The rest of the day passed lazily. The girls had ‘won’ their water battle against Spike and Haakon; soaking both men to the skin, and were quite pleased with themselves. Even if the two warriors had threatened to dump them all in the pool. The ‘losers’ had joined the serious talk in the games room; where the younger men complained that Spike and Methos were cheating. Anya, Willow and Tara had returned from their shopping trip, with a loudly complaining Giles in tow. He'd been fed up by the third shop, and would have much rather gone to the museums they kept passing than play mule to a group of spendaholics armed with charge cards. He headed off to the games room to try and find some sympathy, casting a glare at the girls as they joined Joyce and Elvara in the library.
After a delicious supper, Buffy asked the adults to join her in her study to go over plans for the following day. She seated herself behind the massive Brazilian cherry wood desk, folded her hands together and waited for everyone to find a seat. She suppressed a grin when Spike seated himself on the corner of her desk and simply folded his arms. “Wouldn’t a chair be more comfortable?”
“Maybe, but they are all too far from you. Haven’t seen you since this morning…” Spike trailed off with a shrug and a smirk.
“I wasn’t the one pretending to be drowning in the back garden….” Buffy murmured with a smile.
“Wasn’t just me pet, was the walking art gallery over there too…”Spike muttered, flicking a glance at Haakon.
Haakon glared at Spike and then grinned. “You are just jealous of my ‘art’.” He then laughed and declared, “You also cheat at snooker.” Nodding decisively, Haakon sat down in the winged-back chair to the left of the desk and pulled Elvara down onto his lap. He felt very territorial over his lady with so many unknown males in the house.
“OI! I do not!” Spike stated indignantly. “Just have had a lot of time to practice is all.”
“Care to explain how you beat the Old Man then? And I don’t mean once or twice, but every game?” Ritchie asked with a grin. “He’s had even more time to practice than you have!”
Giles sat down with a huff. “Face it Spike, you cheat if you can get away with it. At least you gentlemen had fun. But I got dragged around to over a dozen shops by three rather single-minded women.” He grumbled under his breath for a few moments. “I could have spent the afternoon in the park or at the museum across the square…” he trailed off as Joyce sat on the arm of his chair and patted his shoulder in sympathy.
“There is time for that later Rupert. “ Joyce said with a small hint of humor in her voice.
Elvara looked up at the man, "If you want to have a good look round, they are closed on Mondays and I'll ring Richard, the curator, and ask him if you can accompany him on his rounds. He's normally happy to let us go in and see stuff. Opens up the cabinets for the girls when they are doing projects."
Giles gaped at Elvara, for once at a loss for words.
Buffy cleared her throat, garnering everyone’s attention. “Now that we have indulged our inner child, it is time to get down to business.” She waited for everyone to settle down before continuing. “I received a note from Spike’s friend Clem; he has volunteered to be our ‘get away’ driver tomorrow.”
“We are doing this tomorrow? Isn’t that a little, I dunno, soon?” Xander asked, leaning forwards. “Don’t we need some Intel or something?”
“According to Clem, from what he has heard the entire wet works team was sent to Sunnydale. This leaves very few able-bodied fighters within the council building itself.” Buffy grinned slightly. “So we shouldn’t encounter many problems once we get inside.”
Giles nodded. “I know the Council building is heavily warded against intruders, human or otherwise.” He paused a moment. “Once we get in, it will be difficult to know where we are going. From what I recall, most of the building itself is underground. That is where the most secure facilities are. Including the council chambers and Travers’ office.”
"That's where these come in useful" Cassie said dumping an armful of cardboard tubes on the desk.
Giles pulled the nearest one towards him and opened it up. "Plans? How on earth did you get these? I thought the only copies were in the council archives.
"Stole them when they were building the place" Buffy said with a grin. "These are the originals, the council has the copies."
"What about the wards?" Spike asked in all seriousness as he started to help Methos lay out the plans.
