FF: Two Worlds (Chapter 19: Restlessness Resting)

["cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Hey all,
I'm back... only two chapters this week, sorry but I did write a short
story
Cilia, the bard with the lurker's soul

Title: Two Worlds
Chapter 19: Restlessness Resting
Series: Royalty (Book Three)
Author: Cilia
Edited and Revised by: Brndn
E-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Feedback: Please god yes
Distribution and Archiving: Sure go for it
Summary: You know this dont you?
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
and being my faithful beta and Ollie for plot line helping.

Two Worlds
Cilia

Chapter 19: Restlessness Resting

Buffy and her second-in-command rode their steeds through the early morning
mist, with the small group of soldiers marching behind. They were to travel
half a day ahead of the main force to alert the Elves of their arrival. Even
if they were expected, nobody liked to have a Drow army marching up on their
city. There was no knowing of what the Royals might do if the Dark Elves
surprised them.
The General had wanted more time with her soldiers, more time to train.
Especially her new scout party, which was supposed to be three steps ahead
of them, among the trees.
Every so often, Buffy would turn in the saddle to look back at her soldiers.
After a while and stopped her steed.
Okay, this is silly, Buffy exclaimed.
General? Xare asked.
Were dismounting, Number One& Buffy said and swung out of the saddle.
And walking,
Xare had gotten used to the humans strange ways of leading, so she just
shrugged her shoulders and said, Yes maam, and dismounted.
This, of course, did not go unnoticed by the division, or the scouts, as a
general murmur could be heard throughout the group.
Hey, did you guys see that? The General just dismounted, Grimm exclaimed
when he had finally caught up with his partners. The thief had found out the
hard way that scrambling along tree branches was much harder than it looked.
That is just so& Buffy, Cordelia noted as she jumped into the next tree.
It brings a sense of equality to the soldiers. Alx used do it all the
time, Stjara explained and followed her lover through the branches.
Leave me hanging, will ya, Grimm said and jumped down from the branch; he
drew the line at actually jumping from one tree to another.
Oh, stop whining Grimm. If youll remember, it was either this or capture
slash torture, Cordelia said when he had caught up with them again.
Well, yea, I remember. But have you considered the fact that were going
off to war? Grimm asked.
Yep, dont like it, but, it is our duty, Cordelia answered.
Great. Freakin rangers, Grimm cursed after she had jumped on.

Buffy walked alongside her second-in-command, each with their mounts in tow.
A smile played along the edges of the blondes lips as she found her
thoughts had drifted towards her wife. She hoped that Willow was okay and
not pushing herself too far. She also thought of her mother, who was
somewhere far away. Mom better not be giving Alx too much grief, she
thought.
General? Is something the matter? Xare asked.
What? Oh, sorry. No, I was just thinking of home, Buffy answered.
Just&thinking of home,
Must be nice, Xare nodded.
Dont worry Number One. Well get yours back,
Perhaps. But maybe I wont return to it, Xare said.
Dont talk like that, Xare, Buffy said, her look and her voice firm.
I have no intensions of dying, General. I was referring to the fact that
there is little future for a woman with no House to claim her own, Xare
explained.
Oh&well, this bunch will need a leader once I quit. Buffy reassured her
officer with a nod back to the group, I wont be around forever you know,
You really do not wish to lead? Xare asked.
I never wanted this command, I was chosen. But now that I have it&
You intent to keep it, Xare finished with a thin smile.
Correct, Buffy nodded with smile of her own.

-

Joyce woke up. As she looked up at an unfamiliar ceiling, she realized her
head hurt, again. However, this time, at least, the pain was quickly fading.
She sat up, trying not to move her head too much and looked slowly around
the room. The chair by the hearth looked like it had been slept in, a
blanket and a pillow still occupied it. The black armor that rested on a
rack in the corner was a sure sign of whose room she was in, Alxs room.
She carefully swung her feet out of the bed and made contact with the cold
stone floor.
Oh, Thank Gods& except for my boots, Im still dressed, she thought to
herself.
Something red caught her eye and she turned her head. It was something
folded, on a chair, with a note on top. She padded over to the chair on
tiptoes and carefully picked up the note. After she unfolded it, she read:

Good Morning,
Sorry. I had to go speak before the council. The dress is for the feast
tonight. You have to be there, since it is your feast.
See you there. Alx.

