What a great story. Seriously. I've read some of your other work on Live Journal, but just found this one on Spuffy Realm.

Your description of Spike's desire and his inner thoughts is so evocative. I really enjoy your characterizations of both Spike and Buffy. Not to mention that your twist on this episode is utterly original. Looking forward to reading the rest!

Ooooh! Interesting and devious. I was wondering how exactly this incarnation of the Darla-Angelus-Dru group evolved. So Angelus has been soulless for the past 30 years at this point, and both he and Darla both spent about 13 years each as a vampire-invalid due to the healing ritual.

I can only imagine the animosity they have built up toward Spike over the years - since it was he who set the whole thing in motion by searching out the cure for Dru in the first place. When they meet up it will *not* be a pretty fight. Spike will probably be in more danger from them than Buffy will be. I can see their hatred of Spike basically blinding them to the threat of Buffy ~ hopefully she can take advantage of that!

Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Glad you liked the group's 'tweaked' history! Yes, Angelus definitely has no lost love for Spike, and he will be quick to remind Darla that Spike started the whole ritual thing. Funny you should mention that about the first meeting, since Angelus will be more interested in Spike at first, first as 'what are you doing here,' then to 'why aren't you killing the Slayer?' Thanks for reviewing!

I lost track of this story due to RL stuff, but I'm happy to say I'm all caught up again and enjoying it greatly. Yay! You are really working the angst here in these last couple of chapters (and I love it!)

I like how you've worked Anya into the tale and I'm also glad that Joyce is dealing with the slayage and (for now) would apparently not object to Buffy keeping Spike closer. 'Course that may change when she inevitably learns that Spike is one of the nasties her daughter kills.

Clever twist in how you worked the mayor plot line in with the Angelus/Faith connection. Too bad Angelus knew of vengeance demons and how to disarm them ~ I would've liked to have heard Faith's wish.

I hope to be able to remain current with the story and will endeavor to comment more frequently.

Author's Response: Glad you like the angst! Really, I did not set out to write such an agnsty chapter, or story. But I guess "Spike's a killer" + "Buffy's not" = Instant Angst. But it will get better! Two steps forward, one step back... I'm glad you like Anya. It was always my plan to have her "out" what happened, since she could be there to observe it. And Xander needs someone. :) As for the Mayor, I always wondered how he got so many followers. Vampires taking orders from humans, and surely they could see he would destroy everything...? That scene in Enemies made me wonder what it would have been like for the Mayor to meet any of the other big bads. And Faith's wish will forever remain a mystery, I suppose. But it would have been good. Anya would know! I'm glad you liking it, and thanks for reviewing!

I've just caught up with the last 15 chapters all at once, so sorry for not reviewing each one, but wanted you to know that this story continues to entrance me. You've done a masterful job developing the B/S relationship... it feels so *real* and truthful, with all of the emotional snags that such a relationship would entail. Your dialog says so much, so succinctly ~ love it.

I especially adore the way you've tweaked canon in your basic story premise. We know all these characters, they're all in slightly different circumstances than we're used to, yet utterly in character (if that makes any sense at all).

Reading a bunch at once, I thankfully didn't have to suffer through the cliffhangers, but I'll be sure to keep up to date from now on because I just. can't. wait. to find out what's gonna happen!

Author's Response: Don't worry about not reviewing each chapter, it's good to know I've written a "page-turner," LOL. Thank you for the compliments on how I've handled Spike and Buffy's relationship. I've tried to take everything into account, and not have it be all romance and flowers, because they both have issues. And I'm glad you think everyone is still in character, even though they're "out of canon." I didn't have much problem with Buffy and Spike, but some of the Scooby scenes were hard for me to write at first, trying to "introduce" them to Buffy, while we still know most everything about them. Hmm, I didn't think I had *too* many cliffhangers in there, though you ended up reading at a point where there was a big one on the last chapter, LOL. Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you keep enjoying!

William seems to be doing very well for himself. Nice to see him thrive out from his brothers' shadows.

I have a hunch that news of Buffy's delicate condition would've made its way to Ingimund over the course of the winter, since the wedding gathered guests from far corners of the land. Won't that be a shocking bit of news for William to learn when he arrives in the Spring?

