27. Inertia Creeps

"It will take more than courage to survive what's coming."
Rev. Mother Ramallo: -Dune-Frank Herbert

Caras Galadhon Lothlorien November 7/ 41 Quelle 3003 III Age

Buffy pulled herself to consciousness even as part of her brain called out for more sleep. As much as she wanted to stay in her soft bed she knew that she had to get up and pack before she could leave for Mirkwood. She had planned on doing so right after speaking to her parents but other things had come up, much to her displeasure.

Arwen had decided to drop into her mind for a short conversation as she had made her way to her room. Apparently after leaving Caras Galadhon a few months after her final adoption ceremony Gandalf had made his way to the Shire for another celebration. Apparently, something had happened that had Gandalf a bit jumpy. Whatever it was that could made Gandalf jumpy made Buffy jumpy as well, almost nothing got to Gandalf. Buffy wasn't certain yet but she had a feeling that her time of leisure was going to be ending soon. The fact that Aragorn had returned to Rivendell and was apparently helping Gandalf with something only helped to add conformation to her feeling.

It had made her anxious for the rest of the evening and she was very glad that she had decided to go to Mirkwood. She'd been out of the slaying game for far too long and if she wanted to get back into it there was no where better than Mirkwood. Between the orcs, spiders and everything else she'd have a chance to get back into prime fighting condition before disaster decided to strike.

Getting up Buffy made her way to her her closet. She had done the smart thing at least the night before and taken a bath so that now, at the crack of dawn, all she had to do was pack and dress. Looking through her closet critically for a moment she made up her mind, bending down she picked up both her pack and saddle bags. As much as she hated to admit it she knew that she was going to have to play lady to a certain level in Thranduil's court. Turning she tossed both out of the closet in onto the unmade bed.

Looking back at what she had to choose from she picked out five gowns and their respective under dresses. Two were thicker for winter while the rest were not. Walking out of her closet she carefully folded all of her selections before moving over to her vanity. She picked out two circlets, both simple in design though one carried the butterfly that she had become associated with. She folded both of them into the gowns before placing them all in one side of her saddlebag.

Making her way back to her closet she laid her new pair of leather Ranger pants across her arm as well as five under tunics and seven over ones, the need for the new pants pleased Buffy to no end because they had been made due to her slightly less short stature. All of these made their way to the bed along with her leather vest, boots, two pairs of slippers to go with her gowns, her Ranger coat, and two cloaks.

She dressed first, opting to appear as a Ranger as she always did when traveling. Pants, boots and thin under tunic went on before she made her way over to where she kept her weapons and donned her mithril vest. Her over tunic went on along with her leather vest, the clothing partially hiding her Wilwarin pendant. Her fingerless riding gloves were followed by her gauntlets and then sword belt, checking that Ruin was secure and sharp. She filled the pouch on her belt with a packet of lembas from the supplies she had brought up to her room the night before. Making her way efficiently around the room she gathered up her brush and mirror as well as a few other thing before placing them in her pack along with her food. She gathered up and folded the rest of her clothing and placed them in the other side of her saddlebags, making both sides were secured. Donning her long brown leather coat she moved back over to her weapons and secured her Mirkwood quiver and long knives. Picking up the knives left on the table she placed one in each boot

The only thing left was to deal with her hair. Moving back over to her dressing table she picked up the fine comb and began to work out the knots before parting it in the middle and braiding each of the sides of the front away from her face,then securing them together at the back of her head with leather cord. The rest she left to fall down her back in waves. She still wasn't quite sure how this had become her general hairstyle but considering the fact that she kept it waist length now and that it seemed to be how Arwen all ways fixed it she wasn't surprised that she'd picked up the tendency.

She moved over to her rumpled bed just long enough to grab both her pack and saddlebags before heading out the door and to the long walk down to the ground.

Within minutes she had made it to the stables where a groom had Indnaur saddled and waiting. The dark brown stallion waited patiently as she strapped her saddlebags and pack onto him before mounting. She had a decent sized ride ahead of her, she wasn't stupid enough to cut across Mirkwood forest alone and so she would have to travel along the Great River past the Old Forest Road and then take the Elf Path at the Forest Gate to Thranduil's Halls.

