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? And 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: (Wipes a way a tear) Awww! You guys are so beyond sweet! Every time that I am feeling down, I read the reviews you guys give me and hey presto, I'm super giddy and happy! Really, the value of that encouragement is beyond words. This story has spanned into an epic and you guys are always there every step of the way! So I say thank you. For everything. You have stuck by me as this originally twenty-ish chapter story has turned into a saga almost beyond my comprehension and I realise that I do thank you for that too rarely. So again, major thanks to all of you!
P.S - A bit of friendly advice…. Buckle up. It's going to be a bumpy ride…
Review responses:
Anya Observian - you're crying? Wow. And what would I do with your eighth battalion of airborne flying mutant ninja monkeys?
Anyanka of the Ocean - thanks! Buffy's little Kendra act hasn't gone away. Saruman and Aragorn just shook her out of it for a while.
Arcrose - yes, the dream she had in Fangorn really hasn't helped matters… of course, what everyone doesn't know is whether there's any truth in it or not…
Becky - thanks! And no dream. And I am taking the Irish Leaving Certificate. It's the equivalent of British A-levels.
Boo - In the movies, it was Brego, formerly Théodred's horse but in the books, it is Hasufel. I found Hasufel more plausible so I went with him.
ChibiChibi - welcome back! And whoever gets through a battle unscathed? Especially everyone? And when doesn't Buffy find a way to run when it gets too much? Remember 'Anne' in LA?
FallenStar2 - thanks! You might be wrong about Arwen. And I'm off the opinion that very few people can even slow down Buffy, let alone stop her. And something's going to snap. Yep. Next chapter. Beware. Evil muse was not only hyperactive but had just returned from the annual holiday to Hell, so it was just brimming over with ideas!
Fan - awww! You really are too sweet! Thanks to both of you!
GoldenRat - that was the idea…
Goldenshadows - thank you! Aragorn will not be having any more flashbacks but he does know more than he has said.
Greeneyes -thanks! And Arwen is up to quite a lot.
Haley - thanks! And yes, Gimli is a very wise Dwarf. Wiser than Legolas in that situation. Well, Dwarves are supposed to have hot tempers and they are used to having their women carry axes. All the better to hit them with I suppose. And you definitely should feel sorry for them still. Someone's got a lot of frustration to take out on an unsuspecting orc army… about the bond, the poison was blocking it. Narya healed him but until she saw him again, the bond didn't resolidify.
Inuyasha-lover92 - do you mean March break for you or March break for me? But sorry, either way, no can do. I'm pushed to get one chapter out a week as it is. I am in the middle of preparing for my oral exams which are in April. (Screams…)
Kit-Kat - thanks! No, Arwen is not going to Helms Deep. Even if she flew, she wouldn't make it in time. No, I have got other plans for her…
Light Spinner - thanks! Galadriel and Arwen's plans should be most interesting…
Liit06 - hi Anna! Yes, I will explain the bond thing later. And you will find out some of what you want to know in this chapter. Thanks for all your comments!
Lisette - okay, first the pleasantries. Thanks for the review. And have you got any other fics planned? Okay, I hear your point and I do understand it. And I never mind constructive criticism unless someone is being insulting. However, don't worry, I am going to do something or things extremely non-canon-y at Helms Deep…. (Smiles innocently… Forked tail swishes…) And the sequel, which I'm really excited about, will be pure originality. And of course, so far, my little plotline for it is mean as hell, extremely devious and has me cackling already, if you get my drift? And I'm relying more on movie-canon in some parts because Tolkien did not go into too much detail for Helms Deep and all the build-up. I found the movie did it better, even if differently. And I want Haldir there! And I loved that scene between Faramir, Boromir and Denethor in the extended DVD. It's why I bothered to use it. It explained things so well in a way I could not since Faramir and Denethor's entry or re-entry into this fic were a long way off at the time. And I totally agree with you on Faramir. Peter Jackson didn't give him much chance to show his true 'quality'. Although, I have my own plans for the guy. And I don't plan to degrade him.
Lunawolf - hi! And the answer is probably. And you're right, something is definitely wrong! You suggesting a cliffhanger! But don't worry, I had a few planned anyway!
Non-pedigree arbah - not the rangers, no. and please remember, I use flames to feed the Eye. In addition, my evil muse kinda likes them as well. For some reason, it sees them as some sort of savoury little snack for it to munch on and increase its evilness.
Pamie884 - thanks! Glad you liked the 'verbal smackdown'! And her denial stems a lot from Angel, and Riley, Parker, and Spike really didn't help matters…
Phoenix83ad - welcome back! It's been a while! And here's a hint for the sequel, no one except Aragorn will ever be able to cause her more pain than Angel/Angelus. And Arwen isn't leaving… West anyway.
Shabopo - aww! Thanks so much! And definitely a rocky road. With a few potholes… or is that chasms? (Asha ponders….) Thanks for taking the time to comment! They always make me go all giddy and happy-like!
Siren's Call - Éowyn is honourable. She will concede defeat in that quarter.
Talina - thank you! Yes, you will be finding out what Aragorn was shown gradually. Exams in five weeks! Ouch! I've got orals start of April, so I sympathise, I really do. Although, I'm doing the Leaving Certificate.
Tenshikoneko03 - he's got other surprises than vampires.
