For the Wild at Heart Trapped in Cages

by jezaeiri

She found the freedom being the slayer denied her. She found a home and family that she never expected. She found a love that nothing could destroy. Now, the fight to keep it is coming and whether she's ready or not things will never be the same. btvs lot

32. And the Blind Shall See

32. And the Blind Shall See

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
-Aung San Suu

Lothlorien January 15/ 56 Hrive 3019 III Age

From where the sun was placed Aragorn knew that they had little less than three hours sunlight remaining in the day. From where they stood the walk into Caras Galadhon would take close to the same amount of time. The fellowship needed the protection that the Golden Wood provided and he would do whatever it took for them to have it. Of the nine remaining members only three had ever crossed into these lands and one was the daughter of its Lady and Lord. Though she believed that it was not her place to secure the remainder of the fellowship safe haven.

He led the rest of the fellowship up into the talan and waited for Haldir to speak. Ever one to be proper in the face of rank the march warden addressed Legolas first.

"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion."

"Govannas vin gwennen le, Haldir o Lorien." replied Legolas with the formality and bearing of the prince he was. (our fellowship stands in your debt Haldir of Lorien)

"Ah, Aragorn in Dunedain, istannen le ammen." was Handir's greeting as he turned to Aragorn. There was no hostility in his words or bearing and Aragorn felt hope come to him that it would not be an impossible task to have the march warden agree to take them into Caras Galadhon for protection and rest. (Aragorn of the Dunedain, you are known to us)

"Haldir."

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves! Speak words we can all understand." came Gimli's very rude voice from behind his left. Aragorn cringed inwardly and hoped that Haldir would not take offense. Elves and dwarves did not interact well with one another and it would not do for Gimli to lose his life due to his waggling tongue.

"We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the Dark Days." came Haldir's reply as he turned to Gimli. Aragorn could see the distrust and affront n the elf's eyes and knew that this would cause him trouble.

"And you know what this dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" Gimli retorted and Aragorn closed is eyes in a grimace.

"That was not so courteous." Aragorn commented to the dwarf as he turned partially. He wanted to do nothing more at the moment than to throw the dwarf off the high platform but could not. Haldir had a look of deep insult on his face but he did not move to see the dwarf punished for his insolence. This show of control made it very clear to Aragorn that Buffy had indeed already spoken to her naneth's march warden. Instead Haldir moved over to face Frodo who stood behind the others in silence.

"You bring great evil with you. You can go no further." he informed them and Aragorn bit back the urge to sigh. Buffy and her moods would be the death of him ere this journey ended.

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Legolas stood staring off the side of the talan as Aragorn and Haldir argued. He knew that the march warden would take them into Caras Galadhon but Haldir had decided to give Aragorn some trouble before doing it. They had been debating for about three minutes now and Legolas knew that it would go on for another few minutes before Haldir gave in.

Looking over his shoulder at Frodo he felt pity for the hobbit. Frodo had been close to Gandalf and Legolas knew that he felt guilt over the wizard's fall into shadow. It was a guilt that was unfounded but Legolas was not close enough to console him. Legolas listened as one he did not expect did what he could not.

"Gandalf's death was not in vain, nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden Frodo, don't carry the weight of the dead." came Boromir's wearied voice.

Legolas turned fully as Haldir made his way over from where he had stood apart with Aragorn.

"You will follow me."

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Caras Galadhon Lothlorien January 15/ 56 Hrive 3019 III Age

Buffy slowed her horse from a gallop as she neared the city. To appear hurried would not become the daughter of the Lady and Lord. As she approached she judged that she had just over two hours before the fellowship would arrive and it would take her another half hour to get into the city, see that the horse was taken care of and make her way up to her room. That would give her just under two hours to bathe, dress, eat and make her way to where her parents were. It was a little short with time but she could manage it if she did things in the right order.

But first she needed to see to it that she could have things done quickly. Opening her mind she did not have to concentrate at all in order to contact her naneth. Her elven abilities were stronger whenever she was with her parents, something that she felt had good and bad side effects.

"Naneth?" Buffy asked.

"Yes iel nin?" came her naneth's soft voice. (my daughter)

"I'm going to assume that you know that the fellowship is on the borders and that you plan to greet them formally when they arrive." Buffy said, there was no question to it. She knew how formalities were kept and she had long ago been forced to know her place in them.

"You are correct."

"And I need to join in this meeting." Buffy relied with a sigh. She may have known her place but a chance to rest would have been nicer.

"It is your place." her naneth replied simply, as though that said everything.

"I was really wishing you wouldn't say that but since I have to, can you have things made ready for me and them as well?" Buffy asked. She would be in the city in a few minutes and she really needed to get a move on if she was going to make it in time.

"The preparations have already begun. We shall greet you when you have had an opportunity to refresh yourself."

"Thank you nana. And could you please tell ada that Aragorn is with the group and that he needs to play nice." Buffy ventured. She was in no mood to deal with her ada being overprotective, especially when Aragorn was being a huge helping of ass pain right now.

"Of course pen vell. It gives me much joy to have you home. Please try not to upset your ada too much."

"I'll be good. But if he's gotten all stuffy on me again I reserve the right to use any force necessary." Buffy teased. Her ada was actually great fun when you could catch him in the mood but most of the time he just had too much serious stuff going on to indulge in his fun side.

"Very well. We shall speak soon." her naneth replied, a faint hint of amusement in her voice. Buffy sighed to herself as she saw the edge of the city come into view, things were far too bad right now for fun to be had in anything more than spurts. Her heart hurt for the loss of Gandalf but she couldn't grieve for him right now. After all of this was over she would grieve for him.

Buffy kept her head high and her back straight as she rode in the direction of the stables, she would hold herself as she was meant to while there were outsiders in the Golden Wood. She didn't have to like it but she would do it, mostly because she had chosen this when she had agreed to be adopted.

After several minutes she made it to the stables where she was greeted by one of several who kept the stables. Alighting from the horse she handed the reigns over with a nod of thanks and turned to head to her rooms. It was a ten minute walk to the Royal Court where her rooms were and then another ten minutes to get up to where it was. Buffy kept her pace steady as she made her way up, giving nods and the occasional smile to those who greeted her but she didn't stop to speak. When she finally made it up to her room she fought back the urge to sink down onto her bed and sleep, instead she moved over to her weapons table and began to methodically strip off her weapons, gear and clothing. She pulled the leather cords from her hair and began to unravel the braids as she made her way to the bath. If she knew her naneth well enough she would find a hot bath waiting for her and by the time she was done there would be food and someone in her room to help her with her hair and dress. Buffy may have been the queen of high maintenance at one point in her life but wasn't any more and was more than willing to take help when she needed it.

Slipping into her bath, she submerged herself entirely. The feeling of the hot water over her tired body soothing away sore muscles and fatigue. She pulled her head up and for a moment just lay there, letting her muscles relax and her body soak up the warmth. But she knew time was pressing so she sat up and began to soap her body and hair throughly, she hadn't had a bath since they had left Rivendell and while she had what she referred to as the 'almost always perfect elf look' going for her now, she still felt beyond grubby.

