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 Aragorn and Buffy's strained relationship ever be resolved? What will Aragorn do with the information, the secret, which he now knows? What has Arwen planned? In addition, what will happen when the Three rise up in fury? Will Buffy be able to fulfil her duty when she's now the hunted? 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 what path does Boromir now follow?

Author's notes: Well, I would like to mark a milestone! I am now over the 300,000 word limit! Yay! But wow, who ever thought it would get so long? This has evolved into novel length. Current count - 532 pages!

In addition, this chapter is, by request, longer than the previous! Over nine thousand words! And wish me luck; I just had my Biology mock final exam! Aaahh!

Review responses:

Allen Pitt - I would never bring those three clowns into my fic. And somehow, I do not think any of the Nine could weasel out of it that easily.

Alliana Greenleaf Halliwe - oh, the twins will be making plenty more appearances. They come back into the story with a bang for RotK! And let me just say that I'm already cackling!

Anna - thanks! Moreover, I am trying to avoid the Buffy/Angel ending. And don't worry when they do get together, I plan to make it memorable.

Anyanka of the Ocean - now where would you get that idea from?…

Dreamer Child - definitely do not follow American football. I'm Irish, so all the way on the other side of the Atlantic!

GoldenRat - yes, she will see Éowyn. A little hard to avoid her actually…

Haley Éowyn happy to have back up? I should think so!

Kit-Kat - thanksÉowyn remember her? I should certainly think her. But let's just say that that girl is going to cause a lot of trouble… and I am glad you like the Boromir storyline. I have a great many plans for that guy.

Laughing Cat - wow! Thanks! And yes, another debacle between Glorfindel and Buffy would be very interesting!

Light Spinner - thanks! And who is going to get Galadriel mad? Should be an interesting sight. And as for Boromir liking Buffy better, well she's not exactly the one supplanting him now is she? Less of a competitive streak there.

Lindiel Eryn - When? Well, not until Aragorn has his fun first. Payback… ah yes, such a sweet thing….

Lunawolf - yes, Arwen appearing would be interesting. About the Éowyn/jealousy thing, I am actually thinking of putting a twist on that. Beware…

Murdock - why, thank you! You are right, definitely not Tolkien. Not even English.

PrecariousPersonata - There will be a change around in this chapter. Boromir? A wife? When? How? I did not mention a wife!

Seraphyne Lastawen - thank you! The pictures were absolutely brilliant:) And yes, the story will go all the way up to the Return of the King. And sorry, but to chop it into a trilogy would be just too much hassle. Especially since I have a sequel planned for this fic as it is.

ShawThang - thanks! I hope you like this one as well! And yes, Aragorn's interest in Buffy's undisclosed leave-taking of Rohan is a definite bone of contention.

Spidey-phd - I know what you mean. Do not worry though; I plan to spice things up a bit. Or a lot.

Star - No, Buffy has never really been inside Fangorn before.

Tenshikoneko03 - that would be a secret now, wouldn't it?

And major thanks to:

BB, dustin the fan fic critic, General Mac, jumping-jo, Mari, Night-Owl123, Pamie884, Siren's Call, Stix89, Sukera, Tara6, The Lady Reaper of the Shadows, Wild320,

CHAPTER FORTY: THE FIRES OF HEAVEN PART TWO

"Life for most of us is a continuous process of getting used to things we hadn't expected."

- unknown

Fangorn Forest, 3019 TA, February 30.

The silence was so stifling that Buffy thought she would scream.

The ride to Fangorn was not a long one, and yet every minute seemed stretched out eternally as the uneasy quiet endured. Aragorn was not speaking to her, and Legolas and Gimli knew well enough that a fight had taken place, and so their silence was a wary one.

For her part, she knew that she had not been fair to Aragorn, and that her words had been purposefully cruel. But she could have not helped herself, not when it was his face that haunted her sleep. She could not seem to get away from him, and her helplessness grated on her. Only her word to help find Merry and Pippin kept her there. Else, she would have been gone in a flash.

Her mind cycled constantly around her worries, and they were many. She had been here over seventy years, and yet she was now running out of time. Everything seemed to be closing in at once, and she knew not where to go or what to do first.

Legolas's slight nudge brought her out of her musings, and she looked at the now visible Fangorn. Aragorn and Gimli were not close enough to be able to make it out, but the Elf and slayer could see the piles of burnt carcasses outside the darkly looming forest. It sent chills down her spine. Something awaited them there.

'You do him ill', a voice said to her and she nearly jumped in her saddle, before her gaze locked on the reproving eyes of Legolas.

'Shut up', she hissed back mentally, 'Not everyone is lucky in love.'

'Not everyone denies it so vehemently,'

'Not everyone is as nosy as you are, Thranduilion,' Buffy replied icily, 'This is none of your business.'

'He hurts, Dagnir. He is an honourable man and yet you persist in doubting his word.'

'I have my own reasons for doing what I do,' Buffy said, 'None of which I have to explain to you. This is between Aragorn, and me and you would do well to butt out of it. I am sick of being told off over that man. Stay out of this Greenleaf, or you will feel my steel! My patience is sorely worn out.'

