Fic: Even If You Don't Believe in Fate: Part Two | Star Trek: AOS | PG-13

[ivycross]

Title: Even If You Don't Believe in Fate
Fandom: Star Trek: AOS/AU
Pairing: James T Kirk/Spock
Genre: Slash, Romance, Fairy Tale, Hurt/Comfort
Rating: PG-13 for mild violence and sexual content
Summary: Two days before his twenty-fifth birthday, Prince Spock becomes lost while on a hunting trip and he comes across a long lost prince who is under a curse. This is Fate.
Word Count: 10,820
Warnings/Spoilers: None save what was mentioned under rating
Art by: maggie2mw and mieaou
Beta: AKO from the K/S Archives, but I still mucked about with this, so any and all mistakes are mine.

Part One

The ball had started over two hours ago and Spock had yet to see James walk in to be announced. He was starting to panic. What if something had happened to him? The forest wasn't exactly safe at night.

Queen Amanda watched her son. She noticed his nervousness and she smiled warmly at him.
"Spock, why don't you dance? There are many available partners."

Spock's jaw clenched. "I'm waiting for someone, Mother," he said, his voice stiff.

Amanda frowned. "The person you met the other night?"

"Yes," he said, in a tight voice.

Amanda sighed, and turned back to watch the guests on the dance floor. She was worried about Spock.  No one knew what happened to him out in the woods that night and she wondered if somehow Spock had not fallen and hit his head. Perhaps that was the reason he might would imagine some strange young man. Spock had refused to say any more about his mystery lover, just that he would introduce t his parents to him tonight. The Queen had tried to get Leonard to tell her what he knew but he avoided her questions directly and Scotty just babbled about The Fay.

King Sarek offered the Queen his hand. She took it in her own and gave it a squeeze. He always knew when she needed support.
Spock watched his parents. Their relationship had puzzled him, because it had been an arranged marriage and he had often wondered what could have been like if they had been permitted to choose their own mates.  When he grew older, he learned that they adored one another completely and arranged marriage or no they would not change a thing.  He only hoped that he and James would be as happy together.

New music had begun, and dancers were moving on and off the floor. Leonard was picking at a plate of hors d’oeuvres and Scotty had found a lovely conversation companion.  Spock excused himself from the dais and moved through the crowd, stopping to acknowlge well-wishers as he passed. When he approached Leonard, he was greeted with narrowed eyes.

"Before you say anything, Spock, I did everything you asked me to and Scotty even left a horse nearby, so I don't wanna hear it," Leonard protested around a mouthful of fruit.

Spock raised an eyebrow. "I was merely coming over to ask if you were having a good time," Spock replied dryly.  

Swallowing with difficulty, Leonard looked sheepish. "Oh, well, yeah. Food's good, great musicians and um everyone seems to be in good spirits, but a few people are complaining that they haven't been able to dance with the prince."

Spock watched Leonard pop another piece of cheese in his mouth. "I'm waiting for James." Leonard made a face in reply.

Spock sighed, "You don't understand the situation."

Leonard snorted, "You haven’t exactly been forthcoming about what is going on."

There was a commotion in the room.  Everyone turned to the great doors to see a handsome young man enter, dressed in black and smiling at all.

It was James.

Immediately Spock headed towards him. James smiled, but something seemed off. Spock stopped a few feet from James and seemed to hesitate with caution.

"Spock?" He sounded like James, yet he didn't.

Spock visibly shook off his doubt, and extended his hand to James. "May I have this dance?" James grinned and placed his hand in Spock's. They made their way to the dance floor and Spock’s heart lightened.  Spock smiled at his mother before turning his attention to James.

His prince looked splendid as they danced around the room, but Spock wondered at James’s clothing selection. Everything was black: his coat, his pants, his boots, even the buttons were black, in such a stark contrast to his skin and hair. His appearance was nothing short of breathtaking.

