Thanks for bringing this story back to their first encounter. I can see why you introduced Doyle the way you did and why he was in so much pain. If people aren't aware of European history, the royals could do what they wished, when they wished with little to no concern as to the consequences. They were, for the most part, ruthless and merciless, with no one to account for their actions. Really enjoying this, can't wait for your next update., thanks.

Author's Response: Thank you for taking the time to review. I'm glad that you didn't mind me throwing in Doyle randomly like that. I thought it was a good introduction at the time though I may have been too hazy with the details. Im glad that you think my depiction of the upper class is somewhat accurate... their vanity is actually quite fun to write. I'll be updating on the weekend. Hope you enjoy it.

I just couldn't wait to read this!

I can't stand Liam...what a groveling piece of shit!

(Okay so I repeated Jo's words with a little more venom!! tee hee)

Anywho...

I can't wait until Buffy is brought before the castle and keep, all cleaned up and shining like a bright star.

I bet Spike is going to drool then, eh???

I am going to E you privately and ask you question if you don't mind, kay?

Methinks that Spike is already being 'dazzled' by our Buffy however unkept she might be now, right?

Sigh, I hope Spike kicks Liam's ass for even daring to offer to beat poor Buffy and I was wondering.....

Was Joyce, Buffy's mother, possibly a noted noble woman of Norman blood? How will that sway our innoble lord?

I can't wait!

spuf



Author's Response: THere will be droolage, albeit, arrogant Lordy like droolage with plenty of UST. In terms of Joyce, her ancestors were plain Irish and it was on this point that Hank often ridiculed her. Butty takes after her father's ancestors in terms of features and such. I look forward to any email from you. Take care.

I just read your story today and it is very interesting. It is hard to imagine that Spike will have a soft side in this fic but I will keep reading to see how you develop their relationship. Great story so far.

Author's Response: Spike is naturally a hard character to portray. Im really trying to channel his reserved actions in season seven without the obvious Buffy lovage. His passion still obviously rules over any long thought out plans but this is an older version of Spike, slightly broken from a loss of Dru. Buffy and his relationship will develop slowly but hopefully will be the more rewarding for it. Thank you for your review.

the puzzles are getting clearer but not all of them fit yet. This chapter is more interesting although a bit too short.

Author's Response: I wrote more for the next one.... Thank you for your critique from before. I appreciate your honesty.

Men.....

Author's Response: You manage to sum up Liam and general abuse in one word. It will get better. Thanks for the review.

Lovely update, and wasn't confused at all by the previous chapter. Looking forward to an update- doing two back to back has spoiled me...

Author's Response: My light at the end of a dark tunnel! I felt it necessary to post the next chapter rather than leave everyone steaming. Thank you. Its makes it worthwhile writing if you enjoyed it.

Well I'm up late tonight writing a paper, but I'm glad because I caught your update. I really like the direction of the story so far. The previous chapter was a little confusing but now i understand that it was a flashback from before William met Buffy. Maybe next time you can write a flashback warning into your author's intro? Anyway, don't mind me, I'm suggestion is based on my love for your story so far. I rarely review fanfic but this one has caught my eye...hehe.

Btw, hope your finger feels better too.

Author's Response: I hope your paper turns out fine with you getting some sleep. Fanfic often can be a distraction for me leading to all nighters when assessments are due. I did write 'earlier that day' but thank you for your suggestion. I'll make it clearer next time if I do decide to jerk around the chronology Btw my finger is feeling much better. Thank you.

I love the flow of your words honey, it is poetry in motion, sucking me into the story and giving me great visuals. I do hope your finger is getting better and my-oh-my, I have to hand it to you... law school and writing fiction? You have my respect, that has to be a bit of a juggle. And here I thought my RL was a struggle some days. I was very happy to see you update and I enjoyed many aspects of this chapter. It has brought about a better picture of William, who he is and why he has come to Ireland. Nice little mirror vs marble analogy there, sort of depicts William’s character in what he sees and what he doesn’t.

This chapter was informative and most definitely serves purpose in enlightening us to other characters and the situations surrounding them. In saying that, I do think that the sequence or timing may have been off just a bit... bringing the characters in when you did. Nothing I say here is a flame sweety, or even criticism for that matter. You’re bursting at the seams with raw natural talent in this fic and honestly, I couldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole. Everything I say here is all just my personal point of view/thoughts.

With the delicious cliffie you had in the previous chapter, I had hoped you would bring it back around towards the end of this one to at least give us a glimpse into what William’s thoughts were upon first seeing Buffy in his field.

I was a bit confused as to the exact nature/type of relationship William had with Dru. I see that he has no regrets leaving her behind, but I want to see why you chose to bring her into the picture at this point and a hint as to the trouble she may cause in the future... why we should be on the look out for her. I share the same sentiments with some other reviewers on Dru’s behavior earning her a one way ticket, for the times, to an asylum/nunnery because the church had zero tolerance for that kind of behavior. Doyle was also another mystery for me. I wasn’t able to distinguish if the woman’s screams he could still hear were that of some random woman, or perhaps his own bride? Not just this, but it isn’t clear why he has chosen to work for the English if he does indeed harbor bad feelings towards them. If the woman is his wife, I can see him biding his time with revenge in mind. If not, I can only hope that he will be there for Buffy if/when he sees her go through the same thing... sort of a supporting character to her dilemma.

This was a good chapter, don’t get me wrong, but I felt it was a bit choppy (not a good choice of word) and confusing at times. My best advice is to always bring us back around from the information in previous chapters and show us the purpose/relevance in your timing/introduction of different characters and their goings-on. As always, feel free to email me honey and I do look forward to your next posting, I’m on pins and needles for the upcoming initial interaction of William and Buffy. Take care and a huge cyber hug from me to you.

