Credits: All Buffy characters are copyrighted to Joss Whedon and the LOTR characters are copyrighted to J.R.R Tolkien. We are only borrowing them for the story.

Written by Sunni

“Angel,” Buffy gasped for breath as she awoke.

“I am here,” he replied quickly as he made his way to her bedside.

“I keep thinking I am dreaming every time I see you.” Buffy said as she placed a hand on his cheek.

“I am real.” Angel said as he grabbed her hand off his cheek and kissed it gently.

“How?” she asked weakly as her voice shook slightly, “How did you get here?”

“You. Buffy. I followed you in the spell that was cast. Because I am in your heart, it brought me here too. As your champion.”

“Angel,” Buffy said, still speechless and overwhelmed about all of the events that had taken place. Yet she felt a little at peace in Angel’s embrace.

Leaning down, Angel gently brought his lips to hers as they rekindled a piece of there past relationship.

Spike was returning towards where Buffy was resting to see if by chance the brooding ex-boyfriend had left her alone for a while. As he neared the room he heard her speaking and heard Angel’s voice in reply to her question. The door was cracked slightly so he peered in to observe what was going on. Silently watching the interactions between the two it was clear that her desire to still love Angel was there even though of the complications that always seem to arise from it the overwhelming desire between the two was still there none the less.

His blood began to boil as he listened to why Angel had been transported to Middle Earth with them and angrily thought, “Her champion?! What has his bloody soul ever done to help others!”

Watching with fury as the two kissed he finally couldn’t stand it anymore. The evil side of his vampire nature was coming to the surface and as he stormed from the keep he said menacingly, “They can have their champion! But it is not over, not by a bloody longshot! If they can have a vampire then so can the bad guys!”

Striding into the barn he gathered the tack for one of the horses and prepared to leave Helm’s Deep. The sound of small footsteps entered and Spike saw one of the hobbits enter.

“Where are you going?” Merry asked.

“None of your bloody business!” Spike replied angrily as he went about the task he was doing.

As he went to lead the horse from the stall, the hobbit would not move. The next time Merry saw the man’s face it was contorted from its usual state. Looking into the demonic face, the hobbit could not move a muscle as the vampire approached. Quickly binding the hands of the halfling and placing a gag in his mouth, Spike put him up on the horse and raced out of the keep into the darkness.

Angel’s voice turned cold as he turned his eyes to her and said, “I have to leave soon.”
Seeing the unsure look on her face he continued on, “You will be safe with Willow and Xander.” and then began to kiss her once more.

Buffy looked into his dark piercing eyes and said softly, “I just found you again. I can’t loose you. I will not let myself go through that again.”

Brushing back a strand of her hair he replied softly, “I have to.”

All was quiet in the forest as a blonde and a red headed elf sparred with weapons while things were still. The sound of metal sounded through the trees when a strange feeling came over the blonde. Stopping what she was doing, Linwelos said, “Im taure prestar. Han mathon.” {The forest is changed. I can feel it.}

The two women looked deep into the woods as their keen eyesight scoured the landscape. Linwelos caught sight of a dark warrior with blonde hair riding through the trees. She noticed a companion with him but seeing the bound hands of the small one did not add up. Instantly before her eyes the man’s face changed into that of a demon she had never seen in her long years. Swiftly firing two shots at the oncoming figure once he was within range; it seemed as if they didn’t even affect him. Looking to Galuwen she said urgently, “Wanne quente I Haran! Uuve ulka tulya!” {Go speak to the King! Great evil comes!} after the shots fired failed.

As Galuwen disappeared a voice came from behind her. Nesteron saw Galuwen fleeing and headed to where Linwelos stood, bow in hand to see what was going and asked, ” “Ya nâ martien?” {What is happening?}

Before she could respond the warrior appeared before them, his features still changed in their dark form. Immediately the two brought out their elven long knives as they prepared to defend their people from this intruder who dismounted and brought out a sword. The two began to fight to give Galuwen as much time as they could to reach the King.

The stranger dismounted, leaving his companion upon the horse to watch the events that followed. Unsheathing a sword he had taken from one of the other villages and headed towards the two standing before him.

“You know, you could make a break for it and save me the trouble of having to kill you.” the stranger said, looking at the two taking up arms against him.

Spike walked a circle around the two elves, trailing a hand over Linwelos’ shoulder saying, “Stay here and you will die love.”

Her eyes gleamed of anger and drawing in a hissing breath she spat, “Im telitha gurth dagorad!” {I would rather die fighting!}

In a swift motion she whirled around to face the intruder at her back, with her right knife she sliced down the side of the warrior’s face leaving a crimson trail to appear on his pale skin.

Not knowing what she had said in her tongue, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she would rather fight to the death. “So be it,” the vampire said as he brought all of his speed to the forefront.

