Chapter 10 A Fairy Tale and a Fable

When in the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair
When owls call the breathless moon
In the blue veil of the night
The shadows of the trees appear
Amidst the lantern light
We've been rambling all the night
And sometime of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay
Who will go down to those shady groves
And summon the shadows there
And tie a ribbon on those sheltering arms
In the springtime of the year
The songs of birds seem to fill the wood
That when the fiddler plays
All their voices can be heard
Long past their woodland days
We've been rambling all the night
And sometime of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay
And so they linked their hands and danced
Round in circles and in rows
And so the journey of the night descends
When all the shades are gone
"A garland gay we bring you here
And at your door we stand
It is a sprout well budded out
The work of Our Lord's hand"
We've been rambling all the night
And sometime of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay

Buffy sat in a chair as the woman she met yesterday was combing her hair although this time it felt like she was ripping it out. Buffy closed her eyes as Fred ran the comb through it. As Buffy sat there a man walked in.

"Ah your Highness," He then bowed.

"No…" Buffy fought through the pain of hair combing. "Call me Buffy." She insisted and the man nodded but wasn't sure if he should.

"My name is Wesley and I will be your and the prince's royal advisor." The man said and Buffy smiled a little.

"What does an advisor ow do?" She asked.

"Set appointments, meetings," Wesley started to list and Buffy nodded. "It's going to be an honor working with you your Highness,"

"Buffy." She repeated.

"It'll take some getting use to but unless it's family or very close friends they call you Sire, highness, princess." Angel said as he walked in and Buffy smiled until Fred ran the comb through her hair.

"I didn't know being royal hurt." Buffy commented and Angel smiled.

"Uh I need the room please." Angel announced and both Fred and Wesley bowed and left the two alone. Buffy took her hair and twirled it to one side and Angel smiled. "You look great."

"Thanks." Buffy replied and Angel pulled up a chair as he held some papers. "What's that?" Buffy asked.

"Estate papers," Angel answered as he looked at them. "Your father's estate." Buffy was interested. "Did you know your father left it all to you?" Buffy's eyes widen a little.

"Yeah but he married Jenny wouldn't that make it hers when he died?" Buffy asked because that is what she was told.

"No," Angel answered and he looked at one document. "All my possessions, money, the farm and the manor are to be left to my daughter Buffy Anne Summers as by the will of God, by the lords of the land and by the family blood line." Angel read and Buffy reached and took the paper and read it to be sure and it said what Angel read out loud.

"I don't understand," Buffy looked up to Angel. "Jenny told me by marrying him she got it all."

"That's what would have happened if he wrote it." Angel answered. "This and the deed to the manor are all left in your name your father never changed it. That's why he was going to Avignon to change this but he never made it." Buffy looked up and her eyes were starting to water. "Jenny lied and when your father died she changed the records of you as well putting down that child of Summers died too. Because of that and she was next of kin by marriage she was given the house and the land." Buffy then let a tear escape as it made sense why Buffy didn't take over. Jenny lied and she lost all the money. "It was supposed to be yours Buffy." She then looked up with tears all this time she was a servant because Jenny was able to sign a few papers.

"Why didn't anyone notice?" Buffy asked and Angel didn't have an answer as he sat there. He wanted to find those who allowed it. It wasn't the king or queen's fault this happened. Jenny was able to make the right impression probably as a grieving widow and when reading that everything was left to Buffy she signed one too many things.

"I'm sorry," Angel apologized and Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head. At least her ten year old question was answered that yes it should have been her owning the house. She then looked back down at the paper and she knew it was her father's handwriting and she placed her hand on it. Angel then got to the floor to his knees and cupped both her cheeks and wiped some of her tears away.

"He didn't even get the right funeral." Buffy looked up at him. There was a funeral but it wasn't a full service as it was supposed to be. Jenny had it all arrange within in a day with little time to say good bye. She had a priest to recite a quick ceremony but nothing more.

