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Buffy and other characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, et. al and used without permission. No copyright infringement intended & no money earned.
After burying the king's son, Gandalf rode off to find help. The rest of them moved the people to a fortress deep in the mountains. They nearly lost Aragon during the journey, when Orcs attacked the caravan. Luckily, he showed up days later, battered but still alive. Now, they waited for the Orc army to attack.
They had made it to Helm's Deep only to immediately prepare for battle. The women and children hid in caves below the fortress. Buffy thought of their moments of paradise, as she stood, waiting on the walls, looking out at the army of Uruk-hai, Orcs and Wildmen. She stood on the walls of Helm's Deep, proud and straight like a golden statue.
"Buffy, come down you're making yourself a target," Aragorn ordered.
"Striderite, I've had a target painted on my back since the day I was born."
Last night, she had walked in her dreams and talked to her parents. She told them that they needed help. She knew Hali would come, and that Golas would be jealous. Looking down at Aragorn and the necklace around his neck.
"Do you really love my niece?"
His head came up at the unexpected question.
"Yes, with all that I am."
"Then hold on tight. Life is empty without love, even for the immortal."
Hopping down off the wall, she walked away. He stared after her, still touching his necklace.
Buffy was still furious about what else had happened last night while she dream walked. Arwen called out for help wishing for her mother's guidance. Buffy went to her hoping to ease her heart.
"Does your love mean so little niece? Are you not willing to sacrifice for it? To have what years you can?"
"In my vision, he lay dead, and I was left alone with only my grief," Arwen cried.
"Is that all there was? Did you look harder? Had he changed greatly over the years, Wen? Did you think becoming mortal would change the way you age? You have the strength in you to guide your own destiny should you choose to. It's not your father's place, no matter what he thinks. But if you aren't strong enough or don't love him enough then go, go hide across the water in Valinor," Buffy spat.
"No, I love Aragorn, with all my heart, aunt. What should I do?" Arwen begged.
"Look in your heart, Wen. What does it tell you? What were your words to your lover? If they were true then your answer is there."
Buffy faded away, as her anger at a certain Elven father grew.
"Stubborn man."
King Théoden argued with Legolas that his 'wife' belonged with the other women. She walked around looking for the largest soldier she could find.
Buffy told the man, "Sorry about this but your king is stubborn pig."
Picking the man up, she threw him across the entire courtyard. No one made a sound, when he landed on some hay, stacked at that end for the horses. Nodding her head at the king, she walked up taking Legolas' hand and pulled him way. He tried to keep from laughing until they were further away from the king.
"Now, I know why Gandalf calls you Imp."
"Worked didn't it. We don't have time to stand around stroking his ego. It isn't my fault Wormy had him under some spell for such a long time. Could you kiss me, before all this starts?"
Legolas pulled her close kissing her passionately.
"That will do for now," she said happily.
Buffy felt grateful for even this short break. She knew that soon their lives would change drastically as each event unfolded. They heard a horn; it was the elves. Buffy perked up at the sound. "Open the gates let them in hurry." She went down to throw it open herself but Legolas held her back.
"We don't know who it is love."
"Yes we do, I do." Buffy hurried down to meet Haldir as he led in a contingent of Lothlorien Elves.
Legolas stiffened when he saw the Marchwarden. Buffy threw herself into his arms and he easily caught her. Haldir saw they were causing a scene and put her down. "Rie, you are ever getting me in trouble. Now I have an official message to deliver. We will talk more, later. When a certain Prince isn't shooting daggers at me with his eyes."
Haldir led the others to Théoden and formally announced the renewal of the alliance between Elves and Men. Haldir noticed Aragorn and nodded his head in greeting. The future king surprisingly walked over and hugged him.
The Uruk-Hai stood at the front of a vast army of Orcs and Wildmen. They spread out in front of the keep's wall. Both sides were waiting until accidentally an arrow flew from the keep. Then all hell broke loose.
The elves and archers shot volley after volley of arrows but the army continued to march forward. Ladders appeared on the walls as their enemy tried to breach the keep. Everyone pulled out their blades as Gimli grinned at his chance to join in. Legolas' bow moved so fast the string sounded like he was playing a song. Gimli swung his ax taking the head of any Orc in reach. The two friends shouted their kill numbers at each other.
