Who: Seifer Almasy and Squall Leonhart.

What: Alternate Universe Yaoi fan fiction.  This was inspired by the "Fairy Tale" Rapunzel, but the story has been altered a great deal from the original, though most of the underlying themes remain.  This fic has LEMON, death of a character, severe abuse, and other mature subject matter. This one is somewhat similar to the White Squall one, but all of these Fairy Tales share similar themes so... There isn't too much dialogue in this one.  It's mostly narrative.  This is not Shota.  I often use the terms boy and youth in my fics to denote a male that is in his mid to late teens. Much about this story is sort of twisted, so I ask that only MATURE people read this.

When: In some past life maybe. Medieval type setting.  

Where: Alternate Universe.

Why: Just experimenting, so if it's bad I have an excuse.

How: Very painfully. 

The Stone Tower

By Miss Dincht

(Beta)

I

Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Laguna who lived in a small cottage with his lovely, young wife, Raine.  They were very, very poor, but they led a rich life because they loved each other very, very deeply.  Laguna worshipped his pretty wife, and he would do anything she asked.  It was the same for Raine, and she lived only to give Laguna all that his heart desired.

What Laguna desired most was a child, and this was the one thing that Raine had been unable to give him.  Raine was cheerful most of the time, but on occasion a very dark mood would come over her, and nothing that Laguna would do could please her.  Laguna tried to convince Raine that he was could be happy without a child, but she knew better.  She knew that Laguna wanted a child more than anything else in the world, and although she wished and hoped and prayed that Hyne would see fit to give them a baby, she was unable to conceive. 

Since her prayers had been unanswered, Raine sought other ways to remedy her condition.  She became desperate in her search for some sort of cure. The old wives in the village told her a tale of a strange herb that held magical properties, and Raine was overjoyed to hear such news.  She believed that if she took this herb and mixed in a potion it would heal her body, but it was a rare plant, and no one could tell her where to find it.  She begged her husband to help her, but he did not believe her tale, so he refused.  Raine finally lost all hope.  She became so weak that she couldn't get out of bed, and although Laguna tried to revive her and lift her spirits, she would not move. Laguna was devastated, and he feared that his wife would die. He begged her to stay with him, and he promised her that he would do anything to help her.  Raine, in a weak, strained voice, asked only that Laguna find the magical plant that she believed would make her better. Laguna had no choice but to agree.  He promised her that he would find the magical herb, and that he would not stop searching until he did.

The old wives had told Raine that the magical plant could only be found deep within the forest, and so, this is where Laguna went to look for it.  He had an old woman from the village look after Raine on the day that he set out on his journey.  He placed bread, cheese, and water into a small pouch and went on his way. Laguna had only a vague idea about where he was going.  Raine had told him that there was a place hidden deep within the forest where a garden of magic thrived among the wood's most ancient trees.  The old women had told Raine that all sorts of wonderful plants grew in this magical garden, but if such a thing were true, Laguna wondered why no one knew exactly where it was.  Laguna believed that it was nonsense, but he was willing to do anything to make his wife happy.  

Laguna walked the winding forest roads for most of the day, and in the beginning his journey was uncomplicated.  However, as the forest grew darker and darker, it became more and more difficult for him to see the path.  Laguna would not stop, despite his growing apprehension, and eventually he came to a part of the forest where the oak and spruce trees grew thick and large, and the treetops seemed to go up into the heights of the sky.  The forest that he had known since he was a small boy suddenly seemed eerie and dangerous. 

Laguna soon realized that he was lost, and when he looked down at the ground he realized that he had wandered off the path as well.  He considered stopping to rest, but he could hear odd sounds all about him, and so he decided that it was best to keep moving.  Laguna walked deeper and deeper into the forest, but soon it was difficult to see anything in front of him.  Laguna stumbled onward, but he had lost all since of direction.  He realized him mistake too late when he walked over the edge of a steep drop.  His body rolled downward toward the bottom of the cliff then slammed against a large stone. Laguna scrambled up from the ground after regaining his senses. 

Laguna examined his surroundings and his eyes widened at the site before him.  He was standing on the edge of a garden, but it was unlike any garden that he had ever seen. A large, stone wall surrounded the garden.  The wall was cracked and broken, and he had fallen through a breech in the crumbling structure.  Twisting vines clung to the worn stone in several places. The garden itself was littered with an abundance of strange blossoms and luminescent plants of every shape and size.  Laguna had never seen such a place, and he knew right away that he had found Raine's enchanted garden. There was a large stone dwelling on the other side of the garden, but it's windows were black, and there was no smoke curling up from the chimney. Laguna hoped that the ominous structure was empty.  

