Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Only One
By : HollyHobbit13
Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Crossovers
Views: 4468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
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Spencer Manor
Northern England
Near-dawn
Tick, tick, tick, tick . . .
The Immortal listened to the monotonous cadence of the chronometer as it beat at half-second intervals. The sound was excessively loud in the quiet room. All was still inside the house, and – for the first time in three weeks, outside as well. Crossing his arms over his chest, he studied the full moon hanging low in the indigo sky, before shifting his timeless gaze to the sword propped against his desk. A separate room housed his collection of steel; after every Challenge won, the victor usually kept the defeated's weapon, and the Halcyon's sword collection had grown nicely over millennia. Some he gifted to his Students for their first weapon; the more unique, unusual swords he kept for himself. Caine's own preferred, much-used blade was gifted to him from his Teacher – and at this very moment, the Halcyon wished he could beat Methos black and blue with it. Caine stood and walked towards the large, picture window. Since the Ancient One's departure, Caine Spencer's sleeping pattern - amongst other more pleasant pursuits -was interrupted on a dismayingly regular basis, making the normally even-tempered Immortal quite irritable. Stifling another wave of annoyance, the Halcyon returned to his large, executive styled leather chair and sat down.
Caine appreciated anew what he had previously taken for granted – anonymity, such as it was, within the Immortal community. With the Highlander and the Eldest out of town - much to the Halcyon's great displeasure, his pleasantly predictable life had literally been turned upside down; the Spencers' relatively peaceful existence had been disturbed with exasperating, maddening frequency. Immortals, eager to test their skills, skulked about, drawn to the stately Manor by the Second One's presence and the chance for an incredible Quickening. After every Quickening received, the Halcyon appreciated life all the more. With a low growl of frustration, the Immortal flipped open his mobile phone and hit the speed dial once again.
"The number you have reached is no longer in service. If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please check the number and try again." The digitized voice repeated the same message he'd heard once too often.
"Damn it, Adam – you were supposed to be back by now!" the Immortal groused to himself.
The Halcyon tried all the contact numbers the Eldest had given him, but with the same result – that damned, standardized response. Yawning, Caine rubbed his eyes in frustration before punching the 'end' button on his mobile phone. Tossing it onto the desk, he cradled his face in his hands and mentally ran through his contact list, wondering if he'd misdialed or memorized the incorrect numbers; Caine picked up his mobile phone again, about to enter another number, when he paused and reached out with his senses . . . searching. It was a valuable aspect of the Buzz that Methos taught him three thousand years ago, and constantly tested him with its use, until it was automatic. If he so desired, with a twinkle of thought, the Second One could locate another Immortal's physical proximity- give or take a few meters. He was in the process of teaching Meredith the useful component of their internal alarm. The Elder took comfort in his wife's presence when he located her in the house. Closing his eyes, the Halcyon leaned his head back, relaxed in his chair, and listened to the chronometer continue to mark time's passing with its steady rhythm. Before long, the Immortal began to doze off, the mobile phone forgotten in his hand. Suddenly, Caine's chair was pulled back, swiveled around, and a familiar weight settled onto his lap.
"Darling, you were gone when I woke up," the smoky voice whispered the gentle remonstration.
"My most abject apologies, my lady." Caine gallantly murmured in reply; he tilted his head back to better look at the speaker.
Running his hand through her soft, sleep-tousled hair, the Halcyon studied his wife's eyes; her cornflower blue eyes were luminescent in the low light. The younger Immortal's black hair and smattering of golden freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose and cheeks made her look much younger than her seven hundred and fifty years.
"Did I tell you how much I love you?" Caine asked with a lopsided smile.
"I prefer you show me, Darling." The Immortal pouted; plucking the phone from her husband's hand, the woman tossed it back onto his desk.
