As the title indicates, I'm putting together the next Soulmates Series story. It's called Wedding Disasters and there is a Wiccan handfasting ceremony in the story. I pray and hope that I have done the ceremony well and tastefully, so let me know if I did a good job.
As always, email me at
letsrocket_1998@yahoo.com with any comments or criticisms you might have. And post some feedback here, because I do check for it. My URL is below if you want to check out my website and on with the story.
URL:
deviousone2002.tripod.comKudos!!!
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Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Tara, Anya, Xander, Giles, or any of the other familiar characters seen on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon owns all of the characters of the show, because the show is his beauty and up until the end of this season, I loved it. I just hated the ending. The character of Jacob is original, therefore, it belongs to me completely. The idea of the Daywalker, however, belongs to the makers of the movie Blade. I don't know who made the movie off hand.
Spoilers: All six seasons are involved for spoilers. After Grave especially. Refer to my story, Returning, to know the whole story. I hope you enjoy it. And, as always, comments and criticisms are welcome. Here's my addy:
letsrocket_1998@yahoo.com.
Author's Note: Okay, first off, this story is the sixth installment to the Soulmate Series. By now, Jacob has gotten together with Buffy and the time for the witches wedding has finally arrived. I have been putting the actual wedding off for a couple reasons. Even after reading Lisa Countryman's wonderful story, Reward and Reprisal, I was still kind of worried about being able to write the wedding part of the story. But, I finally decided to just try it and hope I can pull it off. I've found some resources off the net that Lisa says she got her info from and I hope I do a good enough job for you readers to enjoy this.
Author's Note 2: Couple of original ideas are in this story. First of all, the Witches Committee, in a way, come from Lisa Countryman's Unexpected Consequences (A Magnificent read, by the way), just the name though. Her view of what the Witches Committee could be is spectacular, but I'm using the Witches Committee in a completely different way. Um, Wolfram & Hart belong to Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt, creators of Angel. Of course, the Council of Watchers is Joss's property (As everyone knows by now), and the idea of that diabolical group, The Society, is all mine. Hope you enjoy it.
Author's Note 3: Alright, this story is somewhat of a crossover with the television series, Charmed. Now, I didn't have a chance to finish watching the last season of Charmed, but I do some things. I know that Paige is the replacement sister for Prue. I know that the Source was using Cole's body and I know that Cole and Phoebe were getting married. Oh, I know that the Source already had a dark wedding with Phoebe, and that was the last episode I saw. So, I don't know what happened in the remaining eps. So, because of all that, I might be off with certain aspects when I mention the Charmed Ones into this story. Forgive me.
Author's Note 4: I was emailed about two disclaimers I didn't put up before, so here they are, posted as an author's note together. First, this story insinuates a loving and tender relationship between two women. Second, this story involves some violence, parental guidance suggested. BTW, my new web address is at deviousone2002.tripod.com Enjoy the story.
Author's Note 5: The basic design and organization for the handfasting ceremony was borrowed from Lisa Countryman's Reward and Reprisal story. But she lists this website as being where she borrowed the material, so I'll list it here.
www.thetask.com/threshold...fast2.htm. Kudos!!!
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| Part 1 |It was a warm and sunny day for the two individuals that walked along a thinly cut grassy field that was located in the hills outside the city of Sunnydale. One of the two figures was a female, the other was a male. The female figure had shoulder length wavy blonde hair. She wore a white shirt with pink and yellow flower designs as the pattern all over the shirt. She had the shirt tucked into a pair of crisp blue jeans that the woman recently purchased.
The man had a stocky figure and he wore a pair of black pants with a white button up t-shirt tucked into them. Both of them were dressed for a fancy occassion and today was indeed, a special occasion. This day was the day that had been in preparation for many months. Because in mere hours, Willow Rosenberg and Tara Maclay would be wed before friends and family. It was the day that they all knew was coming one day and that day was finally here.
Buffy and Xander walked along the field that was the location of the wedding, or handfasting as Tara called it, that would take place later today. Behind them, several rugs were laid out over the ground with sets of chairs arranged with an aisle between them. The aisle led to the altar where the actual ceremony would be taking place. Over the aisle, chairs and everything were three large tent like coverings that was kept above ground by wooden posts stuck into the ground to keep the sun out.
Buffy and Xander hadn't been here long. They were here to meet the Priestess that Willow and Tara had chosen and had agreed to perform their ceremony. Neither of them knew exactly why the Priestess wanted to meet with them, just that she did and she didn't want the witches to be present. Buffy looked at her friend silently.
"So, I guess today's the big day." Buffy commented to him. She'd noticed that he'd been more quiet lately, now that the wedding day had finally arrived.
Xander turned. "Yep, today's their big day."
"You feeling alright there Xand?" Buffy questioned him.
He shrugged. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just....y'know this is the first wedding I've been to since.....well, y'know."
