Author's Note: This story is a remix of Anatala's Cinder Methos. If you would like to read that story you can private message me with your email address and I will email you the link. won't let you post other websites. This story is a retelling of several classic fairy tales with Highlander characters and is meant to sound like a fairy tale as well. As always, reviews are much appreciated. I know AU stories aren't popular but…
Once upon a time there was a boy named Methos. He had a good life. He had two parents who loved him and each other. They taught him many things and he learnt even more from the many books in his parents' library. But one day tragedy struck.
There was a carriage accident. Methos was thrown from the carriage and knocked unconscious. When the boy came to, his godfather, Joseph Dawson was there, and he told Methos that both of his parents had died in the accident. Methos was ten years old.
He stayed with Joe until his stepbrothers came for him. Methos had never before met his stepbrothers but he had known that his father had had a previous wife and three sons. He also knew that all of his father's children, including Methos himself, were adopted.
Things changed drastically with his stepbrothers in the house. Kronos was the oldest and he ruled the household with an iron fist. Methos was no longer allowed to leave the house, not even to ride his favorite pale horse. The books in the library were sold, and Methos was moved out of his room and forced to sleep in the kitchen. He was not allowed any new clothes or blankets and so Methos slept on the stones in front of the kitchen's hearth for warmth.
Kronos also got rid of all the servants, many of whom Methos had known all of his life. Methos was then obliged to do all of the housework and cater to his brothers' every demand. Kronos left it to his brother Caspian to punish the boy. Caspian was very cruel and took every opportunity to beat and strap Methos. Kronos often had to admonish Caspian not to beat the boy so severely that Methos could not work.
Silas, the third stepbrother, was occasionally kind to Methos. He would give the boy extra food or put salve on his wounds. Big and slow, Silas spent most of his time outside with the horses and farm animals.
So life continued and Methos grew into a tall but lean young man. And then everything changed again.
That day began the same as all the days preceding it. Methos woke, stiff and cold and hungry. The fresh welts on his back smarted as his rough shirt moved across them. Methos still did not know what he had done to warrant the punishment. In the last ten years, he had learned how his stepbrothers wanted things done.
Slowly he got to his feet and went about his daily chores. That night, after dinner, the doorbell rang.
Duncan MacLeod waited on the other side of the door. It was a dark and stormy night, and he and his cousin, Connor, were seeking shelter from the rain. At least that was the story he would tell.
In actuality, he and Connor had been sent to this house by Joseph Dawson. You see, Dawson was a Watcher. He had been watching Methos' father but after his death, Joe was reassigned to Duncan MacLeod. Duncan found out about Joe when Hunters killed one of Duncan's immortal friends. Over time, Duncan and Joe had formed a strong friendship. Joe often gave Duncan a heads up about 'evil' immortals but this time it was personal. Joe had also been a good friend of Methos' father.
Joe was convinced that Methos' stepbrothers were responsible for their father's death. He also knew how poorly Methos was being treated. He sent the two Highlanders to take the boy away.
Methos hurried to open the door. He stepped back to let two men in out of the rain. Methos opened his mouth to speak and stilled, struck dumb at the sight of the dark haired man before him. Methos had not had the opportunity to meet many men since his parents' death, but he was certain that this man was uncommonly beautiful. The man had chiseled features, full, sensual lips, and large, dark, puppy-dog eyes. His long brown hair was down and dripping water onto his collar.
Duncan was similarly affected. He knew that the young man before him was Methos, but he had not expected for the young man to be so…beautiful. Sharp features that somehow blended effortlessly together, a perfect cupid's bow mouth, and green…no, gold…no, large doe eyes that changed color in the light. His brown hair was short but long enough to fall untidily over his forehead.
Methos shook himself out of his stupor first. Remembering his role, he offered to take the men's coats, dropping his eyes and making sure not to touch the man's dark-skinned fingers. Then he led them into the drawing room where his stepbrothers were waiting.
Duncan was watching the lean man walking in front of them, noticing the unconscious grace of Methos' movements, when he felt his cousin's hand on his arm. Connor had noticed how the younger immortal had stared at the boy they had come to collect. He was worried that his cousin's romantic, bleeding-heart nature would interfere with the effective execution of their mission.
Duncan simply shook off the hand and his cousin's concerns, and focused on the immortal presences that he could now feel. Methos opened the door and he got his first look at the enemy.
Kronos, Duncan immediately recognized from Joe's description. The long scar crossing the immortal's right eyes was a dead giveaway. He focused on Silas next, knowing the man by his immense stature. Caspian was recognizable by the many tattoos that covered the shaved portions of the immortal's skull and the sadistic gleam in his eyes.
"We didn't come for a fight," Duncan said quickly. He and his cousin were outnumbered and neither Scotsman trusted the other three immortals to play by the rules. "We are simply seeking shelter from the rain."
