Chapter 7: In Which They Set Out "Goodbye. May we meet again someday." The clang of tin rang out as Spike bowed. The stars gleamed in the sky. "Goodbye." Spike turned and helped Buffy onto the horse. She scowled as she sat side saddled. Spike climbed on his own steed and glanced at the young squire who was holding his weapons. It had taken maneuvering to convince Arthur to let him and Buffy go alone. After all their journey was fraught with peril and intrigue as they quested to find The Crown of Knowledge. Spike was more eager to have weapons and a purpose. They trotted out of the city and into the Forest Perilous. "That was fun. I didn't really want to leave. You were really impressive. And I didn't know you could dance like that." "Something you learn love. What do they teach you in the 21st century? Honestly." "Not much." she agreed. She was having delusions. Seeing Spike in the armor, he seemed noble and righteous. Something he definitely wasn't. It was an illusion of the place. Nothing was like it was back home. "You look pretty in that dress." He didn't smirk. She looked down just to make sure. Other than a little to much cleavage the dress seemed fine, and very covering. "Geez Buffy. I meant it. Why do you have to be such a bint about it?" She smiled as the true Spike emerged. Or was it even the true Spike? Maybe it was just the Spike she knew. It was a comfort. "We'll travel as long as we can. Then we'll find somewhere safe for the night." "Why bother? Why don't we just find a nice house and wait? We'll eventually go home." "You really believe those friends will get us out? Nice faith. I don't have it. I make due with what I have. And this is what I have. I have a chance to live a promising life." "No you don't. You can't even hit anything. The first knight that comes and challenges you will get you." His face fell with the reality of it. "Who knows? Everything is different here." His voice gave her a chill. Everything was different. And she had to depend on him. "I can fight." "My princess saving me. What an image." "We have no choice." She touched the sword at her side. "Let's keep going then. And Buffy don't stop for anything. These woods are full of everything from Sirens to Unicorns." "Yeah. Right." She rolled her eyes. "You slay vampires and you laugh at- oh nevermind." He started picking up the pace and she was forced to gallop along behind him. "I hear something." Buffy pulled her horse up next to Spike's. "What?" He touched his sword. "I'm not sure." "Stay on the path. Don't ever stray." The sound came closer. Through the trees Spike caught a glimpse of something white and the braying of dogs. "The white stag. Nothing to worry about. We should go. We'll get trampled if we are in their way." Spike kicked the horse and they were off. A little while later they came across an old woman. "Hello." Buffy said cheerfully. "Could you give me a drink of water dear? I'm so tired." "Sure." Buffy got off her horse and glanced at Spike. He nodded. You were always supposed to help old ladies. They turned out to be witches more often than not. Buffy gave her the water bag and the woman took a drink. "Thank you kind girl." the woman smiled and stood up straighter. "You are foreign. From times far past this. Do not be afraid. I see other worlds. If you stay true to the path you will find where your heart wants to go." She looked at Spike then disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke. "My heart wants to hightail it home." Buffy climbed back on the horse and hiked up her skirt. "And my butt is going to sit normally." Spike laughed. "I don't think going home is what she had in mind for your heart. But such are the ways of the forest." "Whatever. It's getting late. I mean early. We should find shelter for you." "Aw looking out for me. You shouldn't have." He said. But before she could protest he pointed. "Look. A cave." "Isn't that a little convenient?" "Worry you?" "Yeah. It kind of does." "I'll go check it out. Anything in there would be something I could handle." He pulled down the eye part of the helmet and slid off his horse. His armor made a lot of noise as he walked stiffly into the darkness. Buffy stayed holding the reins of the horses until he emerged. "It's alright. Doesn't go very deep. Nothing's in there. At least not right now." "Good." Buffy tied the horses to a tree and took the packs off them. She tossed one to Spike and they entered the cave. "I wish I had some pants. This skirt is so annoying." "Don't you have bloomers on?" "No." "Right then. Um. Trying to think .Get the centuries mixed up. Ya know?" "Not really. Sort of only lived in 2 of them. And I guess 3 including now." "Bloody hell." "What?" "I can't get this damn armor off." "Let me help." She stood up from the bedding and fiddled with his armor. Their eyes met. He smiled slightly. She looked beautiful in the long flowing green dress with some silver sewn in. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves with only a thin silver headband holding it back. "There." She knocked on the tin but didn't step back. "Thanks." He pulled it off. His shirt was slightly untied revealing his carved chest. Buffy had a sudden urge to touch it but stepped back and tripped on the bags. "Oops." She laughed nervously. "Darn dress." "Here." He held out his hand and pulled her up. "They gave us some good stuff. Like blankets and clothing and a little food. And weapons. Gotta have weapons." She bent down and took her shoes off. Then she lay on one of the blankets. "What's your heart's desire Buffy?" He took off his shoes and his sword, putting it near his bag and lay next to her, leaving a space between them. "Like I would tell you." "You don't know." "Not a clue. I thought it was going home, that's not it, stopping Glory, don't see that happening. So I'm fresh out of ideas." "I think I know." "Enlighten me." One of her eyebrow's raised up and she looked at him with laughter in her eyes. Suddenly he felt embarrassed. "I forgot. It was probably something dumb. Go to sleep. It's going to be a long day." He rolled over and was soon asleep. Chapter 8