She nodded, understanding his problem now. "Oh. Still thinking about that huh."
"Yes I am. No matter how hard I try, that just keeps coming back. It shouldn't, you know because me and An are finally beginning to get back what we had and I shouldn't even be thinking about that day, but I do." Xander admitted.
She rested her hand on his shoulder. "I know. But hey, you and Anya'll get that day again. You just have to give it patience." she said. After a moment, she turned around. "Oh, here comes the Priestess I think."
There was a woman slightly older than Buffy and Xander walking over to them. Both of them were slightly surprised and amazed at the beauty of the woman walking towards them. She was slightly taller than Buffy and she had long straight hair that was tied into a single braid at the base of her neck. She had green eyes, but a pair of black shades covered them. She had creamy white skin. She wore a white and blue flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows and the shirt was tucked into a pair of faded blue jeans. She stopped a few feet from the two and extended her hand. "Greetings," she said in an Irish accent, "my name's Nora."
Buffy grasped her hand and shook it. "I'm Buffy. This is Xander."
"How do you do?" Nora shook his hand as well.
"You're.....you're a Priestess?" Buffy asked, not quite imagining someone so young as a Priestess of Thespia.
Nora removed her shades and placed them in her shirt pocket. Then, she nodded to them. "Yes. Please don't let my age fool you. I have been a follower of Wicca all my life. When I turned thirteen, a Priestess of the Goddess Aphrodite took me under her wing and taught me what she knew. I was later ordained as a Priestess of Aphrodite and Thespia. When I spoke with Willow and Tara, I could see their bond as strongly as I've ever seen anything and I knew I wanted to perform their ceremony."
Buffy smiled at her. "Um....what did you need to see us for?"
Nora looked at where the ceremony was to take place, before looking back at them. "I don't want this to get back to Willow or Tara, but I need to ask the both of you to be on special guard during the ceremony."
Buffy's guard went up at the words. "Why are you asking us that?"
Nora looked away for a moment. "I don't know....I just have this gut feeling that....before the day's over.....something's gonna happen. I just have this feeling. I just want you to be aware."
"That's crazy. Nothing's gonna happen today. Besides, who would even be thinking about trying to wreck Will and Tara's special day?" Buffy asked, not liking what Nora was suggesting one bit.
"I'm just asking you to be on guard today, that's all. I could be wrong and I hope I am. But if I'm not, I'm just asking that you do be on guard. If you'll excuse me, I have to be getting ready for the ceremony."
Nora, the Priestess, left the two standing there after that. Buffy looked at Xander and he had the same look on his face that was on hers. Neither of them wanted to admit that something could go wrong today. Buffy rolled her eyes in disgust. They were near the Hellmouth and anything happens there, so no doubt something could happen today. Buffy just had to make sure nothing did.
---**---At an undisclosed location, more specifically....a secret and hidden military compound near Sunnydale, many individuals in labcoats and military uniforms moved about, some holding weapons, others holding clipboards or papers. In the center of an underground laboratory, there was a circular energy shield of a light blue and green tinge that shimmered back and forth. Inside the shield of mystical energy, there was a single bed with a mattress, a table off to the side with articles of clothing, and a second table that was used as a dining table.
Sitting on the bed, looking around the rest of the interior of the structure was a single woman with curled red hair. Every once in a while, the woman would have a snarling look on her face as she looked at the humans that moved around. She looked up as she felt someone approaching. Approaching the field of energy was Mr. Lee. He walked up to the barrier of the force field and raised his hand. A hole large enough for him to walk through opened with a shimmer. Mr. Lee silently entered the field and approached the woman.
Mr. Lee was dressed as he normally was. He had a black long sleeved shirt on tucked into a pair of black slacks. A black leather coat is around his shoulders as he lets the shield close around him. Reaching up, Mr. Lee removed his dark shades from his eyes and looked at the woman sitting on the bed, glaring at him with anger.
"Well, I am pleased to see you awake and coherent." Mr. Lee smiled at her.
"Whatever." the voice replied, drilling her eyes to his.
"What's wrong, are you not happy with these accommodations?" Mr. Lee gestured with his hand.
"What do you think, bozo?" the woman snarled back.
Mr. Lee put his shades in his inside pocket before he rested his hands inside the pockets of his pants. "I suppose you would like to know why you are here, wouldn't you?"
The woman gave him a glare, her eyes narrowed as she looked as if she was going to launch herself at the man. But she felt the dangerous lethalness the man held and she hesitated in reaching forward and snapping his neck. She leaned back slightly. "Sure. Why don't you tell me?" she said, crossing her arms.
Mr. Lee smiled as he pulled up one of the chairs and took a seat. "Alright, I'll tell you. The organization I control wants to see the Slayer and her misguided people taken out. There has been no enemy more dangerous to all of them than you. We brought you back into this world so that you might have a chance at revenge against them. They all had a significant role in your defeat, so we believe you might want to exact some revenge."