The Greymalkin - you're going to have to die a little longer then…
Tommy Byrn - gee! Thanks!
And major thanks to:
BuffyandDracoLover, Catgirl Elf Princess, Dreamer Child, General Mac, Imp17, jumping-jo, Lady Meridia, Maleficus Lupinus, mary4angelus, Miss Ai, Night-Owl123, rogue-angel82, Sukera, The Lady Reaper of the Shadows, Tommy14, vixen519, White-Witch-Sakura, Wild320,
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE: DIE HARD
"Courage is the resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not the absence of fear."
Mark Twain
The Keep, Helms Deep, Rohan, 3019 TA, March 7.
"What's with the pacing! Do you need to be walked?" Buffy demanded of Gamling as she watched Aragorn go head to head with Théoden. They, meaning Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn, had agreed that keeping her and Théoden from engaging in any form of verbal sparring and insulting match was most advisable. So she was relegated to looking stern, cold, impassive and all the while trying to bore a hole in Théoden's stubborn head via glaring.
Théoden blinked in shock, his face paling slightly as Aragorn told him of the army he had seen. "Ten thousand, you say?" he said hoarsely, "How is half such a number possible?"
Aragorn shook his head slowly, "All of Isengard is emptied, but I think that no one could have predicted that he would have such a host at his disposal. He has created them for one purpose; fuelled by his own hatred and greed and his subservience to Sauron. They have been bred to destroy the world of Men. And Rohan is to be the first. They are not far off now. They will be here by nightfall."
"Four hundred uninjured soldiers against ten thousand?" Gamling said softly, his own face betraying his discomposure, "Those are near impossible odds. We shall be overrun."
"You must prepare for battle," Aragorn said quietly but firmly, "You cannot trust to the walls alone."
Gamling glared at the ranger, "Sire, we do not have enough men to win this!" he exclaimed, "We have nowhere near enough! We must retreat to Dunharrow!"
Buffy scoffed, icy eyes moving from Théoden to Gamling, "Retreat to Dunharrow?" she said scornfully, "And do what exactly? Wait for them to march there too? In case you numbskulls haven't noticed, they are coming here to wipe out the people of Rohan. They are not going to stop just because you decided to run. And what's more, you can't outrun them. You've got kids and old people with you. And not enough horses left to carry them. They'd run you down before you ever reached the mountains. Listen to me on that point. After all, you trusted me once before Théoden; will you not trust me again?"
"I am King of Rohan, not you," Théoden said tightly, "But she is right, it will have to be enough, Gamling! We must hold at all costs. If we do not, then this country is lost."
"What plans have you for the defence?" Gimli asked, "These walls are stout and there is good rock here. Give me a hundred of my kinsfolk and the orcs would break upon them like water. But you cannot chance that for this battle."
"What choice do we have?" Théoden said sharply, "There are not enough men, not enough weapons, to hold the Dike. To the wall, therefore, they must come."
"Ten thousand orcs are going to storm that Dike and you are going to do nothing and let the walls stand up to a battering they cannot hold!" Buffy fumed, her tone brooking no argument.
"There is no other way. No enemy has taken this fortress while men still defended it." Théoden said stiffly.
She looked at him, "It's not going to work. But since you are going to do nothing, I'll see what I can do to shore up the defences. And the defenders."
"You will do no such thing!" the king said angrily, "I would not leave you in charge of anything if I had my way."
"Fine," she snapped out, temper weaving a dangerous line between exploding and simmering within her, "We'll vote on it. All interested in not getting in my way?"
No hands were raised. Her friends looked blatantly amused and Gamling was looking at her like she had grown two heads.
"Hah! I win!" Théoden crowed but Buffy stopped him in his tracks with one well-placed cold glare.
"What a pity that I never said this was a democracy…." Buffy said softly, "Don't get in my way Théoden. Or I will carry through on my threat. Have a nice day." And with that, she strode out, leaving the King to clench his fists in anger at her mocking tone.
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Buffy caught up with them as Théoden was surveying the Deeping Wall, just in time to see the beginnings of a showdown between Aragorn and Théoden. So she calmly waited behind the king as he put his foot in it. "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock, Dwarf. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we have seen it before. Crops can be resown; homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them. Despite your doom sayings."
Aragorn stifled the urge to sigh at Théoden's stubbornness, and having spotted Buffy coming up behind the king, looking decidedly cranky, he knew that Théoden had better see sense sooner rather than later, "They do not come for that." he said with every façade of patience, "They are not coming to pillage and burn, to leave you behind walls of stone while they make off with livestock and crops. They are coming to destroy your people. Every last man, woman and child."
Buffy was about to add her own opinion but Théoden stepped forward to hiss at Aragorn, "What do expect me to do?" he said scornfully, "Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If you continue with this nay saying, who is to say whether they will make it to the battle ere their fear overtakes them? They are brave men, but too many will have seen too many winters or too few. And everything I do is for the good of my people, son of Arathorn. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."
He paused and his face was pained, "We are alone. No one will come to our aid if we call. So do not tell me what to do, my Lord Aragorn. Because you know nothing of what we face. We are not all so fortunate in our friends as you are."
"Male bonding. How sweet," Buffy's saccharinely sweet voice came from behind him and he stiffened, "Of course, I would rather you not be skiving off work but hey, that's what you do best. To remind you, time is running out. Shouldn't you be doing something besides arguing?"
