Title: Woodland Nymph
Author: Elisabeth
Email: dragonydreams@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.dragonydreams.com
Rating: 18
Summary: Willow and Giles help to save Natural Magick, whether they want to or not.
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over these characters. I am merely borrowing them from Joss et al.
Spoilers: beginning of Season 7
Distribution: Willow's Little Secret, Wacky Witch Willow, anyone else - please ask.
Prologue
Under the light of a full moon, in a circular clearing in the woods, five figures came together with a great purpose. In the center of the clearing, Earth first took position at the Northern spot. Fire then moved into place opposite in the South. Water and Air took their respective places in the West and East. In the center waited the Spirit of Nature.
"The time is right," Spirit began. "Those whom we have waited for are ripe. Through their life experiences they have learned, both separately and together, to offer us the respect we deserve. Though they have each experienced incredible hardships from abusing our gifts, they have come out stronger for it.
The Man is already preparing to visit this spot. He can sense the importance of our meeting. Air, will you assist me in bringing the Woman? She does not yet know the location of this glen."
"Of course."
"Excellent. Just a little while longer... hope is on the horizon."
Chapter One
"I know it's here somewhere," Giles mumbled to himself. He had been hiking for several hours already. He was looking for a particular glen he came upon years ago. It was magickal. In this technological age very few people still believed in magick, and Rupert Giles was one of them. He knew this spot contained very old and powerful magicks the second he had stepped into it in his youth. All of the rest of the world had melted away and none of it mattered - not his calling as a Watcher, not his mistakes with Ethan, nothing.
Giles seemed to find himself being drawn back to this place more and more frequently as of late. The woods seemed to have cast some kind of spell over him that he was unable to resist, and didn't really want to.
Now here he was, once again hiking to his magickal retreat. This time was different though. He didn't quite know how, but Giles knew that today he would learn the source of his enchantment.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Willow found herself standing at the edge of a circular clearing in the woods. She didn't recognize the place, but the magickal energy felt old and familiar. She closed her eyes, basking in the serenity surrounding her.
As she opened her eyes she caught her breath at the sight before her. Across the glen, Giles emerged from the forest, looking relaxed, rumpled and incredibly sexy. He was casually dressed in a tee shirt, an unbuttoned flannel shirt, jeans and hiking boots.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
He passed through a thick patch of trees and suddenly he was standing in a circular open area full of sunlight. Giles gasped at the beauty and peace before him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes he saw the most beautiful woman he had ever seen standing on the opposite side of the glen.
Her long straight hair was the color of spun copper. Her skin was as pale as snow and her eyes were as green as the forest. Her sundress, pale green and covered with leaves, rippled as in a breeze, yet the air was still.
Giles was struck mute and immobile at the vision of this wood nymph, for what else could she be? He had never seen such a beautiful woman, except in his dreams. Even so, there was something oddly familiar about her. He had met this woman many times before in his dreams, but there seemed to be something more familiar than that. Giles was afraid to remove his eyes from her for fear that he was once again dreaming.
"Hello Rupert Giles, I have been waiting for you," the nymph greeted him. She raised her arm and beckoned him with her hand in a 'come here' motion. Slowly, as if in a trance, Giles walked towards her, dropping his backpack on the way.
When he reached her he realized who she reminded him of and finally found his tongue, asking, "Willow? What are you doing here? Where did you come from?"
"You may call me Willow if you wish although that is not who I truly am. I merely chose her form because she is the one whom your heart desires."
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Willow heard the words leaving her mouth, but had no idea where they had come from. A chill ran down her spine as she realized that something was using her - that she was channeling some Spirit of Nature, older than time. After the first moment of realization she was surprised to find that she wasn't afraid. Whatever had brought her here was not evil and neither was its purpose. She relaxed and resigned herself to her task and the man before her.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
"Willow," he repeated, loving the taste of her name on his tongue. "Why have you called me here?"
