Lover's Twilight Cerulean Blue Round 3-2

Frantic, Mulder ran to untie the rope that hung down from Goliath's neck. His fingers scrabbled at the rope until he was able to loosen and tug it off. Seconds seemed like hours until he had the loose rope in his hand, and he was ready to loop it and throw it to Alex, who was holding onto the crazed animal for dear life.

"Your highness, hurry! I can't hold onto him much longer!" Alex cried and then screamed as the wolf clawed his shoulder, dangerously close to his arm wound, which was threatening to open with all his struggle.

He grabbed the rope that Mulder threw to him and managed to pull it over the wolf's head and around the thrashing beast's upper body. The cold water had slowed the animal's movements where fear had not…he was starting to move sluggishly, freezing in the pond, and Alex knew that they had best get the creature out of there before it was too late.

Holding onto the rope, he pulled hard, and the wolf made one last feeble movement to leap up onto the edge of the ice. The combined efforts were enough to let the wolf clear the edge of the ice, and Alex grabbed the beast around the waist to haul him away from danger.

Wearily, Alex carried the wolf to the shore. They had almost lost Walter of Navarre. He shuddered when he thought of what would have happened had he not followed the two of them. The prince and the captain could have both fallen into the icy pond, as Fox would have undoubtedly given his life to help his beloved captain.

Mulder grabbed the panting wolf from Alex's arms. "Walter, he saved your life! What would I have done without you?" Mulder cried, his voice breaking as he buried his face in the wolf's wet fur.

Alex sighed to himself as he watched the anxious prince whispering soothing sounds of endearment to the whimpering, exhausted wolf. In all his life, even when he was traveling with Samson and Pandemonium he had never felt like such a third wheel. "Your highness, I am happy to have served both you and the captain, but it is best that I be on my way. Walter of Navarre is furious at me for our dalliance, and I can't help but feel that it would be a grave mistake to continue to grace you both with my presence."

Mulder let out an exasperated sound. When he turned and faced Alex, the servant was stunned to see fierce determination in his glare. "That is sheer nonsense, Alex. You just saved the good captain's life. Walter of Navarre is not a man to hold grudges. In time he will understand your place in our relationship, so therefore I forbid you to leave."

Alex suddenly had difficulty swallowing. "What place do I have then, in your relationship, my prince?"

Mulder smiled slyly. He stroked the wolf's head gently and turned away from Alex. "That of a good and loyal friend, of course."

The wolf gave a little growl as if he didn't agree to the prince's declaration, but the creature's reaction only made Mulder smile harder. "It's all right, my love," he spoke to the wolf soothingly. "You will see that I'm right in good time."

He turned back to Alex. "Perhaps the better question to ask yourself, is what place do you have in our relationship? Or think you have?"

Shaking his head, Alex didn't want to answer. However, when the prince frowned in impatience, he said, "As I said last night, I'd die for you, my prince, and the good captain too. What more can a man such as I do to prove the strength of his love? I have no lands or income to tithe over to the crown, I can't even rightly say that I even own my own life, but I do know what I want, and that is to help you and…and admire you…for the rest of that life."

Mulder regarded him impassively and then broke into a warm smile. "Well said, sweet Alex! There, my love, you see, you have the undying devotion of our little rat. And you should show some proper appreciation, for he saved your life, after all."

The wolf let out a skeptical-sounding snarl in response, causing Mulder to chuckle.

Turning away, Alex walked over to Goliath to see to supplies for the cold night. He was used to staying out in the cold weather, but he was surprised that the captain would inflict such poor lodgings on the prince. His heart was heavy, he didn't know what to make of Fox's light, teasing manner with him and his refusal to let Alex leave. He'd had too difficult and unhappy a life to have his affections trifled with, even by a royal personage.

However, he dreaded the moment when Walter of Navarre made his transformation back into his human form. Would he attack Alex once more and accuse him of being a whore? You've placed yourself in a fine stew, Alex told himself. He was ashamed of himself and his foolishness. Not only had he squandered the gift his dying grandmother had bestowed upon him, but he'd come between the prince and his true love without giving it a second thought.

He grabbed a sack from Goliath's back and, forgetting about his wounds, clutched it to his chest. He cried out in pain. The wolf had clawed his chest and shoulder in its blind panic to save itself. The scratches were deep but had already stopped bleeding. Still, there was some pain, and if they hadn't been so far from his hut, another visit to Malvin might have been in order.

Watching the escaped slave with eagle eyes, Mulder stood up from the wolf. "Alex, are you hurt?"

Avoiding Mulder's eyes, Alex shook his head. "'Tis nothing, your highness. The wolf clawed me a bit in his efforts to save himself."

"Let me see."

Reluctantly, Alex opened his shirt. Shivering in the frigid night air, he heard the prince gasp in dismay. "Walter will be most unhappy to see you wounded like this, Alex, and by his own hand! I'll put some balm on these wounds and hopefully they will heal quickly."

