They arrived at Tara Hill and got out of the cars to look around bemusedly. What was supposedly a busy tourist attraction was completely empty.

"Weird." Jack commented.

Giles shook his head, taking off his tweed jacket, "It looks as if we have it to ourselves then." He said, glancing around to find Buffy. She was staring fixedly in front of her, as if deep in thought. Willow sighed happily and he looked at her, "Willow?"

"The magic is so strong here. It's really beautiful." She bent down and took a handful of dirt, letting it trickle through her fingers. Jay knelt down to check it out, "Looks like peat and granite fragments."

Willow smiled, "It's all of that and more. It has magic and the past in it strongly. Peat that was used for fires and granite for homes, it has history."

Jack bent down carefully, "It's dirt Will." He said dryly. She flashed him a smile.

Daniel was looking around, admiring the unreal green of the mounds and the blue of the sky when he saw Buffy start walking towards the mounds as if she was in a daze.

"Jay." He said sharply.

Both Jack and Jay's head snapped around and they both jogged quickly to Buffy's side.

"Hey, watcha doin'?" Jack asked mildly. He exchanged a glance with Jay when she didn't answer. His head turned to see everyone else following, Carter at the back keeping an uneasy eye out.

"Buffy?" Jay asked.

"I need to go to the Lia Fáil." She replied and continued to walk. The men shrugged and kept beside her. As they walked around one of the mounds they could see the stone in the center of the clearing surrounded by symmetrical mounds and ditches. Behind it was the amazing skyline of rural county Meath, Ireland. As they approached the monolith it began to hum. Buffy walked straight to it, over the overlapped step stones and lay her hand on it, feeling the rough surface and how warm it was when it sang one very deep, almost inaudible note. It wasn't as much heard as it was felt in one's bones.

"Whoa Nelly." Xander gasped.

Buffy staggered back, Jay catching her before she could fall. She leaned against him gratefully, "I guess I'm in the right place." She commented, rubbing her forehead slightly.

"It isn't called the 'Stone of Destiny' for nothing. Good thing that it didn't sound 3 times or you'd be the new King." Daniel said. Buffy grinned at the archeologist.

Jack rolled his eyes, "I guess we check the mounds then Giles?" Giles nodded in agreement. They consulted the map, "Ok kids, Daniel and I will check the King's fort, Giles and Willow will check the Royal Enclosure, Xander and Sam check the Sloping trenches and Buffy and Jay check Grianne's Fort."

Everyone headed out, Jack and Daniel walked slowly to the Fort of King Laoghaire. It was a large circular earthwork and as they moved around to the backside of it Daniel saw a stone symbol embedded in the side of the grass berm.

"Jack, look at this." Daniel leaned forward and cocked his head one way, then the other to study it, making Jack laugh.

"Does it look different that way Danny?"

Daniel nodded, "The symbol actually is ancient ogham script. It means King this way, and…" He trailed off, his eyes narrowing slightly. Jack walked up to peer at it and he trailed his fingers over it, making it flare with light for a quick moment, then the earth shuddered, rocking them on their feet.

Daniel's face was aghast, "After every time that you tell ME not to touch?" He shook his head as Jack gave him a sheepish grin. Looking past his embarrassed CO, Daniel noticed something new.

"Jack, look." Jack turned and they both moved carefully to stand in the mouth of the newly uncovered cave.

Leaning his head in cautiously Jack asked, "Black as Nirrti's soul in here. So, what did the little rock say the other way?"

Daniel poked his head curiously into the cave, "I think it said Chosen one." Jack sighed, getting his flashlight out and shining it around inside, then moved in, Daniel on his heels.

Further in the cave Jack was shining the flashlight around, a little concerned at the way the darkness seemed to suck the light into it. "You know Daniel I…" he began when there was a sound. Both Jack and Daniel turned to see a mummified corpse, fully armed and seated in a heavily decorated chair begin to stir.

"Oh crap, go get Buffy." Jack snapped. Daniel nodded and quickly headed to the sunlit opening, Jack chuckling as he heard Daniel bellow, "Buffy!"

As Jack watched the mummy began to flesh out, becoming more and more human, long dark hair, rough gold crown on it's head, leather and metal armor and what looked like a battle axe and a sword, the latter laying naked across the no longer mummified lap. When it's gray eyes snapped open it suddenly stood, focusing its gaze on the startled Jack.

"Crap." Jack said quietly. He took a step back, holding up his hands non threateningly as the man shot rapid fire questions in a language that Jack didn't understand, "I would have to send Danny away." He sighed to himself. The man stopped and narrowed its eyes, moving forward to point at Jack's chest.

Jack looked down and saw his cross hanging out of his shirt, the green stone glowing. "Oh, um, O'Neill." Jack indicated himself and the man nodded as if satisfied.

"I am King Laoghaire. Why have you disturbed my rest?" The man demanded suddenly and Jack jumped.

