Part 11
Giles watched as Willow confidently used her magick alongside Dru, Angel and Darla as they fought wizards from Ethan's army. Willow's self-confidence had grown with each advancement in her lessons. She had yet to try an illusion in the heat of battle where only her intended could see it though.
She did well in a controlled atmosphere but she was still hesitant to use it in the field of battle. She was afraid her concentration would lapse and the wrong person would be frightened or distracted by her illusion.
Rupert had no doubt that Ethan would come to “inspect” the troops again and he was doubly sure that Gwendolyn would pose some kind of threat.
William and Xander had heard in their rounds that Gwendolyn had viewed Willow's teleportation as a defeat. It was something that someone of her advanced power and training should have avoided.
Word in the demon community was that Ethan had viewed it the same way and had punished his second-in-command. If his second was viewed as weak then he would be viewed as weak.
They were all waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Rupert smiled as a wanna be tried to sneak up on him. He turned and did a small glamour spell that caused his eyes to glow and his voice to boom in the other's mind, “You really think that you're a match for me?”
The wizard had had his back to him and the wanna be saw that the wizard had been distracted by the battle in front of him. Thinking to take advantage of his distraction he had quietly advanced. He almost swallowed his tongue when the wizard turned and his eyes glowed red and his voice thundered in his mind. That was when he realized that RUPERT was standing in front of him.
The wannabe couldn't retreat fast enough.
Willow smiled as she walked up to Rupert after dispatching the last wizard, “Nice trick.”
Rupert smiled sheepishly, “Yes, well sometimes the smallest spell is the most effective.”
Darla slipped her hand through Dru and Angel's arms and whispered, “Young love, isn't it precious?”
“Those two have been dancing around each other for weeks. Xander's even got a pool going on which day they'll finally do something and which will be the first to make a move.”
“I'd keep an eye on Xander. I wouldn't put it passed him, Faith or Jesse to do something so they win the bets. I keep seeing them huddling and whispering while looking over at Willow and Rupert.”
Angel's eyes twinkled at Dru, “Oh they're definitely planning something.
Rupert stopped as he saw Faith and Tara running in their direction.
“Giles! You gotta hurry. Wesley caught Robert. Xander and Jesse are guarding him.”
Dru's eyes had turned amber and a harsh growl escaped her lips. It took both Angel and Darla to hold her in place.
Willow turned in surprise at the noise. “Okay. I'm guessing Robert is not one of the good guys.”
“He's Ethan's emissary here in Sunnydale. Wes and the others have been hunting him for three years but he's been very elusive.” Rupert's pace began to pick up as he followed Tara and Faith. “I don't like that now he decides to appear.”
Angel and Darla kept their hands on Dru holding her between them as they followed.
“Where's Wes and William if Jesse and Xander are guarding Robert?” Darla asked Faith.
Faith glanced back over her shoulder and cringed when she saw Dru in vamp face. “Wes is trying to keep William from killing Robert.”
Willow turned worried eyes to Rupert, “Okay. What am I missing?”
It was Angel that answered, “Robert was the one that held Buffy and Willow down with magick while Ethan killed them.”
~~~~
For the first time since coming to this reality Willow saw Spike in this William's mannerisms. She saw the cold soulless killer that had threatened to shove a bottle into her brain.
His eyes were an icy blue and a muscle ticked in his jaw as he and Dru argued with Wes.
It wasn't that Wes wasn't all for killing the wizard, he actually wanted to slowly drain his life as he watched him struggle but they needed information out of him.
They needed to know when Ethan or Gwen was going to strike next and what their plans were.
Robert sat bound to a chair, both physically and mystically. He smugly watched as the vampires, wizards and witches decided his fate. His fate had already been decided by Ethan and he had gladly accepted it
Ethan had known Ripper would bind Robert's magick so he wouldn't be able to use it against them. He knew the others would debate what to do with him. Ethan was a very proficient student to human and demon behavior. It was one of the reasons he had gotten as far as he had. He learned his opponents and used their weaknesses against them.
