FIC - First Knight (15/?)
Title: First Knight (15/?)
Author: wheelie47
Artist hollyoaks1021
Rating: NC17 (not for every chapter)
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 2,500
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Set in the fictional land of feudal Western Atlantia, King Damian has been overthrown and has fled the Kingdom of Oakdale. But his evil influence has spread across all eight Kingdoms. Lord Luke Snyder leads his army in an effort to bring peace and justice to a troubled time, aided in his quest by a certain dark-haired young Knight…
Chapter 1, Chapter 2,Chapter 3 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14
Luke shifted slightly in Stepper’s borrowed saddle to look over his shoulder at the assorted ranks of men behind him. It felt so good to be reunited with his horse and to ride out with him again - something he had almost given up on.
The sun glinted off armor, metal work and weaponry and he had to admit that the assembled men cut an impressive sight.
But a nagging concern tugged at his consciousness. Yes, it seemed an imposing sight but an observer need only look closely to see that these men were thrown together and not fully prepared.
Calderon’s and Bashir’s men held a core of highly trained soldiers - that much was obvious - but the rest of the forces were made up of any man that could ride a horse or hold a sword or a pike. Luke spotted the stable boys in the midst of the marching men, looking for all the world like school boys lost amongst their elders.
Even Oliver and Matthews rode amongst them. The physician had given him a hard and determined look when their gazes had met as he struggled up into the saddle of a war horse as if daring Luke to challenge his right to be there.
After hearing the full account of the execution of his injured men, Luke keenly felt the need to bring the perpetrators to task for their appalling and cruel actions. And he could not find it in himself to criticize any man for wanting to avenge their deaths, especially not the man who was responsible for their care.
But the tragic incongruity of a man of medicine riding into battle with a sword at his waist was not lost on him. Such were the dark and troubled times they bore witness to.
As Luke scanned the rest of the men he had a growing sense of unease. He had little doubt that these were brave men and were determined to follow their leaders into this final battle to rid the world of the evil of Damian and Aiden.
But was it enough? Were these brave souls enough to face what was to come?
His grim thoughts were interrupted by the light brush of the leg of the man next to him against his.
He twisted back in his saddle to look to his right, straight into the intense blue eyes of Noah. He could get lost in those eyes that could convey so many emotions; anger, fear, determination, bravery, sadness and above all love.
But now they gazed back at him with reassurance and comfort.
Luke took no small amount of comfort from that gaze and only wished he could speak words of love and thanks to the man that had captured his heart.
But Lord Calderon rode to his left and he dare not risk being overheard.
Instead he had to be content with giving the brunette a grateful smile and taking solace from the precious moments they had been able to spend alone before the army marched…
…
As Luke lifted the canvas flap and entered the tent, he paused in his step. Noah was alone and had his back to him as he tried to struggle into borrowed chain-mail. The armor was slightly on the small size for his tall lean frame and Luke could hear the hiss of pain as he fumbled with the ties.
A deep sadness flared in his chest at the reminder that this task would normally have been carried out with the aid of a servant. Not for the first time his thoughts went out to his own servant. He knew not how Casey fared or even if he lived still.
When Luke stepped up behind Noah, the brunette tensed… ready to turn and defend himself if need be… until he heard Luke’s familiar voice.
“Let me,” Luke murmured and he saw Noah instantly relax as he kept his back to him, his neck slightly bowed.
Running his hands down Noah’s long arms, he smoothed out the chain-mail before stretching up to straighten the armor across the broad shoulders.
Luke’s gaze settled on the strong muscled lines of Noah’s neck and he could not resist tracing his fingers over the skin, smiling when his lover shuddered at his touch.
Standing on his tip-toes, Luke pressed a quick kiss to the base of Noah’s neck. “I would rather be assisting you to take this off… along with everything else,” he murmured hotly against the skin.
Noah expelled a husky grunt before he turned slowly to face Luke, a smoldering look of want burning in his eyes.
“You are not helping with the tightness of the fit, Luke,” Noah moaned as he gestured toward his groin with both hands.
