Title: The Stone Circle
Part: 1/?
Email address: mariacomet@hotmail.com
Feedback: - Well the smut does depend on it.
Distribution: Just let me know.
Spoilers: All eps that have aired.
Rating: PG -13 . There will be…bad language. Violence. Adult situations. And general naughtiness throughout. I deal with some very dark themes as well as some very light themes.
Disclaimer: All Characters contained here-in are owned by and products of the genius of Joss Whedon and Co. I am only doing this because well...it's fun to play with Willow and Tara. Not making any money.
Writers’ WARNING and notation
Warning!! At least ONE alternate universe exists in this story. Imagine a world where everything through season four happened EXCEPT Willow and Tara meeting. I have implemented some details such as Anya working in the Magic Box from seasons 5 and 6, but none of the major plot points should be mentioned. In this world, there is no Dawn and no Spike. Not trying to get rid of them, there’s just too much going on to include everyone. I use something that I call ‘The Great What If’ in most of my writing. That starts with me literally going ‘hey, what if…’ and it ends with a story. My ‘What if’ here started with ‘Hey, what if Tara hadn’t stayed at home with her family?’ This is the result.
The easiest way to read this is to take ‘The Dream’ and ‘The Now’ as two separate stories. At least, at first.
This is Captain MC, about to set sail and taking on all passengers.
The Stone Circle
By Mariacomet
The Future
The world passed me by. Time had become meaningless. I can’t even comprehend the man I once was, limited by hours and minutes. These things are empty echoes now. Memories that cascaded further and further down the waterfall of a deeper truth. Love is a marker of eternity and I believe in it. So is hate. Hate is a handrail by which to travel, by which to find new meaning.
That thought makes me smile.
I can could no longer comprehend what it was like to be a man because I have… evolved.
You are the reason.
Again, I feel a smile, and know that my scaled face is bearing my fangs – the face of the new creation I have been made into.
You were the reason.
You tried to hide, but you made a mistake. It was the way of the heart to make mistakes, to be afraid. Those who live by the heart never fully drink of life. They didn’t feel the stinging cruel wind on their skin. They weigh themselves too carefully. They abandon power for a moral code that changed year to year, day to day. As fickle as feelings are these concepts of right and wrong. Eternity is mine and I know what these frail creatures of flesh and bone do not. Eternity is a lie. There is only now.
And for me, there is only Sunnydale.
Only the pursuit which had been levied upon me by my Master.
And only you, Tara.
Hate and love. Love and hate. Sometimes the two are so very close together.
Ah, but my dear Tara, no one can serve two masters.
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Willow Rosenberg, Lady Mage of the realm was pacing and had been doing so for the better part of an hour. Her mentor entered the Grand Chamber with a book in hand as usual. He slid his glasses, which had been dangling in his free hand, into their usual place as he faced her. He looked apologetic and it worried her. Rupert Giles hardly ever looked apologetic and when he did, it was usually very bad news. “My lady,” Another bad sign was his referring to her by a title. Giles was the Head Tundant of the Stone Circle, and had been her teacher since she could remember. Yes, she was one of the MantleBearers and fated to lead the Kingdom of the Spirie. Blah, blah, blah… but this was Giles. He raised scolding to an art form and had never had any problems ordering her about like the lowliest of apprentices. “I have gone over everything again quite thoroughly. I checked and re-checked the components of the spell, the historical records of past summonings, as well as the documents from the most recent endeavour.” His tone became grim. She hated it when he used that tone. “There is no mistake.”
“It can’t be right,” Willow insisted, a bit more loudly then she had intended. She was wearing ornamental garb and in truth the sleeves were a bit too long for her hands. At the moment her arms were flopping against her side in agitation.
The Head Tundant shook his head, understanding why she was upset. He, himself, was equally disturbed by what the summoning spell had revealed. Still, now that things had been verified, there was a duty to prepare her for. “The dream that you had was identical to hers. And there can be no mistaking the Orb. It disappeared last night and she was in possession of it this morning. The summoning spell has named her as your soul mate.”
The red head frowned. “The fates can’t have a sense of humour this twisted. Her brother would’ve destroyed the Orb. He was a link to the rebels… or worse. I was on the council that banished him.”
“As was I.” Giles countered calmly. “And if ever there was one deserving of such a punishment it was Donald Maclay…” He shook his head. “What he would have done, what he tried to do was the highest betrayal of our people.” His tone was grim. “If not for the Grand Protector, no one would have believed it was possible until it was too late. That one in the inner circle could be so greedy or ambitious, one of our own.” The subject of Donald Maclay tended to bring out long soliloquies of disdain from most of the members of the Stone Circle, especially (or so it seemed to Willow) Giles. At the time, Willow had been just as shocked, just as horrified as every one else. As an interim MantleBearer, the decision on what to do with Donald Maclay had ultimately fallen to herself, the Grand Protector and the five eldest advisors, each one representing a portion of the Stone Circle. “He risked destroying more than he could have possibly imagined. But perhaps the times we live in are designed to test men.”