After nearly ten minutes of scrubbing she rinsed herself off and stood up to get out. She felt much better as she reached of a cloth to dry herself off with and another to wrap around her hair. Padding out into her bedroom she found what she had expected. There was a tray of food waiting for her. But before she could sit down and eat she needed to brush her hair out so that it could dry. Moving over to her dressing table she picked up her brush and pulled the cloth off her hair. After five minutes of work her hair was detangled and laying in wet waves down her back over the large drying cloth that she had wound around her body. Moving over to the table she poured herself a glass of Minuvor and tucked into her food.

After about ten minutes of eating Buffy heard a soft knock on her door and watched as one of the elleths in her naneth's service entered. They exchanged smiles and the elleth began her work. Buffy watched out of the corner of her eye as she finished her food as the elleth made her way into her closet and chose a gown for her to wear. Buffy had the distinct assumption that the gown would be either blue, silver or white, or a combination of the three. After all, the crown she had been given when her adoption was completed was silver and white. It didn't help that this was the first time that any non elf visitors besides Aragorn or Gandalf had ever come since she had arrived over seventy years before and she would be expected to be even more like the elven princess she was, which meant that she was going to be expected to keep up appearances.

After a few minutes the elleth emerged and Buffy took one last drink of her Minuvor before standing to go get dressed. Streching her muscles Buffy didn't feel any soreness in them at all, between the restoring drink and her advanced slayer and elven healing she was back to normal in less than half an hour. Padding over to the elleth Buffy accepted the thin under dress she offered and put it on. Taking a moment to adjust it to her body. After that Buffy was handed a gown of white with pale blue and silver ivy stitching all over it. The stitching was delicate and from a distance would appear invisible. The gown itself was long and fairly simple, the neck cut in a very wide v that was held up only by the edges of her shoulders. The sleeves were long and wide and fell in folds around her arms. Buffy lifted her arms for the elleth as she secured a simple silver and blue cloth belt loosely around her waist, the two secured ends forming a v at the apex of her hips.

Buffy followed the elleth over to her dressing table and sat down. Her hair was pulled out from inside the back of her dress and the elleth began to brush it steadily for a long time until it was dry, then with deft fingers she began to pull it back from Buffy's crown. The only hair that was let to flow freely was the back and two pieces before each of her ears, it was an exact duplicate of how her naneth wore her hair most of the time and Buffy couldn't help but smile a little bit. Someone definitely wated it made known whose daughter she was and Buffy couldn't and wouldn't argue. Seeing the expressions on the faces of the fellowship who didn't know who she was would be priceless. After a few more minutes as the elleth braided the hair she had puled back Buffy sat very still, having Arwen as her primary pretty maker had made her very aware of how she held her head while someone was fixing her hair. Arwen was what Buffy referred to as the 'hair Nazi' and you didn't disrupt her in any way unless you wanted pain.

After the elleth finished her work, she moved over to Buffy's jewel case and selected her formal crown, necklace and bracelet. All three went together and all three were beautiful beyond words. Buffy had never actually worn them but tonight she would and she would do them justice. Buffy watched silently as the elleth began with the bracelet, she self out her left had and the elleth placed it on her wrist. It was a cuff of mithril, designed to look like flowing hoops and circles, it had a white stone in the center that seemed to glow as it was placed on Buffy's wrist. Next came the necklace, the elleth removed her Wilwarin pendant and placed it carefully in its spot in the jewel case before moving over to place the intricate piece around her neck. Like the bracelet, it consisted of slowing lines and circles with the same white stone in the center, it too seemed to glow the moment it sat around her neck.

The last was the crown and Buffy watched her reflection with something akin to awe as it was placed on her head. It, like the others, was made of mithril of was made to look like flowing lines and curves with the same white stone in the center. The top sat at her hair line and the bottom below the center of her forehead. When it was settled it too began to almost glow before the light seemed to spread through her body. Looking into the mirror she could see that she had the same glow that her naneth possessed and she almost smiled. She was definitely going to surprise the uninformed in the fellowship. She had a feeling that Boromir might actually have a heart attack when he saw her. It would be funny to see.

Smiling in spite of the grief she still felt she nodded her thanks to the elleth and moved to make her way to where she knew her parents would be greeting the fellowship. It she wasn't mistaken they would be arriving almost immediately after she did and she didn't want to be late.

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Buffy made her way across the platform to where her parents waited. They both looked like they always did and Buffy found that comforting. Smiling she embraced her naneth first, her head still slightly lower despite her mid life acquired height. They didn't speak, they didn't need too, they shared a bond so strong now that words were often unneeded between them. The bond of mother and daughter more than enough. Stepping back from her naneth she turned and embraced her adar, her head still only came to his shoulder and she breathed in deeply the scent of him. He was her father more than anyone else had ever been. Unlike Giles he had never turned against her or abandoned her, but let her be herself and was there when she needed him most.

"They are here." came her naneth's voice from behind her and Buffy let go of her ada. Smiling to him faintly before taking up the position she knew she was supposed to be in. Her naneth on the far left, her adar in the center and herself on the far right.

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Boromir felt his eyes begin to water from the beauty that surrounded them as they made their way up the long staircase. Never had he seen such beauty before, not even the Citadel of Minas Tirith could match it in its breathtaking beauty.

Moving up what was the last steps before a large platform he felt his breath catch as he saw the home of the Lord and Lady of Caras Galadhon. It seemed as though it was made of flowing ice and shone brightly in the soft light. Their pace was steady as they followed the the elf to the platform before the stairs and stood gathered together. Aragorn taking hos place at the front and center with the hobbits spread out behind him. Boromir kept to the far side from Legolas and Gimli and stood waiting to be presented to the Lord and Lady.

He was blinded for a moment before he began to make out three shapes in the light. When his eyes could focus fully on the faces before him he felt his stomach drop and his eyes grow wide. Not ten feet from him stood Buffy surrounded by the ethereal light that only surrounded elves and bearing a crown on her golden head.

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Buffy fought with all her might to keep her expression utterly serene as they descended the stairs, her hand placed lightly on her adar's. The looks of complete amazement on the faces of all of the fellowship save for Aragorn and Legolas more than made up for her being stuck with a group of men for almost a month. Gimli, the hobbits and Boromir all shared looks of complete surprise, though Frodo remained focused on her naneth. Aragorn raised his hand and bowed slight as did Legolas and Buffy fought to keep her expression completely serene in spite her urge to giggle. Now was very much not the time and she knew it. Gandalf had fallen and things were not going well at all and she really should not be finding any type of humor at the moment.

"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf for I mush desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar." said her adar. Buffy watched as Aragorn's eyes met her naneth's and knew that she would learn what Buffy didn't have the heart to tell her.

