Prologue:
"Dawn, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I'll always love you. But, this is the work I have to do. Tell Giles; tell Giles I figured it out. And, and I'm okay. And give my love to my friends. You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of one another. You have to be strong. Dawn, the hardest thing in this world is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me..."
Buffy ran to the end of the platform, diving into the portal. It suspended her body in the center of a blinding blue glow. Lightning shot out all around her before the portal shrank to nothing and disappeared, taking Buffy with it.
Everyone looked on in disbelief, tears streamed down their faces. Dawn slowly walked down the tower, holding her stomach only to collapse at the bottom. She would have hit the ground if Giles hadn't caught her. He picked her up and carried her away. The others slowly followed him. They had defeated Glory, but paid a terrible price.
Queen Andais sat on her throne, still stunned every time the roses' responded to Merry. She felt equally parts glad and resentful. The roses used to bloom for her. Now her brother's human child caused blooms to appear. She looked over at Merry with her blood auburn hair. Andais admitted her niece was beautiful, if only she was a true Sidhe. Would her plans come to fruition? I must save my people. Perhaps Merry's humanness is what we require. Only time will tell who will be my heir, but most importantly there must be a child, a Sidhe child.
Just then, a large booming sound echoed outside the doors, and a blue light bathed the court, startling them to look toward the entrance. Doyle went to investigate, returning quickly to bow before the Queen. "Your majesty, I believe you should come and view this for yourself. It isn't something I can explain, nor am I certain I wish to." Seeing the alarm in her Darkness' eyes, Andais swiftly rose and left the room with the court following close behind only to stop short as her mouth opened into a perfect 'O'. A bright blue light encompassed the arbor and lightning crashed into the ceiling near the tallest rose's branches, which held something as cradled tenderly like a child; it was a body. Blood dripped from the body onto the roses. The court watched as the roses bloomed at an alarming rate, tenderly caressing and cradling its fragile treasure. Doyle stepped forward hoping to help the person within the branches. The roses didn't appreciate the help and threw him backwards, its long thorns tearing his smooth chest like a knife. The roses created a thorn wall allowing no one near its only inhabitant.
Andais watched in horror as the Mound's Defenders turned on them, on her. The roses had protected the Unseelie for thousands of years. The queen couldn't fathom what manner of creature the Sithin would chose over its own. Merry stepped forward, putting out a hand as one would to a wild animal. The roses didn't attack and the wall folded away. The court saw long golden tresses fall through the branches when the person began to stir. Not knowing what would come out of this chaos, the Unseelie backed away. The roses gently deposited their bounty, a young girl with golden skin and large hazel eyes no taller than Merry. The blue light faded and the lightning stopped when the girl took a step forward. Merry moved closer but the girl stopped. She noted the people staring at her, for the first time, and withdrew as the roses started closing close around her. Then, something even stranger happened; the girl gently touched a bloom. It turned from red to gold when it brushed her cheek in a caress. The girl laughed as if the roses spoke to her.
She turned to Merry, stepping away from the roses' protective bower. "Who are you, and where am I?"
"I believe that's what we'd like to know," Cel said from the sidelines. He stepped forward, not willing to allow his cousin to seize his place. A branch slashed out, cutting his face.
"I don't think my friend likes you. I don't think I do either," Buffy remarked, looking at the dark-haired, handsome man. He sets off my spidey sense, everyone does. That guy just gives me the wiggins, reminds me of Drac.
"I'm Princess Meredith. You're in the Unseelie Court of Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness. Who are you and how did you come to be here?"
"I'm Buffy Summers. I jumped through a portal and landed in the rose penthouse up there. I'm not in some hell dimension's version of Oz am I?" Confusion crossed her face at the strange type people that surrounded her.
Merry laughed, "No, you aren't in Oz, I promise. Let me introduce you to my aunt, the Queen." She walked over to Andais and Buffy followed. "Your Majesty, this is Buffy Summers. She doesn't know how she landed in your court."
