-Two Worlds II- (Chapter Two: Reunion)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Hi!
I have a stockpile of this stuff and this is only one tenth of it's usual
quality since I don't have Brndn to aid me, he really does at flavour to
this story by pointing out and fixing things I miss. But this will just have
to do, I do after all have an ego to feed and it's telling that I don't need
puny beta's, while my rational mind is telling me that beta's are good and
useful ppl,
Cilia

p.s. don't kill me when you read the ending.

Title: Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness
Series: Royalty
Book: 4
Chapter Two: Reunion
Author: Cilia
Author's e-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Pairings: Well duh!
Distribution and Archiving: List archivers and anybody else who has my stuff
can go ahead. Other's please tell me if you chose to archive this.
Disclairment: Joss owns some and I own some. But hey I think I write better
then he so he can just pucker up and kiss it for all I care.

Note: Done without a beta, but the beta version will be posted on my website
www.mmedia.is/~cilia once my beta returns from real life.

Summary: Nine years have past in the Old Realm since the deperture of
General Elisabeth Anne Summers after the Battle for Necirs and the following
Search for Willow. Now Willow Summers, her wife and Leader the Alliance
Council must bridge the gap between the worlds to seek out her out, the
darkness is rising and the Last Hero of Necris is needed now more then ever.
So the final story in Royalty Epic begins.


-Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness-
Cilia

Chapter Two: Reunion

We gathered around a meeting table and between us rested a tray with a
kettle, four cups, a bowl of white cubes, a pitcher of milk and a platter
filled with cookies. The housemaid, Auntie June was her, was filling cups,
while the dark-haired warrior, her name was Faith, leaned back in her chair,
observing me and I in turn watched her with interested, not with that kind
of interest though mind you. General Summers sat with her feet propped up on
the table and the image was just like the one often described in stories
about the tense meetings that birthed the Alliance, until the maid swatted
them down from the table of course. Willow, who appeared to be calm, sat
with her hands grasped together below her chin. Nobody spoke while the tea
was being poured
Will that be all dear? the maid, who seemed pleasant and reminded me of
my grandfather, asked as she smoothed down her apron.
Yes, thank you Auntie June, The General said with nod and the housemaid
gave her an encouraging smile before leaving and closing the heavy doors
behind her. So why does Tessa want me back? she then asked referring to
Queen Piratess and setting her eyes firmly on her wife.
This might take some time, Willow said, when Elisabeth just nodded she
sighed and began to describe the events of the past nine years in our Realm.
How the expected attacks never came, about how people lost interested and
how now the generals thought that the mighty Alliance could not be
defeated. Still the Hero of Necris seemed uninterested in our troubles and
it took much of my willpower to calm my anger and trust me a pissed of elf
is not a pretty sight.
&and in short need someone with recent experience and that someone is
you, Willow finished her explanations and then waited for the General's
reply. After a taking a breif moment to think the General gave her reply.
No, she stated flatly and I guess that was the end of the line for me
causing me to crush the cup I was holding. The General seemed unfazed by