"I was starting to worry," Spock whispered as another song started up and they continued around the other dancers.

James's brow wrinkled a little. "Did you? Scared I wouldn't show?"

The question surprised Spock. "No, actually, I was worried that you may have been injured or gotten lost."

This seemed to surprise James as his eyes widened for a second. Spock frowned. "Are you feeling well?"

"I feel marvelous," James said.

His prince's answer sent chills up Spock's spine. Something wasn’t right.   A foreboding feeling persisted as the night deepened.
James acted so flippant and swallow that Spock was shocked. James didn’t smile like a man in love, either.  Rather, his grin was of one merely observing while faintly amused. Most the time he seemed bored and his eyes would wander around the room as if searching for something, anything that would entertain him.

Finally, King Sarek had called everyone's attention. With Spock standing once again on the dais with his parents, he beamed down at James in the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming here tonight to celebrate the coming of age of my son, Prince Spock. I know that one day he will make a good king.  I bid you all safe journey back to your homes, but before you depart, as per tradition, Spock will now name the one he will wed come the spring."

Spock bowed his head to his father and turned to crowd. "Your presence here tonight honors me. It gives me great joy to introduce you to the one I will marry." Spock gestured to James and held out his hand.  James took the proffered hand and he stepped up on the dais. There were gasps and whispers amongst the crowd as some recognized the one Spock brought forward.

Spock faced the people again. "It is my honor and pleasure to merely speak his name: this, is Prince James Tiberius of Riverside, my chosen consort. This is the man I will marry and the one that I love."

The room exploded in cheers and applause.  Sarek beamed at his son and Amanda stepped next to Spock to give both him and James a kiss on the cheek. In that moment, Spock was on top of the world and then it all came crashing down.

Next to him, James started to laugh. Not a merry sound, but a bone-chilling chortle that made Spock's skin crawl.  The  room took notice and people seemed puzzled.

Spock gave James's hand a squeeze. "Are you well?" James grinned manically at him and Spock took a step back.

"I'm splendid. Fantastic really. This has been fun. I simply must thank you for such an entertaining evening."

Spock's brow knitted in puzzlement. "I do not understand."

James frowned, "You don't? Well of course you don't. You surprised me. I figured you would be completely oblivious; instead you were aware that something was amiss. Too bad you didn't act on your suspicions."

Spock froze. "Who are you?" he asked.

James smirked and stepped away. A flash of light, and James became Trelane.   There were cries and shouts, but Spock was unaware of them.  He stared instead at the stranger in a blue frock coat and ruffled shirt, looking nothing at all like James.

Trelane shook his head. "You were too worried about being with your beloved prince that no other thought crossed your petty little mind. It's just too bad now, isn't it?"

"Why?"

"Because you will never save him now," Trelane said solemnly.

A white rage filled Spock and he rushed at the other man. He grasped at nothing, for there was only empty air where the stranger had been standing.  Behind him, Trelane laughed.  Spock spun around and growled, "What did you do? If you hurt him..."

"I did nothing. But you—you broke your vow."

"What? No! I did no such thing."

"I'm afraid you did. Your vow was to love him, only him and declare that there is no one before him. Instead, you chose me and identified me to everyone as the man you will marry, as the one you love. Simple.”

Spock felt his heart shatter as he collapsed to his knees. The room seemed dimmer and his head swam. A pair of boots appeared in his vision, and he looked up from them into Trelane's face.

The man shook his head sadly. "You know now that the spell cannot be broken. He will stay as he is forever." Trelane walked away. Then turned around to face Spock once more. "Thank you for a lovely party. I did have so much fun." In a flash he was gone.

Leonard and Scotty were at Spock's side lifting him to his feet. Spock stared around the room, numbness filling his soul. He had betrayed his prince. He had broken his vow and James was lost to him.

"Spock? Spock! Snap out of it, man," Leonard shouted into his ear while Scotty gave him a good shaking.

