Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 12d/?

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

Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior) Part 12d/?
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 are (c) to Joss Whedon, WB and Mutant Enemy etal. and are used
without their knowledge.

Continued from 12c....

Willow waited until they had all settled before beginning the 
evenings work with the traditional, "Blessed be."

After she had obtained everyone's attention she continued, "This 
is the Yule. This is the longest night of the year, the night 
before the sun's rebirth. This is the night in which we face the 
darkness, and rejoice in its defeat. The night which begins the 
our celebration of life, and the anticipation of the earth's 
rebirth in the spring."

Willow went on to explain the ritual for the night, and how she 
and the others in the circle would be sitting vigil for the sun 
all night. She said that everyone who wished was welcome to 
stay, but she understood if they nodded off at some point. She 
explained that the altar was bare, except for the unlit Yule log, 
a bowl of spring water and a vial of oil, and that the watchtower 
candles would remain dark. She indicated that the guardians 
would not be called until the rebirth of the sun at dawn. She 
finished her discourse by saying that as soon as the prayers for 
the new sun were finished that they would be having the naming 
ceremony for Kendra and Faith.

By this time it was nearly time, so everyone in the circle took 
their places, waiting for Willow, Buffy and Grael to begin. 
Buffy was acting as Willow's ritual partner, while Grael would be 
taking the role of High Priest. Aiofe and Bridie were tasked 
with holding the babies until they could be returned to their 
mothers for the vigil.

The circle, complete with its chalk runes, had already been drawn 
on the floor, and all of the other elements for the ritual were 
in place. Willow stood with Buffy and Grael and just as the sun 
dipped under the western horizon began the night's work with, 
"Blessed be."

Everyone replied, "blessed be."

Willow then continued with, "we are gathered in this time and 
this place to celebrate the continued dance of the celestial 
clock. It is the longest night, let us stand vigil, face our 
fears, and prey for the rebirth of the sun."

Willow then began the ritual breathing chants, to centre the 
circle and to prepare everyone for the raising of energy. Once 
everyone had settled, Willow and Grael cast the circle and then 
began to pour the risen energy into it.

They then cast the opening prayers, inviting the God and Goddess 
into their work, and asking for their blessing and assistance for 
the work ahead. Once they had completed the opening. Willow then 
led the invocation for the death of the old sun, which began the 
vigil. Members of the circle then sat down, to prepare 
themselves for the long night ahead. They prayed, and examined 
their own soul to find balance in their life.

While this was happening, throughout the inn and the village, the 
lamps were extinguished, and the fires banked.

Buffy sat quietly on a cushion late in the night, well after 
midnight but with hours yet to go before the dawn, gently rocking 
her daughter back to sleep after having fed and changed her. She 
was thinking about life and the changes that had happened over 
the last ten months. She thought about the burdens that she had 
been placed under, and the joy in the fulfilment of her life with 
Willow, their daughters and with Aiofe and Bridie. She slowly 
came to the realization that Amana and Grael had been right to 
release Hugh. That if she had sunk to his level and killed him 
that she would have been discarding every oath that she had taken 
on behalf of the Goddess. With that realization, Buffy achieved 
an inner peace, which was reflected in the total relaxation of 
her body. Everyone in the circle had been aware of Buffy's 
torment over the Hugh situation, and everyone noticed when she 
relaxed, indicating that the slayer had found an internal 
solution.

Finally, Willow indicated that they should all stand, to finish 
the ritual and welcome the birth of the sun. After allowing 
everyone a few minutes to stretch out the kinks in their muscles, 
she began the closing of the ritual with, "Blessed be, it is 
time."

She then continued with the invocation to the new sun, as she 
said, "Queen of the sun.

"Queen of the moon.

"Queen of the horns.

"Queen of fire.

"Bring to us your child, the child of light, the child of 
promise.

"You are the great Mother

"You give life to him.

"He is the Lord, the Lord of Light.

"He has died, and is born again this day.

"Darkness, fear, tears and anguish are set aside, once your son 
is born again.

"Golden Sun.

"You light the hills, and the fields. You light the earth and 
the water.

"You light the sky and are the source of all fire."

As Willow finished the prayer, Grael went to stand before the 
altar, he then said a quiet prayer before lighting the Yule log, 
which had been resting on it. Then he took a taper, used the 
fire from the recently lit log, and went around the circle, to 
light the watchtower candles. 

