Fic: Terennoaptre 7/? [BtVS, FRT, B/G]
Title: Terennoaptre 7/?
Author: GylzGirl
Rating: FRT
Fandom: BtVS
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Timeline: AU- Season 10 - Summer. Everything through OMWF happened.
Summary: Sunnydale's Hellmouth is going dormant just as news arrives from overseas that will change the lives of Buffy and Giles forever.
Beta: The Amazing lauratew. Any remaining errors are totally my fault.
Author's Notes: Chapters 1-3 are revised repostings. Story revised and continued for the summer_of_giles 2009. Anyone who already had the original 3 chapters up, feel free to archive the rest. Anyone else who'd like it, just ask.
******
VII. Pen Pals
Dear Giles,
Hey. I'm writing because I can. The stupid rules might say I can't come to the castle for two weeks but I figured at least my letters can. They can right? I mean, even the stick up Cezar's butt can't be that big. Can it? Well, I'm going with the notion that you're actually reading this and it's not languishing away at the bottom of Cezar's garbage can.
The trip to the castle... my castle that is, not yours... was pretty uneventful. I managed to doze off a couple of times in the carriage. Boy, those are kinda hard on the bottom on the long trips. They don't mention that in the fairy tales. After an hour, every freakin' bump in the road... I swear!
The place is pretty nifty. It's about half the size of yours but it's got beautiful grounds and there's all this marble inside. Tres snazzy. You should totally come and see it. Hey, now there's a thought. Can you come? I mean, I'm not allowed at your place but does it work both ways? Please ask Cezar? Uh, don't tell him what I said about the stick up his butt though, okay?
Let's see... let's see... what else to tell you? Oh I know. Guess who the former owner of my lovely new home was? Go on, guess. Okay, I'll tell you. Heinrich Joseph Nest. You might want to look him up in your books. Try looking under Master comma The.
I was a little wigged at first, I have to admit. But I'm okay now. And it is a really great place. And, it's kind of neat being a Duchess. I mean, I don't really know what one does but Relia is going to teach me all of that. She says, "Hi" by the way. She's awesome.
Tell me everything that's going on there. I mean everything. There's no TV here and no nightclubs so a letter from you would officially be the most exciting thing in the history of ever. Plus, I miss you. Are you okay there? I know you're not exactly all by yourself but... I feel like I left you alone and I hate it. I need to know if you're okay. Just at least write me and tell me that much.
Dammit, Giles. I didn't come all this way to not keep you company. You've become the best friend of my life over the past couple of years and I feel like I just lost you. I know it's only two weeks but everything is so new here. I'd just feel better if I were getting used to it with you and if I was there for you while you are getting used to it.
Could I call you? Is that allowed? Wait, does this place even have a phone? I'll ask Relia.
Okay, scratch the phone idea. Dammit.
Just, Giles, write me back as soon as you can, okay? I miss you.
Buffy
PS Don't forget to ask Cezar about visiting, okay?
******
Dear Buffy,
I hope this finds you well and settling in happily. Cezar said letters are fine. A phone call would be too. We'll send someone out to get one connected at your house. I don't know if it's going to be of much good to us because tomorrow I start a whirlwind tour of the provinces as it were. Which means I don't know where to tell you to call me at. Still, I don't like the idea of you and Relia being stuck somewhere in the countryside with no way to call for help.
Yes, I know you're more than capable but it's also possible to be outnumbered and overwhelmed because of an isolated location. Remember? I'll just feel better if I know you can call someone.
Since we will be touring, I brought up the idea of the visit to Cezar. He said he will speak with the Chancellor on the protocol of that but he doesn't believe it would be prohibited. We just probably wouldn't be able to stay overnight because of the same problem with your staying here.
The day before yesterday was a nightmare! There must have been 200 people here. The Mayor of this and the Burgomaster of that. There was a Prince from some Baltic state which name eludes me presently. There was a Duke, a Lord, a Baroness... it was quite the gathering. As much as I was overwhelmed by the sheer mass of people that have descended here, I still wish there had been a particular Duchess amongst them.
I'm afraid I miss you terribly.
I guess all these people will be staying in the castle until the coronation. Won't that be fun?
Please don't say you feel like you've lost me. Distance couldn't stop me from being your friend. Death couldn't. Two weeks apart doesn't stand a chance.
I am fine considering. Please don't worry about me. Somewhat looking forward to getting out of the castle considering how many house guests I've acquired.
Please write back. I've given instructions that your letters are to be delivered immediately to me, even on the road. I'm not sure how reliable the phone lines will be but the royal post has my itinerary. You can't know how much I look forward to your next letter.