Willow noticed Xander and Jesse seemed very quiet. Her Xander would be arguing right along with William and Druscilla all for killing the wizard.
Willow quietly made her way over to them and softly placed a hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
Xander nodded his head, “It just doesn't feel right. We've been hunting this guy for three years. Wes, William and Dru actively, Jesse and me through contacts in LA yet here he is. I mean it's not like he turned himself in or had a huge neon sign over his head that said, ‘killer here come and get me'.” Xander just shook his head. “It just doesn't feel right.”
Jesse continued, “I think it might be a trap. How? I have no idea and it's not like it's anything new. Ethan uses his people like bait and canon fodder all the time. Just not anyone this high ranking. I don't know what he's planning but it's something. He looks too confident for the position he's in.”
Willow looked back over at Robert and then at Rupert. His face gave nothing away. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. Just a small muscle ticking in his jaw was the only indication that he was upset. This was Ripper.
Willow jumped when Rupert suddenly backhanded Robert. It wasn't the action that startled her it was the suddenness of the attack. Like a viper striking without warning.
“When's Gwendolyn going to attack?”
Rupert calmly looked at Robert who was licking the trickle of blood from the side of his mouth.
The room got silent and all eyes were on them. William started around Wesley and toward Rupert. “This one's mine, mate.”
Robert began to chuckle, “You may as well let him have a go.” He glanced at the clock over Rupert's shoulder. “Not much time left.”
Rupert's eyes narrowed. Surely he didn't think either Gwendolyn or Ethan would rescue him. They would never sacrifice themselves or others in an attempt at rescue. No, in Ethan's army you knew if captured you were on your own. Literally. Ethan wouldn't take you back into his army either. If you were bad enough to get captured you weren't good enough to be in his army.
Rupert's eyes widened at his dawning awareness. OH...MY...GOD!
“Everyone get out! NOW!”
William growled and refused to move. Rupert physically pushed him back. “Get out, NOW! It's a suicide attack. If we kill him, it still goes off . . . only quicker. It goes off no matter what.”
Shouts mingled with Robert's laughter. Rupert grabbed Willow's hand and pulled her along behind him.
William would not let his chance at revenge go. He leaned down and whispered in Robert's ear and watched in satisfaction as the smugness left and all color drained from his face.
Dru slipped her arms around William and whispered in his ear, “What'd you say, luv.”
William just smiled over his shoulder at Dru and then turned in her embrace to walk away with his arm around Dru's shoulder, “Just reminded him that his family was still alive . . .just for how long though was up for debate.”
The explosion caused windows to crash in the surrounding area of the Magic Box and fire lit the night sky causing an eerie glow. Sirens could be heard in the distance as firemen made their way to the disaster.
Part 12
Rupert looked down at Willow to make sure she was all right. He had used his body as a shield when the explosion knocked them down. “A-are you all right?”
Willow winced as she felt the bump on the back of her head. “Just a few bumps and scrapes.” She raised her fingers and tentatively brushed the scrape she saw on Rupert's cheek. “You?”
Rupert just nodded his head and looked down into her green eyes. God, he had almost lost her. If he hadn't realized what Ethan/Robert had planned they all would have been lost in the explosion.
Willow moved her head into Rupert's touch. She didn't think he even realized that his thumb was softly caressing her cheek. She shuddered to think how close they all came to dying or being seriously hurt anyway.
Just like Tara being taken away from her in a blink of an eye the friends that she had made here could have been just as easily taken away. More importantly Rupert could have been taken away. Willow's green eyes met Rupert's hazel ones and as naturally as breathing they each leaned into the other.
Willow sighed as she felt Rupert's soft kiss. The gentle pressure caused the butterflies in her stomach to start dancing harder.
Faith held Tara as they watched Rupert lean into Willow. “Crap. I think I lost the pool.” She said loud enough for Rupert and Willow to hear.
Tara looked over at Faith, “I think we all did. I don't remember anyone betting that they'd both make the move, though I think Xander had today.”