Legolas gave her that annoyingly reproachful look again, and she very nearly did scream. She had long decided that the meddling gene was one passed down from generation to generation among the Elves, and that to the royal houses a double dose was given.

Struggling to clamp down on her anger, all too easily induced these days, she focused on the forest. The smoke still rose up into the sky and the wind was now bringing the stench of roast orcs to them. Could Merry and Pippin have survived that? Or were they now going to only pay their last respects to their comrades? She did not know.

Unwittingly, she fingered the blue gem that now hung around her neck, hidden underneath her tunic and cloak, but she resisted the urge. When last she looked into it, it had only brought her doom, and she had enough nightmares without seeking out more. Knowledge was as much a bane as it was a boon.

She remained a quiet silent figure as the others mourned the lost hobbits and then regained hope when Aragorn found a trail. She did not speak, but she brought up the rear as the four companions looked into the dense and dark forest of Fangorn, and she privately agreed with Gimli's whispered comment.

"Fangorn. What madness drove them in there?" the Dwarf wondered.

Buffy feared she knew the cause. "There is something in there," she said with quiet certainty, "Something that does not like visitors."

But whatever fate awaited them under the treacherous eaves, they would have to face it, for the other three would not rest until they knew the fate of the two cheeky hobbits. And she would follow them as she had always done.

To whatever end.

-

Leading their fretting horses in, the quartet searched long and hard for the hobbits, but the trail suddenly stopped some ways into the forest, and none wanted to say that perhaps Merry and Pippin had met with something they would have been better to avoid.

None of them said anything though and so they searched until the sky grew dark, and under the heavy canopy, the light grew dim. And then were they forced to stop.

Legolas, being the only one easy under this forest's roof, led them to a clearing where they tethered their mounts and begun the work of setting up a camp. Gimli wanted to start a fire, but the minute the steel of his axe was bared, the air grew heavy and tense, and the boughs of the trees moved, creaked, and groaned ominously. Wide-eyed, the Dwarf slowly lowered his axe at a gesture from Legolas.

"The air is so close in here…," the Dwarf said in obvious discomfort.

The Wood Elf looked around at the watchful wood, "Be careful, Gimli," he cautioned, "This forest is old; and it is alive. It is so old. Very old. Full of memory... and anger. The trees are speaking to each other… Do not use your axe in these woods, and harm no tree in here! Some I think will speak to me, but others have black hearts. And I would not see you hurt."

At his words, Buffy also sheathed her knives. She wasn't exactly sure what damage a tree could do, but one thing she had learned since coming to Middle Earth, was that with places of ill repute, it was better to be safe than sorry.

"They are trees!" Gimli said, obviously thinking that his friend had had his brain addled.

"They have feelings, my friend. The Elves began it. Waking up the trees, teaching them to speak… Long, long ago. When we walked under only stars."

Gimli scoffed, "Talking trees. What do they have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings." he grumbled.

As the Elf and Dwarf gathered dead wood for a small fire, Buffy noticed Aragorn sitting on a fallen tree, shoulders slumped and weary and from his expression; she knew that he was blaming himself for the hobbits' disappearance. The man had a tendency to take the entire world upon his shoulders. It was one of his most annoying traits. But as he sat there, looking alone and forlorn, she could not help but feel the urge to comfort him.

She knew how it felt to feel responsible for a friend's possible death; Jenny Calendar and Tara came to mind immediately. However, she could not allow him to wallow in it. He had a job to do, and she would never be released from hers if he kept this up.

The memory of the incident in Lórien still plagued her, still prevented her even pretending to feel comfortable with him. By the Valar, she was not going to be trapped in the whole 'star crossed lovers' thing again. She had had more than enough of that with Angel and that whole saga. She was not going to hand him her heart only to have him stomp on it, hack it to pieces and throw the bloody shreds back at her. Too often, she had been burned through lack of caution. Way too often. And whatever Elrond had done to convince Aragorn to break his engagement with Arwen had probably been a low blow. More than likely appealing to his sense of honour or something. But she was not going to surrender to her heart's pleas when her head told her that an angry, jealous and betrayed Arwen would come after her head.

Quietly walking over to the depressed ranger, she sat down on the log beside him. "It's not your fault," she said as grey eyes looked at her in surprise, obviously wondering why she was willingly coming near him again.

He knew of what she spoke. "Gandalf left me the leader of the company," he said, "How is it not my fault?"

"You aren't invincible Aragorn," Buffy answered, "No one is. And I know that from experience. Even if you are de facto leader, you cannot be responsible for everything. People make their own choices and Merry and Pippin chose to fight rather than run. It was their choice, not yours. Now stop beating yourself up about it."

"If it was as simple as that, Dagnir, no one would feel guilt." Aragorn replied.

"I didn't say don't feel it, because you're such a stubborn mule that you will brood no matter what I say. I'm only telling you to ease up a bit. You're not in charge of the world. Stop worrying about everything or you are going to fall down. And Elrond would have my head if you died before your time."

She offered him a weak smile, and he graciously accepted the unspoken apology. They might not be as they once were, or what he wanted them to be, but taking a step back from each other's throats was certainly a step in the right direction.