"Gandalf the Gray did not pass the boudries of this land. He has fallen into shadow." came her naneth's voice, it was slight surprised and Buffy felt her adar's eyes turn to her as if expecting confirmation. She nodded her head even as she kept her eyes on the fellowship. Legolas had kept his eyes down the entire time and Buffy could feel his suffering from where she stood along with the rest of the fellowship's., one of the perks of being in the land of her parent's was that her elven gifts seemed to grow immensely.

"He was taken by both shadow and fame, a balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas informed her parents.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart Gimli son of Gloin. For the world has grown full of peril. In all lands, love is now mingled with grief." replied her naneth as she looked over the fellowship. Buffy watched Boromir's face as her naneth's gaze settled upon him finally, she could see the pain in his eyes and the tears there. He ducked his head down and Buffy knew that she needed to talk to him, he was a good man, she just had to help him along some.

"What now becomes of this fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." asked her adar. Buffy moved her eyes over to Aragorn and watched as he bowed his head.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while company is true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."

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Buffy stood watching as the rest of the fellowship made ready to rest. She had chosen her place well, from where she stood she could see and hear everything that happened without them seeing her. Buffy could hear the words of those singing above her and fought back tears. Gandalf had done a great deal for her over the years whether he knew it or not. Taking a steadying breath she watched as Legolas made his way over to the rest of the fellowship with a tureen of water. She knew without a doubt that he knew that she was there but he wouldn't say anything until she came forward.

Buffy did intend to come forward but not until her orders were carried out. Food and drink were to be brought to the fellowship and Buffy figured she had about ten minutes before it showed up. When the food came she'd show herself but not before. If she was going to have to answer a million and one questions then she was going to do it in a comfortable situation.

"A lament for Gandalf."

"What do they say about him?" asked Merry from his perch.

"I have not the heart to tell you, for me the grief is still too near." replied Legolas, turning his head to face them. Buffy could see Aragorn inside the tent next to a snoring Gimli. He had stopped sharpening his sword and sat watching the others as she did.

"Bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them." commented Sam from his place on his bed. He stood and continued to speak. "The finest rockets ever seen, they burst in stars of blue and green, or after thunder silver showers."

Buffy had to suppress a chuckle as Aragorn reached over and whacked the still snoring Gimli in annoyance.

"Came falling like a rain of flowers. Oh, that doesn't do me justice by a long road." Sam finished as he sat down, upset with his lack of poetic skills. There was a moment of silence and Buffy turned her head as she heard footsteps behind her. A group of retains waited behind her with trays of food and drink and Buffy nodded her thanks before turning to lead the way over to the fellowship. As she turned she saw Aragorn leaving the group to go join Boromir on the far side of the clearing. Taking a deep breath to steady herself before the barrage of questions she stepped forward and made her way over to the resting group.

"Buffy!" Merry exclaimed as she came up to their tent nestled in the roots of a tree. Evidently it had been decided that putting them up in the guest talans would be a bad idea since most of the fellowship were unaccustomed to heights.

"I thought you could use a decent meal and I'm guessing you have some questions for me." Buffy told them with a slight smile as the food began to be set up before them.

"Yes we do." replied Frodo, his eyes still sad.

"Then I suggest you wake up Gimli and then we'll talk." Buffy told them.

"Alright."Sam replied and moved over to the dwarf and shook his shoulder. Gimli grumbled in his sleep and moved his arm as to swat at whoever had done the unthinkable and tried to wake him. Sam moved out of the way for a moment and then shook him again.

"Gimli wake up. There's food and Buffy is here."

'Can't you let a dwarf sleep?" Gimli muttered as he sat up. Buffy smothered a smile at the dwarf's case of bed head.

"Gimli I brought you food." Buffy told him and his eyes lit up.

"Well why didn't ya say so?" he replied and rose to join the rest of them around the food.

"Alright who wants to go first?" Buffy asked. She figured she might as well dive in and get it started otherwise they might be there the whole night.

"Who are ya lassie?" Gimli asked around a mouthful of food. Buffy let out a sigh. Of course Gimli could sum it all up into one sentence. And it just happened to be a sentence she wasn't sure how to answer. Turning her head to Legolas she gave him a pleading look before asking.

"Legolas care to sum it up for me?"

"She is Lady Riana Wilwarin. Daughter of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Born of the race of men in a world not our own, she was sent by the Valar themselves to aid us in our battle against the shadow. She was given immortal life like that of elves and adopted and made one of our own. Though she was born of the race of man she is no longer one of them." Legolas told them after a slight pause. Buffy was rather impressed with her friend. He wasn't one to be this verbose and it was rather amusing to her. Hopefully Arwen was having a good influence on him.

"That about sums it up." Buffy told them with a smile. Their expressions were priceless to say the least.

"But how come you were all glowing before?" Pippin quired.

"Elven adoption is different than other adoptions. We mix blood so that were are counted as blood kin. When I was adopted I gained elven blood. I generally don't have the glow unless I want to or if I'm here with my parents. Somehow when I'm close to them I glow all the time. Blood wise I'm only part elf. I didn't get the pointy ears and I can't walk on snow." Buffy explained, ending with a small pout in Legolas' direction as she mentioned snow.

"Can you read minds like your mother?" asked Frodo, he wasn't really eating a whole lot but he looked better than when they had first left Moria.

"No I can't and neither does she. When I'm here and my gifts are stronger, I can feel your emotions like she does. Despite what Gimli says neither one of us are witches and we can't put spells on you." Buffy told him with a quirk of her lips. When Haldir had told her what Gimli said about her naneth she hadn't known whether to laugh or be offended.

"How did you know..." Gimli began to sputter.

"I spoke to Haldir after you made your way down here." Buffy told him with a quirk of her lips.

"Lass I never..."

"Its alright Gimli. But I should warn you though. I've known witches in my life and most of them aren't evil. Though they might do something if you insult them." she interrupted with a smile. Willow may have gone all evil on them for a little bit but she wasn't an evil person. And she was definitely powerful. "

"Why did you not tell us that you were the Lord and Lady's daughter?" asked Sam.

"A few reasons. No one outside of the elven realms know who I am. Not telling you was just habit. I don't mind you knowing but no one else can. I refuse to be made a bargaining piece if someone finds out and manages to get me. Another reason is that I'm generally not comfortable with being referred to a Lady anything. Yes, I belong to a family as powerful as Legolas' but like him I don't really like to be treated any differently than anyone else. So please just keep treating me like you always have." Buffy explained to them.

"We can do that." Merry said and the others nodded their agreement. Buffy smiled at all of them

"Thanks guys. Now its getting late and I'm tired. I'm heading off to bed. Goodnight." Buffy told as she moved to leave the group. After giving Legolas a grateful smile she turned and began to make her way across the clearing and to the stairs. Turning she smiled at the still eating group.

"Oh and guys?"

"Save some food for Aragorn and Boromir." she told them before moving out of their line of sight.

"Yes Buffy." she heard them chorus behind her.

