Despite the pace of the horses, they didn’t arrive at Menegroth until well after nightfall. After leaving the horses at the barn on the west side of the river, they proceeded on by foot. Buffy was beginning to get nervous. Even though she was in a ‘strange’ land, she had never met any type of royalty before. How was she supposed to act? She didn’t want to piss off the King or Queen. Mablung laughed when Buffy told him of her concerns. He instructed her on simple courtesies as they crossed the stone bridge.

The gates of Menegroth were still open. It appeared to be constructed from steel but it was hard to tell under the cover of darkness. ThatÂ’s what Buffy guessed, anyway. But nothing could compare to the awe on BuffyÂ’s face as she glanced around the vestibule of the Halls of Thingol. Three columns stood on each side of the entryway. But these werenÂ’t like the columns of the Romans or Greeks. Each column was carved in the likeness of huge trees. The intricate details were mind-boggling. There were squirrels carved running up or down that looked so life-like that Buffy touched them in order to see that it was only a replica of the real thing. Golden lamps were hung from the limbs that emitted a soft light. Real flowers somehow grew in the tops of the trees as well as real greenery that Buffy suspected was some type of ivy. It was like the living plants sprouted from the stone. The blossoms were multi-colored and it gave off a sweet scent. Many real birds lived in the tops of these trees. The floors meshed well with the flowers as the colors were multi-hued and very similar. Buffy had never seen anything like it. It would definitely qualify as the eighth wonder of BuffyÂ’s world.

As they made there way deeper into the cave, Buffy paid no attention to the various elves pointing and whispering as she walked by. She now saw the many tapestries of Melian that adorned the walls on either side of the passageway. Each depicted various events of the Gods as well as the elves. Buffy really didn’t get the chance to look at them as closely as she wanted to. Mablung was hurrying along explaining some of the images as they went by. One in particular caught her eye. She stopped in order to view it more closely. “Ah,” began Mablung. “You are interested in Ulmo, the Lord of Waters…”

“Ulmo,” Buffy whispered under her breath. Mablung looked at her closely. She recognized this guy from her dream. He was the one she referred to as Poseidon. Except he did not look nearly as old in this portrait as he appeared in her dream.

“Is there something wrong?” Mablung questioned her. Buffy’s mind raced as she now remembered the entire dream that had left her a few days ago. Every single detail came flooding back to her mind. “Buffy? Are you not feeling well?”

Buffy finally heard the words of Mablung. “Oh,” she said as she finally refocused her attention on him. “Um, no. Sorry. It’s just… this Ulmo… I’ve seen him before. He came to me in a dream the night before we went to Cleveland…” Buffy seemed hypnotized by his image.

“Ulmo appeared to you?” he asked in a flabbergasted tone.

“What’s the biggie?” she replied, now coming back to her senses.

“The Lord of Waters does not merely appear to one except in times of great need. You must truly be someone of great significance for him to come to you.” He linked her arm in his and continued down the passageway. Buffy was now considering Ulmo’s words carefully in her mind. Did he know that she was going to be transported to this world? And what did he mean by ‘not forsaking her’? Buffy was once again lost in thought and didn’t notice, as Mablung turned right down another corridor. “We are about to enter the Great Hall of Thingol,” he whispered.

“Huh?” Buffy was trying with all her might to close her mind to the words of Ulmo. “Oh, yeah. Thingol.”

“Are you sure you are feeling well?” he questioned once again.

“Yeah. I just can’t stop thinking about… ”

“Hail Mablung,” said one of the guards outside the wooden doors to Thingol’s Hall. “I see that you have brought the warrior-maid with you.”

“Indeed I have, Nimros. I was instructed to bring her before Thingol.”

“You are expected.” He bowed his head slightly and opened the door. Mablung nodded in reply and they walked into the enormous chamber.

Once again this room had many of the huge stone trees for pillars and at the east end of the room was the dais on which the thrones of both Thingol and Melian sat. Buffy felt apprehensive the nearer they got to the King and Queen. Many elves were also in this room. All focused their attention on Buffy, whispering and pointing just like they did in the passageways.