Luke held up his hands. “I swear, no more inappropriate touching or comments… unless you want me to,” he smirked up at the taller man as he knelt.
Noah groaned and clenched his fists, expecting Luke’s teasing touch only to have the man at his feet reach up and place his hands on his hips, turning him slightly to gain access to the fastenings of the armor. Despite the circumstance and the uncertain fate that awaited them, a part of him… a large part of him… wanted Luke’s hands to wander.
He keenly felt a sense of regret and disappointment when Luke stood and faced him once again.
Luke scanned the length of Noah’s clothed body, knowing the extent of the bruising and injury hidden under the garments, before his gaze came to rest on Noah’s face. He exhaled a shaky breath as he examined Noah’s facial injuries and at the thought of what the man before him had gone through… all of because of him.
He breathed deeply and nervously, uncertain how Noah would react to his next words.
Reaching up, Luke tenderly stroked Noah’s stubbled jaw, carefully avoiding the bruising. “I want you to stay here and await our return, Noah. You are not well enough to ride into battle and you have already gone through enough.” As much as Luke wanted Noah by his side, he could not ask the man to sacrifice himself anymore.
For several long moments Noah just stared at Luke, an unreadable expression on his countenance until his features suddenly crumpled as emotion threatened to overcome him.
Reaching up, he covered Luke’s hand with his own, entwining their fingers. “Luke…” he began, his deep baritone wavering as he sought to keep his emotions under control, “… I swore an oath of fealty to you to follow your command where ever it led. But know this, as I stand here before you, if you order me to stay here in reserve, I will break that oath and I will follow you. I will follow you to the ends of the earth.”
Those words and the look on Noah’s face caused a wave of emotion to roll over Luke and tears threatened to spill down his cheeks.
Finding himself too overcome to speak, it was all he could do to squeeze Noah’s fingers in response. He knew from the determination he saw in those blue eyes that there was no point in arguing.
A ghost of a smirk touched Noah’s lips. “In any case, you need someone to keep watch over you. I am not letting you from my sight again. Have you forgotten what happened the last time we were parted?”
“What can possibly happen with you by my side?” Luke let out a breathy chuckle, not realizing he had been holding his breath waiting for Noah’s response.
He stared at Noah for long moments, so many unspoken emotions and feelings passing between them.
Finally, Luke brought their combined hands to his lips and he kissed Noah’s long fingers.
“I love you,” he breathed against the skin before pulling the taller man into a quick but heartfelt embrace. He dare not risk anything further but as he felt Noah’s lips brush the skin of his neck he found himself desperately wishing that they had more time together.
Luke hoped against hope that this would not be the last time he felt the warmth of Noah’s embrace or the tingling sensation of his lips on his skin.
Dare he hope that the two of them could survive the upcoming battle?...
…
The sound of gasps and curses from all around him pulled Luke from his memories and he directed his gaze forward to see that they were entering into one end of a valley, with low rolling banks on either side.
Arrayed at the other end were row upon row of enemy soldiery and horsemen, the pendants of Damian and Aiden fluttering in the breeze above them.
The enemies’ own advance guard and scouts must have warned of their approach.
But there was no turning back now, despite the enemies’ greater number they had to make a stand here. To retreat now before the battle had begun would be their undoing.
“Hold!” Lord Calderon commanded, raising his gloved hand to halt the massed ranks behind him.
Dark mutterings of men and the nervous stamp of war horses could be heard from the ranks.
Bashir turned in his saddle and spoke with steely determination. “Steady your courage men. Steady!”
“My Lords, the front ranks are breaking away,” Noah warned, raising one hand from his reins to point toward the enemy.
Luke and his two fellow Lords followed Noah’s direction and, sure enough, the first few ranks of the opposing horsemen and soldiery were beginning to advance toward them.
The three Lords looked amongst themselves and an unspoken agreement passed between them.
Calderon raised his hand and, at his signal, their own front ranks began to move forward to meet the advancing forces half-way.
