Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 10f/?

["Beckett, Kevin" <kevin.beckett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 10f/?
K. Beckett (c) 2000, with the exception of musical lyrics which are (c) the
individual artists / labels.

Disclaimers:
Buffy, Willow and all of the other characters and places from the show
belong to Joss Whedon, WB and Mutant Enemy etal. Everyone and everything
else is mine. None of my characters are meant to resemble anyone living,
dead or un-dead, if you see yourself you are looking way too hard.

This story contains descriptions of sexual acts between consenting adult
women, and was written in a jurisdiction where it was legal to do so. If
this offends you, don't read.

----------------------------------
Grael took the cup, which had been filled with a strong red wine, and after
sipping from it passed it to Willow saying, "take this, the fruit of the
earth, and drink from it. May it foretell the bounty of your bodies, and
the strength of that fruit." Grael was once again continuing the standard
ritual, for it was more than obvious to everyone in the room that both
Willow and Buffy's bodies were more than 'fruitful', after all they were now
over twenty-one weeks pregnant, and definitely beginning to show.

Both Willow and Buffy inwardly chuckled as they sipped from the cup, both
realizing that in this case, the form of the ritual was more important than
the substance. Once they had passed back the cup, Aiofe and Bridie went up
to them and removed their robes, leaving them naked in front of the alter.
Aiofe and Bridie then bound Willow and Buffy's hands together. The couple
then raised their joined arms above their heads and began their prayer of
binding by staring into each other's eyes while saying, "You cannot possess
me, for I belong to myself. However, since we have declared that we both
wish it, so I give to you all that is mine to give. You cannot command me
for I am a free person, but it is my desire to serve you for all my days.
The nectar and honey, will taste sweeter as it comes from my hand to your
lips. I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night,
the eyes and mind into which I smile in the morning. I pledge to you the
first bite from my plate and the first sip from my cup. I pledge to you my
body and my soul in living and in dying, each equally in your care. I shall
shield your back from all harm as you shield me. I shall not slander you,
nor you me. I honour you above all save the Gods, and when we quarrel we
shall do it away from the ears and eyes of others. We shall not tell
strangers our troubles or our grievances, but work together with each other
and those who care most for us to solve our differences. This is my vow to
you, before these witnesses, before these guests and most importantly before
our Gods. I make this vow as I came into the world, with nothing to shield
me from the elements, and with nothing that can hide any deception. This
union that we undertake is the joining of equals, it is the Alpha and Omega,
and it is done in the full knowledge that our joining will be for all time,
and will transcend even our deaths on this the mortal plane." As they
finished their vows they lowered their hands, and clasped them together.

Buffy and Willow had worked long into the previous night on the wording of
their vow. They knew it was their declaration before the alter and the
Gods, and wanted to insure that they put into words the depth of their love
for each other. They had also composed the response, which Amana would say,
that would consecrate the union.

Amana stood before the alter then turned to face Buffy and Willow before
beginning the sanctification with the words, "these promises have been made
by you in the presence of the sun and the moon, by fire and by water, by day
and by night, by land and by sea. With these vows you have promised to
yourselves and to the God and Goddess that neither will command the other;
that neither will possess the other. You will be partners in all you
thoughts, deeds and duties. If one drops the load, the other will pick it
up. If one shames the other, her own honour will be forfeit, for untold
generations, until she repairs what was damaged, and finds that which was
lost. If you fail to keep these oaths which you have taken today, the
elements will rise up, seek you out, and destroy you."

Amana turned to Aiofe and Bridie, and said, "you who have been called to
witness these vows have you done so with honesty and love in your breasts?"
"We have," replied both women.
"As witnesses to this union it may become your duty to assist this couple in
living up to their vows. Do you undertake this task willingly?"
"We do."
"Then recite your vows, and become true witnesses before the Gods."

Aiofe and Bridie then turned and took up positions, one to either side of
Buffy and Willow, and facing each other, orienting themselves so that all
four of them were lined up with the quarters. They then said together,
"Buffy, Willow, I have agreed with love in my heart to witness your union of
love. I pledge to bare true witness to any and all to the strength of your
vows. I pledge to help and assist you so that you are able to fulfil your
vows, if you should ever need that help. I accept this burden joyfully
since it is a burden of love. I accept this duty willingly since it is a
true symbol of trust. And I will do all that I can to live up to this trust
that you have placed in my hands." 

Grael then began the final litany to the couple, "Willow, Buffy, you have
vowed to consider each other to be your partner in all things, for all time.
I ask you one final time is this your true and faithful wish?"
"It is," replied both young women.

"Blessed be," responded all of the people in the circle and in the room.

Grael then took his dagger and cut the cords that bound Buffy and Willow's
hands. Then he took each woman's right hand and carefully made a cut across
her palm. Once he was certain that the wounds were bleeding he looked up at
both of them saying, "the vows you made will now be bound forever by the
mingling of your blood." Grael then had Willow and Buffy clasp their right
hands together; he then clasped both of his hands around theirs saying, "I
now seal your wounds, and with that seal you vows and declare you one before
the Gods and your community." He concentrated and used a small amount of
heat to sear the wounds, leaving a small pale scar.