Meredith wrapped her arms loosely about the Halcyon's neck and shifted in a way that never failed to elicit a response. Caine wisely took his cue from his wife; the Second Oldest loosened the ties of his wife's robe and parted the thick terry cloth, before slipping his hands inside. The delicious scent of mimosa and sleep surrounded the Halcyon. Sliding his hands up her ribcage, Caine lightly kissed every inch of warm, silky flesh he encountered, before filling his hands with the wonderful weight of her breasts. Swiveling the chair towards the desk, Caine swept a pile of papers off the polished cherry wood surface and chuckled softly at his wife's pleased expression. Slipping the robe completely off Meredith's body, the garment fell to the floor as the Halcyon stood and deposited his wife onto his desk; he proceeded to show his wife just how much he wanted her, apologizing in a very pleasurable way for absenting himself from their warm bed, leaving no doubt in his Immortal wife's mind the sincerity of his regret.
#
"Must you go, Caine?" the younger Immortal asked, doing her best to entice her husband back to their bed upstairs.
"Yes, Merry; I need to check with Gregory about Adam." He replied. "What are your plans for the day, love?" Caine asked.
"There are spring hangings in the attic I wish for James to air out. I would like to decorate the house for the season." Meredith replied.
The Halcyon would not be overly concerned to leave Meredith at home; however, due to recent events, the older Immortal did not wish to leave his wife - no matter how good she is - home alone, and subjected to the unusually frequent Challenges of late. When she did fight, he watched helplessly, filled with quiet terror this Challenge might be her last. He could not interfere – the Rules of the Game forbade it. Caine could only comfort himself with the promise that, should she be slain before his eyes, her Challenger would soon follow. It was a vow he would keep at all costs, for he was unable to do the same for his dear, departed first wife, Eleanor, who was killed by the Immortal Cyrus. There was no honor in her death, for Caine's most bitter enemy - whom the Halcyon played 'hunter and hunted' with since 2156 B.C. - murdered his cherished Eleanor. It was not the first time the bastard killed someone dear to the Second One, but it would be the last time. The Halcyon avenged Eleanor's death - and all others who had fallen under his enemy's blade - centuries later, when he took Cyrus' head; unfortunately, the Quickening of that encounter sparked a blaze in the pub they fought near but moments before; unchecked, the fire spread to the nearby bakeshop of Thomas Farynor; it would be remembered by generations following as the historic London fire of 1666, and the Halcyon saw no need to correct the history books.
"Come with me, Merry. We'll stop by Gregory's, then have tea at Harrod's, and spend the rest of the day shopping . . . " the Halcyon's words trailed off as he watched his wife race to the loo. Caine smiled to himself. The sooner their day began, the sooner he could (hopefully) learn when to expect Methos' return.
#
Arda's Treasures
Paris, France
Long before the Halcyon entered, the thrumming hum of the Buzz alerted the Immortals to the other's presence. The silver bell poised above the entryway jangled merrily as the door swung open and then closed. Ducking into the Shoppe, the Halcyon raked his fingers through his tawny hair as his eyes searched the room, his eyes unerringly rested upon his kind. Jacqueline held her breath as she stared back at the Immortal framed in the doorway. It was the second time she laid eyes upon Caine; the first time Jacqueline seen the Halcyon, she did not give the blonde Immortal a second thought, for the combined Buzz of the Immortals preceding him masked his presence. She gave herself over to the sensation that raced down her spine and extended through her arms, longing to grasp her sword and release the raw power encapsulated within the man at the entryway. Perhaps she could entice the handsome, fair-haired one into a tryst, wait till he was vulnerable, and then take his head like she did with all the others. Seduce and slay; though terribly unimaginative, it was one of the oldest tricks in history - her tried and true method of acquiring Quickenings. The idea appealed to the Frenchwoman with every passing moment. Monsieur Pierson, Monsieur MacLeod, and now Monsieur Spencer; their combined essence would make Jacqueline a force to be reckoned with. Firstly, Jacqueline needed to find the fair Immortal's friends; she had not seen them since her initial encounter with the dark Immortals; her clandestine eavesdropping and snooping forays when Monsieur McGulloch was not in his private study yielded no information. After she took Monsieur Spencer's head, they would no doubt have a grudge to settle when all was said and done. Jacqueline composed herself and strolled towards the Second Oldest. Thoughtfully, Caine watched the younger Immortal walk towards him, studying her with hooded eyes. The Frenchwoman's progress was cut short, as Gregory made his way towards the Second Oldest. A slight frown appeared on her face as she watched the two men exchange greetings.