"Let me deal with those, Bebee, please. I'm no warrior, but I need to be able to help. Let that be my fight." Elvara asked, her voice almost breaking as the memories surfaced. Haakon rubbed his hand up and down her arm and said something that none of the Scoobies understood.
Joyce smiled at the obvious love the Soturi had for her sister. She deserved it.
"Can you hold them for long enough so we can get inside without anyone noticing?" Buffy asked in all seriousness.
Elvara closed her eyes for a couple of seconds then nodded. "I will have help. I can hold them; they used earth bound magic to set them."
Willow and Tara, as well as Anya, offered to help Elvara in any way they could in getting through the wards. This brought an approving smile from both Joyce and Buffy, but raised Xander’s idiocy levels to overload.
“She’s just your housekeeper. What can she do that Will and Tara can’t?” Xander stood up and started waving his hands around. “And Anya has no power to help with that stuff, she’s human now.”
Buffy burst out laughing, a real deep belly laugh. Haakon joined in, catching Anya's eye as he did so.
Elvara smiled. "I thank you for your offer of help, but I will have all the assistance I need. I suggest you cast protection on out fighters. Aud would you be willing to be my air anchor?”
Anya stood and bowed low. "My Service to you, My Lady." she said and smiled as she sat down
"Xander you are a fool at times." Methos told the boy as he belted him across the back of the head.
"I may not be a demon any more, but I was a witch in my life. I still know the ceremonies."
“I still say she has no business being there.” Xander huffed as he sat down, rubbing the back of his head.
Buffy stood up and leaned over her desk, bracing herself with her fists. “She has more right, and more reason, to be there than you do Mr. Harris. Even though she is restrained from shedding blood outside the ritual circle, she is entitled to her vengeance.”
Spike cocked an eyebrow and looked over at Elvara, before voicing the question that was no doubt on the minds of most everyone from Sunnydale. “Vengeance against the council for what?”
To everyone’s surprise it was Joyce who answered, “The council killed her parents when she was very young.” She glanced at Giles and sighed softly. “Remember when you and your friends loosed that demon… what was his name again…” Joyce trailed off in thought.
“Eygon, its name was Eygon.” Elvara said in a quiet voice, her face turned into Haakon’s neck.
Haakon stroked Elvara’s back and fixed his hardened green gaze on Giles’ face. If looks could kill, Giles would be dead and buried.
Giles pulled off his glasses and cleaned them furiously. “I remember the summoning; Ethan talked us into it…” He paused as the memory surfaced. “I remember a young lady and her partner showed up just after it had killed our friend Paul. They fought it, defeated it, and drove it back. I am ashamed to say that I ran and didn’t look back.”
Buffy took up the narrative. “From what I was able to find out, the energies from both the summoning and the banishing alerted the Council and they sent in a team to investigate. They didn’t find the demon; they found Helga and her Soturi, Hrolf. And they killed them, without even bothering to ask any questions, or even stop and think for a half a second.” Buffy closed her eyes and sighed. “Helga’s death was felt deeply by all who are connected to the mystical forces. She was and still is greatly missed.”
Giles slipped from his chair and sank to his knees in front of Elvara. He hesitantly took one of hands in his, and quietly said, “I know this will not mean much, but I would like to express both my condolences for the loss of your parents, and beg your forgiveness for my part in what happened to them.” He knelt there at her feet with his head bowed, waiting for her to say something… anything at all.
Elvara looked down at the proud man on his knees before her and something inside her smiled. “Rupert Giles, have you ever even thought of doing something so stupid again since then?”
“On my soul, no I haven’t. That one experience was enough to scare me straight into the council’s teachings, just like my father wanted” Giles grimaced as he said the last part, knowing it wasn’t helping matters any.
“Then I accept your condolences, and will express my forgiveness if you promise me one thing.” Elvara caught Buffy’s eye and winked.
Giles looked up at Elvara and nodded. “If it is within my power, I will do anything you require.”