The prince's hands on his chest, applying the balm, made Alex groan. Even in the frigid night air, he felt his skin tingle and burn wherever the prince touched him. Realizing the effect he had on Alex, Mulder dallied unnecessarily over his work, lingering over the upper part of Alex's chest, and slowly moving down to caress his nipples with his thumbs with gentle, circular movements.

Suddenly Fox felt his wrists grabbed in a harsh grip. "Your highness, you say that Walter of Navarre would be unhappy to see me wounded thus? I am sorry to inform you, but this morning he tried to kill me. We were inside the cabin, and you were in your hawk form outside…indeed, he called me 'whore' for sleeping with you and tried to strangle me!"

"I don't believe it!"

Alex threw down the prince's wrists. He feared losing control of himself, it wouldn't do to end up in bed with the prince again. He'd escaped with his life already, but Walter of Navarre might not be so generous as to offer him a second chance.

"It's true, I tell you," he declared, buttoning up his shirt. "I love and admire the captain, my lord, and therefore do not wish to betray him a second time."

When Mulder looked downcast, Alex continued. "It's not that I don't want you, your highness, it's just that I don't think it's wise."

Mulder was silent for a long time. Alex grew concerned, but the prince finally spoke. "You must not make too many assumptions, Alex. You may have experienced jealousy on the captain's part, but it also may not have been entirely on my behalf. You have to understand his frustration, this predicament of being separated, never being ourselves at the same time…it..it is a terrible strain on our nerves. You must understand and forgive these furious outbursts."

Having someone angry enough to threaten his life was something that would take quite a bit of understanding, Alex reflected. However, he simply nodded and then continued with unloading their supplies from Goliath.

Mulder stopped him. "Alex, I think that there's a cave a bit further up. It will provide us with some shelter from the cold. I would go to an inn, but our experience the last time we attempted this doesn't bear repeating."

Alex winced at this subtle reminder of their disastrous encounter with the unscrupulous inn owner and his wife. He still couldn't forgive himself for changing into a rat and leaving the prince to fend for himself. He could see why Mulder would want to avoid any strange lodgings if he could help it.

Silently they trudged through the cold night, leading Goliath, with the wolf, a dark, skulking form, following closely behind. Alex reflected that Fox must have seen the cave with his hawk's vision, as he seemed to know exactly where to go to find it. Once they had found the cave, they both dismounted and tied Goliath near the entrance, it wouldn't do for the poor beast to freeze to death in the frigid night air. Since the snow had stopped falling, Alex was able to build a fire, and the reflected heat kept both them and the horse warm. Peering into the darkness behind them, they couldn't make out Walter's form any longer, but knew that he must be near, as he would never put a great distance between himself and the prince.

The prince was impressed by Alex's skill in lighting the fire on such a frigid night. However downtrodden the slave's life had been, he was certainly an expert at survival.

"Alex, after you feed Goliath, come inside and get warm. You need to eat and rest, you have had a difficult day," Mulder implored him.

Once he had given Goliath his oats, Alex went inside the cave. The prince was chewing on some dried meat that Walter had acquired during the day's journey from a hunter he had encountered. He gave some to Alex, who devoured it hungrily. He had had nothing to eat all day.

Mulder watched him eat. "It is a shame that we don't know enough to deliver a kill when we are our animal selves. It would be most useful, since both Walter and I take the predator form."

Alex thought for a moment. "Are you aware of us, when you are your hawk self, your highness?"

Mulder sighed. "I realize my attachment to both of you, and know who you are and who Walter is, but most everything else is a blur. I see through the eyes of a predator, an animal…I am mainly concerned with where my next meal is coming from and that's about it."

"Can you understand the spoken word?"

"Yes, to a certain extent, but my responses to what is said to me are muted, as if I am hearing and seeing from a great distance. I also don't remember much of what it is like to be human during my time as a hawk, though I do have my attachments to you and Walter."

Alex smiled wanly. "Then we can hardly expect you to provide us with fat pigeons for roasting! Oh, well, it was a nice consideration."

Mulder chuckled as he lay out his bedroll. "Sorry, Alex, I wish I could. Perhaps I may tie a bow around my ankle to remind me when I am the hawk, but I can't promise that I shall comply."

As Alex finished the last of his meal, Mulder gestured towards him. "Why don't you share the bedroll with me? It's cold, and it will do to preserve our body heat."

The prince's motive was fairly transparent, but Alex decided against refusing. He was wet and chilled, and exhausted to boot, and the bedroll with the stunning prince lying inside made too tempting an invitation to resist. Climbing into the bedroll, he huddled up against Mulder as close as he dared, and then made as if to go to sleep, lying with his back towards the prince.