"He will," Angel assured her. "He will and what you lost will be returned." Buffy smiled a little and Angel rested his forehead to hers. Then someone came into the room.

"Peaches oh," William stopped as he walked in on a moment. "I'll just," Angel looked up at him. "Right since I interrupted I'll just say it all claims have been made awaiting your orders Sire." Buffy looked confused as Angel nodded. "Oh good day my lady." And William did a quick nod of the head and Buffy smiled as she wiped a tear away. William left and Angel sighed, he's known William for a long time and at times he's wondered how's he been able to stand him but he was what was needed, humor. Buffy saw Angel's face how he was a little frustrated because they were having a moment and then Buffy smiled. Her smile made him smile and he leaned in for a kiss and then as it started to get passionate someone cleared their voice. Angel pulled away and sighed and Buffy smiled.

"We need to get her ready Sire." Fred said and Angel nodded.

"See you soon." Angel said and kissed Buffy's hand and she smiled as he left.

A few hours had passed and Fred pulled the vale over Buffy's face and she smiled. Buffy then turned around to a mirror to see herself. She stared at the mirror as she was in white and smiled. The dress was perfect and she never thought she would ever get to wear one.

Angel started his way down the aisle but unlike just a day or so ago this time he was smiling as he walked. He was marrying someone he loved this time. As he got close to the alter he saw a crown sitting there. It would be Buffy's once they were married and he would have the honor in placing it on her head. Angel faced the Alter and took in a deep breath as the king and queen stood up meaning the bride was here. Faith was in the room standing next to Willow, Tara and Oz. A secret message was sent out to her and she told Jenny she was out for the day in town and took the three with.

Giles was there and he smiled as Buffy walked down the aisle. Faith smiled huge and Willow started to cry. Xander was here as an honor guest by Giles and he smiled too. The room had many noble men and women except Jenny and Cordelia they were not invited. They would be here later for something else. Angel waited and William smiled as he could see Buffy. He looked to Angel and winked meaning she looked perfect. Then finally Buffy was next to Angel and he turned his head and smiled. She looked at him and smiled back. Angel held out his hand and Buffy took it and they ascended up the steps to the priest and stood before him. The priest opened up the ceremony and then the two knelt down. The priest started to speak in Latin as he began.

The ceremony continued and then Angel leaned a little towards Buffy.

"This is the part where we get married." Angel stated because he knew Buffy was a little lost with the Latin. She smiled and the priest raised his hands and the two stood up and faced each other. The priest then said a blessing and then turned to Angel. The vows were done in Latin and all morning Buffy studied them so she knew what they meant. The priest then turned to Angel.

"Prince Angel, Vis accípere Buffy Summers, hic praeséntem in tuam legítiman uxórem juxta ritum sanctae matris Ecclésiae?" The priest asked.

"Volo." Angel replied and then the priest turned to Buffy as it was her turn.

"Buffy Summers, Vis accípere Prince Angel, hic praeséntem in tuum legítimun maritum juxta ritum sanctae matris Ecclésiae?" He asked and Buffy smiled and nodded.

"Volo." Buffy said and Angel smiled. The priest then held up his hand and made the sign of the cross over them.

"Ego conjúngo vos in matrimónium. In nominee Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen." Angel then reached out and lifted Buffy's vale and cupped both cheeks and kissed her. The people clapped and Faith, Willow and Tara wiped more tears away. Then the king rose and walked over to the crown and handed it to Angel as he was to crown the new princess.

"I now crown you as Buffy Anne the Princess of France and heir to the throne as queen." Angel stated and Buffy smiled as he placed the crown on her head and it fit perfectly. "And may all those days be blessed as well." He added and the two turned to face the crowd. Willow's eyes were huge in awe as Buffy was now the princess. If she was born into royalty there would be no need for what Angel had done but because she was a commoner it needed to be declared.

"All hail their Majesties the King Francis and the Queen Marie and their Highnesses the Prince Angel and the Princess Buffy Anne!" The priest yelled.