He turned and glared at her, "This is none of your business, wench," he ground out, "And I take no notice of your threats."
"They aren't threats. They are promises," Buffy said coldly, "I'm not planning on dying here tonight, whatever you seem to suspect. Ever hear of positive thinking? If your soldiers think that you think they're going to lose, then they are going to lose. That ever enter that little mind of yours?"
He glared at her, spun on his heel and marched off, "Gamling!" he called, "Get the women and children into the caves! Now!"
Gamling hurried to catch up with his liege, "My lord, we need more time to lay provisions for a siege…"
Théoden shook his head, "There is no time. War is upon us! See it done!"
Left behind on the battlements, the four friends looked at each other. Buffy sighed, "Even two thousand men could not fight ten thousand." she said, "Even though it would be a hell of a lot better than what we have now. Villagers playing dress-up and a handful of guards."
"What can we do? No more men will come." Legolas said.
"Will the walls hold, Gimli?" she asked.
"They are strongly built," the Dwarf replied, "But 'twould depend on what devices Saruman has to cast them down. He would not come here without some plan to circumvent them."
"That what I'm afraid of." Buffy said. And though it pained her, turned to Aragorn, "What about you? Think you can lead where Théoden cannot?"
"It is not my place," the ranger replied, "But I promised Gandalf that the walls would hold. I trust in him. He will not let us down."
"That might be okay to say it but if he doesn't get here with a miracle in tow before Saruman's little monsters come hunting for blood, that promise isn't going to do us a whole lot of good."
Buffy was seriously worried and she was not the only one. "Four hundred against ten thousand! Me thinks this is going to be a long night."
"It will be our death tonight if something is not done. Most gathered here cannot fight. The walls will fall and we have to be prepared for it." Legolas said, "Saruman was one of the Istari after all."
"Drastic measures have to be taken then. What I wouldn't give for a nice little rocket launcher…" Buffy said wistfully.
"A what?" Gimli asked.
"It makes things go boom." Buffy said, "It was one of my favourites."
Aragorn's face was grim, "I think that you shall see your fair share of excitement ere the night is over."
She sighed. "Somehow, I hope that you're not right."
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"If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman."
Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister.
Éowyn glared at the poor soldier who had informed her that her uncle had ordered her to go into the caves. All around her, women and children, with varying degrees of fear and dread, were being herded into them. She refused to be one of them. She could fight! She would fight!
Dodging the soldiers leading people into the caves, she dashed through the crowd to find someone who could help her fulfil her wish.
Buffy was reluctantly walking with Legolas and Aragorn as they inspected the defences. The Elf had forcibly dragged her along as Aragorn seemed to be ignoring his demands for him to take some rest ere he collapsed. Apparently, Legolas assumed that Buffy would be better able to handle the stubborn ranger and to her ire, seemed unaware that forcing the two of them into close quarters might not have been the best of ideas.
"We'll place the reserves along the wall," Aragorn said, gesturing to the ramparts, "They can support the archers from above the gate."
Legolas frowned and tugged on his arm, "Aragorn, you must rest. You are no use to us half alive. Buffy, talk some sense into him." he demanded.
Aragorn turned to look at her, seeming to be patently amused to her eyes anyway, and so when she spotted Éowyn shoving her way through the crowd, she begged off. "Sorry, no can do, Greenleaf. Got a Shieldmaiden to see and all that. Bye!"
She intercepted the woman, "Éowyn," she greeted, "What's up?"
The Shieldmaiden looked like she was seething, "My uncle says that I am to be sent with the women into the caves." she exclaimed, "But I want to fight! Everyone says we do not have enough men to defend the Dike. Why would they turn down my sword?"
Buffy smirked, "Maybe because your uncle ordered them to. But it's not all so bad, Éowyn."
"What?" the young woman snapped, "To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return? To hide in the caves like I am afraid? What renown is there in that?"
"Éowyn," Buffy said quietly, "Would you calm yourself? You do realise that most people here don't want to fight, right? Or do you just enjoy the irony? You've been given a task. Which I personally agree with."
Éowyn was outraged, "You agree with it?" she cried, "You trained me! How could you be such a hypocrite?"
Buffy's expression hardened, "Because I was going to say that you've been tasked with defending those who cannot defend themselves. I was going to say that it was a good job for you. Since you can fight. And you can lead." she said, and watched Éowyn quieten at her words, "If everything goes wrong, you're going to be their last defence. It will be your job to see that they survive. And I would have thought that away from your uncle, you could kit out every and any woman able to bear arms and make sure they know how to defend themselves. Because it's going to take a miracle to hold the Keep. And if the Uruks break in, I wouldn't want anyone at their mercy."
Éowyn's eyes widened in realisation, "Oh," she said dumbly. "I had not realised."
"You're a Shieldmaiden," Buffy said, clapping a hand on her shoulder, "You'll do a good job. Just don't think that every task someone sets you is one to keep you out of the way."
"That is what my uncle is doing," Éowyn said shortly, her good humour being restored.
"Definitely," Buffy agreed with a small, vindictive smile, "But in this case, what he doesn't know, can't hurt him. So get into the caves, Éowyn. You've got a lot of work ahead of you."
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While her friends raided the armouries for armour, Buffy had drifted back to her rooms for a fresh change of clothes and to ensure that the mithril shirt of Galadriel's gift was still in place.
