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Prince Angelus jumped slightly as the door to his chamber was flung open and Ethan entered the room. He scowled at his father as he detangled himself from the warm female body pressed into his mattress.



"Do you not know how to knock?" Angelus yelled as he sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed.



"It's my castle. I'm free to go where I please," Ethan said, smiling as he grabbed Angelus' clothes and threw them at him. "Now get dressed. We have work to do." He told him as he walked to the door. "Oh, and get rid of that," he said, glancing back at the girl occupying his son's bed.



Angelus sighed heavily as he gathered up his clothing and stood. He glared at his father as he dressed before looking back over his shoulder at his companion. "Get out," he said coldly, grabbing her dress and throwing it at her before slipping on his shirt.



Ethan smiled as he left the room and headed to the bottom depths of his castle. Today was the day. All the ingredients for the spell had been found and now all that was left was to actually take possession of the Trolothan. Once the princess left the protective confines of the forest, she would be as good as theirs.







"Good morning, friend Talia," Bertram said as he entered the small garden surrounding her house. "Lovely morning," he stated as she turned to look at him.



"That it is Bertram," she replied, smiling. "I take it your guest was comfortable?"



Bertram laughed heartily as he walked toward the small bench that sat among the flowers before he sat down. "That young man is a bundle of nerves. I'm surprised he even manages to walk without tripping." He chuckled.



"Ah, young love," Talia said, smiling. "Too bad they are both too blind to see."



"I think it's more than that," Bertram said.



Talia turned to her friend before a look of concentration washed over her face. "Well, I'll be. Why didn't I pick up on that earlier?" She asked quietly.



"Probably the same reason I didn't," Bertram told her. "We had a long talk over breakfast. Humans can be so complex at times, but completely idiotic at others."



Talia laughed slightly as she walked over and sat beside Bertram. "So, should we intervene on their behalf, or let nature takes its course?"



The tiny giggles coming from the road had Bertram and Talia both glancing up. Twin smiles lit up their faces as they saw the small group of teens standing by the fence.



"Are they still here?" A girl asked after her friends prodded her to speak.



"No Mia," Talia said, smiling. "They took a walk."



"So they'll be back then?" Mia asked, grinning.



"That they will," Talia told her. "Is there something you needed?"



Mia giggled with her friends before she straightened and once again faced Talia. "Well, we were just wondering if we would get a chance to talk with them."



"Well, I'm not sure how long they will actually be with us," Talia answered her.



"Oh," Mia said with a frown as she looked at her friends.



Talia could read everything going through the young minds of the girls and she couldn't help but smile as the girls whispered amongst themselves. Strangers to Verisha were rare and anytime one came, the whole village seemed to be curious, especially when the visitors were that of a handsome young man that could make the young females swoon at the sight of him.



"So, um.will there be a feast?" Mia asked after she had consulted her friends.



"Well, I haven't given it much thought," Talia said as she looked at Bertram. "But I suppose it would only be appropriate, seeing how we have royalty amongst us."



"Yes!" the girls squealed. "This evening then?"



"I suppose this evening would be fine," Talia said as she stood. "It will require a lot of work."



"Oh, we can help," Mia excitedly said. "Won't we?" she asked as she looked at her friends.



Talia chuckled as the girls laughed and giggled by the fence. "Alright then," Talia said, shaking her head. "Go tell everyone of our plans and prepare the dale. Everything should be perfect."



Talia watched as the girls split off into groups of two and ran to the surrounding homes. She shook her head and smiled before she looked back at Bertram. "Well, I suppose we have work to do."



"That we do," Bertram said, smiling. "I'll go start the preparations."



Talia smiled as she watched Bertram leave before she glanced back at the girls as they raced from house to house. Shaking her head, she turned and entered her house to start preparing the feast for tonight's banquet.







Buffy and William had walked in silence since leaving Talia's, only speaking when something of interest caught the other's eye. They had left the road after seeing a stream off to the edge of the forest and were making their way through the dense, flowering trees that sat nestled along the stream.



The area looked almost identical to the Enchanted Forest. The same vegetation grew along the path as they strolled along the banks of the stream, and the only sounds were the water as it trickled along and birds as they flew amongst the trees.



"It is so beautiful here," Buffy said quietly as they walked. "I'm not sure I'll ever want to leave."



"That can be arranged," William told her. "No one says we have to leave." He smiled down at her.



