Notes
I do not profess to be an expert on religion nor on the different books of the different bibles. There are biblical references and I may not get everything right, and some things will just be plain old divergence from prescribed beliefs. If you are easily offended by a different opinion on what is generally accepted and held as truth, please stop reading now.
The title of this fic is taken from the song In The Arms of the Angel, by Sarah McLachlan, which I thought was quite fitting. The reason for the choosing of this particular line will become clear as the story unfolds.
Unbeta'd so any and all mistakes are mine alone. Sadly I do not own Spartacus, Agron or Nasir, though I wish I did...
See the end of the work for more notes
Chapter 1
The Watcher could not recall how long he had been in this place. Centuries, millenia... who knew? Certainly not him. Afterall, when you were an immortal being tasked with watching over your heavenly father's favorite children for all eternity, it was easy to lose all track of time.
Agronael was an angel, one bright, and brilliant, and beautiful. But not for these reasons had he been chosen as one of the elite called The Watchers, guardians of humanity. He had been chosen because Agronael was a natural protector, it was his divine calling. Some angels were scholars, some were warriors, and others ran the gamut of everything in between. He could be a warrior as well, one of the fiercest and most deadly of all God's soldiers. He had fought valiantly in the Great War alongside Michael and Gabriel and the rest of his brothers when they expelled Lucifer from Heaven. Yet that was not his true self. At his core, Agronael would forever be defender, champion, and savior, not even because he wanted to be or desired to be, it was that he must be such, needed to be such. So it came to pass that he spent his days and nights on the Earth as a guardian angel for the human race, always silent, never interfering unless absolutely necessary.
Every few hundred years he and his brethren held convocation, each offering up his own experiences with the humans, telling of things they had witnessed, speaking both of the wonders of mankind and the atrocities they committed.
Agronael was not one of the leaders in the Watcher hierarchy; no he was simply one more of their number of two hundred. Yet when he spoke, he commanded attention. He was something magnificent to behold, tall even by angel standards, with clear, sun-kissed skin. His hair was a light brown, and looked as though it were flecked with gold dust and he wore it in tight plaits which clung to his scalp and came to rest just above his shoulders. His hands were elegant with long, tapered fingers, and his arms were strong and powerful. But his eyes were what made Agronael truly breathtaking. They were large and bright and the color of the deep green sea. They could dance and shine with mirth, or become dark and stormy with indignation. Oftentimes Agronael spoke of the wicked and the unjust, and how he had smote this one or that one for offenses against one weaker or helpless. He wandered far and wide across the lands, seeking out those who needed to be brought to justice, secure in the knowledge that he was doing the job Heavenly Father asked of him, in fact had entrusted him with. He took his charge seriously, and he excelled at it.
No one knew exactly when things began to change, but somewhere along the line, many of the Watchers had gone from just doing their duty to truly caring for the humans around them. Some even had their favorites, certain humans they had grown especially fond of and close to. Agronael was not one of these. He would always turn away with sad eyes when he heard his brothers speak of the relationships and bonds they had formed with their human counterparts. "Is there not even one among the many that has captured your attention? asked Baraqel. Surely you, who has been everywhere and seen nearly all there is to see has found one of the daughters of man to your liking."
"Nay brother," answered Agronael sadly. "I fear it is not to be for me. I hear so many of our number speak of this thing called love, and how they now feel such. Yet it contnues to elude me. You all feel it so much that it would seem you are willing to risk the wrath of our Heavenly Father just to enjoy but fleeting moment. These humans are fragile creatures, their bodies not built to endure as we are. Knowing that one day the object of your affections will pass from this life, you still wish to pursue love with them. Perhaps it is that knowledge which keeps me from finding joy in the arms of a daughter of man, for if love is as sweet as you describe, I for one know that should I ever have it, I would never again be able to be without it."
When the angel saw the boy it was in a small village, where the boy was tending a herd of goats. There was something about his movements, so carefree and at ease that caught Agronael's attention. He moved closer to the boy, but keeping himself shielded from the young man's sight. He found himself enraptured by olive skin and hair dark as a raven's wing that cascaded down below shoulders. The boy was small in stature, but with obvious strength in his limbs. Agronael first thought his eyes to be dark as obsidian, yet when he turned they caught the light, and were the color of amber. Even though the boy could not see him, Agronael stood stock still, not daring to move. All he wanted was to remain watching this beautiful human who moved with such grace. The sun moved steadily across the sky, and still Agronael stayed. Eventually, the boy yawned, and he sat with his back to a tree, and began to doze. Agronael decided the time was right to get closer still, to see the young man up close, so silently he moved forward, and after a brief hesitation, he sat down next to the one who so intrigued him. He wanted to reach out and touch that shining hair. It looked soft as gossamer and he wanted to see if that was a fair comparison. But that would mean revealing his presence here and that was something he knew he was not supposed to do. So instead he chose to remain seated, simply to be near the boy was enough for now. Agronael smiled to himself, wondering what they boy would think of having a true guardian angel watching over him as he slept peacefully. What would his voice sound like? Would he be afraid of Agronael?
