The Slayer looked at the old gentleman to her right with disbelief. This man, who mere moments before she had thought of as a sweet and charming 'Grandpa'-type-figure, was now all but snarling. Behaving much like a rabid dog that had just caught the scent of some bleeding hapless animal.
The startled Summer's-daughter looked to Rupert Giles, expecting his expression to be mirroring her own startled one. But instead what she viewed was … amusement. Amusement as well as an odd calmness. After a few more seconds of expletives from the 'aged-one', her former Watcher gently laid the previously projectile-Cane on the bare-wooden-real estate before him. Making certain that the implement, which had been thrown several seconds before at his very own head, was still very much out of the snatching grasp of the Senior-Citizen.
There was no doubt about it. As far as she could see, Giles, seemed to be actually enjoying Mr Archer's antics. He carried an expression of his face that she had not seen in … well … years. And it did not take the Slayer long to recognise that 'glint' of concealed mirth. It was the same mischievous twinkle in the eyes that had always accompanied Xander whenever he went out of his way to push Giles' buttons. Buttons that had earned the reaction he had been both expecting and hoping for from the former British-Librarian. At least that's what she thought, but then again over the last few days she had to admit she had Xander-on-the-brain. It did not take much to trigger some familiar memory to the male-Scooby.
But still … could it be that Giles was to Reginald Archer Senior, as Xander had always been to him?
Is that also how Giles possibly viewed his own relationship with the male Sunnydalian?
As this foreign thought both entered and then exited the Slayer's mind, in her peripheral, she then took note of another reaction, one that was *also* far too familiar to her. It was a motion she had seen Giles do a thousand times before. Reginald drew off his face his wired spectacles in frustrated annoyance, proceeded to pinch the bridge of his nose in an effort to reign in his growing temper before it exploded beyond his control. He then began to vigorously polish his Glasses with an errant handkerchief he had drawn from his vest-coat pocket.
This was an almost … surreal. And in a lot of ways it also explained a lot. The Immortal once told her that 90-percent of all unconscious behaviour was usually learned and developed by people unknowingly imitating someone they either admired or loved. She, herself, had seen evidence of this many times with Dawn and her mother (when she was still alive). The two would flow and be in perfect synch with one another. Whether it was negotiating their way around a table at breakfast time, or clothes shopping with one another. The two had a connection that went deeper than words or deeds. It was one of the things she had always been jealous and envious of. Especially in that last year of their mother's life. Buffy always had a sense that their Mom always preferred Dawn's company to her own. Granted, being a Slayer and having the life that she did may have contributed slightly to the 'hands-off-mothering' approach. And she had to admit, their relationship never really got back on track after she had been a runaway for those four months. And less said about the way she broke the news to her that her daughter was some mystical warrior destined to die pointlessly and that she had been keeping that news from her for two-years.
Sure, things got a little better when she was accepted into Sunnydale Collage. She felt that Mom had become … proud of her again. Saving the World stuff was great and all, but ensuring that her little girl made it to the next level of education … that she would have the chance to make a career for herself … That was a special type of pride only a parent could have and feel that they had contributed too. Buffy was just glad she never had gotten the chance to witness her flipping burgers at the Double-Meat and being designated a 'College-Dropout' after only one-year. Let alone the whole 'sexing' around with Spike thing.
No, now that she thought about it there was more of Joyce Summer's in Dawn then in her. She probably got all her father's traits. Not entirely of the 'good', as far as she was concerned. Her dad was impatient, stubborn and was a bit of a narcissist. Basically, he was your typical Los Angeles Lawyer.
Buffy continued to watch Giles with wonder, a small smile slightly tugging at the corners of the middle aged Librarian's lips. The way Giles always seemed to bare Xander's needling with a degree of both patience and humour seemed to make perfect sense to her now. This was some kind of 'full-circle' thing. Where the student-becomes-the-teacher-to-the-next-student-thingy.
Forcing an air-of-tedium in his tone, the Chief Watcher addressed his angered and older subordinate.
"Are you now fully done with the ranting, Old Man? Or are you trying to give yourself another heart attack?"
Lowering his hand and replacing his glasses, Archer Snr, bit out a response. "It was an ulcer, you little snot. Not a heart attack."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I stand corrected."
"Damn right you do! What the Hell were you thinking? Lovers?! Why in God's Gracious Name did you tell her about the Lover's?"
"Hey! I'm sitting right here y'know. If you want to yell at anyone, how about yelling at me!"
The aged Watcher spared the Slayer a second to look at her once more. But then returned the focus of his attention back upon his former student, Rupert Giles. "Well? Tell me you insolent little fag."
"HEY! You can't call him that."
"I'll call this impertinent upstart, whatever the Hell I like, child."
"NOT WHILE I'M STANDING WITHIN 'KNOCK-YOUR-WRINKLED-HEAD-CLEAR-OFF-YOUR-NECK' DISTANCE YOU'RE NOT."
"Buffy …*"
"Giles, he just called you a *"
"He called me a Fag. Yes, I know."
"And you're cool with this?"
"Depends upon the context. In Reginald's case I am certain he was referring to its original meaning. Fag, Buffy, is an Old English Public School term, one that was reference towards 'Junior Boys'. Mr Archer, when he gets a little … exhilarated … much like now, sometimes tends to forget that we are not all character's borne from that pages of 'Tom Brown's Schooldays'. Believe you me, Buffy; I take no offence in Mr Archer's momentary lapse in decorum. And trust me; he has referred to me with even worse insults then that in my years."
"THEN YOU CAN EXPECT MORE IN THE COMING MINUTES YOU … YOU … NINCOMPOOP! How in Beelzebub's Bedpan did she *"
Giles shrugged, cutting the elderly man off, and looking quite meek and mild as he did so. "She found out on her own. I didn't tell her a thing."
Reginald scoffed as he again looked at the petite blonde to his left. "You must be joking. She doesn't look like a page-turner to me."
Giles offered a small chuckle before he responded. "Believe me, Old Man, she's not. In this instance she happened to have been told."
"By whom?"