Rupert leaned his forehead on Willow's, “We okay?”
Willow nodded and smiled, “More than.”
Rupert turned his head to look over at his Slayer, “Glad we could provide some entertainment for everyone.”
“Well you know, G . . .if you could have waited one more day I would have won the bet.”
Rupert stood and reached his hand down to help Willow stand. He smiled at the delicate blush on her cheeks. “Is everyone all right and accounted for?”
Faith pointed over to where Angel, Wesley and Darla stood. “I haven't seen Dru, William, Xander or Jesse though.”
Rupert felt Willow tense next to him. He put his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed, “I'm sure they're fine. They may have gone out the back.”
“I'll go ‘round back to see what I can find out.” Faith offered.
Willow smiled over at Faith, “Thanks!”
Willow looked over to where Angel and Darla were standing. She was sure that if anything had happened to Dru or William they would have felt it. Willow leaned into Rupert as they watched the firefighters finish putting the blaze out.
“You okay?” Willow whispered to Rupert. “I mean your store and apartment . . .”
“Just things. I'm just thankful we're all okay.”
“GILES!”
Faith's scream brought everyone running toward her.
“It's Xander. Oh God. He's bad.”
Willow's legs buckled and Rupert caught her. Ohgodohgodohgodohgod. She couldn't lose Xander. He might not be HER Xander but he was HER Xander. Oh GOD!
Rupert gripped Willow's hand as they ran back around the building. In the eerie glow of the fire lay Xander with Jesse holding his head in his lap. Dru and William kneeling next to him.
Dru looked up when she heard the running feet and saw Willow's tear streaked face.
She quickly made her way over to them, “Sorry, luv.”
Willow quickly went to Xander's side. She raised tortured eyes to Jesse, “Oh god I'm so sorry. If I hadn't come here you guys wouldn't have been in Sunnydale and Xander wouldn't be injured.”
Jesse reached over Xander to Willow, “You don't know that Willow.”
Before she could reply William kneeled next to Jesse, “You have to make your decision soon.”
“Decision?”
“Turn him or not?”
Willow closed her eyes on the pain.
She felt strong arms wrap around her. “I can permanently give him his soul, luv.”
Rupert looked at Jesse. “We had talked some before he left but I don't know if his wishes had changed.”
Jesse nodded, “No, he said that as long as he could still fight he'd want to be turned BUT only if one of the four did it. He didn't want to be turned in LA.”
“Right then.” William's face changed and he reached over for Xander.
William cradled him in his arms and gently moved his head to the side before sinking his teeth into his neck. He drank just a few sips before he reached up to cut along just below his collarbone. He brought Xander's lips to his neck.
William lightly slapped Xander, “Come on, drink.”
Xander's eyes fluttered open and Willow grabbed his hand tighter, “Please drink, Xan.”
Xander turned his eyes up into William's blue ones before closing them again. With a sigh he began to drink. He was able to drink just a little bit before dropping off into unconsciousness.
“Was it enough?” Willow asked shakily.
William nodded before gently picked him up, “I need to take him back to the mansion.”
Dru leaned down and kissed Willow on the top of her head, “It'll be all right, lovey.”
Willow nodded, “Thanks, Dru.”
Rupert tightened his arms around Willow, “Why don't you go with them? I'm sure I'll have paperwork that I need to fill out and then I'll probably stay and clean up.”
Willow turned in Rupert's embrace, “I'd rather help you clean up if that's all right. I need to keep busy.”
Darla gave Rupert and Willow a hug, “When you're done here come to the mansion. I doubt your apartment will be livable for a while.”
Rupert smiled and nodded, “Thanks, Darla. We'll see you later on.” He kept his arm around Willow as they turned.
“Need help?” Angel and Wesley approached Rupert.
“Thanks.”
Wesley fell into step next to Rupert. “Do you think a representative of the Wizarding Council has been called?”
“Oh I'm sure the police took care of that.”
Willow turned surprised eyes at Rupert, “Police? They know about magick and wizards and stuff?”
