~*~ Part 5 ~*~
While the two lovers slept in each other's arms, Pippin looked into the Palantir. Near the morning, Buffy fell into dreams. She saw Sam who wishing she were there. She saw all of his fears for Frodo and his heart of a lion that hid inside his small body. Buffy smiled on him telling him to hold true to, his course always trust himself. In the darkest hour, find the brave knight hidden inside dig deep use his anger and fear. Frodo will need his warrior spirit. The ring bearer was not the only who had a destiny on the journey.
She tried to get to Frodo but the ring blocked her way. If he would only remember and called on her memory to help him. Buffy could only help him if he called to her. She knew she just had to trust in Sam to watch over him. Gollum's influence on Sméagol was tearing the poor creature's fragile psyche apart. The small part of him that wanted to help is being eaten away by the ring's draw.
Buffy saw the two paths ahead for her own group and herself. This was the first time she saw part of her own path and her body began to shake. Legolas woke up holding her down crying out for Gandalf. Unfortunately, that is when he saw that Pippin had looked into the Palantir. Events moved along quickly after Gandalf questioned him about what he saw.
All eyes turned to him so none saw the color leach from Buffy's face at the description of the white tree. Gandalf feared that Sauron would think Pippin had the ring. He was going to take him on Shadowfax to Minas Tirith at Gondor.
Aragorn tried to convince Théoden to ride for Gondor. Gandalf told Aragorn that he mustn't travel the regular route but look for the black ships. He walked to the stable to ready Shadowfax. The two little hobbits said their farewells.
Buffy kissed Pippin's head. "Be brave little one we will all be counting on you." He looked at her confused as she went to send Gandalf off.
She threw her arms around the surprised wizard "Imp I though we had already said our goodbyes?"
"I know but just one more for luck Gandy." Buffy mumbled into his shoulder. Behind his back, she cupped her hands blowing onto the crystal in his staff. It glowed bright blue for a mere instant then winked out. "Gandy remember you are a White Wizard now. Dig deep use all that you have earned. I love you Gandy take care of both of you." She kissed his cheek then joined Merry in the tower to watch them until they were out of sight. She hoped he would listen to her. Buffy did what she could; there would be a price that had to pay but she that was for her to bear. Gandy was a stubborn man maybe that was why she loved him so much.
Gandalf and Pippin made it to Minas Tirith exhausted. Faramir, Boromir's brother, was heartbroken to hear their news. His father he realized was quite mad but he would perform his duty. The Steward of Gondor refused to light the fires that would call the others to battle. Pippin climbed the watchtower and lit the fire.
The fires lit across the land, one after another. Aragorn went to tell Théoden who finally agrees to ride to Gondor. When Aragorn saddled his horse, Éowyn followed to ready her own. He noticed her sword, which she quickly covered. "The elf's wife isn't the only woman that can wield a blade." She smiled at him brightly.
Buffy walked up to "Éowyn I think we need to talk girl to girl."
"Buffy there is no need for that she understands that I am taken by another. Arwen has all of my heart there is room for no other." He moved his horse away considering the situation settled.
Éowyn watched him with a hungry look on her face. It reminded her of Faith or Cordelia when she was with Angel. "Look he is pledged to my niece; you are only making him and everyone else uncomfortable. So quit with all the come-ons. I usually don't hit women but for you I might make an exception. If you want to be out of your father's house then leave. If you want to fight then do so. Don't do something thinking that it is going to make a difference between you and him. It won't and it never will."
"He is truly pledged to the elf maiden? I thought he was just being a gentleman. I would have made him a good wife."
"That may have been true if Arwen wasn't in the picture but she is. You can't use him to run from your life. Be your own woman fight for your future."
Buffy walked away to find Legolas as everyone was preparing for the journey to Gondor. "Do I want to know what is behind that smile?" Legolas asked her.
"Probably not honey probably not. Things are going to happen fast just don't ever forget I love you, always."
In the open fields outside Minas Tirith, the remaining soldiers urged their horses on, across the open fields of the Pelennor as the Nazgûl still followed them. They were lifting men from their horses as they rode.