Even Buffy couldn't mistake the malice that carried in the old man's voice with the asking of the question. She could easily imagine the old codger getting up and then through only strength of will and a healthy dose of Prune Juice storm the estate of Dawn's new benefactor. Giles however just offered the man another shrug, as though to imply that it really didn't matter anymore, as the cat was now well and truly out of the bag. "Croft. Lara Croft. *LADY* Lara Croft."
Reginald's eyes began to squint as if he was trying to recall the name in his mental library. "Hmmm…. there was a Watcher Croft about a hundred and fifty years ago. Relation of his?"
Buffy's jaw nearly dropped to her lap at hearing this answer. Whoever this old guy was, he certainly knew his Watcher History. And from this it became crystal clear why Giles had called him to his office.
Clearing her throat in an effort to interject herself into the conversation again. Buffy, steeled her nerves and spoke up. "Yeah. This Watcher Croft guy was her Great, Great, Great something-or-other."
Reginald nodded, accepting Buffy claim. But there was obviously something troubling him. Something Giles also noted.
"Is there a problem, Old Man?"
Archer Snr leaned further in, in an effort to address Giles privately. Unfortunately his effort to whisper his question to the Head Watcher failed in the volume-front. "Is she … you know … her?"
"Her, who?" Giles answered. Puzzlement clearly showing.
"Croft … *her*."
"I'm still not following, Old Chap."
"Lara Croft … The Tomb Raider … The Viscountess-Vixen."
Giles rolled his eyes. "She's a little out of your League, Old Man. Aren't you seventy years on the wrong-side of puberty? For goodness sake, you're old enough to be her grandfather. There comes a time when those Trashy Tabloid's you stick your nose in periodically stop becoming an amusing distraction and instead starts becoming a very creepy-habit."
"I'm *old*, not *dead*. And I'm far from blind, you cur." Reginald sneered out the corner of his mouth. "You might be content with your poetry and that ridiculous guitar of yours, trying your 'luck' at the Notting Hill Starbucks. Oh yes, Rupert, we *all* know where you disappear every Tuesday and Thursday night after 9. You pretentiously trying to swoon all the Notting Hill cougar's and Mil*"
"Co … Cougar's?" Buffy spat out in surprise, looking disappointingly at her former Watcher. Shaking her head in disapproval. She had known for some time that Giles used to 'try-his-luck' with the various mature divorcees of Sunnydale ever since the gang discovered him serenading a group of them during the 'haunted-frat-house' adventure in her first year of college. But she had thought he had since moved on from that bit of embarrassment. It seems now that she was mistaken. But still, she didn't need those images in her head at the moment and she would rather they return to point. A week ago she would have enjoyed having this bit of personal blackmail knowledge on the guy who signed her cheques. But now … now it all seemed quite petty. And as much as she would have enjoyed sitting back and hearing the banter between the 'grey-hairs', it was a distraction. One she didn't want or need. Something big was in the offing. If it wasn't, Giles, wouldn't have shied away from dealing with it himself. Instead he called in an advocate. This was not in the realms of anything … good, warm, cuddly or even remotely fuzzy.
**Cough, cough*. Anyway, to get back on track. My sister and I had dinner with *Lady* Croft the other night and afterwards she mentioned to us both an interesting titbit about Slayer's and their 'True-Love'. According to her and her Ancestor's Journal, for every prison cell there is a key to help free you from it. Curious, I decided to investigate further to see if what she had told me held any water and was on the up-and-up.
"Anyway, over the past half-hour, Giles has been enlightening me on these various 'Lovers of Athena' people. But we've … well, we have kinda stalled at the moment. He said there was more for me to know. Things of importance. But instead of telling me all this himself, he instead chose to called you in. And I'm not going to deny it; I'm burning with curiosity as to why that is."
At completion of her say, both Buffy and Reginald then turned their heads in the direction of the man on the other side of the desk and awaited his response.
"Yes … well … Buffy is absolutely correct. She and I have reached a … well, a delicate point. And I was certain that if I was the one who imparted what is to follow, that … that she'd think I was exaggerating the severity of things."
"I see." The aged Watcher to her right answered. He then looked back upon the blonde with an appraising eye. "So I was sent up here … beckoned, if you will. To be your bearer of bad tidings." Giles just nodded, not offering any further word on the subject. "*Hmmf* Tell me young lady, what exactly has Rupert told you thus far?"
"To be honest, Reggie," The old man winced. "Not a whole freakin' lot. Interesting, sure. But it's mainly been made up of warnings and theories. Plus a few stories. Brunhilde and her White Knight, and a guy called Holtz."
Reginald nodded, doing his best to dismiss the 'Reggie' slight … for the moment at least.
"Ahh yes, Holtz. What a magnificent specimen he was. Relentless. Feared. Uncompromising. It was a crying shame that the Order had burnt its bridges with him after his wife, Caroline, had become 'ordinary' again. What an ally he would have made. But he chose to work for the Vatican instead of us. Did you know that, child? That he favoured being one of their clan-destined Knights of the Holy Seal then being one of our Soldier's?"
Buffy nodded, acknowledging to the elder Englishman her awareness of this recently revealed fact. And then allowing the old Watcher to continue further.
"He didn't like how we had treated his bride whilst she was single and a Slayer. Thought our method of training her was positively medieval … barbaric.
"Still it did not prevent members of our Order from approaching him several times with an invitation to join our ranks. Urging him on the benefits of siding with us over those pointy hats in Rome. Talent is talent, after all. But he would have none of it. Said he could never work with … or for matter trust the people who had treated his wife as a 'resource borne only to be exploited'."
"Sounds like the kinda guy I could admire."
"Yes … yes. I can understand why you would say that." Archer commented off-handedly. "Quite a shame what happened to Caroline and their children. Terrible. Unconscionable. To be forced to slay your own Daughter. She had not even tasted her first drop of blood. As a Demon-Spawn, she was still quite … well … Innocent … towards what she truly was and what she had been made into. It was cruel beyond either words or reasoning.