"This glen is one of the few sanctuaries left for us. Mankind has grown selfish and disrespectful of the harmony and magicks produced by Nature. This is one of the few places that we can still be visible to humans, as it is a source of a very old and powerful magicks."
"But what can I do? I am just one man. How can my faith in magicks help when the vast majority of my kind no longer believes?"
"Help me to celebrate the joy of life and nature, here in this glen. Help me to keep this land fertile." Willow closed the remaining distance between them, her dress seeming to melt from her body as she did. As she reached Giles she placed her palm on his chest and kissed him, sliding her hand down to his groin. Giles' eyes flew open, realizing what she was suggesting. He pulled her closer to him, deepening his kiss, as his erection began to grow.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Willow could barely believe what was happening, and more precisely what was about to happen. If the Spirit was correct, then Giles was in love with her. She had imagined a million times what it would be like if he could return the love she felt for him, but never believed that it would happen. And now, when she finds out the truth, she has to share him with this Spirit. A part of her resented this fact, but the most of her was grateful that she would finally be able to love Giles as she has always dreamed.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Deep down he knew that this wasn't real, this wasn't really Willow in his arms. He also didn't know who, or more precisely what, this 'woman' was. In the end, he didn't care because he also knew that this was as close as he would ever get to making love to Willow.
When he pulled away for a desperately needed breath of air Giles noticed a large four-poster bed under an old oak tree, which provided a lovely canopy, surrounded by young Hawthorn trees. Willow took one of Giles' hands in hers and led him to the bed. He started to slide his shirt off but Willow stilled his hands and with a flick of her wrist his clothes were gone.
Once the shock fell from his face an incredibly sexy grin replaced it and Giles pulled Willow into a deep kiss. He lifted her lithe form and placed her on the bed, lying next to her, never breaking the kiss. His hands began to roam over her body, taking liberties he never imagined he'd be afforded.
His hands lightly ran the length of her sides before delicately tracing her breasts in ever decreasing circles until he had teased her nipples into pebbles. His mouth left Willow's and created a trail of fire down to her left breast. His lips retraced the path his fingers had recently taken, placing feather light kisses around her breast, stopping just before reaching her nipple, he switched to the other. Willow writhed under the blissful torture. When his mouth finally engulfed her breast she cried out her pleasure.
Willow pulled Giles back up to a passionate kiss. She ran her hands over his back and buttocks, feeling him shiver with need. She pushed on his hips until he lay on his back. One hand lovingly stroked his hardness as she fluidly straddled his waist, sheathing him in one motion. They both sighed at the sensation.
Slowly they began to move together. In a rhythm as old as time, in this place of magick, they loved each other as only two dreamers could. Willow ran her hands through the hair on Giles' chest while Giles held her hips, aiding her movements.
As she neared her climax Willow felt the Spirit begin leaving her body. She leaned forward and whispered in Giles' ear, "Giles, it's really me. I'm really here, and I love you." She sat back and stared into his eyes, willing him to believe her.
Giles paused his thumb's circling of her clit to look at her in wonder. Then his efforts took on a renewed enthusiasm as he sat up, sliding his free hand into Willow's hair and pulled her into a feverish kiss. It wasn't much longer before they both spiraled out of control, knowing they weren't the only one to do so.
"Thank you," they both heard, as they lay together exhausted.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Giles turned to look at Willow with eyes full of love and confusion. He could hardly believe that Willow was truly here and not something else wearing her face. He reached out, running his fingers over her face. He looked deeply into her eyes and asked, "Willow, is this really you?"
Willow placed her hand over his and brought it to rest over her heart. "Yes Giles, Rupert, it's really me. It was me the entire time. The Spirit was speaking through me, but I was completely aware of what was happening. This is something that I have wanted for a long while and if I ever see that Spirit again I am going to give it a big thanks."
"Oh Willow, I was so afraid that this was just another dream or a figment of my imagination. I didn't believe that you were really here - that the Spirit wore your face as a disguise because it knew how much I love you, how much I have wanted this. So I allowed it to delude me, even though it appears that it wasn't a delusion after all."