II

Laguna quickly began his search for the herb.  Raine had described it too him, but all of the garden's plants were magical, and he could not see anything that made one more special than the other.  He wondered if he could somehow take part of every plant in the garden, but that could take days.  Then he recalled that the herb was bright green in color and would glow brightly in the darkness, so Laguna searched desperately for the plant that fit this description. He uttered a cry of joy when he finally found it and hurried to open his pouch.  He kneeled on the ground and reached for the large, glowing leaves, but as soon as he put his hands on them an imposing figure emerged from the shadows.  Laguna was so startled that he fell backwards and landed heavily into a thick cluster of vines.  The vines immediately tangled around his arms and legs, and the woman that loomed before him laughed loudly.

She was an older woman, and beautiful, but in a strange way.  A black garment made of sheer material clung to her shapely form, and glittering black jewels hung about her neck.  Her black hair was tangled and wild, and her golden, black - rimmed eyes glowed slightly in the darkness.  She held a wooden staff in one white hand, and a large, black raven was perched on one of her smooth white shoulders. She was called Edea, and she had once been a powerful witch. Love had destroyed much of her power, and she lived a cold, empty life alone in the woodland.  She despised all people, and she killed all who happened upon her home, but she despised men above all else because a man had broken her heart.  For them it was better to face Hyne's demons than face the witch Edea.   

"Whatever could you want in my garden?  There is nothing here for you." Edea said.  Her musical voice did nothing to soften the harshness of her words.

Laguna struggled to free himself, but the vines that held him only grew tighter.  "Please...good woman, I meant no harm!" he cried.

The woman's painted, black lips curled into a smile.  "You meant no harm, thief?!" Edea said.  She slammed the edge of the staff in Laguna's stomach.  Laguna groaned, and fell still as he tried to regain his breath. The vines grew even tighter.

"P - please..." Laguna groaned.

"No, boy.  Do not waste your words." Edea said. "They will not prevent me from cutting out your heart."   

"Please..." Laguna breathed.  "M - my wife..." 

Edea's golden eyes narrowed.  "Your wife?" she said. A wide grin spread across her face. Her white teeth were large and sharp. "Who would marry one such as yourself?"

Laguna shivered. "Her name is Raine!" he cried.

"And you love her?" Edea said.

"W - with all my heart." Laguna said.

Edea's grin faded.  "Yes.  Your heart.  I would have it now." she said.

No, p - please!" Laguna cried.  The vines about his throat tightened and he cried out in pain.

"Are you begging for your life?" Edea said.

"Yes! P - please!  Have mercy, Good Lady, you must spare me!  I must return to my wife!" Laguna cried.  "I - I came for these herbs...she thinks they will make her w - well..." Laguna said.

Edea leaned on her staff.  "Indeed." she said.  "Then take them.  I will not stop you, but you will repay my kindness.  You will pay me what you owe."

Laguna nodded.  "W - whatever you w - want..." he managed.

Edea grinned and nodded.  "Whatever I want." she said.

The vines grew slack and Laguna was freed. He scrambled up from the ground and fled, the pouch clutched tightly in his hands. The woman's laughter echoed loudly behind him, and Laguna ran faster in an effort to put as much distance between him and the witch and her mystical garden as he could.  He abandoned that place and - after much effort - made his way back to the forest road.  Laguna did not stop running until he returned home.

III

Raine was still alive when Laguna returned, for which he praised Hyne and all Hyne's angels. Laguna immediately rushed to her bedside to tell her his good news, and Raine was overjoyed when Laguna told her of his success. Laguna begged her to eat something, but she refused to do anything until he fed her the herbs.  He hastily took them from his pouch and gave her several of the large, glowing leaves.  The rest he handed over to the old woman who had been caring for Raine, and the crone hid them away in Raine's kitchen.

Raine grew more lively with the passing of each day.  Soon enough she was well enough to help Laguna in the house and in the fields.  It was almost as though that bad time had never existed, and Laguna and Raine were as happy as they had always been.  Raine's happiness knew no bounds when she discovered one day that she was carrying a child.  Laguna couldn't have been more pleased.  He doted on his wife constantly and treated her as though she were some delicate flower, but Raine had an easy pregnancy.  Indeed, she was more hearty when she was pregnant than she had ever been in her life.  The babe within her was strong. 