-

The break in the coldness between the two humans did not go unnoticed by the Dwarf and the Elf, who unobtrusively slipped away to the other side of the camp and kept their voices low so as not to disturb them. Both shared secret sly smiles with each other as they got a small fire going.

Gimli happily pulled out his pipe, and ignoring Legolas's wrinkled nose at the smell, he rejoiced in the much welcome taste of the pipeweed. He spoke before Legolas could comment on his 'filthy' habit that offended delicate Elven noses.

"'Tis good to see that they are on speaking terms again. It was like being back on Caradhras with those two glaring at each other all the time."

"The hardships of love, Master Gimli," the Elf replied, "This has been a long time coming, and if circumstances were not so dire, I am sure that this would be most amusing for spectators. Not that I cannot take enjoyment out of provoking them of course." Legolas had that devilish sparkle in his eye, the one that Gimli had quickly learned to beware during the now infamous prank war in Rivendell, which already seemed to have happened so long ago.

"Do not even think of it, laddie," he warned before the Elf could concoct any plans, "This is their own business, leave them be. If you want to meddle, as I can see you do, then try turning your efforts into making sure that Aragorn does not blunder it up. Buffy seems skittish to me, and I am no expert on human women. Not to mention that she is damn good with an axe. She would have made a fine Dwarf."

"That she is," Legolas concurred, "But even you cannot think that it is only Aragorn who can blunder."

"Nay, but I think Aragorn is the least likely to run, as he is the one pursuing." Gimli explained, exhaling a smoke ring that blew into the Elf's most displeased face.

"I think we should get on with dinner ere they realise that we are discussing them," Legolas said, "If we are to help them along, then it is best to be subtle about it."

"Oh aye," Gimli agreed, "A lad and lass in love can be so touchy. And with those brothers of his, I would not want to see if any of their tricks were passed onto him. Two of those menaces are more than enough!"

Legolas's lips twitched, "Indeed, Master Dwarf, and I do think that Lord Elrond would most heartily agree with you. I would not wish more on them on the world. But did you consider this, mellon, if Aragorn and Buffy do wed; think on what their children would be like… And with Elladan and Elrohir as their Elf-uncles?"

The expression on Gimli's horrified face was so comical that even Legolas could not hold his composure and burst into gales of laughter.

-

Aragorn ignored the sudden outburst of laughter from across the camp as he took Buffy's small hand in his. "I am grateful for your comfort, meldiren," he said softly and watched her cheeks colour slightly. "Your presence can ease any burden."

"It's what friends do, right?" she said, trying to joke her way out of what was becoming an uncomfortably close situation.

"And I thank you for it all the same," Aragorn said, rubbing her hand softly with sword calloused fingers, "I cannot abide this distance between us, pen vell, it wears at my heart. Can we not have some semblance of what we were? Not this… this polite silence that lies like a veil between us." (Dear one)

Her eyes would not meet his, and she tried to move back but he tightened his grip and would not let her pull away, "Have your feelings changed?" she whispered and he could have sworn he heard the faintest twinge of fear in her voice.

He looked at her earnestly, speaking softly and calmly so as not to drive her away again, "They have not. And so this distance… it wounds my heart all the more. I have longed for your counsel these many days, Buffy, and for your presence. I fear I am unused to not having your comfort and friendship to rely on."

She resolutely kept her eyes fixed on her lap, but ever so often, they strayed to where their hands were still joined, "You will be king, Aragorn. And a good one. Perhaps the best since Elendil or better. I cannot always be there for you. It's not possible."

"Perhaps not," he agreed, daring to smooth a hand down the golden curtain of hair, watching her jump and stiffen slightly as he did so. "But only once before have we been separated in anger, and I had misplaced anger to sustain me then. Never before have I had to endure your ire without meeting it with my own in turn."

As she did not spurn his touch, he kept playing with the long mass of hair, loose from its usual braids due to a day's ride, even as she struggled to come up with a response that would not lead her into dangerous territory. He sensed her internal struggle, and did not press her. The slayer's instincts always said retaliate when threatened, and he would not let anger be her escape. And that meant letting the woman speak, the very woman who she tried to repress so fiercely. Letting his wife speak.

"I do not wish to speak of this, Aragorn," Buffy said after many moments, "I can't."

"I do not press you to," Aragorn said equally quietly, both of them conscious of Legolas and Gimli having suddenly decided to take a walk far away from them, out of hearing distance, "I just do not want this coldness to return. We walk into danger, Buffy, such danger that none of us may survive it. We all have need of friends at times like this, and if the worst should happen, I do not want either of us to pass on with this cloud hanging between us."

"Neither do I," Buffy admitted painfully, unwittingly leaning into Aragorn's soothing touches, "But I am scared Aragorn…"

He looped an arm around her thin shoulders and drew her against him, resting her weary head on his shoulder, "I know," he said, inwardly dancing for joy that she was permitting this closeness, "I know. And 'tis alright to be scared. 'Tis human. You do not have to pretend in the presence of friends, Buffy. You can let other people be strong for you at times. You do not have to be the slayer all the time."

