Chapter 8 - Never Give All Your Heart

Authors Notes - This story is written for entertainment purposes only. Highlander belongs to Panzer Davis. If you want to find the story, I wrote about Methos and Lydia, it's -The Doppelgänger. This was the first Fan-fiction I ever wrote way back in 1997. Maybe someday I will revise it, but right now I hope you enjoy this story.

Never give all the Heart

by

WB Yeats

Never give all the heart for love,

Will hardly seem worth thinking of,

To passionate women if it seem

Certain, and they never dream.

That it fades out from kiss to kiss;

For everything that's lovely is

But a brief, dreamy, kind delight.

O never give the heart outright,

For they, for all smooth lips can say,

Have given their hearts up to the play.

And who could play it well enough,

If deaf and dumb and blind with love?

He that made this knows all the cost,

For he gave all his heart and lost.

CHAPTER 8 -

Club Sanctuary on April 23, 2012.

Ceirdwyn and Methos all returned to the main room of the Club. Amanda picked up the cool bottles of various spirits and poured everyone fresh drinks. As the group gathered around the storyteller to finally discover if this tale would ever end.

"That night the Duke invited me and Ceirdwyn to stay the night at the castle, I accepted, but my lady left in a huff and refused to speak to anyone."

"I had a good reason to leave" Ceirdwyn stood up, putting her hands on her hips and spoke in a firm but calm voice.

The old Immortal turned to Ceirdwyn and set his golden eyes upon her; everyone could tell he was trying to see who would back down first. After a few long silent moments, he spoke, "Woman, please let me tell this story or I will go home."

Amanda watched her rival for Duncan's affections, smiling like the Cheshire Cat from Alice Through the Looking Glass. They all seemed a bit surprised as the redhead sat down taking MacLeod's hand then snuggled very close to him right flaunting herself like Casanova right in Amanda's face.

"Go ahead and tell your story. You are going to anyway. But most of us realize that you are someone who often says half-truths or only gives out some information that you think will be sufficient to satisfy them." She said with a smirk on her face.

"Fine. As I said before, if you do not like my version of this story, we can leave holy ground right now!" Methos bellowed out a challenge.

Amanda strolled from behind the bar and addressed the room with a scrutinizing look. "Methos stop being so difficult because I happen to agree with you, I too, think Ceirdwyn has said quite enough."

"But you do not understand, Methos' plan had huge holes in it, besides let's not forget, Constantine was planning to kill Darius." Ceirdwyn shot back at Amanda. "I simply had no choice but to go and talk to Marcus. I was the only one who that crazy Roman would listen to. Someone had to persuade Marcus to forgive the good Father. Tell him that Darius was different and not the bloody warlord who sacked Rome. Besides it had only been four hundred years since Darius had taken the White Quickening."

Joe's eyes open wide as he heard her words, "Yea four hundred years are like a blink to you guys."

That woke Richard up. "How long is a Blink to one of us? "Mac isn't 450 yet, and I'm not 40! I hope I will live to be as old as you, Methos. But aren't you the only one who has lived at least 5,000 years? I haven't heard of anyone else.

Methos took a deep breath and tried to smile, "Well I did know of one other Immortal who lived so long that history as we know it hadn't been written yet". The old man who fought Darius and gave him the white Quickening. Some say he was born long ago, maybe in pre-history back before 10,000 BC."

Ceirdwyn spoke up "It's not like he was a Caveman. Most Immortals that are at around two thousand, knew about him and many of them had the misfortune of fighting him. I only met him once, during my early days of being Marcus's student. There seemed like he had an Aura around him, something that was mystic and peaceful. I waited with some of his students while Marcus and he spoke. Marcus, was very angry, I only can presume my teacher and the holy man were arguing. He never told me why they was arguing that day."

Joe smiled; he always had wondered if some of the older Immortals had crossed paths with the Holy Man. "You really think he was born during the Upper Paleolithic period? So, is Haraonos Dyonilius the same man you called Emrys?"