Queen Amanda rushed up to them, her brown eyes full of tears. " Oh, Spock!" she cried touching his face.

"He's in shock," Leonard stated and he gave Spock a hard slap on the face.

The smack stirred something in Spock. No, he did not break his vow. He was tricked. He was tricked! And that man would pay.

Spock shook himself free from his friends and ran towards the doors. Behind him, heard the voices of everyone crying out for him to stop, to wait, but there was no time. He was going to save his prince and defeat that monster.

~*~

James sat on the floor of his tiny cell and shivered. He wished it was from the cold, but he knew better.  Trelane was not one to just make a threat and James could only imagine what he would do to Spock. Spock. James lowered his head and sobbed. Spock did not deserve whatever wickedness that would befall him.

"James!" The sound of his name brought James to his feet. The call came again! He knew it was Spock. He moved under the tiny window and stood on his tiptoes.

He answered back, “Spock?”

"James? Where are you?"

"I don't know. I'm in a cell. I might be under the house." He was greeted by the sight of Spock's face peering in through the bars.
"James. Are you hurt?"

"No. Are you?"

Spock shook his head. "I need to get you out." James moved back from the window and paced his tiny cell. Soon his cell door opened to reveal Spock. 

James ran into Spock's open arms. "I thought that I would never see you again," he breathed and he felt Spock hold him tighter. He pulled back and took James’s hand.

"Spock? What's wrong?"

" We need to vacate this place." Spock led James up a set of narrow stairs which opened behind a large bush near the manor house.
"I have my horse tethered in the woods. I'm taking you away from here," Spock announced.

James stopped mid-step.  "Spock! Did you see Trelane tonight?" Spock stopped midstep.  "What did he do?" Spock turned back to look at him and James felt his heart break at the expression on Spock's face. The brown eyes that were always so warm were now dull and wet with barely formed tears.

"James... I have betrayed you, though it was not intentional on my part and I will do what I can to make things right." Spock's words made James blood run cold. He started shaking again and Spock wrapped him tight in his arms. "I didn't know."

"Tell me. Tell me everything Spock," James begged.

Spock told of the evening’s events in the great hall. James then pulled away and lowered himself to the ground.  Spock knelt beside him, and waited.

"You didn't know?"

"No, I knew something wasn’t right, but I was so thrilled to be with you again, I dismissed any concerns. I am so sorry, Beloved. I failed you and I broke my promise."

Finally James took a deep breath and turned around to face Spock. Even though his eyes were wet, he smiled. "I cannot hold this against you," he said softly. Spock pulled his prince to him and nuzzled the blond locks.

"Well, this is quite touching, isn't it? Two lovers embracing in the moonlight. Warms the heart."

James broke free from Spock and rushed at Trelane.

"You monster. We did everything right and you deliberately sabotaged us. You're a cheater and liar. I hope you burn in Hell."

Trelane waved a hand and James disappeared. Spock stood quickly, rage boiling off his body.

"Where did you send him?"

Trelane smiled. "Not far, I assure you.  Now to deal with you. I'm feeling generous, so I will give you a fifteen minute head start, before I take your life." The man opened a gold pocket watch "Starting now!"

Spock remained where he was. 

Trelane frowned and huffed. "Shoo. Go on." Spock was shocked to see Trelane stomp his foot in irritation. "Now see here, you're not playing fair. You're supposed to run. Now go on!"

"This is a game to you, isn't it?" Spock asked. Trelane said nothing but sniffed petulantly.

"Well I'm not playing."

"But that's not fair. Why not?" Trelane whined.

"Because I don't play games with children," Spock said with a low voice. Nearby, James called for Spock. "But," he said, with a glance over his shoulder in the direction of James’ voice, "I will duel with a man."

Trelane put his watch away and moved closer to Spock."What do you mean?"

"I challenge you. Swords. If I win, you removed the curse on James, and never show your face again."

