Title: Royalty Redux
Author: Cilia
Archives: List archivers go right ahead.
Notes: The rewrite of the classic B/W story Royalty, the story thatset
the stage for the epic Two Worlds story and made many of the characters thatare still
around and kicking in Prophecy’s Twilight.
Relative to the show, this takes place after the events of Graduation,
so those are still in continuity while, but I have take
some liberties and this is very much an alternate universe story.
Summary: Buffy finds herself in San
Francisco looking for Willow,
but the young witch has gone missing, both of them struggle with their emerging
affection for each other and new enemies. Along for the ride are Spike, Giles,
Anya and Xander, every single one of them with a mission of their own.
Chapter 8: Painful Reunion
Buffy screamed in pain and tried to arc up from the bed, but Spike held
her down. Giles was talking to the
clans leaders gathered outside, but he glanced back at the door as the scream
rang through the halls.
”Just a little
while longer and then it will all be over,” Willow
said as she pulled at the stake again, which had been lodged in pretty tight
and therefore they’d had to pull it out inch by inch. Upon seeing Buffy
bleeding and hurt, all calmness and control had fled Willow’s
mind, leaving her powerless to ease Buffy’s pain.
“One more pull
should do it!” June said as she readied the bandages.
”Hear that
Buffy?” Willow
asked
”Great just
pull,” Buffy muttered through the pain and bit down.
”Ready?”
Willow asked looking into Buffys eyes, wanting nothing more than to take the pain
away. Buffy nodded. Then there was a muffled cry as the stake came free and
June set about getting Buffy out of the stained and dusty clothes and dressing
her numerous wounds. Willow turned
to Spike.
”Spike go and see
what’s going on,” she said and Spike merely nodded and left, she
then kneeled down at Buffys side.
”How are you
feeling?” she asked, moving a strand of hair from her face, the calmness
of her voice replaced by sincere concern.
“I’vehad
better days,” Buffy said in a weak voice as the adrenaline and pain
faded.
”You’ll be
fine dear. Now sleep,” June said as she finished the bindings on
Buffy’s shoulder. There was no sound, except for the soft chant Willow
sang while June salved and dressed the numerous cuts on Buffys
body and then dressing her in a fresh set of clothes. The chanting stopped and Willow
carefully laid a hand on Buffy’s forehead and willed the magic to flow
from herself into Buffy, then for a glorious moment she brushed against her
friend’s soul.
“Well if there is
nothing else?” June said and stood.
”You’re
leaving?” Willow
asked her voice once again calm.
”You’re here
and that’s all that she needs right now,” June said gently.
“How can you be so
sure?” Willow asked and for a moment the secure Wicca was replaced bya
scared young woman.
”Give the woman
some credit will you,” female voice said from the corner.
”Lily what are you
doing here?” Willow almost hissed.
”I bring a warning.
The Slayer must not fight and no buts because this comes straight from
upstairs,” Lily said firmly.
”Any
reasons?”
Willow asked, looking over Buffy’s now sleeping form and noting
June’s discreet exit.
”Smart
woman,” Lily stated.
”I repeat what are
the reasons?” Willow demanded.
”It’snot her
fight, it’s yours?” Lily said and Willow stopped before she could
form a response. She had wondered why exactly she’d been called here and
now she knew the why and under any other circumstances she would have just
nodded, asked who she should go kick into the next realm and be done with it.
Now Buffy was caught in the middle and that changed the entire equation.
”What does the
kidnapping of the prince have to do with me?” she finally asked.
”That’s
merely just one string in the larger plot. A warlock seeks reentrance into this
realm and of course he wants to establish a power base when he does. Therefore
the prince had to be removed.
“Why now? Imean
the stars are all wrong and Buffy should have…” Willow was cut off,
but the sound of Buffys voice.
”They struck
early,” Buffy said trying to sit up.
”Glad t o see you’re awake,” Willow stated.
“This is Lily my mentor of sorts,” she then added.
”Pleasure, now
what’s this about me not fighting?” Buffy said and rose a bit more.
”You’re
showing progress Willow,” Lily commented.
Buffy looked at her cuts that had now faded, but the wound on her
shoulder still remained.
”I ask again:
What’s this about me not fighting?” Buffy asked in a firmer tone.
”Well you see this
will be a magical battle and a simple stake or a drop of the sword just
won’t do the trick,” Lily explained.
“Why do I feel
insulted by that?” Buffy muttered.
”I’llstill
need your help,” Willow said. “This guy isn’t alone,”
she added.
”So I do get to
fight?” Buffy asked. Feeling a little snubbed, but Willow seemed to be in
control.
”Of course,
you’re my friend and there is no one I would rather have at my
side” Willow said looking down at Buffy. There was a soft ahem that broke
the mood and both girls looked at Lily.
”I’llleave
you two to…” she paused and then went on. “…plan for
the coming battle,” Lily then added and handed a parchment to Willow.
“That’s all the information the coven has. Take care Willow,”
and with that she was gone. Before Willow
could reply to the below the belt shot she’d just received.
”So that was your
mentor?” Buffy asked, maybe a bit heavy on the sarcasm, as she tried to
move her shoulder but winced.
”She’s really
nice when you get to know her,” Willow
said gently forcing Buffy to lie down, by laying a hand on her good shoulder.
“And try to remain still. The spell can only do so much. The rest is up
to you.”
”I missed
you?” Buffy said. Willow’s
hand didn’t leave the shoulder it rested on.
”I haven’t
been gone that long,” Willow
said her voice taking on a different tone.
”Feels like
forever,” Buffy whispered back.
”Buffy I want
nothing more than to talk to you about everything and nothing right now, but I
need to know where they took the prince?” Willow
asked.
“Not sure, but I
think I can find the place,” Buffy said.
”No need, just give
me the location where you were attacked I’ll take care of the
rest?”
”I’m going
with you!” Buffy stated firmly.
”Of course you
are,” Willow
said with a smile, but the voice remained calm.
”This is really
wigging me out,” Buffy sighed.
”What is?”
Willow asked with an innocent
smile.
”You being so calm
and so in control of everything. I mean you’re going
to face a warlock and you act like it’s something you do everyday. You
don’t… I mean fight big baddies everyday, do you? And why am I
rambling?” Buffy asked casting her eyes downward.
”You’re a
little scared aren’t you?” Willow
asked as she absentmindedly started stroking Buffys'
hair. Buffy looked up into Willow’s eyes, which seemed to glow with a
faint green glow of fires burning within and it felt like they were drawingher
in. Willow stared back into her
friend’s eyes and in them she saw a mixture of love and fear.
”In more ways than
one,” Buffy whispered as Willow’s
head lowered.
“Why are your eyes green…?” she whispered.
“Long
story…” Willow
whispered back, feeling Buffy’s hot breath on her lips.
”Gotta tell it to me someday…” Buffy muttered as
their lips met, it was nothing like the searing kiss Willow
had given Buffy the night they’d met again. It was like the feel of the
seasons rolled into one sensation, to each other it almost like kissing some
ethereal being. With their senses overloading from the briefest touch of lips Willow’s
mind sought out another, the wiccan
in her seeking more than just physical contact. Buffy allowed her in, the walls
falling away, every emotion and every memory laid bare. Every
pain and every sorrow, all the regrets of paths not taken and all the love and
joy, every single aspect of their beings. Open to be explored by the
other.
Then it stopped…