Buffy smiled up at him, letting the idea float around her mind and, as much as she loved the idea, she knew it was impossible. "I'm not sure mother would like the idea of me shirking my responsibilities to the throne just so I can live in a place such as this."



"Surly she wouldn't deny you your every wish?" William asked.



Buffy chuckled slightly as they walked along the stream. "Well, she wouldn't let me have a say in the future king of Parissa."



"Really? Seems a bit unfair."



"Yes well `life isn't fair' as mother always says. But, it isn't as bad as it sounds. She didn't choose Prince Angelus or Prince Reilly like I asked, so I guess I can't complain too much."



William started laughing as he shook his head and Buffy couldn't help but smile as she looked up at him. "What is so funny?" She asked as he continued.



"I take it that boring ponce Reilly wasn't to your liking?" William asked through his laughter.



Buffy laughed along with him as her smile widened. "No he wasn't. Am I correct to assume you've met him?"



"Oh, that I have," William said, grinning. "He has about as much character as pond scum."



"Well that's one way of putting it."



"So, what made you choose a man you had never seen?" William asked her curiously.



Buffy shrugged her shoulders as she thought. "Well, mother chose him actually," she told him. "But King Rupert seemed very nice and if Prince Edward is anything like him, then mother's choice wasn't that bad, I guess."



"Well, I can tell you princess, Prince Edward is nothing like ol' Rupert," William said as he glanced down at her. "The two are like night and day."



"Oh," Buffy said, getting worried. "So mother's choice was made in haste then?"



"Well I wouldn't say that," William told her. "It's just you can't judge one by looking at the other."



Buffy took the information in; letting the images of Prince Edward her mind had conjured fill her head. "So what does he look like?" Buffy finally asked.



"Who? Prince Edward?"



"Yes."



William smiled, glancing back down at her as they stopped. "Handsome bloke if I do say so," he said, grinning. "Quite a catch."



Buffy couldn't help but smile as she looked up. "Handsome, you say? So I won't be disappointed then?"



"I hope not."



Buffy's smile fell away as she looked at William, wondering why he suddenly seemed to be trying to sell the idea of prince Edward to her when only yesterday he was admitting his love for her. Had he re-thought his feelings?



William saw her smile fall away and knew instantly what she was thinking. He smiled slightly before taking a look around, and then took Buffy's hand and led her over to a grassy area by the stream. "How about we sit for a while?" He asked as he helped her down to the ground.



Buffy smiled at him as he sat down beside her, her mind re-playing the things he had said. Had his admission of love been a mistake? Did she actually even hear it or was it just a trick her mind had played on her?



The small nudge of regret seemed to make her heart fill with pain as her mind started swirling around the possibility that William wasn't in love with her. Even though it would make things easier, the pain of it was almost too much to bear.



"I never told you how I found you last night," William said quietly as he turned his head to her.



Buffy glanced over at him, confusion marring her face at his smile before she saw him look over her shoulder and smile wider.



"Seems the tales of the Enchanted Forest were true," he said quietly as he pointed behind her. "Look."



Buffy turned her head, her eyes widening as she looked down the stream. Standing downstream were two of the most beautiful creatures she had ever seen. "Oh my," she said breathlessly. "Are they real?" She asked softly.



"I'd say so," William said as he looked at the creatures grazing along the banks of the stream.



Buffy was speechless as she looked at the two magnificent creatures that stood along the bank. The pair of horses that stood there had coats of pure white and each had a golden horn protruding from their heads and a mane that glittered like small diamonds from the filtered light coming through the trees.



"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" Buffy asked quietly as she watched the creatures.



"Yes," William said when Buffy turned back to look at him. "You."



Buffy stared at him for a long minute before she sighed softly. "Why do you say such things?" She asked him quietly.



"Because they're true," William told her as he lifted his hand and softly ran his fingers across her cheek. "I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you."



The look on William's face made Buffy's heart race in her chest. She had never seen him look at her like he was at that moment. Any doubts of his feelings for her were erased at that moment as she could see every emotion he held for her while she looked at him.



She wasn't sure if she made the first move or if he did, but before she could even get her clouded brain to register what was happening, strong arms were suddenly around her and the most intense kiss she had ever experienced had completely stolen her breath away.



It wasn't anything like their first, almost chaste kiss, but instead was full of a passion she had never experienced before. As her arms wound themselves tighter around William's neck, she let out a moan as his tongue pushed past her lips. She felt almost dizzy at the sensations as she returned the kiss with as much enthusiasm as he was putting into it.