"Blessed be," responded all of the people in the circle and in the room.

"I love you," whispered both women as they leaned forward to kiss their
spouse, to the cheers and congratulations of everyone in the room.

Aiofe and Bridie then came forward and handed the newlyweds new robes of
pure white silk, trimmed with blue, red and gold knot work. Willow wrapped
a pure white cord three times around her body before tying it, while Buffy
wrapped a silver and grey cord once. As they were dressing, Amana and Grael
once again gathered up the power that they had raised, in preparation for
the closing of the ritual. They thanked the quarters, and then dismissed
them. They thanked the God and Goddess, and asked them to continue to look
out for the newlyweds, and the community that they had joined. They then
released the power that they had raised before they broke the circle, ending
the ritual, and beginning the party.

And party they did. The tables were once again set up in the common room
while Lynda, and the other kitchen staff, began to bring out platters laden
with food. The bar was opened and ale, wine and cider began to flow
merrily. Aiofe and Bridie were responsible for the organization and running
of the party, and had stationed themselves behind the bar in an effort to
maintain some semblance of control. Everyone knew that the party was going
to degenerate into a wild time for all; it was their job to make sure that
everyone enjoyed the trip.

Once everyone was seated, the feasting began. Fish, fowl and beef were all
served with breads, pastas and boiled grains. Puddings and stews were
offered, along with salads and jellies. Everything was wonderful and
several animated conversations were conducted simultaneously. It was an
ideal forum for bonding the villagers to Willow's strike force. At the head
table Buffy and Willow sat with Frankel, Grael and Amana; there were also
places for Aiofe and Bridie, however neither woman was able to remain in
them for very long.

Then the dancing began, everyone danced with everyone else until the entire
community nearly dropped from exhaustion. Once everyone had burned off
their excess energy, they all resumed their seats while the cooks brought
out the cake, and pitchers of mulled cider. Buffy and Willow then called
their bridesmaids over, to sit beside them, as the gifting began. Each
family took their turn to come up to the happy couple, congratulate them and
offer them a small handmade token. The newlyweds received items such as
preserves, shawls, sweaters and other handicrafts. Buffy and Willow took
the time to greet each family, and to find out more about who they were,
what they did and what their reactions to the war were. 

Finally, Amana and Grael came up to the happy couple. They embraced after
which Amana said, "ladies, I don't have a craft for you. However, we have
noticed that the two of you have been coping with a lot over the last few
weeks, so I have arranged for the two of you to have a little getaway. I've
found a small cottage at the north end of the valley, about six kilometres
away, and have arranged for the two of you to stay there for the next three
weeks. It will give you some time to unwind and recharge before winter, and
let you catch up on your rest, which as your midwife I know you need."

Buffy and Willow were both stunned by the thoughtfulness of the gift. They
would be able to take a true honeymoon, and spend some time to put into
context all of what had been happening. Willow summed up the feelings of
both of them by replying with a simple, "thank-you, for everything."

It was now well after midnight and the party was beginning to wind down.
Willow, Buffy, Aiofe and Bridie took their leave and headed up to their
rooms to try to get some sleep, Amana had indicated that the two newlyweds
would be heading to their honeymoon cottage in the morning.

<Are you up for a little work,> Willow asked as they approached the door to
their room.
<Depends.>
<I think that we should give our gift to our helpers, they're ovulating and
I need that to help me. If we don't it tonight it'll be four weeks before
we can, and who knows what is going to be happening then.>
<Sounds good. Do you have the energy you need?>
<I think so, if not I'll just draw from you.>

Willow turned to their friends and said, "I don't think any of us want to
wait three weeks or more. If you still desire it, we will give to you our
gift tonight."
Aiofe and Bridie turned and looked at each other, both with relief written
on their faces. They had hoped that they would receive their gift, but were
not willing to ask knowing how tired Buffy and Willow would be. Now their
desires, dreams and hopes would be answered.
"Oh yes," they both said together, "we still desire it, and thank you. Are
you sure it won't be too tiring?"
"No problemo," answered the arch-mage, "I've got three weeks to catch up on
my sleep."

The three women entered their room noticing that some thoughtful soul had
built up the fire in addition to providing several pitchers of water along
with clean glasses.
"Ah," said Buffy, "that's so nice of whoever."
"I agree," said Bridie, "I never even thought about it."

"Now ladies," said Willow, "I need you in your birthday suits and on the
bed."
"Yes boss," replied Aiofe with a giggle as she and Bridie rapidly shed their
clothing.
"Now," continued Willow once Aiofe and Bridie had settled on the bed, "Buff,
you stand on the far side of the bed; ladies you hold hands and let's get
this on."

Willow took up a position across from Buffy, <now lover, I need you to hold
my hand, and put your other hand on Aiofe's belly, just below her
bellybutton.>