As they talked, which they did for a long time, reassuring each other of their love and desire, their hands roamed each other's bodies. Despite the passion which they had just shared, they now sought to memorize every detail of the other. This time they were sure of the other and needn't worry that they were being used.
Before long Giles became aroused again. Willow pulled him to her with a murmured, "Love me, Rupert. Love *me*."
"Always," was his whispered reply as he entered her. She captured his lips, echoing his body's movements with her mouth. They made love slowly, fueling each other's passions, prolonging their enjoyment. When they found release they knew perfect contentment. Giles collapsed next to Willow and as their limbs entwined they drifted off to sleep.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
"It is done," the Spirit informed the Elements. "With my aide the Witch was fertile and ready for the Watcher's seed. Our salvation is near."
Chapter Two
Willow woke in her room feeling completely at peace. She'd had the most wonderful dream of making love to Giles. She didn't remember taking a nap. The last thing she recalled was practicing her meditation exercises - and then she was with Giles.
She sat up feeling disoriented. It had felt so real. Yet here she was, back in her room.
"That's it," she told herself. "No more deep meditation on an empty stomach."
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
"Willow," Giles mumbled as he drifted into consciousness. He blindly reached for her, startled when all her encountered was air. He opened his eyes, fumbled for his glasses, and looked around. He was alone in his glen.
"No," he cried out. "It couldn't have been a dream. It was real, she was here." He stood, frantically looking around, he called out, "Willow." He was alone - no bed, no Spirit, no Willow. He sunk to his knees, holding his head in his hands, and tried not to cry at the loss of what might have been.
When he had collected himself he gathered his belongings together and headed home. Home to Willow who was, alas, only his friend and not his lover.
Chapter Three
Giles entered his home, took a shuddering breath, and called out, "Willow, I'm back."
"In the kitchen," she called back. She knew that he would be tired after his hike so she had made them dinner. She had also changed into her new pale green sundress - the same one from her dream.
Giles stopped dead in his tracks in the kitchen doorway. "Good Lord," escaped from his lips as his jaw dropped.
Willow turned to see his wide-eyed, wide-mouthed expression and hurried over to him. She placed her hand on his chest and could feel his heart pounding. With worried eyes she looked up at him, "Are you all right? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"That dress," he stuttered. "Where did you get that dress?"
Her face brightened. "It's new. Do you like?" she asked, twirling to show off the full effect.
"You look like a dream," he dreamily replied.
Willow blushed, "I actually dreamed about this dress today. You were in my dream too."
"Really?" This was too much of a coincidence. "What was I doing?"
Willow's blush deepened after she couldn't meet his eyes. "You know... stuff. We were in this amazing circular glen in the woods. It was so peaceful."
With every word Giles' suspicions were being confirmed. At least he hoped they were and it wasn't wishful thinking.
"This may sound like an odd question, but you didn't happen to be possessed in the beginning of your dream?"
"How did you know?" Willow gasped.
"I believe that I had the same dream. Only... maybe it wasn't a dream?" He looked to her for confirmation or denial.
Her eyes lit up as the possibility sank in. "Were we naked in your dream?" she huskily asked, stepping up to him again.
"Yes," he breathed before he kissed her.
Chapter Four
The next several weeks flew by for the new lovers. Willow's room quickly became the study since she was no longer sleeping there.
Willow woke feeling a bit queasy exactly one month since the day in the glen. She lay in bed, snuggled close to Giles, once again marveling at their relationship. The queasiness soon turned into full blow nausea and she just made it to the bathroom.
The sudden movement and sound of the toilet flushing finally woke Giles. He pulled his robe on as he made his way to the bathroom to check on Willow.
"Is everything alright, love?" he queried.
"I certainly hope so," Willow answered, accepting the glass of water he offered. "I just woke up feeling like I needed to Ralph."
"I hope it's nothing serious." Giles placed his hand on her forehead, but it was cool to the touch. "Perhaps you should visit a doctor today, just to be on the safe side."