And so having armed herself with every weapon in her possession, sword strapped to her waist, bow and quiver thrown over her shoulder and her multitude of knives secreted around her person, she stepped into the armoury to face a sobering sight.
As long as she had been in Middle Earth, she had never seen so many old men and young boys queuing up for arms, drafted for this battle, - one that very likely might be their last. And for too many, their first.
Most of them were farmers, grooms, farriers, not soldiers. The women and children that had yet to go into the caves were giving weepy farewells to husbands, brothers, sons, fathers. It was not an easy thing to witness. Buffy felt shocked at the uneasiness it gave her. After all, she had led people who were no more than kids before. She had even been one of them. Willow, Xander, Cordelia, Oz, they had been the first. Totally unprepared for what the Hellmouth had to throw at them. Giles had been the only one with any experience but he had buried his 'Ripper' past. That group of Scoobies had kept on expanding, despite the deaths, and had eventually included the surviving Potentials. Look how well that had turned out; Willow had had her evil witch craze, Xander had lost an eye, Tara and Jenny were dead, along with too many Potentials… the list went on. One thing had been for sure; they had all hated her.
Would these new soldiers feel the same for Théoden? she wondered. And how many of them would not live to see the dawn?
So lost was she in her musings and memories that she missed the fight between a tense Legolas and Aragorn, only catching the bit where Aragorn stormed out. "Then I shall die as one them!"
As she looked up in startlement, Aragorn stalked by her, face as stormy as the sky outside. As she glanced at the Elf in surprise, she saw Gimli stop him from going after the angry ranger, "Let him go, lad. Leave him be…."
Going after the ranger before he decided to smash his hand into a wall, she caught up with him in the corridor, "Aragorn!" she called, "What the hell was that? Don't you think they were scared enough!"
He whirled and his face did not soften, "Tell that to Legolas," he hissed, "Since he does not seem to think any of us will live through this!"
"Maybe he's not too far off the mark," she said softly, "Aragorn, too many of them are only children, some are only nine or ten years old! Why are they made to fight!"
"We need everyone who can bear arms, no matter what age." he ground out.
"That doesn't make it any easier to see nine year olds trying to heft a sword. And what about the women? Why are they not made to defend the fortress? Surely they'd be better at it than mere children."
Something resembling pain flickered across his face, "Because no man could stand idly by and watch a woman they love get hurt. They need to know they are safe if they are to fight. I should know," he said softly, "I will not get that luxury… Be safe, Buffy."
With that, he quickened his pace and took off down the hall. She stood there for a moment, before returning to the armoury.
Crossing over to them, ignoring the stares in the direction of the Elf and Dwarf, she hauled them off to somewhere where they would not be so easily overheard. "What happened?" she demanded.
'Twas Gimli who answered her. Legolas seemed to be feeling guilty for his words. "Squirrel boy and Aragorn had a little argument," he said gruffly, "About the newest additions to Théoden's ranks."
Buffy suddenly understood. If sending children out to war was deplorable to a human, how much more so to an Elf? Amongst their kindred, children born on these shores were a rare event now and all children were regarded as beyond precious. To see children sent out to face the orcs instead of being protected must be beyond galling.
Eyes alight with compassion, she touched Legolas's arm, "Legolas, sometimes things like this have to happen. It's not about morals. It's about survival. No one here wants to die and to do so that army coming here has to be taken down. And there is always a cost in doing that. But they are not going to show any mercy to us and we shall grant them none in return. If we lose, they get in here and they are dead anyway. War is war, wishing's not going to change that."
The Elf looked at her and Gimli nodded in understanding, and so she continued, "Now, I know we all have a lot of frustration. And what luck, we have a whole army to take it out on. And I, for one, am not missing a minute of it… Are you ready?"
"Is 'no' an acceptable answer?" Legolas asked, giving her a weak grin as he looked around the room.
Buffy gave him a small smile, "In this business?" she said, "Always."
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As much as she tried to harden her heart to him, through some stroke of bad luck, she could literally feel the turmoil within him. And it tugged at her. And because she had enough problems of her own without adding his to the pile, she sought him out.
She found him with a young boy, clearly nervous and uncomfortable with the sword he held. Seeing Aragorn reaching out to help, she stayed herself from going to him and just watched. "What is your name?" Aragorn asked, standing up and giving the battered sword a few swings.
The boy ducked his head down, "Haleth, son of Háma, my lord…." he said nervously, "The men are saying that we will not live out the night… They say that it is hopeless.." The unspoken question did not go unnoticed by Aragorn.
Aragorn handed the sword back to the boy, "This is a good sword, Haleth, son of Háma." he said, "Your father would be proud of you." He paused, and put his hand on the boy's shoulder, forcing him to look him in the eye, "There is always hope, Haleth."
The boy nodded slowly and some resolve seemed to strengthen within him. When he had gone, Aragorn looked in her direction, "I know you are there, Buffy."
She emerged from the shadows, staring in the direction that the boy had left in, "Do you really believe that?" she asked softly.
"I do," he said, equally softly, "Do you?"
"I've seen too many apocalypses to discount it," Buffy said, "But I've also seen too many die to feel any hope that we emerge from this unscathed. If we win, there's always going to be a cost. And sometimes, it's not one that I would have been willing to pay. For so many of them here, it's suicide, Aragorn."