"My dear boy, I was beginning to wonder when you would come again!"
Caine's attention was pulled away from Jacqueline's approach by Gregory's voice. Turning towards the Proprietor, a lopsided grin appeared on the Halcyon's face. Jacqueline took another step towards the men, when Gregory turned and addressed her.
"Ah, Jacqueline, my dear – I believe we do have a question over there. Kindly see to them while I take care of this young man, hmm?" Gregory said; putting a hand on the Immortal's shoulder, the gentleman gestured towards the hallway leading towards his private office.
"Naturellement, Monsieur (of course, Sir)." Jacqueline murmured, forcing her lips to twist into a smile.
Reluctantly, the younger Immortal returned to the counter, yet her eyes remained on the men as they disappeared into the hallway. Inside Gregory's private office, the men settled into their seats and faced each other across the expanse of Gregory's desk.
"Have a bite?" Gregory offered.
"I'm fine - thank you, Sir; I'm saving my appetite for later." The Halcyon demurred, holding his hand up.
Caine looked forward to tea with his wife at the Georgian Restaurant, and planned to indulge his sweet tooth at Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar. Caine discovered that feeding his lovely wife chocolate, and ordering more of the confections to take home often led to a much shorter shopping spree, which suited him just fine. Money was no object – Caine could buy every single item in the department store, down to the last square of toilet paper. The need to curtail his wife's shopping was much more basic; the Halcyon did not wish to move to a larger estate, in order to contain all her purchases.
"If you change your mind . . . " Gregory replied; the Immortal's host gestured towards the tiered plates laden with teacakes, and other tempting delights.
"You eat well." Caine commented.
"I did not always; there were many occasions when I had neither the time – or any food to eat. Food is not easy to come by in Wartime. There are pleasures, and then there are pleasures." Gregory said with a conspiratorial wink. Caine nodded in understanding. He was no stranger to hunger; his involvement in the American Revolution, where he fought (and died several times) from beginning to end, was a good Teacher in crash dieting. Caine smiled politely as he watched his host pour them a cup of tea. The Halcyon perked up as he sniffed the air.
"Mmmm . . ." the Immortal said, inhaling the fragrant aroma that spread across the room.
"You like?" Gregory asked with an indulgent smile.
"Darjeeling tea - the 'Queen of Teas'?! Very much so!" the younger man enthused, accepting his cup.
"The Queen of Teas has a bit of a sting, does she not?" the Immortal said, carefully setting his cup back down. He would wait to drink more when the hot liquid cooled to a more palatable temperature.
"Most females do, my boy." Gregory agreed with a wink.
Setting his teacup onto the gleaming silver tray, he patted the crumbs away from his lips with a linen napkin; it would be easy to give the younger man the answers he sought, before the questions were presented; however, a portion of their conversation was not meant for Caine's ears alone. In the meantime, because he liked the fellow seated across from him, he would tell Master Spencer a thing or two about their mutual friend. The Immortal's host selected a dainty spinach quiche and consumed the bite-sized morsel before beginning his tale. The Halcyon leaned back in his chair, tucked his arms behind his head and listened with rapt attention. The humorous and interesting stories Gregory told the Halcyon about Methos gave the younger Immortal valuable blackmail leverage when next he saw his Teacher.
Methos could be maddeningly close-mouthed when he chose. Caine thought to himself.
"He has a sword he's very attached to; did he ever tell you where he got his Ivanhoe?" Caine asked. For as long as he'd known the Oldest, the Halcyon did not remember Methos ever mentioning the origins of his cherished weapon.