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Mirkwood November 15/ 49 Quelle 3003 III Age

Buffy had to hold back the urge to groan as she made her way up to where Thranduil and Legolas stood waiting. The King of Mirkwood had decided to greet her with all the ceremony that was due the daughter of The Lady and Lord of Lorien knowing that it would irritate her more than anything. Deciding not to let either of them get the better of her she plastered a smile onto her face as she closed the final paces to where they stood.

"Elen sila lumenn omentilmo Hiril Riana Wilwarin o Lorien" Thranduil greeted with a mischievous smile on his face. Buffy could see he was enjoying annoying her with the proper amount of decorum but she refused to allow it to show. After all, as much as Thranduil liked her she still wasn't stupid enough to push him too far. At least not without a proper escape plan. (A star shines on the hour of our meeting Lady Raina Wilwarin of Lorien)

"Nae saian luume" Buffy greeted with a slight bow of the head before looking up at him with a smirk. She knew she could get away with being informal with as much as she wanted and he'd never say a thing so long as she wasn't outright disrespectful. After asking Legolas to be the one who present her to her parents during the adoption she could lay claim that Legolas was now a part of her extended family. A relationship she fully intended to use to keep her out of trouble later on. Of course the fact that Legolas was probably going to end up as a member of her family in the literal sense eventually from the looks of it helped too. (it has been too long)

Thranduil smiled at her for a moment before doing something that she had not even expected in a thousand years, he stepped forward and wrapped himself around her in a hug. After a split second of hesitation she returned it.. The hug was brief and Thranduil stepped back to look at her for a moment closely, his brow slightly furrowed.

"You are taller now. And both your hair and skin are lighter."

Buffy could hear Legolas chuckle behind his adar as she opened her mouth to reply.

"Yeah I am and they are. The adoption had some side effects. Which makes for a slightly more elf like Buffy. The height thing I like but the pastiness I could seriously do without and if I hear you say one thing Lasseg I'm gonna smack you. You're justjelous that I was prettier than you before and I'm even more so now."

Thranduil let out a hearty laugh and clapped Buffy on the shoulder. Legolas however had a look that were it anyone else would have been defined as stoic but Buffy knew him well enough to detect the slight pout underneath.

"Come, I have had your old room prepared and a bath waiting. After we shall dine and you can share what has passed since last we met."

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Mirkwood November 29/ 9 Hivre 3003 III Age

It had taken some control on Buffy's part but she hadn't mentioned anything yet about her knowing about Arwen and Legolas. She was biding her time before she went in for the the kill. She had finally decided that doing it while they were engaged in one of their many archery contests would be the best. As fun as would be to walk him into a wall or startle him into falling out of a tree she wanted to beat him at archery, if only once. Oh she knew it was cheating but at this point she didn't care any more. She wanted to beat him and she was willing to stoop to do it.

With these thoughts in her head she sat on one of the many exposed roots of a tree at the edges of the archery range checking the sharpness of her arrow tips and the fletching. She was very aware of Legolas approaching from across the range but kept her eyes focused on her task. After years of losing to him Buffy had long ago stopped simply challenging him just to see if she could win.

If she waited long enough there would be a challenge. There always was but almost never did they say it was one any more. Buffy because stating it and then losing made her cranky and Legolas out of sheer self preservation. She wouldn't do any real damage to him and he knew it but she was not above pulling a prank that would leave his hair purple or his drinking something disgusting. Thus neither never spoke a challenge but it was there in their actions.

When he finally made it to where she was sitting Buffy looked up to see that her patience had paid off. The challenge was there waiting for her step up and answer it. But she wasn't going to make this easy for him at all if she could help it. Smiling sweetly and feigning her patented dumb blonde routine she decided to needle him a bit.

"Afternoon Lasseg. What's up?"

There was a smirk on his face as he replied, holding out his hand to help up up from her perch on the tree root.. "The sky, the trees, the sun. Should I continue tithen wilwarin or is that enough information?"

"Ya know I think you're picking up bad habits from me Prince smart ass. You weren't this obnoxious when we first met." Buffy complained as she bent over to retrieve her quiver and bow.