His face was unreadable, "It is the risk all warriors take." he said.
"They are not warriors. They're farmers, grooms, kids." Buffy said, "I'm sick of seeing kids die."
"You faced more than they in your youth," Aragorn replied thoughtfully.
Her mouth tightened at the reminder that he had somehow found out about her past, "That was another world. Another time. One that I left behind a long, long time ago."
"You never left it behind," Aragorn said forcefully, "It has always been there, haunting you. Haunting us. A shadow that I am always competing against. Did this Angel mean so much to you?"
"I don't want to talk about this," Buffy ground out, "It's none of your business, ranger."
"On the contrary, it is every bit my business," Aragorn said, "And the very mention of it makes you want to run. It will not solve anything."
"I so need a vacation," Buffy muttered under her breath as she felt the beginnings of a headache coming on, "Have you any ideas for us surviving this mess?" she asked, changing the subject.
He was all too aware of her intent, "Do you not think that lies with Théoden?"
"We both know Théoden's stuck in dreamland," Buffy said, rolling her eyes, "He thinks he can win this by just sitting here. On the other hand, I think they're going to overwhelm us and get over the walls. But then again, it's not like it's the end of the world... Which is too bad, because that I'm really good at."
"Do you not fear death?" he asked, looking at her intently.
"I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to." Buffy said, "I've done it way too many times to be afraid of it now. Besides, I think Mandos would just kick me out again. It's what they always do."
She noticed the strange expression on his face, "What's up?" she asked, feeling concern despite herself.
"'Tis nothing." he lied, avoiding her eyes.
She shook her head, "No it isn't. You have a 'something' face. Now what's bugging you?" When he did not reply, she tried to cheer him up, "Do not fret Aragorn. Let them come," she grinned slightly, "And we'll kick their asses when they do."
He looked at her again and moved nearer to her. Instinctively, she tensed and hurt flashed in his eyes at the movement.
He paused in his tracks, "I cannot leave you to get hurt. Not again." he said unexpectedly.
Instantly, the awkwardness of the moment was amplified, "I can take care of myself," she said uncomfortably.
"'Tis the eve of battle," Aragorn said, "How can I not be worried when my heart places herself in danger?"
She flushed, "Aragorn, please don't do this…" she pleaded.
"Do not do what?" he demanded, closing the distance between them rapidly, "Do not fear for your life? That you will be hurt? That I will not be there to stop it?"
"I'm a slayer. I've probably the best chance of survival out of everyone here." she said, taking a step back, "You should be more concerned for yourself. You've already nearly died enough times for one week."
But she made the mistake of looking into his eyes and was shocked at the stark fear there. Fear, which brought back all her own doubts and misgivings. She had already lost too many she loved. Was he to be the next? she wondered. It was always the same way. Anyone who got close to her got hurt. Willow lost Tara because of her. Xander lost his eye. Giles was fired and tortured. Angel lost his soul and was sent to hell. Jenny died. Kendra died. Her mom died. Dawn was nearly used as a blood sacrifice. Riley became a vampire junkie. Faith went totally off the rails. Potentials died, got hurt. All because of her. Was Aragorn to be next?
As if sensing her melancholy mood, he pulled her to him, and softly kissed her. Unexpectedly she yielded to him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he tangled his fingers in her hair, for once letting her emotions rein. This could very well be the last time she had this chance.
But after a moment of not thinking, just feeling, rational thought returned as she spotted the Evenstar necklace around his neck. Pulling back, she shook her head, "I can't keep doing this, Aragorn," she said, stepping back, "I can't. You are driving me crazy. And I mean that literally. I just can't do this."
As she moved away, his gaze never wavered. Neither did his determination, "You can run all you want, Buffy," he said to her back, "But whatever you think is going to happen, I will catch you."
She froze, then squared her shoulders and marched off, leaving him to ponder on how she made everything so difficult.
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The Redhorn Pass, Eriador, 3019 TA, March 6.
Arwen Undómiel reined in her horse as she crested the highest point of the Redhorn Pass.
She had travelled alone since she had broken away from her escort, and she could scarcely remember a time when she had felt so alive. For too long had her father kept her behind sheltered walls. When was the last time she had just gone somewhere when she wanted, without an escort? Not in the last five hundred years at least.
But now her choice loomed before her; to go to the relative safety of the Golden Wood or to brave the darkness and go where her heart demanded. To the realms of Men under siege. Where her foresight had told her that Legolas would come eventually.
Her brothers went ahead of her, but she would not dare join them. For all their antics, they would send her back to their adar faster than she could say hello. Middle Earth was home to her too. Not yet for her the distant West. She intended to enjoy her years here when the war was won. And she wanted to earn that enjoyment.
But she would not sit at home nor flee West while all her family save her prepared for the fight of the age. Her adar had said that the Dark Lord would strike hardest at Gondor, the realm her foster brother was to claim. And she bet that if she crossed to the shore and took ship, she could beat her brothers there. She smiled at the thought.
To Gondor, therefore, she would go.
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When the Elf horn sounded throughout the Keep, Aragorn, Legolas and Buffy could scarcely race fast enough to the gate, which a bewildered Gimli huffing and puffing in his friend's wake.
