None of the characters are mine. Buffy is Whedon's and the rest belongs to Tolkien.

Wow, I really appreciate all the reviews and emails. I apologize for taking so long to get this posted but I have just recently moved and have been without the internet for the past few weeks. Thanks again and I hope everyone enjoys the new chapter.

Forth the Four Hunters

There was no time to bury Boromir. Aragorn decided it would best to give his body to the river so the remaining Fellowship hastened to gather the weapons and armor of those Boromir vanquished before he was slain. Buffy moved as if she were asleep. She still couldn't believe that in a such short amount of time so much had fallen apart. Frodo and Sam gone off to Mordor on their own and Pippin and Merry captured by those Orcs. And Boromir. . . God, she didn't want to think about it but the thought just kept repeating over and over in her head. Boromir was dead. Boromir was dead. Boromir was dead.

"There are many here who are not of Mordor," Aragorn said. "Some are from the North and here are others strange to me. Their gear is not in the manner of Orcs at all."

Buffy looked down at the shield she held in her hands. Upon it was painted a small white hand on a black field and on the front of the helm held by Gimli was an S.

"I have not seen these markings before." Aragorn said.

"S is for Sauron," said Gimli.

"Sauron does not use Elf runes," Legolas said shaking his head.

Aragorn stood silent for some moments, deep in thought. Then he seemed to reach a realization and he spoke. "S is for Saruman, I guess. There is evil in Isengard and Saruman knows of our journey."

"Saruman," Buffy murmured. A fire began deep in her chest and her eyes snapped up burning with resolve. "Saruman sent those Super-Orcs. He is the reason Boromir is dead ."

"Yes, that is what I believe." Aragorn said warily. He'd never seen such a look of hate on another's face before.

"Then he'll die." Buffy stated. "He'll die and I'll be the one to kill him."

* * *

They picked up the trail of the Orcs quickly and they traveled lightly and swiftly. Several hours passed before Buffy noticed something was wrong. She was having difficulty catching her breath and she began to feel a little tired. She said nothing of this to the others. Too much depended on their catching up with the Orcs who had Merry and Pippin. Buffy didn't want to slow them down. It was when they finally stopped for rest that Aragorn noticed the shadows under Buffy's eyes.

"Are you ill?" Aragorn asked.

"No, I'm just a little tired."

"It is more than that. How long have you felt this way?" Aragorn felt Buffy's head and neck for fever but she was cool to his touch.

"A few hours." Buffy answered then cringed at Legolas's gasp.

"Why did you say nothing?" Legolas admonished.

"I didn't - don't want to slow us down. We have to save Merry and Pippin. I'll be fine after I rest."

Aragorn studied Buffy's flush face thoughtfully. "Were you injured in any way during the fight with the Orcs?"

"Injured?" Buffy asked a little confused.

"Cut? Or scraped?" Aragorn pulled Buffy's sleeve up looking for any wounds.

"No, I don't think so." Buffy stood up. The mithril coat covered her from neck to a few inches above her knees and as she had discovered nothing could get through it. She studied her hands but they were fine.

"There," she heard Legolas say pointing to the back of her knee.

Sure enough there was a small cut on the back of her leg just above the top of her tall boots. It didn't hurt at all and certainly did not look serious. Buffy couldn't understand why it hadn't healed yet. Aragorn kneeled down and took a closer look, noticing the angry red skin around the cut.

"Poison," he said. "You must have been cut by a poisoned blade. Being that the injury is so small and your advanced healing abilities you may be just fine."

"But. . ." Buffy said.

"I cannot be certain. The poison has already affected you and had the cut been any worse you would be very sick by now. All I can do is make you a tea of the remaining athelas I have. What you really need is rest."

"That isn't an option." Buffy said firmly.

"Buffy -" Legolas began to protest, worry evident in his voice.

"No, we can't slow down and I can go on. I am fine for now so unless I get worse I say we continue on as planned." Buffy looked at the Elf and on seeing the resolve etched on her face he could do nothing but nod.

After drinking the tea Aragorn made and resting for a short while Buffy was ready to go on although she knew she would be watched closely for any signs of further weakness.

* * *

Several hours later Buffy didn't feel any worse but she didn't feel any better either. She was very tired but she took great pains to conceal this from the others. Legolas was especially difficult to fool and Buffy wasn't sure she had him fooled at all but he hadn't said anything about her condition.