As they approached the city, Gandalf rode out on Shadowfax. The people of Gondor watched as the wizard rode out like a knight into single combat on a glowing white horse. He charged down the valley towards the men straight into the middle of the fighting. Gandalf raised his white staff above his head; he heard Buffy's words whisper in his mind. Pulling from a place deep within thinking back on his battle of fire. A blinding beam of white fire shot from its tip. With a shriek, the Nazgûl wings caught fire causing it to draw back, then took to the skies. When it reached the pinnacle, it burst into flames dropping like a weight onto the Orc army.
Inside the gates safe once more Faramir told Gandalf what had happened. The Steward of Gondor wasn't happy to see the return of his only son.
At the same time that Gandalf used his staff, Buffy's screams rang throughout the Golden hall. A chill went through everyone when they heard it. Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli took off at a run. Legolas got inside first only to find her body crumpled on the ground. Her hair lay behind her like a golden banner. Blood marked her nose, ears and eyes; no one approached her.
Legolas ran to her scooping her up to see if her heart still beat. "She still lives what happened? Does anyone know?"
Éowyn went forward "She screamed out then clutched her stomach and crumpled. No one was even near her."
Buffy's opened her eyes as he wiped the blood away. "Legolas I have damned us both. I couldn't chance it; I couldn't trust them anymore to protect him, so I did." Tears poured down her face washing away the blood. Picking her up, he carried her away from the crowd to privacy.
"I shared my magic with Gandy to protect him, Pippin and Gondor till we could get there. There is always a price but they took more than was their right damn them," Buffy whispered.
"Please dearest, tell me what has happened; what price have you paid?" Legolas kissed her head.
"Children, they took my right to have children. They thought I should be more humble, be taught a lesson. If you don't want to pledge our vows when this is through, I understand. They have taken so much Golas, I couldn't chance it; let them use Gandy. I'm sorry."
"My pledge was to take you as you are all that you are. Always beloved if you thought you needed to help Gandalf then I believe you. I believe in you Buffy."
The next day they rode to the encampment where all the armies would meet before journeying on to Gondor. Tents were assembled and the banner of Rohan flew on the field. Legolas watched Buffy as her body became tenser with each passing hour. Looking into her eyes, he saw bottomless pools of despair. It was if all the air was squeezed from her, the closer they grew to riding for Gondor.
A request was sent to Aragorn to go to Théoden's tent where he found Elrond waiting for him. "The one we both love is dieing. Her life is tied to the fate of this war. The black ships will reach the city in two days you need more men. You need those who walk the other path."
"They are forsaken; they believe in no one, answer to no one." Aragorn spat.
"The King of Gondor still holds the power of their release." Elrond pulled out a sword. "AndúÉowynril - Flame of the West. Forged from the shards of Narsil." Aragorn took it from Elrond's outstretched hands. "It is time for you to be become who you were born to be. Take the Ghost Roads, summon an army to defend your city your world" Elrond ordered. "I bring hope back to Man."
"I have kept none for myself," Aragorn answered.
"Wow, what a rally charge that will be" a soft voice filled with sarcasm comes from the opening. "I know I'm ready to ride hell-for-leather to follow you. Stay here with the women and children if that is all that you bring to the table. Or choose to be a king, a real king with all the duty and sacrifice it requires. My brother-in-law and I are going to have a little talk. I'll be waiting for you outside, Elrond."
"Keep you distance from her, may the Valar watch over you my lord." Aragorn told Arwen's father.
The older man looked at him in shock. "What do you mean I do not ride into war you do?"
"Oh you will wish you were my lord I assure you. Good Luck" he smiled.
"Let's walk where no one can overhear our family business Elrond," Buffy pulled the Lord of Rivendell behind the tent.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked.
"I have a question for you Elrond. Did you love my sister?"
"How dare you ask me that? I love her still. Celebrian holds the other part of me soul on the other side." His back stiffened with anger.
"Then how the hell could you do that to your own daughter. You tried to steal her life, her destiny from her. You would rather have her fade away from heartache on Valinor, than know a love like the one you still share with my sister. I told you before you couldn't live her life for her. Her path isn't yours to walk. No wonder Man has lost all faith in elves. You think you are above them when you are not. Do you not see what you did bind her tighter to the outcome of this war? If she fades it will be on your own head you fool," Buffy yelled up at him.