She sighed and closed her eyes, unable to bring herself to destroy this moment of calm, when for one second; all was right with the world. Even the swirling memories of her nightmares were held at bay in Aragorn's arms. She was lonely, and she knew it, but still, she would not give in. She could not give in.

"You know that it's not that easy," she murmured, the effect of many sleepless nights beginning to catch up with her, and she fought the pull of sleep even as she admitted to herself that she was very comfortable where she was.

"Perhaps not. But you have threatened to show me your steel many times for my 'brooding' as you call it. 'Tis only fair that I get the chance to do the same." he said, sensing her weariness as he held her. And knowing it to be the main reason why she had not yet departed from his embrace.

Her eyes cracked open to show hazel slits, "Watch it, buddy," she said, stifling a yawn, "You can't even imagine the lovely collection of tales I have of you. Tales which I am sure the twins would happily tease you about for as long as you should live."

He did not smile, "I have no doubt that Elladan and Elrohir are called to war. I fear war already marches on the land of my childhood. There will be little time for jesting. Even for the twins."

"You know how good they are. Pity the orcs that come across them," Buffy said comfortingly, "I am sure they'll be orc chow before long. Elladan always did have such a nasty temper."

"When we return the horses to Edoras, will you be in danger?" Aragorn said, asking a question that had been lingering in his mind since Éomer planted the seeds of it there, "Éomer said that you had been banished. Will Théoden uphold that?"

"Théoden only banished me on the word of Gríma Wormtongue," Buffy said with remembered anger, "He was a total slimeball. But not one I am scared of. Théoden won't chase after me himself, and I hardly think that in times like this he's going to set his guards on me. And even if he does, I can handle it. Don't worry, Aragorn. Théoden should be too busy gaping at me and you, Thorongil, to bother remembering a little thing like a banishment."

She pulled her cloak tighter around her, as a chill wind blew around them, and they were far from the small fire, and unknowingly pressed into his warmth. He looked at her fondly, struggling to hide the true depths of his feeling for this beautiful, brilliant woman, "You are weary," he stated.

She did not bother opening her eyes, "Three days and nights relentless pursuit, one encounter at spear point with a man I last knew as a boy, and a day's ride in a forest even Celeborn doesn't particularly like. What made you think I'm tired?"

He tightened his hold on her, "I feel much the same weariness," he admitted, and then he paused, unsure of himself, "Buffy, I have greatly missed you this past while. Will you stay close while I sleep?"

Hazel eyes snapped open to look at him with the beginnings of dread filled panic; he hurried to explain. "I meant only to sleep near me, not anything else," he said quickly, "I would have you watch my back as I watch yours. I think those two mischief makers can sort out the watch since they decided to wander away. What say you?"

The tension slowly seeped away as Buffy nodded in agreement. It would not be the first time they had laid their bedrolls beside each other for warmth or for protection on dangerous roads. Willing her rapidly beating heart to slow, she stretched out her bedroll beside his, moving slightly closer to the fire as they prepared for sleep.

Not bothering to even change out of her outer tunic, she used her cloak as a pillow and slipped underneath her blankets, taking care to avoid looking at Aragorn as he discarded his own outer tunic and boots.

Strangely comforted by the sounds of his familiar steady breathing and his familiar presence beside her, sleep came easier than it had since she was under the eaves of Lórien.

Beside her, Aragorn watched her until she was fast asleep, senses dulled by exhaustion, and he found that sleep did not come so easily to him as her closeness affected him strongly.

Less than a half hour had passed ere she started to mumble in her sleep, in the beginnings of some distress, and already half-asleep himself, Aragorn scooted his blankets closer to hers and pulled the still slumbering slayer into his arms, rubbing her back soothingly. With a soft sigh, she fell back into a dreamless sleep, and Aragorn, content now and with a warm feeling coursing along his veins, he let the sweet lull of slumber take him as Legolas hopped into a tree to take the watch.

-

She stood on a balcony brought from stone, clad in a black dress of velvet, a mourning dress, and a veil across her face hampered her view. Lifting her hands to remove the hindrance to her sight, she felt the cold circlet across her brow and dropped her hand like it had been scorched. She almost whimpered in agony as she realised that she was back here again. Each night had she been subjected to this, each night the same nightmare. Each time she had to live through hell.

Glancing down with wet eyes, she placed her shaking hands over the rounded bump of her stomach, feeling a child kick beneath her fingers, and already knowing what she would see she turned around with resigned dread.

She knew where she was. She had soon figured it out when the dreams first started. In Rath Dinin, the silent street of Minas Tirith where the kings of old took their eternal rest inside grand monuments of marble and stone.

She still flinched every time she saw his face, pale and lax in death, his body stretched out on the stone, wounds neatly patched up but the cast of death in his once lively face. Aragorn….

She somehow knew that this had been her fault, that it had always been her fault. She knew not how she knew, but she knew.

From nearby, a man with brown-ish hair looked at her, reproach in his eyes, "Your Majesty," he said with a deferential bow, "The council awaits you. They must announce the regency."

The answer leapt into her throat, as if another woman was speaking, "Tell them that I will come in a minute, Faramir. And leave me, I wish to goodbye to my husband in private." The words were cold and authoritive, with a regal note that she had never managed in her waking life.