The woman that was not only a hellgod, but the hellgod Glorificus, quirked an eyebrow at him. "Is that so?"
Mr. Lee nodded his head once. "Were we wrong? Do you not relish in the opportunity to get back at the Slayer? She did, after all, prevent you from going home. Plus, the Key can no longer be used to open the gates."
"Don't you think I know all that!" Glory snapped as she rose and walked around her confined space. Mr. Lee watched her with growing fascination. He'd heard all the stories about how destructive and monstrous the hellgod could be and he relished in it.
"Seeing as how it involved you, I know you know." Mr. Lee answered. "You were wanting to return home. But, that chance is no longer in existence. You will never return to your hell dimension. However," he paused, "I am here to offer you an alternative that you may wish to take advantage of."
Without turning around, Glory spoke to him. "Go on..."
The powerful being known as Mr. Lee smiled. "It is simple. The Society is responsible for your second chance here. I am the reason you are here. Nothing happens in this world that I don't happen to know about. I had you returned to this world because I want the Slayer and her people eliminated. But I don't just want them killed, I want them broken, beaten, utterly humiliated before they are defeated. I want them to know true horror, true torture before they die. And of all the enemies she has faced, you and you alone have shown her true fear."
Glory turned back around to face him. She had a smile on her face that showed devious plans going through her mind. Mr. Lee smiled back at her, enjoying the smile. "You want little miss Buffy and her wacky pals to know true torture?" Glory said, walking towards the dark haired man, "I'll give them true torture. I'll rip little Dawn's spine right out in front of her. I'll rip the blonde witch's arms out of the sockets in front of Willow. I will leave no witnesses."
"Well," Mr. Lee smirked, "if you are in agreement, then let me tell you of my side of the deal. You agree right now, and I will order this facility evacuated immediately and then, the force field will be dropped and you can just walk out of here. But I don't want you touching any of the Society's people, so this shield won't be taken down until everyone is evacuated."
Glory laughed. "What makes you think I'm going to let you leave this nice little prison you've made for me?"
While Glory had been expecting fear to appear on his face, his demeanor changed drastically to something else. Mr. Lee's eyes shaded to deep crimson red and energy crackled over his skin. He raised his hand, palm out, at Glory and her body was rose into the air and was stilled. She was floating in the air, just above the ground, and she had no control over her body's movements. "Glorificus, I admire your destructive nature, I really do. It's one of the reasons why you were chosen to eliminate the Slayer. But, I am not some minion that you can just toss around. I am something much more dangerous."
He lowered his hand and allowed his eyes to return to the black. Glory's feet returned to the ground and she stared at him, surprised. "Your not human." she said. "Your not demon either. I've gotten pretty good at reading auras. Your not even a God. Just what the hell are you?"
Mr. Lee walked back to the point where he entered the shield. He stared back at Glory for a long moment. "I'm something that's beyond the Slayer's understanding. I'm more than just mere flesh, more than blood. There isn't a word good enough to describe me. I chose to be called Mr. Lee, but that's not who I am. Everything is at the point where it should be. The Slayer and her people are exactly where I need them to be. Exactly in the place where you can easily take them out. And because of me, you are now where you belong. By defeating you the first time, the Slayer believed that she was doing the right thing. But that's the kicker, it's not about right. It's not even about wrong. It's about power and who wields it."
Glory stayed silent and allowed herself to think about his statement while she heard him pull out his cell phone and speak to someone on the other end. Who weilds the most power? Glory thought to herself. She smiled. That's what it's always been about. From her time in her home dimension to her battles with the Slayer, it was always about who had the power. And Buffy just never got that. Glory knew the next few months would be a learning experience. For herself and for the Slayer.
"There." Mr. Lee said as he turned back to her. "In exactly one hour, the shield will be down and you will be free to leave. Sunnydale is not that far from here, so have fun when you wipe them out."
"I plan to have fun alright." she grinned.
"The Society will be watching." Mr. Lee said before he turned and exited through the shield opening and began walking away, Glory's inquisitve stare following his steps.
---**---Giles opened the door to his apartment and relaxed when he saw who was standing there. Tara looked nervously at the Watcher as his door opened further to allow entrance to the blonde Witch. She was wearing her long sleeved pink shirt over a pair of blue jeans and she had her hair combed back and hanging freely. She was alone as she entered Giles's apartment. "You...um...wanted to see me." Tara said, entering the apartment.
Giles nodded. "Yes, thank you for coming so quickly Tara. I know....with the ceremony later.....there's not going to be much free time for you."
Tara saw the blush rising to his features and instantly knew he was thinking about what would happen after the ceremony and that caused a similar blush to rise to her cheeks. "Yeah, ceremony's going to be tonight." Tara said, not knowing what else to say as she looked down.