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Caras Galadhon Lothlorien January 16/ 57 Hrive 3019 III Age

Galadriel stood beside her mirror lost in thought. The mirror had shown her many things this day and all gave her much to think on. The fate of their world rested in the hands of three who had never asked for this burden and did not yet know their true strength. Their fates were bound together irrevocably and only their efforts would see the end of the evil that plagued the world.

Her daughter had a great role to play in all of their futures and though she did not know it, she brought hope to those who had none. Buffy already possessed the greatest strength of the three but her true test would not come in a field of battle but in a battle with her heart and fear.

So lost in her thoughts was she that she did not hear Buffy's approach until her daughter's voice came from behind her.

"Nana."

Galadriel turned to face her daughter and though she could see the worry on her face she could feel the determination in her spirit. Her child had seen something that had caused this. Buffy's gifts were as potent as her own but very different and much more difficult to control.

"Something troubles you." She asked. If what she had seen in the mirror was akin to what her daughter had seen then she had reason to be troubled.

"I've been having dreams, slayer dreams. It is always the same. Open war is coming and if we don't do something Sauran is going to win." Buffy said and Galadriel felt a pang of dread. If Buffy could see the war ahead of them then the path before them was indeed grave.

"What have you seen?" She found herself asking. She remained calm but in her heart of hearts she knew that her daughter's time had come. Buffy's power had only grown and now was the time for her to use it.

"The beginning of the end. I will see the ring destroyed and Aragorn made king but I need time. Time that you can help give. Saruman has an army and he plans to destroy Rohan with it." Galadriel watched as her daughter's gaze lifted up to meet her own, the strength, the determination there felt as though it could be touched. "I've seen the battle, Rohan's fate will be decided at Helm's Deep. If Saruman takes Rohan Gondor will be trapped between Isengard and Mordor, Minas Tirith won't stand a chance." Buffy finished in a hard voice. Buffy had never before used this tone with her and Galadriel felt pride in her younger daughter. Buffy would one day make a great leader.

"What would you see done to prevent this?" Galadriel asked. She already knew the answer she would receive but to hear her daughter request it was necessary. The knowledge of knowing when to ask for help was essential and one thing that her daughter lacked in occasionally.

"Send them aid, elves and men once fought side by side to keep evil from destroying us. Its time to do it again." Buffy replied. Galadriel could see no shame in her eyes for asking. Her daughter was learning and it heartened Galadriel. If Buffy could learn to ask for the aid she needed then there was a chance that she could survive this war.

"The affairs of men are not our concern." came her husband's voice as he crossed through the archway by the staircase. His tone gave little room for argument, and it was that small amount of room is what their daughter found herself in. Gazing at her daughter, she watched as Buffy let her position be well known.

"Really? Because I'm fairly sure that if Sauran wins it concerns everyone. How long do you think it will take before they come here? Not very long. So you have two choices, fight and give us the time we need to destroy the ring or keep out of the fight and we all die." Buffy stated, there was more than steel in her voice. It was something tanageable and Galadriel knew the truth of her words. Nenya would be of no use to them to protect the Golden Wood if Sauran had the one ring. Her decision made, she alloved her gaze to travel over them both. Buffy stood in her full glory as a lady, her white gown shone brightly as did the silver circlet and her flowing golden hair. Her husband looked as he ever did but there was a comprehension and sadness to his eyes that warred with his ever constant strength.

"There is wisdom to her words. We will send Rohan aid. Do you know when this battle will occur?" She asked. Buffy looked at her with grim acceptance.

"Fifty maybe sixty days at best. It was raining during the battle and that doesn't happen one the Mark until around the thirtieth of Coire." Buffy explained before turning and making her way back up the stairs. Galadriel watched her go with both pride and trepidation in her heart. Their daughter was becoming was she was meant to be, only time would tell if she would survive long enough to face her own true battles.

"So it begins. The battle for Middle Earth is upon us." said Celeborn as he stood beside her. Turning to face him she reached out her hand.

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Buffy had retreated to her room after speaking with her parents. After hours of meditation and thought she had reached several conclusions, none of them ideal to say the least. Over the years she had become adept at keeping secrets and now she planned on keeping more, not just for her sake for that of the entire fellowship. She wouldn't tell them about what she had seen coming to Rohan or the aid her parents would send. If they knew they would only worry more and she needed their minds on their primary objective: destroy the ring. She would also keep the fact that she was being hunted now a secret as well. Not only because the others had enough worries but she wasn't sure how to explain the details of Narya. The red stoned ring remained hidden from all but a few and until she had truly learned how to channel its power she wasn't willing to let others know she had it. A ring of power was one thing, a free ring of power in her hands was quite another.

Looking around her surroundings in the garden she took in everything, from the soft sound of water flowing from the fountain to the rustle of leaves far above her. Breathing deeply she could smell the earth and plants around her, it was a smell that always brought her peace. No where else in all of Middle Earth smelled like the Golden Wood and Buffy thought that no where ever would. Standing up on the root where she had been sitting for hours, she stretched her muscles and began to move down the incline of the root to the ground.

One decision she had made amongst the others was to spend as much time as she could with the others. Gandalf's fall had made it clear to her that any one of them could die at any moment and she wanted what time they might have to be pleasant. So she would spend all the time she could with both the fellowship and her family.

She kept walking until she made her way to where the fellowship was camped. The area was empty save for Boromir who sat starting off into space before him. Keeping her barefooted tread steady she made her way over to him.

As she stood before him it seemed to draw him out of his thoughts and he looked up at her with an expression she couldn't read.

"What's wrong Boro?" she asked him. If anything he had something face. But from what she wasn't sure, there was simply too much going on for her to tell.

"Why did you lie to me?" he asked rather abruptly and Buffy had to fight back a snort. Of all the things she had thought might be bothering him, this wasn't it. She kind of liked Boromir, he wasn't a bad person, he was still just naive and arrogant. And when she could say that about a man who looked older than her it was definitely saying something, not only about how old she was now but how much she had managed to grow up over the years.

"I didn't. I said I had old blood in my veins. You assumed that was Dunedain and I just didn't correct you." Buffy answered.

"Be that as it may, why did you not tell us?" he quiried. They had become friends over the last month and he seemed slightly hurt that she had kept something like that from him. He was her friend, her first human friend aside from Aragorn to know who and what she was and she didn't want lose that. Taking a deep breath and sitting down next to him she replied. "Because to me it isn't important who my parents are. And it shouldn't be important to other people either."

"Our lineage is always important."

"Not to me it isn't. I assume you've gotten the whole story from the others right?" she said. If she guessed right then the hobbits had probably spent the better part of the evening before attempting to drag information out of Aragorn and Legolas. Most likely with minimal success and ended up just talking about what they did know. Deciding that it was important for him to understand she countered him. "Well in the world I came from who your parents are isn't important, its who you are and what you do that matters. In my world if a woman has a child out of marriage it isn't a big deal and no one holds it against the child because it isn't the child's fault that its parents weren't married. Its the parents."