Raining his sword down in an arc over his head, the elven maiden countered by breaking the sword’s descent with her right blade and in a swift motion took her left and slit across the lower part of his abdomen. Nesteron came in from behind and swung from right to left two times at Spike, ducking when his opponent turned to face him and then sliced diagonally across his chest as the two blades acted as one. Swinging his sword from left to right and then kicking out with his right foot, tripping the warrior; he punched the vampire in the face, sending him to the forest floor and then took both blades and went to slam them downwards. Rolling in time, Spike moved out of harms way, but not before the metal of the left long knife pierced his side as he rolled. Almost seemingly forgetting about the woman he focused all of his attention on Nesteron, and the two began to face off.

Nesteron blocked each blow the man rained upon him and swiftly swung the right blade to the left and spun out of the way of an oncoming punch, retaliating with a diagonal slice from his left side with both swords. Spike struck out again with a punch and it was countered in the same motion as before. Except when he spun this time his right blade was extended and made a deep gash into the vampire’s abdomen and followed through in a motion almost mimicking a lasso with each of the blades. While Nesteron held the creatures attention, Linwelos twirled the two long blades in her hands and swiftly crossed her arms at elbow level forming an X and swiftly sliced outwards.

“Now is not a good time love,” the vampire hissed as he whirled around and struck the blonde with a powerful punch that sent her to the ground.

Nesteron swung with both swords diagonally in the direction of his left shoulder and then leapt into the air and brought the left blade down into the vampire’s shoulder. Upon landing on the ground, took the blade in his right hand and rested it at the warriors throat, ready to slice across at a moments notice. Unable to match the vampire’s speed, the slice that he cut across Spike’s throat wasn’t as deep as he’d intended it to be.
“Oh, damn it, it looks like you can’t kill me!” Spike mocked as he saw the woman rising from the forest floor.

As the two elves readied themselves for his next attack Nesteron asked, “Ya ro?”
{What is he?}

Before she could answer, Spike said deeply, “It’s kill or be killed here. Take your bloody pick!” as he charged at them one last time. He felt Linwelos’ sword slice across his arm as his hand grasped a hold of Nesteron’s throat and began to constrict the elf’s airway. As the last bit of air left his lungs, he tried to make a desperate attempt to injure the warrior in some way as to warrant his release. Seeing what he was planning Spike tightened his hand even more around the elf’s throat and said, “Not bloody likely mate,” as the long knives fell to the ground from Nesteron’s hands. Landing on his knees on the ground he coughed deeply as air refilled his lungs. Spike rested his sword to the left of the center of Nesteron’s back while he was still down. Not focusing on anything other than what was before him he didn’t see Linwelos coming up until he felt one of her elven blades resting along his throat, this one in a position to easily sever his head if he as much as moved.

Removing his blade from the elf’s back, he allowed the elf to get to his feet, but the lack of oxygen made him somewhat unsteady on his feet. Taking several steps backwards he glanced behind him before turning his attention back to the two before him. Seeing Nesteron back on his feet, she slowly lowered the blade from along his neck when all of a sudden Spike hurled his sword like a spear at the disoriented man, striking him in the chest. In the blink of an eye he picked up one of the fallen elf’s long knives and turned towards Linwelos. The two fought back and forth, blocking the others blows and sustaining many cuts as their swords cut into the others flesh. In one swift swipe Spike left a trail of blood appearing on a cut that surfaced on her left cheek. Her crystal blue eyes became those of blue flames as she charged towards where the vampire stood. Before she even realized it, the vampire was behind her, holding her head back with his left hand under her chin. When he was standing directly behind her she hit him in the face with the back of her head, turning around to face him. In one swift but powerful punch that connected with the elf’s jaw, she sank to the ground in a daze. Having taken care of the competition, he proceeded forward into the wooded territory to seek that who was in charge.

Swiftly racing to the throne room where the King sat she carried the urgent news to him. Entering the throne room she said exasperatedly, “Heruamin! Ulka nâ mi i taure! Er tanya ilna harna ne philinn!” {My lord! Evil is in the wood! One that will not be wounded by arrows!}

“Ya tulie Galuwen?” The King asked her in return. {What comes Galuwen?}

“Atan o rauka anta. Linwelos nâ dagorad ho ikotane amin rakta le.” {A man with a demon face. Linwelos is fighting him so I could reach you.} she replied swiftly, not knowing of Nesteron’s arrival.

All of a sudden the sound of doors being thrown open reverberated through the hall. All eyes turned to the doorway when Galuwen said with dread, “Ro sinome.” {He is here.}

The blonde warrior strode into the throne room; his clothes bearing the marks of the fight that had ensued to stop him. Galuwen turned and looked to this stranger as the man said, “So you’re the one in charge around here.” as he strode forwards towards the throne as he looked around the room.