Grey eyes seethed, but he obeyed. They always did. She carried the heir, and until he was of age, she ruled. She knew it, but it was not knowledge that Buffy had ever sought out.

Unwillingly, her hand brushed back the hair on his still face, and she nearly jumped out of her skin when a cold hand locked around her wrist. Grey eyes stared sightlessly up and that dead mouth moved, "Why did you have to kill me! Why!" he cried even as she tore herself free with a jerk.

And then the scene changed. As it always did.

Minas Tirith was burning and she was running, a small cluster of the Citadel guard surrounding her. A small boy of perhaps three or four was clutched in her arms, nearly crushing him to her.

Everywhere she looked, men were fighting, women and children lay dead in the streets, as orcs and Easterlings and Southrons poured in. The Alliance had overwhelmed them after a four month siege, and burst in through the Dwarven forged gates. The city was lost and even as the armies of Gondor went to their deaths to try to buy time for the city's people to escape, Faramir had ordered her guard and told them to get the Queen and the Prince out at all costs.

She could have fought, could have led them but fear clutched at her heart. Her child had weakened her. She could not fight while he was not safe; and her enemy had known that. He had known that no slayer would come out to face him.

And so she ran, hiking up her skirts to keep up with the sprinting guards that circled her, but death always came for those that escaped it. Whom death wanted, death got.

The scimitar bit into her from the back, running her through even as her son was torn from her arms by an orc, his neck snapped like a twig, and her guards were slain.

That familiar, maliciously grinning face was warped in the evidence of his curse, "So long lover," he mocked her, "'Tis nice to see that death has finally caught up with you…."

Gasping in agony, her eyesight blurred and began to fail as her lifeblood stained the stone beneath her; she felt her heart give way.

Only to see the white sands and blue seas of distant shores calling her, ever calling her.

'Always you cause death…. You live in every drop of spilled blood, you are destruction…. It is your fate…' the voice whispered to her, insidious in its lure, 'Avoid killing those you love…. Kinslayer… go before you can hurt them anymore…. Go to the West, killer…..'

A strong hand pulled her from her waist and she jerked out of the dream, the word 'go!' echoing in her ears…

-

Silvery moonlight penetrated the dense canopy above him, filtering down to him, giving him more light to see in, and making the shadows of the moving trees flicker like shadows of ghosts. Even in the presence of a Wood Elf, the wood was wary and unused to visitors. Moreover, the orcs at its border had only kindled long burning fires of fury, and so it seemed to Legolas that it had not been the first time orcs had fouled the wood with their presence. Some of the trees reminded him of those in the south of Mirkwood, black at heart and waiting and watching to trap an unwary visitor.

The Dwarf's snores floated into the air, sounding for all the world like a stampede of mûmakil this close by. He had seriously contemplated using the Dwarf's beard to block his nostrils, but the thought of going closer to the near ground shaking snores made his ears ache already. And so he left him alone and planned revenge for when he had to wake the Dwarf for his watch. They had already agreed between them to let Buffy and Aragorn sleep, and even more so now that he saw that his friends were now snuggled together. He did not wish to awaken that monster before 'twas necessary.

Both had far too good aim.

He and Gimli had gone for a discreet walk as Buffy and Aragorn talked, and when they returned, they seemed to have reached some accord. He hoped that his friend had managed to dent Buffy's long standing walls. They both deserved some happiness, after so many years of selfless toil.

A shadow moved and instantly, his bow was nocked and aimed in the right direction.

A hooded figure, robed in white moved amongst the horses who neighed and whinnied in fear. The Elf did not hesitate, and the singing of his bow was hidden by the snores of his friend.

The arrow did not reach the man though; he sidestepped ere it could touch him. And Legolas felt a pair of eyes boring into him in the dark.

Jumping down from the tree, he shouted, "Ai! Awake! Awake! The White Wizard comes! Awake!" to warn his comrades and then he gave chase; racing through the trees and not noticing that the trees moved their boughs back to speed his way.

But it was too late. The man was gone.

But he remembered Éomer's words, and they echoed in his mind now, '…The White Wizard is cunning. He walks here and there, they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked…' Legolas had no doubt that it had been Saruman who had come to foil them, and perhaps retrieve his prize or acquire another.

But as the wizard had disappeared, so too had the horses scattered into the night.

Cursing furiously, he turned and headed back to the camp, rage at his failure making the trees rustle as they sensed danger under their boughs. Where wizards and Eldar fought, they wanted no part of.

-

Buffy jerked back to awareness when something around her waist yanked her up rapidly, causing her head to spin from the abrupt change from dreaming to waking, from lying to standing. For a moment, she thought that she could still hear the voices, the screams but she abruptly became aware of a strong arm looped around her waist, holding her tightly against someone.

The sight of Gimli clutching his axe was the first thing she registered, along with the moving boughs of the trees that seemed to be trying to swat him. As awareness came back to her, and adrenaline fuelled her senses, she realised that it was Aragorn holding her against him, still only half awake and with sword raised threateningly.

Before she could extricate herself from the awkward position, the sound of furious Elven cursing filled the air as Legolas returned. She was sure that he would have been stomping in anger if Elves could stomp.