"Please, sit down and I'll tell you why I called you." Giles said, moving into his living room. Tara walked over to his couch and sat down slowly. "Where's Willow?"
Tara looked up. "Oh....she and I can't see each other till the ceremony. It's one of the traditions she wanted to stick with, so...she's spending the day Buffy and Xander. I know Buffy went to the mountain where the ceremony's gonna be, but she's back now. I'm gonna spend the day with Dawnie."
"That's good." Giles replied. He straightened to his full height. "Well, let me get to the point here, Tara. I called you here for two reasons. One, I wanted to personally congratulate you on your upcoming nuptuals to Willow."
Tara swallowed, feeling an unexpected lump rising in her throat. "Thanks." she whispered.
Giles smiled back at her. "And two, I've been researching your vision over the past couple days and I've finally found the answer to it."
Tara lifted her head. "And?"
Giles sat down on the chair across from her. "There are two possibilities for what you saw. One, what you saw is something that's going to happen in the near future, a future event. Or two, your mind and heart are trying to send you a warning about something that's going to happen. That doesn't necessarily mean that what you saw is going to happen, just that something bad is going to happen."
"B-but it means s-something b-bad's gonna happen, though?" Tara stuttered.
Reluctantly, he nodded. "Yes....I wish I could tell you otherwise. But I can't. Something is going to happen. I just have no idea what it is or when it'll happen."
Tara looked down at her jean clad legs, her hands resting on her knees. She glanced down at the watch. The time was two thirteen. She and Dawn were going to head to the mountains at two thirty and Tara was going to meet the younger teen at the house there. She looked back up at Giles. "Thank you for looking into it, Mister Giles. I-I have to go get Dawnie." she said, rising.
"I will see you tonight, Tara." Giles also rose and he followed Tara to the door. He was saddened that he couldn't do more for the blonde woman and he understood her need to be alone. She had to deal with the news in her own way. He watched her as she left his apartment and moved down the sunlight, her head lifted as she gazed at the bright blue sky.
---**---Up at the mountain, where the ceremony would take place, there were two small huts, mainly used for bathing and showering, on the opposite sides of the large fields. At one of the huts, Buffy was helping Willow prepare for the ceremony that would forever take her status as 'single' and move it to 'married'.
When Willow had first arrived, just an hour earlier, she had been near tears at seeing how her friends had transformed the forest into an enchanted wedding chapel. Buffy and Willow stayed in the hut and talked and laughed, but most of all, bonding. There had been an estrangement between them for months, but that estrangement was breaking down as the two best friends got reacquainted.
That's what they'd been doing for the last hour. Now, Willow prepared the ritual bath she had to take and slowly stepped into the heated water as Buffy acted as her assistant. The Slayer moved some white cotten towels and her white silk robe for the ceremony over into the hut for when Willow completed her bath. Buffy did, however, step out of the hut while the redhead bathed and rinsed her body. After a period of a half hour, Willow called out of the hut and Buffy re-entered the hut.
Willow dried her body off with the towels and put the cotten robe on as she moved to the far corner of the hut and watched the Slayer excuse herself while she changed into the wedding dress she and Tara had chosen to get. Looking herself up and down, Willow fidgeted with the sleeve of her dress.
"What's wrong Will?" Buffy asked, seeing her friend fidget.
Willow looked up, her eyebrows raised. "Huh?"
"Something's wrong, what is it?" Buffy repeated.
"Oh...um...it's just.....Buffy, do you think I'm ready for this? I mean, getting married? Do you think it's too big a move for me right now?" Willow stammered.
Buffy pretended to ponder the question for a moment, studying Willow, her head tilted, then she smiled easily and moved forward. She gently touched Willow's cheek as she looked into Willow's eyes. She spoke words from her heart. "Will, when I look at you and Tara together, I see a lot of things. I see two sides of the same coin, I see two halves that fit together perfectly, I see two people who've been through more trauma than they should have and have still made it to each other. I see....two women who very much love each other. But, most of all, I see my best friend and my close friend together, happy and content. You two are at your happiest when your together. Everyone knows it. You are more than ready for this, Willow Rosenberg."
Willow smiled at her, enjoying the sentiment coming from her best friend. She stayed silent as Buffy stepped back. She saw the Slayer reaching into her pocket for a moment. "What's that?" she pointed.
Buffy looked down at her hand. It was cupped around a small white velvet box. "This.....this is a gift I was going to wait to give you until after the ceremony, but since we're here, I thought I'd give to you now."
Willow held her palm out as Buffy moved to place the box in it. She opened the box and gasped, seeing the necklace that glittered as the light danced off of it. It was a single, karat solitaire red ruby on a heart shaped setting. It was connected to a gold chain. "Buffy, this is too much." she said, looking at her friend.