Rupert sadly smiled down at her, “Oh yes, there's even a wizard or witch assigned to each precinct.”
Willow just shook her head. She still couldn't get used to a world where magick was such an integral part of life.
Part 13
Willow glanced over her shoulder at Giles who was still talking to the fire inspector. The wizard assigned to the nearest precinct had joined them and Wesley said that a representative of the Council would probably be here within the hour. They were meeting now to discuss the Ethan situation otherwise one would have teleported here already.
The people in this reality may be similar with a few differences but there were major dissimilarities to the reality as a whole that Willow wasn't sure she would ever get used to.
A thought suddenly struck Willow, which caused her heart to speed up. Angel's head swung around to look at her and he quickly made his way to her side.
“What's wrong?” He had felt her heartbeat and breathing change all the way across the room.
Willow gripped his hand and leaned in to whisper, “The mirror. God, how could I have forgotten about the mirror?”
Wesley noticed Willow's distress and came to stand by her side. “Are you all right?” He had visions of delayed reaction to the explosion and Xander's injuries.
“Do you think the mirror survived the explosion?”
Wesley's eyes widen, “Oh dear lord, I hadn't even thought about it.” Rupert had protection spells around the mirror and if it were tampered with Rupert would know. It was how he knew before Willow came through that something was happening with the mirror.
“I don't think the explosion damaged it with the protection spells that Rupert and the coven have on it but Ethan may have used the explosion as a diversion and teleported in to get it.”
Visions of Ethan hopping from reality to reality trying to conquer them swam through Willow's mind. She looked over at Giles who was still occupied and back at Angel. “Cover me?”
“What are you going to do, little one?”
Willow swallowed hard and tears came to her eyes. It was the first time that Angel called her by the nickname of her Angel. God she missed everyone back home.
Angel got alarmed when he saw Willow's tears, “What? What's wrong?”
Willow smiled through her tears, “Nothing. My Angel used to call me little one, too. Sorry, I guess I got sentimental there for a minute.”
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head, “You're entitled. Now why do you want me to cover you?”
“I'm just going to check on the mirror and don't want the wizard or police for that matter to follow me down.”
Wesley squeezed her shoulder, “I'll go with you.” He held up his hand as Willow opened her mouth, “No arguments. If Ethan sent an emissary or it's a trap to get to you I don't want you going down there alone. Besides, Rupert would have my head if you went down there and something happened to you.”
Willow reluctantly nodded. She didn't really relish going down into the storeroom by herself anyway.
Angel glanced over his shoulder back to where the activity was taking place. He figured now was as good a time as any. He moved over to where Rupert and the others stood, “So? Any ideas what kind of bomb was used?”
Rupert turned confused eyes to Angel but the expression on his face forestalled any questions he might have.
“Umm, we were just discussing what Ethan might have used. No detonation device was found but the magick forensics team hasn't been here yet.”
The magickal forensics swept the area for magickal traces much like their crime scene forensics did for physical evidence.
“Have the crime scene people found anything?”
The detective turned to Angel, “And just why are you so interested?”
Angel looked out of the corner of his eye and noticed Willow and Wesley had already disappeared. He shrugged his shoulders, “Blood, death, and torture have always fascinated me.”
The detective's eyes widened and then narrowed, “Is that right?”
Angel rolled his eyes and then turned his game face on.
The detective flinched but didn't move. Angel was very impressed. Not very many people didn't involuntarily step back when faced with a vampire in game face.
The wizard edged closer to Angel, “Y-you're one of the four?” All his life he'd been told stories about the Scourge of Europe that were given their souls and fought for the Council. NEVER did he think he'd ever meet one. Sure there had been rumors that they were here helping Rupert Giles but he suspected it was just an urban legend.
Willow and Wesley owed him big for this, Angel thought as he smiled at the wizard.
~~~~
Willow and Wesley picked their way over the damage as they made their way down the stairs to the storeroom. They both breathed a sigh of relief as they saw the mirror tilted but seemingly in good condition.
“Ethan wouldn't steal it and then put an illusion in its place would he?”