They came to a high ridge that dropped sharply down into green, grassy plains that stretched for what seemed like forever to Buffy. The remaining Fellowship had come to Rohan.

"Down there!" Aragorn cried pointing towards the plains. A faint shape could be seen just over the horizon and Buffy was surprised it had drawn Aragorn's notice.

"It is a great company on foot; but I cannot say more, nor see what kind of folk they may be." Legolas said. "They are at least twelve leagues away."

Buffy stared at Legolas. She was still unused to the Elf's keen senses.

They made their way to the bottom of the ridge and as they reached the bottom the air became warmer and a gentle breeze blew through the sea of high green grass. It smelled sweet and Legolas took a deep grateful breath.

"Ah! The green smell, it is better than sleep." The Elf said smiling. "Let us run!"

Buffy smiled at Legolas's pleasure and then the company took off on swift feet. They ran along the trail the Orcs had left, eagerly and with a bright light in their eyes. At one point Aragorn noticed a trail of small feet leading away from the Orc trail and as he searched the grass a small Lothlorien brooch was found. It must have been dropped by one of the hobbits. The discovery gave them hope and they continued much lighter in spirit. They ran all day and after much discussion Aragorn decided they should rest for the night. Buffy had not improved but she had not grown worse either. She immediately sank in to a deep sleep and the rest of the company did the same. Just before dawn Aragorn awoke to find Legolas gazing off into the distance.

"They are far away," the Elf said sadly.

"Nonetheless we will follow as we may," Aragorn said.

"I am torn," Legolas said looking towards Buffy's sleeping figure. "She needs to rest and yet I do not wish to abandon Merry and Pippin."

"She has been holding up well. The poison doesn't seem to be affecting her any longer."

"She hides it from us but she is no better," said Legolas. "I fear that this pace we have set will make her worse."

"Still she would not have us slow down on her account."

"She will run until it kills her so set on this path of vengeance she is." Legolas said.

"You know her so well?" Aragorn asked.

"I know her as I know myself," the Elf answered as the topic of their conversation slowly came awake.

"Why are you guys looking at me?" mumbled a half-awake Buffy.

Legolas studied the matted hair on one side of Buffy's head and the crease marks of the blanket on her face. He smiled and said, "Because you look so pretty in the morning."

Buffy looked at the Elf and then at the smirking Ranger by his side. She touched her head and felt her knotted hair.

"Liar," she said.

* * *

For days they ran, stopping only occasionally and frustratingly growing no closer to their quarry. Buffy had managed to keep up but she was unsure how long she could maintain the fast pace. The cut still had not healed fully and she remained tired. On the third night the air grew colder and all but Legolas slept fitfully. After waking for the fifth time to see the Elf walking back and forth Buffy sat up and wrapped her cloak snugly around her.

"Don't you ever sleep?" she asked quietly in order not to bother Gimli and Aragorn.

"Not often," answered Legolas. "But you need to, so lay back down."

"Too late, I'm awake now." Buffy stood and joined Legolas's pacing.

"Really you need to rest," Legolas protested.

"It's too cold."

Legolas immediately removed his cloak and placed it around Buffy's shoulders.

"No! Take this back!"

"I do not feel the cold as you do."

"Part of being an Elf?" Buffy asked.

"Yes."

Buffy sat down in the high grass and looked up at Legolas.

"Sit down," she said, "you're making me dizzy."

Legolas complied and sat down next to her.

"Tell me a story," said Buffy.

"What kind?"

"One about Elves. I want to know more about them."

Legolas searched his memory for an appropriate tale and decided to start from the very beginning. He began telling of Iluvatar and the creation of Middle-Earth and of the Elves. Before long he felt something drop against his shoulder. He looked down to find Buffy's head resting against him. She had fallen asleep. He smiled a little and pulled the cloaks closer around her while watching her face.

Then he sighed. She was drooling on his shoulder.

* * *

The next morning Buffy awoke groggy to find both Aragorn and Legolas gazing off into the distance. Gimli sat nearby sharpening his axe and Buffy quickly stood up to shake her cloak out and gather her things. Immediately the world spun before her and she staggered slightly before regaining her equilibrium. A quick look to her right reassured her that the others had not noticed her momentary dizziness and she sighed in relief. If they knew she was feeling worse they would slow the pace and Buffy refused to let that happen. She slowly got her things together as a warm flush began to creep throughout her body.