"No it cannot be; it is only because she gave away her immortality" Elrond protested. He didn't want to believe that his effort to protect Arwen; may have harmed her more.
"Look longer next time at what you were so willing to destroy, Elrond. I have no more time to waste on you. But you had better pray that everything comes out all right. If not you will think losing to Sauron is little price to pay when I am through with you." Buffy pushed past him to go find Legolas.
She smiled to see Aragorn saddling up his horse with AndúÉowynril strapped to his back. "We will be ready to ride in a moment Striderite."
He laughed at her as the others begin to question him. Aragorn tried to talk them out of it when Buffy walked up slapping him on the arm. "Get on the damn horse Striderite. We have ghosts to spook."
Éowyn started forward but Buffy's face stopped her in her tracks so she only waved when they ride past.
Buffy looked at the King, "We will see you on the battlefield my lord. If you hurry I will leave some for you to kill."
He laughed at her. "I will try to hurry then girl can't let you have all the glory. Rohan will have some of their own."
"Who enters my lair? Who dares?" The Ghost King asked.
"The King of Gondor" Aragorn announced.
"Gondor has no king" thousands of ghosts surround them.
He drew AndúÉowynril. "There is one now. This blade says it so. I say it so. If you will help us to beat back our enemies to save Gondor; you can regain your honor."
"Do you so swear?"
"I do in this place before you and my friends."
They moved out and intercepted the black boats; the dead annihilated the pirates in one fell swoop. Legolas and Gimli were once again counting their kills. Legolas ran up an Oliphaunt using arrows; he worked his way up to its neck. He cut the platform holding the riders sending them to the ground right in front of Gimli. He shot arrows straight into the creatures head, the same way he did the cave-troll. Sliding down the trunk, he landed with a grin beside Gimli.
"That only counts as one," the dwarf shouted.
They looked over to see Buffy running up to another Oliphaunt planting her feet and grabbing its tusk. The great creature stopped like it had hit a brick wall; flipped over landing on its back, killing all the riders. Buffy's sword made a huge arc as she slit the Oliphaunt's throat by jumping across its.
"Now she can count all of those even that overgrown beasty" Gimli crowed. Legolas shook his head as he headed back into the fight.
Éowyn killed the Witch King then held Théoden as he died. Pippin found Merry on the field and helped him back into the city's gate.
Aragorn, Buffy, Legolas and Gimli stood outside the gates of Gondor. The King of the Dead demanded his release. Gimli thought they should keep them around for a while. "You have kept your word and are free to move on," Aragorn told them.
Later standing on the tower of the castle they looked towards Mordor, Aragorn asked Gandalf of Frodo.
"He is beyond my sight."
"He is holding to the path but there is still a war to fight" Buffy answered.
"What have you seen imp?"
"The ring is hard on him but Sam is keeping him on the path. They will need help, to be able get to the fires and not get caught."
"Then I say we help him. It is time that we take the fight to the very black doors of Mordor and knock them down" Aragorn growled.
"Now that is a battle call," Buffy grinned.
"When do we leave?" Gimli asked. "Lass that was amazing what you did with the Oliphaunt. I knew you were strong but not that strong."
"I wasn't Gim, something rushed into my body when we started to fight; it filled every inch of me. When I ran up I was going to swing up but well you saw what happened."
Buffy's eyes glazed over almost as if she were in a trance."Buffy, beloved are you right" Legolas asked.
"Yeah I just had a waking dream freaky. Talk about a major wiggins. We need to go now Frodo and Sam are ready for us to make with the door knocking."
They looked at her but her face was clear. "We will gather the troops and be ready to ride soon. Will you be all right?" Aragorn asked.
"Yep,ready to rock and roll."
"I guess that means she is ready" Legolas shrugged.
Sam and Frodo were working their way across the encampment in stolen Orc armor. Sam had won the day rescuing Frodo from the Orcs after the spider had stung him.
"What made you come back, Sam?" Frodo asked.