He chuckled behind her and she couldn't help but smile. He was still way too uptight to ever be counted as a human but unlike most of the Eldar he didn't have a stick the size of a mallorn tree up his butt. Turning back to him as she secured her quiver she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

He just gave her a smile and made his way over to where the they usually shot from. Buffy followed him, doing her best to keep her face completely normal and give nothing away about her imminent glee.

Standing side by side Buffy set her evil plan in motion. Ever the gentleman he always let her shoot first. Pulling an arrow from her quiver on her back Buffy knocked it and took aim, letting the arrow sail across the distance to imbed itself in the target. The shot was almost perfect and for anyone else it would have been almost impossible to best, but that was not the case when it came to elvish archers. They were better than the best and from what Buffy knew Legolas had almost been born with a bow in his hands over three thousand years ago.

Turning to Legolas with a smile she arched a golden eyebrow at him, daring him to beat her. Never one to turn down any challenge she placed before him the Wood elf pulled his own arrow and knocked it, taking aim before he let it fly. Buffy watched him intently waiting for the tell tale shift in the muscles in his arm to let her know he was about to let the arrow go. Just as it happened Buffy opened her mouth.

"So I hear your and my niece have been kissing." Buffy deadpanned.

Legolas' head snapped over to look at Buffy as the arrow flew from the bow. The sudden movement causing the arrow to fly slightly off target and imbed itself well out of its usual perfect center position. Buffy never took her eyes from the target as a smile broke across her face. The urge to crow like crazy took over and she let out a whopping "Whoohoo! I win! I win!" while doing a little dance.

Turning to Legolas as she danced she noticed the look on his face and burst into laughter, it came with such fury that she quickly found herself sitting on the ground holding her sides, her bow forgotten and lying next to her.

Wiping the tears from her eyes she looked up the dumbstruck appearing Legolas.

"What?" she asked after taking a deep breath to control her laughter and ease the aching in her sides.

"How? Why? That's cheating!"

Still chucking she replied. "First. I saw you two. Ya know I'm not a complete moron. So I weaseled it out of her. Second. I couldn't help myself. And finally it is not cheating! We agreed not touching to cause the other to misfire. I didn't touch you I just waited for the... opportune moment to tell you I know."

He refused to say anything to her as a pouting look came over his face. She'd only ever managed to get him to outright pout twice before and those had taken a lot more work than this one had. Apparently good dirt on Mr. Perfect with Pointy Ears didn't come along very often.

"Oh don't get your tights in a twist. I'm not gonna tell anyone. And as far as I'm concerned you are perfect for her. I'm happy about it. And by the way. What the hell took you so long? You've known each other for over a thousand years and your just now making with the smoochies. On behalf of my best friend I'm gonna say this just once. Get off your butt!" Buffy said as she stood and picked up her bow. Legolas looked pleased that she approved and Buffy had to smile, she should have expected that he'd be more worried about her reaction that most others'.

"I do have a two requests for you though. The same ones I made to Arwen. The first is that I get to tell the gwenyn about this and the second is I get to be there when you tell Aragorn." Buffy said with a smile. Seeing the sudden look of fear that crossed Legolas' face at the prospect of the gwenyn and Aragorn finding out that he was in love with their sister caused Buffy to smile.

"Don't worry Lasseg, I won't let them kill you. I've got enough blackmail material on the gwenyn to last a thousand years if I have to I'll resort to the pleading damsel to keep Aragorn from killing you I will." Buffy assured him with a smile. He seemed to relax and Buffy couldn't help but break into a smile. Grabbing his hand they went to retrieve their arrows.

"But I still won."

"You cheated."

"So what. You've got like three thousand years on me. That's an unfair advantage." Buffy retorted as she pulled her arrow free. They both turned to make their way back to the palace walking side by side.

"It is still cheating." Legolas accused.

"Oh get over it!"

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Just outside Imladris (Rivendell) March 28/ Yestare 3010 III Age

Buffy sat atop Indnaur as she made the last stretch before entering Rivendell thinking over the last seven years. It seemed rather appropiate to spend the time thinking about the passing of years since this was the start of a new one.