An eerie silence descended over what was soon to become the battlefield when the two forces met in the center of the valley, interrupted only by the occasional stamp of a horse’s hoof on the hard ground or by the clink of weaponry on armor as men shifted their positions slightly.
Each side eyed the other defiantly, trying to gain leverage in intimidation.
Luke swallowed hard, trying to keep the building sense of unease at bay, as he surveyed the enemy troops. It seemed the fire at Stormcrag had not dented Damian’s or Aiden’s ability to prepare their troops. They were smartly turned out with Damian’s snarling fox and Aiden’s reared, and ready to strike, snake emblems standing out proud on their surcoats. It made Luke feel naked and unprepared by comparison.
As Luke continued to look up and down the lines, he spotted what were obviously men from across the seas in their ranks. Hired mercenaries willing to fight on any side for the right amount of coin. It appeared that Damian’s years of exile had not harmed his coffers or else Aiden was footing the bill. Either way, these men were an ominous sign.
His eyes came to rest on the command unit directly in front of him and he was shocked to find Kevin Davis sat atop a dappled grey charger to the left of Damian. Kevin showed signs of subsequent beatings since the last time Luke had seen him. But his injuries appeared as if they had been treated and were healing well.
Could it be that the man had turned traitor once again?
But as he continued to stare at Davis, the man’s eyes narrowed as if he were trying to impart some information to Luke.
A warning perhaps? Luke did not know but whatever it was it set him on edge even more.
His dark thoughts and the eerie silence were broken by the man sat to Damian’s right.
Leaning forward in his saddle, the man surveyed the men in front of him with disdain and derision. “What have we here?” he sneered as he looked at the assortment of soldiery. “Who makes up your rearguard? Washerwomen?”
Luke took him to be King Aiden. The man had the same hard cold stare as Damian but he wore a trim and preened beard on his lean, angular face. Obviously a man who set great store in appearances.
Damian held up his hand in irritation to silence his cousin’s prattle. The man annoyed him beyond belief and his jeering was not aiding his plan nor was Aiden’s seemingly inability to control his men’s bloodlust. He had been livid when he had heard of the slaughter of the injured men. It could have undone all of the scheming and planning he had set in motion.
After giving Luke and Noah a hard and disgusted stare, Damian gestured to the rank of horsemen behind him to part, revealing a group of men encircled by an armed escort.
Luke felt Noah stiffen in the saddle of his borrowed steed beside him and he leaned forward in Stepper’s saddle to get a better look at the men.
He was at once heartened and saddened. He registered the welcome sight of many of his men but he also noted with deep regret that many familiar faces were absent. He could not detect the faces of Casey or Sir Addington… to name only two… amongst the captives.
His eyes settled on the scarred face of Sir Donovan and he felt a relief flood through his body that this experienced and most loyal Knight lived still.
The man looked back at him and, although his greying hair was unkempt and his face showed signs of healing bruises, there was a grim determination in the set of his jaw and in his blue eyes. He was down but not defeated.
Luke was distracted by movement and he broke his gaze to see Damian casting a final look of hatred and disgust at him and Noah before he wheeled his steed to address the captured men.
“Men of Oakdale…” his precise and accented voice rang clear across the ranks and Luke was certain the breeze would carry it to the men behind them. “… you have fought long, hard and valiantly. But you have labored under a deceitful and heinous misconception.”
He paused and swung in his saddle to point at Luke with a gloved finger. “This is not the golden haired hero - a man amongst his fellow men - that he would have you believe. He has lied to you. He is an abomination and not the leader of men you believe him to be.”
Grimaldi paused again, wanting his next words to carry the fullest impact. “He lies down with another man as if he were a woman. Is that not so, Lord Snyder… Sir Mayer?” He spat out the last words in disgust.
There were long moments of silence as the men around them registered Damian Grimaldi’s words before Luke could hear the dark, hushed mutterings as those words were repeated through the massed ranks like an unstoppable fire.