He stepped into the clearing, and looked up and instantly, the litany of curses stopped as he looked at the tableau of the trio in the camp. "The White Wizard is gone," he snarled, "And the horses have fled in his wake. I know not where he has gone. He simply vanished. Gimli! Lower that axe!" he called, as he saw a bough move over to smack Gimli in the head.

The Dwarf jumped, turned and stared at the tree limb in some mixture of horror and disbelief, but he lowered his axe. "By Mahal!" he swore, glaring at Legolas, "What is with Elves that they have to turn perfectly safe trees into Dwarf hating monsters? It wasn't that chap, Celeborn, was it?"

Legolas just stared blankly at him, "Yes, Gimli, that is it," he drawled sardonically, "We plan to take over the world by sending tree assassins after Dwarves too short for them to reach. Fabulous plan. Have you been at the mead again?"

Gimli's chest puffed up indignantly, but Legolas's attention snapped to Buffy and Aragorn before he could say anything. The Elf's eyes widened, "Aragorn?" he asked, "Buffy? What are you doing?"

As Buffy broke free, face flushing red, Aragorn abruptly realised that his first action had been to try to protect her. She who probably needed the least protection of the four of them. His own face flushed slightly as he realised what they must have looked like to the Elf and Dwarf. He, holding her around the waist in a protective embrace, sword raised to defend them both as if she was incapable of dealing with any threats herself.

Buffy muttered something about scouting for the wizard and vanished into the trees, leaving Aragorn to deal with the weight of his friend's stares.

"You really know how to do it, laddie, don't you?" Gimli said, "Go after her, ere she decides that you really are an idiot."

Grateful for the opportunity to get away and knowing that Legolas was likely to be fuming for the next few hours due to the horses disappearing on his watch, Aragorn disappeared into the trees in the direction that Buffy had taken.

He found her, seated on a tree stump, face buried in her hands. "Buffy," he said hesitantly, "I think we need to talk."

She jumped at the sound of his voice and whirled around to face him, "Talk?" she repeated incredulously, "Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was? Gimli will torment me for the next century! And Legolas for the next two! What were you thinking? Were you thinking! I can take care of myself! Get that through your thick skull!" she ranted, venting her anger and fear on the nearest person available.

Something inside Aragorn snapped as he listened to Buffy's words, and he decided that doing this the normal, polite way was apparently not working. Advancing on the infuriated slayer with a fury of his own, he backed her all the way up to a tree trunk, and had the audacity to smirk when her eyes widened at his actions.

"I do not think that you realise how serious I am, verce," Aragorn drawled, bracing his arms on either side of her head, watching as she debated whether to squirm out of his hold or just throw him off. (Wild one)

"Aragorn, you maniac!" Buffy chastised, "Stop this right now or I swear…."

Her words were abruptly muffled as Aragorn's mouth swept down on hers and proceeded to try to turn her legs to jelly. Fiery heat gushed through both of them, and Buffy felt her indignation being swept away in its wake.

When he released her just as abruptly, he was pleased to see her wobble slightly, "Apology given," he said with a mocking courtly bow, and he departed as quietly as he had come, leaving her to stare after him.

Her hand came up to touch her lips, "Now that boy can kiss…" she murmured, but a small part within her wondered at the change in him, while the larger part screamed run.

-

"Evil things have plans. They have things to do." Buffy said soothingly to the infuriated Elf, "I'm sure he didn't mean to dodge the arrow. I mean, of course he wanted to die. Have some optimism, Legolas; you can shoot him next time."

"Optimism." Legolas repeated, "I remember optimism. Vaguely."

"That's because you're, like, a thousand."

Legolas gave her a sidelong look, "Only a little over five hundred actually."

"Because that isn't old," Buffy said sarcastically, "But really, y-"

Legolas cut her off, as Elven bright eyes speared through the gloom, "Look!" he cried, pointing into the distance.

"Look at what?" Buffy said, "It's not a squirrel again, is it? Because if you throw one more acorn at Gimli, I really think he's going to lose it."

"Not that! There in the trees!" he whispered urgently.

"Where?" Gimli demanded, coming up to them, "I have not Elf-eyes."

"Hush! Speak more softly! Look!" said Legolas pointing, even as Aragorn joined him, concerned now, "Down in the wood, back in the way that we have just come. It is he. Cannot you see him, passing from tree to tree?"

"I see, I see now!" hissed Gimli, pulling out his axe, "Look, Aragorn! Did I not warn you? There is the old man. All in dirty grey rags, that is why I could not see him at first."

The figure moved slowly, slightly bent over, dressed in grey rags and it was not far way. It held a rough staff, and while those less learned might have mistaken it for a beggar, it screamed Istari to the quartet.

Buffy shook her head, "Something's not right," she whispered, "There's something in the air."

She was right. They could all feel it; - a certain expectancy, feeling a hidden power or menace.

Legolas looked at it grimly, "The White Wizard approaches." he said with strange certainty.