“Put the false teachings of the council behind you, learn what they have deliberately concealed, and become what you were meant to be.” Elvara gently pulled her hand loose from Giles’ and placed a gentle kiss on his brow.
Giles felt a warm breeze blow through his soul at the feel of her soft lips on his skin, and knew he had been forgiven.
Buffy nodded and turned back to the rest if the room. “Now, before we get back to the actual planning part of this little party, are there any more concerns that people feel the need to express?”
One by one they all shook their heads as Giles resumed his seat. Xander started to say something, but was promptly smacked upside the head by Methos and told to keep his mouth shut until after.
Leaning over the plans spread out on the desk, Buffy pointed, “We will go in the front door. With Elvara controlling the wards they won’t know what hit them until we are all inside.” She traced a route with her index finger. “After we are inside, Elvara can seal the wards so nobody can leave. At which point we will make our way to the top floor and work our way down to lowest sublevel.” She pinned everyone with a burning gaze. If they run, let them. If they stand and fight, take them out. But as we clear each level, we will lock it behind us. NOBODY moves to a lower level by themselves, and nobody gets left behind on an upper level.” She stared directly at Xander. “Am I making myself clear on this?”
Methos stood up and began to pace. “Each door will be opened, the room behind it checked thoroughly.” He looked around the room and back to Buffy. “I think we should place one immortal with those who aren’t.” He nodded towards the two young wiccans. “I know they will want to work together, so I’m thinking we can place Ritchie with them for protection.”
Buffy nodded acceptance. “Agreed. Anya, I want you to go with Cassandra and Giles.” She tossed Cassandra a wry grin. “Methos, you’ve got Xander and Fahr. Should be an interesting time with them. Try and keep Mr. Harris out of trouble.”
Xander grumbled under his breath about not always getting into trouble and Spike snorted loudly, picking up what nobody else had heard.
“Xan, the first time she saw you, you had tripped and fallen over a gravestone. Of course you get into trouble. You are a magnet for trouble.” Spike said with a smirk.
“Spike, you and Haakon will make a good team.” Buffy snickered at the look Spike tossed her. She figured he had been thinking they would fight together. “Wolf is with me.” She looked at Joyce. “Joyce, I want you to stay here with the girls. You will be safe in the house, but the girls need a referee.”
Joyce nodded, knowing she couldn’t fight, but determined to keep the girls safe. “I’ll make sure everything is ready for when you return. There is bound to be a few minor injuries.” She turned to Cassandra, “Rupert has a habit of getting knocked over the head.” She laughed softly at the disgruntled look on Giles’ face and ruffled his hair, much to his annoyance.
“Now that we have that organized,” and Buffy sat down in her chair again, “Remember, we will move as one unit to the uppermost floor and work our way down. Stay with your partners. If one of you gets hurt, let us know.” Buffy opened the desk drawer and withdrew a handful of ear buds and small radios. “You will each be wearing one of these so we can stay in touch with each other.”
"What about prisoners?" Elvara asked, wiping her eyes on the tissue Joyce had passed to her.
"I don't intend to take any." Buffy replied coldly.
"I meant theirs Bebee. You know what the council is like. They keep all sorts in their cellars” Elvara murmured, her head down.
Haakon freed Elvara’s hair from its clip so he could run his fingers through it as he murmured soothing words to her, calming her with his touch.
“Once we reach the lower levels where the containment cells are,” Buffy pointed to the map to show everyone, “We will judge those in the council’s grasp on an individual basis.” She looked around the room and saw expressions of confusion on several faces. “Some of their prisoners will be harmless beings, some might be injured, and some will definitely be dangerous.”
Xander stood up and, for the first time that day, smart words came out of his mouth. “So we heal the injured ones, if we can. Free the harmless ones, and dispose of the dangerous ones?”
Buffy nodded. “Some of the injured will be beyond help, in which case we will give them mercy.” She noted that everyone seemed to understand what she meant. “Now for weapons. We need to arm ourselves properly, Elvara have you kept..?”