Buffy skidded to a neat stop beside an exuberant Legolas, "Looks like someone is trying to muscle in on our apocalypse." she said with a small smile. "And it looks like the orcs are going to have an extra large dose of Elven wrath. You up to it?"
He grinned ferally, eyes gleaming in a most Thranduil-like manner, "Always, Dagnir, always."
The Rohirrim were visibly stunned, and the guards all in a flutter. "Send for the king you fool!" one yelled, "Open the gate!"
As Aragorn arrived, with Théoden not far behind him, the troop of elves marched in with perfect military precision, stopping and turning at the exact same time. It was quite impressive to look at, Buffy thought idly and as usual, their armour was to die for.
As Haldir broke away from the ranks, Buffy gave him a little wave, "Welcome to Helms Deep," she sarcastically greeted the Marchwarden, "Front row seats are right over here."
He smirked at her but turned to Théoden as the king gaped at them, "How is this possible?" he said in shock.
Haldir bowed, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell and Galadriel of the Golden Wood." he said formally, amused as several guards jumped at his Lady's name, "An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago, we fought and died together. We come to honour that allegiance... We are proud to fight alongside men, once more."
Finished with formalities, Legolas gave Haldir a warrior's greeting, "Mae govannen, Haldir!" he said in delight, "I have longed for the bows of my kindred and here you are!"
Aragorn near shoved him out of the way, and hugged Haldir who looked so awkward as he gingerly retuned it that Buffy and Gimli had to snicker at him, "You are most welcome!" the ranger said happily.
Haldir nodded at the King and then turned to the remnants of the Fellowship. "I have messages to give to you," he said, "At the bidding of my Lady."
"Well?" Buffy demanded, "Spit it out Elf boy!"
"Can we not go somewhere more private?" Haldir asked as he noticed the hundreds of eyes gaping at the Elves. Legolas grinned in agreement and after Haldir ordered his troops to make themselves familiar with the keep, they led the Marchwarden into the Hornburg.
With a knowing smile, he handed Legolas a letter, who when he recognised the flowing script as Arwen's, promptly disappeared to read it.
To Aragorn was a more disquieting message, "She bids you to become the King you were born to be," Haldir whispered to him, "And as a side note, she would like to tell you that your plan was very, very good. What are you up to Dúnadan? What plan have you hatched now?"
Aragorn smirked slightly, "I cannot tell you that," he said, "But go, give Dagnir her message before she drags it out of you. I must see Théoden."
Buffy was waiting for him, tapping her foot when Haldir reached her. He handed her the sealed parchment, "Lady Galadriel said to give this to you," he said.
"Hannon lle," she said as she took it. As he left to see to his troops, she cracked the seal.
Dagnir,
I have heard from a mutual meddling friend of what is now in your possession. And I send to you this advice; - need is the key.
Galadriel
Knowing instantly what the Lady referred to, Buffy glanced at her hand and the ruby stone glittering on her finger. Deliberately, she crumpled the paper and stuffed it in her pocket. Galadriel did not know what she was talking about.
She definitely was not going to use Narya.
No way.
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When the first signs of the orc army approaching were spotted by the scouts, the defenders of Helms Deep started to rank themselves along the walls. Of course, nothing could go simply when Théoden and Buffy had yet another clash, which ended up with them arguing over which side of the Deep she got to defend.
It eventually ended, not surprisingly, with Buffy winning her point. "Fine!" Buffy had huffed, "You can have that part of the wall!" she said, pointing to a portion of the Deeping Wall near the keep. And so, after much glowering and grumbling, she had gone to the wall and he to in front of the Keep. Which left Aragorn and Legolas directing the Elves, and Aragorn ordering a goodly portion of the Men as well.
They were all ranked now and ready. And so the waiting game began. The torches moved closer and closer under their watchful gaze, fear clutching the heart of most of the men as they saw the glint of fire off the weapons of the thousands and thousands of orcs approaching them. Buffy, surveying the men, knew from experience that the waiting was the hardest part of all. Once the fight got going, adrenaline and the survival instinct kicked in. But for now, the fear they had felt was noticeably growing.
She had, at Legolas's request, positioned herself beside him and Gimli. He knew as she did that her fighting style would work better with the Elves, who could match her more easily than men could. They would also not be shocked at her skill or her audacity, most of them knowing her either from her visits to Lórien or by reputation.
The only real problem she had at the moment, was one that she shared with Gimli. Neither of them could see decently over the top of the wall, much to Legolas's amusement, and to her disgust, Haldir's too. She had simply jumped up on a stone she had dragged up there for that purpose but Gimli had not thought so far ahead. He was waiting for the close quarter combat, not the flying volleys of arrows that the rest of them would be using first.
Still, she had to admit, the running sniping really was picking up people's spirits. She had noticed more than one Elf or man smirking at some particularly choice comment.
Aragorn approached them then, coming to stand beside them, his last minute checks done. Looking at the slayer, armed to the teeth, a coat of mail thrown on over her tunic and leather gauntlets replaced with ones of steel backing, he could not help but pray that the Valar would see fit to let her live through this nightmare.
Gimli looked up at the ranger and gave him an encouraging grin, "Well lad," he said, "Whatever luck you have lived by, let us hope it lasts the night."
"Yes, that uncanny knack for surviving sure would come in handy right about now," Buffy agreed. "But we don't need it yet."
