Disclaimer: I own nothing below except the plot. All characters, locations, and concepts are owned under their respective copyrights.
Spoilers: Angel through Season 5
Timeline: During the season 5 episode "Time Bomb"
Author's note: As with all of my stories, suggestions about future plot developments are welcome and wanted, Reviews of any kind are neat as well.
The Burden
Chapter 5: On fluttered folk and wild
It was a beautiful, sunny day. The only clouds in the sky were those that allowed the sunlight to stream through and be visible as a kind of curtain of light. The birds were singing. The princess was resplendent and lovely in a flowing gown. The brave knight was dashing in his gleaming armor. He was about to protect his beloved from the vicious spectre of disfigured evil before him.
Actually it was sunny, there were no clouds though, the two suns had burned them all away. The birds singing, those that made this place their home, were drowned out by the distant barking of hellbeast's and the roar of the drokken in the nearby gully. The princess was just a regular girl, and she was wearing a loose fitting shirt and jeans. To deal with the heat as well maintain a freedom of movement. The knight would never see himself that way, he had no armor, but he was possessed of a sword. The evil one was not disfigured, he did have armor and the bearing of a champion.
The Groosalugg had arrived a short time ago. Wesley reflected that the other man was not as imposing as Wesley remembered. But then when Wesley had first saw him, it was more than a year hence. However different he was, the Groosalugg still made Wesley nervous. He was slightly taller and more muscular by far than the former watcher.
The Pylean champion had just finished telling the human's about the Priest's response to his demands. The Groosalugg did not mention how his masters had looked concerned when Narwek had told them about how this cow knew about the Senior Partner's. That bit of information led to a ready acceptance of Wesley's bargain. Wesley and Fred would be able to move freely, officially without fear, and Wesley would give the priests and their bosses with information about various apocalypses back on Earth. When the time was right. Wolfram and Hart was very protective of their schedule, it wouldn't do to have some upstart come and mess up their long range plans.
Wesley was relieved, now all that he had to worry about was the average Pylean who would be unaware of his and Fred's unique status. This brought him to his present problem. Fred's protection was his paramount concern, he could foresee a time when he would have to leave her alone. And it's not as if he could convince her to stay in the cave while he was away like an an animal.
Wesley's goal was to have the Groosalugg as an ally, for ensuring Fred's safety. With this in mind he addressed the champion standing across from him "I have a request I wish to make."
"What sort of request?" Groo was wary of these two cows, they had seemingly intimidated those he served with names he had never heard before and threats that Groo didn't think the male cow would be able to do.
Wesley considered his request "I didn't tell Narwek why I was here." He glanced and nodded at Fred "My purpose here is to make sure this woman survives, and is not subjected to the normal treatment of our kind here."
"You wish that the she-cow would be treated as one of her betters." Groo had a hard time with the concept, even he knew not to expect such an honor.
Wesley bristled at the 'she-cow' reference, but realized that the Groosalugg wouldn't know any other way to see humans for a while, if ever, Wesley wasn't sure if the rebellion here would be as successful as the first time around. He made his pitch without any correction "Yes, she is like to a queen, and deserves the same regard. I would like to have your help in keeping her safe."
"There is no shame in wishing to keep your mate safe, but I am unable to help you, my loyalty is to the Covenant first and only. Also, I have no respect for you or her, you do not accept your rightful place here." The Groosalugg could only speak the truth as he saw it. These two cows, no matter their importance or circumstances, should serve as is mandated by the holy priests.
Fred and Wesley noted and cringed the use of the word 'mate.' They had a friendship brought on by proximity. Fred was still wary of Wesley, who she had seen at his most vulnerable. Wesley was still weighed down by a history that he was loathe to share. Even being friends was not a given, but it was brought on by mutual need. Fred was not suited for isolation and Wesley had spent years acting with Fred in mind. It was this ingrained reaction that guided his next statement "I challenge you then."
"A joust? What terms do you offer?" Groo was baffled, no cow had the courage or foolishness before to face him.
Wesley took a steadying breath and looked quickly over at Fred, who was fidgeting nervously, the Groosalugg was known even to her, his exploits were like those of mythical heroes back on earth. Her thoughts reflected her emotions 'Wesley's going to get killed, and I'll be alone again. They'll take me after he is gone. What's his plan? Just when I think I have him figured out, he goes and pulls something like this.'
While Fred was considering her bleak future, Wesley was laying out the terms of his challenge "If I win, that is to say if you yield to me, I would need your services. I would have you serve as a guard and champion to this woman when I am parted from her."
"That is acceptable, and if I should best you?" Groo was wondering, It was an unusual request, normally victors won money and honor in a fight.
Wesley was not going to state what would happen if he lost until he was sure it would be carried out. "I want your word, on your honor, that you will fulfill these terms in either case"
"You shall have it, I swear." This was something the Groosalugg understood very well, he idly wondered if the cow would be equally genuine.
Wesley knew, to gain any sort of minimal trust, he must return the oath "As do I, if I should fall, you may take me to the priests. Once there I will tell them them what I know about the future. They can then do what they will to me. Should you kill me, there are books inside a nearby cave that have the same information. In either case, I want you to make sure the woman, Winifred, is sent through a portal. She is to be sent home. Do you agree?"