"Riders!" Aragorn said jumping to his feet. "Many riders on swift steeds are headed in our direction."

"Yes," said Legolas, "there are one hundred and five in all. Yellow is their hair, and bright are their spears. Their leader is very tall."

"Keen are the eyes of the Elves," Aragorn said with a smile.

"You can say that again," breathed a very impressed Buffy.

"They are little more than five leagues off," said the Elf.

"Then we cannot avoid them," observed Gimli.

"Buffy?" Aragorn asked as he studied the slayer's flushed face. He moved to her side and felt her forehead. "You have a fever. I knew we should not have pushed on so hard. Why did you not tell us you felt worse?"

"Because then we would have slowed our pace," answered Legolas.

"Well what good are you to Merry and Pippin if you make yourself sick?" Aragorn looked at Buffy sternly.

"I've felt worse," she said.

Aragorn busied himself making a cup of tea for Buffy with the remaining athelas he had.

"We will wait," he said and then looked pointedly at Buffy, "and rest. Besides the riders are coming back down the Orc trail. They could have news."

They sat amongst the grass and waited for the arrival of the Riders. The sun beat down and Buffy raised her hood to keep the light out of her eyes while she drank her tea. As the time passed Aragorn told them what he knew of the Rohirrim and soon hoof beats could be heard in the distance. The sound grew closer and louder roaring into a thunder as the Riders came upon the four companions. At first it seemed they would pass them by but Aragorn stood and called out. With great speed and skill the Riders checked their horses and galloped in a tightening circle around the four companions. All but Aragorn remained seated and Buffy found herself unnerved by the closeness of horses hooves. They halted as suddenly as they had begun and the company found themselves surrounded by sharp spears.

"Who are you and what are you doing in this land?" asked the leader.

"I am called Strider," answered Aragorn. "I am from the North and I am hunting Orcs."

The leader dismounted and drew his sword facing Aragorn. Buffy stood with Legolas and Gimli quickly following suit.

"That is no name for a man you give," said the Rider, "And strange is you raiment. Are you Elvish folk?"

"Only one of our number is an Elf," said Aragorn gesturing towards Legolas. "Legolas from the Woodland Realm in distant Mirkwood. But we have passed through Lothlorien and the gifts and favors of the Lady go with us."

"Many tales of the Lady's sorcery have reached Rohan. Perhaps you too are sorcerers. Why do the rest of you not speak?" the Rider turned his sharp gaze to the rest of the company.

Gimli stood angrily and demanded the name of the Rider.

"I am Eomer son of Eomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark."

"I am Gimli son of Gloin and you have already heard the name of my friend Legolas the Elf."

"And who is this? Why do you remain hooded and silent if you are a friend?" Eomer asked Buffy. She had forgotten she still had her hood up.

"He looks to be merely a child by his size," said a nearby Rider.

Buffy gasped in outrage. She stood up as tall as she could and threw her hood back causing the Riders to cry out in surprise.

"I am no child and I am certainly not a boy," said a rather offended Buffy. "Honestly, do you have to keep pointing those things at us? I hardly think four against a hundred is fair odds."

"You drag a girl with you while you hunt Orcs? What kind of creatures are you?" asked an outraged Eomer.

"They didn't drag me and they are not creatures. They are my friends and I assure you I can take care of myself." Buffy said.

"Will you hear our tale?" asked Aragorn.

"I will," said Eomer. "But first I wish to hear your right name and the name of the Lady.

Aragorn threw back his cloak. His sword shone in the sunlight and he seemed to suddenly stand taller with authority rolling off him waves. "I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunedan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the sword that was broken and is forged again!"

Eomer stood stunned for a moment before he collected himself and turned to face Buffy once more.

"I'm Buffy," she stepped forward looking the Rider directly in his eyes, "the Vampire Slayer."

"Will you help us or thwart us?" asked Aragorn.

"I will help you," answered Eomer. "I can tell you that you need not pursue these Orcs any further, they are destroyed."

"Did you find any others? Any Hobbits?" Buffy asked eagerly.

"None but Orcs. What are these Hobbits you speak of?" said Eomer.

"You may call them halflings." Aragorn explained.