"I remembered a dream where Buffy visited me. She told me that I would have to dig deep never give up that I was a warrior inside. After you sent me away, her words came back to me. They made me remember why I came along firstly Mr. Frodo. I am your protector and my job wasn't over. Samwise Gamgee ain't a quitter, no sir Mr. Frodo. Now we just have to get up that mountain and be rid of that cursed ring."
"Buffy told me to call to her but I never did. Thank goodness, I had you to help me Sam; a truer friend was never born. She is right you are an amazing warrior she would be proud." They continued to work their way up the mountain.
Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Buffy, Merry and Pippin stood outside the black gates with the rest of the army. Buffy felt her blood hum under her skin almost like an inch. She realized whatever she was meant to do would happen here now. Looking at her loved ones, she said a prayer of protection for them.
"I love you guys; I will kick your asses if any of you gets killed." Buffy told them as the gates began to open. Something opened inside Buffy in time with the gates. The remainder of Sauron's army stood there. Her knees buckled for a moment.
Aragorn led the call, as they ran forward not waiting for the Orcs to attack. Buffy moved closer and closer to the black gates her blade moving without thought. She moved like she was in a trance leaving no Orc alive in her path. The others were deep into the fighting when her body aligned in the center of the gates. Looking inside she realized she could clearly see the mountain and the eye. It looked back at her as if it noticed her for the first time.
Frodo and Gollum were fighting over the ring inside the mountain close to the edge of a steep cliff. Sam's words about Buffy called out to something in Frodo's heart. "Buffy" he whispered.
Her head swung from the eye to the mouth of the mountain. Closing her eyes thinking of her friend, "Frodo listen to me just let go." His hands opened and Gollum fell into to molten lava below the ring still clutched in his hand. When the ring hit the fires of Mordor the mountain shook. It was going to erupt.
Buffy's focus returned to the eye. The loss of the ring weakened Sauron but he wasn't destroyed, yet. Pulling air deep into her lungs Buffy blew it out of her mouth. It was a scarlet color, the color of the eye. It seemed as if she blew for years. She realized now the Powers had filled her with something else, something more. Will there be anything left of me when I am through.
The fighting stopped when the mountain started to shake as lava erupted. Aragorn and the others were surrounded but all eyes were on Buffy. Not even realizing she was no longer on the ground but above the gates straight across from the eye. Her breath was like a living flame shooting from her small body, as it hung suspended in the air. It seemed the very fires of Mordor came from her. Legolas screamed her name as Gandalf held him. He wasn't sure who was supporting whom.
Sauron's eye finally exploded into dust sending out a wave of wind that washed over them all. When it hit the Orcs, they simply melted into a dark mark on the earth. The flame from Buffy's mouth finally stopped and her body plummeted to the ground below. Legolas raced to get there before her; saying every prayer, he could think of. He slid barely reaching her in time.
Her face held no color in it. It was if she was drained of her blood. Gandalf rushed over touching her carefully. "She is deep in the shadow. I know not where or if she can return." Legolas looked up seeing tears falling down the wizard's face.
"What of Frodo and Sam, Gandalf?" Merry asked. Gandalf was reluctant to leave Buffy's side.
"I will go for them." He called the eagles to him as he flew off to rescue their lost friends.
Legolas picked her up carrying her to his horse but Silver moved forward. It was as if the horse demanded to carry his mistress on his back. He didn't want to release her even just to mount. Again, Silver read the elf's mind and bent his front legs down Legolas could easily get on. Securely mounted on Silver, they took off for Gondor.
Aragorn, Gimli, Merry and Pippin waited for Frodo and Sam. Gandalf plucked Frodo and Sam from a rock flying them back to Gondor.
Frodo woke up in a soft bed; Gandalf sat beside him. "Gandalf."
"Hello Frodo I am happy to see you awake and well." Before the two old friends could say anymore. Gimli, Aragorn and the rest of the hobbits entered the room. Frodo and Sam smiled at each other realizing how lucky they were to be alive.
"Where is Legolas and Buffy?" Frodo asked. Everyone's eyes become sad and worried.
"Was Legolas injured? Is she with him?"
"No Frodo it is the lassy she will not wake. The elf won't leave her side he barely eats or drinks. Stubborn fool." Tears formed in Gimli's eyes. The dwarf looked away with a loud sniff.