He heard a soft chuckle. "What a lovely gift you are presenting to me, Alex! How can I go to sleep with this up against me? I'm not made of wood, you know!" Alex jumped in the next moment as he felt the soft touch of the prince's hand on his backside.

He turned around to face Mulder in a panic. "My lord, you promised me!"

"I did no such thing!"

"But the captain, he tried to kill me—"

Mulder shook his head. "I am sorry for that, Alex, but he will see in good time that we are all meant to be together. I refuse to give you up, delectable one, and if I have to issue a royal command to that effect, so be it."

Alex was in shock. Mulder smiled back at him. He'd realized that with how intimidated Alex felt by Walter, a strongarmed approach was the only one that would work. "Wha-what would be the royal command?"

"That he accept you as our friend and lover."

Alex was still numb. It seemed like a dream come true, to have both Prince Mulder and Walter of Navarre…indeed, he couldn't choose between the two of them if his life depended upon it. Each one fueled a different, roaring desire within him to touch, to love, to possess and be possessed. The prince was the embodiment of pure perfection, so loving, elegantly sensuous and beautiful that the mere sight of him naked could make Alex come, while Walter…Walter represented all that was strong (like a mountain), caring, steadfast and noble. He couldn't control his desire for either of them if he tried.

Mulder couldn't help chuckling at Alex's astonished look. "Don't worry, Alex, we don't have to make love if you are still worried about Walter's reaction. However, tell him this for me, tomorrow—"

He gave Alex a deep, sensuous kiss. When the prince finally pulled away, he was amused by the dazed look in Alex's eyes. "And I promise you, when he does come 'round, the entire army of the Bishop's soldiers won't be able to keep me from you!

"Now, we must rest…it's been an especially difficult day and night for you. Those wounds must heal and resting properly will ensure a speedy recovery."

Alex's expression of pouting disappointment made the prince laugh a second time. The slave then turned his back on the prince, forgetting how Mulder had teased him, and settled down to sleep. Even as he was drifting off into sleep, however, Alex was intensely aware of the prince's erection nudging his lower hip.

****

Sunlight shone through the opening of the cave and upon Alex's face. As if from a great distance, he heard the shrill cry of a hawk, and the answering growl of a wild beast, but his only weary response was to turn over onto his stomach to shield himself from the noise.

Suddenly he was jolted awake by the toe of a man's boot prodding his shoulder. "I know you're awake, boy!" Walter of Navarre muttered angrily. "Come on, there's no time to waste, we must continue on our way before the Bishop's men catch up with us!"

Alex sat up and rubbed his eyes. Focusing blearily upon the stern captain's form, he was once again struck with fear.

Seeing how the slave cowered, Walter sneered down at him. "Don't worry, little rat, I won't attack you! It is apparent that the prince still wants you with us, and as long as you behave yourself, I see no reason why we can't…can't use you."

His eyes traveled downward, seeing the huge scratches on the man's chest. "What is this? Who did this to you?"

Alex dropped his eyes. "You did, my lord."

"I did? When?"

"When I was pulling you out of the icy pond. Don't you remember, captain?"

Walter shook his head in amazement. "I did this, to you?" He hated the way the bright red slashes violated the perfect flesh. He felt a shame as intense as he'd never known, and a rush of heat as he surveyed the lovely slave's body.

"I---I'm so sorry, Alex. I would never have hurt you this way," Walter said unhappily, looking away. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

"It wasn't your intention, my lord, you weren't yourself."

Walter sighed miserably. "But I was myself yesterday morning, when I called you 'whore' and put my hands around your neck!"

Alex gave him a weary smile. "That much is true, sir. However, you were right, I am a whore—"

"No you are not, Alex!" Walter responded emphatically, "You are not! I can't explain my actions…I was angry enough to kill, but I couldn't…I couldn't kill you! I was damn jealous, but…not just for the prince. For you, too, Alex! I was your first, and the thought of you both making love..without me…I couldn't stand it, and you were an unhappy target for my unjust rage and frustration."

The captain knelt down by Alex's side. "Can you ever forgive me, Alex?" Walter pleaded, reaching out to stroke Alex's cheek. "For my losing control and for all this violence done to your lovely, lovely body?"

Alex was aghast. More surprises from these two exceptional men than he'd ever had in a lifetime of living! "My lord, it was not your fault. As the wolf, you did not know what you were doing. As for yesterday morning, I was a wanton slut and had no right—"

"Enough, Alex, I do not want to hear you blame yourself again," Walter said, standing up. "I have a suspicion that the elixir of those two foolish gentlemen was to blame. They called themselves tyros in sorcery..tyros indeed! I should have known better. Malvin will get an earful from me, you can rest assured."

Walter looked towards the cave entrance. "Come, Alex, we'd best move on," he continued dolefully, not looking at the slave, "I'll go feed Goliath while you dress. Put some balm on those scratches. I do not want to ever see them scar!"

Aqualegia, you're next!