“I am King Thranduil. What business have you in Mirkwood.” The King replied, not taking to lightly to having this intruder in his hall.

“You know. The usual mate. Raid, pillage, destroy, taking over new territory.” Spike answered as he began to size up his competition.

The King looked to Galuwen and said, “Le tuuva nîn yondo ar nyar ho ya marte!” {You must find my son and tell him what has happened!}

“Amin il lemb I Haran!” {I will not abandon the King!} she replied, looking from the King to the warrior that stood in the middle of the hall.

“Wanya yir yondo! Hir Legolas arauka!” {Go find my son! Find Legolas quickly!} Thranduil said as he stood from his throne and withdrew his sword.

Spike’s features changed and shoved the redheaded elf out of his way as he stalked towards his target. Picking herself up from the floor, Galuwen stood at the doorway and watched as the two fought. Wondering what became of Linwelos as she observed the confrontation. The vampire’s speed was no match for the elf’s reflexes and eventually had his powerful hand around the King’s fair throat. Watching in horror from the doorway, Galuwen watched as the warrior toyed with the King’s life as if it were a game. Thranduil caught a glimpse of her in the doorway and yelled, “Wanya!” “Go!”

Then a sickening crunch was heard. Galuwen had turned away to leave when the noise made her turn around to see what had happened. As she faced their direction, she turned in just enough time to see the warrior release its hold on the King’s throat and the body slump to the floor in a heap. Racing from the building she headed for the stables. Collecting her gray and Linwelos’ bay mount she looked to him and said quietly, “Hilya amin.” {Follow me!}

The bay horse tossed its head in response and when Galuwen thundered out of the barn towards where she had left Linwelos the bay followed. Nearing where she had left her friend she slowed her pace as she saw two people upon the ground. Leaping off of her gray horse she knelt next to her friend and said, “Linwelos!”

She heard her name being called and slowly looked to her friend beside her. Galuwen helped her friend up, observing the many cuts she had sustained from the battle with the stranger. They both looked to Nesteron who lay upon the ground unmoving after having been struck down in battle. Quickly remounting their horses they raced for the boarders of Mirkwood and out to the lands of Middle Earth in search of the King’s son. As the two rode Linwelos asked, “Ya marte?” {What happened?}

“I haran nâ qualin.” {The King is dead.} Galuwen replied, seeing the look of horror that was etched on Linwelos’ face.

Angel, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas were riding through Drudan forest when the elf’s keen eyes saw two figures approaching on horseback and said warily, “Atta rych tulya si wand.” {Two horses come this way.}

The group proceeded cautiously forward as the Legolas’ keen blue eyes never wavered from what he had locked on to in the distance. As Galuwen and Linwelos rode, their keen eyesight picked up on three horsemen travelling in their direction. Dismounting and letting the horse’s wander not far from where they were, they took cover in the trees around them.

“Man cenich?” {What do you see?} Aragorn asked as Legolas halted his horse and drew out his bow.

“I’ve lost them,” he replied, his gaze unwavering as a sudden flash of red caught his eye.
Releasing the arrow in the direction of the movement he watched intently to see if it hit its mark. Seeing the look of concentration on the elf’s face, Aragorn reached for his sword incase trouble should come.

The two in hiding heard the release of the arrow and Galuwen prepared herself for her next move. With split second precision she stepped out and caught the arrow in mid-air and looked at what she now held in the palm of her hand. Balancing it carefully as she looked at the feathers anointing the end of the arrow, she immediately knew who rode in their direction.

As he watched the arrow be caught in mid-air, he was speechless for as a look of shock passed over his face. Aragorn saw the expression and said, “What is it?”

“I know of only two people who can catch arrows in mid-air, myself being one.” the elf replied spurring Arod forwards.

Linwelos emitted a low whistle and the two horses trotted back over to their masters. The two groups rode towards each other till they halted when they came together in the woods. Galuwen looked at the group before turning her attention to Legolas and saying,
“Le anwain na ner tira mammen le nasta natea.” {You should really be more careful where you point these things.}

Aragorn had to stifle back a laugh at what the woman had said to the elf prince and looked to his friend to see what his reaction to her statement had been. A smile appearing on his fair face, Legolas asked, “What brings you two out from the Mirkwood?”
The two women looked at each other briefly as the memory of the nature of their journey returned to their mind. Linwelos looked to the prince and said, “We come bearing bad news.”

“What happened?” he asked, his normal tranquil voice hinting with an edge of unrest.

“A dark warrior entered the woods, one that bore a demon face.” Galuwen began to say.

Angel listened to the description of who the elf was describing and had a sneaking suspicion on who it was, but said nothing as she continued on.

“I ran to warn the others while Linwelos and Nesteron fought against him. Giving me as much time as they could to complete my task. As far as I know, there are two dead from their encounter with this stranger.” She said sadly, pausing momentarily.