Her entire body seemed to burn as William's hands traveled the length of her back before one hand wound itself in the long golden locks of her hair. The taste of him was euphoric as their tongues battled and hearing the small moan that rumbled from his chest seemed to heighten Buffy's need for him.



Pulling back for air, Buffy's eyes fluttered open as William peppered small kisses across her face. She moved her head to the side when William moved to her neck, her heart was racing in her chest and her skin felt as if it were tingling. The sensations he was causing in her made her almost crazy with need as she clung to him tighter. The fabric of their clothing seemed to be too much as Buffy held him closer. Her hand trailed up his back, holding his head to her as he kissed and licked the salt from her skin. Her breath was coming in shallow pants as William shifted and Buffy suddenly found herself on her back and staring up at him.



William looked down at her, her skin flushed and lips swollen from their kiss as she stared up at him. Her hair was fanned out around her head on the plush green grass and he smiled down at her before lowering his head. "The Enchanted Forest has nothing that even comes close in comparison to you," he whispered against her lips. "Your beauty surpasses anything in this realm or the next."



Tears stung at Buffy's eyes as she looked up at William before she felt his lips once again brush over hers. Soft wisps of air caressed her lips as she brought her hand around and cupped his cheek in her hand. Her eyes closed on their own accord as she felt William's weight press her into the soft grass and the arm around his neck pulled him tighter to her.



William smiled against Buffy's lips as he felt her tremble beneath him and it seemed like an eternity had passed as they once again resumed their kiss and Buffy let herself enjoy the feel of him. She fought the urge to tell him all she felt for him, knowing she would never be able to let go of him if she did. No matter how much she wanted him, she knew now was the only time she had to be with him.



Soft giggles wafted through the air and Buffy briefly wondered if it was only her inner mind conjuring up the sound due to her own giddiness before William broke the kiss and looked at her. When he turned his head to the side, she followed his movement and her eyes widened as she saw the three brightly colored lights flickering off to the side.



"Are we interrupting?" Asked the blue fairy, the same one that had led William into Verisha, as the two pixies with her giggled.



"Actually you are," William said, smiling as he sat up and helped Buffy sit as well. "Don't you fireflies have anything better to do?"



"We're not fireflies!" The blue pixie said furiously as she flew directly at William's face. "Fireflies are bugs, we are nothing of the sort!" She flung her long hair over her shoulder before crossing her arms over her chest.



William chuckled at her as he raised his hand, swatting at her until she backed away from him. "I suppose you have your uses," he said, grinning. "Not sure what that may be though."



"Maybe helping you find your princess wasn't such a wise move on our part," the blue pixie said smugly. "We could have left you out in the rain, you know."



William smiled before shaking his head. "I suppose you could have," he told her. "For that, I am grateful."



"Pixies?" Buffy finally managed to get out as her stunned brain tried to comprehend what she was seeing. "Pixies are real?"



The blue fairy smiled as she flew closer to Buffy. "I am called Balla," she said, smiling. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess Elizabeth."



Buffy finally smiled before looking over at the other two fairies that came toward her. "Wait until Dawn hears about this," she said quietly to herself. "She'll never believe me."



William smiled as he watched Buffy. Her reaction to seeing the fairies almost made up for their interruption. Even though he would rather still be kissing her, seeing the pure joy that was now lighting up her face caused almost the same feelings.



"Talia sent us you find you," Balla finally said. "They are preparing a banquet in your honor."



"Is that so," William said. "And what does this banquet entail?"



"The usual," Balla said, smiling. "Food, music and dancing."



"Well, the food I can definitely handle," William said smiling. "Living off berries and bland rabbits was beginning to get old," he added as he stood.



Buffy smiled as William reached down, grabbing her hand and helping her stand. She felt her face flush as she looked at him before she had to turn away. William smiled as he saw the pink tint her face had taken on and wondered if she would ever get over the blushing. He honestly hoped she didn't. It was just to endearing to not ever see again.



"Well, shall we?" William asked as he offered Buffy his arm.



"Yes," she said, smiling as she wrapped her hand around his arm, looking up at him.



As they started their walk back through the forest, Buffy smiled as the pixies flew quickly ahead of them before they were finally out of sight. Silence once again fell among them as they headed back to the village.







William was surrounded by teenage girls who barely came up to his chest, but the giggles that were coming from them sounded vaguely familiar. He smiled as they all seemed to talk to him at once and as much as he tried to listen to them; his mind was on one thing and one thing only.