“My Lord. Lady.” Mablung said as they reached the thrones, nodding his head slightly. “This is the maid that we were told about by the Naugrim, who defeated the roving band of yrch. This is Bellaseth Dagnir.”

Buffy wore a shocked expression. She quickly looked at Mablung and whispered, “Why are you calling me that?”

In a low voice he replied, “Buffy sounds too uncouth. The name I have chosen for you is more suitable to elven ears… shh.”

Buffy eyes turned back to Thingol and Melian. Her eyes immediately centered on him. He was very tall. We’re talking Shaquille O’Neal tall with long silver hair. Melian on the other hand, had long black hair. She too was tall, but not as tall as him. Both of them had fair skin and gray eyes. They were both dressed in contrasting shades of blue – he light, she dark.

“Come closer,” said the King. Buffy took a few more steps closer to the dais. A wide grin came upon the King’s face and he snickered. “Surely you jest Mablung. This cannot be a warrior-maiden.” He looked fixedly at Buffy, still sneering. “Are you akin to the Naugrim, for they are a small people?”

Buffy’s jaw dropped. She was just insulted by the King of the Elves! “No,” she spat out. “Do I look like a short… stout… hairy… person?” She really didn’t want to insult the dwarves. “I am a woman. A human being. A mortal. And more importantly, I’m the Slayer!”

“A Slayer?” he questioned. “How can one so small be a Slayer? I think that the Naugrims’ eyesight has failed them or they were under the influence of too much ale to have envisioned this mere maiden as the powerful warrior that they described.” Nearly all the elves in the chamber joined Thingol in his mirth, which was pissing Buffy off even more. But she kept her mouth shut. What the hell was she going to do? Attack the King in his own Halls in front of all these armed people? She wasn’t that stupid. “Come now,” the King started again. “Tell us your tale. For I deem that it will be worth hearing.”

Buffy looked up at Mablung, who nodded and smiled reassuringly. Buffy began her story once again. She told them of her birthright (of being a Slayer, that is), and about her battle with the non-corporal being The First, whom is called Bauglir, and about her arrival in Nan Dungortheb amongst the hugest spiders that she ever encountered. “… And I swear to God,” she was saying, “that I distinctively heard one of those spiders say ‘tasty little morsel.’ Can you believe that? They actually spoke English!”

“English?” inquired Thingol. “What is this English you speak of?”

Buffy seemed puzzled by that. “English is the language that I’m speaking to you in right now. E-N-G-L-I-S-H.” She spoke that last word very slowly.

It was now the Lady who spoke up. “Child,” she began in a melodious voice. “You speak the language of the Elves. You are speaking Sindarin, not this language called English.”

That shocked Buffy. “That’s impossible,” she stammered. “I don’t know any elvish languages. I can speak a few words of French or Italian, but… it’s impossible. My sister Dawn is the one who’s a wiz at languages. Not me!” She turned to Mablung. “How can I speak a foreign language and not even know it?” He simply shrugged his shoulders.

Melian began again. “There are great powers about you. And I do not see any evil in your eyes. Perhaps you were sent here for some special purpose but I cannot clearly see all things that have not yet unfolded within this world. You are indeed an elf-friend and we welcome you to our Halls. For I believe that we can learn from each other in ways that with benefit both the King and yourself.”

Buffy immediately warmed up to Melian. She was, in Buffy’s eyes, much nicer than the King and she didn’t ridicule her like he did. That scored points with the Slayer. Buffy continued recounting her story. Thingol and the other elves admired the weapons that she had in her possession – especially her scythe. After what seemed like hours, she and Mablung were free to go. He led her first to the kitchens where they could finally eat their evening meal. Buffy was, by this time, ravenous. After three helpings of pheasant and some type of turnips, it was time to turn in.

Mablung escorted Buffy to her chambers, which were actually really nice. The stone floor had a few blue throw rugs on them and the room was rather large and tastefully decorated wholly in blue and white. Before Mablung left, she asked him, “Why did you choose to call me Bellaseth Dagnir?”

He smiled at her. “Do you not know? Bellaseth has to do with your strength and Dagnir means slayer. You know that, for you have been calling yourself Dagnir since we met.”