“He might but he wouldn't be able to duplicate the power that you can feel from the mirror. Close your eyes and concentrate, Willow. Feel the ancient power just emanating from it.”
This was the first time she had seen the mirror since coming through it and she hadn't really paid much attention to it then. She closed her eyes and just felt. She felt her connection to the Earth, which was stronger since working with Tara and Rupert. A slow smile crept across her face there was ancient power here. Ancient and powerful. Rupert had told her that it was believed that this mirror took Merlin to Avalon. Feeling its power she could very well believe it.
Wesley smiled as he watched Willow experience the mirror. He remembered his first time of feeling its power and knew that it was even more intense for Willow with her strong connection to the Earth.
They turned and dropped into battle stance as they heard footsteps descending the stairs.
“Relax, it's me.” Angel came down the stairs followed by Rupert.
“How long have we been down here? Is there like a time warp on the stairs or something? Everyone couldn't be gone by now.”
Rupert smiled at Willow as he picked his way through the mess. “The representative from the Council is here and she's taking care of the paperwork and working with the authorities. I've been dismissed to deal with the mirror and Xander.”
“Forensics here yet?” Wesley asked.
“Not yet, the Council is holding them off for a bit. They feel the magick from the mirror might interfere with the team.” Rupert pulled out his cell phone and dialed Faith, “Is Tara still there with you?”
“Yeah, we were just waiting for your call. Everything all right there?”
“Yes, Council arrived and will meet with us tomorrow. Have Tara do a protection spell around the east room and I'll teleport the mirror there. We can put a more sophisticated spell in place once it's there.”
“You got it, G. See you in a few.”
Willow felt Rupert's power build and gasped. He usually kept it shielded and she suspected she hadn't felt his true ability. Angel caught her as she staggered under the power of Rupert and the mirror.
“I'm okay, I just wasn't expecting that much power.”
White light flew out of Rupert's outstretched hands and surrounded the mirror. The energy in the room crackled and caused their hair to stand on end as the mirror shimmered and slowly faded from existence.
“Nifty.” Willow mumbled as she straightened out of Angel's arms.
Part 14
Willow wasn't sure what she was expecting when Darla said come to the mansion, maybe something like the Crawford Street Mansion that Angelus had used. She had never been to this mansion, Darla and Dru usually came to the Magic Box and Willow suspected that was mostly to keep the peace with William.
The mansion was beautiful. It looked like it had been transported from the Italian Rivera straight to Sunnydale. It certainly wasn't what Willow expected.
Rupert smiled at Willow's reaction, “I take it there isn't a mansion like this in your Sunnydale?”
“No, the only ‘mansion' in Sunnydale is over on Crawford Street but it's nothing like this.”
“That old place was torn down years ago from neglect. Angelus and Darla had this place built when they first arrived here many years ago. They said because they had such fond memories of Italy they wanted to recreate a little of that here and I didn't really want to ask if it was before or after the souls.” Rupert said with a small grin.
Angel smiled as he joined in the conversation, “You're right you probably don't want to know, Rupert.” Angel opened the door for them before turning back to Willow, “Welcome to our home, Willow.”
Willow just stood in awe as she walked inside. She knew her mouth was probably hanging open but she really didn't care. “Umm, Angel? Doesn't this inner courtyard get a little dangerous during the day?” Willow looked up into the night sky and then back to Angel who was grinning.
“Special coating on the skylight. All the sun but none of the harmful rays allowed in for the vampires. Besides what's the fun of eternal life without a few risks?”
“We still have time to put the protection spells in place for the mirror before we give Xander his soul. He won't awaken for hours yet, it's near dawn.” Rupert said as he guided Willow to where he transported the mirror. He noticed Willow trying to suppress a yawn as he slipped his arm around her waist, “Why don't you rest? Tara, Wes and I can put the spells on.”
“That's all right. I'm okay, I think the night's catching up with me. I'm good for the spell casting.”
