Disclaimer: We're not bothering!

Chapter One

Primeval oaks intertwined like a living canopied barricade along the driveway leading up to the ancient castle that housed the Headquarters for the Irish branch of the Watchers Council. It could be seen that beyond these rows of trees on either side a wild and fey forest existed, and that by some unknown hand it was kept from taking over the roadway. They arrived soon enough at the castle. As those within the cars exited their vehicles to enter the fortress, the darkly clad rider gazed about at the trees that pressed firmly up against the castle, seemingly holding the building together, so great was their height and girth. With a sigh none heard, the rider smoothly dismounted from her bike and entered the stronghold. Unseen by any, the trees shook as if in warning to the one who had just entered the castle.

Inside, Celtic and ancient designs of ages past etched the walls and furnishings, and a great blaze was burning in the hearth, as several people come into a private parlor. Maeve made her way to the fireplace as one of the Watchers went to fix some drinks for their unexpected guest. Angel and Buffy swiftly went to a sofa to collapse from the night's events, then – just on queue – the black leathered woman entered the room.

As she moved effortlessly into the parlor she made her way to a table that was set between two sofas. The rider's helmeted head moved slowly, as though to make sure everyone that was important and necessary was there.

All eyes were on her, for there seemed to be an unsettled tranquility while she stood before them, as she raised her hands to remove the helmet. Her fine white hair came cascading down to her narrow waist once the helmet was off. As she raised her head, silver eyes that pierced one to their very soul gazed at them out of a delicately-pale luminescent face.

There were gasps a she raised a hand to push a few errant strands of hair behind one conically shaped ear. The rider moved with a regal natured grace and lithe form that no dancer could ever hope to reach as she placed the helmet onto a nearby table, along with the gloves, and bow and quiver she wore…leaving the rest of the weapons she possessed on.

The tranquil silence was broken as Maeve reverently addressed the visitor, saying, "My Lady, we were not expecting you so soon. How can we make your stay more pleasant?"

Angel pulled the exhausted Buffy closer to him as the Slayer silently asked, Angel, do you know her?

Buffy acceptingly fell into his arms, as he replied in the same manner, No, but I think we'll soon to find out.

And so you shall, my friends, they heard a voice hauntingly echo in their minds with an age far beyond their comprehension.

The Slayer and souled vampire looked towards the darkly clad lady, both somehow knowing the voice to have been hers. They gazed at her as she tilted her head slightly to glance at them, before turning to look at Maeve. With quiet authority, the woman said, "I have matters to discuss with you, Maeve Kells." Her eyes then flickered for a moment towards Buffy and Angel, before saying in a concerned tone, "But perhaps you should see to your other visitors first? It seems as though they are in need of a reprieve from their tasks for a time."

Maeve nodded her agreement, then motioned to one of the Watchers at the door, saying, "Take them to their room and aide in anything that they require. Also, make sure our Lady's room is in order as well."

The Watcher half-bowed to her and the fair-haired woman. He then silently gestured for Angel and Buffy to follow him, once they had looked away from the two women to then look at him. Angel rose from his seat and held out his hand to Buffy. With a faint loving smile and shining eyes, she took the offered hand and let him pull her to her feet. Arms wrapped around each other's waists, they willingly followed the Watcher, the door closing behind them silently.

Once the door was shut, Maeve turned to the woman, saying, "As I mentioned before: we were not expecting you so soon. According to your last communiqué you mentioned that you would not be arriving to the castle for at least two more days."

Maeve went to the Watcher who was now holding a tray of drinks, one filled with white wine and the other a deep burgundy liquid. Maeve took the crystal goblet filled with white wine, as the Watcher turned towards the other woman and offered her the other goblet.

The woman reached out one long fingered pale hand, took the goblet, and raised it to just before her lips. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the dark red liquid. A moment passed before she breathed out "Human," then tipped the crystal goblet to her lips and hungrily drained the contents within. With a sigh of contentment and sated eyes, she lowered the now empty vessel, licking her lips.

Placing the goblet upon the try the Watcher still held out to her, she said, "I felt it necessary to come sooner. Things have happened here that, I can see, you need to tell me before I explain my reasons for being here."

Astonished at the unanimity of the woman's evasive answer, Maeve replied, "But, my Lady, you yourself have told me to discover the clandestine hiding place of the Sword of Kells. Which now I suppress until the moment of its use. It was you who told me to procure this information." Maeve suspiciously looked towards the woman. "It is you who put me in charge of this operation and at the specific time of your arrival, you would explain this in more detail for its use."

The woman's silver eyes flickered downward for a second before rising to gaze steadily at the Head of the Watchers Council, saying quietly, then with growing intensity and ire, "So I did, Maeve Kells. But there are things that can happen that make changing one's appointed time of arrival necessary…even for one such as I. You must remember, child of the Fey, that my tasks in life are many, and you are but a small portion of what I look after. Have I not given you and your line a portion of these duties to watch over in this place when I cannot? Surely, that gives me the right to come and go when and how I wish! This place, my home, is to be ready for me at all times. My telling you of my arrivals is merely a thought on my part, mortal child."

