FIC: Royalty Redux (Chapter 8)

["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 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've had 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 by a 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's not 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? I mean 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'll still 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'll leave 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 drawing her 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.