A/N: Warning there be sap ahead.  J

Part 10

Turning to Wesley, Willow asked, "So are we supposed to stop Balein from being brought forth or wait until he's in this realm before we stop him?"

"The scrolls say that he is brought forth but that the warrior will defeat him. This sets off a chain of events that need to be followed if we are to defeat Docunde."

Gunn asked, "What are the events? What exactly are in the scrolls, Wes?"

"The scrolls don't really go into a lot of detail. After Balein there is an evil witch to fight. It just says that she brings myth into reality. After the witch it just talks about heartless demons."

Gunn rolled his eyes. "Well that just narrows it down doesn't it? I mean how many heartless demons can there be out there? I'm thinking millions. If I didn't know any better I would say they multiply like jackrabbits."

"So do we get invitations or do we crash their little party?"

Angel looked at the invitation that Caroline had left. "Well, the invitation doesn't mention that anything specific is needed to gain entrance so I think it would be safe enough to crash."

"Do we need to do any preparation for tomorrow night or just grab weapons and kick some demon ass?"

"No, there isn't any preparation needed. There isn't really a particular way you must kill Balein."

Cordelia closed her eyes concentrating on the pictures that were flitting through her mind. Opening her eyes she noticed the others looking at her.

"Vampires crashing a ceremony. Like a wedding but the couple had their right hands bound and they were both wearing skirts."

"Lesbian wedding?"

"No, it was male and female."

Angel rolled his eyes. "He was wearing a kilt, Cordelia."

At Cordelia's confused look Willow added, "Mel Gibson, Braveheart."

At the mention of Braveheart Fred, Cordelia and Willow got lust filled dreamy looks on their faces.

Gunn, Angel and Wesley got disgruntled looks on their faces.

"What is it about that movie anyway?" Gunn asked.

Willow answered, "You mean besides a longhaired Mel, kilts, and Scottish accents?"

Angel's look turned predatory as he walked over to Willow. His Irish brogue slipping out, "Ya know, little one. Back in the auld country I was known ta wear a kilt."

Visions of a longhaired Angel wearing no shirt and a kilt were dancing in Willow's mind as Angel stalked closer. She hoped she wasn't drooling. When he pulled her into an embrace she whispered, "Is it true that you don't wear anything under a kilt?"

Leaning down to nip at her neck he said, "Maybe I'll let ya find out fer yerself some time."

"Guys . . . vampires."

"Mmm, vampires."

Cordy laughed, "Not what I meant, Willow."