Maeve quickly looked downward, turning away from the woman. She made her way to the warmth of the fire, gazing into it. She watched the intensity of the rising and falling of the flames. Something inside made her leery, as she said quietly, "You told me this was of a delicate matter." She turned back to the woman with the eloquently beautiful face, reservation growing within her mind. "It is clearly not the appointed time. The astronomy of things are not in alignment, my Lady. You, yourself, made me aware of it and told me that I must be guarded of the placement of things. I do not mean to step out of alliance with you. You made me very aware of the delicacy of the matter at hand. It is under your command that I am questioning your arrival at this time," Maeve concluded, her emerald green eyes filled with many unasked questions.

The woman's nostrils flared, as her lips thinned, and her eyes narrowed. For a moment, one might have thought to hear a growl, before she snapped out to the other Watchers in the room, her eyes flashing golden for a split second, "Leave us!"

The others looked to Maeve for approval, and watched as she silently nodded her consent. As one, they left, each bowing to the pale-haired lady as they passed her. On its own accord, the door closed with a muffled thud once the last Watcher had left, leaving the two women alone in silence.

With a faint sigh, Maeve drained the last of her wine and then made her way to the bar across the room. As Maeve put some ice in a crystal tumbler and uncorked the scotch bottle, she commented then asked, "I think it is time for something heavier than wine. Would you like some scotch as well?"

"The Evergreen wine will do, Maeve," the woman answered, as she seated herself near the fireplace, never taking her eyes off of the leader.

"Of course, my Lady," the Head of the Watchers Council replied, as she finished pouring her own drink. Putting the scotch back in its place, Maeve then went over to an ancient painting of good size that depicted a scene of a noble Elven couple dancing on their wedding day, and pushed the painting to one side on an unseen track. Behind the painting was a hidden recess full of clear wine bottles filled with a deep green liquid. Pulling the topmost bottle out Maeve returned to the bar as the painting silently rolled back into place. Fetching another crystal goblet, she opened the bottle and poured the wine into it.

Shaking a few strands of fire-red hair out of her face, she walked over to the sofas, and extended the green liquid filled glass to the woman. But before the woman could take the glass, Maeve placed it down on the table in front of them, saying firmly, "I think it is time for you, my Lady, to explain the reasons for your early arrival in more detail. This is no time for you to be so elusive with your purpose."

The lady in question lowered her hand nonchalantly, draping her arm over the back of the couch she sat on, then commented as she crossed her legs at the knee, "I understand your concern, young one. Your following of my orders to such exact detail is commendable."

Maeve turned and moved to the other side of the table and sat down in the opposing sofa. She took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as she lifted the scotch to her lips. Gazing into the crystalline liquid she let the scotch pass her lips. Maeve then tilted the glass back and looked back at the woman who seemed to be waiting for a response from her. What is she getting at? There seems something elusive about her, she thought. In the tense moment she reclined back on the sofa and watched the ethereal face gaze at her.

After what seemed like an eternity, the woman leaned forward and took her drink from the table, and as she leaned back into her seat, took a measured sip of wine, her eyes slowly closing in contentment. Sitting upon the couch, the woman asked casually yet seriously, "Do you remember the history I taught you concerning the beginnings of the Kells line, child?"

"I have not forgotten, the lineage history was proclaimed throughout my life. But why now do you bring this into this discussion? Are you questioning my allegiance to my bloodline?" Maeve asked, her gaze narrowing.

"No," the woman replied, "I do not question your allegiance. What I ask is how the Kells line began. Tell me what you know."

"Thy nobles of thy Kells and thy maidens of thy Fey, come to thy alliance, through thy ages of prophecy have led thee mortal lives of thy world to thee creation of a celestial sword, to abide by thy protection of the sword. We Kells are thee protectors…"

The fair haired woman suddenly sat up straight, nearly braking her glass as she slammed it onto the table in front of her as she sharply, "Have you learned nothing of what I taught you!"

Maeve gave her a stunned look, and drew in a short breath, then gathered her thoughts for a moment before replying quickly, "Have you taught me so little, my Lady?"

The woman reared back as if struck, her breath drawing in sharply as her eyes widened in sudden shock. She stared, before swiftly standing and walking over to gaze at the painting that depicted the elven couple, her mind in turmoil. Almost absently, she reached up and gently stroked the couple, reminiscing of days past. As she stood there a feeling of calmness came to her, as well as a presence that she knew. She dropped her hand, and thought to the presence, I am listening.

A soft silky voice in her head said, My precious one, you lead yourself to a mirage of a well that you think is there. Time is of the essence, the answers you seek will reveal themselves in the hour of destiny. Patience is your ally, steadfast your emotions and all will be revealed. The voice left her as subtly as it arrived.

The woman bowed her head for a moment, sighing heavily, before saying quietly in a strained voice, "I apologize. I was out of turn. I have had some difficulties that have upset me more than I realized. I should not have taken it out on you, young one."

Cautiously Maeve felt the tension leave her as she replied while standing up and placing her glass on the table, "I understand, these past few months have been tense for us all. We all feel the strain, our mission is almost at hand and it has brought us all to utter weariness.

"Even the exhaustion is evident on you, my Lady. Except my apologies, it has been a difficult ordeal and I am fatigued as well. Your accommodations that you require have been taken care. Rest, my Lady, for tomorrow we have almost accomplished our task and the alignment is almost at hand."

As if on queue, the door opened and a gentlemen entered and stood silently awaiting to escort their guest.

Feedback: we'd really appreciate it. Thank you. TU and WRH