Raine gave birth on a clear, calm summer evening.  The old women came from the village to help Raine deliver her child.  Laguna waited outside the cottage with some of the old men from the village.  He was nervous and scared, and the men teased him relentlessly.  Laguna was annoyed by all of the attention, but he remained cordial to the visiting men.  There was another who had come to visit the small cottage, but Laguna did not notice.  He did not see the large, black raven who had perched its squat form on the thatch roof of the cottage. Laguna had forgotten the promise he had made to the witch.  

When Laguna heard the babe's clear cry pierce the quiet night, he rushed back into the cottage and threw open the bedroom door.  The beautiful vision Laguna saw when he entered the room made him gasp.  Raine lay on the bed, her lengthy auburn hair spread out on the pillow beneath her head like a shining halo, her lovely eyes sparkling brightly, holding a small bundle in her arms.  Laguna rushed to her side and reached for the small child that Raine held in her arms.  The old women gathered their tools and the stained sheets from bed and abandoned the room so that the family could be alone.  Laguna looked down at his new son and a wide smile spread across his face.  He was a handsome child, beautiful and perfect in every way.  He had a hearty cry for one so young, and so Laguna decided to call him Squall.  Raine was pleased by this, and a small smile curved her soft, pink lips before her eyes closed and she drifted into slumber.  Laguna gentle placed Squall in the cradle beside the bed.  He moved onto the bed and lay quietly beside his sleeping wife.  He looked at her delicate features for a long time before he too drifted off into slumber.  

Death took Raine in slumber, and the night that she gave birth to Squall was the last night that she would ever see him again.  Laguna had remained at Raine's side for the entire night, but he did not realize that she was gone until well into the morning.  Squall's cries had woken him from sleep, and as soon as he awoke he knew that something was wrong.  The body beside him was too cold, and too still, and Raine would have never ignored her new baby's cries.  Laguna's heart broke when he realized that his wife was dead, for he had loved Raine more than anything else in the world.  He cried over her still form for hours, Squall's cries mingling with his own, but eventually Laguna rose from the bed.  He kissed her cold lips and pulled a sheet over her body.  He lifted his son from the cradle and abandoned the room.  

It was not easy for Laguna to care for a new baby by himself, but he managed, and some of the old women from the village helped him.  When Laguna would go out into the fields the old women would come and care for the child. One dark evening Laguna returned home to find the cottage dark and silent.  Usually, Laguna could hear the old women bustling about the place long before he reached the door.  Laguna knew that something was amiss right away.  He rushed inside to find the front room empty and dark.  The fire in the hearth had gone out.  Pots and pans were strewn about the floor, and the dining table had been overturned.  

Laguna rushed into his bedroom, and an anguished cry tore from his lips when he saw the empty cradle.  The crone who had been caring for young Squall was sitting in a rocking chair, her toothless mouth agape and her terror - filled eyes wide.  One bony, wrinkled hand was clutched to her heart, and the other hung limply at her side.  Laguna rushed over to the gently rocking cradle and cried out.  There was no sign of his son, Squall was gone.  A loud cry pierced the silence, and Laguna turned toward the one window in the small bedroom.  The large raven perched on the windowsill cried out once more before flapping its dark wings and soaring off into the night.  Laguna collapsed against the cradle and wept bitterly.  

IV

Somewhere deep in the forest, the witch Edea walked among the trees, and in her arms she held a squealing baby boy. Edea glanced down at the babe and her painted lips spread back over sharp teeth.  The baby uttered a cry of discomfort, but Edea cooed softly and the child instantly fell silent.  Edea wrapped her black cloak around the child and held him close to her breast.  He was a male child but that did not matter, for he was a beautiful baby, and Edea would raise him to be what she wanted him to be.  Squall would belong to her and be hers alone, and death to any who would take him from her.  Edea took him back to her stone cottage deep within the woodland, and there the child remained.   

Squall grew to be as glorious as the flowers in Edea's garden.  He was a winsome boy, blessed with a fine form and lovely features.  He was slender, but his arms and legs were strong and slightly muscled. His eyes were large and blue, his nose and lips finely crafted, and the most beautiful chestnut colored hair crowned his head.  Indeed, Squall's thick, glossy hair was his most beautiful feature. Edea would never cut a strand of it, and soon it began to grow down his back. The ancient legends claimed that long hair was symbolic of power, but it also represented youth, beauty, and purity as well, so Edea saw Squall's hair as a symbol of the youth's innocence.  Each day Squall's hair grew longer and longer, and each day he grew stronger and more beautiful, and each day Edea became more possessive of him. Edea rarely allowed the boy to leave her side, and whenever she did permit him to go off alone he was to go no further than the edge of the garden. 