Buffy had already forgotten that she was speaking Elvish. “Oh,” she said softly. “I only asked because I had a… friend who always called me Bella… back home, I mean. It’s just strange that you would call me a name that’s so similar.”

“And what does ‘Bella’ mean in your world?” he asked.

“My friend, Allandro, he said its meaning was two-fold. In Italian, it means ‘beautiful’ and in Latin it means ‘warrior’.”

Mablung looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. “Beautiful warrior,” he said as he nodded his head. “I like it. It is very befitting of you. Yes, I shall call you Bella as your friend did. Good-night Bella.” He put is hand on her shoulder, gave it a gentle squeeze and left the room. Buffy was exhausted. Without even changing her clothes, she crawled up on her bed and fell fast asleep.

Over the next few days, Buffy was learning the ways of the elves. They were a very beautiful people and all had the ability to see into the future. Not all things were revealed to them (like Buffy), but they accepted Buffy due to the words of Melian. “Expect great things from that maiden. Although she accounts herself to be only a child in the reckoning of elves, she is greater than she even knows,” she had said to them after Buffy left the Kings chamber that first night. “A veil of concealment lays upon her. And in time when it is removed, she will be revealed in all her glory and majesty. She possesses great strength, comparable to that of Tulkas, the Vala in the West, and I deem she has mightier powers yet hidden from her, though I do not know why. She shall be my pupil and I, her teacher.” And so it was.

It must have been a week after BuffyÂ’s arrival in Menegroth that she would begin her first ‘lessonÂ’ with Melian. It was after the evening meal when a great number of elves were gathered in the King’s Hall for song and storytelling. No TV. No radio. It was almost like being on GilliganÂ’s Island. The songs of the elves were extremely powerful and very beautiful, especially that of Daeron, the loremaster and minstrel of Thingol. It was not like the music she listened to at home (she doubted the elves would have liked that kind anyway), nor was it like the classic rock music that Allandro blared day and night back home in Rome. They played with harps, for GodÂ’s sake! Harps arenÂ’t cool in the real world. Despite the melodious sound of the fair elvish voices, Buffy always seemed to find herself drifting asleep during these songs. They soothed the soul, but were very long. One song could be sung for hours. And they sang about weird things like these two blessed trees in Valinor (thatÂ’s the land of the Powers whom are called the Valar by the elves). Buffy had drifted asleep during one of these songs when Melian gently shook her awake.

“Come Bellaseth. It is time for your first lesson.” By now all the elves referred to her as Bellaseth Dagnir.

Buffy rubbed her eyes and followed Melian out of the massive chamber. She was surprised that Melian led her outside Menegroth as opposed to some hidden chamber deep within the cavernous system. Exiting the front gates, they proceeded over the great bridge and followed a path into the Forest of Neldoreth. Buffy knew that it was late, yet it was not completely dark outside – only dimness surrounded them and the moon was nowhere to be seen. There were a number of nightingales that followed them; these were the birds of Melian and it was she who taught them their song. She could communicate with these birds and they were very useful for gathering information for her from outside this realm. Melian said that she would also teach Buffy the nightingale’s language. But not now.

They continued walking until they came to a clearing that was probably a few acres in size. The entire area was blanketed by soft green grass and white flowers which bloomed over the entire area. The flowers were called niphredil and were beloved to both Melian and Lúthien, her daughter. A small brook babbled through the edge of the clearing and in the center was a great white marble basin that sat atop a marble pillar carved in the likeness of the beech trees that now surrounded them. A large silver ewer rested in the center of the basin.

“This,” began Melian as she picked up the pitcher and began to fill it with water from the stream, “is what I call the ‘Mirror of Melian.’ The powers of Ulmo are great and I use the water as a conduit to see things that have happened in the past, present and future.” She continued to fill up the basin. “I deem that it is of the utmost importance that you learn this skill. It will aid you in the trials that await you. And perhaps you will find some comfort from them… ”

“I don’t have any magical powers, Melian,” Buffy interjected. “I’m the muscles of the operation. It was my friend Willow that had all the super magical powers, not me.”