Methos looked at Joe with a half-smile, "Sorry, Joe, I never mentioned it to you before, I guess the subject just never came up." Thinking back to his Watcher days he almost forgot that only Immortals called the old holy man Emrys and watchers called him Haraonos Dyonilius.

"You mean all the time I have known you, and all you can say is the subject just never came up? I've known you as Methos for at least fourteen or fifteen years. Would you have told me if I had asked? Joe's voice was loud and explosive with a touch of anger and surprise."

"Probably not." Methos exclaimed, "it was long ago and by the time you found out I was really Methos, the white Quickening was lost. So, there's really no point of talking about it." Methos said nonchalantly in a lukewarm voice. Methos was afraid that Joe didn't reach for a chronicle right there and then. He imaged Joe would start writing down every word he heard that evening. But Methos was hoping his mortal friend was a bit too drunk to remember much he had heard about Haraonos Dyonilius, or Emrys.

"What's the point? The point is I'm a Watcher! Methos you have to be the biggest ass in the world, to think I wouldn't want to know about that." Joe replied rather crude and bluntly.

"Joe, do you want to hear the end of this story?" Methos paused for effect, "Because it's too late to begin a diff…" Methos was stopped from saying anything by the lovely redhead's voice.

"Oh Joe, I agree with you most of the time it's impossible to get a straight answer out of him." Ceirdwyn smiled and interrupted Methos for what he felt was the umpteenth time, "I wonder what happened that night in the castle?" She bated him with a question as she smiled a wicked grin.

Methos sighed, shaking his head, "Ceirdwyn, you must have an overactive imagination."

"Years later Rebecca told me she went back to see you that night. I know she really did care for you. What were you both doing in the bed chambers? She had said many times before the both of you had been…"

Methos cut her off in the middle of her sentence, "Ceirdwyn, stop discussing my personal life and let me go back and finish this story." Rubbing the back of his neck while giving her a stony expression as he lifted a single eyebrow.

"Hell, he's right it's getting late, and I just want to hear the end of this story and go to bed." Joe's voice was rough and somewhat strained, anyone could tell he was not amused by the latest revelations. "I'm not Immortal like the rest of you, and I need my beauty sleep."

That got a chuckle out of everyone but Ceirdwyn. She just snuggled closer to Duncan and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. Amanda responded by gently pushing back a lock of hair from Methos' forehead, then molding herself next to his side.

Methos paused and just looked at Amanda as if he had never seen her before. Then softly whispered something in her ear that only she could hear. Joe noticed that whatever he had said put a happy expression on her face and watched as tears fell down her cheeks. Then the old Immortal took out a folded handkerchief and wiped her cheeks dry.

Joe watched the two Immortals returning each other's gaze and Methos handed his handkerchief to Amanda. While Richard loudly cleared, his throat showing disapproval for all the whispering.

Seeing the group was getting very off track, and wondering why Methos was fussing over Amanda. MacLeod asked a question as a bit of jealousy dug into his gut. "From what I gather you made the Duke taste his Immortality?"

"Patients Highlander I am getting too that, and yes, I should have never done it. The Duke was a cruel and vain man who if not for Lydia's bravery we all would have died. That is everyone but Darius and Cierdwyn." Methos Separated himself from Amanda and stood up, placed his hands on his hips and fixing those gold Hazel eyes right at Cierdwyn. "Milady, are you completely sure you want me to finish this story?"

"Old friend, what do you always say? That you're a survivor. Well, I wasn't going to die just because you lost all your senses and fell in love. Plus, you leave out the fact that Rebecca spent the night with you. She told me years later." Ceirdwyn spoke in a clear full voice.

"I have said many times, history is written by men who have no idea of what really happened." he tossed a smile at Joe and faced the group. So, we both have our version of the facts. It is a shame that Rebecca, Darius, and Marcus are all dead, so neither one of us have anyone to back up our stories."

Joe grumbled, "Are you two just going to argue like an old married couple or are you finishing this story?"

"I'm with Joe. Isn't this supposed to be a love story about this Lydia? I don't believe it because she is hardly mentioned at all!" Richard said.

Duncan backed up his former student, "Really! Can we get to the end of this story sometime before dawn?"