Before Rupert could protest Faith interrupted, “Hey G. The mirror is safe and sound. There haven't been any attacks or anything. Tara said that she hasn't felt magickal tendrils trying to find if the mirror came here.”
Rupert gave Faith and Tara a brief hug. “How's Jesse?”
Tara's eyes turned sad, “He's doing as well as could be expected. He knows his friend Xander will rise with his soul intact but still it's a little unnerving to see your best friend lying there without breathing knowing a demon is taking over.”
Willow shuddered. She never thought of that, she just knew that Xander would have his soul but of course the demon would be there as well. She wondered how that would change Xander. Would he be like the Xander she had always known or would he change like William had when he became Spike?
Buffy had confided in her about Spike's human life as a shy poet that lived with his mother in the Victorian Age. It had boggled her mind to think that Spike had once been a proper Victorian gentleman.
“Ready?” Wesley asked Tara, Rupert and Willow as he entered the room. He handed Willow a piece of paper.
Willow took the paper and glanced down at the Latin written on it.
Wesley smiled at her confused look, “This is the spell that we'll be using on the mirror. Tara and I know it but I thought you'd want to look it over before we began.”
Faith, Tara and Wesley began burning sage as Willow looked over the words to the spell. It seemed easy enough but with the power of the four of them she was sure the protection would be strong.
Rupert held out his hands when the others were finished with their preparations. Tara and Wesley went to stand around the mirror grasping hands and leaving a place next to Rupert empty for Willow.
Willow smiled as she took her place and grasped Tara and Giles' hand. She thought it appropriate that she stood between the two that bridged her feelings from her world and this. Though her feelings for Rupert were too new to compare with what she had with Tara. It held promise.
Rupert nodded for them to begin. Tara and Wesley began to mumble the incantation. Willow felt power surge as Rupert lowered his shields and she relaxed her guard as she connected with his power and that of the Earth.
Tara silently gasped as she felt Willow's strength mix with Rupert's. She had felt Willow's power when she first entered this world but nothing had prepared her for the surge when Willow felt comfortable and confident enough to truly connect with the power of the Earth.
Wesley almost buckled under the feeling of the power from Rupert, Willow and the mirror.
“Holy shit!” Faith exclaimed as the mirror glowed and white energy burst out of it.
Rupert smiled reassuringly at Faith and then at Willow who had tensed at Faith's exclamation. “Don't worry Faith. The mirror is just responding to our power. It did this in London when the coven protected it.”
“Did it do that, too?” Tara asked, as scenes seemed to slip rapidly from the mirror.
Willow stood in awe as the mirror showed a fog enshrouded glen and a red haired woman came into view. The power of the ancients reverberated from the mirror almost bringing Willow and Giles to their knees. Wesley and Tara stumbled and broke contact with Rupert and Willow.
The scene stayed even though the circle had been broken. Faith moved to Tara's side when she fell. Wesley still watched in awe at what he was sure was Nimue in legendary Avalon.
The air around Willow and Rupert crackled and Willow's hair billowed around her. She couldn't seem to take her eyes off the other red head. Rupert squeezed her hand, as Nimue seemed to approach them.
He didn't want to say a word in case what he was seeing disappeared. There had been rumors that this was the mirror of Merlin but mostly all that was truly known about the mirror was that it was a portal. Well he could confirm it was Merlin's mirror now. He was now more determined than ever to keep the mirror away from Ethan. God the destruction that man would cause if it ever fell into his grasp. Rupert would destroy the mirror before he let that happen.
Nimue raised her hand up to the mirror and Willow without conscious thought raised hers. Rupert tensed prepared to grab Willow if the mirror began to take her away.
Nimue smiled slightly at Rupert, “Have no fear, knight. Your lady is safe and where she is meant to be.”
Rupert blinked and looked at Wesley to confirm that he had actually heard the Lady speak. Wesley stared open mouthed at the mirror.
Willow gasped at the words. She couldn't believe she was standing there almost touching Nimue. It wasn't until after she spoke that the words penetrated Willow's stunned mind. “Where I'm meant to be?”