Aragorn fought and directed the attack simultaneously. Legolas looked for Buffy where he had last seen her and began to panic. He found her among all the chaos; his breath caught in his chest. She fought three Orcs at once as they fell she blew him a kiss. When the Orcs breached the causeway, Buffy stood on the top of the wall.
A sword in one hand, a dagger in the other, she flipped forward into the enemy waiting below. Legolas grabbed a shield and used it like a sled. He slid down the incline after her. His twin swords flashed as he looked for her; he finally saw her golden hair. He fought his way toward her until he was almost to her side.
Legolas finally noticed the others fighting, as well. He saw another headed in the same direction as him. He pulled his bow aiming it straight at for the heart. When he finally made it to Buffy's side, he sighed with relief. Looking about him the sight caused his heart to clench. Bodies of dead Orcs surrounded her. Black blood marred her cheeks, her eyes closed and her face was pale.
Legolas moved to get to her but Haldir stopped him.
"Do not touch her; she's doing something. If either of us touches her, we may harm her."
He nodded, his heartbeat in his throat. As they watched, a fine mist rose from her mouth. It picked up speed, rushing out into the valley that surrounded the enemy army. Buffy fell to her knees. The two elves raced to catch her, before she hit the ground. Haldir got there first and gathered her small body to his chest.
Legolas glared at him. "Give her to me. She's mine to care for and protect."
"No. She's always been mine to protect. Whether she chooses another or not, her mother sent me to aide and protect her daughter. I will fulfill my duty. So do we stand here arguing or get her and the rest of the wounded inside. Rie's given us a respite to gather our strength. Once again, would you waste her gift with your jealousy?" Haldir asked, walking away.
Legolas picked up the closest wounded man carrying him inside. Holder's words were heavy on his heart. Will I lose her now that the Marchwarden's here? I don't know if I could bare the loss. Buffy's mine and I will fight for her if I must.
As he entered the castle to lay the man down, he saw that Haldir hovered over Buffy's small body. Legolas moved quickly across the space, dropping down to her other side. She was so pale. Her usual golden skin was almost as white as his own was. He knew true fear in that moment, not of losing her to Haldir, but forever. Buffy moaned as both men sighed in relief then grinned at each other.
Gimli rushed over when he saw them. "What has happened to our lassy? Was she injured? I can't believe it, not the way she fought. What can we do? Our poor lassy, we cannot lose her."
"Gim, come here," Buffy croaked, her throat raw. "What was your last count?"
"Was she hit in the head is she dazed?"
"Gim, how many?"
"I killed 57 of those black devils lassy all for you."
"Golas what was yours"
"73"
She gave a hoarse bark of laughter. They looked at her as if she was mad.
"Ha, beat you both. I got 91. So what is my prize?"
"For you lassy, anything your heart desire. As long as you stay on this side of death's great door," Gimli said gruffly.
Buffy laughed, and then moaned from the pain it caused her throat.
"Hali, would you go see if they have any honey? I need some in hot water for my throat."
"I'll be right back, Rie."
She looked at Legolas. His eyes still held the fear he had felt, was still feeling.
"I'm fine Golas. Just always, have to pay for almost everything, especially magic. Come here."
She motioned for him to bend down to her. He did as she asked, and she moved her hand to caress his face. Catching her hand, he gently kissed the palm as Haldir returned. He watched as the other elf helped her to sip the drink while he whispered in her ear. Buffy nodded her head as her throat eased.
Legolas wondered what they were saying. She had reassured him of her interest in him. Haldir laid her back down as her eyes closed. Legolas refused to leave her side as the others moved away to let her rest.
Aragorn walked over to clasp his shoulder.
"She's a remarkable woman cherish what you have Legolas. All our futures are uncertain."
Buffy dreamed in great detail. The dreams showed her every possible path. There were dreams of Frodo and Sam as the traveled with Gollum through the marshes toward Mordor. Aragorn melted into Gandy with Pippin. She saw her place in the days to come even where the paths might possibly join together once more. The one path closed to her was her final task, her true destiny, and the reason the Powers had needed her to return to Middle Earth. It was as if she took part in the dream, while parts remained hidden from her. Pushing her mind, revealed more and more to her. Still no matter how hard she pushed, she couldn't see her final goal. Buffy's body shot up off the pallet; Legolas grabbed her.