So focused was he on the boy that he did not hear the voice calling out in the waning light. It was as though only he and this beautiful creature existed. The young man must have heard something though because he stirred slightly. "Nasir!" came the sound of a voice, and this time it was so close Agronael heard it clearly, and he was nearly startled into revealing himself. Instead he managed to stand and back away as another young man came into view. This new person huffed upon catching sight of Agronael's human, and walked straight over to him, shaking his shoulder. "Nasir, wake up. What were you thinking, falling to slumber while you were supposed to be tending the animals?"
So his name was Nasir. Agronael whispered it to himself, and it rolled so sweetly off his tongue. "Nasir..." he said once more, savoring the sound of it in his ears and the taste of it on his lips. His Nasir opened his eyes sleepily and blinked, looking about himself to get his bearings.
"Apologies, Dastan. I thought only to rest weary eyes for a moment, but then a peace settled over me, and I slept like I never had before."
"Well, let us gather the animals and head for home. You should eat something, then you can sleep again," muttered the one called Dastan. Agronael stiffened when he saw Dastan reach out to take Nasir's hand and help him up, smiling and pulling him into a quick hug. The two young men went about the task of herding all the animals together and heading down the small hillside towards what presumably was a home they shared. Agronael watched, and was tempted to follow. He would like to know more about Nasir, and in truth he was more than a bit curious to find out more about this Dastan, and what his relationship was to Nasir, yet he did not dare. He resolved to return to this place the following day, and maybe make his own presence known.
And while he did return, he did not reveal himself yet. Nor the next day, nor the day after that. It was almost always the same, Nasir tending the goats, sometimes humming softly to himself, other times talking to the animals as though they were his friends. And the days always ended the same, with Dastan cresting the hill to fetch Nasir home. Agronael found himself becoming more and more enchanted with the human boy, and found his thoughts often straying towards him even when not in his presence. One evening, when Dastan arrived, Nasir grumbled to him. "Dastan, I know well how to mark time by the passing of the sun. And if not by that, then certainly by the rumbling of stomach. You need not trouble yourself with whether or not I know the hour to return home, brother."
"Little brother, I do not mean to offend, and in truth I do not mind. These are some of the only moments we still have together, and we should enjoy them now. Soon I will be married and you will be left alone with our parents." Nasir's expression softened at this, for he knew it to be true and was secretly dreading the day when Dastan would depart. They were best friends, not just siblings, and Nasir would miss him. "You are right brother, as always. Let us not tarry, the sky threatens rain!" The two brothers quickly gathered their animals and made their way home, just as the first drops began to fall. Agronael felt giddy as he took his leave of the place. The two men were brothers, that explained the easy camaradarie, the hugs and other signs of affection. This knowledge made up his mind for him that tomorrow, he would allow himself to be seen and he would speak to Nasir.
The next morning Agronael arrived early, before the sun had fully risen. He closed his eyes and willed his form to reveal itself, though he took care to conceal his wings, and made sure the clothing he projected matched the style of that he had seen the humans wear. He sat himself at the base of the same tree Nasir had slept against the first day he saw him, and patiently waited for his human to appear. A small smile graced Agronael's beautiful mouth... his human. When he had begun to think of Nasir in such terms was a mystery, but there was no doubt about it. Agronael was smitten with the boy, his every thought consumed by Nasir. As he heard the sounds of the animals approaching, Agronael steeled himself. He could do this, he had held a flaming sword in his hands in Heaven and done battle with Abaddon himself. Surely he could find the courage to speak a few words to his young human!
As Nasir crested the hill, Agronael looked up suddenly, a small nervous smile on his lips. The boy stopped dead in his tracks, a wary look in his eyes. They so rarely saw strangers in these parts, and certainly not any that looked like the man seated before him. Agronael's smile faltered, and he cleared his throat. "Greetings," he spoke up, hoping he would not frighten young Nasir off.
"Good day, sir," Nasir said quietly. "Apologies, I was not expecting anyone else to be here. I am alone here everyday, tending to my family's herd."
"Yes, I know," answered Agronael. He noticed the look that passed over Nasir's face at this, and the angel backtracked quickly, trying desperately to correct his mistake. "I simply mean that it is obvious you did not expect a stranger sitting near your goats' grazing grounds. If you like, I can be on my way. I do mean to intrude or be inopportune. It is only that I thought this a spot graced with much beauty, and wanted to sit awhile and enjoy the view."