Nimue smiled and nodded, “You were meant to be here in this reality. Before your soul was discovered in the other it was too late. You had already formed attachments and we did not want to take you away. The Willow of this world was meant for yours.”
Willow blinked and opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She tried again, “Umm, we were switched?”
Nimue softly smiled, “No, The souls of ALL witches and wizards begin their journey in Avalon. It is decided here where your destination will be. It was discovered too late that this Willow and you were sent to the wrong dimension. Time passes differently in Avalon and you were in high school before it was discovered.”
“Angel?”
Nimue nodded. “Yes, the power that you felt going through you was the power of Avalon. When we felt that, we knew where you were. But by that time both Willows had bonded with their respective Earth energies and it was too late to do anything about it. When we felt your power and your pain Merlin made the decision to interfere.”
Willow smiled knowingly. “The coven in England.”
“They were a vessel for the white magick of Avalon. With your bond to your mate severed and with you merely existing and not living I decided it was time to bring you to where your soul really belonged.”
“You sent the mirror to the Magick Box. What about my friends in Sunnydale? Will I ever go back or see them again?”
Nimue sadly shook her head no. “I'm sorry, Willow but the mirror was damaged in that reality. But I have sent a book to Rupert Giles that tells the legend of this mirror. He'll also receive a phone call from the coven. Their minds will be put to rest about your welfare. They won't be told where you are but that the mirror was indeed a portal and that the cracking of it didn't harm you.”
Willow smiled sadly, “Xander won't give up. He'll research another way to open a portal to this world. It's what I would do if he were missing from my life.”
A distinguished white haired man came to stand next to Nimue, “He might even succeed, my dear if he tries hard enough.”
Willow gaped. OH MY GOD IT'S MERLIN screamed through her mind. She had always pictured Merlin as wearing robes and a pointed hat or maybe as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books. She certainly wasn't expecting a man with long hair pulled back into a ponytail that trailed down his back and looking regal. All she could think about was that the books about Arthurian legend didn't come close to describing either Nimue or Merlin accurately.
Nimue lowered her hand and stepped back. “Our time has come to an end. Fear not, my dear this is not the last you'll glimpse of Avalon.”
The edges of the mirror began to cloud and the fog began to thicken. The magick in the room began to slowly fade and Willow's hair no longer stood on end and the white light began to disappear.
Part 15
Willow silently followed Rupert down the hallway that led to the room holding Xander's body. Her mind was whirling with all the information that Nimue had given her as her feet automatically followed Rupert. She had insisted on being there when Xander received his soul. She wanted to see how Rupert did it without the Orb of Thesulah.
Rupert's eyes kept straying toward Willow. She hadn't said much since the incident with the mirror. She had reassured them all that she was fine and she had insisted on going with him when he gave Xander his soul despite his protests that he thought she had been through enough in one night.
The first rays of the sun lit the inner courtyard as Rupert held the door open for Willow. Willow stopped dead in her tracks as she saw Angel and Darla sitting on a bench in the courtyard. Willow wasn't sure she would ever get over the sight of two vampires enjoying the early morning sun.
Darla smiled over at Willow as she saw her enter the courtyard. “You have the same look on your face that Rupert did the first time he saw us in the sun.”
“I gotta ask. Who was the first to experiment with it to make sure it worked and you guys didn't go poof?”
“William.” Angel said with a slight smile. “There was a house in Europe that had this glass installed and it was rumored to be vamp proof. But no one that we knew had actually tried it. There were drinks and then bets placed and of course William cockily said that he would take a walk through the garden.”
Darla started chuckling at the memory. “If I'd had a heart it would have stopped beating when I saw William take his first step into the light. He stuck his foot into the rays and smoke didn't rise. You should have seen his cocky smile as he strutted through the garden.”
Willow smiled at the image of her Spike with his trademark smirk strolling through a sun filled garden room.
“The mirror safe?” Angel asked.
“Yes, there was minimal damage and we were able to put up stronger barriers around it.”
“Stronger?” Darla quirked an eyebrow.