"Halflings! I believed them to be legends!" exclaimed Eomer.

The Rider looked overcome with discovering the companions and hearing their mission. He sent his men away so that he might speak more plainly with the company. Listening in awe as Aragorn recounted their tale Eomer began to fit in the pieces of his country's own recent trouble into the tale. At the mention of Gandalf's name Eomer's eyes widened.

"Gandalf is known in the Mark but his name is no longer a password to the King's favor," he said. "He has been a guest in this land many times but he is ever the herald of strange events. A bringer of evil, some now say."

The four companions stiffened at hearing this but said nothing and listened attentively as Eomer continued.

"It was after his last visit that our trouble with Saruman began. Saruman had been our friend but Gandalf warned that war was coming from Isengard and that he himself had been held prisoner in Orthanc. Theoden would not listen to Gandalf's request for help. Then the wizard took the horse called Shadowfax, the most precious of the King's steeds. The horse has since returned but now no man can ride him for he is wild."

Aragorn told Eomer of Gandalf and Boromir's death and the Marshal was much grieved.

"You said you were having trouble with Saruman?" Buffy asked, anxious to hear of what the evil wizard had been up to.

Eomer quickly explained how he had left Edoras without the leave of Theoden to do battle with a host of Orcs that had invaded all bearing the white badge of Saruman. He tried to convince Aragon that he should come to Edoras where his help was much needed but Aragorn insisted on continuing the search for the Hobbits.

"I should insist that I bring you before my King," said Eomer, "but I can see the need for haste in your search. I will grant you the use of some of our horses so that you might travel more swiftly but only on two conditions. One is that you return the horses to Edoras and come before Theoden to tell your news and the other is that you allow me to escort the Lady to Edoras where she will be safe. A chase such as this is not meant for a female."

"What!" cried an outraged Buffy.

"I assure you the Lady can take care herself," said Aragorn.

"She'll not be going anywhere with you," said Legolas stiffly.

"Then you will not receive the horses though I will wish you a good hunt." Eomer stood and began to leave.

"Wait," Buffy called. Eomer turned around and Buffy sighed in resignation. "I will go with you."

"No!" Legolas protested.

"Buffy this isn't necessary, we can continue on foot." Aragorn said.

"It makes perfect sense. I'm sick and I would only slow you down. I can go with Eomer and rest until you return. I cannot go after Saruman until I feel better and if I thought it would be dangerous I would not even suggest it but it seems to be the right decision."

"Then I will go with you," said Legolas stubbornly.

"Are you insane? Aragorn and Gimli need you and so do Merry and Pippin." Buffy could see the indecision in the Elf's eyes but he refused to budge on the matter.

"Excuse us," Buffy said to the others as she took Legolas's elbow and pulled him to the side.

"What is your problem?" she asked.

"Buffy, I will not leave you in the company of people we know nothing of."

"Aragorn seems to think they are alright and I don't get any big evil vibes from them."

"Vibes?" the Elf asked then shook his head. "It doesn't matter, you are sick -"

"Which is exactly why I'm going," Buffy interrupted. She looked up into Legolas's eyes and saw the worry in them.

"I would not be parted from you," he said softly. To the Elf's surprise the thought of leaving Buffy behind was nothing short of painful.

Buffy herself felt a pang at the thought of being separated from Legolas but she knew that for Merry and Pippin's sake this was the best choice.

"Please," she said, "I'll be fine. You know I can take care of myself."

Legolas held Buffy's small form to him for a moment and then she slipped away and proceeded to gather her things. Aragorn gave Buffy what athelas he could spare and showed her how to make tea with the leaves. He then told Eomer to make sure she had at least one cup a day and to send her straight to the healers when they reached Edoras.

With some reservations Buffy rather gracelessly mounted the horse that had been brought to her as Legolas and Aragorn did the same. After some discussion Gimli agreed to ride behind Legolas and suddenly it was time for Buffy to part with her friends.

"Good luck," she told them.

"We will return for you as soon as we may," declared Legolas.

"I know that," said Buffy. "Please don't worry about me Legolas, everything will be fine."

"I will worry anyway," he said with a small smile.

Buffy returned his smile for a moment before it faltered. A great sinking feeling began in her chest at the thought of leaving her companions, her friends, but she pushed it aside. With a small wave she turned and rode after Eomer.