Turning her head to gage his reaction she was amused to see the shocked expression on his face. Her voice was half amusement half righteous indignation when she replied. "Oh don't look so shocked. My birth parents were no longer married by the time I was sixteen. It was common where I came from. We had different values than you do here and while I abide by most of them I really don't agree with them."

"You truly do not share our beliefs?" he asked her, his voice a mixture of disbelief and respect. Apparently he was a lot more accepting than she had first thought him. It was a good sign because it meant that he wouldn't think less of her for just being her.

"No. But I believe in marriage, I just don't think I'll ever have it." she told him honestly. She'd already opened up with him more just sitting here than she would have ever thought she could with him. It was a nice surprise and one that she was grateful for in a strange way. Everyone else in her life was so tangled in a web of politics, destiny and family that they refused to see things simply.

"Surely your parents have chosen someone for you." he said. She could see his own small reluctance at the idea and she was glad that an arranged marriage wasn't one of her problems.

"Elves don't work that way. Its love or nothing at all." she told him. He seemed to take her words in and then simply sat there for a minute. Buffy was content to leave him to his silence and looked out across the clearing, the fountain drawing her attention.

"I have heard it whispered that your heart belongs to Aragorn and his to you." he said and Buffy turned her head to face him.

"Oh you have, have you? Why am I not surprised."

"So it is true then?" he asked

"Yeah." she almost whispered in reply. She had more important things to worry about that the fact that she and Aragorn were going to end one way or another in the near future.

"But not all is well between you."

"Figured that out didn't you?" she said with no small touch of sarcasm.

"It is a simple matter to discern if one looks." he replied with a chuckle.

"Well I guess you're more perceptive than I first thought." Buffy commented dryly. A faint hint of amusement in her eyes.

"Should I be insulted by that remark?" he asked with mock seriousness.

"Nah. Take it as a compliment." Buffy countered with a grin.

"Very well. What matter has come between the two of you?"he asked her, the playful tone of his voice was gone. Buffy never really talked about things like this to anyone except for Arwen and Legolas but at the moment she felt like she could tell him. Boromir was many things but right now she knew that if they survived she would be able to call him one of her close friends.

"He thinks he knows whats best for me and wants to protect me." she answered with a hint of anger in her voice.

"That is what one does with those they love." he told her gently. Buffy understood that better than she wanted to admit. Hadn't she been the same with Dawn so long ago? But then Dawn had still been a child and not really ready to fight in the world they lived in. Buffy was more than ready to fight, she'd been doing it for over eighty years now and if Aragorn couldn't see what everyone else did then he was an idiot in her mind.

"But you've heard the story. I made a deal when I came here. He can't protect me from that. I'm not some damsel in distress that needs saving. I can take care of myself and he knows it." Buffy replied. In the distance she could hear the voices of the others approaching and knew that her alone time with Boromir was over. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him stand to greet the group that was making its way down to where they were. He offered her his hand and she took it, his eyes meeting hers with both understanding and seriousness.

"We all need to besaved sometimes." he said as he led her to greet the others.

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Caras Galadhon Lothlorien January 20/ 61 Hrive 3019 III Age

Buffy was relaxing in her room after a long day of entertaining the hobbits and just wanted peace and quiet. Merry and Pipping had the ability to make her both happy and exasperated at the same time and it was draining. She had considered putting them in close proximity to her ada to see what might happen but had thought better of it. He was far too busy seeing to the aid that Rohan needed for her to have him harassed.

Her quiet time was not allowed to continue when Legolas walked into her room. He didn't bother to knock, as she had left the door open, and Buffy wished she had closed it behind her.

"You have been intentionally keeping yourself from Aragorn's presence." he stated in a slightly accusatory tone as he came to stand before her on her. Buffy felt the faint tickles of defenseless creeping up in her and didn't even try to suppress them.

"So what if I am? Not that it's any of your concern." she snapped at him. Instantly she saw the look of hurt in his eyes and felt guilty. It wasn't his fault that things were the way they were.

"Oh I'm sorry Legolas. I didn't mean it the way it sounded." she exclaimed.

"Then how should it have sounded? I am your friend Buffy and I have been one for longer than any other save your family. And I am to join that as well." he asked her, his voice full of reproach and not a little hurt. Buffy looked down at her hands before replying.

"I know, I'm sorry. Its just that I'm tired of everyone asking me about Aragorn and what's wrong."

"Then give them a reason not to ask." he told her gently. Apparently he wasn't all that mad at her for putting her foot in her mouth but it didn't make her feel that much better.

"What do you mean?" she asked him.

"Follow the council you gave me, mellon nin. The shadow is threatening to destroy us all and there are no guarantees that we shall survive this. Mend the gap between the two of you ere the chance is gone and you both regret it." he replied. Buffy felt like kicking herself for telling him to go for it with Arwen now because he now had something good to throw in her face. Part of her wanted to do what he told her but the other part just couldn't give in. Aragorn had made this mistake and until he apologized she wouldn't forgive him.

"So I'm just supposed to ignore the fact that he thinks he can control my life?" she asked.

"No but the love you bear him should be stronger than this petty disagreement." Legolas countered. Buffy took a deep breath and let it out as she looked into his violet blue eyes.

"I know. You're right and that's what scares me. If we work this out and he gets what I mean and then we both survive and he becomes king, then what? We can get married but I'm not sure I want that."

"Do you not wish to give up your immortal life?" he asked her.

"I've never cared about being immortal Legolas. Its the other thing. If by some freak chance we survive and I marry him then I'll be trapped. I'll have to forever be someone and something I'm not. I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a cage created by everyone else's expectations of me." she explained to him. This was her greatest fear and the one that held the most sway with her. She wasn't afraid of marriage, or children, or death but she was afraid to be trapped in a cage for the rest of her life. She was afraid to be forced to pretend to be someone she wasn't. She'd spent years in Sunnydale being someone other than herself and now that she had lived so long as exactly who she was she couldn't go back. Wouldn't go back.

"Then do not. But ere that time comes make the most of what time you have have him know that he holds your heart. He told her before turning and leaving the room. Buffy stood there for a long time thinking bore she stood up mumbling.

"Dammit! Stupid know it all elf!"

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Watch your step, love is broken
I am every tear you cry
Save your breath, your heart has spoken
You already have my life

For I am finding out that love will kill and save me
Taking the dreams that made me up
And tearing them away
But the same love will take this heart that's barely beating
And fill it with hope beyond the stars
Only love

Another day, another sunrise
Washing over everything
In its time, love will be mine
The beauty and the tragedy

For I am finding out that love will kill and save me
Taking the dreams that made me up
And tearing them away
But the same love will take this heart that's barely beating
And fill it with hope beyond the stars
Only love
Only love, love, love

For I am finding out that love will kill and save me
-The Beauty and the Tragedy-Trading Yesterday

Caras Galadhon Lothlorien January 24/ 65 Hrive 3019 III Age

The night was quiet and ever calm as it always seemed to be in Caras Galadhon and yet Aragorn had found that sleep evaded him. After a great amount of time attempting to find the waiting oblivion of slumber he had given up and ventured out of the pavallion that had been erected for the fellowship's use. He had not made it far when he heard light footsteps behind him. Turning his head he say Legolas standing a few feet from him, his hair glowing in the light.