"Of course Bebee and the wards are set to open for any of your blood." She grinned and cast a naughty look at Spike. "You're going to like Bebee's toy cupboard.”
“Holy water is useful if we run into any vampires…”said Xander, thinking again.
"I'll take care of that." Elvara said smiling at Joyce.
"We used water pistols in the past." Willow added "but they aren't much good against humans. I don’t know if I could kill anyone," she looked at Buffy worriedly.
"Tranqs." Elvara said. "It's what I'll be carrying. Guaranteed to knock out an elephant and keep him asleep until you give them the antidote."
“Are there anymore questions? Concerns? Ideas?” Buffy looked around the room and caught a couple of yawns hiding behind hands. She laughed, “I think the only concern now is where your beds are!” She stood up and made shooing motions with her hands. “Off to bed with you lot, tomorrow will be a busy day.” She put a hand on Spike’s arm and kept him there while everyone else left the room. “I placed you with Haakon for a good reason. He won’t leave Elvara when she is in danger, and I am counting on you to protect them both.” She gave a sad smile. “The world cannot afford to lose another of her line at this time.”
Spike nodded and wrapped his arms around Buffy. “Figured it was something like that pet. You have my word; I’ll protect them both with all that I am.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
After the meeting was over Willow approached Elvara quietly. "We can help, you know. I'm getting good at the magics." she said; not wanting to offend, but needing this woman to understand she was capable of doing her bit.
"I thank you for the offer, but with the powers flowing through me you are more likely to be hurt Little One."
Willow's face fell, and she felt a small worm of anger towards the woman in front of her wiggle into her soul."I'm quite capable of doing anything that is needed." she said almost viciously, startling Tara.
"Sweetie?" the blonde tried to grab Willow's attention but Elvara shook her head.
"Give me your hand Willow," she instructed in a tone that brook no argument.
Willow held out her hand and Elvara took it into her own
"Now try and ward your thoughts from me. It’s a simple enough thing to do. One of the first things a witch learns is how to clear her mind."
Willow nodded and did as she was asked. Elvara was right; it was one of the first things she had learned.
Elvara gave her a few minutes to settle herself, and then proceeded to walk through Willow’s, memories. With good manners she kept away from really private things but yellow crayons we soon floating through Willow's mind.
"Now, young witch, try to walk through my memories." Elvara instructed.
Willow tried, she really did. But there was no way she could get through the walls that Elvara had raised.
"I wasn't trying to be unkind, child. You really have got talent, but you aren't strong enough yet to contain the powers that will be passing through me when we face the Council." Elvara let go of Willow's hand giving her powers a boost as she did so.
Elvara looked at the two witches standing side by side, and then spoke carefully. "You cannot help with the wards, but there is something you can do. When we get close to the building we might alert any observers. If I cast a glamour do you think that between you could hold it for about fifteen minutes? The hard part is the casting. I have to disguise the fact that we have so many predators and warriors amongst us."
Tara and Willow looked at one another. "We can do it, if you show us what's needed."
Elvara smiled. "That will not be a problem. Until tomorrow little ones.” Elvara wished them both a pleasant rest and exited the main house, crossing the garden on her way to the mews house.
Everyone made their way to their respective beds, seeking a rest that they would need, but somehow knowing it wouldn’t be as much as they needed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Giles awoke with a start, looking around in confusion. It took him a few moments to remember where he was; the mansion in London. It was still dark; the glowing numbers on the clock letting him know it wasn’t quite 5am. He was all set to blame the jetlag until a low noise caught his attention. HE pushed the covers back and slipped his feet into the slippers on the floor. The noise sounded again, different than what one might expect in the heart of the city. He made his way quietly to the window and looked out into the garden, hoping to see what had disturbed him. The garden was lit by torches, flaring and smoking in the pre-dawn air. He could see Elvara making her way along the path, softly blowing on a cow’s horn, all call to prayer. Giles shrugged on his jeans and a button-up shirt and made his way down to the back door. Opening it, he followed the sound into the garden, noticing Anya, Willow and Tara just ahead of him.