"Your friends are with you, Aragorn." Legolas said solemnly, holding his bow of Lórien, "We believe in you. You can do this."
"Let us hope they last the night." Gimli muttered and Buffy snickered.
"Never change, Gimli, my friend," she said, slapping him on the back, "Definitely never change."
But all fell quiet as the orcs started to fill the Dike and the sound of rapid breathing was soon drowned out by the heavy rain that started to fall. Buffy eyed the thousands of enemies with swiftly repressed dismay, "Well," she said heavily, "There's something you don't see every day. Unless, of course, you're me." Aragorn's own eyes had widened almost imperceptibly at the sight and Buffy shot him a comforting look, "We'll get through this," she promised him quietly and his eyes flashed with gratitude.
But as she scanned the gathered host, she felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand up. Disquieted, she started surveying them intently, frowning as she did so. Aragorn looked at her questioningly. "Something's weird." she said by way of explanation.
Legolas looked between her and the ten thousand or so orcs, "You mean something is not?" he asked sardonically.
"It's not that," Buffy said distractedly, "It's like something's out there… I don't know what."
"Might be the ten thousand orcs, lass." Gimli said pragmatically. "Certainly enough of them out there."
The tension did not leave her, if anything, it increased. Aragorn touched her elbow, "You doing okay?" he asked with concern.
"Besides the terror about today and a general feeling of impending doom?" Buffy drawled, "Oh, just swell." She looked at him and whispered for her friends' ears only. "I think Saruman may have a few surprises up his sleeve…"
"Are you sure?" Legolas hissed.
"Something's off," Buffy said, "I can feel it… I just can't tell what… Just be careful guys."
"How can you be so calm?" Aragorn asked, "I have seen you bouncing off the walls for less."
"Long, arduous hours of practice." Buffy replied, "No, seriously. This is the big time. And I get the feeling that it is going to be a long night. Methinks some energy should be saved for polishing off the baddies."
"It is slightly… overwhelming…" Aragorn agreed.
She scoffed, "Overwhelming?" she teased, "How much more than 'whelming' would that be, exactly?"
His response sobered her up fast, "You know as well as I that whatever Saruman throws at Rohan will only be a fraction of what Sauron will throw at Gondor. I… I promised Boromir that I would not let the White City fall…" he admitted.
"We'll get through this, ranger boy," she said soothingly, skating away from the fact that Boromir was not really dead. "And you'll get to keep your promise. But for now, get ready. Time for the big fight scene."
From beside her, Gimli tried to see over the wall, jumping on his feet, "Any ideas for this, lass?" he asked.
Buffy cocked her head to the side and pretended to be mulling it over, "Well, I was thinking boom, boom, boom go the ladders I plan on shoving, along with a little destruction. You know, the usual. Havoc. Bedlam. Screaming baddies."
Gimli grinned at her, "Sound plan. Count me in." Both shared a feral grin as the lightning started to flash overhead.
As the orcs reached the Dike, Aragorn pulled back to divert his attention to the Elven warriors, "Legolas, Haldir," he said, "Are they ready?"
"They are ready," Haldir assured him, "But whose orders am I to follow?"
"Do not follow Théoden's," Legolas said, "He has no experience with the abilities of the Eldar. Follow Aragorn's for the volleys or if he has information to pass on, but we rely on your own judgement Haldir. You have seen the Last Alliance where we have not."
Aragorn agreed with him, "He is right. These are your own people. You know them best. Follow your own initiative. I know that you can see more than we can, and react quicker."
"Acknowledged," Haldir said. "Let us show them what the Eldar are made of, eh, Thranduilion?"
"Most assuredly," Legolas agreed with a smile, "After all, Wood Elves are dangerous, they say."
Haldir laughed, "And you most of all!" he agreed. "See to your own, Dúnadan, we shall be ready when it begins."
By this stage, Gimli was fidgeting with impatience, "Cursed wall! What is happening out there?" he demanded.
Legolas was openly smirking, "Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?"
Gimli growled and glared at him, and Aragorn shook his head at their actions, "You hear those two?" he said to Buffy.
She looked between them, "I think that it's so beautiful. All that time and they're still in love. The way they finish each other's insults."
Gimli and Legolas both heard that crack and turned as one to glare at the slayer, who merely raised an eyebrow in response. "What?" she asked nonplussed, "You expected me to let that opening go by?"
But all too soon, the gallows humour was forced to give way to the sounds of battle…
And so it began…
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The Uruk-hai army charged, roaring as they did so. And the battle thus began.
Buffy and Legolas notched their bows as every bowman along the walls did the same. With Aragorn co-ordinating the Elves' volleys, with help from Legolas and Haldir.
"Leithio i philinn!" Aragorn roared and the sound of bowstring's singing competed with the whiz of the arrows that rained down on the Uruk-hai, and almost as soon as they were preparing for a second volley, Théoden was ordering his men to fire.
But it did not take the orcs long to retaliate, black bolts flying up to hit the defenders. It was a time when Buffy found being short was good as arrows meant for her impacted against the wall. But all too soon, she was forced to shoulder her bow and unsheathe her sword as the ladders started swinging onto the walls.
As Legolas and the sharp-sighted Elves concentrated on snapping the ropes holding the ladders up, Buffy and Gimli were dealing with the flood of orcs onto the wall.
