-Two Worlds II- (Chapter Seven: The Calm)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Title: Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness
Series: Royalty
Book: 4
Chapter Seven: The Calm
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.

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 Seven: The Calm

> > From the Journals of Litni Speed
Hi! Okay here goes nothing and everything I guess. This is my account of
when I first saw the General Elisabeth Summers.
I tried very hard not to laugh at my Generals reaction when she saw her
unit gathered together for the first time in nine years. She was shocked I
think, but that grim jaw setting might have been something else entirely. So
I bit my lip from where I stood at Willows side and hoped nobody saw how
amused I was at all this.
Taking a moment to collect herself, she adjusted her cape and started
walking the line.
Welcome back to active duty ladies and gentlemen, she bellowed in a voice
that seemed to demand attention, just like in the stories. How such a petite
person could command it though is beyond me.
As you have been made aware the Council has decided to take action and we
re the lucky bunch that gets sent into the Dark Lands, she explained in a
firm and even tone. General Tark, will be my second in command, she said
and Tark stepped forth on her right. He was dressed in his perfectly
polished armor that I had spent many nights staring at while he told me
stories. &And Trist is your first lieutenant, she added and the burly Drow
stepped forth and took a stance on her left. For the next few weeks your
behinds belong to them. We march in two days time. So that leaves them two
days to get those who need it into shape for the march, but make no
mistakes& we will train here and we will train on the road. We will be ready
for whatever threats we must face in the Dark Lands and remember I dont
like losing, she nearly shouted. Trist will split you up into groups and
remember the Alliance is counting on you, she said and then with a graceful
turn and a billowing cape she left.
-Litni Speed

Litni Speed closed her book, shed started her journal mainly because it was
rumored that the Ranger Knight Moondancer kept a detailed account of her
travels, so in true hero worship fashion shed taken to writing her own
journal.
I really wish Tare would come along, she said as she stood up and
stretched.
Shes no warrior, Tark said calmly from where he sat in front of the
earth.
But I dont want to be the only one my age there, Litni stated as she sat
down cross-legged in front of him.
Now you sound like a child, he nodded.
Several weeks on the road may sound like fun to you, but the more I think
about it the duller it seems, she explained.
If you want to be a warrior my child, you must accept that, Tark
explained with his usual and often irritating calm.
We could use her. I mean she is one of the best archers in the land and
youve said yourself that she could make the Elite easily, Litni stated,
referring to the group of bowmen that had sprung up after Tark had appointed
bowmen as his personal guards at the Battle of Necris.
But shes not interested and we cant force her to go, she is very
independent you know, Tark answered.
Why dont you just go talk to her and lay some of that dark ol Drow charm
on her then, Willow suggested from the doorway.
Looking for me? Litni asked innocently, taken the Mage didnt need
protection, but the elf was supposedly never to leave her side.
No, what Im looking for now&  Willow said and sat down. Is a comfy
chair and some tea, no sooner had she asked for it when a cup appeared on
the table.
Why are you complaining you dont have to train? Litni stated with a
raised eyebrow. Tark and Trist had been nothing if not evil over the past
two days, furiously whipping the Roses into form.
No but I, like you must prepare, gather my strength and meditate, Willow
explained using her wise old voice.
Yeah that meditation can be a real killer cant it? a new voice said as
the General strode into the room.
Oh bite me, Willow retorted and stuck out her tongue.
General what brings you here at this hour? Tark asked from his seat,
trying to avoid the scenario that seemed to be reoccurring between the mage
and the general, usually ending with an explosion of one kind or another.
True they had made their peace, but it was fragile at best.
Those supplies that fifth house promised havent shown up yet and I was
hoping either you or Willow had an explanation because as far as I know I
havent done anything to insult them& yet, Elisabeth explained.
Ugh! Thats kind of my fault, Litni said from the floor.
Explain please, Elisabeth said as she towered over the elf.
I broke the eldest sons arm, Litni explained. He got& a little too&
frisky, she added.
And thats why theyre holding back? Elisabeth asked with a raised
eyebrow.
Tark is the head of the third house and theyre getting back at him, by
holding back, Willow explained. Litnis action give them a reason too,
she added with a glance at that elf who merely shrugged her shoulders with
an innocent smile.
Elisabeth rubbed her eyes and muttered something about stupid royal heirs
and elfin hormones.
At least tell me he was a jerk? she asked.
No he was& kind of cute, but still&" Litni said with a thoughtful look and
Elisabeth groaned.
How do I fix this? she mumbled.
Ill go talk to them, Tark said and stood. And perhaps if you would
accompany me? he asked Litni who looked at him and then at the pair before
jumping to her feet.
Just remember Im not a piece of meat, she stated as she dragged him out
of the room.
Weve been setup again havent we? Elisabeth asked as she sat down in
Tarks' seat.
Yep, Willow muttered as she nursed her cup of tea. And we are going to
need Cordy on this one, she then said.
So thats what youve been thinking about these past two days, Elisabeth
nodded.
Either Cordy, or Theris, we need a Guardian and those two are the only
ones that I know can get the job done. Hell they are the only ones I know
period, Willow explained.
Can you do it alone? Elisabeth asked.
Yes, but it will most likely render me comatose if the texts are right,
Willow explained and looked up from her cup.
Any other candidates? Elisabeth asked as Willow placed her cup on the
table between them.
Ziel and your mom, but thats iffy, Willow answered.
So we have to find Cordy, Elisabeth sighed.
Yep, but itll be easy since shell probably find us, Willow said,
How can you be so sure, Elisabeth asked with a bewildered look.
She has a knack for that and Guardians usually know when they are needed,
so shell show, Willow answered with a small smile and padded Elisabeths
hand that rested on the armrest. Elisabeth looked down at her hand and then
back up at her wifes face.
June is going to need two moms someday you know, she said with a smile.
And you cant stay in retirement forever, Willow nodded.
Shell need another mom to talk to when the other is saving the world,
Elisabeth went on.
One to be nice to future boyfriends and the other to scare them shitless,
Willow said with a smile.
You can be the one thats nice, Elisabeth said as she gently took Willows
hand in hers.
Think shell grow up to be like us? Willow asked.
Nah, were too weird and our daughter will not live a life like ours,
Elisabeth said firmly.
Kind of hard to avoid it you know, Willow whispered. This life weve
chosen, she added. There was long silence and Elisabeth wondered just for a
second whether or not she should kiss Willow, but instead she just squeezed
her hand.
I miss this you know, she said and Willow smiled shyly.
Me too, she whispered.