Methos returned to his tale. He soon transported them back to the early 800s and continued to speak with a smooth velvety voice.

Flashback to 801

After retiring to a room that the Duke set aside for Methos. He waited for the servants to leave. With a deep breath, he tried to clear all the tension he had from that mock sword fight. Placing himself in the middle of the room, the old Immortal started to do his stretches and daily meditation before preparing to sleep. Just before he snuffed out the candles, he felt the buzz of an Immortal approaching his door. Gathering his sword in his hand and watching the door crack open. Rebecca stepped into the chamber. There was a loud clang as his sword fell on the stone floor.

"What are you doing here?" Methos gasped as the pitch of his voice rose as he rushed her into his room.

She was dressed in her riding clothes "I have come to warn you, Constantine has also left the castle to seek Ceirdwyn and they both possibly were plotting against you. We both know he thinks Darius doesn't deserve Emrys' quickening. Sometimes I think both of you never listened to anything our masters said."

"I remember most of Emrys' lessons. But you know me, Rebecca, sometimes I fall back into my old habits."

"So, your old habits are your excuse to doom us all. Marcus told me you're planning on telling the Duke he is an Immortal. Promise me you will not do this."

"He cannot marry Lydia. I must find a way to kill him without the guards killing me. If he challenges me, I know I can beat him."

Methos, the Duke is a very dangerous man who will be all, but unstoppable if you carry out your plan. He will kill us all when he feels the power of a quickening. He also will take your sweet Lydia to be his wife. The only Immortal he cannot kill is Darius, and that is only because he needs the priest to report to the Emperor that the mission is completed. Once the Duke knows what he is, we all have much to fear from him. I doubt even when he learns the rules of the game the Duke will still use his guards to gain an advantage over us. Methos, abandon your plan and get on a horse and ride away with me back to the coast and then to Britain. It's the only way that will leave here with our heads still attached."

"I cannot let him take Lydia to be his wife. He will only kill her in the end... I love her."

"The die is cast, and there is little we can do to change or influence the mortal's world. The Duke's adopted father was given the power to rule here straight from Emperor Charlemagne and if we left the Duke alone, I believe he will live a long life and die an old man in his bed. This man will never taste Immortality, he is too well guarded to die a violent death. Now quickly come away with me. You cannot do this just to save one girl."

"She, is, not, just, one, girl." He lamented as he balled up his hands in a fist, and she could see the pain in his eyes. "Lydia is special. Rebecca, you are wrong." He spoke each word slowly and continued in more of a cry than speech. "I Have to save her." Emotion poured over him, "Don't you understand? My heart was dead and because of her, I am alive again. You must know how difficult it is for me to feel almost human. Dear lady, the mortals have so little time to experience life, to love, to be and in a moment, they're gone." Then his voice sobered, "Besides, maybe the Duke's real fate is to die at my hands."

Rebeca shook her head no and looked him deeply in the eyes, then her words got very blunt. "Oh, yes, I forgot how unreasonable you can be once you fall in love." She took one of his hands and held it within her own, and her voice became tender, "Emrys knew this too. Do you think I have forgotten him? I loved him also, and I remember discussing a similar situation with him. Where in the end you couldn't save that fair lady either, and you almost lost your head trying." Rebecca stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek." Methos I can never understand how love affects you and turns you half-mad. Maybe that is one reason I have lived so long. I refuse to make so many attachments with mortal men. How did you continue to stay alive loving these mortals as much as you do? Let me think, have you've been married 70 or is it 80 times?"

"I'm a good deal older than you my friend. Lydia will be my sixty-first wife." His voice lost its passion, and he tried to relax while gathering his thoughts, "Rebecca, I don't marry often how many of my wives have you known? Twelve or fifteen maybe? Then during my thousand years with Kronos, I didn't marry at all. But as the years advance, I'm lucky I find a woman who can even tolerate me every three or four centuries. Elizabeth only died a little over a hundred years ago. I am shocked to meet a woman like Lydia so soon." Methos took a step back. "I can't let her go or I will regret it for longer than I can say. When I find that special person and choose not to love or fight for them, I feel the pain of their loss for eons."