"Buffy you must rest, beloved. Please we are about to ride out. Lie back you are too weak to fight more you have done enough."
She resisted as he tried to push her back down. "No baby I just needed to catch my breath. Send some people to the caves to move the people back toward the keep. Hurry now." She was on her feet striding over to Aragorn.
"Gandy will be here soon so give me a sec. I gotta go get Sil." She moved away at a run.
Théoden looked at Aragorn. "That is the most unusual woman."
"You have no idea your majesty" Aragorn grinned. Legolas and Haldir joined them each looking around. "She went for her horse."
Haldir groaned, "She was the same as a child. You can't change her mind or get her away from something she loves."
Buffy rode up to them on Silver looking like an Amazon ready for battle. "Let's go kick some Orc ass."
Théoden rallied them. "For Rohan. For freedom. To Victory." The king led them out to meet the army.
They rode straight into the Orcs; the fighting started immediately. The men on foot charged when over the crest of a hill a bright light shown. Gandalf on Shadowfax led the Horsemen of Rohan into the battle below. The Orc army found itself cornered by attacking armies on two sides, taking out great numbers. They started to retreat into a forest of trees disappearing from sight.
Gandalf rode up next to Buffy. "Well you came late to the party but you brought prezzies." He had begun to understand her strange way of speaking and laughed.
Legolas exclaimed, "Gandalf it is good to see you. How did you make the trees appear like that?"
"I did not, young prince."
They turned to look at Buffy.
"Hey I didn't make any trees grow promise." They turned away missing her smile.
Gandalf rode off to speak with Aragorn and Théoden as Buffy looked out at the trees. "Maybe they are a gift from the Valar," Legolas suggested.
"Oh I wasn't thinking of that just of my parents. Hali and the others will be going back soon. I was trying to think what I wanted him to tell them. I know they're worried for me, for all of us."
"Haldir isn't staying here with you?"
"No Golas, his place is in the Forest of Lothlorien, mine's here"
Buffy turned Silver around and rode back toward the keep.
When he entered, he saw her talking in the corner to the handsome elf. His jealousy hit him hard as he started to go over.
"Do not interfere, Legolas. Whatever choice she makes is hers alone. Your jealousy may change what could be your victory," Gandalf warned.
Haldir nodded grabbing Buffy kissing her deeply then he walked away. She looked after him for moments then began to help the wounded. Legolas joined her saying nothing just helping her quietly. She smiled up at him after binding an arm then moved on to the next person.
The next morning Gandalf, Buffy, Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli rode for Isengard. They were riding through Fangorn Forest when they spotted Merry and Pippin sitting on a wall smoking pipes. The valley was flooded below. They both started talking at the same time telling them Treebeard is in charge. Everyone smiled to see their happy faces.
The Ents were magnificent to see; the others looked on in wonder. Buffy moved away; as Aragorn and Legolas guarded the way for Gandalf to face off against Saruman. Buffy smiled up at Treebeard who bowed to her as she put her hands up. The Ent wrangler gently picked her up sitting her on his branch.
"You were wonderful old friend. I've missed my rides on your great shoulders. I always told Poppy it was like flying. Your forest was helpful in our battle. We won that one but it is only the beginning I'm afraid. I hope now that you're fighting back Saruman won't create any more Orcs. Kind of like closing the door after the horses are out but it will have to do. So, who's new since I have been gone?" She grinned up at her old friend.
Treebeard laughed. She was the same as a child. Rattling off questions and words at a fast pace. Luckily, Ents understood faster than they spoke. The two old friends visited for a while until Legolas noticed her high up in the tree. He panicked until her heard her sunny laughter mixed with the trees deep rumble.
Shaking his head, he wondered if she would ever stop surprising him. Then he smiled he hoped not. Buffy seeing him on the ground was soon beside him. Legolas spun her up into his arms as she laughed. "Happy to see me babe?"
"You said you had nothing to do with making the forest appear."
"I didn't. Treebeard sent them. I only sent Mother a message that help from old friends was needed."
"How do you know, Treebeard?"