Buffy and Aragorn unsheathed their blades, "Do not let him speak." Aragorn warned, "He will put a spell on us… And we must be quick. Be wary. "

Legolas notched an arrow, and held it ready, as they felt it approach from behind. Under his breath, Aragorn made the count, "One…. Two……. Three!" With a yell, they spun around, blades and an arrow bared but even as they completed their turn, there was a flash of white light that blinded them. Gimli and Aragorn cried out as their blades turned red hot and they involuntarily dropped the scorching weapons. Even Legolas's arrow dissolved in fire before it could make impact. However, even as Buffy watched her friends' lose control of their own weapons, hers were perfectly sound. And even with the spectacular magic display, she couldn't feel a threat for the life of her.

The White Wizard hid behind his shield of bright light, "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits." a strangely familiar voice said.

Aragorn's fists clenched, "Where are they?" he demanded.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" came the calmly infuriating reply.

The ranger would not leave it go, even though Buffy watched the wizard with puzzled eyes, wondering to threaten him or not, "Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn said forcefully, "Unless you are Saruman, what need have you to hide?"

A moment passed and then the bright light dimmed, revealing the wizard.

Four jaws dropped.

"It cannot be. You fell in Moria! You are dead!" Aragorn said quietly, shaking his head, even as Buffy stared at the wizard in utter surprise.

But her soft voice made the ranger quiet, "And so was I," she reminded him, "You died with the Balrog, didn't you? How are you here? And all white-y? Isn't that supposed to be Saruman's colour?" she asked.

"I have passed through fire and water." he answered, "From the lowest dungeon, to Durin's Tower, to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. I did die, slayer. To kill him, I killed myself. But I have been sent back until my task is done."

"Gandalf!" Aragorn said shakily, seeming to accept that his friend had been returned to them.

The wizard seemed strange, "Gandalf? Yes... That is what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name." he said smiling. Buffy eyed him warily, he seemed so different. "I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."

"I take it Saruman got demoted, or are you just sharing wardrobes now?" Buffy remarked.

"No, Saruman has yet to be dealt with, and even now I fear that we are too late," the wizard said, "Forces move in Rohan."

"Too late for what?" Buffy demanded, "What do you know, Gandalf?"

"I have been gathering information," the wizard replied, "And I think that you need to know it. This in brief is how I see things now. The Enemy, of course, had long known that the Ring is abroad, and that it is borne by a hobbit. He knows now the number of our company that set out from Rivendell, and the kind of each of us. However, he does not yet perceive our purpose clearly. He supposes that we were all going to Minas Tirith; for that is what he would himself have done in our place."

Buffy and Gimli shifted uncomfortably, remembering Boromir's confession. Too late, Gandalf, Buffy thought.

The wizard continued, "And according to his wisdom it would have been a heavy stroke against his power. Indeed, he is in great fear, not knowing what mighty one may suddenly appear, wielding the Ring, and assailing him with war, seeking to cast him down and take his place. That we should wish to cast him down and have no one in his place is not a thought that occurs in his mind. That we should try to destroy the Ring itself has not yet entered into his darkest dream. In which no doubt you will see our good fortune and our hope. For imagining war he has let loose war, believing that he has no time to waste; for he that strikes the first blow, if he strikes it hard enough, many need to strike no more. Therefore, the forces that he has long been preparing, he is now setting in motion, sooner than he intended. Wise fool. For if he had used all his power to guard Mordor, so that none could enter, and bent all his guile to the hunting of the Ring, then indeed hope would have faded; neither Ring nor bearer could long have eluded him. But now his eyes gazes abroad rather than near at home, and mostly he looks toward Minas Tirith. Very soon now his strength will fall upon it like a storm."

Aragorn looked startled, he had promised not to let the White City fall while it was in his power, and now Gandalf was saying that his oath might have been broken before it was sworn.

"He already knows that the messengers that he sent to waylay the company have failed again. They have not found the Ring. Neither have they brought away any hobbits as hostages. Had they done even so much as that, it would have been a heavy blow to us, and it might have been fatal. But let us not darken our hearts by imagining the trial of their gentle loyalty in the Dark Tower. For the Enemy has failed - so far. Thanks to Saruman."

"He thinks he's betrayed him?" Buffy said, nodding, "Makes sense."

"Yes, Sauron thinks that Saruman wants the Ring for himself, which he does, and so the union of the Two Towers may be sundered once word reaches Sauron that Saruman has had hobbits brought to him. But that strike will come too late. Saruman already causes trouble in Rohan and he brings war. We must travel to Edoras with all speed."

Gimli snorted, "Edoras? That is no short distance."

Aragorn moved forward in concern, "We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king."

The wizard was already moving, "Yes, and it will not be easily cured."

Gimli jogged up from behind, "Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor hobbits here in this horrid, dank, dark, tree-infested…?" The trees rumbled warningly and Legolas smothered a snicker, Gimli eyes the trees with no little fear, "I mean, charming, quite charming forest."

"Be at ease, Master Dwarf," Gandalf said, "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact their coming here shall be like the first rock of an avalanche."

Aragorn shook his head, "In one thing you have not changed, dear friend. You still speak in riddles."

"But what do you mean?" Buffy asked.

"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Eldar Days. The Ents are going to wake up, and find that they are strong."

