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 24/25 + Epilogue (This is not a WIP. One Chapter will be posted daily, until complete.)
Rating: 1 -25 R, EPILOGUE NC17
Chapter 24/25+ Epilogue
Rating NC17 Overall
AN: Apologies for the length of the fight scene, to make it shorter I feel would have been an injustice to both characters,
With a look of fury Angelus swung at Oz and knocked him to the ground. The Clergy had turned round at the clatter of the falling chain and gasped and muttered in astonishment. The Bishop looked up from behind the altar and frowned.
Outside Goliath reached the closed doors. Spike urged him on, Angelus grabbed at Oz scrambling crab-like backward away from both his grasp and the doors. Goliath whinnied and raised himself on his hind legs and pawing the air brought his heavy hooves crashing against the doors. There was the sound of splintering wood and the great doors swung open, catching Angelus and sending him sprawling across the stone floor.
Goliath's hooves clattered and echoed off the paved aisle and walls and ceiling of the great hall. Oz scrambled to his feet, Spike saw him and relieved to see him alive, nodded, his thanks. The Clergy scattered against the walls, The Bishop looked irritated and Angelus staggered to his feet and ran for his horse.
Goliath pranced up the wide aisle toward the altar, Oz pulled off the monks robe and left the Cathedral at a dead run, passing Angelus mounting his horse.
In the barn Giles watched the still cloudy skies, knife in hand. Xander quietly perched on his hand and the monk prayed. "God go with him, be with him."
Spike rode toward the altar and Goliath snorted and reared up. Spike and the Bishop glared at each other. Then there was the clatter of another set of hooves and Angelus rode into the great hall. "Navarre!" He bellowed.
Goliath swung round. Angelus drew his sword and lowered his visor. The two stallions reared up and pawed the air and began to thunder towards each other. In the middle of the aisle they met and swords clashed as Spike and Angelus swung at each other, the encounter ending harmlessly and the horses finishing their run in changed places. They swung round and charged again, hooves pounding as they raced towards each other. Both Spike and Angelus roared as they met. Goliath's shoulder hit the other horse's and the gray staggered, at the same time Spike's sword rang against Angelus's and the bigger man slipped in the saddle, regaining his seat as his horse regained it's footing. Once again the horses finished their pass in changed positions.
The stallions skidded to a halt, swung round and charged again.
Oz ran as fast as he could to the North wall of the Cathedral and sought out the cul-de-sac and the cart. Without pause he dived underneath and rummaged around pulling out the Captain's great broadsword. He and Giles had hoped that without the sword, the Captain would be slowed in his plan to kill the Bishop; they'd been wrong and now the Captain would have his sword, his honor and his revenge.
The stallions met in the center of the aisle and this time both men pulled them to a halt. Steel rang as the men thrust and parried, the horses circling each other. Both men fought for an advantage, one was skilled, strong and quick the other skilled, stronger but less agile. They were evenly matched.
Spike managed to get under Angelus's guard but his blows were deflected by his Cuirass or mail. Angelus was able to get in several strong blows to Spike's body almost unseating him. In the end it was the inexperience of Angelus's horse that made the difference, it broke off the encounter and galloped to the end of the aisle and turned to charge again.
Spike took his chance and instead of turning charged at The Bishop, as the rode up the steps to the altar The Bishop's guard moved to block him. They swung swords at both horse and rider. Both took blows as Spike tried to protect the unarmored Goliath, it gave Angelus time to reach them and they forced Goliath to leap down the steps and away from the altar.
Angelus's horse leapt with him and as they landed Spike swung at Angelus with all strength; the blow connected and Angelus swayed backwards in the saddle. His horse slipped and his rear legs buckled under him and his hind quarters hit the ground almost unseating Angelus. Spike had the advantage and a less honorable man might have charged in and ended the fight, but he withdrew giving Angelus's horse time to regain it's feet and Angelus his saddle. It was to cost him dear.
They rode and circled round the stone pillars, swords clashed and the Clergy scattered. Oz raced in through the doors and tried to push his way toward the fighting, broadsword in hand.
Angelus's horse was tired. He was built more for ceremonial and brief jousting than lengthy combat and he'd been weakened by his fall. Goliath's wounds were slight and had already stopped bleeding and he was filled with the thrill of battle; he twisted and turned round the pillars in pursuit of the gray stallion. They rounded a pillar and Spike got in a lucky, heavy blow, Angelus dodged and shifted his weight. It was too much for the gray and it crashed onto it's side, throwing Angelus clear. It stumbled to it's feet and trotted from the Cathedral.
In his fury Angelus tore off his helmet and flung it with all his might at Spike, he dodged and it soared, crashing through the round window high above. The sun broke through the clouds.
Spike swung down from Goliath, the great horse's job was done, he patted the neck once and Goliath walked a short distance away.
Spike took off his helmet and tossed it aside and began to stalk toward The Bishop. The Bishop's guard rushed to him swinging their swords, Spike tossed them aside. The Bishop saw him coming and looked round for an avenue of escape, finding none he shrank back in fear. Spike was almost at the altar steps when he was tackled from behind by Angelus and both men sprawled on the stone floor.
They scrambled to their feet, swords in hand and glared at each other. "I told you once you were dead." Spike hissed.
Angelus smirked and grunted in reply, certain that on foot he would be able to kill Spike.