Take care of yourself. Give Relia my regards.
I miss you too.
Yours,
Giles
******
Dear Giles,
Are these letters delivered by pony express or what? The first week is almost over (thank God!) and I've only gotten one letter. I know. I'm impatient. Sorry.
Relia has been Eliza Doolittle-ing me every day. I think it's starting to sink in. Mostly. I just want to make sure I know it well enough not to embarrass you in front of any muckety-mucks.
Phone guy came. Phone guy went. Looks like this place has never had phone service. They have to install telephone poles to route the line out this far and the whole nine yards which means by the time it all gets done, I'll probably be back in Pazitore with you. At least I hope so.
By the way Giles, it's a castle, not a house. I live in a castle now. You live in a castle now. And we thought in Sunnydale our lives couldn't get any weirder!
Do you know yet if you can visit? Do you know when? I really want to see you. Feels like it's been forever.
Sounds like you got to meet all the pieces of the chessboard and then some, huh? I'm sorry you didn't seem to have much fun with them. That coronation should be some party though. I can't wait for it. You're going to be an awesome King.
Giles, I'm so proud of you.
Write soon. Miss you.
Buffy
******
Dear Buffy,
I am writing you from beautiful downtown Rau. It's apparently about as far-flung as you can get in a south westerly direction and still be in the country. It is beautiful though. The other side of the forest is the border but the forest itself is dense and wild and so lovely. I wish you were here to see it.
I'm sorry but it looks like I won't be able to visit. We'll be coming north from here but staying to the west. It's too far from Izolat and we only have the one week if we're to be back for the coronation. I will see you there. It's not so long now. All the same, I am sorry. You don't know how sorry.
I think you'll like some of the hoarde that are staying at the castle. A few of them were very nice. I met a friend of Relia's and she was most welcoming. The Mayor of Liniste was also very sweet. Turns out he went to Oxford at the same time I did. Never met him before but it gave me a small tether of familiarity in this strange place.
I'm sure you're doing fine on the etiquette training. You can't do worse than I did when I was trained and I managed to retain most of it. And I have never been embarrassed of you. No matter what.
I'm counting the days till the coronation and not because of becoming King. I do miss you.
Yours,
Giles
******
Giles,
You can't come? Not at all? Not even just for like an hour or something?
No, you said it was too far. Stupid question. Sorry.
You're right, the coronation isn't long now. See you there.
Buffy
******
Dear Buffy,
I just got your last note. Please don't be angry at me. I could tell you were disappointed by your letter. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say you were a little hurt as well. I wish I could come. I'm in Faptura today. It's the closest point to Izolat on the tour. The problem being that what lies between is mostly the Great Forest. There just isn't time. I'm sorry.
No one regrets that more than I. I would so much rather spend an evening with you than continue the tour, but I owe it to the people. It's my duty. I know you understand that. They've welcomed us so warmly and they're so scared by the rise in vampire attacks. The murder of King Lucian has only increased that fear. It's amazing. We've been in this country less than a month and they've already accepted me. They seem afraid for my life. I find it rather... touching really.
It's only a few more days. It will be here before you know it. Please don't be upset.
Missing you.
Yours,
Giles
******
Dear Giles,
Sorry. I didn't mean to be so grumpy. You're right. It's almost here. We'll be packing tomorrow and leaving the day after that. I just... was so looking forward to it that, yeah, okay, I got a little butt-hurt over it. I didn't mean to make you feel lousy. Well yeah, I guess I did actually but I shouldn't have and I apologize.
By the way, when did you get to know me so well? It's like there's almost no point in throwing a tantrum at you or something. You see right through it. That blows.
Kidding Giles. Just kidding. Well just about the last part.
I realize you might not even get this letter before I see you again. That's kind of nice to think about in a way. But if you do... when I get back to the castle... your castle not my castle... I know you're going to be crazy busy but, could I get two things from you? I'd like an hour of your time. Uninterrupted. I'd also like a hug. Not one of those six-inch rule kind of hugs either but one of those 'I'm so glad you're back from the dead' kind of hugs. Okay? Deal?
I'm going to bed now so that it's that much closer to when we leave.
Love,
Buffy
******
Chapter 8: Reunion
Crossposted to summer_of_giles, allthejellies, buffy_giles
Previous Chapters:
Chapter I: King
Chapter II: Farewell Sunnydale
Chapter III: Country
Chapter IV: Duchess
Chapter V: Fear Factor
Chapter VI: Remembrances
Following Chapters:
Chapter VIII: Reunion
Chapter IX: The Grand Ball
Chapter X: Morning Glory
Chapter XI: Rain
Chapter XII: Supernova
Chapter XIII: Coronation
Author: GylzGirl
Rating: FRT
Fandom: BtVS
Pairing: Buffy/Giles
Timeline: AU- Season 10 - Summer. Everything through OMWF happened.