"There were many various reports claiming that it was this act of having to murder his own Vampiric-Child that was the true cause of his Vendetta against the soon to be known 'Scourge of Europe'. What he was forced to do completely devastated him. Driving him to the brink of madness … and who knows, maybe it even took him beyond madness. The death of his wife and son, he could accept this … within reason. They died human. But both Darla and Angelus had twisted the last memory he had of his dear little girl. They had perverted her. Corrupted her memory. Making this vampire-childe a twisted mockery of her life. Warping this cherished remembrance of her for all time. Holtz would now never be able to remember her darling face without knowing that it was by his own hand that he had made it into instant-ash.
"What drives a man to both blood and fury? I do not know, but I suspect something like that would."
Buffy turned her head away, only now truly comprehending the misery inflicted upon this man borne over a hundred years ago. That was, she suspected, the problem with being a Slayer. After a number of years of doing her 'job' she started to become jaded to the many harms done by the Beings' she killed.
She never allowed herself to give much thought to the many victim's or families of these victims. They just fell into being people who were in 'The wrong place at the wrong time' Category. But these people, even the ones who became Vampires, were once loved and had loved ones who would mourn their disappearances. And these people would never know what ever happened to them. Only that one day they were 'here' and the next they had disappeared. There was never any closure for them. These mother's, father's, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, boyfriend's, girlfriend's, daughter's and son's would go through the rest of their lives never knowing the truth. Never knowing that the Supernatural existed and that someone they had loved had become its prey.
Giles had once attempted to warn and educate her of Angelus's sadist and cruel side. And she thought she had been prepared for the absolute worst of it. Nailing puppies to the door of one of his crushes, she thought was the worst. But as with most things, she never ever really gave to much depth to her thinking, she never ever dared too. After all, Angelus was Angel's 'monster-self' and she *loved* Angel. She could not bear hearing anything that would forever skew this perception of him, no matter how vile or honest it may have been.
But she also knew if Angel, or even Spike had ever turned Dawn or even her own mother. Knowing what they had now become, would she have had either the inner strength and fortitude in her to slay them as Holtz had to do with his own daughter? She didn't really know. But she now believed she understood … and appreciated … the kind of red-hazed drive that would compel this Captain Holtz guy to make even Angelus and Darla run scared. Because for her there wouldn't be a pebble on this planet she wouldn't turn over, or a demon she wouldn't kill, just to get one inch closer to the one who had instigated this type of misery onto her life.
"… Eventually even Rome grew to fear him and the lengths he was willing to go. All in the pursuit of gaining his reprisal upon 'the night dwellers'. There was a Spanish Cardinal, who eventually in-time became Pope Pius IX, he was penned to have said, in Italian of course, that Holtz: 'Had become the very wrath of the Lord towards all the soulless and unclean that littered this glorious World'. Quite the Testimonial, isn't it my dear. Being compared to the very Wrath of God himself.
"Holtz was one of those rare 'Get-on-board-or-get-out-of-the-way' type personalities. We never really found out what ever happened to him. He just … *popped* … out of existence. No doubt he probably met some obscene end, as most Demon Hunter's and Slayer's tend to do. But still, what a specimen."
Buffy turned her head back to face the speaking Englishman, doing her best not to betray any emotion on her features as she recounted in her mind the plight of the Demon Hunter. "Yeah, but when, Giles, told the story to me he did it in a way that I would look upon his fate as something I ought to pity, not admire."
"Yes, well, Rupert was always a bit of a romantic sop. To each to their own, as they say. Some of us see the glass as half empty; others see it as half full." Archer Snr. leaned over from his seat so that he could be as close to Buffy as he could, and pondered to her a question. "How do *you* see the World, my dear?"
Buffy wanted to answer that she generally saw things as half-full, but she knew that would be a lie. Her life, ever since she became a Slayer, always had a 'half-empty' theme to it. And besides, what would be the point of lying? Especially to a stranger. "Half empty. I guess I see my life as pretty much half-empty of nothing but suckiness." Buffy mumbled out.
The answer was accompanied by a short snort of acceptance from the aged Historian. "Well … at least you're honest about it." Archer Snr then glared at Rupert Giles. "So he only told you stories and theories, hmmm? I suppose you want me to be the one to do the hard bit? To do all the heavy lifting, as it were. To be the so-called 'Bad-Guy'?"
Doing his best to conceal a relieved smile, Giles answered. "If you don't mind, Old-Man. I'll pip in if it all starts to go over her head and then I'll try and simplify it all for her. But I think if it came from a source who … well … isn't me, she'll consider it a lot more reliable and true."
Reginald Archer Snr. snorted out his distain, muttering a word that sounded very much like 'coward' under his breath. The aged man then slowly closed his eyelids and refused to open them. He then proceeded to speak, almost reciting. Choosing to ignore all external distractions as he did so. His voice was steady, so steady in fact that it did not allow the slayer any opportunity to interrupt. Only too listen.
"Very well. The Council, Ms Summer's, is not as old as we have always tried to make it out to be to the 'outsider'. It was formed, if you wish to call that initial and simple relationship between both Slayer and her Guardian just over a thousand years ago.
"It was a perilous time back then; the old ways that had always kept people safe for a hundred generations were now being crushed under the enthusiastic heel of a religion to a 'one-and-only-God'. Slowly, its banner and influence began to creep it's way over Europe. Gaining popularity with each passing decade and generation. And for all the good the spread of Christianity claims to have accomplished back in this 'unenlightened time', I fear that in its wake it also did much wrong as well. The various tales of caution, such as never inviting people into your home after dark, sprinkling salt over the threshold of doorways and window sills and such were cast into the realms of 'Folklore', and Fairy tales. And to practice such precautions had you marked as a Heretic for all to know."
Reginald then paused, more for effect then because he had forgotten what next to say. After a moment, he reopened his eyes and refocused his gaze to the window to his side and the view that lay beyond the glass.
"There is little known about the Elder, except that his twin-sister was a Slayer. The legend goes that she awoke one morning with the strength to be able to lift a fully grown cow over her head, and that she had become faster than the fastest boy in their entire village. Her family, friends and neighbours marvelled and all thought her new gifts a blessing. However, on the sixth night after receiving this 'blessing' she awoke from a frightening and violent nightmare. Her screams so loud that it awoke the entire community in which she lived.