Andais inspected the young girl, who looked her straight in the eyes. Buffy thought the queen was beautiful, with her pale white skin, long black hair and eyes with three rings of gray. "Cool eyes," Buffy stated with a friendly smile.
"You would dare talk to me in this manner. Do you have any idea what I could do to you for invading my court?" Andais, shocked at this child's impertinence, said coldly.
"Look it's a compliment, don't get your corset in a bunch. As for what you can do to me, I wouldn't try it Queenie." Buffy responded in an equally cold tone. The Slayer was present for all to see.
"You dare threaten me?" Andais' back stiffened in offence.
"Hey, you started it." Buffy glared at the woman. "Just letting you know I don't take crap from anyone. You aren't my queen."
"You lost your rights once you entered my court. Uninvited, I might add, and in a threatening manner," the Queen shot back.
"Oh yeah, it's so threatening to bleed all over your roses. Lady, you need to work on your etiquette. I thought royalty were, you know, mannerly."
Their audience gasped as they watched this war of words. "Your majesty, she doesn't understand what she's saying. Her ordeal obviously has her disoriented. Merely look at her, blood covers her clothes. Perhaps she requires Fflur's attentions," Merry pleaded, trying to protect Buffy from her aunt's wrath.
Andais realized she must regain control before the court witnessed her fear. "Merry, take her to your rooms and clean her up. Bring her back when she's presentable and grasps how to act properly before royalty." She swept from the room with the court following close behind. Several brave couturiers threw inquisitive glances at Merry and Buffy.
"Come on and we'll take a look at your wounds. I should be able to find you something suitable to wear."
Buffy decided she liked the red haired woman. Maybe she could find out something more about this wacky place.
A tall man, who was all shades of blue from his eyes to his hair, stopped Merry. "Be careful, little one. Your new friend scares her, and Andais doesn't like to show fear. Don't interfere," he cautioned his voice deep and soothing to the ear.
Buffy looked at him closely; he was gorgeous. His hair seemed alive and moved on its own. "Hello, other person standing right here. Name's Buffy and you are?" She stretched her neck, looking up his seven-foot frame.
"I'm Barinthus, and don't wish to see Merry hurt." She's tiny, practically pixyish. He couldn't help but smile at her.
She smiled back, before saying, "I'm not here to hurt anyone. Well, anyone that isn't evil, anyways. That's as much as I know. The rest I guess we'll have to figure out together, guys. As for the queen bee, I'm not sure what got in her bonnet. All I did was land on her roses; I didn't even hurt them. See, I didn't break any; there aren't even any flowers on the floor, so give me a break. You'd have thought I ran over the family cat or something," Buffy huffed.
The two others laughed at her view. "Merry, you must explain the ways of the court, and Sidhe law to her, before she's punished," Barinthus cautioned.
"Listen big fella, nobody's going to punish me. If they try they're in for a world of hurt," Buffy muttered with a frown, arms crossed, then glanced over to the flowers, which amazed them once again. The branch that had brushed against Buffy's hair now contained only golden roses that shimmered in the dull light. "Ooh, aren't those pretty? I've never seen any that shade before," Buffy commented. Merry and Barinthus looked at each other behind her back in wonder and bewilderment. "So, where's the wardrobe department in this place?"
Merry tried to decide what Buffy was. She jumped from the thoughts that ran through her mind. "Oh, come with me, this way." She took Buffy's arm, leading her away.
Barinthus stood staring at the golden roses intermixed with the blood red ones. He wondered what they predicted.
"Buffy, please remove your clothes. I'll call for Fflur, so she can care for your wounds. Then, I'll try to find you some suitable clothes while I explain about the Sidhe and the Unseelie Court."
"I just need some clothes, Merry, then you can get on with the xplainy part." Seeing the stubborn look on the auburn haired princess' face, Buffy exclaimed, "Fine, I'll show you." Buffy pulled her shirt and pants off, revealing the smooth, unblemished skin underneath.