"Golas, sweetheart I was born in Lothlorien. It's an enchanted forest. and I am the firstborn. Treebeard and the Ents came to pay tribute. The story goes that I was crying when he bowed before us; then I stopped smiling. Mother put me in his arms and I laughed. He visited often; when I was old enough to talk. I demanded rides at the top."
Her face glowed from the happy memories of childhood.
Three days later, they reached Edoras. Théoden welcomed them back in victory calling for a huge feast to celebrate their victory. Éowyn had fallen for Aragorn and he seemed taken with the white lady.
Buffy walked over interrupting. "Aragorn, can I talk to you a minute."
Legolas' eyes go wide remembering her words about names. "Buffy what is wrong can I help?"
"No Golas this is between me and Aragorn." Aragorn got up from the table following Buffy outside. "Just what do you think you are doing in there? I won't let you cheat on Arwen not right in front of my face" she spat.
"Buffy we are merely speaking; she knows of my love for another."
"Hello wake up smell the come on right in front of your face. You are either leading her on, flirting because you think it's harmless, wanting some, or are just plain stupid. None of those are acceptable not with her Star of Eternity around your neck. She is willing to give up everything for you. Don't make me have to hurt you, Aragorn."
"I am not worthy of such a love. She is eternal. I am but a man." Aragorn tried to reason with Buffy.
She hauled off, punching him in the jaw, sending him several yards backward.
"Stay down and listen close to my words. Cut that crap out. If you don't love her then say so. Let her go she will heal, someday. Don't leave her hanging, with your self-pity crap. Snap out of it. She wouldn't love you, if you weren't a good man. My niece isn't stupid, so don't treat like she is. For goodness sake, she's over 3000 years old. Surely, that's old enough to know her own mind. Now, make yours, the hell, up and stick by it."
Buffy left him there on the ground deep in thought.
She entered the Golden Hall alone as Legolas rushed to her worry clear in his eyes. "I didn't kill him honey; I only hit him once. It was tempting, but I held off totally kicking his ass."
Buffy started to enter the keep, when he stopped her.
"I want you to know. No matter who you choose, I choose you, Buffy, always."
She remembered saying those same words to a different lover. 'Always' had a different sound here, now with Legolas. When she had said it to Angel, it felt like a death knoll in her head. She felt it meant she belonged to him no matter what he did to her, or them. Here she stood, with this man, and it represented hope for a future, where he promised to stand side by her side. Always to support, to be there for each other no matter how angry or foolish the other acted. A promise of 'love' not ownership.
Taking his hand, she led him upstairs. The truth of his words clear in his eyes. She pushed him to sit on the bed then stood between his legs.
"I love you, Legolas. If you want it, I pledge to you my heart. I give my word to stand with you through the years, until one or both of us is no more. Then I will wait for you on the other side, until you join me once again. Legolas, if you accept me, as I am, all that I am, all that I offer. I will become your mate in this life and the next."
He put a hand to her face.
"You lied. There's one other time, when you use real names. It's in private with love. I thought I'd lose you to this fight, or to another. I knew then in that moment that I would choose to fade, rather than live without you. I love you, Buffy, and accept your heart in exchange for my own. I'll proudly become your mate, as you are mine, until death parts us, and then I'll join you again on the other side. I will wait for you beloved, forever."
He tenderly kissed her, before pulling her onto the bed with him. Looking down at her beautiful face, there were tears in both their eyes.
"After our journey is over, we shall go to Mirkwood. There we will have a grand ceremony with all our friends and family joined about us. They can witness our vows and see our joy. Tonight will always be our true bonding night. Let me love you, beloved, as my mate, my lover, my wife."
"Come to me husband. Let me show you how to make the stars dance." Her voice husky, her eyes full of love and desire
Buffy pulled his shirt apart and teasingly nipped at his ear. Elf's ears were an erogenous zone. He moaned as she rubbed the delicate tips. Hands pulled at clothes until they both lay bare and breathless. Her lips moved down his body, smoothing the way with her hands only to follow with her lips and tongue. She lovingly tasted every inch of his skin.
Legolas finally caught his breath. "I'm not sure if they danced beloved, but I'm sure I saw stars. I believe it's my turn to see what shapes and colors I can make flash behind your eyes."
They loved throughout the night, never letting one another go, always staying connected in some manner or another.
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