FF: Two Worlds (Chapter 9: Strange Alliances)

["cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

I'm back...
Two Worlds is currently on the move again <g>
Enjoy!
Cilia

Title: Two Worlds
Chapter 9: Strange Alliances
Series: Royalty (Book Three)
Author: Cilia
E-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Feedback: Please god yes
Distribution and Archiving: Sure go for it
Summary: You know this right?
Missting Parts: E-mail me and I'll send you what you need.
Notes: A Big Thanks to my beta brndn for getting me started on this again.

Two Worlds
Cilia

Chapter 9: Strange Alliances

Buffy went straight into defensive mode when she saw the gathering of
cloaked beings outside. She remembered the battle they had fought with the
dark elves that had come after Al'x when he returned to earth.
"This the reason you wanted us here King Vitor?" Buffy asked as
she drew the sword she'd discovered in the hidden armory.
"One of them, yes. Please, lower your weapon, Slayer Buffy, and
let me try the way's of diplomacy," Vitor stated as he gently forced her to
lower the sword.
"King Vitor Solonus," a deep feminine voice said, "I am Queen
Piratess, of the Dark Elves and I've come here to plead for your help," the
cloaked woman said and kneeled, her soldiers following suit.
The group in the archway just stared for a moment. Vitor looked at his
advisors as they came rushing in, well guarded, from the throne room.
"Mage Willow, your wisdom would be appreciated," he said as he
stepped fully into the courtyard
"Go," Buffy urged when Willow gave her a helpless look. Quickly
falling into step with Vitor, Willow took the time to study the group. They
were battle worn; their clothes dirty from traveling and fighting.
"They've been fighting for some time now," Willow whispered.
"Noted," Vitor nodded. They stopped in front of the kneeling
Queen and Vitor offered her his hand.
"Rise, Queen Piratess," he said in a formal voice. The woman
took the offered hand and rose to her full height. She looked at King Vitor
and then at Willow. The redhead had to fight the urge to gulp.
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable discussing this inside? I
mean, away from the suns rays," Willow offered when it became obvious that
neither royal was going to speak first.
"That is acceptable," Piratess nodded and motioned for her
soldiers to rise.
"This way then," Vitor said as he guided her inside past the
cowering advisors.
"Prepare the war room," Amy whispered to one of the soldiers who
nodded and left. This didn't go unnoticed by the advisors.
"The war room," she whispered into Vitor's ear as she fell into
step with him.
"Good thinking," he nodded.

Buffy took note off all the different things happening around her. Her wife
taking control of a tense situation which made her smile, the angry look in
Stjar'a's eyes at the sight of the dark elves that had her worried, and Amy'
s regal control over the guards and how it upset the advisors. Which perhaps
was the most worrying off all.

-

Al'x stopped and looked back at his travel companions. Theris didn't seem to
tire from the walk, but that was to be expected. After all, she was a High
Elf, connected to all things. If Joyce was tired, she wasn't showing it.
"Perhaps we should rest for awhile," he suggested, sitting down
on a nearby rock.
"I'll go get some water," Theris said and disappeared over a
small hill, leaving Joyce and Al'x alone.
"You feeling okay?" he asked as she sat down next to him.
"More or less," she answered.
"If it helps, I , uh, threw up during my first battle," he said
after a moment's silence.
"You did?" she asked.
"Yep. Hurled on my attacker," he said with a grin, which quickly
faded.
"The memories never really go away?" she asked.
"Joyce," he said and covered her hands with his, "I won't lie to
you. They will always be there in the back off your mind. But they will fade
with time," he added quietly.
"And I've plenty of time now from the looks of it," she said.
"Okay! Enough of this deep blue funk," he said and stood up and
started removing his cape.
"I told you that night on the castle walls that I was now your
mentor and I intend to live up to that name," he answered in reply to her
unasked question.
"It's your body," she said as she shrugged and unsheathed her
sword.
"And remember, no fire," he said in a firm voice.
"Wouldn't you rather give this job to someone else?" she asked
as she parried his first swing.
"No, why would I?" he asked back as he blocked her strike.
"Cause then we could have sex and get it over with," she
answered.
Her remarked cause Al'x to stumble and soon after he found himself disarmed.
"You tricked me," he said with her sword on his neck.
"And you fell for it, just goes to show that your still a man,"
she said with a smile.
"Are you two quite done?" Theris asked from a perch in the
hillside.
"We're done for today," Al'x croaked as Joyce lowered her sword.
"Good, cause we have a problem," Theris said.
"What kind of problem?" Al'x asked as he put his cape back on.
"A goblin camp not far from here," Theris answered.
"And you know this how?" Joyce asked.
"A little bird told me," Theris answered.
"She means that literally, doesn't she?" Joyce asked Al'x.
"Yep, and this is our chance for revenge," he answered as he
retrieved his sword. "How many?" he asked.
"Nothing we can't handle, maybe a dozen," Theris answered.
Al'x looked up with a grin on his face as the embers flickered in Joyce's
eyes.
"So I take we're going after them?" Theris asked with a small
smile.