this and kept on talking. You have Alx and you have mom, Tark remembers I
m sure and Vitor and Tessa can lead and army just as well as I can, she
explained. The only reason my anger filled mind could find for this
behaviour from one of the Heroes of Necris was that she getting back at
Willow, but then again my rational mind was taking a hike.
Alx is gone, so is Joyce, Tark is retired and Vitor and Tessa Im sorry
to say this& dont have half of your leadership talent, Willow fired back
and I could see that she wanted to smile but she kept it back.
Alx& is he& the General questioned, seemingly loosing some of her edge.
No hes not dead, but nobody knows where he is, Willow explained.
Still, Grimm and Cordy surely they can&
No, Cordy is somewhere fighting her own private war and Grimm lets face it
hes not a man to send people to there deaths, the Red Mage interupted.
It sent a pang of guilt through me that my childhood hero hadnt come to aid
us in the war. But I pushed it aside and focused on the here and now.
You are the Last Hero of Necris still active and& Willow started to say,
but a new voice interrupted her.
And... you have to go, the voice said from the shadows of the room.
Spike you should be resting, the General stated and I turned my eyes
towards the shadows. Emerging from them was one of the most obscure of the
Heroes of Necris. Prince William Blood of the Undying, hed fought the
Warlock and then aided in the Search for Willow. But what I saw was not the
great and handsome dark prince of my childhood stories. Instead I saw a worn
and tired old man, with greying hair and sad eyes, but I could feel the aura
of power that he gave of even in his seemingly frail state.
Tell her the full story Red, he said as he sat down at the far end of the
table. Willow looked first at the Prince and then at her wife.
How had he known? I wondered to myself.
The Mage Guild in Tharon& believes that if we fail to stop the Darkness it
will spill into other Realms with this one as the prime target. Our spies
have seen experiments in the Dark Lands dealing with dark portals and it's
only a matter of time before they perfect it, she explained and Generals
eyes lost a little more of their stell and the woman named Faith nearly
jumped out of her seat. Im sorry but I was hoping I wouldnt have to tell
you this and& force your hand like this, Willow added averting the
General's gaze.
I& I will have to think about this, he Genera said in a slightly shaking
voice and stood. June will take care of your needs and if theres anything
youd like to know ask Faith, she said and then left the room in a
dignified hurry, if there is such a thing, I'm note sure.
Willow looked stunned and believe you me, cause Id never seen her stunned,
but this was just as I had imagined it. When no action came from her I gave
her kick under the table.
Go after her, I hissed and she looked at me in surprise before taking off
after her wife. And dont forget we need her, I pratictly shouted after
her. Then I was alone in the room with the Lord of the Mansion and Faith.
Stupid assignment, I crumbled despite my self and crossed my hands across
my chest.
How are things in the realm? Prince Blood asked having the same effect as
Tarks voice did, causing me to almost snap to attention.
Theyre bad Prince and I wasn't lying when I said that we need General
Summers, I explained feeling rather uncomfortable in my present company.
What has Red been doing all this time? the warrior asked and with a sigh
I launched into telling them the tale of the Red Mage. Carefully edited mind
you, but my mind wandered towards Willow and I mentally kicked myself for
letting her leave unprotected. Some escort I was turning out to be.