As the years passed, Edea imparted much knowledge to the boy, but she kept him innocent of many things.  He would sit at her feet and listen to her words, and she would speak for hours about forgotten kingdoms and distant civilizations. Indeed, she would tell Squall secrets that Kings and Queens would have traded their souls to know, but she told Squall very little about the world of humans, and she warned him of the evils of humankind.  Edea hated all humans, especially the males of the race, and she frightened Squall with the tales she told of men.  She said that men were hateful creatures with wicked desires who caused only death and destruction. Edea stories about humankind - especially the males - were always filled with bile and venom, and rarely did Edea tell of the good things that humans did.  Her tales were rarely ones of tenderness and love.  Love was a subject that Edea tried to avoid completely, but the boy seemed quite taken with the notion, and eventually Edea regretted telling him anything about true love.  

"What is love, Edea?" Squall had asked once.

"I have explained it to you." Edea said.

"Yes, but...I do not understand." Squall said. 

Edea's black lips curled into a slight snarl.  She rose from the stone bench and glared down at the boy at her feet.  "It is no concern of yours, child, for I am your only love. Who else could love you?" she said.

Squall looked at the ground.  "I thought I would find someone to love." he said.

"Ha!  Stupid child!" Edea said.  She tugged violently on Squall's long locks. "Why must you be such a foolish boy!?"  

"Please, mother, I didn't mean - !" Squall cried. 

Edea shook him roughly. "You can love no one but me!" she bellowed. "To love another will destroy you!  All you have is your innocence, and the moment you let someone touch you, child, you will die!" 

Edea then beat him severely and warned him that she would do much worse if he ever spoke of love again.  So Squall never again questioned her about these things, but he would think of them often.  Squall was always terribly lonely, and he wanted so badly to go out into the world. He wanted to see the great cities and kingdoms  that Edea had told him about, but more than anything he wanted to know what the people of the world were like.  He loved Edea very much, and he listened to whatever she told him, but he often wondered if all humans were as wicked as she said they were.  He wondered if there were some who weren't heartless, cruel, and dangerous.  He wondered if he could find someone to love.  Squall would sit with Edea in the garden and listen to her tales, but sometimes his mind would drift away to places that he had created in his dreams.  He would create friends and lovers to fill his fantasies, and for awhile this was enough to satisfy him.

V  

As Squall got older, strange things began to happen to his body, and he would have heated dreams that he could not understand or control.  He was both excited and frightened by these dreams, but he would have never revealed them to Edea, for he believed that his dreams were evil and he knew that Edea would punish him for thinking such thoughts.  These longings soon became too much for Squall, and his loneliness began to overwhelm him.  He often wished he could escape and go out into the world, but Edea had frightened him so badly with her stories that Squall was far too scared to venture beyond the walls that surrounded the garden. 

Edea had always been a hard - hearted creature, but she became increasingly cruel as the years passed.  She would scold Squall for every offense, and she beat him constantly.  Squall was becoming more and more beautiful every day, and Edea was terrified that someone would see the youth and take him from her. She could also see the desires in Squall's heart and the dreams in his mind. Squall was her son, he belonged to her, and she would kill Squall before she let anyone else have him.  She would kill him before she allowed him to leave her. 

Edea decided that the only solution was to lock the boy away from the world so that none would be tempted by his beauty and he would not be tempted by the wicked influences of the world.  Squall begged Edea to let him remain in the only home he had ever known, but despite his promises and pleas, Edea whisked the youth away from the garden and imprisoned him in a tower. The tower was hidden deep within the heart of the woodland, not too far from Edea's stone cottage.  The tower had once belonged to the king of a mystical people, but their race had perished long ago when humans came to the land.  The dark structure was as high as the tree tops, but hidden from view by leaves.  Thorny brambles grew around the base of the tower, and thin, leafy vines clung to the stones, covering one side of the tower in a blanket of green. 

Broken, stone steps spiraled upward within the interior of the tower and ended before a large chamber.  There were two windows in the chamber, but one was covered by the creeping vines.  The other looked out over a small stream of clear, blue water. Edea provided a bed for Squall to sleep in, and there were a few other pieces of furniture in the chamber, but only these bare necessities were provided and nothing more. It was in this shadowed place that Edea hid Squall away, and she sealed the doors of the tower with a spell to deter any travelers that should happen upon the place.