Summary: Sunnydale's Hellmouth is going dormant just as news arrives from overseas that will change the lives of Buffy and Giles forever.
Beta: The Amazing lauratew. Any remaining errors are totally my fault.
Author's Notes: Chapters 1-3 are revised repostings. Story revised and continued for the summer_of_giles 2009. Anyone who already had the original 3 chapters up, feel free to archive the rest. Anyone else who'd like it, just ask.
******
VII. Pen Pals
Dear Giles,
Hey. I'm writing because I can. The stupid rules might say I can't come to the castle for two weeks but I figured at least my letters can. They can right? I mean, even the stick up Cezar's butt can't be that big. Can it? Well, I'm going with the notion that you're actually reading this and it's not languishing away at the bottom of Cezar's garbage can.
The trip to the castle... my castle that is, not yours... was pretty uneventful. I managed to doze off a couple of times in the carriage. Boy, those are kinda hard on the bottom on the long trips. They don't mention that in the fairy tales. After an hour, every freakin' bump in the road... I swear!
The place is pretty nifty. It's about half the size of yours but it's got beautiful grounds and there's all this marble inside. Tres snazzy. You should totally come and see it. Hey, now there's a thought. Can you come? I mean, I'm not allowed at your place but does it work both ways? Please ask Cezar? Uh, don't tell him what I said about the stick up his butt though, okay?
Let's see... let's see... what else to tell you? Oh I know. Guess who the former owner of my lovely new home was? Go on, guess. Okay, I'll tell you. Heinrich Joseph Nest. You might want to look him up in your books. Try looking under Master comma The.
I was a little wigged at first, I have to admit. But I'm okay now. And it is a really great place. And, it's kind of neat being a Duchess. I mean, I don't really know what one does but Relia is going to teach me all of that. She says, "Hi" by the way. She's awesome.
Tell me everything that's going on there. I mean everything. There's no TV here and no nightclubs so a letter from you would officially be the most exciting thing in the history of ever. Plus, I miss you. Are you okay there? I know you're not exactly all by yourself but... I feel like I left you alone and I hate it. I need to know if you're okay. Just at least write me and tell me that much.
Dammit, Giles. I didn't come all this way to not keep you company. You've become the best friend of my life over the past couple of years and I feel like I just lost you. I know it's only two weeks but everything is so new here. I'd just feel better if I were getting used to it with you and if I was there for you while you are getting used to it.
Could I call you? Is that allowed? Wait, does this place even have a phone? I'll ask Relia.
Okay, scratch the phone idea. Dammit.
Just, Giles, write me back as soon as you can, okay? I miss you.
Buffy
PS Don't forget to ask Cezar about visiting, okay?
******
Dear Buffy,
I hope this finds you well and settling in happily. Cezar said letters are fine. A phone call would be too. We'll send someone out to get one connected at your house. I don't know if it's going to be of much good to us because tomorrow I start a whirlwind tour of the provinces as it were. Which means I don't know where to tell you to call me at. Still, I don't like the idea of you and Relia being stuck somewhere in the countryside with no way to call for help.
Yes, I know you're more than capable but it's also possible to be outnumbered and overwhelmed because of an isolated location. Remember? I'll just feel better if I know you can call someone.
Since we will be touring, I brought up the idea of the visit to Cezar. He said he will speak with the Chancellor on the protocol of that but he doesn't believe it would be prohibited. We just probably wouldn't be able to stay overnight because of the same problem with your staying here.
The day before yesterday was a nightmare! There must have been 200 people here. The Mayor of this and the Burgomaster of that. There was a Prince from some Baltic state which name eludes me presently. There was a Duke, a Lord, a Baroness... it was quite the gathering. As much as I was overwhelmed by the sheer mass of people that have descended here, I still wish there had been a particular Duchess amongst them.
I'm afraid I miss you terribly.
I guess all these people will be staying in the castle until the coronation. Won't that be fun?
Please don't say you feel like you've lost me. Distance couldn't stop me from being your friend. Death couldn't. Two weeks apart doesn't stand a chance.
I am fine considering. Please don't worry about me. Somewhat looking forward to getting out of the castle considering how many house guests I've acquired.
Please write back. I've given instructions that your letters are to be delivered immediately to me, even on the road. I'm not sure how reliable the phone lines will be but the royal post has my itinerary. You can't know how much I look forward to your next letter.
Take care of yourself. Give Relia my regards.