"That's the one thing that saves you, my old friend. You have a conscience, and try to do what you feel is right."

Methos took a deep breath and blew it out laughing, "I must try harder to rid myself of this pesky conscience. Remember you and Emrys help me to expunge that dark quickening, but every year since then it is getting harder for me to start giving a damn about anything. It's only when I meet someone like her that I am willing to change." He reached out and lovingly touched her shoulder. "You see Rebecca, Emrys was like the north star that always pointed me in the right direction, even if I didn't want to change, he reached me out of my apathy, and aloofness. Sadly, he's gone forever from our lives. Darius isn't him. You know I'm not a complete ass because I still miss him, but you're right, of course, I should walk away this time. But…" He took Rebecca's hand and continued, "I can't. I need Lydia, so I can feel what it is like to be human again. I will not walk away this time. I will fight for her until my last breath."

"Methos, I will not sacrifice my life to save an old friend even as one as dear as you."

"This is a dangerous game, you are playing. The Emperor has blessed this union, and you put Darius in a dangerous position with this crazy plan of yours. You do remember we pledged to Emrys that we will protect anyone who the white quickening was passed to."

"Of course, I remember our pledge. But Darius is not Emrys, he will surely pass the white quickening to whoever takes his head. Most of our kind know better than to take that particular quickening. Darius will be fine. I promise not to endanger him. Now it's late so let me check the guards so you can return to your chambers. You shouldn't be here. Besides, someone has to keep an eye out for Marcus."

"I still disagree with you, but I will stay and help keep Darius and Lydia safe. She is Innocent and doesn't deserve to be caught up in our world. Good night my friend, sleep well, and please consider all I have said tonight."

And with a kiss on her cheek, he checked the hallway. Watching to see when the coast was clear, he escorted the lady Rebecca to her room.

Sleep eluded Methos that night, his nightmares were filled with all his deepest fears. Of losing Lydia, and how much danger, she was in. Of how Emrys would be ashamed of him. Finally, he drifted into a restless sleep. Once asleep, it seemed like it had only been mere moments since Rebecca left. But a knock on the door was a servant who was bringing him fresh water plus a selection of bread and fruit to eat. He chose clothing that was suitable for a hunt and met Constantine and Rebecca in the main hall.

They were escorted to the courtyard to see the Duke already seated upon his mount. He greeted everyone, and they all mounted a horse except for Rebecca, who claimed she hated going hunting, which he knew was an outright lie. What was she up too? Rebecca loved to go hunting. But he was happy to have one less person to share the Duke's ear. Methos was making plans to get rid of Constantine, but that seemed an impolite gesture. He was an old friend of the Dukes and he knew the Duke's father. Methos told the group that Constantine admitted it was he that brought the pre-immortal baby to the old duke and his wife, and this was a common way how Immortals ended up in noble families.

It was a warm spring day. The hunting party had already gotten two large bucks, several birds, and three wild boars. Marcus rode ahead with the hounds and the beaters. Finally, Methos was almost alone to talk to the Duke. Usually, the easiest way to introduce someone to the fact they were an Immortal was to just kill them. But the Duke was never completely alone, so he asked if he could have a private audience to discuss how best to protect his new bride. The Duke agreed that later that day before the feast they would discuss the matter.

Methos could see his goal was near. Soon they returned to the castle with their spoils from the hunt. They were still far off from town when some soldiers saw Darius's caravan in the distance. Men were sent to join the good father's caravan and escort them to the castle. He knew the time was short to finish his plans, and he also knew Constantine wanted to have Emrys quickening for himself. Methos had argued with Constantine that was not what their master wanted. In those days, Marcus was very hot-headed and still was feeling rivers of grief over what Darius did as a warlord and the deaths of people he cared about. He knew that Darius was on a mission from the emperor to report all that happened. Few men would defy the orders of an Emperor and Methos knew the Duke would do almost anything to protect the good Father.