"Aragorn."

"Legolas"

"I wish to speak with you." Legolas said, his tone was grave and it instantly made Aragorn wary. Something was amiss else his friend would not approach him.

"Speak freely my friend." he replied.

"You have done Buffy a great disservice and have caused her much distress." Legolas told him in a hard voice. Aragorn stiffened at the accusation, his friend never spoke about such things unless they were grave indeed.

"It is not your concern." he found himself replying. His affairs with Buffy were his concern and no others. Despite the meddling that others seemed to involve themselves in.

"That is where you are mistaken. She is my friend as you are and will one day be my kin. I would see her happy and only you can bring her that." Legolas countered, the hard edge in his voice apparent.

"She has chosen her anger."

"No you have chosen it for her. You seek to decide her fate for her and to protect her when she is more than able." the elf replied and Aragorn was taken slight aback at the anger in his voice. His friend was not one to often indulge in anger of any kind, for him to do so now was unusual to say the least. But Legolas' anger could not change how he felt about Buffy or his desire to see her safe, to keep her from death's door.

"I could not bear to see her death." he said softly looking into his friend's eyes, silently pleading with him to understand. It seemed to work, some of the anger left is countenance, but was not gone completely.

"One day she will die Aragorn, be it by your side or alone." the elf told him and Aragorn felt his stomach drop into his feet.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"She has made her choice. She will not sail to Valinor. She is the dagnir above all else and she cannot be aught but that."

At these words all seemed to stop for Aragorn and he could not force his brain to function coherently. Almost dumbly he asked the first question that came to mind.

"Then she means to give up her immortal life?"

"She does not care if she is mortal or not mellon nin.. She choses to battle the darkness until it takes her life or there is no more." Legolas' words seemed to filter through the haze that covered his mind and it brought back the words Arwen had said ere they had set out from Rivendell. Arwen would accept Buffy's choice but the others would not.

"And what says her family?" he asked, his voice surprisingly weak even to himself.

"They respect her choice and will wait her in the Halls should she find her way there." Legolas told him. Aragorn felt his heart drop. Buffy had made her choice and none would stand against her in it. She would die and those who loved her accepted it when he had not the strength.

"This is folly." he told his friend, his eyes full of emotion.

"It is her life. You would do well to remember that. The love you bear for her never gave you the right to control or protect her but to stand next to her in all things. One day she will die. Would you rather it be alone or with your love to ease it? Do not be a fool Aragorn for there is no other in this world or any other like her." Legolas replied in a tone that Aragorn couldn't identify. It was half anger and reproach, half comprehension and sympathy. Aragorn watched dumbly as the elven prince walked away, his mind attempting to sort through what he had been told this night.

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Caras Galadhon Lothlorien January 27/ 68 Hrive 3019 III Age

The ever present silvery blue glow of Caras Galadhon illuminated the balcony of Buffy's bedroom but she did not see it. Instead she stood near the railings with her eyes closed, taking in the calm of the world around her. This moment was a time of rare peace that she knew would be gone all too soon. She was so lost in it that she did not hear the other person in the room until they spoke. "Hey B. Long time no see." came a voice that Buffy had almost forgotten. Opening her eyes she took in the sight of her sister slayer and her eyes widened.

"Faith?" she asked. Faith couldn't be here and yet here she was, looking almost as Buffy last remembered her. Her hair seemed longer and she seemed more serene but it wasn't possible. It had been over seventy years since Buffy had left and by now Faith should be dead, either due to the fate of all slayers or old age.

"Yeah Goldielocks its me." Faith replied as she wandered around Buffy spacious bedroom, taking in everything.

"You can't be here." Buffy said in a wary voice. Too many bad things in her life had come from visions of those who were dead or should be and she wasn't about to fall for it.

"Cause this is a whole different dimension. Yeah I know." Faith said with shrug as she moved over to where Buffy stood.

"So this is what then? A higher power guiding us? The PTB or the Valar? Or are you the First? Come to haunt me again?" Buffy asked warily.

"Damned if I know. But look at you. All up in the trees and wearing the girly stuff. Ordering people around and being a princess." Faith replied as she clapped Buffy on the shoulder. If Faith could touch her then that meant that she wasn't the First but it meant something else too. Buffy had only ever had one other dream with Faith in it and that had been before the Mayor ascended. That meant that crunch time was coming again and she tried to concentrate on what it was that was coming up, but couldn't think of anything.

"There's something I'm supposed to be doing." Buffy told her with a look of concentration on her face.

"Oh yeah there is. Miles to go. Little Miss. Muffet counting down from 7-3-0." Faith replied as she wandered back away from Buffy and over to the railing of the balcony. Buffy looked at the other slayers back with a frown.

"Great I've already had this dream and its still riddles."

"Would've guessed you figured it out by now. Maybe you really are a blonde." Faith told her as she turned to face Buffy once again.

"Then explain it for me." Buffy countered with a hard look on her face. There was something she was supposed to be doing and playing the riddle game wasn't it by a long shot.

"Dawn. 7-3-0." Faith said simply

"And the cryptic just keeps on coming." Buffy said with a huff.

"Yeah well its your head." Faith retorted.

"Oh thats encouraging." Duffy muttered. If it was her head then she knew what it meant, she just had to figure it out.

"You want to know the deal?" Faith asked as she moved to stand next to Buffy again.

"Yeah sure." Buffy told her with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Human weakness, it never goes away. Not even his." Faith said simply, as if that explained everything.

"You're kidding me right." Buffy asked her.

"Its getting to be that time. It was good to see you again B. I'll let the crew know you're fine." Faith told her as she moved to the door. Buffy moved to try and stop her but found her legs wouldn't work. Feeling desperate she called out.

"Faith! No wait!"

Even as the words left her mouth darkness enveloped her mind.

Buffy sat up in bed and took at deep breath, looking around the room for some sign of the other slayer but found none.

"Now what the hell was that?" Buffy exclaimed into the empty room.

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Couldn't save you from the start
Love you so it hurts my soul
Can you forgive me for trying again
Your silence makes me hold my breath
Time has passed you by

Oh, for so long I've tried to shield you from the world
Oh, you couldn't face the freedom on your own
Here I am left in silence

You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that's done's forgiven
You'll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that's done's forgiven

I watched the clouds drifting away
Still the sun can't warm my face
I know it was destined to go wrong
You were looking for the great escape
To chase your demons away

Oh, for so long I've tried to shield you from the world
Oh, you couldn't face the freedom on your own
And here I am left in silence

You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that's done's forgiven
You'll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that's done's forgiven

I've been so lost since you've gone
Why not me before you?
Why did fate deceive me?
Everything turned out so wrong
Why did you leave me in silence?