Melian had just poured the last bit of water into the bowl. “Then you do not know yourself or what you are capable of. I see magic in you. You just need to be taught on how to use it and to use it wisely.” Buffy stood on the opposite side from Melian. Melian pursed her lips together and blew out her breath over the contents of the bowl. Wisps of steam came forth but soon dissipated. “What is it you would like to see?” asked Melian.

Buffy knew she should have said what Bauglir was up to, but instead her instincts turned to her friends. “Can you show me my friends? The ones who didn’t follow me here. I’d like to know that they’re alright.”

“Blow on the water, but do not touch it,” she instructed the Slayer. Buffy did as she was told and stared back into the pool. As of now she saw only her face surrounded by many stars reflected in the contents. “Watch the Mirror,” Melian said in a soft voice.

All of the sudden an image began to form in the water. A perfect image. It reminded Buffy of watching a movie on TV or on a computer screen. It was very realistic. Buffy gasped as she noticed that this wasn’t Willow, Xander, Dawn or Giles. She was now witnessing the events in Brazil where Jordan led The Select into battle. She saw the actual portal that Willow opened close and the Slayers turning on their flashlights studying a map. She could see their lips moving, but no noise came from them. The mute button was on! “Can’t I hear them?” she asked as she looked up at Melian. She simply shook her head and her eyes once again turned to the basin.

She saw the girls walking through the near empty streets. They turned down an alleyway when a bunch of Bringers in brown robes jumped them from behind. The girls fought valiantly, killing many of them. But soon, many über-vamps joined in the foray. Their throats weren’t ripped out like the girls who fought with Buffy. And just like Bauglir stated, they began to feed on the Slayers. Taking them to the brink of death, before offering their own blood, which unfortunately the girls willingly took. Buffy could feel her heart beating a mile per minute and soon her eyes were brimming with tears. Jordan was still fighting… alone. She wasn’t fed on. She was actually causing some serious damage. Several über-vamps were dusted yet there were still more to take their place. Buffy witnessed the eventual fatigue setting in on Jordan and finally her being overcome by one of the vamps. She saw her die. She saw them all die. One of Buffy’s tears hit the water and the picture disappeared. She looked up at Melian and softly said, “It’s my fault. I killed them. All of them. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have… ”

“Look,” Melian said as another image appeared. This time she saw a hysterical Willow. She had Giles by the lapels of his tweed coat and seemed to be screaming at him. She only wished she had an idea of what she was saying. Soon she saw all of her friends looking despairingly at one another. Tears streamed down their faces. Giles raced up the stairway at Lindon Hall to the library. He began pulling book after book off various shelves. Many people appeared in the room and then the image faded. Buffy stood there, stunned, waiting for the next image to appear. “That is all for tonight,” Melian finally said. “We will continue this practice every evening until you are able to master it on your own.”

Buffy looked up at Melian. “Why are you showing me this?” ItÂ’s one thing to know that your friends died a horrific death; itÂ’s another to witness it. Especially from afar. When you canÂ’t do a damn thing about it.”

“It is my will that you are to learn of these things,” she said in a soft voice. “I cannot see all things in the future, but I deem that you must learn this skill. Perhaps it will help you some time in the future.” She waved her hand over the basin and all the water disappeared. Buffy followed Melian out of the clearing feeling worse than ever before. “Do not feel despair for the things that you cannot change,” she said as they entered Menegroth once again. “One can only gain strength and wisdom by understanding both pain and sorrow. Sleep well Bellaseth.” And with that Melian descended down the passageway leaving Buffy utterly alone.

Night after night Buffy was subjected to the visions of the Mirror. Not all were bad. She did witness some successful closings of the Hellmouth. While Kennedy was one of the successful ones, she did in fact die fleeing the city of Salzburg in Austria. And it wasnÂ’t from a vampire either. She was shot down by what appeared to be a man. The hood of a black cloak hid his face. But one thing that she saw was an emblem on the cloak that resembled a sun and three stars. She remembered that symbol from years ago; the Order of Aurelius. But what the hell could they have to do with this? The Master was dead and so was the Anointed One, who took his place. Surely they couldnÂ’t be a threat any more.