Squall spent many days and nights alone within the shadowed chamber, and he gave up all hope that he would ever see the outside again.  He would cry himself to sleep during the lonely nights, and during the day he would sit by the window and dream about the world outside. For a time he could still find solace in his fantasies, but eventually even his dreams were disheartening, and Squall just accepted that he would never be allowed outside again.  He would never feel the wind against his hair or feel the sun on his skin, and he would never again see blue skies overhead.  The friends and lovers that he had conjured up for his fantasies would never be a reality, and he would die alone within the cold walls of the tower. 

Edea was his only company, but Squall felt no joy in her presence.  Every morning she would come to the tower and spend the entire day with Squall.  She would bring him food and clothing, but she would pass much of the day combing Squall's luxurious hair.  Since she had sealed the tower with a powerful spell the only way in or out of the structure was through the small window.  Squall's hair was so long that it dragged along the ground when stood to his full height, and so Edea took several of the strands from Squall's thick, heavy mane and used them to fashion a rope. Edea would use the rope to climb into the window.  She would make a raven's cry and upon hearing the call, Squall would open the shutters, so that Edea could use the rope and climb the wall of the tower.  When Edea left in the evening, she would take the rope of hair with her. Every night, before she would depart, she would warn Squall that if he ever attempted to escape from the tower she would take the rope and strangle him with it.

VI

During the spring season a young prince came riding through the heart of the woodland.  Prince Seifer was the youngest son of the King.  He was an adventurous youth, with a penchant for fine wine, fine food, and fine young men. He was a remarkably handsome young man, tall and broad, his body laden with thick muscle.  Silver mail covered his chest and legs, and over the slightly tarnished armor he wore a crimson tunic that hung below his knees.  His skin was slightly tanned and his short, wild hair was the color of sunlight mixed with gold.  He was a fierce warrior and a champion hunter, and he had been drawn deep into the woodland while hunting a large stag. 

The Prince had first seen the magnificent animal on the outskirts of the forest, near his keep in Balambton, and he had immediately given chase.  He had been tracking the stag for most of the afternoon, and just when it seemed that he would be about to catch the beast, it would lead him deeper into the woodland. Prince Seifer had scarcely had time to rest, but he knew that to waste too much time meant that he may never get another chance to capture the creature. Prince Seifer knew that he would be the envy of every nobleman in the land if he could bag such a prize, and so he followed the animal deeper and deeper into the forest.  His company of men was far behind him, but he was quite capable of bringing the animal down himself.  

Hours later, the stag, who was clearly exhausted, began to slow considerably. Eventually the animal stopped before a small stream.  The beast lowered its head to the water and began to drink, but its body remained stiff, ready to bolt at the slightest noise. Seifer slid from his horse and hid himself behind a large tree.  He drew his bow and a single arrow.  The stag lifted its head slightly, then once again lowered it to the water.  Seifer pulled back on the strings of the bow, and just as he would let the arrow fly a loud cry echoed throughout the woodland.  Seifer's arrow shot outward, but missed its mark completely.  Seifer cursed loudly as he watched the enormous stag bolt into the shadow, but soon another cry sounded, and Seifer quickly forgot his intended prey.  It sounded as though someone was in need of a handsome prince.  Seifer briefly weighed his options.  He could go after the stag, or he could do the noble thing and assist whoever was in trouble. Seifer quickly climbed back atop his stallion and guided the animal toward the origin of the sounds.

It was near dark when he reached the tower. A thin mist blanketed the forest.  It sparkled when touched by moonlight.  The swirling vapor hid the bottom of the tower almost completely from view.  Seifer could see a small window near the top of the tower filled with the faint orange glow of fire light. There was someone within the ancient edifice, and although Seifer was still some distance away from it, he was certain that he could hear voices.  One voice was female, though unlike any female voice he had ever heard.  The other voice was soft, but it belonged to a male, probably a youth.  They were arguing, or rather the woman was yelling loudly at the boy and he was pleading with her to let him be.  

Curious, Seifer watched and waited in the shadows of the trees. Moments later Seifer bore witness to the strangest sight he thought he would ever see.  A woman, clothed in black, climbed out of the window and descended down the side of the tower using a thick rope.  Seifer couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the site of the strange woman as she worked her way down the rope toward the ground.  When the odd woman touched down she pulled on the rope until it fell from the window.  She drew the hood of her dark cloak over her wild hair and vanished amidst the trees. A boy suddenly appeared at the window.  He watched the woman's retreat, then collapsed against the windowsill.