"When she was questioned, she spoke nothing but gibberish to anticipating ears. She spoke of a dream … a nightmare … a 'Vision'. One where she saw a beast and great danger. Calling out that it was near and that people had to flee. Flee for their very lives and Souls. Before anyone could process or even understand what she had said, she then ran from the hut. Leaving all her concerned neighbours at a loss to the motives of her strange actions. Only her twin, and deeply concerned brother chose to immediately pursue her into the night. Calling out her name repeatedly as he tried to catch-up and keep pace to her quicken tread. But her drive to confront this Evil was too great, and she easily ignored his pleas for her to return.
"He stumbled and he fell repeated times. Barely keeping her in sight under the full moon. Her feet, it seemed, were following a path that only she knew. And when her brother eventually caught up with her she was in the midst of a battle with a large wolf-like being. It was a savage fight. One which did not allow interference from brotherly spectators. After minutes, the Slayer of that time, gained the advantage and snapped the wolf's neck. The were-beast fell to the ground and as it did it reverted back to its human-self. The timing of her victory, however, couldn't have been worse. If only she had drawn out the melee for a few moment's more. Toyed with the Beast. But alas, she didn't. It was scant seconds later, after the werewolf collapsed, that several villagers, ones who did not have the speed or the stamina of the siblings they were chasing, had finally caught up with the pair.
"These witnesses only saw a freshly killed man, a local and well known farmer no-less, lying at the feet of a girl who would have been thought of just moments before by all of them as either crazed or possessed. They shouted out 'murder' and pointed the accusing finger to her as the lone culprit. Justice back then, my dear girl, was both swift and decisive. No court officially existed. Only mob mentality and hasty retribution.
"She was indeed fortunate that they chose instead not to take matters into their own hands. Truly, she could have been stoned, drown, burnt, or hung. Possibly even impaled on a pitchfork. Fortunately the Elder, her brother, was able to calm their spirits and tempers. Directing her punishment to the only recognised authority in the Land in which they all lived. They unanimously agreed, most likely because the dead Farmer in question was not a particularly well liked person in the region, that their Lord and Master alone had the right to pass judgement on this matter and not they.
"At any rate, the next day she was promptly bought before the Noble of that land. During her … let's call it a 'Trail'; she claimed that the dead man had actually been a large wolf. Her only supporter to this version: her brother. Unfortunately the Lord felt the Elder's testimony was … compromised and biased. And that he was only supporting her claims in-order to protect his sister from rightful execution. And that the story of a wolf turning into a man, or vice versa, was un-Christian and too ridiculous to ever give credence too in their ever so slowly enlightening world. That this was a tale worthy of their ancestor's and that such exaggerated stories belonged solely to the past, not the present or the future. His sentence upon her was … predictable.
"Three days later, the day before the Sabbath. The then-Slayer had the opportunity to make her final confession. After which she was promptly burned at the stake before a fevered crowd. All as her twin-brother watched haplessly. With the passing of the full month … his punishment for trying to mislead justice … was met. He was then released from his cell and given his freedom. With both, the soon-to-be 'Elder', swore to whatever Old God's still listening, as it was now proven to him that the 'new God' certainly wasn't, that he would make right his failure to shield his sister and that he would seek out others like her and offer them his protection. All to make up for his self-perceived failure as a brother.
"The Elder, who was now all but shunned by his village, travelled. Territories, boundaries, land's, countries. He crossed them all without regard or care. Learning and picking up knowledge as he went. Living on the fringes with the other disenfranchised. Making friendships with those who still embraced the old ways and teachings. Over time he picked up stories. Tales of monster's and devils. Eventually he would come across another traveller who were knowledgeable of the Dark Art's. And he would learn as much as they were willing to teach. Spells and Wards. He discovered how to properly defend himself in fights, both mystical and physical and how to turn those assaults against his attackers. He learned about potions and cures. And in every village he went he asked about other girls who might have been able to lift fully grown cows and could run like the wind. In some villages he was successful in hearing histories that paralleled his sister's fate, but in most his enquiries ran dry.
"He travelled secretly, helping others as much as he could with the various skills he had acquired. Earning his keep as a Healer of sorts. The sad memory of his dearest sister forever motivating him forward when most would have given up and settled down. He did his best to avoid notice by the quickly growing influence of the Church. In some provinces he was successful … in others … well, it was a good thing he knew how to cast a Spell or two.
"In his fortieth year, as best we can measure, fortune favoured his quest. He came to a small village in France and there he asked a local the same question he had asked a thousand times before: Did he know of any young girls in the area who one day woke up with great strength and speed? To his surprise he was told 'Yes, such a girl you speak of is my daughter.'
"The Elder thought all his Christmases had come at once, even though back then Christmas had not been invented. He then enquired into whether it was possible for him to meet her. The father did not see the harm to this odd request and lead him straight to her. They walked to a rear paddock that they managed for their Noble as his loyal serfs. It was a pathetic and improvised field, lumpy and dry. A land of little to no potential for a decent yield. And there in the far off distance was a girl the same age as his sister when she was 'Called' some thirty years earlier, shifting a weight that would be beyond two-grown and able men.
"With excitement, the Elder, sought council with the Father to discuss his daughter's future. The Father, as you might expect, saw only gold and opportunity. To possess a daughter who was not only beautiful, as all Slayer's are gifted to being, was one thing. But to have a daughter who was beautiful, as strong as a Team of Horses and faster than a falcon in flight? That would only escalate her value as a breeder of equally strong children and would be a prize-wife to any man of means despite her more than humble origins. She might even be taken as a paramour by the local land-owners, a position that would offer her family a privileged position in the community.
"The Elder knew he could not compete with men of station where wealth was a factor, so instead he told the father of his own experiences as a brother to such a girl. And of stories he had heard in the various towns and villages he had passed where girls who demonstrated such gifts were labelled as being in league with dark unholy forces. That, and by the account's entrusted to the Elder. The girl, despite the many physical gift's laid upon her, was most likely also barren and incapable of conceiving children. Such a statement only legitimised the claim that his child dabbled in unholy acts, as back then this was the only explanation for such a fate. Un-Natural forces cancelled out Natural Ones. Now we know that sterility amongst Slayer's are only such during the time of their tenure. That if they fell pregnant prior to being 'Called' *"
"*Like what happened with Nikki Woods, Robin's mother."