"Hail!" The crowds cheered. Buffy was a ruler now she was given great power. But it was the night that these two were looking forwards too. Waiting in Angel's room was wine and lots of it. Fred had fixed up the room giving it a romantic feel and for the king and queen if luck and God was on their side Buffy and Angel might even give them an heir to the throne tonight. Angel and Buffy weren't looking into that well not yet at least.

Angel opened a bottle of wine and poured some glasses for them and they were going to make a toast.

"What should we toast too?" Angel asked and Buffy thought about it.

"How about to us? To who we are?" She asked and Angel smiled nodding.

"And what we are becoming." Angel added and they touched glasses and sipped. Angel then set his glass aside and then took Buffy's setting it aside as well and then cupped her cheeks and kissed her. It was going to be a good night. Angel just had to get the dress off even if it looked great on her. Buffy pressed closer as they were alone finally. Angel pulled away and then removed her crown because to France and the world she was the princess but to Angel she was just Buffy. Buffy then reached and removed Angel's crown and she just saw a man a kind and wonderful man. Alone they were just each other and they could be each other. Angel then leaned in kissing her again and she pressed closer wanting it.

A day went by and the days of the manor were different without Buffy. Jenny would like to think it was much better. Jenny sat at the table thinking about what had happened in the past few days. The wedding was kept secret from these two and a number of others of France. Of course some thought that they had a Spanish princess but the news would change as Angel chose a commoner, rumors spread slowly when everything is by horse and word of mouth. Cordelia was in a depressed state as there was no news of the prince and what was happening to him. Right now the three were arguing because Faith talked to the prince on the day he was supposed to get married to the Spanish princess.

"How was I to know he'd run out of the side door?" Faith asked which was true but she knew why now. "He was supposed to be getting married." Faith explained as she ate her soup.

"I heard the Prince talked to you." Cordelia added and Faith looked up. "What did he say?" Cordelia demanded and Faith sat there thinking. He asked her not to say a word and she knew why as well. So as always in this house she had to lie.

"Well, I can't be sure. It all happened so quickly. But I think what he said was...'It serves me right for choosing a foreigner over your...sister.'" Faith said and both Jenny and Cordelia smiled and Cordelia giggled with excitement.

"Well, very good. Perhaps we should just let him fret about it for a few days." Jenny suggested and Cordelia nodded smiling as she ate. Then the door bell chimed. The three got up quickly although Faith knew what was about to happen.

"I'll get it!" They all cried at once and rushed to the door and Jenny opened it and it was William standing there. Cordelia was all smiles as she knew this day would come. Faith stood there smiling knowing what this was about. William then cleared his throat.

"His Supreme Majesty, King Francis requests an audience with the Baroness Jenny de Calendar and her daughters immediately." William stated and Jenny smiled she has prayed for this and soon her Cordelia will be a princess.

"Oh, is anything wrong?" Jenny asked with a smile.

"No, milady." William answered. "The King demanded that you arrive in style." William finished and Cordelia squealed with delight.

"Hmm! In style we shall be." Jenny smiled bigger and Cordelia clapped and squealed and the two ran back inside to get dress. Faith stood at the door smiling at William and he smiled back. She then blew him a kiss and he fought hard not to blush but Faith saw it as she closed the doors. William was love struck by Faith and he had to get to know her.

The three women arrived at the palace and headed into the royal court room as courts and courtiers were waiting. They headed up the aisle and then bowed before the king, queen and prince. Angel stood there and Cordelia looked up smiling at him as she was ready accept the crown and to be his wife. William stood close to the prince and Giles by William's side and then Jenny stood up ready to hear what the king had to say.

"Baroness," The king started and Jenny smiled. "Did you or did you not lie to Her Majesty the Queen of France?" The king asked and both Jenny and Cordelia's smiles were gone as they looked shock. Angel stood there with a smile seeing the look on their faces wondering how the king and queen knew.