I miss you too.
Yours,
Giles
******
Dear Giles,
Are these letters delivered by pony express or what? The first week is almost over (thank God!) and I've only gotten one letter. I know. I'm impatient. Sorry.
Relia has been Eliza Doolittle-ing me every day. I think it's starting to sink in. Mostly. I just want to make sure I know it well enough not to embarrass you in front of any muckety-mucks.
Phone guy came. Phone guy went. Looks like this place has never had phone service. They have to install telephone poles to route the line out this far and the whole nine yards which means by the time it all gets done, I'll probably be back in Pazitore with you. At least I hope so.
By the way Giles, it's a castle, not a house. I live in a castle now. You live in a castle now. And we thought in Sunnydale our lives couldn't get any weirder!
Do you know yet if you can visit? Do you know when? I really want to see you. Feels like it's been forever.
Sounds like you got to meet all the pieces of the chessboard and then some, huh? I'm sorry you didn't seem to have much fun with them. That coronation should be some party though. I can't wait for it. You're going to be an awesome King.
Giles, I'm so proud of you.
Write soon. Miss you.
Buffy
******
Dear Buffy,
I am writing you from beautiful downtown Rau. It's apparently about as far-flung as you can get in a south westerly direction and still be in the country. It is beautiful though. The other side of the forest is the border but the forest itself is dense and wild and so lovely. I wish you were here to see it.
I'm sorry but it looks like I won't be able to visit. We'll be coming north from here but staying to the west. It's too far from Izolat and we only have the one week if we're to be back for the coronation. I will see you there. It's not so long now. All the same, I am sorry. You don't know how sorry.
I think you'll like some of the hoarde that are staying at the castle. A few of them were very nice. I met a friend of Relia's and she was most welcoming. The Mayor of Liniste was also very sweet. Turns out he went to Oxford at the same time I did. Never met him before but it gave me a small tether of familiarity in this strange place.
I'm sure you're doing fine on the etiquette training. You can't do worse than I did when I was trained and I managed to retain most of it. And I have never been embarrassed of you. No matter what.
I'm counting the days till the coronation and not because of becoming King. I do miss you.
Yours,
Giles
******
Giles,
You can't come? Not at all? Not even just for like an hour or something?
No, you said it was too far. Stupid question. Sorry.
You're right, the coronation isn't long now. See you there.
Buffy
******
Dear Buffy,
I just got your last note. Please don't be angry at me. I could tell you were disappointed by your letter. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say you were a little hurt as well. I wish I could come. I'm in Faptura today. It's the closest point to Izolat on the tour. The problem being that what lies between is mostly the Great Forest. There just isn't time. I'm sorry.
No one regrets that more than I. I would so much rather spend an evening with you than continue the tour, but I owe it to the people. It's my duty. I know you understand that. They've welcomed us so warmly and they're so scared by the rise in vampire attacks. The murder of King Lucian has only increased that fear. It's amazing. We've been in this country less than a month and they've already accepted me. They seem afraid for my life. I find it rather... touching really.
It's only a few more days. It will be here before you know it. Please don't be upset.
Missing you.
Yours,
Giles
******
Dear Giles,
Sorry. I didn't mean to be so grumpy. You're right. It's almost here. We'll be packing tomorrow and leaving the day after that. I just... was so looking forward to it that, yeah, okay, I got a little butt-hurt over it. I didn't mean to make you feel lousy. Well yeah, I guess I did actually but I shouldn't have and I apologize.
By the way, when did you get to know me so well? It's like there's almost no point in throwing a tantrum at you or something. You see right through it. That blows.
Kidding Giles. Just kidding. Well just about the last part.
I realize you might not even get this letter before I see you again. That's kind of nice to think about in a way. But if you do... when I get back to the castle... your castle not my castle... I know you're going to be crazy busy but, could I get two things from you? I'd like an hour of your time. Uninterrupted. I'd also like a hug. Not one of those six-inch rule kind of hugs either but one of those 'I'm so glad you're back from the dead' kind of hugs. Okay? Deal?
I'm going to bed now so that it's that much closer to when we leave.
Love,
Buffy
******
Chapter 8: Reunion
Crossposted to summer_of_giles, allthejellies, buffy_giles
Previous Chapters:
Chapter I: King
Chapter II: Farewell Sunnydale
Chapter III: Country
Chapter IV: Duchess
Chapter V: Fear Factor
Chapter VI: Remembrances
Following Chapters:
Chapter VIII: Reunion
Chapter IX: The Grand Ball
Chapter X: Morning Glory
Chapter XI: Rain
Chapter XII: Supernova
Chapter XIII: Coronation