"Yes, Buffy." Giles answered approvingly.
"*Ahem* … fell pregnant prior to being Called, then the Slayer can indeed become a mother, just as she can conceive after the Slayer Essence had left her for another Host. But between both point's, she will never be able to bore any child. The ultimate contraception method."
Buffy frown at the old man's attempt of humour. She didn't find that comment particularly funny. She never considered herself in the past as particularly 'girly', she had long since resigned herself to the knowledge that she might never have a son or a daughter of her very own. Just as all the other Slayer's had. But Robin Wood's existence bought all this into question. Now though she had an explanation as to how Robin had come about, when all other Slayer's efforts to conceive failed.
His mother, Nikki, must have gotten pregnant with him prior to the Slayer Spirit tapping her on the shoulder with the Destiny-Hard-Sell-Line. Heck, for all she knew, Nikki probably didn't even know she was pregnant when she 'agreed' to be a Slayer.
According to Robin, his mother died when he was two-and-a-half, when she was 19. That, she guessed, would put the dates about right. The only way she could become a mother would be if she had been sexually active and gotten herself all barefoot-and-preggers prior to her 16th birthday (which she didn't and wasn't), or if her Lover is able to free her from the Slayer Spirit's possession and she becomes … well, fertile, again.
"… The father, fearing that he might get painted with the same brush as his daughter, dealing with unnatural forces and allegiances, understood the indirect peril he was in. It was then that the Elder enquired into the 'nightmares'. As the father had not mentioned his child's violent night-terrors, he was left shocked, even more so when he had to concede that the fragmented dreams his daughter had claimed to have seen all had tragically come true. Using this to his advantage and as further evidence to the darkness which surrounded his daughter, the Elder petitioned the Father to relieve him of his burden. To ask for her hand in marriage."
Buffy nearly fell out of her chair at hearing this claim. "WHAT!? Are you kidding me? He's forty-something-or-other and she's what? Sixteen. They … they get married?"
Turning slightly to face the female and with a wisp of a smile on his features, the elderly Watcher answered. "Yes, my dear, they did. In actuality to be 16 a thousand years ago and not married or betrothed … well, that would have had people talking. Most children got wed as soon as they entered puberty, many even before that. Betrothal to another was not uncommon. Usually at birth, when the sex of a child was established, partners were already being sought. Oh and speaking of such, for the Elder to be … well, over forty back then, that would be the equivalent of about eighty to a hundred years in today's world."
"That … that makes it even worse!"
"Buffy."
"No Giles, it's gross."
Reginald interrupted. "It might be gross, my dear. But it was also quite the norm."
"Yeah. I've been hearing that quite a bit lately." Buffy replied bitterly.
"In fact *all* of the Slayer's original Guardian's had to marry their charges. It ensured that when they were travelling with one another, or sharing the same home or room, that no eyebrows were ever raised by outsiders. Besides, back then it was not uncommon or for that matter unexpected for young girls to be wed to … how we should say: Mature Men.
"Marriage was more a business transaction then a declaration of love. A worthy Suitor was one who carried a large purse, not one who declared to have greater passion. If you had money or something the family wanted … within reason of course … everything was open to discussion. To have been 16, beautiful and *still* unmarried, well, it probably went a long way to illustrating just how impoverished this particular farmer was that even other serf's in the area did not wish to spread their seed in her field. Thinking that their family's bad-luck would become their own if they took one of their number as a wife. With her becoming a Slayer, it would be believed that these physical attributes was evidence that the family's luck had changed. And that her newly acquired virtues and blessings would be passed down and would be able to strengthen her husband's line. Overnight that child had gained exponential valve.
"The father, in suspecting that it may have been the Devil who blessed his child and not an Angel, would have been terrified. The Elder, I believe was even quite generous with his negotiations. Though he could not offer coin, he instead used his magic and potions to make the land the Farmer was allocated to work on now completely fertile and rich in all manner of nutrients. Within a season the crop yield for that land increased a dozen fold. All unaffected by fungus, disease or pests of any kind. That land remained such for the next five decades, earning the Slayer's father a higher position in his community and one of respect amongst his Peers."
"Okay, okay. I get it. Six chickens and a pig gets you a hottie for life." Buffy then began to rub her temples. "So … it was marriage in name only, right? Between Watcher's and Slayer's. Because if it wasn't then that would be way too creepy."
"I wish I could say differently, Ms Summer's. But alas I can't. Chosen Ones are typically very beautiful and I am certain there would have been more than one guardian over the last thousand years who did indeed take advantage of such a unique arrangement. After all, with the exception of the last century, most women prior to this one all recognised their role in a marriage as being submissive to the will and desire of their husband. That their place was to obey him without question and to produce them a child or children."
"But … but …" Though it was true that by this stage what Reggie was telling her was hardly a revelation, as it had been imparted to her by both Giles and Croft, it still did not make hearing it said over and over again any less palatable.
"Ms Summer's, I can appreciate your displeasure. But in truth most of the World really hasn't changed too much since back then either. Only in western societies do women embrace the whole argument of equality and marriage for love-sake. If you were to go to the Middle-East, India, Asia and some parts of South America, the women there all live a life where such unions are based on social gains and advance. Their role, if they have one, is to be servile to the husband's needs and ensure a happy family life."
Buffy shock her head, mentally discounting what was just said as true and trying to get the horrific image of herself in a white wedding gown standing at an alter opposite Giles as he slipped a wedding band on her left hand second finger. After a very visible shudder, the Slayer refocused herself. "Okay, so all Slayers' married their Watcher's. That is Icky on a thousand different levels."
"At the beginning, yes, and I suspect there was more than one Slayer who shared your 'icky' comparison to events. By the way, we weren't called Watcher's back then either. We took the name 'Elder' as a token of respect to the first of the Order and also because the name is associated towards seniority, wisdom and respect."