"Choose your words wisely, Madame for they may be your last." The queen warned her and Jenny stood there thinking of a lie to cover the lie. She then shrugged like oops sorry.

"A woman would do practically anything for the love of her daughter, Your Majesties." Was Jenny's rational behind her mad methods? "Perhaps I did get a little carried away." She tried to sound like she didn't know it was bad. Cordelia was not going to take the blame nor be humiliated in front of the courts and the prince. She had to impress Angel to win him this could be her last chance.

"Mother, what have you done?" Cordelia asked playing it off like she didn't have a clue on what was happening. Then Cordelia stepped forward to plead her case. "Your Majesty, like you, I am just a victim here." Cordelia started and Faith crossed her arms and rolled her eyes and was tired of the lying and back stabbing. "She has lied to us both and I am ashamed to call her family." Cordelia acted dramatic and then Jenny looked like she was about to explode and shoved Cordelia a little.

"How dare you turn on me, you little ingrate!" Jenny spat out.

"You see what I have to put with!" Cordelia shouted to the king and queen hoping they would believe her. The king was growing tired of the pettiness and slammed down his scepter.

"Silence, both of you! Good Lord!" The king commented he and Angel smiled these two were squabbling like two chickens over a kernel. He then looked to Faith for an answer. "Are they always like this?" He asked and Faith shook her head no.

"Worse Your Majesty." She admitted and Jenny turned around and if looks could kill Faith would be dead right now. But Faith looked her mother in the eye and shrugged as in so what.

"Faith, darling I'd hate to think you had anything to do with this." Jenny said through her teeth and Faith smiled.

"Of course not, mother. I'm only here for the food." Faith said and William smiled thinking yeah she's totally awesome I want her.

"We're not done yet Baroness," The queen spoke up and then Wesley stepped forward with some papers and the queen nodded.

"Baroness are you aware that your second late husband Hank Summers left everything to his daughter?" Wesley asked and Jenny looked confused why would anyone care?

"No…" Jenny said wondering where this was going. "I married him and he left it all to me." She stated and Wesley looked down at the papers.

"It appears not that way my lady he never changed the will or the deed before his passing so everything was still in his daughter's name." Wesley explained and Jenny's jaw dropped.

"I was told it was mine." Jenny stammered hoping that other people would believe her. "I signed the papers and they told me it was mine." But the look on the king and queen's faces suggested otherwise.

"Be careful Baroness you are on dangerous grounds." The queen warned her and then nodded to Wesley to continue.

"You signed the paperwork properly but listed that his daughter was dead too. Now you could say that she is dead but there are plenty of people here to say she was at the masque and that you even called her by name." Wesley stated and it was true Jenny couldn't lie about that and Cordelia's eyes started to water up.

"Where is Buffy?" The king asked. "I'm sure she'd like to hear how you robbed her of her home." And Jenny looked around as the hole was getting deeper and harder to climb out of.

"Buffy?" Jenny asked and smiled and did a nervous laugh. "Why she's at the manor waiting for us." And that sealed the deal they knew this woman was a liar. She lied to get what she wanted and Cordelia was no different. "I only signed the papers to keep the land she was just a child. I was going to return it to her she is my stepdaughter." Jenny stated hoping that lie would work.

"Interesting," The king said and looked to Jenny. "From a very good source and we have it on good authority that you sold Buffy." Jenny and Cordelia turned white in the face. "So you robbed her of her land because she was a helpless child, turned her into a servant and then sold her as you saw fit." The king stated so everyone could hear it. "Then in order for your daughter Cordelia to win the crown you made up a story that the woman my son loved was engaged in order for him to reject her so Cordelia would step in. How long did you think this would last? Now I will ask one last time where is Buffy I'm sure she'd like her land return to her." Jenny said nothing.

"I was going to give it back." Jenny answered. "She lied she dressed as a courtier when my daughter is one." Jenny was trying to save herself and Cordelia more so herself.