Seifer's breath caught in his throat, and his heart pounded wildly as he examined the lovely boy.  Prince Seifer was not a man who believed in love at first glance, but as his eyes examined the graceful planes and angles of the youth's face he knew that he could never love another.  But lust moved the Prince as well, and he smirked slightly when he considered that perhaps he would return home from his hunt with a worthy prize after all.  The beautiful brunette was perfect in every way.  Everything about him was utterly magnificent, from his eyes and his nose to his long neck and his slender body, and especially his hair.  Mounds of thick, beautiful hair that framed his gorgeous face and fell about him in silky waves.  Seifer wondered what the boy would look like with all that lovely hair spread about his nude body.  The Prince was utterly enchanted, and it only took him a moment to decide what he would do.  

Prince Seifer guided his horse toward the base of the tower.   around the stone and eventually came to a set of doors.  He slid from the horse and made his way toward the large double doors, but some sort of shield was blocking them.  Seifer pounded on the invisible wall with his fist, but it would not budge.  He drew his sword and sliced at the invisible barrier, but not even Hyperion's blade could penetrate the shield.  Seifer cursed loudly and sliced at the shield once more, but it was no use.  Seifer was never one to be easily deterred, and so he quickly sought for some other way to enter the structure.  The woman had entered the window using a rope, but Prince Seifer had none with him.  He tried climbing the vines that covered the tower, but they were too fragile to support his weight.  Seifer studied the stones of the structure and thought that it might be possible to climb to the window.  Several of the stones in the wall were missing, and the spaces were just large enough for a hand or foot.  Seifer slipped his hand into one of the holes and began the arduous climb.

It was not easy, but Seifer managed to work his body up the wall using the empty spaces like rungs on a ladder.  The tower was not that tall, but as Seifer made his way up the slightly curved wall he wished that whomever had built the tower hadn't made it so high.  The task took every ounce of his energy and concentration, and he knew that one wrong step could send him tumbling to the ground.  The Prince couldn't help but be amused by the entire situation.  He'd never worked so hard for love in his life, but he would do whatever he had to do to get his hands on the treasure that waited at the top of the tower.  Seifer tried very hard not to think of the beautiful boy, but it was difficult.  He managed to keep his mind focused on the task at hand, for he had only a little way to go before he reached his goal.  Seifer had to control his swiftly beating heart as he reached with one hand toward the windowsill.  For a moment he though his body would give out, but he managed to pull himself - heavy armor and all - into the small window.  Seifer laughed loudly as he stumbled forward, head first, into the chamber, but his laughter quickly faded into stunned silence as he took in the scene before him.

"So beautiful." Seifer whispered as he stared at the youth.

The gorgeous creature simply looked at him with wide, frightened blue eyes, and clutched at a sheet that hid his nude body.  His lush lips were slightly parted, and firelight touched his pale skin.  A glorious mane of dark hair hung about his slender form in waves and pooled like liquid around him on the stone floor. Seifer took in this lovely sight, and a lecherous grin spread across his face.        

VII

Squall could do nothing but gape at the man who had entered his chamber.  Squall had never seen anyone besides Edea in his entire life. Squall blinked several times to assure himself that he was not dreaming.  The man was handsome and strong, like one of the visions in his many fantasies, and Squall decided that if he was indeed dreaming that he never wanted to wake. Squall marveled at the strangely dressed man.  Squall knew very little about the nature of men and women.  He knew only that he was male and Edea was not.  These things meant very little to him, but he supposed that if he had to choose between Edea and this man, he would chose the man. Squall tried not to think such wicked thoughts, but he could not help it. Squall's pulse thumped wildly as he looked at the towering blonde, and a wealth of strange and exciting sensations coursed throughout his body.  

"W - who are you?" Squall said softly.

"My name is Seifer." the man said.

Squall shivered.  "W - what do you w - want?" he said.

Seifer grinned and stepped forward.  Squall stepped back although his bed separated them.  He held the thin bed sheet closer to his body.  Seifer looked down at the bed and then his sparkling green eyes focused once more on Squall.  Squall shivered slightly and licked his lips.  

The tall blonde placed a large hand against one of the bedposts and moved slowly around the bed.  Squall moved back.  

"I want what I see." Seifer said.

Squall's heartbeat sounded loud to his ears.  "I have n - nothing to give you." he managed.

The blonde smirked.  He grabbed his sword from the leather belt around his waist and tossed it aside.  Squall's eyes followed the falling blade and he jumped slightly when the metal struck the stone.  He quickly turned his eyes on the large man who was moving closer and closer.      

"You have plenty to give me." Seifer said.  

Squall shivered once more as the deep tones of the man's voice caressed his flesh.  He mewled slightly. "Y - you mustn't stay h - here." he said.