After many weeks of these lessons with Melian, Buffy needed a break. It was getting to be too much. Seeing things that you canÂ’t change leaves you with a horrible guilty feeling. And seeing the people that she loved, it made her even more homesick. Melian could never explain why Buffy was transported here but said that since she possessed the type of powers that she had bestowed upon her, she probably had some type of mission to complete here. But what that was, she couldnÂ’t tell.

Buffy took her mind off of the visions she saw in MelianÂ’s Mirror by increasing the length of her training sessions. The elves loved to partake in these exercises. They were very eager and very disciplined. Thingol himself would come to these sessions occasionally. His first duel with Buffy convinced him that she was an extraordinary asset to his Guard. Of course Buffy kicked his butt. ThatÂ’s always the best way to win someoneÂ’s respect. She taught the elves about guerilla warfare, her favorite means of fighting. Sneaking up on the enemy and killing them without drawing attention to yourself was a brilliant skill to possess. And that was her greatest lesson to the elves. They would then go out on patrols and kill many wild wolves and roaming bands of yrch that dared to enter the borders of Eglador. Each patrol sent them from Menegroth for a few days but it wasnÂ’t a nightly ritual. There just wasnÂ’t that much evil lurking around there. At least, not at this point.

One thing that Thingol wanted Buffy to learn was fighting on horseback in the manner of the elves. No saddle, no bridle, no reins. ThingolÂ’s Guard was more or less a cavalry. While they hadnÂ’t had to fight in any major wars to date, he still wanted his men trained for this type of combat. Buffy understood the concept all too well and gave the King credit for his foresight. She never dealt with anyone fighting on horseback except for the Knights of Byzantium. And thatÂ’s been some time ago. But it wouldnÂ’t hurt for Buffy to learn a new skill that might be advantageous in Middle-earth.

Galadhon, who was a nephew of Thingol, conducted these training sessions. He had a great ability with horses. It was he and his father, Elmo, who tamed the wild horses of Middle-earth. Buffy absolutely abhorred these training sessions. Galadhon was able to knock her off her horseÂ… a lot. She got more cuts and bruises in her attempt to fight on horseback than any training session in her life! Not to mention the pains and aches one is subjected to while riding a horse bareback in the first place. She would spend nearly six hours a day practicing. Sometimes Mablung would join them or some of the other folks of Menegroth. They were determined that Buffy would master this skill. And in time she did. It just took a few months.

ThatÂ’s how Buffy spent the first six months of her time in Beleriand. She didnÂ’t actually see much of the land outside of Eglador. She had learned to master the Mirror on her own, and mostly did this unaccompanied by Melian. She was totally blown away by the fact that she did possess magical powers. She could summon her weapon from across the room, which she thought was really cool.

Winter had set in and Menegroth seemed colder than ever. The desire to go traipsing about outside was something that didn’t interest her in the slightest. Most of her time was spent with Lúthien, Mablung or Melian. The women helped her with magic and things of a domestic nature while Mablung was her favorite partner in contests of strength or dueling. He wasn’t called the ‘heavy-hand’ for nothing.

What Mablung really enjoyed was martial arts. One-on-one combat with no weapons. Since mats didnÂ’t exist in this world, they would lay several large thick rugs on top of each other in order to cushion their falls. Magic insured that they stayed in place. It must have been about the seventh month after BuffyÂ’s arrival in Middle-earth when one of these training sessions took a different turn.

She had been practicing with Mablung nearly every day and he had become accustomed to her fighting style. She did a forward somersault in order to get behind him, when he caught her in mid-air and body slammed her to the floor. He got on top of her and held her arms down over her head. Buffy was breathless and thinking about her counter maneuver when he leaned in closer, “I have you now Dagnir. You cannot escape from my clutches.” Buffy smiled as she thrust her hips upwards causing him to lose balance and hurl off of her onto the rugs. He still had her arms within his grasp and he tried to wrap his legs around her. This she managed to counter by putting him in the guard. Her legs were wrapped around his back and she held him close so that he was unable to move. Buffy laughed when his attempt to out maneuver her failed miserably. She was in complete control. It was then as she looked into his bright green eyes that he kissed her. That caught her off guard. It wasn’t one of those sloppy wet French-tongue kisses. Just a soft sweet peck on the lips. But it was enough to give her chill bumps and awake the butterflies in her stomach that had long been asleep.