"Well by these documents," Wesley looked down. "Buffy if the money stayed and she managed it well she would have been a courtier and by her name she was born rich so to a degree no she did not lie." Wesley explained. The king and queen had enough it was time to do the sentencing.

"Baroness de Calendar," The queen started hearing enough. "You are forthwith stripped of your title." Jenny fought the tears and the urge to vomit. "You and your horrible daughter are to be shipped to the Americas," Cordelia turned even paler and her stomach flipped. "On the first available boat. Unless, by some miracle someone here will speak for you." And then Jenny turned to the crowd of people pleading with her eyes that they would say something. Faith had taken her place in the crowds and her mother looked to her for help but Faith remained quiet. Jenny walked down the aisle hoping someone would say something. She wasn't a bad person she was just surviving. Then Jenny shrugged and did a nervous laugh.

"There seem to be quite a few people out of town." She tried to sound funny but no one laughed.

"I will speak for her." A voice said and then everyone in the room bowed. Faith bowed and Cordelia stood there shocked and slowly bowed too not believing who she was bowing to. She never thought in her wildest dreams she would bow to Buffy. Jenny turned around seeing Buffy dressed in a royal dress. It was red that slightly hugged her curves with long sleeves and she wore a crown. "She is, after all, my stepmother." Buffy explained as she walked closer. Angel stood there smiling as he saw his princess. 'She looks so good I just want to…no royal court hearing focus.'

He was still high from last night and slightly hung over. After the wedding ceremony there was a small dance and a celebration. Well small by kingdom size since everything had to kept secret for today in order successfully charge Jenny and Cordelia. But the celebration was a party and when noble people party and relax well let's just say you haven't been to a party until you go to a palace party. It surprised Buffy to see just how noble people can act with some wine. But it was after the party that Angel and Buffy enjoyed.

They had more wine in their room, they had a room together. So in between their lovemaking sessions they would drink and they lost count how many times they made love last night. Angel can remember up to four or maybe five…it was quite a bit to say the least. They weren't smashed last night but oh did they feel good. Last night was amazing and he was thinking after this was over he and Buffy could celebrate in a special way. But last night wasn't the last time there would be plenty more nights like it and he couldn't wait. The best part was she was the last person to see before he went to sleep and the first person to see when he woke up. This morning was very hard to wake up to because they were both slightly hung over and tired because they were up most of the night having a good time. By now the headache was gone just a gnawing pain.

"Your Highness." Jenny said and bowed before her stepdaughter. Cordelia was still in shock seeing Buffy with the crown and then just to add insult Angel called to her.

"Cordelia," Angel said and she looked to him. "I don't believe you've met my wife." Cordelia lowered her head in shame. Buffy looked down at her stepmother. She didn't want anything special from this woman but only to be loved like a daughter should be by her mother. She could remember how excited she was when Jenny first came to the manor to have a mother. And all this time working for Jenny she hoped she worked hard enough and finally be accepted as a daughter but it never happened. Jenny had a different agenda. Buffy wondered if she really loved Cordelia. Jenny wanted to live here in the palace so if she could get one of her daughters in here then she would use that. Jenny just manipulated the world to fit her.

"I want you to know," Buffy started to speak. After finding out about her father's will and then listening to this she could not accept Jenny she could forgive but not accept her for all that she has done. "That I will forget you after this moment and never think of you again." Buffy had other things to think about such as running a kingdom, her husband and maybe soon a child. "But you, I am quite certain will think about me every single day for the rest of your life." Which was true Jenny would think about Buffy all the time because where she failed Buffy succeeded.

"How long might that be?" Jenny asked and Buffy shook her head and looked up to the king and queen as they sat in their thrones. One day she would sit on those thrones.