Kronos' gaze was measuring, and Silas and Caspian waited silently for their brother's decision. Then the scarred man smiled, the expression not at all comforting.
"Then please, accept our hospitality for the night. We were just going to have some tea. Have a seat and join us."
Five men moved toward the couches and armchairs then. Duncan hadn't noticed when Methos had left the room, but the lean man re-entered then, pushing a tea cart ahead of him.
Duncan bristled at how Methos was being treated as a servant. He noticed how threadbare the young man's clothes were and, under them, he could tell how thin Methos was.
Introductions were made as the tea was served, Kronos neglecting to introduce his stepbrother. Methos served the two guests first, still taking care not to look in Duncan's eyes.
But when Methos went to give Caspian his cup, some of the hot liquid accidentally spilled over the edge and onto his stepbrother's hand.
Caspian jumped up, swearing, and then backhanded Methos. Duncan and Connor both rose to their feet.
Methos immediately apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to spill." Tears sprung to his eyes and his hand shook as Methos wiped the blood from his lip.
Slowly, Kronos stood up himself. "Caspian apologize."
"I am sorry, I struck without thinking."
Methos ducked his head, ashamed at having the beautiful stranger as a witness to both his error and his reprimand. "It's alright. I should have been more careful."
Duncan and his cousin sat back down. The younger Highlander was seething in silent fury. He could see the shame on Methos' face as clearly as the blood that was smeared across the man's chin, and he wanted to do worse to Caspian. Connor noticed and skillfully redirected the conversation.
Methos quietly left the drawing room, leaving the five immortals talking about such topics as their recent travels and their estates. He carefully made up two more bedrooms and finished cleaning up from dinner. He was just settling down to go to sleep when he heard the door open.
Duncan stepped quietly into the kitchen. It was late. Hopefully the stepbrothers were asleep. Connor meanwhile was waiting for his signal. The younger Highlander hated to sneak away in the night like a thief, but he couldn't see any other way to get Methos away from those other hateful immortals.
Methos started to get up and ask what he could do for the man, but Duncan interrupted him. "Don't get up." He continued to stare in bewilderment as the man sat down on the floor beside him.
Duncan smiled, trying to lessen the young man's trepidation. He couldn't help reaching out to lightly touch Methos' split lip.
Methos was surprised by the touch and by the gentleness of it. He jerked back unintentionally and Duncan dropped his hand.
"How often does your brother hit you?" Duncan asked softly.
"Please don't make so much of it…" Methos turned his face away from the other man's probing eyes.
Duncan reached out to stroke the man's lean back, wanting to comfort Methos. He couldn't miss the hiss of pain that issued from the pale lips however. Moving to his knees, he began to pull the young man's shirt up, ignoring the protestations. Duncan was afraid that he already knew what he would find.
"What are you doing?" Methos asked, mortified. He attempted to bat the other man's hands away to no effect.
The younger Highlander looked upon the young man's back in horror. The red welts were vivid on the pale skin and Duncan could see that some had bled.
Methos stayed very still, trying to even stop breathing. The man behind him had gone very quiet and Methos knew from experience about the rage that lay underneath that silence. He did his best not to incur that wrath.
"We're leaving."
"What?" The seeming non-sequitor confused the younger man.
"Joe sent us to get you out of here. We're leaving. Tonight."
Methos just stared at the man in bewilderment. Suddenly Duncan felt the presence of another immortal and he stood, anticipating his cousin.
It was Caspian that walked in though. "You're not taking him anywhere." The other immortal was already holding his sword. Duncan realized then that his katana was still out in the hallway with his coat. He had left it there as proof of his good intentions. Now he was regretting that decision.
Methos simply stared at the sword in his stepbrother's hand. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew that Caspian was threatening Mr. MacLeod. Methos didn't think, he grabbed the kettle of water from the hearth and threw it at his stepbrother.
It was the distraction that Duncan needed. He immediately ran to the front hallway, grabbing his coat and heading outside. Caspian followed not far behind despite that his face was still healing.
The battle was fierce but thankfully brief. Caspian was overzealous in his attack, hammering away at Duncan who bided his time, waiting for his opening. When it came, he struck without mercy. The quickening was surprisingly strong.
When it was over, he looked up into Methos' stunned face. He only had a moment to look though, before he felt the presences of several other immortals. They were almost run over by horses then.
Duncan stumbled to his feet, pulling Methos with him by the hand. He looked up to see Connor already on his horse and holding the reins to Duncan's horse.
"Hurry up."
Rolling his eyes at his cousin's characteristic shortness, Duncan dropped Methos' hand and jumped into the saddle.
Methos backed away then, certain that he was going to be left behind and terrified of Kronos' wrath. When Duncan extended his hand to help Methos up, the younger man was astonished, and grateful.
As they rode away, all three men clearly saw, Kronos and Silas standing by their fallen brother with their swords. Though they were too far away to hear, they could well imagine the curses and epithets that were shouted at them.