FIC: Royalty Redux (Chapter 5)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Title: Royalty Redux
Author: Cilia
Archives: List archivers go right ahead.
Notes: The rewrite of the classic B/W story Royalty, the story that set
the stage for the epic Two Worlds story and made many of the characters
that are 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 5: Times Remembered, William Blood


As I sit in the highest tower of my castle. Watching the flicker of
candles on this old book I feel my mind drift back to the days when I
was bit younger, with blond hair and I had the best job in the world. My
name is William Blood and this is my story. 
Words of warning for those who read this dust covered tome: I was for a
long time a man of action not words, so the words may seem wrong and
events described not quite as they happened. So I ask of you to keep in
mind that these are memories and thoughts of times past as they come to
me in the night. 

I've lived a long life, most of my friends from times past are long gone
now. I'm their children's and children's children friend now. Still a
few live on. One still watching and another still traveling. But theirs
is a story for another night.
The mind wanders back through the decades, back to the summer at the
dawn of the new age.
I remember watching Elisabeth falling in love, Willow grow powerful and
Rupert fulfilling his destiny. I also remember the days when I couldn't
see the sunrise or the sunset, but since that fateful day all those
years ago I've seen thousands of dawns. 
Some images and memories have faded, mostly the dark ones, the bad ones,
ones filled with sorrow and grief. Others remain sharp and bright in my
mind, those are the memories I cherish. I remember the day when I told
Elisabeth and Willow that I was in love with their daughter June, the
day I stood under the moon watching my friends declare love everlasting,
the morning I awoke with the sun on my face, seeing Rupert stumbling to
propose, so many memories, but this is my story, so lets get the bloody
hell on with it shall we.

The day when I first saw the sun after two hundred years would be good
place to begin. We'd been all over the known world and I had stood on
top of a pyramid in the center of the Amazon jungle, prepared to die,
but as usual life isn't always fair to me and that didn't happened. Of
course my will to live returned shortly after when I found my friends
and my first love again. After that I said that I would stay with them
as long as it suited my needs, so the months turned into years, the
years into decades. I lost love and found it again along the way. Once
at the beginning and the again two decades later. My children are long
since flown from this castle where it stands on its island, some
continue the fight we started, although not all have followed the path
set by my friends and for that I am glad. Knowing that some of my
children may never have to see what I have seen.

One particular year comes to mind as I look out at the stars and snow.
It was the year after Alexander returned and Elisabeth had her child. I
was pretty busy at the time myself, caring for my newborn daughter and
it was not an easy job being a single father. The mansion was teeming
with life, laughter echoed through the house, always someone coming or
going, we even all lived there for awhile. It was a quiet year. For some
reason things had quieted down somewhat shortly after the dawn of the
new age. 
Faith left us in search of Rupert early in the spring, promising to drag
his sorry ass back, or at least beat the daylights out off him when
she'd found him. She went on to do more than that if my memory serves me
correctly. Those were good times, times filled with joy. We celebrated
Christmas and the entire family gathered at the mansion, everyone still
alive came, even my poof of a sire made an appearance. The biggest
surprise came late in the evening, with the fire burning low and me
reading from Christmas Carol, there was a knock at the door. Elisabeth
was the first to jump up and run to the door. Buffy tore it open, hoping
against hope that her adopted father had returned. Although we had to
remove her hands from Faith's neck moments later, since it seemed
someone had hung mistletoe over the door. It was nonetheless a joyous
occasion. Faith later told us that she'd found Rupert in a village in
Brazil and that the little incident on the porch was something that
wouldn't repeat itself. Well it did eventually some years later, but
again another story.

Which makes another memory drift into my mind one from the time when I
discovered my rather unfortunate attraction to June. It was during a
turbulent time in all our lives, Rupert had taken off again and this
time taking Faith with him in search of allies. Willow and Elisabeth
were in Europe battling the threats there. So I was left in Sunnyhell to
stand watch alongside the new generation. June was no longer a little
girl, but quickly becoming a woman and I realized at that time how hard
it must have been for Angel to be with Buffy, but once it began it
couldn't be reversed. I tried to stay away, tried to distance myself,
but with little success. As stubborn as both her mothers it was only a
matter of time before I gave in. I know it's the most masculine thing to
say, but that's how it happened. Then came the day when they all
returned and I tell you it was a disaster. One accidental peck on the
lips and the cat was out of the bag. Rupert reverted to Ripper before
our very eyes, Elisabeth had a sword at my throat, Willow took it with
the calm that came with her wisdom, but still her eyes blazed and Faith
just gave a knowing smile..
"You up here again William?"
"Just writing memories dear, for the future and all that," I look up at
her, still beautiful, still ready to share forever with me. 
"Well Rupert just arrived, along with some of the others, they said it's
urgent."
"I better not keep him waiting then?"
"I'll tell him you'll be down," she says and turns to leave, long
reddish blond hair flowing down her back. I'm glad that I choose to live
this life, despite everything.

To Be Continued.