-

To say that that the atmosphere in the war room was tense would have been an
understatement. There was an all out staring contest going on across the
table. Still, Buffy seemed to be taking things in stride with a calm
demeanor. Cordelia was more worried about Stjar'a's temper then anything
else and Willow had found herself in the role of mediator between King Vitor
and Queen Piratess
"Queen Piratess you came here to ask for our help, why?" Willow
asked.
"Our city, Necris, has been invaded and overtaken. I came here
to offer you a pact, King Vitor," the Dark Elf Queen answered.
"A pact? Explain." Vitor asked.
"We're faced with the same enemy, King Vitor. As we speak, the
lesser creatures gather at your borders. If you aid me in retaking my
kingdom, I will aid you in protecting yours," she explained.
"To what end? Restoration of the status quo?" Vitor asked.
"I do not wish for another war with the surface elves, King
Vitor," Piratess stated firmly.
"And I do not wish for an war with the Drow, Queen Piratess, but
my Royals will need some assurances," Vitor answered.
"Then I propose that we chose generals," Piratess said.
"What does that mean?" Willow asked.
"Quite simply, honored Mage, I will chose one of King Vitor's
generals to lead a division of my army and he will, in turn, chose one of my
generals to lead a division of his." Piratess explained in a voice that
struck Willow as haunting.
"It has been done before." Vitor explained.
"Will the Royals agree to this?" Willow asked both parties.
"The Drow Houses are loyal. They will obey," Piratess stated.
"I will need a day to confer with my Council," Vitor said.
"Then go, do what you must. We will meet here tomorrow, after
sunset," Willow said and both parties stood and left.

After the Dark Elves and the advisors had filtered out,
leaving only Willow and Buffy and Cordelia and Stjar'a, Willow turned to
Buffy and hugged her. Cordelia was trying to calm Stjar'a by whispering into
her ear. What she was saying seemed to be calming the elf, and when Stjar'a
blushed, Cordelia knew she'd won.
"I've never been so nervous in all my life," Willow said as she
hugged Buffy harder.
"Don't worry. You did great," Buffy whispered, Willow pulled
back and smiled at her wife.
"Really?" she asked.
"You did excellent work, Mage Willow," Stjar'a said as she
placed a hand on her shoulder. Willow turned around to face her elfin
friend.
"Why did they trust me so easily?" Willow asked.
"You're a mage, Willow. A powerful one, and with it comes great
respect from all races," Stjar'a explained before being dragged off by
Cordelia.
"Great respect. huh." Willow said and smiled, "I like the sound
of that."
Buffy couldn't help but to laugh her wife's' childlike smile
"What?" Willow asked.
"Nothing," Buffy said innocently, as she calmed her laughter.
"Love you," Willow squeaked, for lack of a comeback.
"Love you too, Wills," Buffy answered.

Piratess sat down in the quarters supplied to her. Coming here had been a
risky proposition, but one she'd had to take. The future of her people
depends on it, she replied to the meeting in her mind. Focusing on the blond
human who'd studied them with the interest of a trained warrior, perhaps she
had her general.

Vitor sat on his throne. Only a handful torches lit the throne
room and if it hadn't been for his elfin eyesight, he wouldn't have seen Amy
walk up to him.
"How did the meeting go?" she asked as she sat down on the steps
leading to the throne.
"The Royals agree that the status quo must be restored," he
answered and slid down from the throne onto the floor next to her.
"So, are we going to war?" she asked as he slipped his arm
around her.
"I'm afraid so. And with my best general away," he said as she
nuzzled closer.
"Don't worry. He'll show up in time, I have a feeling," she said
with a smile.
"Then I put my trust in you," he said and she looked up into his
eyes.
"You do?" she asked.
"Yes," he said as he leaned closer.
Amy nervously licked her lips and looked back into his eyes, so old and
filled with so much life. The kiss was light, like silk, but it grew, taking
her breath away.

> > From the shadows, red eyes watched them. The Royals would not be happy with
this development.