“What is it Giles? What’s she doing?” Willow asked her eyes wide in wonder.
But it was Anya that answered. “It’s the opening a private Moot, the call to prayer. I haven’t heard it for nearly three hundred years. I didn’t realize there were still priestesses left who remembered the old ways.”
The horns sounded again and Elvara slowed as she approached them. Bowing to the witches, she turned to make her way a path at the side of the garden. Haakon followed close behind, trailed by Nordlys and Katla, who were being trailed by Wolf and Fahr.
“It’s an invitation to join in.” Anya explained as she made her way to Nordlys’ side. The girl smiled as she made room for the ex-demon.
It was eerie sight, with the women of the family dressed in long cloaks, quietly making their way through the torch lit darkness, along a well-trodden but almost hidden path. As he rounded a corner, Giles could see a Hof had been built, the altar standing proud within the stone enclosure. Elvara stopped at the entrance and undid the bow holding the cloak around her shoulders, slipping it off, Giles could see she was naked underneath. The gentleman in him didn't know where to look, but the magic user within him was fascinated.
Anya looked at the two girls, as they slipped their cloaks off. She was relieved to see that they too were sky clad. Elvara and her daughters were following all the old ways their long hair flowing loose past their waists. She pulled up off own top and concentrated for a second. Tattoos similar to the ones on Elvara appeared on her skin. Haakon smiled as the witch slipped off the rest of her clothing and stood as naked as Elvara. She walked past the warriors and into the inner sanctum, taking the fourth place in the circle.
“What's going on?” Willow asked Giles in a stage whisper when Fahr barred them entrance from the inner circle.
“It’s a prayer to the sun. We're facing the council today and there will be fighting and bloodshed. This is a ritual to prepare the way to Valhalla for any we lose in the fight. It will tell the Valkyrie that they are strong fighters. It’s ancient. Willow, only the strongest Priestesses, strongest witches are permitted to call on the Gods like this. Elvara is unexpected” He became quiet as Haakon threw him a look before sinking to his knees and lifting his arms in supplication. Giles' attention was brought back to the circle as Elvara blessed it to Fire and Ice, Wind and Earth. He could see the magic swirling around the female figures. Elvara was holding an athame in her hands, lifting it high so that the first rays of the sun could be caught on the metal. Giles could see it was covered in runes.
Slicing down quickly, she cut open her arm. “With this offering I beg you Lady, Keep their wounds from them til the battle is won” she cried before letting her blood flow into a chalice set in the centre of the circle.
Giles gasped, the woman was using powerful magic to hold off the wounds that they would receive during the battle .If any of them got injured, they would not feel the pain or the wounds until far later. It took a lot of power to produce that affect. This was no 'middle aged housewife' but an incredibly powerful and knowledgeable priestess of the old path.
Wow, I mean, Wow” Willow managed to say, she could feel the power all around her, flowing through the air.
“Wow indeed. That was how they used to make Berserkers when the Vikings fought, the priestesses would take keep the injuries away from their bodies until after the fighting was over. The warriors knew that they couldn't be hurt. It is the reason that they are so respectful of the women. They literally held the men's lives in their hands.”
“She's so beautiful” Tara said, “look.”
Willow felt a little jealous until she turned to see Elvara and the others closing the circle, Elvara was glowing, like some light was shining through her skin to lighten the world. The effect only increased when the sun caught her long hair.
She had picked up the chalice and was adding some of the ice and soil they had used in the ceremony to it. Blowing on the surface she whispered something before waving her hand over the chalice. The flames from it leapt high, adding an unearthly light to the woman's face.
Xander came up behind them, Buffy and Spike fading in from the shadows having watched everything quietly. “What you all doing?” Xander asked.
