FF: Two Worlds (Chapter 43: Worlds' Dilemma - Epilogue)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

-Two Worlds-
Cilia

Chapter 43: Worlds' Dilemma - Epilogue

Elisabeth stood on the deck of the Dove, waiting for them to depart for the
Land of Elves once again. From there, she would return to her home realm,
leave the way of the warrior behind for a while, and just be a good mother
to her child. That is, if those hematologicaly challenged freaks would leave
her alone.
"Hey there," was said softly from behind her.
"Hello, Willow." Elisabeth answered biting back the bitterness and
guilt she felt. "Come to see me off,"
"Yeah, I... I guess I have," Willow said as she leaned over the rail
and looked down into the harbor.
"If you've come to tell me this isn't my fault. then please, don't
bother," she said.
"When have I ever been able to change your mind?" the mage asked
calmly.
"Oh... once or twice... but, I get your point," the Slayer said.
"You have to understand that you returning home is the best thing...
for everybody," Willow stated.
"Whatever," Elisabeth whispered.
"Buffy... look at me?" Willow asked standing up straight.
"Don't call me that," Elisabeth said firmly.
"Elisabeth... look at me?" Willow pleaded again. The Slayer conceded
and looked up lazily.
"I am sorry," she said and lightly kissed her lips, but the Slayer
was unresponsive. "For... a lot of things," she added. A quiet moment
passed, neither knowing what to say. "Take care of her...." Willow said with
a gentle touch to Buffys stomach, and then with a flash of light, she was
gone. Buffy stood alone on the deck of the ship, gently touching her lips
with a hint of a smile. There was a long stretch of silence as she thought.
"I guess half of infinity is still a lot, " Cordelia said as she
leaned over the rail in the spot Willow had occupied minutes ago.
"Hello, Moondancer," Elisabeth greeted.
"My, aren't we formal," the Ranger retorted with a grin.
"No, just. growing up," the Slayer answered. There was another long
moment filled with nothing but the sounds of the harbor.
"So... where do we go from here?" Moondancer asked looking up at
Elisabeth.
"Wha... oh, we cross the sea then I go home with Spike and you go
back to Stjar'a," she answered cutting the Ranger off. "What we did. wasn't
supposed to happen."
"But it did happen," the Ranger said firmly.
"I know and it was wonderful, the forbidden fruit. But look me in
the eye and tell me you would... could leave Stjar'a?" Elisabeth asked with
a raised eyebrow.
"I... can't," Moondancer sighed.
"See, just like I will never stop loving Willow," the Slayer nodded.
"I guess I'll go get settled in the," the Ranger said as she turned
away from the harbor and headed below decks, leaving Elisabeth alone again,
but not for long.
"'Ello, Slayer," a male voice said as William also leaned back
against the railing.
"'Ello yourself, Spike," she said with a forced grin.
"We're almost ready to set out and that accent is awful," he said.
"That's good," she nodded and then paused. "Was it worth it, Spike?"
she asked in a serious voice. "Coming here... I mean and then staying longer
to see this goose chase of mine through?"
The undying pulled his chin in thought. As a group of children ran
along the docks looking at them, he smiled and nodded.
"Well... It has given me... perspective. And I know where my place
is now," he answered as he pushed himself away from the rail. "I better go
kiss mum goodbye," he added and left Elisabeth alone.

The cargo all loaded and the crew and passengers all boarded, the ship set
sail out of the harbor on its month long journey. Two beings stood at the
edge of the pier waving, one dressed all in red and the other in black armor
with a white cape flowing down her back.
"Will I ever see her again?" Willow asked looking at the avatar, the
pain obvious in her clear green eyes.
"Perhaps, my dear," Joyce answered as she put a protective arm around her
adopted daughter, "Perhaps..."

>From her Tower, Rosetta Rosenberg watched as her sister's wife
sailed out of the harbor. She smiled when she felt Darliana's arms circle
her and she turned to kiss her lover.
"We'll meet them again," Darliana said in her low voice.
"Are you sure?" Rosetta asked. "Because I could really live with out
it."
"The time will come," the seer muttered with a far off look that
caused the red-eyed mage to laugh and kiss her again. They watched until
they could no longer see the sails of the Dove as it passed into the west.

To be concluded in Epilogues