Boris Yeltsin - Thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
LovingWolf93 - Thank you for being my beta - and for supporting my coming back to fanfiction.
Flickerflame8 - No hints, but stick around to see where this goes.
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Author's Note: Sorry that this is a short update. They do get longer.
Chapter 2: Learning From Within
The nightmares were stronger that night than they had been since Glory, the Hell God had attacked the Scoobies and taken Dawn's mind hostage. This was the start of her demise, thought Willow. This was when she really delved into the dark magic. Willow felt she had no choice. Dawn was family and she was not going to let that hellbitch get away with what she had done.
Willow was up and dressed early, unsure as to what time the High Priestess would be coming to collect her. She was looking out the window when she saw the woman coming down the path.
"Good Morning, Sister Willow," said the woman as Willow stepped outside the cottage.
"Good morning," said Willow, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I would ask how well you slept, but I am certain it was little and sketchy at best."
"Very sketchy."
"Well, let us walk, and when we get to my secret spot we can talk."
"Yes, Sister."
The two women started into the trees. There was a light path for them to follow. Willow loved the feel of being surrounded by nature. She didn't know if it was the pure energy or the solitude that helped her, but she felt the tension inside subside a little.
As the two women neared Willow heard the sound of rushing water. She wasn't sure what to make of the sound. They rounded a corner and Willow saw it before them. It was the most amazing waterfall she had ever seen. It was easily fifty feet high, surrounded by greenery and the sounds of birds and the rushing water.
"I share this spot with you because I know you have a lot to work out and that you prefer to do it alone," said Sister Morrigan. "You may come here whenever you want, I just ask that if I am here, you allow me my peace and space."
"Thank you," Willow said, her voice barely audible.
The pair walked behind the waterfall. Willow was in awe of the rock formation that had just been revealed to her. She saw plants growing out of the rocks, small caverns created by the water. She could even hear the sounds of nature, but could not see it.
"Nature is pretty impressive on its own, isn't it?" asked Sister Morrigan.
"Very impressive," said Willow, breathlessly. "This has to be the most perfect place on the planet."
"Maybe not the most perfect, but definitely in high ranking. Please, come sit with me," said the elder, motioning to an area that had a firepit in the middle and rock seats. The two sat down and the elder with the wave of a hand created a small fire in the pit. "Have you learned how to meditate?"
"No, Giles tried to teach me once, but we were interrupted and we never tried again."
"Well, I would like for us to work on that. Would you like your first session now or would you prefer to wait until you feel more comfortable with your surroundings."
"I think I would like to wait, but I know that it will benefit me greatly so I would be honored to have a session with you today."
The two found the spot they were in peaceful enough and the High Priestess walked Willow through what meditation was and how to achieve a successful meditation. Willow was skeptical that she could achieve this level of peace, after all, she was damned and the embodiment of evil.
"Stop thinking that way or I will tell Giles you are beyond help and hope and cast you both out of the light and of this coven," snapped the High Priestess, causing Willow to jump.
"How?" asked Willow, sheepishly.
"It doesn't take a mind reader to see the guilt and blame you place on yourself for what happened. That is how I know that you are worth helping. Child, you may have been touched by darkness, but it is your choice on if you let it control you by that touch. Your heart is full of love, Willow. Trust me, trust in yourself."
"I will try."
"Good, now, let's try meditating and this time, clear your mind do not dwell in it."
This time Willow was able to force her mind to clear. As Willow meditated she felt the darkness pulling inside her. She fought the darkness and when they had completed their mediation Willow had to admit, she felt lighter.
"That was a short meditation. I want you to work on meditating several times per day. Even when you think you have mastered it."
"How long?"
"That session was an hour. I would say something along those lines. You may do them in the cottage, you may come out here. I ask that you stay in those two spots for now."
"Nobody else knows we're here," stated Willow, her voice small and childlike.
"No, they don't, and I intend on keeping your privacy for a while."
The two walked silently back to the house. Willow reflecting on what she had learned and what she had been told by the High Priestess. Morrigan spent her time trying to figure out how she was going to get through to the redhead.