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Part 7
"Bye Willow!" Buffy chirped as she bounded out of the cottage. "Are you sure you don't want to meet the Prince?"
"I'm sure, Buffy. You go on. I don't want you to be late again. You told me that Captain Snyder has been threatening to tell His Majesty of your tardiness."
"Yeah, Buffy, and we don't want to be late, either. So move it and leave the poor girl alone."
"Fine, Cordy. But I know you want to see the two of them together as much as I do."
"Yea, but pressuring her isn't the way to do it. He's the only decent guy around here. Eventually she'll come to her senses and meet him."
"Thanks, Cordy, I think." Willow smiled at the brunette's attempt at helping. "But really, you guys need to go."
"Now, don't talk to any strangers, Willow. And, erm, do be careful by yourself."
"Giles, I'll be fine. Like I am every day. But thanks for the sentiment."
"Yes, well, goodbye, then."
"Bye. I'll see you all later. And hurry home, I'm making a surprise for dinner."
"Food? We'll be back in no time."
"Great. Now he's going to drool all over the fabrics today. Good going, Will."
"Sorry, Cordy."
"Not your problem. Not any more. Come on Jesse. No food unless you actually get some work done today. You too, Xander."
"Bye guys. For real this time. Go."
"Bye Willow." The seven roommates began their trek to the palace, leaving Willow to watch over their home. Neither party noticed the old woman hiding just beyond the fringe of forest that bordered them. The peddler watched as the redhead closed the door and went about her daily tasks. Waiting a few minutes, she slowly ambled up to the step and knocked on the wooden frame.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" She called.
Looking out the window, Willow saw the elderly lady and remembered Giles' warning. But this was just a harmless woman trying to earn her living. Surely it wouldn't hurt to talk to her. She opened the door and greeted her guest. "Good day, Grandmother. How can I help you?"
"Ah, such a beautiful child! And such pretty hair. You're a rare one, especially in this country."
"Thank you, grandmother. It is rare elsewhere, as well."
"Are you far from home then, child?"
"Yes, I am staying with some friends. But you just missed them. They work in the palace. If you would like to see them - "
"No, no. I am old, and the long journey would exhaust me."
"Oh, I am forgetting myself. You must be fatigued. Please, won't you come in and rest? Have a glass of water, perhaps? And then you could show me you wares when you've rested."
"That would be very kind of you, my dear. But I mustn't stay long, for I have a long day ahead of me."
Willow led the woman inside and sat her at the large table before fetching a glass of cool water. "There you are. Now, what do you have for sale today?"
"Laces. The finest ribbons and laces in the kingdom."
"Oh, we had the finest laces I've seen back home. How do yours compare?" She picked up one of the cords from the basket lying by the woman's chair. "Why, these are magnificent! They rival any we had in Rosenberg."
"Rosenberg? You flatter me, child. The world's finest weavers and spinners work there. You have been gone too long if you think that these compare. And from the looks of your bodice, I tell the truth. Here, for your kindness, pick any ribbon from my basket, and it is yours. I will even help you lace it."
"Oh, but I couldn't. Please, I must pay for it."
"No, you have shown me kindness, and that is worth more to an old woman like myself than gold."
"If you insist…"
"I do. Now, how about this lovely emerald one? It catches the light in your eyes."
"It is beautiful."
"That settles it. It is yours. Here. Now stand still and let me tie it for you. Isn't that better?"
"It's so tight. Couldn't you loosen it, just a bit?"
"No! No, It only feels tight because it is new. Besides, a loose lace does no good."
"But just for a minute, please? I… I can't breathe." Willow began to claw at the knot, gasping for air.
"It will only feel that way for a minute or two. Believe me."
Collapsing to the ground, the young princess' gasps slowed and then stopped.
"See, I told you it would be over soon." The
woman laughed and shed her disguise. Queen Sheila quietly left the
house and made her way back to Rosenberg, smiling at her triumph.
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