Rupert nodded, “It seems the rumors were true.”
Darla and Angel both stiffened. “My God, it truly is Merlin's Mirror?”
“No one outside this mansion can know that. Even the Council. If it ever got back to Ethan . . .well I shudder to think what would happen.”
“What about the representative that's coming tomorrow . . .or I guess later today? Won't they want to take it to a safer place?”
“There's no place safer than with Rupert and the Council knows that.” Darla answered Willow. “The Council and the Coven knew the only person that was more powerful than Ethan was Rupert and as an added bonus he has knowledge of how Ethan thinks.”
Rupert smiled wryly. “Not something I want to be known for, knowing how Ethan's mind works.”
“On your way to Xander?” Angel asked.
Willow nodded. “I want to watch how Rupert gives permanent souls without using the Orb of Thesulah. The Angel in my dimension was cursed with a soul from a gypsy clan and it's not permanent. If I can somehow communicate to my friends I'd like to be able to them about this spell.”
Angel grimaced. Willow had told him about his counterpart and the return of Angelus when she was in high school. He didn't even want to think what life would be like with the threat of Angelus' return. It was much better to have his demon blended with his soul. Each a counterbalance to the other.
“It'll still be a struggle for him and Xander won't be exactly like the Xander you remember. He'll have a blood lust when he first awakens that can't be helped but with Rupert giving him his soul at the very beginning he won't be as controlled by his demon as he would be if he'd been a vampire for a while before the soul.”
Rupert took Willow's hand when he saw her try to repress another yawn. “Come on, I'll do the spell and then we can rest. It's been an exciting night to say the least.”
Willow waved goodbye to Angel and Darla as she followed Rupert out of the courtyard.
William, Dru and Jesse looked up when Willow entered the room. Willow quickly made her way over to Jesse and engulfed him in a warm hug. The two held each other as they looked over at Xander's body.
“You doing okay?” Willow whispered.
“I'll be doing better once I know the spell worked and he's okay.”
Rupert centered himself. It wasn't that it was a difficult spell or that it took a lot out of him but with experiencing the magick of the ancients and Avalon he was feeling the effects of the night.
Feeling his connection begin to strengthen Rupert raised his hands palms up. The air around him crackled causing the hair on Willow's arm to stand on end.
“Not of the dead, nor of the living. I call upon Janus to bring about this new beginning. Create a new creature where darkness and light shall dwell as one.”
A white glow appeared around Rupert's hands and then traveled toward Xander's body. The body began to glow a brilliant white, which caused the others to cover their eyes. Rupert gave a loud gasp as the soul traveled through him and then re-entered Xander's body.
Seeing Xander's body begin to twitch and move Willow released Jesse and made a lunge toward Xander. Dru grabbed Willow before she could reach him, “It's all right, love. The demon is just fighting the inevitable. He's not in pain.”
Willow stared wide-eyed as Xander's body slowly stopped moving and then finally came to rest. The light surrounding him softly began to fade and Rupert lowered his arms.
“Buffy told me that when I re-souled Angel he sort of gasped and then it was like waking up from a dream. There was no white light or struggle. Is it always like that?”
Rupert nodded as he caught his breath. “You returned the soul. This spell calls on Janus to merge soul and demon. Takes more energy, hence the light show.”
Dru ran her hands over Xander's body closing her eyes, “I feel the darkness melting into the light.” She opened her eyes and turned to Jesse and Willow, “I know you want to be here when he wakes up but there are some things that we must teach the newest member of our family that you can't be a part of. I'm sorry.”
Willow rested her head on Jesse's shoulder, “We'll be a distraction won't we?”
William nodded, “You'll confuse him. Not on purpose but his demon will want to attack and drain you as a reminder of his humanity but his soul will want to protect you. So, until he can balance the two it's best to stay away.”
Dru saw the tears begin to form in Willow's eyes, “It is just for one day, lovey. He'll be able to control it sooner than we could since he's starting with it.”
Willow leaned down to kiss Xander's cheek before leaving with Jesse and Rupert.