“And women, apparently.” The redhead said with an unhappy look, drawing the conversation back to the topic of her marriage.
“I did have a point somewhere… ah yes… you cannot judge her by what her brother did.” Giles cautioned her, ever the Teacher. “The preparations for your marriage and the following acceptance of the mantle must begin immediately.”
Willow understood the urgency. She understood her duty. She understood and she would not falter. Of course she wouldn’t. It was just that she was… terrified. Taking up the Mantle was capable of building her apprehension to near frantic levels without the added pressure of marriage to someone she had never seen. “I have been single 200 years. I mean, can’t we wait a little longer?”
Giles spoke kindly but firmly. “The people have been waiting for the Mantle to be filled for two hundred years, Willow. You have passed the trials and she has been summoned. You and your soul mate must take up the Mantle and that means you must marry.”
The conversation was temporarily halted by the arrival of Willow’s two best friends. Xander had several scrolls under his arms and a pencil behind one ear. Since Willow had passed her final test of MantleBearing, his life had been frantic. Hundreds of things to build and thousands of preparations to make. Willow had chosen him as her second, and sometimes it was really… really hard to not be mad at her for it.
The Grand Protector, Buffy Summers, looked much less frazzled. She stood calm and collected, resting her hands on her swords. An ancient blade hung on either side of her hip, and though her armour marked by a golden dragon was faded, it still gleamed in the artificial light of the chamber. It was hard to ruffle Buffy, as far as Willow knew – and she had known Buffy two hundred years – Buffy was unruffleable.
“What’s the verdict?” Buffy asked.
“Willow is to be congratulated on her upcoming marriage,” the older man announced.
The Protector looked to Willow, then back to Giles. “Is she freaking out?
“I would say that is an apt description,” the Tundant answered.
“It’s just a dream.” Willow was saying. “I mean… how much can a dream mean? I had a dream that Xander was made of feathers one day, that doesn’t mean that I should build a bird house for him.”
“Would it have a view?” Xander asked.
Giles gave a soft sigh, re-gathering his patience. He was torn between his concern for her and his deserve to preserve the realm. She was still so very young. By all accounts, Willow should have taken three hundred years to be ready for the Mantle. Even five hundred years wouldn’t have been unusual. But Willow was exceptionally bright, and was an incredibly quick study. Her progression had been unheard of. Truly, she was under a lot of strain. He understood that entirely. On the other hand, there was so much left to do. “You are a Warrior Mage of the realm and you are a MantleBearer. You above all people should know that dreams can hardly be called ‘meaningless.’ At the risk of sounding like a prude, I taught you better than that.”
“I’ve never even seen her.” The Warrior Mage in question muttered. “Couldn’t the Orb have allowed for the wacky notion of dating before marriage?”
Giles gave a thin smile. “This is the way it has always been done. As for why, you will be in a unique position to ask the Orb that question soon.” Slowly her mentor approached her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Each part of the Stone Circle has trained you and tested you. If you were not ready, you wouldn’t have been able to pass the trials.”
“Couldn’t we make sure? I mean… it’s not like the kingdom doesn’t have a ruler. We have the Grand Protector.” Willow’s emotions seemed to be fleeing everywhere all at once. Taking up the Mantle of the Orb meant… ruling. There was no way around it, she would be a ruler. It wouldn’t just be people bowing and addressing her with titles; she would be expected to give orders. To make proclamations and to lead the people. She had been preparing for the Mantle her whole life. She had been chosen, she knew she had been. Yet it had never been her choice. She was two hundred years old, just a teenager by Spirie terms. “You know, Buffy… she’s done a great job. A really great job.”
He didn’t even try to hide his pride. He had been the one to recruit her into the Protectors and at least part of her training had been his responsibility. Plus, Buffy’s father and himself had been very good friends. When Hank Summers had died in Buffy’s youth, Giles had taken it upon himself to look in on the girl as often as he could. “Yes… yes she has done very well.”
“Hey!” Buffy called out in protest. “Grand Protector is supposed to be temporary ruler…TEMPORARY.”
“Quite right.” The teacher agreed. “More and more Buffy has been needed on the battlefield." He reminded quietly. He did not chose now as a moment to the newest reason for her presense. Lightening fast, random attacks by dark creatures had been reported in some of the outer provinces. The last report had come in just days ago. It was a matter of grave concern made more so because their source remained a mystery despite an investigation by the finest minds in the realm.
Willow give a small shudder. Cryptic, why did the man always have to be so dammed cryptic. She didn’t have enough to worry about?? She knew his mind on this, she wasn’t sure she agreed, but if it was true… if it was true…
Giles continued after a moment. “Willow, the people’s faith has been stretched to the breaking point. Never before in our history has there been talk of rebellion, of abandoning the Orb, but then the Mantle has never been empty this long. They have forgotten that such creations of tradition must be at the heart of a people that live by magic. All they know is that they feel deserted. Warrior Mage and Life Mage - you and your wife will be the bridge to the Orb. It is a crucial time. The Mantle of Two has always saved us, and the Mantle of Two will save us now.”
