Title: The Wolf And The Hawk (An S/X adaptation of Ladyhawke)

Warnings: HAU, M/M sex, violence, swearing, angst, possible humor, blatant use of movie dialogue, OOC, varying chapter lengths. Unbeta'd
Rating:Chapters 1-25 R (For swearing and violence) Epilogue NC17 (For M/M sex.)
Pairing: 100% S/X ( S&Oz, S&Oz&Giles, X&Oz&Giles FRIENDSHIP only)
Author: Naughty_Fae
Comments: Comment if you want to, though it would be nice to know someone is reading it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, everything belongs to someone who is not me. I write for fun not profit.

Note 1: This is derived from the movie Ladyhawke and is dedicated to two of the most handsome actors ever: James Marsters and Rutger Hauer. It is also dedicated to the memory of Othello the magnificent Friesian stallion who portrayed Goliath.

Note 2: My heartfelt thanks go out to my dear friend Bmblbee, for holding my hand through the writing and posting process. *Hugs*

Note 3: This is a plot driven story. Chapters 1 to 25 Rated R for violence and language. Epilogue (Original writing, not part of the legend or movie) Rated NC17 for MM sex.

Note 4: This is fantasy human/medieval Spike, Oz and Xander and behave as such. Although BTVs names are used, they are NOT in Sunnydale personas.

Summary: When the Count D’Anjou forfeits all his land and wealth gambling, his son the handsome, eighteen year old Xander is sent to live with a cousin in Aquila. It is hoped that Xander's good looks and title will attract a wealthy wife. But Xander meets William (Spike) Navarre the handsome, dashing Captain of The Guard. They fall in love. They keep their illicit love from everyone but their confessor. When they are betrayed to The Bishop of Aquila he calls down a terrible curse on the lovers. Can Daniel (Oz) Osbourne a thief and escapee from Aquila's dungeons help Spike and Xander defeat the curse?

Chapter 16/25 + Epilogue (This is not a WIP. One Chapter will be posted daily, until complete.)

Rating: 1 -25 R, EPILOGUE NC17




Chapter 16/25+ Epilogue

Rating NC17 Overall

Oz walked beside the horse all morning, Spike seemed more morose than usual and said little and Xander dozed fitfully on his hand. They were climbing steadily into the hills above Aquila, the air was chill and their breath hung about them. It was much colder now then when Oz had passed through and the brooks and streams were frozen and still, the snow thicker and it crunched under feet and hooves.

At midday Spike dismounted and bid Oz ride while he stretched his legs. He walked a little way ahead and Oz could hear him talking softly to the hawk as he rode behind. After a couple of hours Spike called a halt. The countryside was flat and open except for a small, thick, copse of trees, with a large, frozen pond in front. Spike nodded towards the trees. "We'll camp there."

Oz frowned. "But Sir, there is still more than two hours light, shouldn't we move on?" Spike sighed and turned. "And who knows what shelter lies between here and nightfall? We will make Aquila in time if we stay here or press on. The night will be cold and those trees poor enough shelter, but at least they will provide some and wood for a fire. We camp there." His words brooked no nonsense and Oz nodded dumbly.

Just inside the trees they found a small clearing that looked out over the pond. Spike told Oz to collect as much firewood as he could to last through the night and set a fire, but not light it. They were too near Aquila to risk a sight of smoke leading to their discovery. He left Oz to unsaddle Goliath and go about his appointed tasks. He took the crossbow and with the hawk flying ahead, set off in search of game.

Oz unsaddled Goliath and set about collecting firewood, he found plenty and soon had a good pile. He set a fire and although tempted to light it waited for the Captain to return, he didn't have to wait long.

Spike made his way through the trees a small deer carcass slung over his shoulders. The hawk followed flying from tree to tree and alighting on a log close by the campfire. He took the deer from his shoulders and laid it on the ground. "A yearling, but with meat enough for you and Xander and a change from rabbit."

"Good hunting Sir." Spike looked up and nodded. "Soon be sunset. I'll gut and skin it, cut off the prime pieces. The rest I'll take with me, be handy for me to feed off when..." His voice trailed away. "Yes Sir." Oz agreed without prompting. "Make yourself useful boy, gather rocks and place them at the fire's edge, you can lay the meat on them to roast and make sure to burn the entrails or you'll have every wolf for miles here."

When Oz returned the snow was stained red with the deer's blood and the deer was butchered and Spike preparing to leave. "Remember don't light the fire till after dark." Spike warned. Oz nodded. "Stay here in the morning and I'll come to you."

"Yes Sir." Oz nodded.

Satisfied, Spike grunted. "I'll wish you a good night little thief." Spike hefted what remained of the deer and without a backward glance he walked into the gloom of the trees and was gone. From his log the hawk watched the Captain depart and called softly, mournfully after him.

Oz sat and gathered his cloak about him and waited for darkness. A movement from the hawk caught his eye. "Oh, sunset." He stood. "I'll umm, I'll go take a piss against a likely tree, give you time to dress." The hawk cocked it's head and watched him with pale, yellow eyes.

Oz wandered through the trees and relieved himself against one. He was walking slowly back when a movement in the distance caught his eye. He peered and his face spread into a wide smile, he looked heavenward. "Thank you Lord," and he ran toward the cart.

By the time Oz got back to the camp he was relieved to see Xander not only dressed, but sat by a blazing fire and the meat laid out on the stones and no sign of the entrails. Oz stood on a twig and Xander leapt to his feet, a hand resting on the dagger in his belt, he visibly relaxed when he saw Oz. "Oh it's you," he smiled. "I wondered where you were." He sat again, gathering Spike's cloak about him. He studied Oz's concentrated look. "Everything alright?"

"Sir, I didn't want to say anything before, until I was sure and the Captain forbid me to speak of it to you."

Xander looked worried. "What is it Oz?"

"Sir there may be a way to break the curse, for you and the Captain to live both as men. We have a plan."

Xander frowned. "You and Spike?"

"Not exactly." Giles stepped into the circle of firelight.