"No, he did not." The other man said with a bland smile; if the young man before him only knew . . .
: : : : Merry Old England
King Arthur's Court
410 A.D.
"My thanks. . . for everything." The Immortal finally said before he swung into the saddle.
"Where will you go, my friend?" the Wizard asked.
"Oh, I don't know; it's a big world. I can go wherever I want; I have time to decide . . ." Methos replied with a wry grin. Clasping forearms in farewell, the Wizard reached up and handed the Immortal a small leather sachet.
"What is this?" Methos asked as he opened it.
"A bit of the suspending powder I made. Keep it safe and use it wisely." Merlin advised.
Methos nodded and pulled the drawstrings closed before tucking it into his tunic pocket. Looking down at the King's Friend, the Immortal gave his Friend a tight smile, as he pulled the hood of his cloak lower over his head and urged Shadowfax forward. Merlin watched as the shadows claimed horse and rider.
"Till we meet again." Merlin said aloud.
Sighing heavily, the Wizard peered into the darkness a while longer before he returned to his Keep. Knowing Methos hadn't opportunity to gather his belongings that night, the venerable old man tucked the blade into the bedroll secured to the back of Shadowfax' saddle, where it would be found in due time. Twin to Arthur Pendragon's blade, Excalibur, Nimue ceded to Merlin's insistence that certain elements and embellishments be modified, to better reflect the qualities of the wielder to whom it would belong. The old gentleman knew full well that his Pupil occasionally walked the path of darkness, yet manages to find his way back to the light. All in his Order believed Methos irredeemable and unworthy of the blade, scoffing how their 'Associate' entertained a fool's hope. Merlin knows how easily the hearts of Men are corrupted, how his Acolyte's future will be fraught with difficult choices. The resulting consequences would drive lesser Men into despair, madness – or both, yet Merlin sensed the probity in Methos' heart - though it flickered and sputtered for an Age or two, is in fact, deeply rooted. He firmly believed his Pupil's character would ultimately reveal him worthy of the esteemed blade - that the strength and courage of Methos' heart is no less greater than those of the lions gracing the quillions of the sword, his fierce loyalty and goodness of heart symbolized by the unicorn and gryphon . . . : : : :
"Tell me, what was he like when you first met?" Caine queried.
"Less jaded." Gregory replied with a playful grin. The Halcyon merely raised an eyebrow.
Gregory gave the Immortal a wide grin. The good humor in his blue-grey eyes dimmed slightly, for the Host perceived the figure lingering out of sight, listening intently to their conversation just outside the open door. Caine's host smiled. Now that all the players were in place, easing the young man's mind wouldn't hurt a thing, he decided.
"So . . . have you heard from Adam?" Caine asked.
"No; have you?" Gregory asked.
"No. He mentioned he was going out of town, with MacLeod and Dawson. He said they'd be back in two weeks' time, and they're past due."
"Does that worry you?" Gregory asked.
"I'd hate for him to be in some kind of trouble. . ." Caine said.
"Oh, he's a big boy. I'm sure he can handle himself quite well." The old gentleman assured his guest.
"Yes, but he's quite good about keeping to a schedule." The Halcyon countered.
"We cannot control everything, Caine."
"I know; I guess I am worried about him - but don't tell him that." The Immortal answered.
Rising from his desk, Gregory wiped his hands clean. Striding over to a large cabinet, the Immortal's host opened the heavily carven doors and withdrew two long tubes, a large leather pouch and carried them to the desk. The old gentleman detached the lids before carefully removing the contents. Unfurling the papers, the Proprietor used several books as weights and the pouch to prevent the papers from rolling up again.
"Let me show you something, Caine." Gregory said, motioning the younger man to his side. The Halcyon stood and joined his host. Studying the maps, the Immortal crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.
"What is this?" the Second One asked.
"This, Caine, is a map." Gregory answered.