Once that task had been completed, Willow invoked the guardians 
and asked for their assistance for the naming of the two new 
children in their community.

Grael moved to the edge of the circle, since the remainder of the 
work would be conducted by Buffy and Willow. Aiofe and Bridie 
came to the centre and held the babies while Buffy and Willow 
performed the naming ritual.

Willow centred herself, and gathered back the energy in the 
circle and said, "Goddess, in all of your majesty and wonder, we 
ask that you cast your blessing on our children, and become a 
friend to them."

Buffy then continued, "Guardian of the East. Giver of air, and 
herald of spring, I ask that you cast your blessing on our 
children and become a friend to them."

Willow and Buffy continued to ask the guardians to bless their 
children and then Willow finished the invocation of blessings by 
saying, "Goddess, until they are old enough to chose their own 
path, we ask that you watch over them and keep them safe from 
harm."

Willow indicated to Aiofe and Bridie to unwrap the babies, so 
that they could begin the anointing of the children. Buffy and 
Willow then took the spring water and oil from the altar, stood 
before their children, and said, "Water on your brows, for your 
spirit.

"Oil on your lips, for your voices.

"Water on your necks, to keep your words truthful.

"Oil on your chests, to keep you healthy.

"Water on stomachs, to keep your appetite.

"Oil on you sex, to keep your vigour, and for your children to 
come.

"Water on your thighs, to keep you strong.

"Oil on your knees, to keep you sturdy.

"And, water on your feet, to guide you on your journeys."

Aiofe and Bridie then re-wrapped the girls in thick linen 
blankets.

Finally, the two new parents performed the five-fold kiss, and 
said, "Blessed be your eyes, so that you may see clearly.

"Blessed be your ears, so that they may hear the truth of the 
Goddess's will.

"Blessed be your lips, so that you may speak the truth.

"Blessed be your hands, so that you may help others.

"And, blessed be your feet, so that you may walk in the path of 
the Goddess, for all of your days."

Everyone in the room then said, "Blessed be, these children. We 
bring them into our hearts and into our community."

Willow dismissed the Guardians, and the circle. Once this had 
been accomplished, the Yule fire was brought to a secure place 
where it would burn continuously for the next twelve days. 
Members of the community lit their lanterns from this fire, to 
take home with them so that they could light the lamps and fires 
in their homes.

Willow walked slowly towards the stairs leading up their room, as 
she did so she sighed, turned to her spouse and said, "Goddess, I 
am tired. I don't think I have an erg of energy left in me."

Buffy embraced her lover, and said, "I'm with you on that. Let's 
grab some food, and recharge our batteries before bed. Once I 
hit the pillow I think that I'm going to switch off like a 
light."

"Energy. Switches. Batteries. Recharging. Falling into place. 
Breakers," exclaimed Willow, "I've finally figured out all those 
bits and pieces that have been running around in the excuse I 
have for a mind."

"Yes," asked her slightly confused and exhausted spouse, "just 
what is it you have figured out?"

"A way to close those cursed portals... forever."

-------------------------------
Far away to the south, a demon master was facing a problem that 
he had thought had been solved months earlier. Facing him, 
abased on the ground, was the demon Hugh, trembling in fear.

"So Hugh," said the demon lord, "I'm to believe that you were 
captured by the slayer and her partner the witch, and imprisoned 
for the last five months?"

"Yes master."

"And that they just let you go, without you having told them 
anything?"

"Yes master," replied the demon, sweat running down his body, 
even though the temperature was barely above freezing.

"And that you have no idea where Junulak or Talor are. Or for 
that matter the rest of the army you were entrusted with?"

"Yes master."

"Why isn't it that I believe you?" Turning to four of his guards 
he said, "take him away and let's see if pain will release the 
truth from his tongue. Make sure you dispose of the body once 
you are sure you have all the answers I require." 

Hugh was hauled roughly to his feet and dragged out of the room, 
watched impassively by the demon lord who was trying as hard as 
he could to keep the fear in his bowels from showing to his 
subordinates. He knew that unless he was able to resolve this 
problem quickly that he would soon be sharing the same fate as 
his former lieutenant.

-------------------------------
Finis Part XII

To be continued...