Seifer simply smiled.  He quickly removed the long crimson tunic he was wearing.  Before the garment even hit the floor he had removed the metal links of his chest armor and all of the clothing beneath.  Squall inhaled and shaky breath and tried to quell the heat between his thighs.  The way the man was looking at him made every fiber in his body throb in time with his heart beat, and Squall's erection jumped slightly as it brushed against the sheet.  

Seifer quickly removed the rest of his clothing and stood in all his glory before the smaller youth.  Squall wanted so badly to look away but he could not turn from the sight of all that beautiful bronze flesh.  He whimpered once more, and tried to clear his mind of such wicked thoughts.  Squall tried again to look away, but no matter how hard he tried, no matter what consequences his mind presented him with, he could not.  A shudder moved throughout Squall's body as he stared at the large arousal between the blonde's muscular thighs.  

"You are like me." Squall said.

Seifer smiled as he reached out to touch a lock of Squall's hair.  "Yes." he said. He gently pulled the sheet from Squall's fingers and it fell to the floor.

"Yes." Squall whispered. 

Seifer moved forward and slid his large arms around Squall's slim waist.  Squall moaned softly as the blonde pulled him close so that their bodies pressed together.  He had longed for such contact with another, and Squall could barely contain the lust that flared within him as his skin touched the blonde's.  He wrapped his arms tightly around the blonde's neck in an effort to make them closer.  The blonde laughed before covering the brunette's face and neck with eager kisses.  Squall revealed in the feeling and arched his back in an effort to give the blonde complete access to his hardened nipples.  Seifer drew one of the dark buds into his moth and suckled.  Squall cried out loudly and collapsed in Seifer's hold as his legs gave out.  

Seifer threw him down onto the bed and immediately moved between his spread legs.  Squall whimpered softly as Seifer's weight settled on top of him. Seifer kissed Squall deeply, and the brunette arched his back from the bed as he allowed Seifer's tongue deep into his mouth.  Squall had no idea what was happening to his body and he clung to Seifer desperately in some effort to ease his raging ardor.  He explored Seifer's body with hands and lips, memorizing every line and angle of the solid form.  He moaned and whimpered and ground his hips against Seifer's, wanting so badly for the larger youth to satisfy him, but not knowing how to express his need or what it was he truly desired.   

A lascivious grin spread across the blonde's face as he sat up and moved his hand between Squall's legs.  He tugged gently at Squall's arousal then slid his fingers over Squall's sex to the small opening beneath.  Squall reached out and clutched at Seifer's hair as he felt two fingers press against the tiny opening.  The writhing brunette gasped when he felt the blonde's fingers slip into him.  Squall's eyes closed tightly and his mouth opened in a silent cry.  He had never imagined that such a wondrous feeling existed, and he worked desperately against the long, thick fingers inside of him, reveling in the friction his movements caused.  Seifer's tongue toyed with Squall's navel as his fingers moved in and out of the tight ring of muscle.  Squall lost consciousness the pleasure was so exquisite.  

Squall nearly blacked out when he felt Seifer's lips engulf his erection.  He clutched at the sheets and wailed as the blonde's lips tightened around the stiff organ and sucked.  Squall's slim hips moved in time with Seifer's lips, and the blond grasped Squall's thighs to keep him still and laughed around the flesh in his mouth.  Squall reluctantly obeyed at the slight pressure on his thighs, and watched through tear - filled eyes as the blonde lapped and sucked at his pulsing erection.  Squall closed his eyes and shivered as the pleasure tormented his body, the most potent of the intense feelings coalescing between his legs.  Squall whimpered when Seifer drew away from his arousal.  He tried to pushed Seifer's head against the hard flesh, but the blonde simply laughed before rising to kneel between Squall's legs.  

Squall squirmed and whimpered with impatience.  He grasped Seifer's thighs and tried desperately to pull the blonde on top of him, but Seifer resisted.  Squall watched as Seifer licked his palm and spread the warm saliva over his erection.  Squall licked his lips and watched Seifer's manhood in fascination.  He had no knowledge of sex and what two people could do to one another, so when Seifer pressed his hard organ against the ring of muscle between Squall's sweat - soaked thighs the brunette looked on in wide - eyed wonder.