Buffy shook her head. "No, it's not. I want you to have it. It's from me and Dawn."
"How did you afford this?" Buffy asked.
"Don't worry about that, just thank me." Buffy smiled.
"Thank you, Buffy." Willow said as she moved forward and hugged the blonde.
---**---While Buffy was with Willow in one of the two huts, the other hut was occupied by Tara as she took her ritual bath with her surrogate daughter Dawn perfermed the assistant duties. Dawn couldn't be any more thrilled to do this for her favorite couple. After her bath, Dawn helped Tara into the white dress and Dawn was so overcome with emotion at seeing Tara in it that it rendered her speechless.
As Tara looked down at the dress that hung over her body, Dawn reached into her pocket and produced her and Buffy's gift to Tara. She extended her hand to Tara. "Here, this is our gift to you, Tara." Dawn said.
"Our?" Tara gently grasped the white velvet box as she looked at the younger teen.
"Me and Buffy." Dawn answered quickly.
"Oh." Tara said after she opened the box a moment later. Inside was a necklace similar to the one given to Willow. Instead of a ruby, however, it was a green emerald, reminiscent of Willow's eyes. And it was placed in the middle of a heart shaped setting. Tara's eyes filled with tears and love for both Buffy and Dawn as she looked at the necklace in her hand. She pulled Dawn to her, hugging her gently and accepting the gift. "Thank you Dawn." she said quietly.
Dawn returned the hug. "I'm really happy for you Tara."
Tara stepped back, sniffling. She held the box with the necklace in her hand. "It's beautiful."
"Come on, the time for the ceremony is here. Let's get you and Willow hitched!" Dawn's enthusiasm made Tara laugh.
---**---Less than an hour later, the ceremony began and it began as it should have begun. There was happiness all around the place. Buffy, Jacob, Dawn, Xander, Anya, Giles, and even Sonya were in attendance. The only sadness that was here was that Willow's parents had not come and Tara's father had called, saying he couldn't get away to make the trip to Sunnydale. Both witches were saddened by the news, but it wouldn't stop their special day.
Giles led Willow to the edge of the circle and watched as Sonya led Tara to the opposite edge of the circle. As the two witches stood on opposite sides and stared with tears in their eyes at the sight of the other, everyone in attendance smiled at seeing it. The ceremony began.
Nora stood in the center of the circle. She walked to the edge of the circle in front of Tara. "It's time." she said clearly as she walked to that edge. "Tara Maclay, how do you wish to enter this circle?"
Tara looked at the Priestess, "in perfect love and perfect trust." Tara released a calm and deep breath and crossed into the circle. She took Nora's proffered hand and they walked to the silk material spread on the ground.
Nora turned and walked to the other side of the circle, where Willow was waiting. She looked at the redhead. "How do you wish to enter the circle?" she asked.
"In perfect love and perfect trust." Willow answered and smiled at Tara as she took Nora's hand.
After taking Willow to where Tara was, Nora moved back and sealed the circle. She moved back over and joined their hands. "Kneel." she told them. She waited until they were settled onto the pristine silk covering the grassy ground before she continued. She looked out over the audience in attendance. "Welcome friends, as we gather here to celebrate the marraige of Willow Rosenberg and Tara Maclay. Divine One, I ask thee to bless this couple, their love, and their marraige as long as they shall live in love together. May they each enjoy a healthy life filled with joy, love, stability, and fertility."
Willow looked at Tara for a moment. "We made it, baby." she whispered.
"We sure did." Tara whispered back.
Grasping the athame from the alter with her hands, Nora turned towards the direction of the East. "Blessed be by the element of air. May you be blessed with communication, intellectual growth, and wisdom."
Squeezing the hand that held hers, Willow looked at Tara's profilic face. It was serene and perfect.
Nora turned to the South. "Blessed be by the element of fire. May you be blessed with harmony, vitality, creativity, and passion."
Tara took more breaths as she bit back the tears that were threatening to fall.
Nora looked and turned to the West. "Blessed be by the element of water. May you be blessed with friendship, intuition, caring, understanding, and love."
The witches glanced at each other at the same time and smiled at each other, recognizing the attributes spoken in each other.
Nora turned her athame to the North. "Blessed be by the element of earth. May you be blessed with tenderness, happiness, compassion, and sensuality." Nora turned to Willow and Tara and quirked a brow, her intuition telling her that Willow and Tara already had those areas covered.
Anya smiled to herself, she'd been at the Summers House in the past and overheard the witches making love on several occasions. She smiled at the witches's happiness.
Nora turned to everyone in attendance and began the next stage of the ceremony. It was a long speech, but it was one that needed to be said. "In all the eons, the long and slow climb of evolution has no greater culmanation than the union of people in love. From the time the first amoeba fissioned into two, there has been the possibility of companionship and the possibility of lonliness. From the time Nature invented sexual reproduction, love has been a quickening. In humans as self-aware beings, sexuality provided a way that love can conjoin the bodies, hearts, minds, and souls of those who love."