"Um.." and was almost giddily relieved when her heard voices from the doorway. Buffy then Daniel, followed by the rest came in, Daniel noticing that the oil lamps on the wall were now lit. The King's gaze went unerringly to Buffy as she walked forward to kneel at his feet.

"Chosen One." His voice reverberated suddenly.

Her face raised to his, "Yep, that's me."

The King raised his sword and both Jack and Jay took a step forward, making the King pin them with a look. He noticed Jay's cross as well, "Champion." He said, looking at Jay carefully.

"Yes Sir."

"I'm not going to hurt her." Jack and Jay exchanged a look and stepped back.

The King continued with his sword, raising it before him, then lowering it to tap Buffy smartly on each shoulder, speaking in his own language.

"Daniel?" Jack asked.

Daniel was fascinated, "He's speaking an ancient Gaelic dialect…"

"What * is * he * saying?" Jack patiently interrupted.

"Um, he's anointing the Chosen one for the fight ahead. Be strong but lean on your, not helpers, friends I think he said, we are warriors for the light." Daniel finished, Giles nodding approvingly at the quick translation.

The King spoke again, "Rise."

Buffy stood and the King gestured with his free hand and a blaze of oil lamps lit up to reveal a finely made broadsword with a gold pommel and a round shield with a gold cross emblazoned upon it. Buffy wowed silently and walked over, running light fingers down the blade of the sword. She looked back at the King, "This is it? The Archangel Gabriel's sword and shield?"

"It is."

Jay watched, his love fierce inside of him as he watched Buffy easily pick up the shield and settle it on her arm, then lift the sword, hefting it slightly to feel the weight before swinging it once. The weapons seemed to glow, and so did she, her hair shining gold in the lamplight.

The King gazed at her, satisfied, then turned to Jack. "You are the other Chosen One, though your destiny was different from hers. If you win the battle, your two destinies merge. Your sacrifices to this world will not go unrewarded."

Jack shook his head, "Having my team and my friends safe and Danny back is all that I require." His voice was thick with emotion and Daniel swallowed the lump in his throat.

The King nodded, "Nevertheless." his eyes turned to Jay. "You are the most important in the Chosen One's life. Be her staunchest supporter and her strongest ally."

Jay nodded, his eyes meeting Buffy's, "I promise."

"Good." The King's eyes met Daniel's, "Ascended one," then on to Xander, "One who sees far," moving to Giles, "Watcher and father," then Willow, "Witch," before resting on Sam "Blessed with knowledge". He glanced around for a moment, "Where is the one called Teal'c?"

Face startled Sam spoke, "He is protecting the Chosen one's sister."

The King nodded, "Protecting the key. It is well." He turned to face Buffy, "You have chosen your warriors of light well. Go with God." And the King walked back to his chair, sat down and they watched in morbid fascination as he returned to his mummified state.

Giles and Daniel both moved forward to examine the King when the walls started to shake.

"Sir, the door is starting to close." Sam called and Jack spun around, "Ok kids move out!" he called and everyone quickly ran out, Jay, Buffy and Jack staying back until everyone else was out safely, then leaving together. They turned to watch the grass seal itself over the place where the cave had been, as if it had never been there.

"Sweet." Jack said. He looked everyone over, "Everybody Ok?"

There was murmured assent. Sam was pale and Jack walked to her and put his arms around her shoulders, "You ok Carter?"

She nodded shakily, "I felt like he could see inside of my soul." Jack smiled and kissed her hair, "And I bet he found the best person ever inside. Don't you doubt it." Sam smiled and leaned against him for a moment before straightening up. "Time to go?"

Giles and Daniel were examining the sword and shield and Giles looked up, "Yes, we should head back home as soon as possible."

Jack was quiet as they drove and as they were about to pass the parish church in Slane he used his indicator and eased into the parking lot, making sure Giles followed him. "I'll be back in a minute." He said. Daniel unbuckled his seatbelt, "I'm coming too." Jack nodded and got out.

Buffy got out of the second car, "You wanted to see him too?" she asked, Jay following her.

Jack nodded and the four of them walked into the church, looking around for the old priest. A young man in a rugby shirt and jeans came up with a smile, "Can I help you?"

"I'm Jack O'Neill, I was looking for Father O'Neill, we're distant cousins."

The young man looked surprised, "Well, that'd be a problem then for Father O'Neill has been dead these 10 years."

The four exchanged surprised looks, then Daniel spoke. "Maybe we're mistaken. Do you have a photo of him?"

"Aye, come through here." He led them into a small hallway decorated with the pictures of past priests, and sure enough there was a picture of Father Francis X. O'Neill 1896-1995.

"We goofed, thanks for your time." Jack said pleasantly and the three walked out a little dazedly.

Standing in the sunshine Jack looked at the others, "If I hadn't seen what I saw today I'd think I was losing my mind."

Buffy grinned, "What makes ya think you aren't?" She said sassily, "Come on you guys, let's go home." Jay shook his head, grinned at Jack and followed her.

Jack was grumbling as they walked back to the car, "She thinks she's sooo funny." And Daniel chuckled at his friend, getting a dirty look in return.

"