"You would offer knowledge of events that have not yet occurred in exchange for my presence as a guard for 'her'? You are a strange and foolish cow. Weapons?" Groo was now eager for the fight, after his victory, he would be honored by the Priests when he presented either the male cow for interrogation or the books. The request about the female cow was a small thing that Groo would attend to, she was unimportant and opening a portal was an equally small matter for the Priest's.
Wesley was partially relieved, now, win or lose, he could be reasonably sure that Fred would be in a better situation. "Swords."
"Excellent, let's begin." Groo unsheathed his own sword while Wesley drew his one-handed sword. They circled each other, looking for an opening.
Fred looked on, Wesley looked like he knew what he was doing, but she couldn't see how he could win. She suspected Wesley knew how strong the Grooslugg was, if he knew her from before, then he was at least aware of Pylea and it's champion.
Groo attacked first, swinging and aiming for Wesley's head, Wesley moved to block, hoping he could parry the blow and counter with one of his own. His hopes were dashed when the force of the blow forced him to stumble to the side. His arm and shoulder were vibrating from the strike. He had a flicker of doubt then.
Groo came at him again, thrusting at his body, Wesley sprang away while parrying yet again. Faster now, Groo went for an overhead strike that Wesley blocked as well. This time, he was brought to one knee, his thoughts were steadily getting worse as the fight went on, after the latest exchange they ran thus 'Damn, I knew I was outclassed going in, but this is ridiculous.' Groo attacked again and Wesley rolled from his half-kneel and back into a standing position behind Groo, who turned around just as fast.
Wesley knew he couldn't continue this way, if he did, not only would he lose, but he would be severely injured at best or killed. With this in mind, he activated his wrist-mounted sword. He knew Groo was faster and stronger, so attacking him was not advisable, it would be ineffective and might leave him exposed to a counterattack. Wesley decided the only way for him, maybe, to win, was to wait for the Groosalugg to make a mistake, and take advantage of it.
However, he wanted to try one attack first, to see if his assessment was correct, he came in swinging both of his weapons, Groo blocked both with incredible speed and punched Wesley hard across the face. Wesley saw stars and backed away, reminded that this was a fight and not a dance. He couldn't allow that to happen again, he would have to keep Groo at a distance, and his defensive concept was absolutely the right one.
For the next several minutes there was a clashing of swords, the occasional grunt or yell from one of the fighters. Wesley put his fencing training and field experience to good use, countering the Groosalugg's speed and strength with skill and unconventional defensive techniques.
Fred was watching all of this, she recognized what Wesley was doing, but she was still worried, one missed block or one unexpected strike from the Groosalugg and the fight would be over. She wanted to help, and she had her own weapon, if the Groosalugg hadn't come alone. But she realized the Pylean warrior would not be much troubled by her attacking him, and it would simply result in her being hurt or killed, and that would distract Wesley, and the fight would end quickly after.
Fred hit upon a way to help, she remembered when she had sang after Wesley had first arrived, and she wondered if the Groosalugg would be affected like Narwek was by music. She began to hum a soft tune, again not being a distraction was key. If she started belting out some song or another unexpectedly, Wesley would be surprised.
By this point, both fighters were getting tired, Wesley was pouring sweat, and Groo was breathing heavier, and he kept getting this painful sensation behind his eyes, he didn't know where it came from and he was getting frustrated by his inability to strike down this impudent yet capable cow. Groo attacked again, swinging with all of his strength, hoping that with sheer force he could break through the cow's defense that was unceasing and desperate, yet Groo could still find no opening.
Wesley barely saw the attack coming, but he thought this was his chance. He parried the strike with both of his swords, forcing his opponent's weapon down and away and stepped to the side causing Groo to stumble for a moment, so that his back was to the human, that was enough for Wesley to thread one of his weapons so that it pinned Groo's arms while he brought his other sword to his opponent's throat. Wesley panted out, exhausted from the fight, "Do you yield?"
"I do." the Groosalugg considered his response for a moment before giving it, if he tried to move his arms, the cow could damage them and leave him defenseless, also the blade at his throat was quite persuasive.
Wesley heard Fred's humming, and he let Groo go, and turned to her. "Fred, thank you, but you have to stop." She went silent and Wesley turned back to Groo "You submitted to me just now, but I offered an honorable joust, I don't think it was, therefore, in keeping with the challenge, you may take us to the Priest's and I will give them what I know."
Fred whispered "No." and she prepared to run, she would not let herself just be taken because Wesley wanted to prove a point. If she could get back to the cave, she would be safe.
Groo made her fear unnecessary "I don't believe I will, it was my fault that I was at your mercy, your woman was only trying to help you, a champion should be grateful to have such a companion. The Constable told us of the sorcery she used, she showed her own honor by not using it as she could. What is your name Warrior-cow?"
"I am called Wesley, and you are worthy of your name, despite what happened here." Wesley remembered that the Groosalugg was a title that meant brave and undefeated.