And then Luke and Noah felt several hundred sets of eyes turn to stare at them with unmasked shock…
Chapter 16
Back to fic master post
Author: wheelie47
Artist hollyoaks1021
Rating: NC17 (not for every chapter)
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 2,500
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Set in the fictional land of feudal Western Atlantia, King Damian has been overthrown and has fled the Kingdom of Oakdale. But his evil influence has spread across all eight Kingdoms. Lord Luke Snyder leads his army in an effort to bring peace and justice to a troubled time, aided in his quest by a certain dark-haired young Knight…
Chapter 1, Chapter 2,Chapter 3 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14
Luke shifted slightly in Stepper’s borrowed saddle to look over his shoulder at the assorted ranks of men behind him. It felt so good to be reunited with his horse and to ride out with him again - something he had almost given up on.
The sun glinted off armor, metal work and weaponry and he had to admit that the assembled men cut an impressive sight.
But a nagging concern tugged at his consciousness. Yes, it seemed an imposing sight but an observer need only look closely to see that these men were thrown together and not fully prepared.
Calderon’s and Bashir’s men held a core of highly trained soldiers - that much was obvious - but the rest of the forces were made up of any man that could ride a horse or hold a sword or a pike. Luke spotted the stable boys in the midst of the marching men, looking for all the world like school boys lost amongst their elders.
Even Oliver and Matthews rode amongst them. The physician had given him a hard and determined look when their gazes had met as he struggled up into the saddle of a war horse as if daring Luke to challenge his right to be there.
After hearing the full account of the execution of his injured men, Luke keenly felt the need to bring the perpetrators to task for their appalling and cruel actions. And he could not find it in himself to criticize any man for wanting to avenge their deaths, especially not the man who was responsible for their care.
But the tragic incongruity of a man of medicine riding into battle with a sword at his waist was not lost on him. Such were the dark and troubled times they bore witness to.
As Luke scanned the rest of the men he had a growing sense of unease. He had little doubt that these were brave men and were determined to follow their leaders into this final battle to rid the world of the evil of Damian and Aiden.
But was it enough? Were these brave souls enough to face what was to come?
His grim thoughts were interrupted by the light brush of the leg of the man next to him against his.
He twisted back in his saddle to look to his right, straight into the intense blue eyes of Noah. He could get lost in those eyes that could convey so many emotions; anger, fear, determination, bravery, sadness and above all love.
But now they gazed back at him with reassurance and comfort.
Luke took no small amount of comfort from that gaze and only wished he could speak words of love and thanks to the man that had captured his heart.
But Lord Calderon rode to his left and he dare not risk being overheard.
Instead he had to be content with giving the brunette a grateful smile and taking solace from the precious moments they had been able to spend alone before the army marched…
…
As Luke lifted the canvas flap and entered the tent, he paused in his step. Noah was alone and had his back to him as he tried to struggle into borrowed chain-mail. The armor was slightly on the small size for his tall lean frame and Luke could hear the hiss of pain as he fumbled with the ties.
A deep sadness flared in his chest at the reminder that this task would normally have been carried out with the aid of a servant. Not for the first time his thoughts went out to his own servant. He knew not how Casey fared or even if he lived still.
When Luke stepped up behind Noah, the brunette tensed… ready to turn and defend himself if need be… until he heard Luke’s familiar voice.
“Let me,” Luke murmured and he saw Noah instantly relax as he kept his back to him, his neck slightly bowed.
Running his hands down Noah’s long arms, he smoothed out the chain-mail before stretching up to straighten the armor across the broad shoulders.
Luke’s gaze settled on the strong muscled lines of Noah’s neck and he could not resist tracing his fingers over the skin, smiling when his lover shuddered at his touch.
Standing on his tip-toes, Luke pressed a quick kiss to the base of Noah’s neck. “I would rather be assisting you to take this off… along with everything else,” he murmured hotly against the skin.
Noah expelled a husky grunt before he turned slowly to face Luke, a smoldering look of want burning in his eyes.
“You are not helping with the tightness of the fit, Luke,” Noah moaned as he gestured toward his groin with both hands.