"What happened to her? She was there I know it she helped Sam and I," he protested.
"She helped all of us Frodo in her own unique way. When you destroyed the ring, it weakened Sauron but did not destroy him. Buffy did using her magic. She told me there was always a price to pay; I fear what the price will be for her bravery," Gandalf told him.
Legolas sat by Buffy's bed holding her hand. "She is stronger than you think Prince of Mirkwood," a voice said. He looked up but didn't stand.
Galadriel and Celeborn entered the room moving to the other side of the bed. Galadriel brushed Buffy's hair back from her face. "She came back before from a great distance my daughter will come back to us again." Celeborn said nothing just watched his daughter's pale face.
Frodo knocked softly on the door. "Enter." He walked in and his eyes were glued to the tiny body on the bed. "We are happy to see you well Frodo Baggins."
"Lady I didn't see you there. How is Buffy will she be all right?"
"My daughter never liked to be confined in a bed. She will be up in time to see Ellesser crowned Gondor's King," Celeborn said.
"She will wake up she will" Legolas said it like a chant, a prayer.
Galadriel slipped her ring from her finger putting it on Buffy's hand. "Buffy you now own the Elven ring of power as is your right. Open your eyes little one so you can tell me how you will make all the elves jump when you are their Queen."
The ring flared to life on Buffy's hand washing her in a rainbow of colors as it caught the light. Her hand moved as they held their breaths in hope. Her eyelids fluttered barely opening to close again.
"She is only sleeping now she is back from the shadows." Galadriel told them.
"We will leave you to both rest; when she awakens for longer we will return" Galadriel said.
Legolas climbed into bed with her holding her close. Buffy sighed, "I love you Golas, not leaving, not ever." Her voice came in small puffs of air, when they hit him they made his spine tingle.
Legolas' eyes widened, the magic is still in her. "Please beloved rest, I need to go fetch Gandalf." He kissed her forehead.
"Yes get Gandy" she sighed moving further into the covers.
The same feelings were dancing across his skin; it was thick in the air. Legolas ran out the door only to almost run over the old wizard. "Gandalf come quick, it is Buffy. The magic, it is still in her, it is in her very breath even in the air. Hurry, I fear for her life."
They rushed to her room. Gandalf faltered as he walked into the room. The air was thick with magic it hovered over her body like a cloud. His wizard's eyes could see the magic like a living being. He turned to the blond elf, "Run get her parents. I may need their aid."
Legolas was out the door as Gandalf approached the bed. He put his hand out and could feel the magic hovering around Buffy's body. He could not decide if it was protecting her or harming her. Gandalf had never felt so much power anywhere.
The door slammed open again as Legolas, Galadriel, Celeborn, Aragorn and Arwen entered the room. "The ring remove the ring from her hand. She wears Nenya, the Ring of Adamant." Galadriel moved quickly into the room.
Gandalf bent to remove the ring only to pull back his hand in pain. There were thorns like silver needles sticking out of his hand. "By the Valar, what is this?"
Galadriel came to remove the thorns. "I do not know it never reacted that way while it resided on my hand these many years. It is a part of her now locked-in place."
"Gandalf look at you own ring," Celeborn said.
Gandalf's ring previously held a large ruby on a gold band, now no stone remained. There was only a band with the emblem for fire where the stone once rested.
"Arwen fetch your father quickly. He holds the other original ring of power. Imp can you hear me please wake up and talk to me."
"Gandy, what is wrong? Mother, Poppy when did you get here?"
"Imp can you remember what happened to you?"
"I remember the fight; I felt as if I were being boiled alive from the inside out. Then I fell forever into the center of Middle Earth past everything. Then I held in a cool place, it was safe familiar like home. I had to swim to get back to the top again. What is ...oh."
"What do you see daughter?" Celeborn asked.
"It is a whisper in my mind telling me what has happened. Not just here but everywhere, I know what is happening right now in Lothlorien. It is as if something answered my question before I even asked it. But it answered it for everything, everywhere, what happened to me?"
"Gandalf it cannot be, she has done enough there is no longer a war to fight. Why would they do this to her?" Galadriel appealed.
