Title: A Slayers Holiday: There and Back Again
Author: Wildecate
Email: Wildecate@hotmail.com
Rating: G - for the moment
Notes: Since you were all so nice the first time round, here we go again.
Pairing: None as yet
Credits: Joss Whedon/JRR Tolkein - ya de ya de ya

Voices sounded in her mind. A tingling sensation, and then hazy pictures formed. Not Giles or Willow but someone whom she had known long ago, someone she had saved, talking to her, asking her something. Something about where did she want to be? Who did she want to be with? Who would make her most happy? Different faces flipped through her thoughts and then there he was, smiling at her. She screamed out his name.

"Her task is complete. She is free. She deserves a better place now."

"You would intercede for her?"

"I would"

"You would ask for her to join you in this sanctuary?"

"I would"

"She will not be the same girl you knew before"

"That does not matter"

"If her feelings match his, it shall be so"

The sensation of falling renewed itself, wind rushing quickly past her ears but all was black. There was no sign of anything around her, just falling through velvet darkness. She blacked out again.

Gandalf and Galdriel had summoned Legolas late the night before and told him of her vision of a small blonde human girl. She had described the girl so closely that Legolas could instantly recognise her. Buffy. It must be Buffy. Throughout the years that had passed since her time in Middle Earth, thoughts of her had occupied both his waking and sleeping hours. She had not faded in his memory, instead becoming more intensified so that she was the first thing he thought of when he awoke and the last thing he thought of before sleep claimed him. He had remained true to her, comparing all other women to her but not one could even hold a light to her. He was realistic though. He did not presume to think that she might share the same intensity of feeling, that he would occupy as much of her time as she did of his. She was human, changeable, unpredictable and female as well. He did not doubt that he was a memory for her, perhaps a happy one, but a memory the same. And he had certainly never thought he would see her again.

Galadriel had stretched her thoughts out to his, questioning him, testing him but the feelings running through him did not waver. She had sent the elf away and turned to Gandalf who was watching Legolas bounce down each of the steps leading from Galadriel's chamber.

"He is pleased" stated Gandalf needlessly.

"He is in love. Still. With a human. Valinor is the sanctuary of the elves, Gandalf."

"It is not without precedent to allow others to join us here. Frodo, Sam. The girl deserves peace now".

Galadriel sighed and joined Gandalf at the window "I cannot do this thing without her consent. We must ask her where she wants to be. She knows you Gandalf, she will answer you truthfully."

Gandalf nodded and took his place with Galadriel on the opposite side of her mirror. She chanted softly, pouring water into the stone basin. The ripples cleared, reflecting first their faces and then the girl from Galadriel's vision appeared. She seemed to be pain, fists clenched, crying out softly.

"Speak now Gandalf" Galadriel urged "Question her"

"Buffy Summers, hear my voice. Your time has come and now you must choose." Buffy gave no sign that she had heard but at Galadriel's nod, Gandalf carried on.

"You must choose Buffy. The choice that I forced upon you those years ago is now before you again. Who do you choose? Where do you want to be?"

Galadriel touched the water gently and Buffy's eyes opened wide and she screamed out a name. Gandalf and Galadriel gave each other a long look.

"Her task is complete. She is free. She deserves a better place now."

"You would intercede for her?" Galadriel raised a perfect eyebrow

"I would" Gandalf answered firmly

"You would ask for her to join you in this sanctuary?"

"I would"

"She will not be the same girl you knew before" Galadriel cautioned.

"That does not matter" Gandalf smiled, remembering Legolas' joy at the thought she might return.

"If her feelings match his, it shall be so."

Legolas and Haldir were taking their usual morning ride along the beaches. The horses were quivering beneath them, longing to be allowed to gallop and so the elves gave them a full rein, allowing them to fly free. They raced through the shallows, kicking up spray everywhere and drenching them both. Legolas laughed with delight as he shook the water from his hair and Haldir trotted over him.

"You seem in good spirits this morning my friend"

"Life is good is it not?" Legolas grinned at him and Haldir gazed at his friend. He was changed in some unidentifiable way but Haldir could not place the change at all. The smile was constant on his face, his eyes shining. Haldir suddenly knew this look. He had seen it on Celeborn's face when he looked on Galadriel.

"You're in love" he said accusingly and Legolas laughed at him and rode off into the sea, sending water flying up behind him. Haldir watched his friend ride through the surf and smiled to himself. Yes, this was definitely love.

Legolas finally re-joined his friend again and they calmed down to a more sedate canter, following their usual route.

It was Haldir who saw it first, a figure being rolled over in the waves and on to the beach. He sped the horse up with Legolas following close behind. He leapt off his horse and pulled the girl, as it turned out to be, clear of the water. She was barely conscious, with bruises and cuts on her face. He bent over her, pushing damp hair back from her face. Legolas knelt beside Haldir, taking her hand, staring at her features. She looked tired, older, changed but still beautiful. He caught his breath in surprise. Haldir shot a glance at his friend.

"You know her?"

"I do." Legolas lifted her into his arms and stood up with her, holding her close. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes closed and she seemed exhausted. What happened to you? He thought. When Galadriel had spoken to him the night before, telling him of her vision, of the chance that he might see her again, she had not mentioned that the vivacious young girl would now be this broken and battered woman, exhausted by life.

"We must take her back to the City" said Haldir, shaking Legolas out of his thoughts "she needs care and rest" And you need to tell me what in the world is going on he added mentally. There was a lot that Legolas hadn't told him about his life, elf lives were endless and he did not deny that he did not know everything about his best friend but he was mildly hurt that Legolas had not mentioned his love for this girl. It was obvious from the tender way he held her that she occupied a special place in his heart.

Legolas mounted his horse, Haldir passing Buffy to him, and took up his reins.

"I'll take her straight to Galadriel" Legolas shouted as he turned his horse, leaving Haldir alone on the beach.




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