You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that's done's forgiven
You'll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that's done's forgiven
-Forgiven-Within Temptation

Caras Galadhon Lothlorien January 28/ 69 Hrive 3019 III Age

Four days had passed since he had spoken to Legolas about Buffy and Aragorn had come to several realizations and an even greater decision. He had lost time with her doe to his own stubbornness and folly and he would not lose another instant if he could prevent it. He found her wandering through the city seemingly aimlessly, a vision of white moving among the trees with a silver circlet resting atop her unbound hair. He came upon her quietly, not wishing o give her a chance to escape him. She had been avoiding him since they had left Rivendell and now he would not let her.

"Buffy, I wish to speak with you." he told her as he stepped in front her. He had waited until she had wandered into a secluded area and she would not let her leave until he had spoken.

"About what? Are you going to tell me not to fight again or just skip all that and tell me I should get on the next ship to Valinor?" Buffy asked him with a hard voice. Her eyes were hard but also full of tiredness and it worried him.

"That is not my intent." he told her, he did his best to keep his voice soothing and calm in spite of her obvious ire.

"Then what is your intent?" she asked him, her voice sounding wary.

"I wish to ask for your forgiveness. I have been a fool. Your life is your own and though I love you I cannot control what you do." he told her as he looked into her large green eyes. He watched as shock registered in them and had it confirmed when she spoke.

"Huh. Ok I didn't expect that."

"Then I have your forgiveness?" he asked her as he took her hands in his own. It seemed an age since he had touched her in so simple a manner and he found that he had missed it more than any other feeling in his life.

"So long as you promise not to ever try and make another decision for me." she told him in all seriousness and Aragorn found himself agreeing wholeheartedly. One day she would die but until then he would spend every moment she allowed him with her. She held his heart and none ever could.

"You have my word." he assured her and with a smile and she returned it.

"Then you are forgiven." she told him and he bent his head down and captured her lips with his own. The kiss was slow and soft but soon grew in passion that both knew that they could not indulge in. They had once before to no ill effects but they both knew that they could not again. Pulling back he smiled down at her and was surprised to see a mischievous look in her eyes.

"So tell me, how big of a dressing down did Legolas give you before you decided to pull your head out of your butt?" she asked him with a cheeky smile and Aragorn fought back the urge to grian. He should have known that she would have figured out what had prompted his ipifany and apology.

"It was rather large." he admitted with a rueful smile

"As much as I love the idea of he and Arwen together, he's picking up some habits from her that are going to make me crazy." she told him as they began to walk, hand in hand.

"That is true. She had quite a bit to say to me as well ere we departed from Rivendell." he told her and she chuckled.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"It is the way of our families melleth." he told her. It was good to be the cause of her laughter again. Be it for only a few more days or until the end of time, he would never tire of giving her joy.

"Don't I know it." she commented.

"Legolas said that you do not intend to sail with your people should we survive." he stated as he come to a stop and turned to face her, her hand still in his own.

"No I don't. I wasn't meant for Valinor." she admitted as she looked him directly in the eyes. There was no doubt in them and Aragorn knew that she had truly chosen her path and no one could change her mind.

"Then what shall you do?" he asked her. She let his hand go and turned away from him. Rubbing the back of her neck as she moved a few steps from him. She kept her back turned as she spoke. "I honestly don't know. I'm not thinking that far ahead. We may not survive this." He knew she was right and but it made his heart hurt to think on it. He watched with shadowed eyes as she turned back around and came to face him, standing so close that he could feel the heat coming from her body. She took his hand in hers and smiled as she spoke, her eye reflecting all the love he felt in his own heart. "But I want you to know this. I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone. Be you a King or a Ranger, I do not care. I love you and I will until the last breath leaves this body." As she spoke he felt something cold ressed into his hand and looked down to see her Wilwarin pendant resting in his hand.

"You cannot give me this." he told her.

"It is mine to give to whom I wish, just like my heart." she told him and he found that he could not argue but bent down to kiss her once again.

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Isengard January 29/ 70 Hrive 3019 III Age

Saruman stood in before his Uruk-Hai troops, they were amassed and ready. They would succeed where others had failed.

"Hunt them down! Do not stop until they are found. You do not know pain, you do not know fear. You will taste man flesh!" he told them. They raised their weapons in response, a dark force that would sweep over the land until they had found their quarry. He moved before their captain and spoke. "One of the halflings and the woman carry something of great value. Bring them to me alive and unspoiled. Kill the others."

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Caras Galadhon Lothlorien February 14/ 14 Coire 3019 III Age

They planned on leaving in two days. Preperations had been made, forces were being gathered, weapons sharpened, plans laid, everything was almost in place and Buffy knew that her naneth planned to use her mirror. For the last three days she had been waiting on the edge of small area where her naneth kept the mirror, waiting to see what would happen. She knew without a doubt that her naneth would have Frodo gaze into it but the possibility that she might have Aragorn as well loomed on the edge of Buffy's mind.

Unsurprisingly Buffy saw her naneth come down the stairs into the glade that housed her mirror not long after she had settled into her spot, and was not long followed by Frodo. Her naneth's movements were easily predictable to Buffy as she filled a tureen with water, but it was Frodo's caution that caught her eye.

"Will you look into the mirror?"

"What will I see?"

"Even the wisest cannot tell. For the mirror shows many things, things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass." her naneth responded as she poured the water and then stepped back. Frodo approached cautiously and gazed at her naneth for a moment before looking into the mirror. To Buffy his expression seemed pained and petrified, a mask of horror and fear. After several long moments he threw himself back and Buffy watched has her naneth did not even move.

"I know what you saw, for it is also in my mind." her naneth told him and then Buffy watched as Frodo stood. Buffy watched the two of them carefully and knew that they were speaking silently. She wondered what her naneth was telling him but had long ago learned better than to ask. Buffy felt her spine grow rigid as Frodo moved forward with the ring in his hand, holding it out for her naneth to take.

"You offer it to me freely. I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this." Buffy fought the urge to run into glade as her naneth moved forward and reached out her hand Buffy held her breath as her naneth began to glow and grow more terrifying than Buffy had ever seen any elf. He voice deepened as she spoke.

"In the place of a Dark Lord you would have a a queen! Not dark, but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the earth! All shall love me and despair!" The glow stopped suddenly and her naneth was breathing heavily.

"I pass the test! I will diminish and go into the west and remain Galadriel."

"I cannot do this alone." Frodo said.

"You are a ring bearer Frodo. To bear a ring of power is to be alone. This is Nenya, the Ring of Adamant, I am its keeper. This task was given to you and if you do not find a way, no one will."

"Then I know what I must do. Its just...I'm afraid to do it." Frodo replied with uncertainty in his voice. Buffy felt a pang of sadness for him and vowed that she would do all in her power for him.