Trelane narrowed his eyes. "And if I win?"

"If you win, you may have both of us, James and me."

Trelane gave Spock a nasty smile. "Anything to be together?"

"Do you accept or not?" Spock said, his voice hard and low.

Trelane's smile widened. "I accept." Spock found himself by the lake holding a sabre in one hand. Trelane was nowhere to be seen.

"Spock!" James called out from the gazebo, trapped inside by heavy strangling vines encapsulating the structure. James managed to thrust his arm through the growth and stretch a hand to Spock

Spock took that hand and held it to his face. "You're safe," he breathed.

"Where is Trelane?” James asked.

"I do not know," Spock replied, covering the beloved hand with kisses. "I challenged him to a duel and then I was on the shore of the lake with this sword in hand." Spock watched the color drain from James's face.

"No, Spock. You didn't?"

"I had to. To save you," Spock said, and James groaned.

"Spock, you can't win. He will use every trick he knows to beat you."

Spock nodded. "I know," he said. "But I made a plan for that, too."

James just sighed. A moment later, his eyes grew wide and fearful. "Spock, look out!"

Spock ducked and spun around, just in time to avoid having his head cut off. Trelane held a sword in his hand with a gleeful smile on his face.

"En garde!" he shouted cheerfully. Spock sidestepped as Trelane swung his blade at Spock's middle. "I say, this is fun," he said cheerfully.

Spock scrambled and then lunged only to find his opponent gone.  He glanced around quickly and barely blocked a hit before Trelane slashed again and was gone. There was a noise behind him and Spock tuned to parry a thrust from Trelane.

"I say, you're not half bad at this."

"He’s better than you are Trelane, and he does it without cheating!" James shouted. Before Spock could ready another strike, the man vanished. Spock desperately searched for any advantage against his assailant. Every time he get near Trelane would disappear, only to reappear somewhere else.

Spock came to see however,  that Trelane moved his free hand before vanishing. Spock finally realized it was the ring on the man's hand, certain it was somehow the root of Trelane's power.

He parried another hit while his mind worked furiously. How could he get the ring? He thrust his blade and this time Trelane did not disappear but dodged the hit, laughing

“He is getting cocky. I can use this,” Spock thought as Trelane spun his blade in a small circle.

"There is no way you can win," Trelane taunted.

Spock narrowed his eyes and focused on Trelane's hand. "I do not surrender," Spock stated. Spock noticed how cold Trelane’s eyes were, despite the man smiling.

"Your forfeit," Trelane smirked, as he lunged toward Spock.

Spock twisted away and came around, striking at Trelane's weaponless arm. He put all his might into the swing and his sword severed the hand clean from the wrist.

Shrieking Trelane dropped his sabre and gripped the bleeding stump while falling to his knees. Spock kicked the blade away, beyond the reach of Trelane. Tossing his own blade away, he tore a strip from his coat and knelt next to his opponent. Quickly tying the makeshift tourniquet, he was able to stop the flow of blood.

"Don't move. I will free James and then we shall take you to my home were you may receive medical care."

Trelane whipped his head up. "I don't want your mercy," he growled. The wounded man jumped up, and pulled Spock to his feet with the one good hand. "I don't like the way you play," Trelane snarled, holding Spock close. "Surprised? You shouldn't be. Sorcery isn’t my only weapon." Trelane pushed him backwards toward the shore of the lake. "You may have beaten me, but you haven't won," he said as both he and Spock fell into the water.

~*~

From inside the gazebo James watched the lake waters as the two men struggled and sunk, down into the depths. In a wild panic, he tore at the gazebo’s vines, making his hands bleed. Pain meant nothing to him as he worked to free himself.

Once freed he ran to edge of the waters and looked for a sign, something, anything, that would indicate Spock was still alive. He plunged into the lake, and swam and swam, calling out Spock's name hysterically.  Only silence answered him. His heart breaking, he made his way back to shore and he threw himself down on the ground, to curl into a fetal position.