Nora's face showed a tinge of sadness as she continued, seeing the listening faces. "Humans have sadly turned away from Nature's harmony for most of our lives. There is war, lonliness, and desolation, and the soul of Nature mourns. So when there are those of us who love enough to make a commitment such as this one tonight between Willow and Tara, the very stars rejoice at the rediscovery of love, joy, and bounty." Nora paused reflectively. "Love has its seasons the same as does the Earth. In the spring of love is the discovery of each other, the pulse of the senses, the getting to know the mind and heart of the other, a blooming like the buds and flowers of springtime."
"In the winter of love, there is parting and sorrow. But love remains, as do the stark and bare tree trunks in the snow, ready for the renewal of love in the spring as life and love begin anew. In the summer of love, life continues to blossum around those in love. The summer of love also comes the strength, the commitment to each other, the most active part of life, perhaps including the giving of life back to itself through children; the sharing of joys and sorrows, the learning to be humans who are each complete and whole but who can merge each with the other, as the trees grow green and tall in the heat of the sun. And in the fall of love is contentment of love that knows the other completely. Passion remains, and ease of companionship. The heart smoothes love into a steady light, glorious as the autumn leaves. Now, in this time of winter, Willow and Tara have gathered before their friends to make a statement of their commitment to each other, to their love."
Smiling at each other, Tara and Willow gaze into each other's eyes as Nora stood, looking down at them. Everyone in the audience looked on with them with tears in their eyes. Nora continued, "Do you now commit to each other to love, honor, respect each other, to communicate with each other, to look to your own emotional health so that you can relate in a healthy way, and provide a healthy home for children if you choose to have them. Do you pledge to be a support and comfort for your partner in times of sickness and health, as long as love shall last?"
"We do." Willow and Tara murmured in unison.
Nora took out the single gold band rings that the couple had chosen together as their wedding rings. "Let us bless the rings. Circles represent eternity, and though our lives are finite, love is everlasting, the creative force that binds us together, the force that gives new life. The blessings of the wind upon these rings and your love, that you share communication and creativity. The blessings of fire upon these rings and your love, that you share passion and the spirit. The blessings of water upon these rings and your love, that you share love and compassion. The blessings of the Earth upon these rings and your love, that you share health and sexuality. We humans are born of stardust and deepest oceans, of erupting volcanoes and the bones of the Earth. In celebrating love, you celebrate a heritage of all these things, and of the love of all humans from the dawn of time. In making a commitment to loving each other, you share that which is best in us and give a moment of light to the world. Willow, place the ring on Tara's finger and repeat after me."
Willow gently placed the ring on Tara's ring finger. She looked at her lover's face, loving the look of it.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Nora said.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Willow repeated.
"Now, Tara, place your ring on Willow's finger." Nora instructed.
As gently as she could, Tara did as requested, slipping the band over Willow's slender finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Nora said.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Tara repeated the words as she stared at Willow's deep green eyes.
"Friends and family of this couple, I now pronounce you married. May you each and together be blessed with health, happiness, harmony, and love." Nora said, "Willow, Tara, you may kiss each other to punctuate this ceremony. So mote it be!"
"Smoochies!" Willow said, eliciting a smile of happiness from Tara. Willow draped her forearms over Tara's shoulders and leaned toward her.
"Privilege of the married couples!" Tara said back to her, placing her hands on Willow's hips and squeezing. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against Willow's. She took a slow, sensuous taste of her new wife's mouth. She reached up and dug her fingers into Willow's red hair and held her as she kissed her passionately.
"Ooh, way to go Tara!!" Xander cheered.
A few more moments passed and the two were still in their passionate embrace. Buffy snorted, "this is quickly moving into an R rated kiss."
Tara slowly withdrew, the taste of Willow's lips still lingering there. She bit her bottom lip and smiled at Willow. Willow had her eyes closed and she had an easy and relaxed smile on her face as she held Tara close to her.
All their friends stood up and clapped and cheered for the marraige of their two friends. Though they've faced so much pain and misery in the past year, the two witches were together and that's all that mattered.
---**---After the ceremony concluded, Willow and Tara moved through the small assembled crowd and got their embraces and congratulations from those closest to them. After a heartful hug from Giles, Willow found herself pulled away by her best friend, Buffy.
"Hey Will, that was a great ceremony. Very beautiful." Buffy said.
"It really was." Willow agreed, giving the Slayer a smile so bright and full of happiness that it nearly made Buffy faint from the power of it.
"So, still got any of those doubts, Will?" Buffy asked.