"All I ask, Your Majesties is that you show her the same courtesy that she has bestowed upon me." Buffy stated her terms. That would the punishment for Jenny and Cordelia to work like she had too. Buffy was the princess she could ask for harsher punishment but she was humble and kind. The king banged his scepter saying the meeting was over and a few guards came out and escorted Jenny and Cordelia away. Jenny was emotionless as she was carted off and Cordelia sobbed. Buffy stood there and then looked up seeing Angel standing there and she walked to him as everyone started to talk about the events that just happened. Angel reached out and pulled Buffy into a hug.

"Its over." He told her and she nodded. Buffy was free and Jenny could no longer do any harm to her. Now there was some unfinished business to take care of at the manor.

At the manor outside where there two headstones Hank was given the proper funeral he should have gotten years ago. Buffy held a huge bouquet of flowers as the priest did a full service. Angel stood there paying his respect to this man that he never got to know but he did one hell of a job raising Buffy. She was a wonderful woman and she had so much to offer this country. At the service was Willow, Oz, Tara, Faith and William. The king and queen were present as the final blessing was made and Buffy walked to the headstone and set down the flowers. She then kissed her hand and placed it on the headstone and then wiped a tear away. It wasn't of sadness but out of happiness that things were put right again. Then like always she spoke to her parents in silence.

'Hi, well tonight is just the formal party of me being the princess. But tomorrow I start my first official day as Princess of France. Tonight I meet the court well formally everything was a little rush but amazing and I'll meet the people before beginning my royal duties. Faith is moving in with me same with Willow, Oz, and Tara can you believe it my palace. Everybody's got pre-coronation jitters including me. But I know you both are watching. I'll come back soon love you both.'

At the palace in the working room was a woman leading Jenny and Cordelia and giving them a grand tour of the washing room for the linens and cloths. Jenny and Cordelia were no longer dressed in pretty gowns there were in work clothes now.

"After you've washed the tablecloths, start on the napkins and move those over there." The woman gave them their tasks and walked away. Jenny snubbed at the task and Cordelia sighed still lost being down here.

"Cordelia," Jenny looked to Cordelia and she looked up.

"What?" Her daughter asked.

"You heard the woman." Jenny stated and Cordelia shrugged.

"So did you." She added and Jenny nodded and started to walk away and came up with a reason why she didn't need to work. She's never worked a day in her life and she wasn't about to start now.

"Yes, but I'm management." Was Jenny's reason why she wasn't going to work and started to walk away.

"Like hell you are!" Cordelia yelled at her mother and chased after her stood in front of her. She was the reason why they were here. If she hadn't lied all these years then there could have been a chance Cordelia would have been queen. "You're just the same as me, a big nobody!" Cordelia was throwing a fit.

"How dare you speak that way! I am of noble blood." Jenny scold her daughter but the woman leader was getting fed up with Jenny and her attitude.

"And you are getting on my nerves!" The woman then swung a huge sack of dirty sheets at the two and they fell backwards trying to avoid them and ended falling in the hot water. It was purple dye that they fell into. Purple is a color of royalty, and they wanted to be royal so badly. But, mixing purple dye often required some disgusting ingredients, like algae, snail extracts, and even other women there started to laugh at them and Cordelia started to cry as she was being laughed at. The woman laughed to with a smile and then got serious again. "Now get to work." She demanded and left as Jenny sat there in the water thinking about Buffy and she was living the plus and royal life she should be living and broke down too.

At the palace Giles was going unveiled his gift to Buffy and pulled the cover off. It was a painting of her in a gold frame. Buffy smiled she's never had a painting of herself. She walked over to Giles smiling.

"Giles it's wonderful." Buffy commented and hugged him. Over the times they have spent together he was becoming more like a father figure to her. Standing in the palace was Faith, Willow, Tara, Oz and Xander. Willow, Tara and Oz were offered to live her and help the prince and princess and they gladly accepted. Giles took Xander as his apprentice and then Faith was here because she and William were getting closer.

"Think of it as a belated wedding present, Your Highness." Giles explained and then Buffy heard laughing and turned around seeing Xander grinning.