Reluctantly, Willow agreed and got up to take a shower. She'd try to get to the doctor after her session with the coven this morning.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
As soon as she entered the meeting space Althenea came running over, obviously excited for Willow.
"Willow, why didn't you tell us?" she demanded.
Completely confused, Willow asked, "Tell you what? Did I do something?"
"You must have done something," Althenea winked. "Why didn't you tell us you were pregnant?"
"I'm not pregnant," Willow laughed. Suddenly her face whitened and she sank to the floor. "Goddess."
"Oh dear," Althenea said as she sat next to Willow, "you didn't know."
"How did you?"
"Your aura has silver sparkles in it today. It appears that you're about three months along, that's when the child's aura asserts itself. I can already sense the magick in the child. It will be very powerful. Funny, I thought you and Rupert only got together a month ago - how sneaky of you to keep such a secret."
Willow started trembling slightly as everything started to sink in. "We did just get together a month ago - one month ago today to be exact." She began to panic. "How can I be three months pregnant?! I have to go. I need to find Rupert," she asserted as she stood.
"Of course you do. I'll explain to the others." Willow smiled her thanks before leaving. "I pray that everything is all right."
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Willow entered the house in a daze. She had moved past the panic and was now in the numb stage. Somehow she made her way to the study where Giles was reading and sat on the couch, staring into space.
"You're back early," Giles commented.
"Uh huh."
"Willow?" He looked at her blank face and rushed to her side. "Willow, love, what is it?"
"Silver sparkles," she said quietly, finally looking at him.
"I don't understand. Something has silver sparkles?"
"I do," she nodded. "Althenea saw silver sparkles in my aura today. She said that I'm three months pregnant." She looked at him expectantly.
"You're pregnant?" His voice was awe-filled.
Willow waited for the rest of what she said to sink in. She didn't have to wait long. One of the things she loved about Giles was his quick mind.
"Three months!" he practically shouted. "How is that possible? We've only been together for a month. Unless... unless I'm not...."
"No, it's yours," she quickly reassured him. "You're the only man I've been with in years. I was hoping you could explain the three months thing."
Giles removed his glasses and started to pace as he cleaned them with a handkerchief. He paced for several minutes trying to figure out the time difference. Eventually he stopped and crouched down in front of Willow, who by now was curled up on the couch, clutching a pillow to her chest.
"Did Althenea happen to say anything else about the baby?"
Willow thought about it for a moment. "Yes, she said that she could feel the magickal energy coming from the baby. You don't think..."
"The Spirit," Giles finished. "Do remember when it asked me to ' celebrate the joy of life and nature' before we made love for the first time? I was so surprised that you/it wanted me that I didn't really think about what it meant. I was just so excited that I would finally be able to love you the way that I had always wanted to." Giles reached out and cupped Willow's cheek, caressing her face.
Willow nuzzled into his hand and mimicked his actions. "I remember. And then, after, I heard it say 'Thank you' as I felt it leave my body. It knew that I would conceive that day. It set me up!" Giles could feel Willow's anger rising as she pushed past him to pace. "It brought me there to get me impregnated."
Giles looked crestfallen when she finally looked at him again. He quietly asked, "Do you regret it then?"
"What? No, never," Willow embraced him and passionately kissed him. "I love you, and I should be thanking the Spirit for bringing us together. I just don't appreciate being used like that. I love you, and I love this baby because it is a part of you. I just don't understand how it could be growing so quickly."
"I love you too. Although I don't know why... Perhaps, since we both possess a great deal of power, and because the Spirit was inhabiting your body at the time of conception, its growth process has been accelerated."
"Maybe. Does that mean that the baby's going to be born in three months instead of nine, assuming it keeps growing at the same rate?"
"It might. Let's try to relax tonight and tomorrow we can meet with the coven's midwives and see what they say. Now, how would you like a bubble bath?"
"I'd like." Willow kissed him before following Giles into the bathroom.