Breaking the momentary silence Buffy asked, “What did you do that for?” Mablung was still under Buffy’s control.

“Did you find it offensive?” he asked. They released each other from their grips and Buffy sat up. He seemed disappointed. “You did find it offensive.”

“I didn’t say that.” She wasn’t expecting anything like that. She wasn’t freaked. Okay, well, maybe a little.

“Then what is wrong?” he queried as he continued to lay on his stomach looking up at her. “Do you not have feelings for me? I sense that you do.”

“Well, uh, maybe. I don’t know. I just haven’t really thought about, you know, having a relationship with anyone,” she stammered back.

“Is it Allandro? Your man friend that you left behind?” questioned Mablung.

“No,” she replied. Allandro seemed such a long time ago. Buffy wasnÂ’t sure what to make of Allandro. She had decided months ago that he knew that the amulet was going to transport her to some other dimension. The reasoning behind it she didnÂ’t knowÂ… yet. But whatever feelings she had for him had dissipated since coming to Beleriand. But she never gave a thought to starting a relationship with any of the elves. Not that Mablung wasnÂ’t a hottie, he most definitely was. “I mean,” she started again. “What do you want from me Mablung? A relationship? That perfect little cottage with a garden out back and a bunch of little half-elves running about? I canÂ’t give you that.” She got to her feet. She knew thatÂ’s what Mablung had always desired – a family. He was one of the elves that awoke at Nen Echui. He had no father nor mother. He was the only one of his bloodline though close in kinship to Thingol.

He quickly got to his feet as well. “I am not saying that I do not long to have a wife and children. I am not asking you to be my wife! But if you feel the same way that I do and I think you do, then I believe that we should explore these… feelings and see if it develops into something more.”

“And what happens if things… progress and then all the sudden I disappear? That’s something that can’t be ruled out. I came here like that,” she snapped her fingers. “And I could leave just like that.” She snapped them again.

“I am willing to take that chance. You possess great magics so Melian says. Perhaps you take pleasure in your life here better than back in your world and that is why you refuse to depart our lands. Your own powers may be keeping you here. Have you given that any thought?”

“That’s impossible.” The conversation was becoming heated. “I’d never choose to live in this world. Much less stay here by choice!” She turned her back on him and left him standing alone in the chamber. Mablung was frustrated and confused. He had the foresight to see that they belonged together but he didn’t understand why she was being so difficult. He concluded that perhaps her young age had something to do with it. She was still only twenty-five.

Buffy found herself walking up the passageways leading to the huge front doors that were kept closed due to the weather. Mumbling the password, the doors swung open and she proceeded over the stone bridge and down the path that led to the Mirror. She cursed under her breath wishing she had at least grabbed her wool coat or her cloak even. It was frigid!

She felt bad by talking to Mablung the way she did. He was one of the nicest people she had ever met in her life, (here in Beleriand or back home). But she came here for reasons unknown. She assumed it was to kick BauglirÂ’s ass, but Melian shot that one down real quick. Only a Vala could kill another Vala. Even the powers that Melian possessed were not enough to take him down. She seriously doubted that her great mission in this world was to find an elven lover! That was just ludicrous.

BuffyÂ’s teeth were chattering by the time she reached the Mirror. The small brook was nearly frozen over; only a small trickle seemed to be flowing gently over the cold and stony bed. She couldnÂ’t get the ewer positioned just so in order to fill it up. Thinking to herself she began to sing. A lot of the spells and enchantments that she learned from Melian were voiced in song. She sang about her desire to have the brook flowing again. As she sang the ice broke into chunks and soon the stream was flowing like it did when she first came here months ago. After she filled the basin, she blew over the water and waited. She rubbed her arms in an attempt to keep them warm.

A mist began to form over the basin and Buffy looked closer into the Mirror. What she saw caught her off guard and she would never disclose the full details, ever! Let’s just say that she saw herself with a certain elf in a very intimate situation. “So we are supposed to be together,” she mumbled to herself. “Never saw that coming.” But soon the image swirled and changed. This time she saw Bauglir’s face staring back at her. She was so taken aback by that image that she took a step back in order to regain her composure. Can he see me? she wondered to herself. Like a movie camera the angle widened and she saw a vast army of yrch – all in armor and well armed. Oh my God, she thought to herself. The war’s about to start. She watched the image for several minutes before it faded. The basin then showed nothing but Buffy’s reflection.