"Alright, but aside from just providing me with this interesting, if not disturbing history lesson. What about these 'Lovers'? When do they come into the deal?"
Giles leant forward, and addressed the question before Reginald could. "They didn't come from anywhere, Buffy. As I said, for every Slayer there is a Lover. They have been around for as long as the Slayer-Line has. But I suspect that early on, because the Slayer's were more … nomadic. Travelling from one destination to another to destroy monsters and the like, they most likely, if rarely, ever came in contact with their 'Mate'. And bear in mind their general life-expectancy before the Elder first got involved with their training and education was generally a lot shorter. It was only with the creation of the Order of Elder's that some level of structure was introduced to their hectic and random life. With that stability came more time spent in areas and awareness on how they may survive certain confrontations with certain creatures and magical wielders. And from this additional time there were more opportunities for the Slayer's 'Lover' to happen upon them. Prior to these introductions, Lover's, wouldn't have been so much as a footnote. But with extension to their lives thanks to the training they received by their Elder's, more and more Slayer's became exposed to their various Lover's. And from these … encounter's … well, we learned from trial and error. Dozens of Slayer's were lost to what was deemed by many as lustful tendencies. No one back in that time considered it as you do now: A Curse."
"Yeah? Well it is. And I take it you people didn't take to kindly to these Lover's, did you?"
The elder Watcher then spoke up. "No. Though I am also certain that many Elder's had little to no trouble finding personal scores for why they may hate or detest them. But once their influence became widely known, vilifying the Lover's became an acceptable convenience."
"Why? They can't help being what they are any more then I could in being a Slayer."
"Obviously, Buffy, many Elder's considered the threat that the Lover's posed to be quite insulting to their masculine pride and personal pleasures. These Slayer's were their wives after all. The irrational anger directed towards the Lovers of Athena was conveniently disguised o their brethren as a hindrance to their righteous crusade upon Evil. But when you read between the lines of history … cut it down to the bone … unravel it all … what you end up seeing in the cold light of day is that this chosen antagonism was purely self-serving. That they had all, more or less, camouflaged their fear of inadequacy and propped it up to being 'concern' over the Lover's potential threat towards their various female Charges. And as such, because of the 'risk' they posed it was widely thought that they should all be either removed or … eliminated."
Buffy leaned forward in her chair, allowing the gravity of those words to sink in and realisation of their implications dawn in her mind. "Are … are you saying that you guys started to … No.? No, you wouldn't. You didn't! Did you? Please say you didn't."
Solemnly Rupert Giles nodded his head. "I am sorry to say, Buffy but we did. The Lovers were deemed a danger to the effectiveness of our Slayer's. Valuable time and effort was spent on their training and longevity. A Lover would nullify all that toil and effort. Placing us in the unenviable position of hunting down the next 'Chosen'. And that could take, back then, months … even years, to do so. Remember, Buffy, to travel across Europe back in those day could take the average person months, not days as it does now. Factor in that they would have to use scrying, which is an inaccurate form of divination at best in locating possible candidates. And still it could be quite the task to find the next Slayer-in-Line. Lover's, Buffy, were looked upon as the highest instrument that evil ever created. And they were treated as such. They were a peril and many Elder's felt that they needed to be eliminated just as much as Vampires, Witches and Demon's did."
Archer Snr then contributed to the discussion, offering his former-student a break from speaking for a moment and perhaps hope that he might be able to 'soften' the young Slayer's negative perceptions to his Order in its 'younger days'.
"To combat their harmful influence, most Elder's chose to isolate their Slayer's from any social contact. Choosing to deny them connection with any and every male and forcing upon them a very lonesome life. One that only permitted her to leave her home in the dead of the evening and returning pre-sunrise."
Buffy nodded, now appreciating the true origin to the Jamaican Slayer's life of isolation. "Like what Kendra's Watcher did to her. Yeah, I remember the first time she met, Xander. She acted like she had never spoken to a teenage boy in her entire life."
"Yes … err … exactly." Giles said nervously. "Anyway, when a Slayer started to experience a confusing attraction to a particular individual, their first impulse was of course to confess these growing feelings to their 'husbands'. The Elder would then take action in-order to prevent any further contact with that young man."
"But that didn't work, did it? Not all the time."
"No, Buffy. You cannot cheat Fate, no matter what kind of precautions you may implement in-order to do so. Generally though, Lovers, were seen by our predecessor's to being people worth avoiding at all costs. Prevention, as they say, can be better than the cure. Many saw avoidance preferable. And when that failed, sometimes a bit of intimidation and threats. If those failed? Well only then did Elder's take it to the next undesired and 'decisive' level. It was not until the early 1800's that this … did our … overall mandate change."
"A Dark Day." Reginald grumbled out. He then chose to enlighten the young female. "There was a Russian Elder, an obscene chap by accounts. Not much liked or respected by his Brother–Elder's, but that didn't prevent him from getting his own Slayer. Sometimes my dear, these things don't work out as ideally as people would like. Sometimes who gets assigned to you is more on who is the closest then who is the better choice. Anyway, as with all Elder's before him he married his Charge. Typically there is some restitution to the family, a dowry of sorts. Much like what the First Elder did with his First Slayer's Family. Not in this case. If my memory is still keen, I do believe he had threatened the girl's mother, father, brothers and grandmother with a powerful Hex if she did not wed him. A self-serving monster of a man. She, of course, had no choice. They married. I dread to imagine what their Wedding Night would have been like. At any rate, within four months, she lost her powers. She could not lift the same weight she had lifted the day before. And the Elder noticed that her reflexes were also off. To give credence to his suspicions he then 'accidentally' cut her. Now Ms Summer's, how long does it take you to completely heal from a simple cut?"
"I dunno, two … maybe three hours. No scar or anything."
"Exactly. That's about average. Imagine his surprise when the very next day he noticed that her cut was still healing? Something had happened to her, something that had sapped her of all her slaying abilities. Her Elder was not a stupid man; not by any accounts. There were only a handful of explanations for such a thing and all he was able to discount … except for one. That night, as she bid him leave to go out and do her Patrols of the nearby farms and field's. He incanted a tracking spell to latch onto her. After an hour he followed the invisible thread to the source. He discovered her in a barn, three farms over. She was in the throes of passion with the Farmer's son who had just returned from studying in Saint Petersburg."