Joyce refolded the note and picked up the buddle of cloth. She shook her
head, where had Alx had found a seamstress? And how did he know my
measurements? Those were the top two questions in her mind as she tried it
on it. Form fitting was definitely the appropriate word, but not in anyway
too revealing. It was a full-length affair, high, solid collar and long
sleeves that ended in silver lined cuffs.
Well, at least he has taste, she muttered to herself.
There was a soft knock at the door then a voice, Joyce? Are you in here,
Yea, come in Theris, Joyce called out.
I went in to check on you this morning and you were gone. Gymli told me
you might be here, Theris explained as she stepped though the door.
Well I&just had things on my mind and I was tired of lying in that bed,
Joyce answered. So what do you think? she then asked as she did a turn.
Peace offering? Theris asked.
Probably, but Im not complaining, Joyce answered.
The feast begins in four candle marks so you better finish getting ready.
Four&but& Joyce exclaimed.
Hey, you broke into the mead storage. Now you have to pay the price,
Theris stated.
Great. Okay, lets back to my room, Joyce said and dragged the High Elf
with her. I want to wash up. I need to do something with my hair. Should I
wear it up or&

Four candle marks later, after a bit of help from High Elf magic, a couple
of servants, eager to assist, and Gymli, sort of, Joyce entered the now
completely decorated grand dinning hall. The high tables were laid out for
all to see. Three long tables against each wall seem to circle the room.
Apparently, the party had already started as the dwarves were actively
feasting on the various dishes and meads. At the head of the high table sat
King Einar, with his advisors. Ziel sat to his right as a representative of
the priesthood, but no sign of Alx.
Looking for someone in particular? was asked from behind her.
Oh just the usual. Tall, dark and brooding& Joyce answered with a grin.
Hey! I do not brood, Alx exclaimed as he stepped around into her field
of view. That was deadboys job.
Theris was sure she would have to pinch her friend; the sight of Alx had
apparently made Joyce lose all powers of speech. She did have to admit,
though, he was looking rather dapper this evening. He wore an all black
ensemble with gold inlays. The dragon skin cape flowed to just above the
floor.
Ah&well you&um&have two out of three, Joyce answered finally and Theris
blew a sigh of relief.
Come on den lass, ets leaveem alone, Gymli stated and the High Elf was
once again dragged away.
Thank you for the dress, Joyce said as they made their way towards the
high table. Must have taken some doing, though?
Dont mention it. The seamstress was more than happy to help, Alx said
as he pulled out a chair for her.
I see she gave you an overhaul, too, she nodded as he took his seat next
to her.
All I need now is a mask and I could be the Dread Pirate Roberts, Alx
said which caused Joyce to laugh aloud.
Its not that funny, Alx said, as he giggled himself. Before he could
continue, King Einar stood and banged his mead pitcher on the table. The
effect was near total silence.
Honored guests, he said addressing them, Ya came ere alookin fer aid n
Ive akept ya waitin. In that time, ya saved many of me subjects lives durin
a recent cave-in, n fer dat, I be thankin ya wit gifts. There was roar of
applause and stomping, then three dwarven women carried in three finely
crafted wooden boxes and placed them in front of each guest. The King called
for order with the wave of his hands.
Furdermore, beginin tamara, well be amassin r armies. R cause be da
retaken of Necris. We do dis wit da opes a restorin da balance tar lands
n among r neighbors. But we aint marchin alone. Asn I speak, da elvesr
amassin at der own city. They be makin ready fer da march inta th Nether.
Many ov ya already be aknowin we gots among us an avatar from thGod oWar
imself. Dis tells us r cause be just! he said with motion for Joyce to
stand and the noise increased threefold as she did so.
Tanite we dance, we drink, we celebrate life. Fer tamara... The King
paused, Tamara we prepare fer war he finished, and there were stomps and
howls.
Nice speech, Joyce commented as he sat back down.
Thank ya. Spent da ol night workin on it, the King answered as more food
came their way.
As the feast went on, a small band of dwarves set up and started playing,
much to everybodys delight. Theris noticed that neither Joyce, nor Alx
were dancing. With a grin, she made her way towards the band and whispered
something into the leaders ear. He smiled and handed her his instrument, a
long necked, four string instrument. She started to play; the melody,
Greensleaves, was slow and sweet.
Joyce looked at her friend and resisted a growl, barely, as Alx took her
hand in his and pulled her onto the floor.
Oh, I hate her sometimes& Joyce snarled.
Trust me, this might be our only moment of peace for a long time, Alx
said as he took her other hand.
I do trust you, Joyce said as they started to glide across the floor.
Then relax. And enjoy, he stated. The music again picked up pace, but
they didnt stop dancing. With friendship being settled upon that night,
there was nothing left to do but to enjoy.