~*~*~*~

Tare was closing up the Roses Honor, when a dark cloaked visitor entered
the inn. Not unusual, but this one moved with an unearthly grace almost and
a purpose above that of seeking a room for the night or a drink.
Were closed for the night, she said as she took off her apron.
You must go with your friend, the figure said in a deep males voice..
Oh and why is that? Tare asked leaned against the counter.
Its the way of things, the figure answered.
I think you'd better leave, Tare said and reached for the sword that was
under the bar.
You wont need that, the figure said and the sword flew into the wall.
Who are you? Tare asked looking at the sword embedded in the wall.
My name is Angel, the figure said and pulled back the hood of its cloak,
but the face was not that of a man, but of a High Elf.
You're& Tare stuttered.
Yes Im she too, the High Elfs said as her eyes shifted from that of
brown to soft green and her face softened. I am Theris.
What do you want from me? Tare asked and went down on one knee since
respect for the Heroes of Necris had been drilled into her over the years of
growing up in the aftermath of the Battle.
We want you to go with Litni Speed, Theris answered in an echoing voice.
Ive already said no and the Roses leave tomorrow, Tare said.
Then youll go anyway, Angel said.
But&
No buts, you will be needed Tare and you will go, he said firmly.
Im no warrior, look where it got my sister, Tare pleaded.
I dont have time for this, Angel muttered and his eyes glowed with white
light and the Drow slumped to the ground.
Was the necessary? Theris asked.
You saw the message my friend, Angel answered as they looked down at the
sleeping Drow.
Shes going to be very angry when she wakes up, Theris reminded her other
half.
But they do need her, so help me get her ready, Angel said back. Theris
whom had long since grown accustomed to having the spirit sharing her body
smiled at him. Although he hadnt bothered her much over the past nine years
he could be very serious when it came to his little missions.

~*~*~*~

Elisabeth woke up and blinked, shed fallen asleep in front of the fire.
The last thing she remembered was holding Willows hand and talking. She was
pretty sure Litni had come in and then left again, cause shed heard a faint
giggle and the shuffling of feet. Guess with age came more interesting
aspects of being a Slayer, good hearing being one of them. She rolled her
hand and smiled when she saw Willow sleeping in the chair next to her,
covering in a blanket no doubt provided by Litni or Tark. Turning her head
to look out the window she quickly remembered that she was in Necris and
there was no sun here. So standing up she adjusted Willows blanket and
wondered just how often the mage had fallen asleep like this. Kissing her
forehead gently, she smiled when Willow murmured something and smiled.
Finally taking one last look at her sleeping wife from the doorway she
gently closed it behind her. Once she was gone, Willow opened her eyes and
smiled.

tbc...