"What?" Buffy asked her long time friend.

"I just can't get over it... Your Highness." He said all giddy and Buffy nodded walking up to him.

"Yes, well, royalty or not I can still whip you." She threaten him and Faith smiled as she held William's hand. Angel then studied the picture looking to Giles.

"I must say, Giles for a man of your talents...it doesn't look a thing like her." Angel stated and then Buffy playfully slapped him and he laughed.

"You, sir, are supposed to be charming." Buffy explained and he smiled pulling her closer.

"And we, Princess, are supposed to live happily ever after." Angel added and Buffy smiled and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Says who?" Buffy asked and Angel shrugged.

"Do you know?" He asked. "I don't know." He stated.

"Does it even matter?" Buffy asked and he shook his head no and leaned in for a kiss and then pulled away.

"We have a dance to go to." He stated.

"Oh right we do must please the people." Buffy added and the group of them started to head out. The whole kingdom would know today of their new princess and there was a formal reception afterwards. Buffy stood before her new kingdom wondering what she could do for her people. Angel was at her side holding her hand as the king announced to the people of their new princess. Then the two walked down the steps together walking passed the people as they bowed. Buffy walked proudly as she never thought in an eternity she would be here with the prince, wearing this crown and the future queen of a country.

The reception started as music played. The king and queen started to dance and others joined in and then Angel took the new princess out to the garden as the sun started to set on a great day. He was all dressed up in his royal robes and Buffy smiled and then she reached to his head and made sure the crown on his head sat properly.

"Why me?" Buffy asked him. "Out of everyone in France why me?" And Angel smiled.

"Because you saw the king in me when I couldn't." Angel answered and Buffy smiled and he leaned in and kissed her and she smiled inside and pulled closer. They smiled at each other and he kissed her forehead.

"Hey love birds," William interrupted and they smiled at each other. "You have a dance to host." And then William went back inside and then Buffy started to walk in but Angel pulled her back for a second.

"Buffy," And she looked up to him. "Welcome home." And she smiled kissed him again and they walked into the room to join everyone. As the dance went on and the people started to drink and relax the dancing happened. Buffy found her closes friends and danced with Faith and Willow smiling. Surprisingly Angel and his father sipped on wine together talking like a father and son should talk and laugh and that made the queen happy. William joined in and Faith held him smiling she got her happily ever after with the head of the royal guard. She would be living here too with Buffy the sister she always wanted. The manor would not disappear it would be turned into Angel and Buffy's getaway home and place they planned on raising a family when they needed to get away from royal duties.

Then Angel came over to Buffy and she smiled and he and held her. As Angel dance he looked up seeing his parents dancing and he smiled and saw Faith and William dancing too along with Willow and Oz. The whole room was dancing in celebration together and the whole country would know of their new princess in the next few days. Angel then held Buffy closer wondering what the future held but as long as she was with him he knew it would hold many great things.

150 Years Later…

Two men were invited to the palace that has held many royal family members. These two men were becoming famous as they wrote stories and fables. But the queen wished to speak with them. They wonder why she wanted to speak to them about their stories. A man escorted them and opened the door to the queen's room and bowed.

"The Brothers Grimm, Your Majesty." He announced to the queen and they bowed.

"Good day, gentlemen." The queen greeted them and showed them in. "Thank you so much for coming." And they sat down a little nervous to be in front of the queen. She was in her elder days now and her daughter who would succeed to the throne and she had a child too. "I suppose you're wondering why anyone my age would request an audience with the authors of children's stories." The queen began and the two nodded because it was odd. Maybe her grandson liked them and she wished to thank them.

"Your letter was most intriguing, madam." The first brother stated and the queen smiled.

"I find your collection of folk tales quite brilliant actually." The queen said and the two smiled. She would read them to her grandson and enjoyed them with their mystic qualities.

"Thank you." They said at the same time but the queen's face went from being happy to a little stern.