Methos had an appointment with the Duke later that day. They were finally going to be alone. It was all quite easy, Methos simply had to stab the Duke in the heart. Then he would wait for him to revive, offer to be the Duke's new teacher, and explain what had happened. Sadly, things are not always as simple as one plan, sometimes it can get very complicated. Methos joined the Duke who had a guest, the Lady Ceirdwyn.

"My good knight, is it true what the lady has told me?" The Duke inquired?

"My Lord that depends on what she said. Then turned to look at her and spoke, "Ceirdwyn what did you say to the Duke?" Methos head tilted and a half-smile just kiss his lips.

"I told him two things, first you are in love with the lady Lydia, and second, he was an Immortal. Then I told him what must be done."

The Duke asked, "Why would you spur this lovely creature's affection and instead want the child I am engaged too? Heavens I am only marrying her to ally with her father. After she gives me a son, I will send her away to the country or maybe a nunnery."

"So, this she-devil only told you part of what you need to know. She left out information, you may not like."

Then the Duke turned to Ceirdwyn, "My Lady, what part did you leave out? You told me I could live forever, never get sick, and heal from all injuries. And if I took your head, I would gain all your power and knowledge. Again, dear lady what did you leave out?" His cold eyes beat upon her with rage.

Methos studied the room. Only one entrance and exit. No escape would be found here. "Our kind can never have children, and did she explain the rules of the game to you, sir Duke?"

"There is a game, and it has Rules?" The Duke's gaze fell on Methos.

"Yes, our battles are in secret and always just one on one. Holy ground is our refuge, no Immortal can fight there, and in the end, there can be only one. My lady, why did you omit this?"

"Don't be hard on her, she only knows I am above all these rules, and I will be one of what you call Immortal. As soon as one of my men runs me through with his sword. As for you both, you with either play by my rules or I will have your heads." The Duke proclaimed.

Methos raised his sword, as the Duke waved his finger at him. Then he called out for his guards. Suddenly, the room filled with soldiers. Methos lowered his sword. Just as the Duke yelled for his men to take this knight to the dungeon. "My lady, do you wish to go with your friend? Or will you play this game my way?"

Ceirdwyn cursed, "I will play this game your way, my lord."

"You can't do this. I know you are angry at me but you can't break the rules. Ceirdwyn you are a better person than this or at least I thought you were."

"Take him away, and Milady I must spend time discussing something with my guards. I will see you later, go back to town, or join your friend in the dungeon."

"Very well, My Lord." And with that Cierdwyn left the room as the guards dragged Methos kicking and swearing to the dungeons.

Back in 2012 the club Sanctuary.

"Methos, I left to see Marcus and to make plans to save you." Ceirdwyn tried to explain.

"You can tell yourself that a hundred times, and you know it's not true." The old Immoral quietly replied, "You were trying to find a way of saving your own neck." Methos drank his glass quickly and angrily walked out of the room without looking back.

Ceirdwyn's eyes scanned the group looking for a friendly face, then looked at Mac. "Methos is just trying to throw us off the path with his usual misdirection's and half-truths."

Duncan looked her directly in her eyes. "I realize his plan was based on emotions which doesn't sound like him. Isn't he usually cool and calculating, the master planner?"

Amanda looked at Duncan "Methos sounds the same as he did back when Alexa was dying. Remember he acted incredibly stupid back then. He was a desperate man who was in love, trying to keep his lover alive. Honestly Duncan you need to get over the whole Horseman thing, he was acting just like he did when he tried to get the Methuselah stone."

"He's nothing like you, Amanda, you can be difficult, but you would never kill to keep a few extra gold pieces. You know I can never forgive him for killing thousands of people for pleasure." Mac breathed out a large breath and looked at Ceirdwyn, "Now, tell me, that you didn't betray him along with Marcus and Rebecca?"

"No, I didn't. I was really going to find a way out of this mess for all of us."

"Someone should talk to the old guy." Joe pointed towards the back door that Methos used.

"I will Joe, I've known him longer than almost all of you." The lovely thief said, "Please everyone wait here." Then Amanda ran after Methos.

End of chapter