Groo smiled at his once adversary, seeing something more than the cow he was supposed to be "And what is her name, the one I promised to safeguard?"
"She is Winifred, though she would prefer to be known as Fred. Should we need you, she or I will contact you by fire and smoke, or I will send you a flying flame with sorcery." Wesley felt the tension and uncertainty leave him, he had taken a major step in providing both freedom and safety for Fred, one his goals with her. The Groosalugg was possibly the most formidable anything in all of Pylea, if he could be counted on to keep his word, Fred could not find better company.
The Groosalugg regarded his new responsibility, she was small and skinny for a cow, but she stared at him wthout wavering, most other cows wouldn't dare look at him like that. He wondered what made her worthy of such regard by the warrior who had just bested him, he turned to the aforementioned warrior-cow "I must depart, but first I must make a formal presentation, as is customary when one such as myself is given to a new master."
"A presentation? To whom?" Wesley was confused, he hadn't thought of Groo as any kind of a slave, but he supposed the champion was in the same position as eunuchs in ancient civilizations, favored above other slaves but still held in subjugation.
Groo answered the question by walking over to Fred, who became increasingly nervous as he neared, he cast his eyes down as a sign of deference, and to assure her that he had no evil intent "Mistress Winifred, your defender has won my service to you, as I gave my word, I shall treat you as he requests, though you are just a cow, he considers you as something more, so I must. I swear to keep you from harm if I am able."
"Please Groosalugg, it's just Fred, and thank you, that's great but it's not just me, Wesley might needd your help later." Fred was taken by surprise, she didn't think when she awoke that day, that she would have a legendary champion of her own. She thought Wesley was foolish to challenge him, but now that his plan was revealed, she wondered again why she was so special to him.
Groo looked at his newest master in wonder, she didn't seem to understand what their relationship was now, however she was above him "Alright, mistress Fred, with the same thought, I am given to you, should you command it, I will help 'Wesley'" Groo was still uncomfortable calling these cows by their names, but he had to try, it would make dealing with them easier.
"And I'll call you Groo from now on, you can go if you want, I don't think we're doing anything today, right Wes?" Fred was hoping she was right, being out in the open like they were was making her apprehensive, she wanted to return to the relative safety of the cave.
Wesley looked at Fred and his newest ally "Certainly Fred, Groosalugg be careful what you tell the Priest's, I don't believe they would like having your loyalty divided as it is. I leave it to you to decide how to serve both masters, I trust your word of honor is enough that Fred's well-being is above any instructions they might give to cause us harm."
Groo nodded, while the priest's had bestowed on him his title, the trial by combat held more weight, Thus Fred and Wesley held him more firmly. He left, leaving Fred and Wesley to go back to the nearby cave.
Once they were inside, Fred examined Wesley, the fight had taken much of his energy, and he had a large bruise on the side of his face that was beginning to form, she moved closer to him and went to touch the bruise, which caused Wesley to flinch away "Wes, what were you thinking? You say you want to be here, then you almost get yourself killed. Just tell me why, what happened to you, why are you like this?"
Wesley sighed heavily, this day just wasn't going to get any easier, Fred and her damned insatiable curiousity. The less she knew about him the better, his life was at best a tale of what not to do. He did answer her first question "Fred, my job here is to keep you safe, if I had my choice I would turn this cave into a fortress and have you stay ever inside; however, my other job is that you don't go crazy, and you would if I locked you up like that. I want you to have as much security as you can when you're outside the cave."
"If that's true, will you teach me how to fight like you did back there?" Fred noticed how he again avoided answering her question about him, like there wasn't anything strange or unusual about his actions.
Wesley remembered the last time he had wanted to train Fred, how disastrous it had turned out, he had only suggested it to Cordelia, just in time for the mess with Billy Blim to come up. Maybe this time he could actually do some good without trying to kill Fred. "Actually, that's a wonderful idea. I wanted to anyway, but I wasn't sure when or how we could do it."
"Thanks, Wes, by the way, those weird books you brought, what are they?" Fred was wondering idly about the training, he would figure that stuff out, she had her own mystery to solve.
Wesley didn't think there was any harm in telling her "They're called templates, they can bring forth information on almost any subject, that's why I brought them."
"Really?" Fred looked like someone who had received an early Christmas present, something they'd wanted for a long time and her thought's matched her feelings 'If he won't tell me anything, maybe those books will have the answers I want, he did use one of them before, and he seemed pleased with information he wanted, I wonder if they have biographies in there. His for starters, and mine. And just who gave him the mission he's on. I mean who would possibly want to come here by choice. After he goes to sleep, there's work to be done.'
Wesley was already busy with the fire, and thinking about what they were going to eat, they would have to hunt, fish, or gather in the remaining daylight hours, he didn't think being out in the open at night was the best of ideas, so he missed the look Fred gave to the books, it was one of anticipation, little did he know that she was about to discover a great many things about him, and her future counterpart. His plan and mission was going well so far, but he was about to be put in a few awkward situations, like many times before, he would be his own worst enemy, and Fred, as she and her counterpart had done before, would surprise him.