"No mother they will never let me go not until I pass over. But I am stubborn I have paid my debt to them so I say no more. I plan to watch Gondor get its rightful King, dance at my niece's wedding and then have one of my own. Golas and I are going to have good life and they are not going to mess with me any longer."
Elrond entered the room, a frown of concern on his face. "Gandalf, Arwen told me what has occurred. My ring is too changed. It no longer holds any power just a symbol of water. What does this mean my old friend?"
"There is only one ring of power now. Elrond old friend meet our new queen," he waved to Buffy on the bed.
"What her but what of her mother? How did this happen are you sure?"
"Afraid I may make you do something you don't want? Like I don't know apologize to certain people. Nope not going to do it. As far as I am concerned, no one needs to know that anyone's status has changed. I plan to spend years, just making love with my husband. After he marries me properly of course."
Aragorn was crowned King and he married Arwen. They had their son and several daughters as well. Frodo never recovered from wearing the ring for so long he kept becoming ill. Eventually the older Elves decided to leave for Valinor, Gandalf, Bilbo and Frodo went with them. Buffy and Legolas stayed after their own glorious wedding in Mirkwood. They split their time between Mirkwood, Lothlorien and Gondor. They remained on Middle Earth with Aragorn, now known as Ellesser, until his death.
Legolas no longer wanted to remain so they boarded a boat for Valinor, Gimli came with them; they had now been married for more than 1500 years. When they finally made there home on the Elven Island they were happy. Buffy was happy to see her parent and Gandalf. Sadly, Bilbo and Frodo had passed on to the other side.
Her parents only lasted another two hundred years. Celeborn went first then Galadriel chose to fade to join her mate after telling her daughter good-bye. Gandalf joined them fifty years later, Gimli not long after that. The two old friends seemed forever tied.
Buffy and Legolas were the last but they held to each other tightly loving each other through their sorrows. Legolas died 250 years later in a freak accident as he walked the cliffs one morning. He fell to the rocks below when the cliff gave away. Elves can live forever unless mortally wounded then they fade like any mortal creature.
Buffy went to look for him and found his broken body. Her scream caused another large piece of the cliff to fall away. She had trained her mind over the years to muffle out the Earth's voice. If she had only been listening, she would have been able to find him in time to save him. She carried his broken body back to the home they had shared these past five hundred years.
She cleaned and dressed his body laying him carefully to rest. Buffy prepared herself to fade to join her mate and family on the other side. She prepared herself but when she tried, nothing would happen. Her anger shook the very earth itself that night, an island far across the seas slide under the blue waters as a result.
Buffy took each of her treasures from her family and friends. She had each of their favorite weapons. They showed up surprisingly at her door some morning letting her know another of their line had passed. She had Aragorn's sword, Legolas' daggers, Gimli's ax, Gandalf's sword and staff, and Legolas and Haldir's bows. She pulled on the magic inside her to bend them all to her will into one weapon. One that was almost as tall as she was, it glowed with an unnatural light. There was a huge ruby set in its handle.
She smiled as she dressed herself in all of her finest clothes and jewelry. Buffy wore a beautiful dress that was white of an opal, alive with diamonds that sparkled, changing colors on the dress. On her head was the silver and gold crown her mother wore as well as her pearl brooch on her breast. Around her neck was Arwen's necklace on her right hand Nenya, remained never having left her hand. On her left was her wedding band, it was unusual in its making. It was made in the shape of an arrow bent around her finger to hold a large emerald that matched the green of her eyes.
Buffy moved to a clearing then pulled on her connection to the earth. A small hill grew and hollowed out creating a bower. She smiled as an opening was left for sunlight or moonlight. A huge slab worked its way up from the ground that she blew off. It was at once gleaming in its smoothness.
She moved a box with all of her most precious treasures inside. She lay down on the slab then holding the sword across her body. Buffy blew out her breath as she put herself into a deep sleep. Her breath created a ward on the bower protecting her ensuring no one could enter.
Buffy vowed not to wake until the Powers allowed her to join her mate. Her eyes closed when her body stilled. While she slept, Middle Earth changed even more than Man knew. Little did Buffy know she was the cause or that she would have to awaken to set right the wrongs.
~ But that is another story ~
Breathe:Book 2 - Her Next Breath
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