She shut her eyes and lay her hand on one of the cool marble pillars that aligned the chamber. Her nerves still rattled inside her noisily, and she took a moment to try and quiet them. She knew her duty. The Mantlebearer held back her true feelings for once. Willow had doubted her ability to rule for a long time. The idea of such a huge responsibly filled her with nothing but trepidation. All her training, everything invested in her and she just wasn’t sure.
She wasn’t sure she was strong enough. Or wise enough. Willow knew that she would have the Orb and her future wife to help her. But her wife to be was an unknown and the Orb was so old, so powerful. She was afraid of failing both of them. The Kingdom of the Spirie seemed to be slowly crumbling. It was not the first time of Crisis her people had faced. Before, though, extraordinary Mantlebearers had filled the Mantle. Willow believed herself to be intelligent, and knew that her powers as a Warrior Mage were strong. But…Willow shook herself. She couldn’t afford to think that way anymore. It wouldn’t help her with what lie ahead. She was the Mantlebearer. It was time to find the strength of heart that had led her all of her life and step up to the plate. “Okay… okay, I can do this.”
He mentor smiled at her warmly. “Yes, you can.” He tilted his hand to include Xander and Buffy in the warm gaze. “We all have tremendous faith in you, Willow. And you will have help, I promise you.”
The MantleBearer met his clear gaze and felt her agitation settle even more. Her voice was stronger.“When will the marriage take places?”
“It will be several days. There is a certain amount of pomp and circumstance to an event like this. Shall I tell the Stone Circle that you are ready to proceed?”
She faltered just a moment, then held her head high and gave a nod. “Please make sure that my… future wife has whatever she needs."
Giles pivoted pointedly to Xander. Technically it was Xander’s duty as Willow’s second to check in on the Life Mage. “Is the lady well so far, Arhon?”
Xander’s face screwed in an expression of distaste at the title. The title that Willow had given him. He was a builder, that’s what he did and that’s what he liked doing. All this ‘Arhon’ this and ‘Arhon’ that was a pain. Then again, he did get to build several monuments to honor the wedding and the MantleBearers. He was looking forward to that – if he could find time to get it done. “She’s kind of low maintenance. I offer and she says – very politely – that she’s fine. No new gowns or jewellery – well save for the wedding itself – but other than that, no requests.”
“So she’s… she’s nice, right?” The redhead asked, suddenly feeling breathless again.
Her male best friend scratched his chin in thought. “Well other than that whip she carries, I’d say yes.” Willow’s green eyes widened. “Kidding!” Xander said quickly. “I’m kidding.” The Grand Protector took the opportunity to swat him on the back of the head – much more lightly than she could have given the circumstances. “Okay, ow!” He said and pointed to Buffy.
“Would it be really shallow of me to ask if she’s pretty?” The Warrior Mage wondered in a quiet voice. “Not that I… I’d rather her have the face of a dragon and a good heart then… well, you know.”
“I think Dragons are pretty.” All eyes turned to look at the Grand Protector. “Okay, not saying I’m gonna marry my dragon… just saying that he’s handsome… you know… for a dragon.”
The Arhon started to comment but thought better of it and looked back to Willow. “She is pretty, Will.” Xander said gently. “And she’s nice.”
Giles cleared his throat. “Since you have no further need of me, I must see to a few more details.”
It took about a second after Giles had left the room, for Willow to speak again. “Okay, I so don’t care what anyone says, I am not going to marry her without seeing her.”
Buffy stepped forward. “As Grand Protector, I have to remind you that such an act is a breaking of the tradition of the Mantle and therefore against the law.”
“And to that I say – Ha! And double ha. And if you don’t like it, arrest me.” She paced the part of the length of the Grand Chamber then suddenly veered off and grabbed her cloak.
“Whoa, easy Will.” Xander said and took her arm. “Slow down a second.”
Touching the MantleBearer without permission was something that had been a dangerous occupation at best. It was highly against protocol and given Willow’s status, guards were naturally protective of her. But Willow, Xander and Buffy had never held such pretences with one another. Willow had made that very clear to all of her personal staff, including the guards, a long time ago.
“Xander,” Willow said, her eyes imploring him to understand. “I’m this far from overloading.” She held her forefinger and thumb a small distance apart. “I have to do something. I need to see her."
Xander’s expression grew thoughtful. Since she’d been born, her life had not been her own. He wondered, as he often did when he thought of Willow, what it would feel like to be that out of control of your own fate. “Well…” He began, then turned his gaze to Buffy, sharing a long look with her.
The Grand Protector gave a sly grin. “Well… I said it was against the law. I didn’t say I wouldn’t go along.”
)
sorry for the delay on the reading there but I made it finally and it was really worth it. Great story and I'm really fasinated by the whole thing.