Luke held up his hands. “I swear, no more inappropriate touching or comments… unless you want me to,” he smirked up at the taller man as he knelt.
Noah groaned and clenched his fists, expecting Luke’s teasing touch only to have the man at his feet reach up and place his hands on his hips, turning him slightly to gain access to the fastenings of the armor. Despite the circumstance and the uncertain fate that awaited them, a part of him… a large part of him… wanted Luke’s hands to wander.
He keenly felt a sense of regret and disappointment when Luke stood and faced him once again.
Luke scanned the length of Noah’s clothed body, knowing the extent of the bruising and injury hidden under the garments, before his gaze came to rest on Noah’s face. He exhaled a shaky breath as he examined Noah’s facial injuries and at the thought of what the man before him had gone through… all of because of him.
He breathed deeply and nervously, uncertain how Noah would react to his next words.
Reaching up, Luke tenderly stroked Noah’s stubbled jaw, carefully avoiding the bruising. “I want you to stay here and await our return, Noah. You are not well enough to ride into battle and you have already gone through enough.” As much as Luke wanted Noah by his side, he could not ask the man to sacrifice himself anymore.
For several long moments Noah just stared at Luke, an unreadable expression on his countenance until his features suddenly crumpled as emotion threatened to overcome him.
Reaching up, he covered Luke’s hand with his own, entwining their fingers. “Luke…” he began, his deep baritone wavering as he sought to keep his emotions under control, “… I swore an oath of fealty to you to follow your command where ever it led. But know this, as I stand here before you, if you order me to stay here in reserve, I will break that oath and I will follow you. I will follow you to the ends of the earth.”
Those words and the look on Noah’s face caused a wave of emotion to roll over Luke and tears threatened to spill down his cheeks.
Finding himself too overcome to speak, it was all he could do to squeeze Noah’s fingers in response. He knew from the determination he saw in those blue eyes that there was no point in arguing.
A ghost of a smirk touched Noah’s lips. “In any case, you need someone to keep watch over you. I am not letting you from my sight again. Have you forgotten what happened the last time we were parted?”
“What can possibly happen with you by my side?” Luke let out a breathy chuckle, not realizing he had been holding his breath waiting for Noah’s response.
He stared at Noah for long moments, so many unspoken emotions and feelings passing between them.
Finally, Luke brought their combined hands to his lips and he kissed Noah’s long fingers.
“I love you,” he breathed against the skin before pulling the taller man into a quick but heartfelt embrace. He dare not risk anything further but as he felt Noah’s lips brush the skin of his neck he found himself desperately wishing that they had more time together.
Luke hoped against hope that this would not be the last time he felt the warmth of Noah’s embrace or the tingling sensation of his lips on his skin.
Dare he hope that the two of them could survive the upcoming battle?...
…
The sound of gasps and curses from all around him pulled Luke from his memories and he directed his gaze forward to see that they were entering into one end of a valley, with low rolling banks on either side.
Arrayed at the other end were row upon row of enemy soldiery and horsemen, the pendants of Damian and Aiden fluttering in the breeze above them.
The enemies’ own advance guard and scouts must have warned of their approach.
But there was no turning back now, despite the enemies’ greater number they had to make a stand here. To retreat now before the battle had begun would be their undoing.
“Hold!” Lord Calderon commanded, raising his gloved hand to halt the massed ranks behind him.
Dark mutterings of men and the nervous stamp of war horses could be heard from the ranks.
Bashir turned in his saddle and spoke with steely determination. “Steady your courage men. Steady!”
“My Lords, the front ranks are breaking away,” Noah warned, raising one hand from his reins to point toward the enemy.
Luke and his two fellow Lords followed Noah’s direction and, sure enough, the first few ranks of the opposing horsemen and soldiery were beginning to advance toward them.
The three Lords looked amongst themselves and an unspoken agreement passed between them.
Calderon raised his hand and, at his signal, their own front ranks began to move forward to meet the advancing forces half-way.