Willow pointed to the figures making their way through the swirling mist. Wolf was holding a cloak for Nordlys and slipping it over her shoulders, Fahr doing the same for Katla. Haakon hadn't touched Elvara's cloak. She stood there still naked, holding the chalice in front of her. Haakon knelt at her feet and Elvara offered him the blood mixture. The man touched his lips to it, before kissing Elvara's hand and standing. Wolf and Fahr followed suit. Elvara then looked at Giles. “Councilman, do you want to join the sacrament?”
“What's in it?” Xander hissed, noticing the blood on Wolf's lips.
“Ice, fire, earth and wind, mixed into Elvara's blood.” Tara said quietly, not taking her eyes off the glowing priestess.
“Ugh! I'm not touching that.” Xander exclaimed.
“No one asked you too boy.” Fahr told him with disgust as he carried a tired Katla into the house.
Giles knelt before the Priestess, head bowed until she touched him, then he accepted the chalice to his lips. It tasted of violets and spring flowers, not what he was expecting at all. He kissed her hand as he stood and looked into eyes filled with compassion. Here was the woman whose parents he had helped kill trying to keep him safe.
“Bebee, I know you don't need it, but will you accept my offering?” Elvara asked, kneeling in front of Buffy.
Buffy took the cup and touched her lips to the rim, before offering the rest to Spike.
“I think you'll enjoy the flavor.” she told the vampire. “But don't give it to any others vampires; it’s the equivalent of Holy Water.”
Spike looked at the cup a little hesitantly. “Well, I don't think I've done anything to piss either of you off.” he lifted the cup in salute and drank the blood. It tingled on the way down but he could feel it warming his body the way Buffy's did. With a bow he handed the chalice back to Elvara.
Elvara gave the last drops back to the stones inside the circle. When she had finished, Haakon wrapped her cloak around her shoulder pulling her close into his body and kissing her deeply.
“How can he bare to touch her, she's old and fat!” Xander shuddered, “And that one's nothing but a pervert!” he pointed to where Wolf was talking quietly to Nordlys. Xander was still smarting from being told off for making a pass at the young woman, having not realized she was jail bait. The next thing Xander knew was that he was being held up by the throat, pinned against the wall behind him, legs dangling a foot off the floor.
“I have had just about enough of your lip, Boy. The only reason you are still breathing is that you are hear under Buffy's protection, but when you attack and belittle one of the most beautiful, caring human beings there is I ignore that and kill you.” Fahr and Wolf had him pinned; Haakon looked ready to commit murder.
It was Spike that came between the two weres and their prey. “Whelp, will you please stop looking with your prick and start looking with your eyes and your brain?” he asked as he took Xander down, to growls from both the men. Leaning close he growled into Xander’s ear. “And if you don’t smarten up, they won’t get a chance to kill you, I’ll do it myself.” Shoving Xander away from him he stalked back into the house.
“Xander, you idiot. Just shut up!” Willow told him angry at her friend's reaction to everything he'd seen.
“Oh Xander.” Joyce had joined the gathering in the garden. She had overheard the boy's comments. “Will you never learn?” Joyce frowned in disappointment.
Everyone turned to re-enter the house, Joyce had made coffee and the aroma was wafting through the air, tantalizing everyone with its promises of refreshment.
Buffy grabbed Wolf and Fahr before they could enter the house. “I’ve been meaning to have a chat with you two.” She said with a serious look on her face. “Listen, I know what you are. That doesn’t concern me, EXCEPT when it comes to Nordlys and Katla.” She looked deep into their eyes, and the flame they saw burning in hers made them both shiver. “I’ll make it simple for you. Don’t deliberately hurt them. If you do, I will hunt you down and make myself a couple of new rugs for my study. Am I understood?”
Wolf and Fahr both nodded quickly, their eyes wide and fixed on her face.
“Good, now let’s go get something to eat before we head out.” Buffy released the young men and walked into the house in search of some of that coffee she could smell.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
With thenks to Jamies_Lady for her ideas and inspiration.