Nasir was vexed by this stranger's words. He did not see what was so beautiful about a simple little hill overlooking a small hovel, and he said as much to the elegant stranger. "There is beauty in all places, if one only knows where to look," was all he said.
Nasir thought for a moment, wondering if he should allow the man to stay or demand that he leave at once. Agronael stood swiftly, mistaking Nasir's intent. "I understand, no need to explain, I shall go now."
"No, please, excuse my rudeness. Stay... I spend all my days alone and would enjoy some company for a change." At this, Agronael smiled, and it was returned to him in kind. It felt to the Watcher as though the sun had just burst forth from the clouds, so radiant was the smile. If he had thought the boy beautiful before, it had been nothing in comparison to what he now saw in front of him! He was dumbstruck for a moment, and could think of no proper response. It seemed as though his mouth would not work, no matter how he tried to force it to. "Gratitude," he finally mumbled, looking down shyly. Because of this he missed Nasir's small smile at his action. Whoever, this stranger was thought Nasir, he had an endearing quality to him. He was a giant of a man, but he seemed so unsure of himself, and Nasir could understand that.
Suddenly Nasir sat at the tree, and reached up to tug at Agronael's hand, urging him to sit as well. What possessed him to touch a man he did not know from Adam was beyond Nasir's comprehension, yet it had felt right. Agronael looked down at the smaller hand holding his own larger one, and felt a thrill run through his body, beginning at his fingertips and coursing throughout. He marveled at the contrast of dark skin against his fair. He sat, and looked shyly at Nasir through thick, brown lashes. "I am called Nasir," stated the object of the angel's attentions. "Yes, I... I mean, hello Nasir."
"And you are, sir?" prompted Nasir when it appeared the man would offer no reply. Agronael was flustered. "Apologies. You may call me, well my name is Ag... Agron..." he had difficulty getting the words out. Nasir raised an eyebrow and smiled again. "Agron?''
"No, I mean to say my name is Agronael."
"Agronael? A strange name for one of these parts. Yet I have a feeling you are not a native of these lands?" questioned the young beauty.
"No, no I am not. I am from... far away. And I have traveled a great distance to be here."
That was a strange choice of words. And for one who claimed to have been on the road for a long distance, the man's robes and sandals appeared brand new. In fact he was impeccably groomed. No dust in his hair or upon his hands or face. In fact, he looked as though he had just materialized in this spot. But Nasir knew that was impossible, so he decided to take Agronael at his word. They sat in silence for awhile, just enjoying the nearness of another body. Finally they both began to speak at the same time.
"How old are you Nasir?" "What brings you to these lands Agronael?" They both smiled, and began again. "You were saying?" "Apologies, please you first." This time they both looked at one another, and smiled, then dissolved into a fit of laughter. When they were finally able to catch their breath, they each looked to other expectantly. Agroneal remained silent, wishing nothing more than to hear his beautiful little man's voice again.
When it was clear Agronael would not speak, Nasir began. "To answer your first question I have seen 19 summers. What of your age?"
Agronael opened and closed his mouth several times, at a loss as to what to answer. He certainly could not tell him the truth, because he did not even know himself. How could he truly make reply, thousands of years? His mind raced, and he thought of the humans he had been watching and tried to compare what he knew of his appearance to theirs. "Would you believe me if I said 25?" he asked cautiously. Nasir smiled, "Yes, I would, that is just about what I would have guessed."
They talked the rest of the day away, about anything and everything. Agronael told Nasir how once he had a brother who had been very beloved to him, and who had done something terrible and angered their father and for this reason had been cast out, and Agronael knew not his fate. Nasir spoke of his own brother Dastan, and how close they were, and of his fear of losing Dastan completely once he was married and had his own household. The more they spoke, the more at ease they felt together, as if they had always known one another. Just before the sun set, Agronael stood to take his leave as he knew Nasir's brother would be arriving soon and he did not wish to be seen by him. "Gratitude Nasir, for allowing me to share your little hilltop, for the company and conversation. I had a most agreeable day." Nasir laughed softly, "As did I Agronael. Are you staying nearby or do you move on now?"
Agronael knew he should say he was leaving, he knew he should leave. He should take this one day spent with this most amazing young man and lock it away to keep only in his memories for the rest of his existence. Yet he could not. The realization hit him like a stone to the head... Agronael was completely, inescapably in love with Nasir. And he could not leave him, not now, not ever. He understood now, how his brothers could risk all for the chance at love. He swallowed before responding. "I shall not be far. And if you are of a mind, I should like to see you here again tomorrow."
Nasir's heart jumped at the thought of spending another day with Agronael. He had been hoping this would be the answer he received from the enigmatic but beautiful man. "Yes, I should like that, very much," he said shyly.
End Notes
I hope you have enjoyed this first chapter, there is much more to come! There are twists and turns, and many obstacles our boys will have to face, but as always, they will face them together!
