6. Itches

"Humor is a good thing. A saving thing."
Mark Twain

Lothlorien May 22/1 Laire 2966 III Age

Their arrival in Lothlorien was one of amusement to most After weeks of travel together each member had decided to see how much they could irritate the other two. Several types of irritation were used effectively. It began with insults which led to pranks which deteriorated into petty squabbling and very childish "Do not. Do too-esque" fights and finally hit rock bottom when Buffy broke out in 'A hundred bottles of beer on the wall' about an hour before reaching Lothlorien's borders.

Needless to say that the twins were beyond annoyed. Buffy was full of mirth and smug satisfaction and to all that saw them as they entered the Wood they were a sight of great amusement.

But the amusement only became greater to those who greeted them when the tiny frame of Buffy launched herself off her horse and at her foster mother's marchwarden. Haldir had no warning of the impact as she came flying through the air at him and held him in a tight hug.

To all those assembled it was highly amusing.

No one EVER hugged Haldir.

At least not without some sort of pain being inflicted.

But Buffy could.

And they were never going to let him forget it

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Lothlorien April 8/ 11 Tuile 2968 III Age

Buffy had been Lothlorien for almost two years now and wished she could say she utterly content.

But she wasn't.

That nagging feeling had come back after a few months and it just wouldn't go away. No matter how much she tried to ignore it. Haldir had noticed it first while they were out guarding the borders. And now six months later both of her parents had an inkling of it too. They didn't know exactly what was bothering her but they knew she was restless and troubled.

And when it came to their family the Lord and Lady of the Wood were the biggest meddlers that Buffy had ever seen.

Oh they were subtle, very subtle, but they meddled and with usually awe inspiring results.

And so here Buffy was facing her parents after blithely sidestepping their meddling for the last two months.

Buffy looked at her adar and new she couldn't escape. Celeborn was as stubborn as Spike and about a thousand times better at getting what he wanted. As for her naneth, well, she appeared as serene as normal but the look in her eyes told Buffy that the truth was the only escape.(mother)

"All right. All right. I'll tell you. Just stop looking at me in that tone of voice" Buffy pleaded.

"What ails you iel nín? (my daughter) Galadriel asked

"I feel restless naneth. I feel like I should be seeing the rest of Arda. I know you don't want me to go but I feel it pulling at me."

"Then you shall go. It is time you walk among men."

"Aren't you afraid that I'm gonna be hurt?"

Buffy looked at her adar as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He knew what she was capapble of and it amused him to no end that she could win against the Lord of the Golden Flower.

"You have bested the valiant Glorifindel. I am not worried nin wilwarin." (my butterfly)

And so with a smile on her face Buffy spent the rest of the day with her parents, enjoying the time with them greatly. The next morning however she began to pack for her journey. She was going to Minas Tirith. It was time to get a good look at this guy she was supposed to help.

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