Author's Response: it wouldn't be a man's place to tell:) in fact it would be the height of bad manners glad you liked the update. more soon

A wonderful update, and congratulations on your well-deserved noms!

I am breathless with anticipation of William's negotiations. Also really looking forward to Giles and Godwin's impressions of Ingimund and of how William handles things. I have every confidence in him, of course, but can hardly wait for the adventure that brings him back to the Northlands.

Author's Response: thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed it. I love reading peoples guesses about here the story is going but no-one has got it right yet

Yay! William made it to Ingimund and meeting Eirik no less! Very anxious to read about his reception and if Ingimund does, in fact, remember him.

Thanks for the update!

Author's Response: glad you enjoyed. more soon, but kids are on spring break and computer is playing daft games so may be a couple of days:)

Hold on just a second there, missy.... Whew! I had to go back just to make sure I hadn't missed a chapter! Well. Anyone complaining of the pace now is gonna get knocked upside the head, courtesy of yours truly. This chappy certainly took me by surprise ~ I had a huge grin on my face reading about Nordlys and Buffy's machinations for Jon and I was looking forward to maybe Eirik mentioning that he'd seen William, but expected NOTHING like THIS! Wow, I'd faint too!

Really, I wanna read about William's side of this agreement now! I was so looking forward to him finding out about the wedding condition and his reactions and here you've gone and already had Ingimund and Althered meet and hammer out all the details! No fair! Sorry, I know I'm whining, but I lap up this story like chocolate pudding and every. little. bit. counts. and I get very frustrated when the waiter tries to take my dessert plate from me before I've licked the bowl clean, ya know what I mean?

Anyway, WOW, what a chapter. No complaints other than I want more more more.

Author's Response: there is flashback:) evil laugh, even more evil grin:) I did write another chapter but it sounded more like a history lecture than a story, so changed the emphasis. There is a good book about the wirral vikings... www.lulu.com H A DOUGLAS glad you enjoyed the chapter and there will be more

I wanted to add that I heartily echo Leanne's comment in your reviews for chap 42. re:

"I hope you provide Buffy the opportunity to show William's brothers that she is not a woman to be trifled with."

Oh YES! You must not let that opportunity be overlooked! I'd buy tickets to see that.



Author's Response: tickets will be on sale later this week. please reserve your seat by calling 555 XX XX

Aha! Harold and Liam are SOL now. It'll be interesting to learn more about exactly what a "trial by ordeal" is... I guess it to be a Saxon version of the Roman "Boca del la Verita".

Sounds like some drama to come regarding just where the newlyweds are going to live. I can understand Buffy's point of view, but also think that William wouldn't want to seem unappreciative of the home and estate he's been gifted with, as well as his responsibility to want things to get off to a good start with the market and settlement he was instrumental in arranging. Wherever they reside, doubtless Anne will be welcome to join them, so her worries are unfounded ~ although she may not realize that at this point.

Very nice update. Looking forward to Liam and Harold getting their due. Dru & Darla must've choked on their wine when they saw Buffy's jewels! Ha! Let them try to pilfer a piece and they'll learn just how much of a warrior Buffy is!



Author's Response: there's a lot of political manovering to come. but at least they will be together...more soon and thanks for the review

Yay! A new chapter, and quite a doozy. Very fitting that Buffy took Liam out, but did Darla witness that scene? I'd hate to think she was around to serve cold, cold revenge at a future date.

On with the wedding!


Author's Response: yep wedding next, but darla is always the spectre at the feast

If I smoked, I'd need a cigarette about now.

For some reason I thought it was just gonna be women who "witnessed" the consummation. I was surprised to read of Ingimund's and Athelred's involvement, especially with Athelred assuming the duties of a "valet" to William.

I need some educamating please, regarding the significange or symbolism of the hammer in Buffy's lap as well as the hammer & cross in the bundle above the bed. Enlighten us?

Author's Response: education in the next chapter:) glad it was hot enough, I wanted it sizzeling but am no I-B-E thanks for the reviews and more soon

Yikes! William/Spike where are you? Buffy could really use a nearby diversion right about now.

Very intrigued about about what the root cause of this reality switcheroo is.

Author's Response: A diversion would definitely be helpful! The explanation of the switcheroo will be revealed bit by little bit...thanks for reading!