"But, how? We saw the blood; it dripped down everywhere," Merry gasped, her fingers reaching out to touch a taut stomach.
"I'm a fast healer. Now, tell me about this place, which isn't Oz, cause gotta tell you your aunt looks like a wicked witch to me."
"Buffy! You must never talk about Andais that way. Particularly in the Sithin, she can overhear anything said in the night, and here, she hears all and knows all that occurs. Spies are everywhere. The court is full of powerful Sidhe, and you're only human. Their hands of power can easily kill you and you couldn't do anything to defend yourself against them. Believe me, I've been where you are now. Anyone could challenge you to a duel for your arrogance or any insult. Please, be careful there are certain laws we abide by. They aren't perfect, but they should protect you. The most important is to always defer to Andais." Merry hoped Buffy would take the warnings to heart.
"I was never too good at following rules, Merry. Why don't you explain this to me? I'll see what I can and can't live with; no promises." Buffy's eyes twinkled as she considered her new world.
Merry had a bad feeling about this. I hope after I explain she'll understand our world and will take it more seriously. Merry went on to explain the two Sidhe courts and the migration to America. The government laws they obeyed along with the complicated Sidhe laws. She then tried to explain the many flavors of the fey.
"Stop, you're making my hair hurt. I feel like Giles is lecturing me on the latest new Big Bad. I always zone out on those too. Listen, how about I just ask you or you tell me if I get in over my head. Deal?" Buffy held her hand out.
Merry looked at Buffy then shook her hand. "I'll try but I think I just made a very bad deal," she grumbled to herself.
"I heard that. Now, how about some clothes? Or am I supposed to go out there in my Victoria Secrets?"
Merry moved toward her wardrobe trying to find something that would fit. They were the same height, but Buffy was tiny and petite where she was full-busted. She found a white sheath, not even certain why she had purchased it. It was made from a stretchy material that molded itself to your body. Lines of gold threads ran throughout it and the scalloped hem and capped sleeves.
"That's pretty. Are you sure you don't mind if I wear it?" Buffy wondered if she would be able to move in the dress if she needed to. She also realized she would be nearly nude beneath. Thinking over the clothes she had seen, she mentally shrugged. Buffy went into the bathroom and washed her face. She seemed different somehow. Leaning toward the mirror, she examined her face. Her hazel eyes had always been a combination of blue, with a touch of brown but predominantly green. The eyes looking back at her had flecks of gold in them. Her skin seemed healthier as if she had just had a facial. Turning her head, this way and that she cried out.
Merry rushed into the room. "Are you okay?"
Bright tears ran down Buffy's face as she looked in the mirror. "Its gone how could it be gone. What happened to me?" she murmured to herself. She turned haunted eyes to Merry, who now saw the tears.
"Buffy, what's wrong? Did you discover an injury?"
Buffy sadly shook her head, pointing to her neck. "My scar's gone."
Merry looked at the girl confused at how upset she was over a scar's disappearance. "Buffy, what's the scar from? Why's it so important?"
"It's all I had left connecting me to Angel. Now, it's gone and I'm here with nothing." Buffy crumbled to the floor crying.
"You haven't lost everything, Buffy. You're still alive, and I'll help you make a new life here, Buffy. We can learn why you're here, together. Now, wash your face. We've got to go back and face the Queen," Merry told her gently, helping Buffy up from the ground.
When they entered the court, silence greeted them as everybody stared. Barinthus thought Buffy looked even more liked a sea nymph in the white dress. The dress, Merry had given her, revealed she wasn't a child, with muscles and curves sensually showing as she moved forward. Buffy smiled at him as she walked by.
He smiled nodding in approval. "You look lovely, little one."
"Every one is little compared to you big guy, but thanks." She shot over her shoulder.
He laughed aloud, causing heads to turn. Merry brought her back to Andais and bowed. She went to pull Buffy down but she wouldn't budge. Buffy stood proudly, looking Andais straight in the eye, and nodded her head.