Kicking one back over the wall, she stabbed another and then pulled back her arm to punch another in the face before slicing through the ropes of the ladder with her sword, sending it crashing to the ground.
Grunting as an orc jumped her, she neatly broke its neck as Gimli's axe flew beside her, "Legolas, two already!" he shouted.
The Elf danced out of the reach of an orc and shouted back, "I am on nineteen!"
The Dwarf was enraged, "Argh! I will have no pointy-ear outscoring me! Nineteen my arse!"
Buffy grinned as he started viciously hacking at the orcs, "Feel up to me joining in the game?" she said.
He shouted back in the affirmative and she smiled sunnily at him while gutting an orc, "Well in that case, I'm on twenty five!"
"Are you out of your mind?" a soldier, unused to their antics cried, "This is hardly the time for games."
"So?" Gimli and Buffy chorused as they jointly knocked down a ladder.
Haldir smirked at them as he sailed by, "Killing orcs is not a sport Dagnir." he teased.
"It is if you're good at it!" Buffy said, decapitating an orc and blocking a swing from an Uruk intent on stabbing the Marchwarden. He gestured his thanks and darted off to help one of his troops.
And as for her, she was forced to keep hacking her way through the ever growing number of orcs on the walls and worry as to when the defenders would be overwhelmed.
Because at this rate, it could not be very long…
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In the caves, Éowyn surveyed the gathered women and children and those too old even to fight now.
The thunder of the orcs stomping and shouts penetrated even into the caves and the children wept with fear. More than a few of the adults were doing the same.
Standing up, she waited for everyone's eye to fall on her. "I know you are scared." she began, "And I know that this is the last thing you want to hear but a wise woman told me to prepare for the worst. I know that you do not want to think of this, but if the soldiers cannot hold our foes back, then I fear that it will be up to us to defend ourselves."
Several cried out in fear at her words, but Éowyn continued, "All of you are Shieldmaidens of Rohan," she said strongly, "Are you content to sit back and watch our homeland fail? Or will you fight? There are enough arms here to mount a defence if we must but I must know if you are with me."
The silence seemed to stretch out into eternity but eventually, a woman stood up, one that Éowyn recognised as Freda and Éothain's mother. "I will follow you wherever you lead, my lady." she said with feeling, "I saw the orcs run down my husband. My son even now fights outside. Those spawns of Saruman shall not have me or my children."
As Éowyn sighed in relief, other woman voiced their agreement and before long, they were laying the plans for when the orcs broke in.
And despite her desire to fight outside with her uncle and his soldiers, with Lord Aragorn and his companions, she found it strangely fulfilling to rouse these brave women to take a stand.
Let the orcs come if they dared, she thought, for none of them would leave alive…
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The cry echoed through Saruman's army and caused some of the main defenders to freeze in their tracks in horror.
"Get the woman! Bring her down! There! There! The blonde one!" the order travelled throughout the army to the archers who prepared to fire on the shell-shocked Buffy even as her friends shouted for her to get to safety, to take cover. She couldn't believe it. Saruman had targeted her specifically. There had to be a reason for it. By rights, it should have been Aragorn targeted and yet the crafty wizard wanted Buffy.
Needless to say, she was not unconcerned but she was supremely annoyed. "I hate Saruman, I hate Saruman." she muttered under her breath as she dodged a hail of arrows in her direction, "Little creep. Who does he think he is? Doe he even know he's messing with the slayer? Nobody messes with the slayer." Buffy ranted as she ducked to avoid a particularly accurate bombardment.
"Get her!" one Uruk roared.
Looking out at them, she smiled sweetly from her place on the battlements, the very picture of innocence. "Well you could try... but you wouldn't make it."
"Surrender and we'll give you a quick death." they shouted up at her.
"No thanks, the Grim Reaper isn't really my scene." she replied tauntingly. "Don't mess with me, orcsies, you wouldn't like the results."
But cornered, surrounded by too many enemies for comfort, she could not keep track of everything.
But those who went to her aid were too late and as an orcish arrow struck her in the chest, the slayer lost her balance and toppled over the Deeping Wall….
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A/N: So? What do you guys think? You like? Please READ and REVIEW!
Next chapter: We find out Buffy's fate…. An unexpected visitor comes to Helms Deep… With a friend… Haldir comes face to face with his own fate… Éowyn has her own battle to win… and the victory or loss of Rohan…
Elvish:
Undómiel - Evenstar
Adar - father
Dagnir - slayer
Mae govannen - well met.
Dúnadan - Man of the West
Hannon lle - thank you
Thranduilion - son of Thranduil
Leithio i philinn - Release the arrows
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Dol Guldur - 'Hill of Sorcery'. A treeless height in the south-west of Mirkwood, a stronghold of the Necromancer before he was revealed as Sauron returned. Houses three Nazgûl, led by Khamûl.
Háma - Captain of the household of King Théoden.
Hornburg - fortress in Rohan at the entrance to Helm's Deep
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.
Mithril - 'true-silver'. Also called 'Moria-silver'. It was the foundation of the wealth of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. It was worth ten times the price of gold, and is now considered priceless, because there has been no supply of it since the fall of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm in 1980 TA.
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.
Orthanc - the great Númenórean tower in the Circle of Isengard. Home of Saruman.
Théodred - Son of King Théoden of Rohan, slain in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen.
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