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

Buffy watched as Frodo retreated from the glade, after she was sure he was out of hearing range she moved down from her hiding spot.

"Ok nana, that was way beyond creepifying before. I'm amazed Frodo didn't turn and run cause it sure made me want to." she told her with a smile.

"As am I." came her naneth's reply as she returned Buffy smile weakly.

"And by the way, we are not alone. Especially not him." Buffy told her as she came to stand next to her.

"No pen vell, we are alone. Only we can bear this burden." the elleth replied as she gazed down at Nenya.

"Ok point taken. But he isn't alone so long as he has those who care for him." Buffy countered.

"In that, my daughter, you are correct." her naneth replied and looked at her with a wan smile. Buffy knew she needed to be cheered up and would do her best to do so. She didn't have much time with her parents left bfore they left and she wanted it to be happy.

"Come on, lets go find ada. I'm sure he's up to his eyes in books again. Ya think he'd get sick of them after all this time, but no, he just keeps at it." Buffy said and took her naneth's hand in her own, leading her up the stairs that stood on the edge of the glade.

"To me it is one of his more endearing qualities."

"It is to me too. Do you want to bet I can get him to say "Dear Eru" again?" Buffy asked with a giggle as they made their way up the stairs.

"It is a bet that I will most certainly lose for you have a gift for exasperating your adar." he naneth replied with laughter in her voice.

"You're probably right."

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Caras Galadhon Lothlorien February 17/ 17 Coire 3019 III Age

It was early morning but Buffy was wide awake and moving. Already she had bathed and eaten and now sat before her dressing table as the elleth behind her braided her hair. The elleth had chosen the same method that Arwen had employed before and as the elleth bound the end of her long plait with strong leather cord Buffy felt the weight of the journey settle upon her shoulders once again. Nodding her thanks she waited for the elleth to depart before standing and making her way over to the items spread out on the long table at the side of her bed.

Removing the cloth from around her body she began to dress methodically, the movements soothing her. Fist came a sleeveless under tunic followed by her mithril vest and a tunic of green that reached mid thigh. She buttoned it up and adjusted the high collar and her hair before moving to the new leather pants her parents had provided and her well worn boots. After they were on she moved over to her belt. All of her weapons and gear had been checked the night before so she wasted no time in checking them again. Next she secured her vambrances and gloves. She picked up her now repaired Ranger coat and added it before securing her weapons to her back. Looking over the remainder of her gear she stopped and picked up her two smaller knives and secured them in each of her boots, a well hidden habit that had saved her life before. All that truly remained was a small pack that held only the most minimal of gear. Buffy had long ago learned the value of traveling as light as possible and was not about to change her habits.

Taking one last look around her bedroom as if to memorize it she sighed before picking up her pack and heading down.

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Buffy stood a few paces behind her ada with her naneth as he addressed the rest of the fellowship on the banks of the Anduin. They stood in a row, each with an elf or elleth before them as they had cloaks secured around their shoulders.

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." her adar told them and Buffy reached out a hand to take her naneth's. She turned to Buffy and gave her a sad smile. They had spoken at length about her choices and future and it seemed that both of her parents had accepted it. They were not pleased but they accepted her choice. The times were far too dark for them to part in anger and it they both knew that Buffy could lose her life in this journey. They had also discussed the creatures that haunted the eastern shores of the Anduin and the best method of outrunning them.

Buffy kept to her spot as her adar stepped back from the fellowship and the others moved away from them. Only to have her naneth approach them with the gifts. Buffy stood back with her ada and felt his warm reassuring hand take her own as they watched her naneth bestow the gifts.

"My gift for you, Legolas of the Woodland Relm, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of out woodland kin." she told Legolas as he gazed in wonder at the bow. Buffy held back the urge to giggle at him, he would forever be in love with his toys.

Stopping before Boromir, Merry and Pippin she handed them each belts with knives attached. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." she told them before moving over to Sam.

"And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain." she told him before handing him a wrapped up length of rope. Sam looked at with uncertainty before replying.

"Thank you, my lady. Have you run out of those nice shiny daggers?" he asked and Buffy had to suppress another urege to giggle. This wasn't the time and she needed to say her farewells. Turning to her ada she smile up at him as she continued to hold his large warm hand.

"Come bid me farewell ada." she urged and led him away from the rest of the fellowship.

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Aragorn stood alone before the mother of the woman he loved and felt himself at a loss. The Lady of the Golden Wood smiled at him sadly before placing her fingertips in the Wilwarin pendant that hung about his neck.

"I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear. Am meleth din. I ant e-guil Riana Wilwarin pelitha." The Lady said with sadness as he looked into her eyes. He understood her feelings well but there was aught that he could do. Buffy had chosen her fate and he now knew that though he was a part of it he was not her reason. (For her love. I fear the grace of Riana Wilwarn will diminish.)

"Aniron i e broniatha ar periantham amar hen. Aniron ciratha Valannor." he told her. And though it was true he knew it would never happen as did she it seemed. ( I would have her leave these shores with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.)

"That choice has past for her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn, to rise above the heights of all your fathers since the days of Elendil or to fall into darknes with all that is left of your kin."

"For her I will not fall into darkness."

"Then in this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil." she told him and placed a broach in the shape of an eagle in his hand. He stared down at it for a moment and then back in her eyes. He felt determination swell in himself and knew that she had given him her approval. Nodding to her he was offered a smile

"Namarie Elessar. Nadath na i moe cerich.? She told them and them moved away. (Goodbye Elessar, There is much yet you have to do.)

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Buffy was helping to load supplies into one of the boats as Legolas was helping to load one of the others, with Merry and Pippin sitting inside.

"Lembas. Elvish way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man." Legolas told them and took a bite before placing the rest in the boat. He them moved up the shore to help Gimli into a boat and Buffy turend her head to watch the two hobbits.

"How many did you eat?" Merry asked Pippin softly, obviously hoping that Legolas didn't hear them.

"Four." Pippin replied before burping.

Buffy was suddenly glad that she had told her parents about just how much the hobbits could eat. Luckily for them her naneth had listened and supplied them with almost twice what Buffy had suggested.

"Ya know if you don't don't stay out of trouble I'm gonna have to put you both on a diet." she told them. Threatening their food supply was the best bet in keeping the two of them in line she could think of.

"You wouldn't." Merry said in a voice that sounded positively horrified.

"Try me." Buffy challenged before heading up the shore to tell her naneth goodbye.

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Aragorn walked with Lord Celeborn to the boats so that they could depart. As they walked hand in hand the elf Lord spoke.

"Every league you travel south the danger will increase. Mordor orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Audain. Nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the mark of the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do orcs journey in the open, under the sun, yet these have done so." Celeborn stepped in front of Aragorn and he looked down before him. In Celeborn's hand lay the dagger that Buffy had given him years before. He took it and looked her adar in the eyes.

"Le aphadae aen. Protect them both. In them our hope lies." Celeborn told him. (You are being followed.)

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