Very eloquent hun. You have given us more background on William. He is quite the heartless bastard but he does have an eye for beauty along with his zero tolerance for idiocy. I agree with one of the other reviewers that said your writing is almost like poetry. There were phrases that were just outstanding. Purely eloquent. Pictureque, drawing us in, the scuttling beggar, how the poverty shocked him but gave him no sympathy, yet then we see that the lack of his reflection, not being forced to see who he is, is helping him remake himself. The rich history is again evident throughout. All very beautifully done.


I do though have to admit to a bit of confusion as well though. I reread the chapter a few times to establish Doyle in my head. I get that he is captain of the guard for Butler (didn't get that at first) who owns the castle but as to the why he would have any loyalty or diplomacy to the British, I don't understand. Perhaps it is learned and he is one who carries himself well and has manners but the last lines suggest he would hold a deep hatred. I imagine you will be clearing that up for us soon. After several readings about Doyle ,I'm assuming his aversion for women comes from this traumatic event where I think you are saying his bride was taken away screaming so... like I said, hoping for an explanation as to why he would serve as a go between. It would be hard to hide his hatred.

Okay, I have to just make one little mention of Drusilla as well. Again, I'm hoping when you explain just who she was to William it will be clearer. I too worry that such behavior would have landed her straight in a nunnery. Most of it took place in her chamber but you said she was known for her visions or for being mad. True the king held sway over what was said and could oft people who spoke out, but the church, the church was power and they held sway over the king. They were advisors, they were at court, and really dictated a lot back then. Lunatics and Pagans didn't fare well. Perhaps jamies_lady can shed some light on this historically for me. Email me if I'm wrong here please.

Again, I'm sure your mind has this worked out in some fashion because you told me most of the fic was already plotted out so this background on her must factor into the future. I can see her causing trouble for our couple if and when they return to England. Drusilla in any form is fun to write and a mad rambling Drusilla is the best of all. Lets Muse go a little wild.

Can't wait to read what is in store next. Buffy has been in that field now as your poor finger has suffered and I really want to know what William has to say to her about what she is doing there. You dangled a cliffe and then pulled it away you evil author you ;)

Take care sweetie. Thank you so much for the update. Don't take anything in this review to heart hun. When I review, I tell it like it is. High points and the other as well. I just want to see you succeed here because you have had such a fabulous start. and I see true talent in that heart fo yours.

Hum... I'm not sure where to start her. I guess positive first is best. I want you to know that this isn't meant as a flame. I just have questions concerning this chapter. When I started this story I was enthralled. I loved it. The first chapter was perfect. Very clear, very informative, the characters set, the setting described. It was great and I thought now here is a winner. I have a bit of a problem with this last chapter though.


You write beautifully with eloquence and very good description to bring the reader in, but I feel as if some of the things are jumbled and leave me wondering what is going on. I truly have no idea who Doyle is or where his loyalties lie. He is Irish? He works well with the English as a go between? Yet the last line makes me think his bride was taken, perhaps in the way Buffy will be, so then why would he have such a great relationship with the English. Hard times make hard men and you portrayed him as hard so why would he want anything to do with the English? Maybe I'm missing something but I reread it three times and don't get his character. Hopefully that will be cleared up soon.


Now for Drusilla. I can't see it. Potions and such and crazed hair pulling and ranting. The court and royals knowing of her actions. Granted you say she is neice to the king but no way in those times would that happen. She would be an embarrassment to him and would find herself in a convent sharpish quick. Visions were considered evil. She would have been looked upon by the church as possessed or insane and done away with. Her only saving grace being her relatioship to the king to save her head and be put away somewhere nice instead.


Look at Nostrodamus, he was persecuted for his visions. They were the devils work. Paganism still was about but Christianity had powee. And doing drugs and such? Maybe, in private, but if they caused any public display that was not considered proper or lady like, the church would have stepped in. the church was very powerful then. Just my opinion.

Again confusion about a character. I also was left not really knowing who she was to William. Were they to be married? If she liked William so much and she was a favorite of the king and she broke down in that display of ranting, I can't see the king allowing William to go i the first place.


I know this is fan fic and you have a very busy life, but you started so well and so accurate with your history that this bit about Dru just throws me off. I hope that you can pull back together. Be more percise in your descriptions and think out your characters. As I said, your words are lovely and eloquent but vauge at times.

I very much want you to continue with this. The history and the time you have spent researching is obvious and that dedication is to be commended. You have great potential here and obvious talent and the plot is fabulous. I'm sorry that I am a bit critical here. I am just confused . Maybe it's me.

Thanks, hope you continue.

First of all i love this fic! I have a thing for spuffy in the past. And when they have to do it the hard way it's just more fun.

BUT and I hate to be a brat about it but the history nut that is taking over me. Danny boy wasn't written until the early 1900's, 1910 to be exact. by Frederick Weatherly With your story being set more then 500 years before there was no Danny boy yet. Now i know artistic license and all that but i HAD to point it out of my brain would blow up.

Sinéad O'Connor did a cover of it (IMO not even one of the better ones) as did many many other modern day artiest. Like Tom Jones, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash, Megan Mullally, Maureen O'Hara, and Elvis Presley just to name a few.

Anyways I really am enjoying the story and cant wait to read the other 2 chapes. And I'm gonna go do that right now and stop forcing my pointless song drama on everyone. GREAT JOB!

This is an awesome story! Can't wait for more! Thank you also for the history lessons, I'm always facinated by Gaelic culture.

briilain again, loving the pace. looking forward to the next bit. if you want a list of 'interesting' drugs from the period let me know, pain killers, mind changers, etc and the prayers that went with them.