He constantly searched the crowd of hobbits, looking for Buffy among them, but had yet to see her. He had dropped her off at Talia's after the pixies had collected them from the forest and hadn't seen her since.



He mentally berated himself for not telling Buffy when he had the chance, but seeing how their leisurely stroll had turned out so much better than he had expected, he could hardly complain. As the chattering of the girls finally caught his attention again, he smiled as he cleared his mind of Buffy and returned his attention to them.



Buffy stared at the looking glass, taking in her reflection as Talia continued to fix her hair. She didn't know what all the fuss was about, but seeing how Talia and two other ladies had been tending to her every need, she wasn't about to stop them. As shallow as it sounded, Buffy enjoyed being pampered again. Being royalty carried some weight, even in a mystical realm, and she wasn't about to ignore their desire to help her.



"There," Talia said, smiling. "A princess mustn't go without her crown."



Buffy looked in the mirror, a tiny smile lighting up her face as she saw what Talia had done before she turned in her chair. "Thank you Talia," she said gratefully. "It's beautiful."



"Oh, it is only flowers," Talia told her. "The beauty is you."



Buffy smiled as she said this, the words reminding her of what William had said earlier before she once again felt her cheeks burn. She glanced to the floor before chuckles erupted in the room as Talia and the others laughed quietly.



"Well, if that young man is still in your thoughts, what are you doing sitting here with us spinsters instead of out dancing the night away with him?"



Buffy looked back up with a smile she couldn't seem to wipe off before she stood and walked to the door. "Do I look okay?" She asked quietly, turning back to Talia as she waited for her to answer.



"You look like queen," Talia said, smiling as Buffy's smile widened. "Now go get your prince."



Buffy smiled widely before she walked out of her room and headed out of the house. Her heart was already fluttering in anticipation as she ducked out the small door of Talia's cottage and as she looked down the road to the dale where the party was taking place, she had to physically restrain herself from running.



The walk seemed to take forever and every step that took her closer had her heart beating faster in her chest. As she reached the flower-covered entrance leading to the large open area that held what looked like hundreds of hobbits, Buffy stopped and took in the scene.



Brightly colored flowers seemed to cover every surface and their fragrant smell wafted through the air. Small twinkling lights hovered above everything and Buffy smiled as she looked at them. What looked like tiny stars glistening overhead were actually hundreds of pixies that offered their light to illuminate the dale.



Laughter was heard coming from everyone and as Buffy searched the crowd for William, it didn't take her long to find him. Talia had told her how the younger girls had taken a fascination to him and off to Buffy's right, she saw him, surrounded by at least a dozen young girls.



The giggles she could hear from them had her smiling as she finally looked up at him. He was wearing the same thing as before and she wondered why Talia had made her change. As a happy sigh escaped her throat, Buffy's smile was once again shyly softened when William finally looked up at her.



It was like a vision of Aphrodite herself as William finally saw Buffy. Her white gown was shimmering with flecks of silver as it clung to her body. The long sleeves that flared at her wrist and flowed down the length of the dress made her look every bit the royal she was. Her golden hair hung around her shoulders while a ring of flowers wove around the top of her head like a crown.



As she smiled at him, William took a step toward her, a smile curving his lips as she looked away briefly before glancing back at him. If he lived another fifty years, he'd never tire of looking at her.



Buffy tried to calm her breathing as William approached. He hadn't taken his eyes off of her and no matter how hard she tried, keeping eye contact with him was impossible. His eyes were so intensely drinking her in that she chuckled to herself as she knew she was blushing and was for once glad it was too dark for him to see. As he finally made his way to her and stopped, Buffy looked up at him through her lashes and smiled.



"You look stunning," William said softly as he reached out and took her hand, kissing her palm.



"Thank you," Buffy said just as softly, staring up at him as he held her hand.



William couldn't take his eyes off of her as he took a step closer to her. As music started playing, he smiled as he glanced over his shoulder. "Would you care to dance, princess?" He asked as he once again turned to face her.



Buffy smiled widely as she gazed up at him. "I'd love to, William," she said softly as he smiled back at her and led her to the open area that had been cleared.



As the two took position, they both stared deeply into each others eyes as everyone else seemed to disappear. As the music began to flow and they started to move, visions of how wonderful their life could be together flooded both of their minds.



William smiled as he stared down at her, knowing that before the night was out, she would know much he loved her and how for them their life together had only begun.





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