Legolas's eyes widened and his head snapped round to look at Gandalf. He knew well what Ents were.

Gimli just shrugged, clearly perturbed by the idea of dangerous trees, "Strong?" The rumbles came again, and he jumped, and then rushed to correct himself, "Oh, that is good."

The bustling wizard paid him no heed, "Stop your fretting Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be."

The Dwarf glared at his retreating back, before moving on again, "This new Gandalf is even grumpier than the old one."

Buffy totally agreed.

-

As they waited for their horses to respond to Gandalf's call. Apparently, it had been Saruman who had scared them off last night, Gandalf remembered something of importance. "Lady Galadriel bid me give you these messages," he said, "I had almost forgotten. "To Aragorn she sends this riddle- Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar?

Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?

Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth,

And the Grey Company ride from the North,

But dark is the path appointed for thee;

The Dead watch the road that leads to the Sea.

Follow thy heart to the White Tree."

The ranger looked puzzled and perturbed, and he fell quiet. Buffy wondered what Galadriel meant, the Dúnedain were too far away for messages.

To Legolas was given an equally disquieting message, "Legolas Greenleaf long under tree,

In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!

If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,

Thy heart shall rest in the forest no more.

She comes at the end of war,

The mistress who holds you in her thrall."

For a Wood Elf, that was like the kiss of death. It always dragged them away from their homes. Buffy felt sorry for Thranduil, the King would be heartbroken. But Galadriel was seldom wrong.

But whether or not Legolas and Aragorn understood their messages, they did not say. But Buffy well understood hers, and dreaded it, "Beware Dagnir, and take heed,

Else, thou shalt live by thy predecessors' creed,

For one to live another must die,

Beware the evil that draws nigh,

Dagnir, watcher of the dark,

To the Timeless Halls you may depart,

If you stray from chosen course,

Remember thy birthright,

One must die for another to live."

She had long sensed this was coming, but luckily, Gandalf was in such a rush as not to allow time for anyone to press her about its meaning.

"One stage of the journey is over, another begins." Gandalf said solemnly, "War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed. We are needed…"

A glorious stallion waited for them under the eaves of the forest, along with their other three mounts.

Legolas looked at the horse in appreciation, "That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell."

Gandalf nodded, "Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers. But come, we must ride hard and fast! The danger in Edoras cannot wait!"

-

Later that day, they stopped for a break just to shut Gimli up, and Gandalf approached the quiet slayer, "Buffy, it does me good to see you," he said, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"Welcome back to you too, Gandalf," she said with a small smile, "Dying sucks doesn't it?" As Gandalf sat down, she spoke in a whisper, "I left Narya with Galadriel. Did she return it to you?"

"Oh yes, she did," Gandalf said, "But the ring is no longer mine."

"Don't tell me that you lost it!" Buffy hissed in dismay.

He held out his hand and opened it. Within lay the Ring of Fire, "It is no longer mine Buffy, but yours. You linked to it; it is yours and yours alone, now."

Her eyes widened, "No, this so cannot be true," she denied desperately, "Narya is yours."

"Narya has chosen you," Gandalf said, dropping the ring in her lap, "You did a great thing Buffy. One that no one else thought could be done."

"What? Die?" Buffy said. "'Cos that's not so original."

"No, Buffy, the Three are sundered from the One."

The slayer stared at him uncomprehendingly, "That's impossible." she said flatly.

"Not anymore, somehow you did it Buffy," he replied, "And now Narya will only answer to you. I just pass it on to its new bearer."

She stared at it, and before she could recover her wits enough to shove it back at him, he rose, "And by the way, excellently done with Boromir. Excellently done. It seems another one of our fellowship shall return from the dead…"

Chuckling, he walked away, leaving Buffy's dumbstruck eyes to follow him as he went, wondering what the hell had just happened.

-

A/N: Well? What do you think? Fluffy goodness? Opinions wanted please! Please READ and REVIEW!

Next chapter: Gandalf and company go to Edoras… Théoden gets a shock…. old friends and enemies meet… and suspicion runs rife… and a Shieldmaiden sees a possible future…

Elvish:

Thranduilion - son of Thranduil

Dagnir - slayer

Mellon - friend

Meldiren - my friend

Pen vell - dear one

Verce - wild one

Dúnedain - Men of the West

Elessar - Elf-stone

-

Éomer - son of Éomund of Eastfold and Princess Théodwyn, sister to Théoden King. Born in 2991. Has lived with Théoden King since his parents death 3002.

Éomund of Eastfold - Chief Marshal of the Mark. Would go on to be brother-in-law to Théoden King of Rohan and father to Éomer and Éowyn.

Éowyn - daughter of Éomund of Eastfold and Princess Théodwyn, sister to Théoden King. Born in 2995. Has lived with Théoden King since her parents death 3002.

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.

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

Meduseld - the Golden Hall of Edoras, in Rohan. The residence of the King and the court.

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

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

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.

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.

Rath Dinen - 'The Silent Street' in Minas Tirith.

Théodred - Son of King Théoden of Rohan, slain in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen.

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.

Vilya - the Ring of Air. Strongest of the three Elven Rings made by Celebrimbor. Borne by Elrond.

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