She waved her hand over the basin and the contents disappeared. A small bird then flew down and landed on the rim of the bowl. “Greetings to you Bellaseth Dagnir,” the nightingale chirped to Buffy in a singsong voice. Buffy always felt a twinge of excitement whenever one of Melian’s birds spoke to her. It was just too cool for words. “It is awfully cold to be without a cloak in this weather. What would cause you to make such haste, if you do not mind me inquiring so?” the little bird asked.

“Is that you Elmor?” Buffy queried. The nightingale flew in a circle and landed again. That meant yes. “Oh… well it’s good to see you.” She commented as she continued to rub her arms feverishly. “I had to check something out in the Mirror… but that’s beside the point. Would you do me a favor Elmor?”

“Most certainly kind maiden,” responded the nightingale. “What services would you require of me?”

“Well,” she looked all around to make sure that they were alone in the clearing. She didn’t want anyone overhearing her request. “I looked in the Mirror and I saw Bauglir… ” The bird once again began circling above her singing a shrill song.

“Say it is not so,” he repeated over and over.

“Shh,” Buffy chastised Elmor. “We don’t want everyone in Eglador to hear. This is a top-secret mission, Elmor. I know I can count on you.” Elmor fluttered back down to the edge of the bowl. “I need for you to fly north and see if you see the Dark Lord’s armies departing from Angband,” Buffy instructed. “You can take any of your friends with you that you believe are bold and valiant enough to go on such a journey.” Yes, flattery does get you what you want, if you know how to do it correctly. Even with a nightingale.

“Lady,” Elmor began as he proudly stuck out his chest. Despite the severity of the situation, Buffy couldn’t help but chuckle. “It would be an honor to go on such an important errand.” He then flew up on Buffy’s shoulder. “But Bella,” he whispered in her ear. “Do you require that we should go to the Dark Land itself?”

Buffy turned her head to face the bird perched on her shoulder. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t so important. If Bauglir is unleashing his armies, I wanna to know about. We don’t want to be caught off guard in case those yrch coming crashing through Neldoreth or Region. If they’re coming, I say we go and meet ‘em and take ‘em out before they can do any damage in Eglador. Can you do that for me Elmor?”

“With honor,” he replied proudly.

“Good. Report back to me, okay? Let’s keep this little secret between us until we get the facts.”

“Yes, good Lady. I shan’t be long.” And he flew off whistling to his friends. Soon the entire woods were filled with the calls of the nightingales. Buffy watched as dozens of birds took flight towards the Hell that is Angband. She called out to them wishing them luck and a safe return. Quickly she ran back to Menegroth just as the bells began ringing indicating that the evening meal was ready.

Over the next few day’s things were awkward between Buffy and Mablung. She continued her workouts but with Celeborn instead of Mablung. She just couldn’t face him at this point. Her mind was focused on what she witnessed in the Mirror – more specifically Bauglir. Any time Elmor would be returning. Buffy actually spent a lot more time outside. Her nerves were on edge and she was most anxious to see her little winged friend again.

Buffy was sitting on the crags of the hillside beside the three trunked beech tree just south of the main gates to Menegroth when Elmor found her. He had startled her out of her reverie despite the fact that she was expecting him.

“My good Lady,” he began. “Long was the journey that you sent me on, however I have some valuable information for you. It does indeed seem that the Dark Lord is planning his long awaited war. At first, all was quiet and my friends were most anxious to depart those wicked lands. But I reminded them that Bellaseth Dagnir understood the danger of our mission and only those who were of valiant and bold stock were to come henceforth. Thus we heard a great beating of drums that echoed in those mountainous regions. And soon many thousands of yrch began to emerge from the depths of those hidden places. They are well-armed and wear mail and helm wrought of iron.”

“Good work, Elmor. How far are they?” Buffy inquired as see stroked the bird affectionately.