"But I must say I was terribly disturbed when I read your version of The Little Cinder Girl." The queen added and they nodded so they were to talk about one of their stories.

"There are those who swear Perrault's telling with its fairy godmother and magic pumpkins would be closer to the truth." The first brother explained and the queen looked to the man that brought the brothers up here and he nodded and went to get a box. "Some claim the shoe was made of fur. Others insist it was glass. Well, I guess we'll never know." The man then handed the box to the queen and she held it.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty." The second brother started as he stared at a painting of a woman with the most beautiful blonde hair and green eyes. "Might I enquire about the painting? She's really quite…extraordinary." The brother said and the queen nodded but not because of the picture but because that woman was very extraordinary one of the most of her time.

"Her name was Buffy Anne Summers." The queen stated and then opened the box pulling out a slipper and not just any slipper. "And this was her glass slipper." The brothers' jaws dropped seeing the slipper as the queen held it admiring the shoe. "Perhaps you will allow me to set the record straight?" The queen asked.

"Then it's true... the story?" The first brother stammered not believing it. The queen smiled nodding.

"Quite." The queen looked at the slipper knowing the story the true store of love and miracles. The story of a fate of a child, the spirit of a woman, the destiny of a prince, a tale of love, an ever after story the Cinderella story her great, great grandmother's story. "Now, then what is that phrase you use?" The queen asked and then smiled. "Oh, yes. Once upon a time...there lived a young girl...who loved her father very much." The two brothers leaned in to listen to the true story.

Buffy and Angel did change the country of France together. He was considered one of the greatest kings of France and Buffy was considered the greatest queen. Her picture painted by the great thinker and artist Rupert Giles hung in the university Angel had built where all were welcomed to study no matter how rich or poor. But as the years past their story of love was reduced to a simple fairy tale. They were the little girls' dreams of finding true love and being a princess. Their story spoke to many people that miracles do happen. They did live their happily ever after but their love would speak through eternity.

Tell me your fable
A fable...
Tell me your fable...
Tell me your fable
Tell me your fable...
A fable...
Tell me your fable...
Talk to me, tenderly
Show reality fantasy,
We'll bound together
All win in one feat
Talk to me, tenderly
Show reality fantasy,
We'll bound together
All win in one feat
Ooh...Ahh...
Ooh...Ahh...
The fable...
The fable...

Ahh...
The fable...
The fable...
Tell me your fable...
Tell me your fable
A fable
A fable
A fable that will never end
And now, I dream
Dream
Dream
Ooh...Ahh...
Ooh...Ahh...
Doo...Dooh...Ahh...
Doo...Dooh...Ahh...
Ooh...Ahh...

The End

Hoped you all enjoyed this story. And here's the list of thank yous.

For all who commented: SMGbest, paris, Brandi Rochon, annekebb4ever, Angellufy, BuffyandAngelForeverinLove, Sweetmaj010 and Malibu Baybreeze.

For all who added this story to your alerts: annekebb4ever, BloodyPasion, BuffyandAngelForeverinLove, cherrywineBA, claire96, Dimples08, jbchamg, Malibu Baybreeze, meg9766, Megan Grace, Midnight aura, Queen Uxie, slaterbug, SMGbest, spyagent001 and toastedbread87

For all who added this story as a favorite: BuffyandAngelForeverinLove, MystayaRose, SMGbest and toastedbread87.

And for all whom I might for gotten I thank you. Thanks once again for reading you guys are the best.

Songs: The Mummers Dance sung by Loreena McKennitt. Fable by Roberts Miles.

What the priest said in Latin: To Angel 'Prince Angel, do you take Buffy Summers, here present, for your legítiman wife according to the rite of our holy mother the Church?' Angel 'Yes.'

Buffy Summers, Dd you take Prince, here present, for your legítimun husband according to the rite of the holy mother, the Church? ' Buffy 'Yes'

'I join you in your marriage. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Spirit of the Holy One. Amen'