An eerie silence descended over what was soon to become the battlefield when the two forces met in the center of the valley, interrupted only by the occasional stamp of a horse’s hoof on the hard ground or by the clink of weaponry on armor as men shifted their positions slightly.
Each side eyed the other defiantly, trying to gain leverage in intimidation.
Luke swallowed hard, trying to keep the building sense of unease at bay, as he surveyed the enemy troops. It seemed the fire at Stormcrag had not dented Damian’s or Aiden’s ability to prepare their troops. They were smartly turned out with Damian’s snarling fox and Aiden’s reared, and ready to strike, snake emblems standing out proud on their surcoats. It made Luke feel naked and unprepared by comparison.
As Luke continued to look up and down the lines, he spotted what were obviously men from across the seas in their ranks. Hired mercenaries willing to fight on any side for the right amount of coin. It appeared that Damian’s years of exile had not harmed his coffers or else Aiden was footing the bill. Either way, these men were an ominous sign.
His eyes came to rest on the command unit directly in front of him and he was shocked to find Kevin Davis sat atop a dappled grey charger to the left of Damian. Kevin showed signs of subsequent beatings since the last time Luke had seen him. But his injuries appeared as if they had been treated and were healing well.
Could it be that the man had turned traitor once again?
But as he continued to stare at Davis, the man’s eyes narrowed as if he were trying to impart some information to Luke.
A warning perhaps? Luke did not know but whatever it was it set him on edge even more.
His dark thoughts and the eerie silence were broken by the man sat to Damian’s right.
Leaning forward in his saddle, the man surveyed the men in front of him with disdain and derision. “What have we here?” he sneered as he looked at the assortment of soldiery. “Who makes up your rearguard? Washerwomen?”
Luke took him to be King Aiden. The man had the same hard cold stare as Damian but he wore a trim and preened beard on his lean, angular face. Obviously a man who set great store in appearances.
Damian held up his hand in irritation to silence his cousin’s prattle. The man annoyed him beyond belief and his jeering was not aiding his plan nor was Aiden’s seemingly inability to control his men’s bloodlust. He had been livid when he had heard of the slaughter of the injured men. It could have undone all of the scheming and planning he had set in motion.
After giving Luke and Noah a hard and disgusted stare, Damian gestured to the rank of horsemen behind him to part, revealing a group of men encircled by an armed escort.
Luke felt Noah stiffen in the saddle of his borrowed steed beside him and he leaned forward in Stepper’s saddle to get a better look at the men.
He was at once heartened and saddened. He registered the welcome sight of many of his men but he also noted with deep regret that many familiar faces were absent. He could not detect the faces of Casey or Sir Addington… to name only two… amongst the captives.
His eyes settled on the scarred face of Sir Donovan and he felt a relief flood through his body that this experienced and most loyal Knight lived still.
The man looked back at him and, although his greying hair was unkempt and his face showed signs of healing bruises, there was a grim determination in the set of his jaw and in his blue eyes. He was down but not defeated.
Luke was distracted by movement and he broke his gaze to see Damian casting a final look of hatred and disgust at him and Noah before he wheeled his steed to address the captured men.
“Men of Oakdale…” his precise and accented voice rang clear across the ranks and Luke was certain the breeze would carry it to the men behind them. “… you have fought long, hard and valiantly. But you have labored under a deceitful and heinous misconception.”
He paused and swung in his saddle to point at Luke with a gloved finger. “This is not the golden haired hero - a man amongst his fellow men - that he would have you believe. He has lied to you. He is an abomination and not the leader of men you believe him to be.”
Grimaldi paused again, wanting his next words to carry the fullest impact. “He lies down with another man as if he were a woman. Is that not so, Lord Snyder… Sir Mayer?” He spat out the last words in disgust.
There were long moments of silence as the men around them registered Damian Grimaldi’s words before Luke could hear the dark, hushed mutterings as those words were repeated through the massed ranks like an unstoppable fire.
And then Luke and Noah felt several hundred sets of eyes turn to stare at them with unmasked shock…
Chapter 16
Back to fic master post