"No doubts in this bride." Willow answered, giving her another happy smile. "I never ever thought I could be this happy, Buffy." she admitted to her friend. She turned her head slightly so that Tara was in her line of vision. Seeing the dark blonde, she sighed happily. Her new wife was speaking with Dawn and Anya. "Absolutely no doubts." she murmured.
"That's great Will." Buffy replied, smiling at her. "Now, let's see that ring."
Willow rose her left hand and Buffy looked upon the wedding band. "What do you think?"
"That's a beautiful ring, Will." Buffy said.
"Thank you." Willow whispered, pulling her hand back and tracing her fingers over the band with reverence.
"Come on." Buffy said, pulling Willow by the hand.
"What..." Willow started.
"Before you and Tara dance the night away, I want one dance with you. I'll get a dance with Tara after that, then you two can dance yourselves away." Buffy said as she pulled her best friend to the dancing area of the reception.
Across the way, Tara watched Willow be pulled onto the dancing area with Buffy with a smile. She was talking with Dawn and Anya. Assured the Slayer wouldn't allow no harm to come to her wife, she turned back to Anya and Dawn. Off to the far side, Xander had a stereo set up and he had the music on for the people who wanted to dance.
The reception continued with everyone laughing and enjoying merriment in celebration of Willow and Tara's wedding ceremony. Even Giles seemed to be getting into the swing of it and he was usually the one who didn't show much emotion for such events. And it was in those moments, those moments at the end of the reception where happiness was flourishing that everything changed with a sudden intensity that no one would ever forget.
It started with just a low sounding rumble that spread towards them in all directions, slowly beginning to shake the ground they stood on. As the ground began to shake around them, Buffy looked at Nora. The priestess showed the same look of caution as the Slayer. Buffy looked towards Sonya and saw that the sorceress was looking around with caution as well.
"What's going on?" Willow asked, holding onto Tara's arm.
"I don't know." Buffy answered, looking around as the ground shaked.
Then, the shaking and rumbling of the ground subsided just before a bright flash erupted in the air above the ground, the intensity of the flash sending everyone to the ground as a wave of energy blasted them back. A figure materialized where the flash of light had happened. As the flash of light descended away, a female stood there, leaning on her right foot with her hand on her hip as she smiled evilly at the shocked faces.
"Anybody miss me?" Glory asked, smiling at the assembled group.
---**---The grassy clearing where the ceremony and reception took place was ghostly silent. They all stared in shock and horror at a face that none of them never expected to ever see again. It was Glory, the hellgod otherwise known as Glorificus. Each Scooby remembered in graphic detail the last time they'd seen the goddess.
The one thing Buffy remembered was almost losing her sister to the hellgod's demented mission to return home and she remembered her own sacrifice. A sacrifice that, at the time, was needed to preserve the world. But things were different now. There would be no sacrifice. As Dawn stared at the goddess, she remembered the pain and misery of watching her sister dive off that platform to close the portal and she remembered the misery of being Glory's captive for that long day, the longest of her life.
Willow remembered the events of Glory's ultimate destruction quite clearly. She remembered Tara's sanity being restored and she remembered being ecstatic about that. About having Tara back to her self again. But that was overshadowed by Buffy's death to close that portal. And standing here looking at the goddess made Willow shiver all over. Tara remembered all too clearly the events of Glory's demise. From losing her sanity by having Glory's fingers in her brain, to that traumatic finish when she got her sanity back thanks to Willow's powerful spell, Tara remembered it all. And having all those thoughts and emotions re-awakened was not something Tara wanted to deal with right now.
Glory smirked at the horrified faces. She was wearing a sleeveless black leather top and a pair of black leather pants, leaving just a small amount of skin between the pants and top showing. Her reddened hair glowed in the sun's rays that bounced off of it. "Well, looks like we've been having a nice little Wiccan wedding, doesn't it?"
"Glory." Buffy said the word with anger.
"Oh, what's the matter sweet cheeks, didn't miss me while I was gone?" Glory snickered. "That's okay, I didn't miss you either. But I'm back now and I'm going to make it all better."
"How did you...." it was Dawn asking the question.
Glory turned her eyes to Dawn. She read the girl's aura easily and quickly. With a frown, she realized that Dawn's abilities as the Key were no longer active inside her. She did notice something about the girl, though, and that piece of info Glory knew would come in handy later. "You know, it's a shame I can't use your blood anymore." Glory said.
"And why is that?" Dawn asked back.
"Because when you were the Key, I had use for you. Since that's gone, I have no problem with just killing you, little girl." Glory said, smiling at Dawn.
The smile made her uneasy and Dawn couldn't help but backing off. She ended up backing into Sonya. She looked up at the sorceress's face. There was a look of sudden interest in Sonya's face that Dawn had never seen in the woman's face before. She seemed to be studying Glory.
Glory looked at Tara and her eyebrows hiked up to her forehead. "And you...."
"M-me?" Tara said, instinctively stepping back and pulling Willow with her.