Angel and Willow smirked and then turned to follow the others out.

~~~~

Angel and the others arrived at the ceremony just as the guests were arriving. Angel sensed about ten vampires that were approaching the large group of people from behind. Motioning to the others to follow him, he silently approached the vampires.

Before the vampires could turn around Cordy, Gunn and Fred fired crossbows disintegrating three vampires. Before they could reload the other vampires noticed their counterparts dissolving and they turned to see where the attack was coming from.

Angel had walked into the middle of the remaining seven and pointed to Willow standing nearby, "I think they came from her." He watched with a smirk as three vampires made their way towards Willow. The smirk turned into a broad smile when Willow called the element of fire and set the three on fire. "That's my girl."

Wesley pulled a stake out and hid it up his sleeve. As he approached a nearby vampire he appeared to stumble and he mumbled an apology. Before the vampire knew what was happening Wesley drove the stake into its chest.

Angel quickly dispatched the remaining three vampires. They had quietly dispatched the ten vampires before the crowd could tell what was happening. They just heard a disturbance but not what it was.

Angel said to the crowd, "I'm sorry for the interruption folks. They won't disturb you anymore."

The couple that Cordelia saw in her vision approached Angel. "Thank you. Please stay for our handfasting ceremony and enjoy the festivities afterward."

Willow looked around but didn't see a priest or priestess. "Handfasting? Are you Wiccan?"

The woman smiled and shook her head, "A lot of people asked us that. No, this isn't the Wiccan ceremony but the ancient Scottish rite. Our great grandparents were Scots and we wanted to honor our heritage by doing a traditional handfasting ceremony for our engagement party."

Angel got a far away look in his eyes when they mentioned their ceremony.

Willow looked over at Angel. He wasn't exactly brooding but he had an odd expression on his face. She smiled at the woman, "thank you. We would be honored to watch your ceremony."

Willow's words brought Angel out of his thoughts. He was reminiscing of his time in Ireland when his relatives did the same type ceremony. The family would gather from all over to witness the couple pledging their vows. He looked at Willow and came to a decision. The handfasting was for a year and a day. At the end of that time the couple decided to either continue in the relationship or part as friends. It was too soon to claim her like his demon was screaming at him to do but it wasn't too soon to handfast. If she agreed she would be bound to Liam tonight and after the year and a day he would claim her. She would be bound to all of him.

Angel turned to the man standing nearby. "May I speak with you for a minute?"

"Sure."

Willow was curious about what Angel wanted to speak with him about. Maybe warn him about having night ceremonies where anyone could approach. He had been a little off since the ceremony was mentioned. She wondered if it brought up painful memories of his past in Ireland.

Angel and the man walked back to the others both wearing broad smiles. Angel approached Willow and slid his arms around her. Whispering in her ear, "I need to talk to you for a minute."

"Okay."

They walked off away from the prying ears of Cordelia and the curious glances of the others.

Angel reached for Willow's hands, "Do you know about the Celtic handfasting ceremony?"

"I know the Wiccan ceremony and I'm guessing it is similar. It is a marriage rite that usually lasts for a year and a day or longer and is renewable as long as the love lasts. Though there are many variations to that."

"In Scotland and sometimes in Ireland it was used as sort of like an engagement. The couple bound themselves together for a year and a day and after that time they either agreed to continue the relationship and become married in the eyes of the church or part as friends."

Willow was looking at Angel oddly. She couldn't figure out why he was giving her a history lesson in handfasting. Lifting a hand to cup Willow's cheek he said, "I love you, Willow. I would be honored if you became handfasted with me tonight with our friends as witnesses."

Willow was shocked. She knew Angel cared for her but she had thought it was too soon for love. With a trembling smile and a shaking hand she reached up to caress his cheek. "Angel, I love you. I would be honored to handfast with you tonight."

"I wanted to blend my life as Liam and Angelus with you." Leaning his forehead down to hers he continued, "just to let you know, after the year and a day is up I plan on claiming you. I want everyone from the demons to the humans to know that you're mine. Do you know what a claiming ceremony means?"

She rolled her eyes at him, "Pfft, you're talking to research girl remember. 'Sides Buffy and I snuck a peak at the 'forbidden' Watcher's Diaries in high school. We probably know a lot of what we're not supposed to know."

"Then you know that it is a very binding and serious ritual. It's for eternity. When you become bound to me you will live for as long as I do and vice versa. It's a very big step. I'll let you have a year to get used to it."

Willow smiled inwardly she wouldn't need a year but if it made Angel feel better than she'd wait.

Holding hands they returned to the others. Angel said, "Sean has graciously agreed to share his handfasting ceremony with Willow and I."

Wesley drew in his breath but the others didn't respond. They had no idea what it meant. Wesley turned to Willow, "Are you sure?"

"Yep."

"Sure about what, Red?"

Angel explained to Gunn, Cordy and Fred exactly what it meant. Those nearest the strangers turned to look when they heard two high-pitched squeals of delight. With smiles they saw the two brunettes envelop the red head in a hug. Sean and Mary had informed the gathering of friends and relatives that Angel and Willow would be participating also.

Willow and Angel took their place next to Sean and Mary. Sean took out his dirk and made a small cut in the palm of his right hand and handed the knife to Mary. She made the same cut before handing the knife to Angel and Willow. Willow placed a small cut on the palm of her hand before handing it to Angel. Angel did the same and returned the knife to Sean.

They bound their right wrists together with a cord and stated their vows to cherish, honor and protect each other for a year and a day.

When they finished, Angel placed a gentle kiss on her lips.