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Part 5
Willow tried to hide her sadness at the loss of Spike, but those around her noticed the change in her mood. Each tried in his or her own way to discover the cause and cheer her. Xander and Jesse tried to cook lunch for her, and while the disastrous results did bring a smile to her lips, the effect was very temporary.
"What's wrong, Willow? Please, talk to me." Anya asked.
"I really don't want to discuss it."
"It's Spike, isn't it? You miss him."
"Yeah, I do," Willow admitted.
"Why don't you go back and marry him?"
"I can't. If I went back, my stepmother would have me married to the minstrel before anyone knew I was back. Besides, Spike's probably forgotten about me already. And even if he hasn't, then what must he think? He had just asked my permission to court me, and I disappear without a word. He has every right to hate me."
"I doubt that. But if it is so, then he never cared for you as much as you thought. You deserve better than a man who will forget you in a few weeks' time."
"I know what you need," Buffy spoke from where she and Faith were practicing their fighting techniques. "You need someone to take your mind off of him. Our own prince is just returned from his schooling, and word has it that he's looking for a bride. And I must say, he is a sight. To quote Cordy when she saw him the other day, 'Hello, Salty Goodness.' I'm sure we could get you in to meet him, especially if we told King Angelus that you were a princess. Turns out he had his heart broken by some servant girl while he was at school, and His Majesty wants his son married to a lady 'befitting his station,' and soon."
"I thank you for your offer, but I'd rather not, just yet."
"Well, think about it, and if you change your mind, just give the word." Turning her attention back to the fight, she quickly pinned Faith to the floor and held a broomstick "sword" to her throat. "Do you yield?"
"Never," Faith replied, as she knocked Buffy's feet from beneath her and began the fight again.
"They'll be at it all day," Anya commented, while Willow watched with wide eyes.
"How do they do it? I mean, back home, women wouldn't dream of starting a fight, well not with weapons, at least. But here, not only do they fight for fun, but it is their livelihood."
"A lot of things are different here."
"Is it like this in other kingdoms too?"
"No, not usually. There are a few Amazon tribes that have women as warriors, but most are like what I imagine your home to be like. Men in charge, but the women really running things. People working during the day and sleeping at night. Royal positions such as Lady-in-waiting and Minstrel instead of Greenwitch and Historian. But our ways work for us, and that's as it should be."
"How do you know so much about my Kingdom and others?"
"Well, working in the palace, you meet the visiting nobles paying respect to the King and Queen. And my lord, the King encourages travel by his subjects. He feels that by learning of other Kingdoms, he can learn how to better rule his own land. And I did not always hold this position. I traveled much, learning spells from the village healers before I came here. I must admit though, that I am only guessing about your home. I have never been there, nor do I know of anyone who has and is willing to speak of it."
"Willing to speak of it? Why wouldn't one speak of Rosenberg? It is a beautiful country, especially in the spring, when all the fields surrounding the farms are covered in wildflowers and their fragrance in the air is stronger and sweeter than any perfume."
"That may be so, but I suspect of some who have been there but do not wish to tell what they have seen. I have only heard rumors, though. It is nothing to worry about."
"No, please, tell me what you have heard."
"I shouldn't. If anyone were to know that I have spoken of such, I could be… I don't even want to think of it."
"But who would find out. I'll not tell anyone."
"Very well. It is rumored that the kingdom is ruled by a Sorceress, and that those who live there are tainted by her magic. But I can see that at least the last part is not true, for there is no mark of black magic on you. And others say that it was to Rosenberg that Prince William was sent to be educated. But that rumor varies from kingdom to kingdom. He was sent away so that he could experience a 'normal' life in a place where no one knew him. Thus his location was kept secret from all but Their Highnesses and a few select advisors."
"I do not know about the others, but Queen Sheila practices the black arts. I don't know that I would call her a sorceress, but she has some way of bending my father to her will."
"That's not magic," Anya laughed. "Well, not necessarily. It could be womanly charm that has your father fulfilling her every desire."
"Somehow I doubt that," Willow scoffed.
"Why? Is she not beautiful?"
"Well, yes, but that wouldn't cause my father to act so. She is outwardly stunning, but it was my mother's inward beauty that won him before. Or so I was told. And Her Majesty has none of that."
"Well, whatever has caused it, at least you are unaffected by it."
"Can you really tell that, Anya?"
"Certainly. What kind of Greenwitch would I be if I could not read the marks of magic? You have been touched by it, but the power burns clean and pure within you. Your talent has not been tainted by the darkness."
"I have magic in me?"
"Everyone does, to a point. But have you not noticed that the garden, which was dying before you came, is even now coming to life?"
"All it needed was a little tending. I didn't do anything that you couldn't do."
"But you did. We tried so hard to get the ground to give us food, but it seemed barren. And you only have to ask, and we have food aplenty. Look around. None of the other houses have gardens half as splendid."
"I… I guess I have always been able to grow things. Back home, I had a little bit of earth. It was my mother's, but after she died… well, no one really took care of it. There was this magnificent apple tree that flowered overnight, always on the anniversary of my birth. I spent most of my days out there, tending flowers and pulling weeds from around the bench." Willow tone became wistful as she recalled all that she had left behind.
"Oh dear. Now I've gone and made you homesick. That wasn't my intention at all. But I've an idea that may make you feel better. Come with me." Willow looked doubtingly at the other girl, but followed her outside and to the vegetable patch. "Here. Since you love the earth so much, and it seems to like you as well, the garden is yours. You may grow whatever you wish and use as much land as you need."
"Really? You'd do that for me? Oh, Anya, thank you! You don't know what this means to me." Willow ran to the shed to gather some gardening tools so that she could prepare the land for planting.
"I think I do," Anya spoke to herself as she watched the young princess' face light up for the first time in weeks.
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