Glory lost her smile. "That little trick your bitch pulled on me got your sanity back."
The nervousness and fear lessened from Tara's body when she heard that. She stepped forward, conscious of Willow trying to pull her back. "First of all," Tara said, intently looking into Glory's eyes, "don't call me Willow a bitch. Second, yes, I'm me again. And I won't go back."
Glory tilted her head. "Your right, I won't take your sanity again. I've got something much worse in mind for all of you." Then, Glory's eyes shifted to Jacob, who was watching everything with curiosity. He wasn't around when Glory first showed up in Sunnydale. "Well, will wonders never cease!" she exclaimed.
"What?" Buffy said, looking at the hellgoddess with contempt.
"It's a Daywalker. I've never actually crossed paths with one of them before. What's your name?" Glory wanted to know.
"Jacob." he said, narrowing his eyes. "So your the infamous Glory."
Glory bowed her head. "I am she that is unstoppable."
"You know what Glory," Buffy stepped forward, "I've had about enough talking. Your back, so what. We're not going to just let you take over like last time."
Instead of reacting with words, Glory reacted with physical force. She backhanded Buffy across the face, sending the Slayer across the clearing, crashing into the chairs. Glory made Buffy her target and went after her. Walking onto the carpet covering the grass, Glory walked right up to Buffy and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her into the air. "I can't believe I just let you ruin me like that last time. Escpecially when all I had to do was this."
Buffy's feet weren't on the ground, so she couldn't ease the pressure Glory was now putting on her neck. Buffy's breath constricted as it was cut off. She gasped, failing in her attempts to break Glory's hold. She felt her life once again fading away from her body and, unlike the other time, it wasn't in her power to stop it.
As Glory continued to add the pressure to Buffy's throat, she suddenly felt energy hit her body from the back and it surged through her, a burning sensation erupting through her. She released Buffy with a growl and turned around to see who interrupted her killing of the Slayer. Everything had happened so quickly that none of her friends had reacted in the short amount of time that it had happened in. Instead, it was Nora, who stood defiantly across from Glory, who sent the powerful burst of energy at the goddess.
"And just who the hell do you think you are?" Glory demanded as she began heading across the clearing towards the priestess.
Nora stood calmly there, not showing fear. "My name is Nora."
"Well Nora," Glory sneered as she stopped before her, "you picked the wrong side, sister!"
"Glorificus, you are standing on the sacred grounds of the Divine One. You must either leave now or suffer her wrath." Nora warned.
A look of defiant anger crossed Glory's features. "You, who are nothing more than a human, dare to order me around?" her voice was incredulous.
"That is your only warning, Glorificus." Nora told her. As she spoke, the priestess was calling on the Divine One to assist her.
Glory marched up to her and attempted to backhand her. Her fist came within inches of Nora's face before an invisible energy barrier asserted itself and her fist smacked against it. Glory's face showed rage as she again tried to pummel the priestess. Her strikes hit the barrier. Nora raised her hand. "Lock." she said calmly and clearly. A gust of wind swirled up and locked Glory in one place. Glory roared as she tried to break out of the hold, but the power used to hold her was stronger even than Glory's.
"What did you do?" Buffy asked.
Nora looked at her and the others as they watched Glory's struggling body. "The land we are standing on is sacred. It was blessed by the four goddesses Aphrodite, Athena, Gaia, and Thespia. Any evil that steps onto this ground with the intent to commit evil will be prevented from doing evil."
"Well, if that's true, how did Glory get Buffy into that choke hold?" Giles demanded, his concern about Buffy was evident.
Nora looked at the Englishman. "Because Glory is not just evil, she is a goddess, her power is as strong as the four goddesses. I had to channel the power of the Divine One to hold her. We all had better leave. The binding field will not last forever. Only a certain amount of time."
"Where do we go, back home?" Dawn asked.
"No, for now, why don't you come to my home. I will show you where." Nora said as she began walking towards the vehicles. There were three vehicles parked nearby; Tara's, Xander's, and Jacob's. Willow, Tara, and Dawn drove in Tara's vehicle. Xander, Anya, and Giles drove in Xander's. And Buffy, Jacob, and Nora drove in Jacob's. Sonya already knew where they were headed, since she knew the lands they were on very well, and she was going to meet them.
As their vehicles drove off, Glory's face showed a smirk as she watched them leave here there, trapped in the binding field. She knew it would wear off eventually and Glory was actually looking forward to this hunt. Glory knew they wouldn't return to the city because the chances were greater of Glory finding them. So, Glory welcomed the hunt. She was the hunter and they were the prey and it wouldn't take Glory long before she had them all screaming in agony for mercy.
In truth, she welcomed their screams.
End of This UpdatePlease, let me know what you think!
Kudos!!!
Edited by: xita at: 10/13/02 12:34:51 am