Six years she had spent with Legolas in Mirkwood fighting everything that threatened the kingdom and she had the scars to prove it. They were faint now but she still carried the marks of three orcish blade sword wounds and the marks of two arrows. She'd also had the joy of being stung with the ever so charming poison of one of the giant spiders, a thing she had no wish to ever endure again. But the result of all of it was that she was back at her peak performance. Six months with her parents had given her a chance to find comfort and peace again as well as spend time with those she loved. Time she had the sinking suspicion was going shorter with every passing month.

The passage of time meant much less to her now, years felt like weeks and in the back of her mind she knew that in just a few short years things were coming. The ever present feeling of evil that radiated from Mordor was growing stronger and Gandalf's enlisting of Aragorn's help with something that she didn't know the details of only reinforced it. Part of Buffy wanted to rail against the fact that her peace was coming to an end but the other part realized that this was part of the deal she had made in order to come. She had gotten sixty four years of peace out of this arrangement as well as a new family, friends, and found a man she loved. The fact that she had managed to outlive most normal people and especially any slayer ever curbed her anger greatly. But it also reminded her that Aragorn's time was coming, soon he would have to step up to face his destiny and claim the throne of Gondor and when he did she would step aside both for his good and her own. Her family had set a goal for Aragorn if he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her and while she disagreed with it greatly she couldn't get out of what they did. She loved Aragorn with all her heart and she knew without a doubt that he loved her as well. The only way to take that goal away from him was to leave him and that was one thing she couldn't do. Her heart screamed against the very idea and her duty prevented it. She couldn't help him to his throne if she left him.

So she would help him to his throne no matter what the cost. She had the distinct feeling it would be her life, an idea she was less that comfortable with but not afraid of. She knew what came after death. And the odds of her survival were the same as anyone's, the armies of Mordor were already huge and if the evil she felt growing was any indication then the coming battle would be beyond the scope of any war to ever cross Arda.

So lost in her thoughts she was taken by surprise when Indnaur suddenly stopped. Looking around her she realized that he had led them all the way to just outside the stables. Smiling at her trusted horse she dismounted and handed the reigns to the groom who waited. Moving over she unstrapped her saddlebags and pack, turning to head up the hill to the Last Homely House.

The familiar walk took only minutes and before she knew it she was met by Arwen and Elrond on the steps. Not seeing the need to speak the elleth wrapped Buffy in a warm embrace and Buffy was suddenly struck at the difference in it now that she had an added two inches to her height. Arwen still had a good five inches on her but at least now she came past the elleth's shoulder. Stepping back and giving her a warm smile she then turned to Elrond who stood watching with a pleased look on his face. Arwen reached out and took Buffy's pack and saddlebags from her as she turned to face the Lord of Rivendell.

"Mae govannen." She said simply as she Elrond opened his arms to her. Elrond wasn't usually big on hugs but Buffy wasn't about to turn one down. The elf Lord was like an uncle to her rather than her brother in law and she loved him despite his tendency to make her angry. (well met)

Feeling his arms wrap around her she buried her nose in his chest. "Nae saian luume" came his deep voice to her ears and she smiled as she pulled back with a smile. (it has been too long)

He smiled down at her and then turned to led the way inside.

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Imaldris (Rivendell) June 8/18 Laire 3013 III Age

Buffy was laying in the summer sunshine on her favorite boulder by one of the waterfalls with her book on her chest as she let her mind wander. The day was beautiful and warm, the gwenyn had yet to harass her today, Aragorn was back from one of his disappearances and she had finally managed to finish her training with Elrond. The only thing that could have possibly made the day was better was a carton of Ben and Jerry's Double Mint Chocolate Chip but considering that she hasn't had it in over sixty five years she couldn't complain.

A slight breeze wafted through the air and Buffy caught the sound of footsteps that were far closer than they should have been without her notice. She tilted her head up to see Aragorn standing at the edge of the boulder with a smile on his face.

"A Ranger should never be caught off their guard nin Wilwarin." he shided softly with a hint of humor in his voice.