"Her Lover?"
"Yes. The Elder was full of rage. But he wasn't going to show it to them. He was not going to allow them to see his humiliation. To be their cuckold. He returned back to his own Farm and proceeded to make her evening fast. A brothy-stew. Only this meal was laced with light-traces of Hemlock, Mandrake and several other poison's. She returned at her usual time and he asked of her success. She lied. Told him she had slayed three Vampires. He congratulated her, but deep down he was seething at her attempts to further deceive him. He produced her late dinner and she ate it down without question. It was not until an hour later that pain suddenly took hold of her. By his Journal's account he said it took her four-days to die. One organ slowly failing after another. Her Elder at her side the entire time, using his skills to keep her alive as long as possible so her pain could endure. Whispering in her 17-year old ear that he knew of her infidelity and that as soon as she was dead he would visit her Lover and do even worst to him. The poor child. I imagine she held out for as long as she could in the hopes that her husband would spare the Farm Boy if he thought she had suffered enough for the two of them. How wrong she was. It was the first time in Elder history when an Elder was responsible for the death of his very own Slayer. Never before had that happened. It went against the very pledge the First Elder ever made to protect and care for those burdened with your destiny.
"At any rate, when she passed, the Elder stormed up to the Father of the boy's door and claimed that his son had been having an adulterous affair with his wife. That she had become so guilt ridden by the affair that she had killed herself by poison after confessing her sin to him.
"The son was devastated at hearing this news. He hastily withdrew into himself, becoming uncommunicative towards learning of the death of his great love."
"This, Buffy, was one of the other possible outcomes of a Lover who loses their Slayer. A Lover is so devoted to their partner that when they are 'gone' they are left with a chasm in their heart and soul that cannot be replaced. They longing for death can be greater than any desire for vengeance."
"Err … yes … regardless, the boy was dragged before the town's court and told to swear an oath towards his innocence at the Husband's allegation. Either that or he risked the damnation of his soul. Fearing for his eternal reward the boy spoke the truth and admitted that he had indeed been carnal with another man's wife, just as the Elder had said. For this act, as few acts were deemed greater then wilful adultery, the boy was condemned to death.
"As was the custom in Russia at the time, and as he was perceived as the grieved party, it was the husband … the girl's Elder … who chose the method of the boy's execution".
"You're kidding. That bastard chose how her Lover was to die?"
Giles leaned forward and nodded. "Sadly, yes. And from memory, it wasn't at all pleasant. He even ensured that every Holy Man be barred from either seeing or hearing him speak."
"Why? What would the purpose of that be?"
The elder Watcher piped in. "So that he could be denied his final confession and make right his peace with God for all his earthly and mortal transgressions. Without the exoneration of his sin's the boy's soul faced eternity in emptiness."
"But … but that's not true. We *know* that's not true. I mean I didn't make any final confession and I*"
"*Yes, Buffy, I know. But this young man didn't. As far as he was concerned, he was going to die and his Spirit would be forever denied either forgiveness or entry into Heaven."
Buffy was momentarily stunned into silence at the consequences of what she had just heard. Unable to comprehend how such an injustice could be permitted, even 200 years ago.
"Yes. That Human-Monster kept his promise to his Slayer. He made sure that young man suffered more than any one should have. Typically, these types of executions are matter of course. Often beheading. Blood-Letting. Hangings. This Elder though wanted something more memorable. Something that told people far and wide, to never cross him."
Buffy swallowed. She didn't want to know, but her personal indignation almost demanded that she ask. "How? How was he ex…. Killed?"
Archer Snr, closed his eyes, in an effort to exercise the image from his mind. "By the Blood Eagle Method."
Giles nodded again, solemnly. Buffy's brow crunched in confusion. The Head Watcher took pity on her confusion and answered her un-asked question. "The Blood Eagle, Buffy, is an old Nordic means of executing those who have committed a great wrong. One that is reserved for traitors and cowards in battle. The victim is forced to lay face down on a table whilst the executioner cuts slits in their back exposing and then allowing access to their ribcage. The ribcage is then cut in such a fashion that they can be manipulated outwards … assuming the shape of wings.
"The executioner then turns the victim over, placing them on their back. Still conscious, he then draws out from the still living victim aspects of the person's internal organs, all without disconnecting them from the body. Liver, intestines, stomach. It sounds impossible, I know. But with a broken ribcage, the confines that keep these organs housed and in place are easily accessible. Salt is then spread over the organs to promote even greater anguish. Stories tell that a truly skilled executioner can make the ordeal last two-to-three hours. It is said, however, that prior to this young man's execution, the Elder, slipped a special potion into his 'last meal'. One that would suspend his bodily responses."
"What would be the purposes of that?"
Reginald offered Giles a reprieve. "To force his body to 'die' slowly. So that poor soul's horrific ordeal could be prolonged beyond any logical reason and conceivable possibility. I believe he lived for a full two-days, screaming in agony the entire time. It was only through the mercy of his Executioner, who could not bear the young man's torment any further, that a killing blow was finally delivered. Only in that instant did that young man know peace."
An icy shiver flowed down Buffy's spine. "That's beyond evil. What the Hell kinda of screening did you people do back then to ever let this psycho look after any Slayer?! Please tell me this … animal … died a death that will make me puke my guts out at hearing."
Both Watcher's looked at each other, both urging the other to break the news to the female and quash her hopes of a just Universe and Karma. Eventually, Giles, took the que. "He did die, Buffy. Poisoned by the other Elder's. But it was as peaceful a death as they could manage. He was one of their own after all. But punishment had to merited out and he needed to be made an example of."
"Well I guess that's something. I mean he killed his Slayer and an innocent boy *"
"*That wasn't why he was killed." Reginald spoke up, ending abruptly Buffy's words. "He was murdered by the Elder Tribunal for being 'indiscreet'."
"Indiscreet?"