“Who?” Legolas asked as a feeling of dismay settled in his heart.

Glancing down for a moment, Galuwen mustered all the courage she could gather and locked eyes with the crown prince and said in a barely audible voice, “Nesteron and Thranduil.”

His world reeled around him, almost as if he were in a never-ending daze when he heard that his father had died. At one point he wouldn’t have even considered it possible that something like that could happen. But the world he saw after joining the fellowship changed all of that. He had just started to get over Haldir’s death when he was struck with this burden to bear. Aragorn sat stunned at the news and Angel, even though he didn’t know of the elf’s relationship to the king realized that the impact hit home none the less. After the devastating news, they stopped and made camp for the evening so everyone could come to terms with the news.

Legolas sought solitude from the others as he tried to come to terms with this latest blow. Galuwen and Linwelos sat side by side, silent after having to bear such desolate news to one of their own. Aragorn looked off in the distance in the direction the prince had gone as he heard the sad drone of a lament, the lament that Legolas now sang for his father. Gimli paced back and forth beside the ranger, contemplating what had happened and said, “First he outdoes me at Helm’s Deep, now he’s going to be king?” getting ready to head in the direction of the sad voice that rode the wind.

“Gimli!” Aragorn called as the dwarf turned to face him, “Let him be. He needs time to himself right now.”

After a gruff nod from the dwarf he walked off in the other direction and took a seat in silence. Aragorn looked at the two elves on the other side of the fire, knowing that their task weighed heavy on their hearts. Looking to the redhead first, and then to the blonde he noticed many cuts and bruises she bore, some that were still bleeding.

“Le agarien,” {You are bleeding.} he said, watching the crimson line slowly move down her left cheek.

Not having even noticed the injuries she sustained during the fight during their flight from the forest she looked to where he sat, the firelight casting shadows upon his face.
Back at Helm’s Deep villagers from surrounding areas were flocking to the fortress after their homes had been destroyed. Buffy was moving about the keep when she overheard bits and pieces of what had happened. She hadn’t seen Spike at all since Angel had left and wondered where he had gone. A particular conversation caught her ear and she stopped instantly and listened to a little child that spoke.

“We thought a dark army came riding in by night, but only a flash of lightening across the sky revealed to us that the one who came destroy us was an army of one. One stronger than any living man with a dark face of evil.”

Getting up from beside Linwelos, Galuwen walked into the wood towards Legolas. He sat upon the ground, leaning against a tree as tears slid down his fair face, gleaming like small droplets of mithril in the moonlight. The impact this was having upon him was profound and it hurt her to see him in this state. Quietly she said from behind him, “Im niraetha im no kolindo le nyeere.” {I’m sorry I had to bear you such grief.}

Turning around to see her behind him, he replied, “I just wish we had met again under different circumstances.”

Moving to be alongside where he sat, she said, “Nîn indo ilya wandea lyaa, ar ernâ.” {My heart was always yours and still is.}

“Gwenin telwa o-dagore.” {Long years have past since we last fought together.” Legolas commented looking to where she stood.

“Im na late an dagor o le nîn eldalie haryon.” {I will be honored to fight with you my elven prince.} Galuwen said as she saw a faint glimmer of the old Legolas she once knew returning; “Le philinn maika I surko o lye kotumor.” {Let our arrows pierce the flesh of our enemies.}

Looking up to Galuwen’s eyes he replied, “Ve le gar maikae indo nîn.” {Just as you have pierced my heart.}

Gimli and Angel sat sharing various tales while Aragorn helped tend to the wounds that Linwelos had received while fighting against Spike.

“Anda yanor yar wanwa nîn henio yar eleuva anta.” {Long years have passed since my eyes have seen your face.}

“Im enyala. Im o i Dúnedain iire esta omente.” {I remember. I was with the Dúnedain when we first met.} Aragorn replied as he tended to one of the deep cuts on her arm.
The Evenstar jewel he wore fell out into view and her eyes looked upon it, knowing to whom it belonged.

“Nîn indo atar alar nyeere ne I enyalrim enwina.” {My heart grows saddened by the memories of old.” She said, turning her gaze to the fire that burned near by when he replied, “Im an lemb i. Im maure ne naan.” {I had to leave. For I was needed by others.} as memories he had long since forgotten when he was at Esgaroth returned.

“Rato Endaambar ista ta le anwa Haran.” {Soon Middle-Earth will know that you are a true king.} Linwelos said, as her crystal blue eyes met his silver gray ones and his expression change to a more solemn tone at her words. The memories of her many trips to their meeting place in the lake town when he had left came back. She remembered the feeling of hurt she experienced but soon put away to focus on her practice with weapons but hoped that one day the two would meet up once more, but this time under better circumstances.