He laid there for what could have been hours when he heard a splashing. He sat up, astonished, as Spock staggered his way out of the water. James met up with him, just as Spock stumbled tumbling them both to the ground.  James pulled Spock, cradling him to his chest.
 
"James, I have done my best, so please forgive me," Spock whispered. He coughed wetly, and the sound tore through James.

Holding Spock tightly, he said, "Forgive you for what? You've done nothing wrong. We can now leave here!"

While James pled, Spock’s breathing made gurgle sounds. "Yes, but I'm so tired. I need to rest." Spock shut his eyes as head flopped to one side.

"Okay, Spock," James said as he clutched Spock's body to his own.

Epilogue

The lights from the paper lanterns flickered as people chatted to one another. In a far part of the garden, Prince James sat in his shirt and vest, watching the fireflies dance in the night air.

"James, I hope you are not avoiding the guests?" He turned to see his mother approaching him.

He smiled at her and shook his head. "No. I'm just thinking- about everything that has happened. It's a little overwhelming." His mother, Queen Winona , nodded solemnly. A lot had happened in the past year. She moved closer and hugged him tightly, before giving him a kiss on the forehead. He tried to pull away from her like an ill-tempered toddler, so she held him even tighter. 

Laughing, she finally let him go and stood back. "Come now. We don't want to be rude to our guests. And your husband will be looking for you, too."  At the mention of his husband, James blushed a little and followed his mother back to the main part of the garden.

As he walked through the crowd, people of the court lifted their glasses to him and offered their congratulations at his nuptials. He smiled at everyone and thanked them kindly, accepting his role as the blushing groom.  Ahead, he saw his father, King George, talking to his husband.

Spock turned and James felt his heart leap in his chest. He fought the urge to run up to Spock and kiss him. Instead, he made his way to where they stood and waited until his father had stopped speaking before clearing his throat to announce his presence.

King George beamed and clapped him on the back. James grinned at his father and then to Spock whose eyes had never left James's face.  Nearby, King Sarek and Queen Amanda were watching.

James' head was swimming. He was married to Spock! This was their wedding reception! He remembered the edge of the lake, holding Spock tightly to his body certain that his love had died. Right before dawn, Spock had shifted his body, and moaned softly. James had then cried tears of joy, but they turned bitter when he realized that the sun was coming up. He had leaned down, kissed Spock gently and whispered that he loved him.

Then he sat on the shore of the lake and waited for the hateful rays of the sun to transform him. The sun rose higher and higher in the sky, yet nothing happened.  James felt relief wash over him and he laughed as he cradled Spock in his arms. By then two frantic-looking men ran out of the woods, calling for Spock. James came to know them as Scotty and Leonard.

After the two of them had been delivered safely to the castle, James was introduced to Queen Amanda and King Sarek. He later left Spock to recover while he traveled back to his homeland. He found his parents dressed in mourning black. Queen Winona ran to her son and took him in her arms. King George embraced James and his mother together, and thanked God for his safe return.

Both James and Spock explained the defeat of Trelane, the breaking of the spell, and their intentions of marrying.  Neither set of parents were happy: James’ had no knowledge of Spock or his people, Spock’s were upset from the disruption at the celebration. The young men pled their love for one another and begged their parents to at least give the other a chance. And so it was arranged before the winter set in, Sarek and Amanda would present their son Spock to the Riverside court as a proper suitor.

After seeing their sons together all the parents soon accepted the match as inevitable, and wedding plans followed. James now remembered Spock's words to him that first night.

“I think that Fate has led me to you.”

James didn’t believe in Fate then.  He did now.

"I cherish thee," Spock whispered in his ear and James felt light headed.

Smiling, James answered, "And I will always cherish us, forever. This I vow."  Spock pulled James to him and before everyone they shared their best kiss yet.