“They were still far from the gates of that fortress when we departed. I would assume that they have passed through them by this time.”

“Elmor, I need you to come with me. We need to report this information to Thingol and Melian. We need to prepare for war.”

“As you like Bellaseth.” He flew close to Buffy. “Do you think, most noble and valiant Lady that this could be the mission you were sent here for?”

“Maybe,” she answered Elmor. “Maybe.” Quickly they made their way down the passageways that led to Thingol’s chamber. Buffy ignored the many elves that greeted her in passing. When they entered the King’s chamber, Thingol was already deep in conversation with Mablung. Many of his household were already assembled in this room talking amongst themselves. Buffy hurriedly made her way to the dais; Elmor was now perched on her shoulder. Melian was nowhere to be seen.

Her feet echoed through the chamber alerting both the King and Mablung of her arrival. They turned to face her. “Are you ill, Bellaseth?” asked Thingol. “You are as pale as an elf!”

“My Lord,” began Buffy who was now accustomed to the protocol of Thingol’s Halls. “I have news for you that I believe is of the utmost importance.” She panted. The King sat down so that he could look more intently at the much shorter Slayer. Mablung remained standing next to Buffy looking at her with a very concerned look on his face. Before anyone could say another word, Buffy told the King about what she saw in the Mirror and about sending the nightingales to the north to see if that vision was genuine. And yes, it was. “The armies of Bauglir are on the move. Elmor says there are thousands of them. We need to take the fight to them. Let’s show them that the mighty Thingol doesn’t hide in his caves waiting on the enemy to attack. Let’s annihilate them.”

Thingol sat there for a few moments in silence. Apparently everyone in the room heard Buffy’s words. Many of his most trusted councilors were shocked by the news. But it was something that they had been expecting for quite a while. Just like Melian foretold long ago. “What say you, Mablung?” His attention was now focused on his Chief-Captain.

Mablung looked down at Buffy. “I deem that the time has arrived, my Lord. War is upon us. Let us do as Bellaseth has instructed. Let us take the battle to them.”

Thingol had a resolved look on his face. He summoned all those of his household to his chambers. Word of impending war spread through Menegroth like wildfire. Soon ThingolÂ’s Hall was full to near capacity with all his most trusted people including Buffy.

“War is close at hand my dear friends,” began the King. “I have been informed that the armies of Bauglir, the Dark Lord, are on the move. And they are making their way south through Beleriand. We are fortunate enough to have been warned about their approach much sooner than even the enemy expects.” He glanced at Buffy. “How many yrch have been dispatched Bellaseth?”

Buffy looked at Elmor waiting for his response. “I cannot say with the utmost certainty Lady, but I would estimate that there are around thirty thousand yrch marching this way.”

Buffy looked up at the King. He stared at her blankly. Apparently he didn’t understand the tongue of Elmor. Something that Buffy found rather odd since Melian was the one who taught them their language. “Elmor reckons that there are thirty thousand yrch that have departed Angband.”

“Thirty thousand?!” Thingol exclaimed fretfully. Thingol summoned Pédacar forth. “We need to gather all the men of Region and Neldoreth. Send them to the armories where they shall be outfitted for battle. Thirty thousand,” he said again. “We must alert Denethor of Ossiriand. Tell him that war is coming and that Elu Thingol calls for what strength he and his men can provide… ”

“What about Beleg?” interjected Buffy. “He and his people live closest to the northern border. He should be warned as soon as possible.”

“I have not forgotten Beleg, child. Send out messengers’ straight away Pédacar. As soon as we muster our strength we shall make war.” Immediately Pédacar pulled aside certain men who would deliver the message of the King. He was also sending messengers to Círdan the Shipwright at the Falas and also to the Naugrim at Belegost, their allies.

This reminded Buffy of her own battle with The First in Cleveland. Instead of going out in full force, they had to muster it first. How much of a delay this was going to cause remained to be seen. Buffy volunteered to ride with Galadhon to the northern borders where Beleg was stationed.

“Swift we must ride Bellaseth,” he said to her as they mounted their steeds. “For this is your greatest test as far as your riding abilities are concerned.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she replied. “ I’m up for it.” And off they went at great speed.