"Yes, I can see that, Gregory." The Halcyon said dryly. "What I meant, was: what about it?"
"This is where they are." His Host replied.
"You can't be serious.'" Caine said, his face and tone skeptical.
"And why ever not?" Gregory asked.
"Because this place doesn't exist. . .you mean to tell me that all three of them are here -?" The Immortal gestured to the map, striving to keep the sarcasm from his voice.
"You're absolutely correct, dear boy. " Gregory agreed. Caine raised an eyebrow, but held his tongue. Much as he liked Gregory, he wasn't fond of the term 'boy'.
"Look carefully, Caine. Can you not liken this world to yours?" Gregory asked.
Caine's dubious expression melted into a thoughtful one as he carefully studied the map; the depiction was of a single great land mass. If this 'Middle-earth' was comprised of tectonic plates experiencing an extraordinary continental drift, well . . . Caine could not ignore the striking similarities between Middle-earth and modern day Europe.
"Okay," Caine allowed "But how . . they could be anywhere!" The Halcyon said; Gregory merely smiled at the young man's bewildered question and expression.
"There are en route here." Gregory replied, placing a finger on the map.
"'Rohan'?" Caine asked. "What's in 'Rohan'?" the Immortal asked.
"Decisions . . . answers, or maybe nothing." Gregory replied.
"Will they come home from there?"
"No, not quite yet, dear boy. They must journey further to Gondor."
"How many more days will that add?" Caine asked, not liking the direction their conversation was taking.
"As many as they need . . . much has yet to be decided." Gregory replied solemnly; Caine frowned lightly, noting how his Host's amused expression became markedly somber.
Gregory's eyes became slightly unfocused as he gazed at a point just beyond the Halcyon's shoulder. Turning in his chair to see what captured Gregory's attention, Caine saw nothing, save the wall; he turned back to his host.
"Gregory . . . ?" The Halcyon frowned. Gregory's face was devoid of expression, remaining unnaturally still and unblinking when the Immortal stood and waved his hand in front of his Host's face. Intrigued, the Immortal poured more tea into his cup, and held it beneath the Proprietor's nose, watching the steam rise up, undisturbed. Perplexed, he sat back down, almost spilling the hot liquid when Gregory suddenly spoke.
"Just beyond lies the way. Would you care to join them?" The Proprietor rose to his feet and walked towards the small room, drawing the heavy curtain back; the Immortal followed his Host. The scraping of the chair legs and footsteps emboldened the eavesdropper to creep closer, straining to hear the words.
"Are you all right - What just happened?" Caine asked, confused. His host behaved as if nothing odd happened.
"I'm fine. The way remains open . . . for now." Gregory said, offering no further explanation.
Though his eyes were on the Halcyon, the words were meant for another. Caine shrugged inwardly and considered his options; tempting as it is to go after his friend and Teacher, and to see this place for himself, Methos, as his host stated earlier, is fully capable of taking care of himself. Besides, he had the Highlander to watch his back; Caine's place, he decided - is with his wife.
"I'll stay here." Caine decided. He would make plans to accordingly, should his Elder need him. There were many more questions the Immortal wished to ask, yet his questions inevitably led to more questions.
"As you wish; we will speak more later. Now, I believe you are due for another appointment." Gregory said briskly, leaving the curtain drawn back.
Placated for now, the Halcyon and his host exited the office and disappeared around the corner. Quickly, the figure slipped quietly into the vacated room. Carefully studying the maps spread on the table, Jacqueline rolled them together and stuffed them into a single casing; loosing the leather cords and peeking inside the pouch, she stirred the contents with her finger, greatly pleased to see the coins. The woman quickly drew the cords tight, slipping the purse and scrolls into her satchel. There was the future to see to – hers. Walking past the velvet curtain, Jacqueline pulled open the door and stepped into the crawling mist.
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Only One	By : HollyHobbit13 Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Crossovers Views: 4468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: See full disclaimer below.

Only One