Andais raised her eyebrow. She recalled what Barinthus told her about the changed roses and decided to overlook it. "Please child come sit beside me. Let us talk and learn more about each other. You took us by surprise with your entrance into our home."
Buffy didn't trust the dark-haired woman one bit. Over her years as a slayer, she had learned to trust her first instinct. This lady clearly doesn't mean a word she just said. What does she want from me? "Sure let's talk." Buffy grinned and sat down.
Andais quickly hid a grimace. "Merry, you may return to your seat. Your help will no longer be required, since we wish for some privacy." She motioned her away, considering the matter closed. Merry glanced at Buffy, trying to implore with a look to remember what she had told her. "So, child, where are you from?"
"Look, my name's Buffy and if we're going to get along here use it, because you're so not my mom."
"Very well Buffy," she replied in a tone filled with ice.
"I'm from Sunnydale, California. The best I can guess is that when I went through the portal, I ended in this dimension smelling like a rose." She grinned impishly at her little joke.
"You have an interesting way with words chi, I mean Buffy," Andais laughed, "Why would you jump into a portal?"
"To save my sister"
"To save her from what?"
"Dying" was the single word reply.
"I don't understand," Andais' grew intrigued.
"You don't need to. I did what I had to do and wound up here. What I don't understand is why didn't I die?"
"You expected to die and jumped anyway," Andais asked perplexed at this girl's answers.
"Of course. You mean you wouldn't die for someone you love, your family?" Buffy tilted her head looking at the dark-haired woman.
"I'm the Queen. I'm more important than those foolish emotions." Andais returned regally.
"Not to mention the Sidhe are immortal." Buffy found herself growing even more curious about the people around her.
"Not all, there's invariably an exception," Andais said mysteriously.
A man dressed in black livery, with a rose, owl and a raven emblazoned across his chest, came up to the Queen and bowed. "Your majesty, King Taranis is trying to reach you."
Andais went still before sitting up even straighter. "What did you say?" The man trembled, reiterating himself. Andais rose from her chair, swiftly moving from the room. Heads turned, trying to perceive what had occurred to cause their queen's abrupt departure.
Buffy decided to walk over to where Merry sat with six other men, well five and a young boy. The men were beautiful, each in their own way. They each had different shades of hair, eyes and skin. "Hey, can I join you guys? The Queen got a phone call from some King of Trains and had to take it."
They went silent, staring at Buffy as if she spoke a different language. "Did you say King Taranis called Andais? Are you certain this is important?" Merry's voice trembled with panic.
"I guess that's his name. What's so important about a phone call? Are you going to introduce me to your friends?"
Merry tried to think straight while her heart raced from Buffy's words. "I'm sorry. Buffy this is - Doyle, Rhys, Frost, Nicca, Galen and Kitto. This is Buffy Summers, our newest guest."
Buffy remembered them as pointy, eye-patch, silver, nestles, greeny, and little guy. "Hey everybody. Do you mind if I sit?" Pointy stood giving her his seat, and she noticed his hair. "Wow, you should do commercials for shampoo. How long does it take to dry all of that?"
"Buffy, you shouldn't ask a Sidhe personal questions."
"Well, how the hell else am I gonna find out?" The blonde Slayer pouted at the stupid rules.
"It's fine, princess. Over the years I've learned many ways to ease the burden of caring for my hair," he told her cryptically.
"Cryptic isn't just for my world, huh?" Buffy wrinkled her nose at him.
Andais returned to court her pale cheeks flushed with anger. "Bring that girl to me." Merry rushed forward with Buffy, stopping in front of the throne. "Tell me how King Taranis would know you're in my court?"
"I don't know who that is." She glared at the Unseelie Queen's tone.
"You lie. He knew the minute you landed in my court. Are you supposed to be his spy? Take her to Ezekiel until she talks."
Cel stepped up, happy to take care of this matter. "I'll escort her, mother."