"Yes, Buffy. *We* are a Secret Order. Emphasis on *Secret*. The Russian Elder, in taking his vengeance to a public forum. He cast a light upon his Slayer and himself, and potentially he could have exposed the existence of the Order to the uneducated World. We, as you know, do our best work in the shadows, not the light. He needed to be made accountable. And he was."
"But not after he had said his piece." Reginald offered.
Buffy looked back and forth between the two men. "What do you mean?"
Archer Snr, leaned closer to the blonde Slayer. "He put on Record what everybody thought, but no one ever said. He told the Tribunal that his actions were the actions of a just man. A wronged man. That because of this Lover, his Slayer's potential would now never be realised. That every death that could not now be saved in his region was because she had ceased being a Slayer. That this failure was not upon *his* head, or her's. But upon the head of the Lover. That what he did was justice on her and the Lover was for all the lives that now could not be saved. That the Order needed to change how they formally dealt with this on-going threat. That we had to stop treating this matter as an inconvenience. Otherwise Slayer after Slayer would be lost. And more innocent death would be raked up as a result. That 'we' either served the Light and the Innocent, or 'we' didn't. Basically Ms Summer's, he repeated the argument first presented by Edmund Burke a decade or so earlier: 'All that is necessary for Evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.' And the Tribunal considered themselves to being *all* very good men, indeed. After he had been buried, laid to rest and had his name stricken from every Journal Entry and Tome reconvened. The Tribunal chose to deliberate for twenty days on his argument. On the 21st a decision was made and it would be adhered to for the rest of Time."
"Oh yeah? What was that?"
"That every Slayer's Guardian would take sole responsibility for their Slayer. Their fate would be tied to the fate of their Charge. Only if a Slayer died in the execution of her duty, was it deemed acceptable. But if a Slayer lost her abilities, then that would be the fault of their Teacher and Guardian. And as such they would have to submit to either disgrace and/or an honourable death."
"You're kidding me."
"No." Giles gently answered. "Over the next decade, we even stopped referring to ourselves as Elder's."
Buffy nodded, now understanding why Giles never referred to himself as such. But it was still a curiosity to 'why'. Her unasked question must have been apparent as Giles proceeded to offer her an explanation.
"Buffy, do you recall the number of times that whenever I disagreed with one of your various short-sighted and ill-conceived plans … Whenever I challenged you on how you were dealing with an issue … Whenever we would bang heads … You kept bringing up the fact that the decision, at the end of the day, was yours and yours alone. Your's, because 'Destiny' had made it so. That you were *the* Slayer and that I was only a Watcher. That this was what I was good at … 'Watching'?"
"err … yeah … I … I seem to recall saying something like that once or twice." Buffy mumbled out. "I guess I might have been a bit harsh*"
"When have I ever just 'Watched', Buffy? I have trained and educated you. I have assisted you with strategies. I have healed and repaired your body on more occasions then I wish to recall. I have been at your side during Patrol's and on Mission's that could easily have led to a full-scale Armageddon. I have made myself a resource for you, as a teacher, a friend and also as the proverbial father-figure in your life. I have never been a pedestrian as you have claimed. I was never someone who has just sat upon the bleachers and just 'watched' you go forth into battle." Giles then took a moment to pause, permitting his words to catch-up in his former-Slayer's memories. "*YOU*, Buffy, were never the one I was 'WATCHING' out for."
The Slayer's mouth went ajar, taking her several seconds to put the facts together and coming up with only one conceivable solution to what was just shared. "Are you saying that all this time … my 'Lover' was the one who you…*"
"Of course he is you silly girl. You really are not the brightest of the bright, are you?" Reginald Archer spoke out in annoyance. "Two Centuries ago we diverted our practices to make identifying our Slayer's Lover's a priority. We even stopped referring to ourselves as the Order of Elder's and assumed the name The Watcher's Council."
Blowing a strand of golden hair from off her forehead and trying to control her annoyance at being called all by 'stupid', Buffy, reacted the only way she knew how. By asking a stupid, and to her, obvious question. Hey, if she was going to be treated like a Duck, she might as well quack like one. "Okay. But why call yourself the Council? Why not just call yourselves the Watcher's Order? Or the Order of Watcher's?"
Reginald and Rupert Giles again looked at each other uncomfortably with regards to Buffy's inquiries. It was her former Watcher who spoke first.
"Um… Because, Buffy, that name was already taken by an Organisation slightly more secretive and a great deal older than our own. And they had a well established reputation of being quite … territorial."
"Huh?"
"Basically, my dear Girl, there can-be-only-one, and let's just leave it at that, shall we."
Buffy wasn't so certain, but she thought that Archer Snr. had just made a joke. But she had no idea what the punch line of it was. Yet whatever 'funny-ha-ha' it was, it was enough to make Giles offer a small secretive smile at his former teacher. She also noted that the atmosphere within the room had now also changed. It had become … thicker.
In her gut she knew, whatever it was that Giles was too scared to tell her alone, she just *knew* it would be revealed in the next 5-minutes. She also knew that whatever it was it had the potential of rocking what she knew about the Slayer-Line to the very foundations. She just hoped she was strong enough to 'deal' when she found it out.
6FD6FD6FD
I hope you enjoyed this 'catch-up'. I am now offering you, the reader a chance to decide what my next instalment will be. So please vote. The next chapter could be:
The continuation of Xander's heroic rescue of the Walker Twin's and his run in with a certain 'Walking Ghost' who misunderstands that Xander is trying to help his children and is not the kidnapper of them
OR
We learn the shocking truth to that Slayer's that Giles has tried to keep hidden from Buffy. Why Giles once told Buffy that the Council had experiences dealing with 'Dark' Slayer's? Why the only English phrase the First Slayer ever speaks is 'Death is my Gift'? Who was the mysterious 'Cheese-Man' from the dream-episode?
As you all know. I love reviews, constructive ones. And I am happy to try and answer as many questions as possible, as long as it doesn't risk giving too much away ….
Finally, this chapter is dedicated to all the Xander-Fic Writer's … especially my friend's Xanderrocksthehouse and cmdruhura.
6FD6FD6FD