-

It was early dawn when Buffy walked with her division through the city
gates. They had been marching almost nonstop since leaving the caves and
were now, finally, at the City of Elves in the heart of Vitors kingdom. The
banner of the houseless flew over her soldiers, carried by Grimm and
Cordelia. Stjara walked with the other soldiers, feeling somewhat out of
place. She marched with a straight face, but a slight smile appeared at the
reactions of the vendors that were preparing the booths in the early morning
sun and the lookouts on the walls turning around to watch them pass.
Youd think theyd never seen a drow before. Buffy said to Xare with a
smile. Her second-in-command shared the smile.
By the time they reached the castle, they had gained a quite following of
curious onlookers.
Amy! Hey. Buffy called out when she saw her friend.
Hey Buffy. Vitors busy so he sent me to take you to Willows right away,
Amy said.
Why? The slayer felt her pulse jump, Is something wrong? Buffy asked.
Whats wrong? Where is Willow? Is she ok?
Just& come with me, Amy said. The guards will lead your soldiers to the
barracks.
Xare? was all Buffy could ask. She handed the reins of her horse to her
second-in-command and then raced passed Amy into the castle.
Buffy, wait Amy yelled, but she was gone.
Throwing the door open, she found Willow lying on their bed with a worried
elf healer by her side. She quickly made her way over to her wife.
What happened? Buffy asked as walked around the bed. Is she ok?
Weak, but she grows stronger, the old elf said.
Can she&hear me? Buffy asked.
Yea, I can hear you, Willow said in a weak voice with a weak smile. Can
we have a moment? she asked of the healer.
The elderly elf stood, gathered his potions, and quietly slipped out.
Hey, Buffy said and kissed her wife gently.
Ya miss me? Willow asked.
Very much. Now what happened? Buffy said with another kiss. Are you
okay?
Im okay&but&were up& against some very& bad things, Willow said.
The anger building in the slayer was almost palpable, Who did this?
Buffy asked menacingly.
The mage knew what was going on in her wifes mind. It&it was Chaos,
Willow answered and placed a hand on Buffys. Dont go after&it, Buffy.
This isnt &something you can& just stake.
But&
No buts& Were at war& we cant have our generals& running off on
personal vendettas, Willow said.
Buffy let out a breath slowly, Okay, I wont go. You& and my men need
me, Buffy answered as she visibly calmed herself.
Lay with me? Willow asked.
Oh, you so dont have to ask me twice, Buffy said with a smile and
proceeded to remove her heavy road clothes. Sliding under the covers, she
placed a protective arm around her wife and the worries melted away, if just
for a little while.
So, you sent Stjara and Cordy out after me, huh? she asked with a smile.
You found them already?
Yep, but its okay. They had a good cover story. Theyre part of the drow
army now actually. Buffy answered.
Wow. That must be killing Stjara. Willow responded as she spooned a
little closer to her love.
No, not really. But I do think Grimm gets on her nerves, Buffy
explained.
Grimm? Whos Grimm?
Oh, some thief they rescued, Buffy answered.
Thats&. *yawn*& nice, Willow said.
Is somebody tired? Buffy asked, smiling at the cute yawn.
Very, Willow answered in a drowsy voice.
Then sleep, my love. Buffy said, Im not going anywhere.
Love& you, Willow said as sleep overtook her.
Love you too, sleep well. Buffy said and hugged her close.

TBC....