"I'll have to remember that. Come enjoy the sun with me." she replied with a twist of her lips as she scooted over to make room for him. Arranging her pale blue gown so that she kept herself covered despite not wanting to. He obliged her and soon he lay on his back, one arm behind his head as she used his chest as a pillow.

"So I take it you are leaving again soon?" she asked already knowing the answer.

"I am." he replied. Neither of them wanted him to go but both recognized that they had duties that kept them apart for months or years at a time.

"Gandalf spoke to me last night about the situation. So the he thinks he might have located the One Ring but he's not sure and in order to find out the two of you are hunting this Gollum thing. But in the mean time he wants me to go patrol near the Shire to protect the one he thinks might have it. Bilbo's nephew." Buffy supplied.

Buffy felt rather than saw him turn his head towards her and she raised her eyes to meet his.

"When do you leave?" he asked.

"Not until after Faradome." (midsummer)

"Promise me that you will be careful." he asked as his lip met her own. The kiss was sweet and yet passionate and after a long moment they pulled apart.

"Only if you do the same." she replied looking deep into his eyes.

"I will."

"Good " was her reply as she settled her head back onto his chest.

They both laid there in silence, Buffy simply enjoying the feeling of peace and security that he created and knowing that the end was approaching much faster than she liked. Soon however they had both managed to fall asleep under the afternoon sun and it was in this position that Arwen found them not long before dinner.

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Just north of Amon Sul September 16/ 46 Yavie 3018 III Age

Buffy should have known better than to expect only one group of orcs but stupidly she assumed that they would keep their hunting parties the same size they had for the last five years. Buffy had almost finished off the third orc and only had twelve left when a second group of almost twenty attacked her.

Apparently they had gotten smarter over the last years because rather than attempt to face her with blade Buffy felt an arrow pierce her back and go through her left shoulder. Ignoring the pain and cursing herself for not weaqring her mithril vestshe continued to fight the orc before her and with one more swing of Ruin cut the head off its head.

Intending to turn around and cut down the orc with the bow before he shot her again she felt a flash of pain as another arrow cut through her low on her right side. Refusing to give up she ignored the pain and tossed one of the knives she kept in her vambrance at the creatures head, catching him between the eyes and killing him instantly.

She wasn't fast enough however to stop the three orcs who rushed her. Using every bit of strength she had she kept their attacks at bay only to have a fourth come up behind her. Its blade cut through her left side, the pain blooming in Buffy's mind even as she felt the poison that tipped the orcs arrows seeping into her.

Fighting desperately to stay awake the last thing she heard was the pounding of horses hooves and she prayed that it was in fact the gwenyn coming to meet her as planned before returning to Rivendell.

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Elladan saw Buffy go down as the orc cut into her side and all thought faded except the need to get to her. Pushing his horse forward he ploughed into the orcs that stood hear the outside of the group even as his brother dismounted and waded his way onto the center, not even pausing as he cut into orc after orc. Within minutes their anger had burned itself out of the bodies of the ones who had hurt yet another of their blood.

Dismounting from his horse Elladan rushed over to where his twin stood over Buffy. She was bleeding profusely but still breathing, though the breaths were shallow. Without needing instructions he pulled his pack from his horse and set about helping his brother do what they could. Both knew from the arrows that she had been poisoned and neither had the skills to heal her. The only choice was to get her to their adar and quickly. Orcish poison worked quickly and on any normal human it would kill them in under three hours. Riding hard and without inguries it would take them almost a day to reaxh Imladris.

Within half an hour thay had managed to remove both arrows and bind them. The wound on her side took much more effort but soon they had it bound as well, though more tightly than the ones in her shoulder and side. She had already stopped bleeding and both were grateful for her slayer healing, the wound would have killed any other. Elladan mounted his horse and with the help of his brother they managed to lift her up and place her in front of him. Elrohir gathered the reigns of Buffy's very temperamental new horse that she had received from Glorfindel as a present and set off for Im;adris at as fast a pace as they dared without causing more harm than good.

Even as they rode Elladan was silently cursing her stupidity for not wearing her mithril vest and hoping against hope that they made it in time. Neither his heart not his brothers could take the loss of another they loved to their inability to arrive just in time.

And Estel's reaction to the loss of the woman he loved would not be something either could face.

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