Willow started, in full resolve-face, up at the blue-skinned demon guarding
the door leading into her daughters room. Czar was as impressive in size
and muscle as she remembered, but he seemed to have developed a stubborn
streak in her absence and was seemingly void of the respect she was used to
receive from just about everyone.
I said step aside, she said in a gentle voice her eyes pulsing, gently,
with green light.
Ive been instructed not to let you in Mrs. Summers, he said calmly,
making a point of her name, with his red eyes staring at the far wall.
I could just teleport in, the mage suggested and raised her hand.
No you cant that rooms warded, Czar explained with a smirk showing his
fangs.
I wouldnt bet& ouch, Willow exclaimed as if she had crashed into
something.
Told you, the demon said and his grin grew. After a few more minutes of
staring the summoning came.
Let her in Czar, was called from within the room. Czar bowed to the mage
and opened the door. Stepping past the tall demon Willow gently stepped into
the room. With the door closing behind her heart soared at the sight before
her. Buffy was walking around with June, their daughter on her shoulder,
trying to put her to sleep and singing quietly. It was an old elfin tune
she'd picked up in the realm.
Sit down, her wife ordered and she promptly obeyed by sitting down on the
bed.
She wont go to sleep, Auntie June has this trick that just puts her to
sleep right away, but how she does it is beyond me, she explained. Willow
couldnt help not to smile at the sight before her.
You want to try? Elisabeth asked looking at her grinning wife.
I couldnt I mean& Willow started, but before she knew it a squirming
package had been handed to her. Looking down at the daughters face for this
first time, she noticed the mismatched eyes and the reddish blond hair. She
has your eye, she said as she started rocking her daughter.
And yours, Elisabeth said with a smile.
I didnt want to come here and ask you to come back, Willow said with a
sad smile.
Then why did you do it? the slayer asked, if she was angry, she was
hiding it well.
I hate to repeat myself, but we do need you and&
Nobody else can do the job& god that sounds so familiar doesnt it,
Elisabeth sighed and watched June curl her hand around her pinky finger.
But its usually true, Willow nodded.
You know what youre asking me to do? Elisabeth asked with a pointed
look.
Leave here again, leave our daughter behind and fight a war, yes pretty
much I ran this through my head a million times before coming, the mage
answered.
So whats the plan? Elisabeth asked.
Ive made some improvements to the portal, I can make sure you wont be
gone for more then a week, Willow explained.
No matter how long I stay?
Within in limits, yes, but you should be able to win the war and &
Are you always like this now? Elisabeth asked looking up from watching
her daughter.
Like what? Willow asked in a confused voice.
Focused, holding the master plan and in control?
No, not always, but most of the time& the past nine years havent been fun
and games, Willow explained.
You havent& Elisabeth trailed off, the mental image of her wife with
someone else, not the most pleasing thing to have in her mind.
No& been tempted once or twice, but no never, Tark and Litni are my family
and theyve helped me through the worst parts.
Same here, Luna really helped me when things good all dark and gloomy&
There was long, but comfortable silence between until Willow spoke up again.
I hate to press this, but we dont have much time a day and half at the
most and&
Are you sure theyll come here next? Elisabeth asked.
Pretty much, from what weve found out our two Realms are the closest,
thats why the unstable portals like that Alx went through sometimes just
form& so its a pretty good estimate, Willow explained.
Anyway in the nine hells you can stop them by yourself? the Slayer asked
looking straight into her wifes eyes.
No, all the scenarios point to us losing within four years time, the mage
answered.
What about the other kingdoms?
They wont help until they're directly threatened. The Mage Guilds in
Tharon arent ready to help yet and even Rosetta is holding back from me,
the red mage explained with a sigh.
Wait since when did you and Rosetta get all buddy, buddy? the slayer
asked with a raised eyebrow.
Shes my sister in a way and nine years tend to add perspective to you
life you know, Willow explained with small smile.
You dont look it though, Elisabeth stated while her eyes traveled the
length of her wifes body and face.
Noticed that finally did you, time is a funny thing in the realm and I
think Im going to be around for awhile by the looks of things, she
answered with a shrug.
So it seems to be with everybody, mom is now my age, Giles is going back
too, every time he uses the blade he becomes younger, so it seems like Im
going to be the only one to turn old and gray.
Age is a good thing gives you perspective when you feel that your body
doesnt obey like it used to& or thats what Old Man tells me," Willow said.
Hey youre pretty good at this, Elisabeth said with a nod to the now
sleeping toddler.
May I? Willow asked and motioned her to the crib.
Sure go ahead, the Slayer said with a smile and the mage stood up careful
not to wake the sleeping child in her arms.
Who is Old man? Elisabeth asked as she watched her wife with a smile as
she placed their daughter in the crib.
Litnis grandfather, Tark calls him Old man sometimes when theyre arguing
and it kind of stuck, the mage answered with a smile. When the war is over
Im coming back for good, she then stated firmly looking down at her
sleeping daughter.
You are? Elisabeth asked with wide eyes.
Yep, I dont want to be the Red Mage, Ive been it for almost ten years
now and its wearing thin, the mage answered with a smile as her wife
joined her to look down at their sleeping daughter.
I have to do this dont I? the slayer asked with a sigh.
You could let us handle it, but without more would die that need be and we
could fail, the mage answered.
And Ill only be gone a week?
Two at the most.
I will have to make some phone calls, get Anya to take her for awhile.
Why Anya?
Spike is no shape to take care of her with Joyce and all, Elisabeth
answered and gave a firm sign that that meant end of discussion. Shell be
safest with Anya and Daniel.
Ill leave you to it then, Willow said as she started backing out of the
room.
Willow I&
What?
Nothing& find Auntie June shell show you to your room, Elisabeth said as
the mage nodded, but beofe closing the door she turned around.
"I won't blame you for hating me," she said.
"Give it time," Elisabeth answered and once the door was closed she let out
a lengthy sigh.
Stupid, stupid, stupid& she muttered to herself.
On the other side Willow made sure she was far enough away so nobody could
hear her before starting her own chant. Stupid, stupid, stupid&

To be continued....