried, reaching for the boat but as he gained enough presence of mind to try to halt the boat, it seemed to speed up, until it was out of his reach, passing away down the river, and the strange cloudlike fog that had enveloped him abruptly left him, leaving him lucid once more.

And though despair threatened to choke him, he could not deny the verity of what he had seen. Dreamlike it was, and yet no dream, for there was no waking. He could not doubt that Boromir of Gondor was dead, and his body now passed down the river to the sea beyond.

He did not know how long he stood there, in the cold waters of the Anduin, oblivious to his surroundings and his neglected watch. In truth, he scarcely cared.

He had just lost the only person who had accepted him completely for what he was; lore-master and warrior, a killer with a soft heart, of strong convictions but little voice; of his need to prove himself and following that, his constant failure to win the regard of his sire. Only Boromir had ever openly accepted all facets of him, had not ridiculed him for being different to their father's wishes.

And now Boromir, the Heir, Captain of the White Tower was dead… lost in some place he knew not.

How in Arda would Gondor survive this loss… and a father's grief…?

From behind him, he vaguely heard the sound of movement, and then the hesitant voice of one of his rangers, "Captain Faramir?" he called, "What do you do in the river?"

When Faramir did not reply, the man called again, "Are you well, my lord? My lord?"

But Faramir did not answer, and nor did he move and his gaze remained fixed on the last place he had seen the boat bearing his much loved brother away…. And trapping him in the madness that ensued.

For Denethor trusted him not, and with Boromir gone, who was to lead the people of Gondor when the shadow's strike fell at last?

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

Luckily for Buffy and Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas had been too engrossed in sending Boromir's empty funeral boat downriver in tribute to the fallen man than marking the passage of time.

Buffy and Gimli, at the suggestion of Galadriel, had agreed to keep the news of Boromir's survival to themselves, wanting to keep him safe on his road. Neither of them was going to enlighten the Elf and man to the news any sooner than they had to.

Even Gimli was wary of Legolas's accuracy with a bow.

But as they made their way back to the boats, the Elf espied the figures of Frodo and Sam disappearing into the foliage of the opposite shore, and immediately, he grabbed the boat as if to push off, "Hurry! Frodo and Sam have already reached the eastern shore! We must catch them!"

Aragorn made no move, and neither did Buffy, even though Gimli stepped forward, only stopping when he saw the expression on the ranger's face. Legolas looked back at the man's sigh and his sharp eyes fixed on him, "You mean not to follow them." he said blankly.

Aragorn's expression was sad, "I am afraid that Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." he said quietly, evidently torn by his own decision even as he spoke.

Gimli, even though he had met Frodo and heard his admission, but only then truly accepted that they had failed in their task, "Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed. What are we to do?"

Aragorn looked at him sharply at those words, "The fellowship has not failed, Gimli son of Glóin. Not if we hold true to each other." he said, placing his hands on Legolas and Gimli's shoulders. Behind him, Buffy smirked; the man could deny being kingly all he wanted but he sure acted like it.

Gimli just looked at the man with something akin to hope.

Aragorn looked in the opposite direction to the river, the direction that the Uruk-hai had gone. "We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. To leave them in the hands of the Uruk-hai without any hope of aid, would be a tremendous wrong," he said, "Not while we have strength left. We must go to their aid while we can. Frodo and Sam's errand is now their own. Leave all that can be spared behind." he ordered, "We travel light. Let us hunt some Orc!"

Gimli clutched his axe and would have almost hopped if it was not too undignified for a Dwarf, and growled, "YES!!!" as he strode off after Aragorn.

Buffy and Legolas exchanged small long-suffering smirks at their travel companions' antics, before they too ran off after the ranger with a mission.

And as Buffy and Legolas easily loped off and overtook the Dwarf, who looked as if he was having second thoughts about this running business, the slayer and the Dwarf of Erebor shared a secret smile of their own, and their thoughts turned to the man who even now struggled on towards the relative safety of the wood of Lothlórien, to Galadriel's care.

A man who had fallen, but had gotten up again, and had done what was right at his own expense. Buffy could sympathise. After all, how many times had she done something similar?

And outpacing Aragorn, to scout the ground ahead, Legolas wondered at their secrecy, and speculated at its cause, wondering what plot the two were hatching up now. He had noticed their closeness over the past days and the significant glances shared between them, and had long wondered as to its cause.

Just what could the Dwarf and Dagnir be up to with the grief of Boromir's death and Merry and Pippin's abduction hanging over them?

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Lothlórien, 3019 TA, February 26.

Deep in the woods of her realm, Galadriel looked at the now still surface of her mirror and shuddered.

Something had happened that she had not foreseen.

The man of Gondor was coming to her, as she had hoped she would. She had much desired to change his fate, seeing still some part to play in the future, but she could not have been sure that even Dagnir would succeed.

But the man was coming to her, and hopefully, she could guide him on the path to prevent a disaster that might turn the course of the war for ill. It had to be him. The Enemy could not predict the efforts of dead men.

Buffy would hopefully ensure that Aragorn stayed through to his path, but she feared that even the necessary disclosure of the bond between slayer and ranger, hervess and hervenn, might do harm to their already shaky relationship. But she had had no choice; she could not have allowed the young shieldmaiden of Rohan to turn his head when such a thing existed.

The slayer may have preferred the shadows of secrecy, but Galadriel thought that the news might just be enough to allow Aragorn to match his wiles against the slayer. On even ground this time.

Even now the pieces were moving, the board was set. The war would start in earnest and the hammer blow would fall on the world of Men first.

After all, Sauron did not yet know of the miracle of the Three.

A grim smile came over her fair face as she thought on what she knew would come. The Dark Lord would assail her fair wood of Lórien, coming upon it with fire and steel, but he would find something he did not expect. For the first time in two ages, the fury of Nenya would be unleashed. She almost looked forward to the payback for millennia of heartache. Almost.

And the tantrum that she might be able to coax out of Thranduil should provide her with entertainment for the next century when she told him of her plans to raze Dol Guldur to the ground.

But her mind now turned south, to what had shocked even her. A new power was rising. And not just the filth of Saruman. Something else stalked about within the borders of the Black Land.

Elrond felt it too. And warnings from two of the Wise were not to be discarded lightly. She only hoped that it would not hinder the fellowship.

She hoped, but she knew that it was already on its way…

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A/N: So? Opinions please! Feedback wanted! Is everyone happy that Boromir lived? Please READ and REVIEW!!!!

Next chapter: The hunters are in pursuit… Boromir gets some counsel… and the hunters get some unexpected visitors in the night….

Elvish:

Athelas - Kingsfoil

Dúnedain - Men of the West

Dagnir - slayer

Hervess - wife

Hervenn - husband

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

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.

House of Eorl - the House of the Kings of Rohan. Named after Eorl the Young who first settled in Rohan, and was their first leader.

Ithilien - territory of Gondor, east of Anduin. In the earliest time the possession of Isildur and ruled from Minas Ithil.

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

Númenor - Land of the Star. Translated 'Westland'. When Elros Half-Elven, Elrond's twin, chose to be of the Race of Men, the Valar granted him an island to rule over. It was prepared by the Valar as a dwelling place for the Edain after the First Age. Elros, granted a longer lifespan because of his Elven heritage, and the rest of the Edain who followed him were long lived as well, became Elros Tar-Minyatur, first King of Númenor.

Parth Galen - 'Green Sward'.

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