Then there was the most debilitating pain and the most exquisite pleasure as Seifer's arousal slid into Squall's flesh.  Squall wailed loudly and arched his back, his head thrashing from side to side against the pillows.  Squall's short nails clawed at Seifer's muscular arms and drew blood.  Through the haze of intermingling pain and pleasure Squall heard the man above him groan, pure ecstasy on his achingly handsome face.  Seifer lifted Squall's legs and anchored his hands beneath the brunette's knees as he began to move in and out of the tight flesh that engulfed his erection.  Squall's long hair spread out gloriously around them, and Seifer buried his face in the sweet - smelling strands as he pounded into the boy's body, burying himself deeply with every thrust.  Strands of hair clung to Seifer's sweat - soaked body, caressing his arms, legs, back, and even entering his mouth.  Seifer sucked lightly on the strands as he continued to love the boy, the hair tasting almost as delicious as the youth's fine skin. 

Squall took from Seifer without repentance, his body greedily taking its pleasure from the blonde's sex.  Squall mind reeled with the knowledge that such wonderful things could be done to his body.  He had not known that such enchantments existed, and he thought that Edea had been right to say that he would die should anyone ever touch him.  When the beautiful friction caused by Seifer's arousal become too much and the pleasure became too intense Squall thought that he had indeed died.  He clutched at Seifer's arms and wailed loudly as his body grew taut and his essence erupted from his body.

VIII

Squall collapsed beneath Seifer, useless and dead to the world.  Seifer continued to plunge into the boy's tight passage, his hips moving faster as he neared completion.  He groaned loudly, his fingers entwined in the boy's hair, as the youth's tender flesh wrung his essence from him violently.  It took several moments for Seifer to recover his senses, and he lie there unmoving, his manhood still deep within the smaller youth's body. When Seifer finally regained his senses he kissed the boy deeply as his fingers toyed with strands of the youth's glorious hair.  The boy stirred and responded to the kiss, slowly wrapping his arms around Seifer's broad shoulders. Squall moaned softly when Seifer's soft flesh slid out of him and his hard body moved to lie beside him.  Squall immediately moved closer to the blonde, placing one leg over Seifer's thigh.  Seifer moved his hand to touch the hair that hung over Squall's hip.     

"I love you." Squall said as he stared at the blonde's handsome face.

Seifer smirked.  "You will come back with me to my castle." he said. He curled a lock of Squall's hair around his finger.

"I cannot." Squall said softly. "She would not allow it."

Seifer's eyes narrowed.  No one ever refused him.  He was the king's son. "You belong to me.  I have put my mark on you." he said.  "You cannot refuse me."

"She will kill you." Squall said.

Seifer laughed.  "Who?  The strange woman?" he said.

Squall nodded.  

"If she is foolish enough to try it then so be it, but you will come back with me." Seifer said.

"No! You must leave!" Squall cried.

Seifer gripped Squall's waist.  "No." he said.

"Please, she will return soon." Squall whispered urgently. Seifer did not move although Squall pushed at his chest.

"Please! You cannot fight her.  She would kill you." Squall said.

"I am not afraid." Seifer said.  

Seifer leaned forward and tried to kiss the smaller youth, but Squall turned away. Seifer grabbed the brunette and took the kiss forcefully.  The brunette struggled briefly, but soon relented. When their lips parted Squall clutched desperately at Seifer's shoulder.  

"You must leave, now." he whispered.  "I do not want anything to happen to you.  If she finds you here she will kill us both.  Go and hide yourself in the forest.  Come back to me tonight, and then I will leave with you." 

Seifer wanted to argue, but he saw the irrational fear in the brunette's eyes, and he relented.  He reluctantly left Squall's side and abandoned the bed.  He hurried into his clothing and retrieved his sword from the spot where he had dropped it.  Squall sat in the bed and watched him, a worried look on his face. Seifer went to the bed and knelt beside it when he had finished gathering up all evidence of his visit.  He kissed Squall deeply then ran a finger along the smaller youth's moist lips.  

"I will return before dark. I promise." Seifer said.

Squall nodded.  Seifer moved from the bed and headed toward the window.  He looked back at the beautiful boy only once before climbing out of the window and beginning the descent down the side of the tower.  

By time Prince Seifer reached the ground it was morning, and the sun had already begun its rise to the heights of the sky.  The forest was alive with the sound of a million creatures, and the heavy mist that descended on the forest at night had vanished completely. Seifer's stallion was waiting just where he had left it.  He grabbed the horse's reigns and led it from the dark, stone tower toward the thick shield of the trees.  Seifer climbed atop the horse and headed back the way he had come.  His company of men were probably not far off.  They had had plenty of time to catch up with him. Seifer would waste no time in finding the men and bringing them back to the tower.  He was certain that at least one of them had a rope that they could use to rescue the boy. Whatever he had to do to free the youth from the stone prison would be done, and despite Squall's terror, Prince Seifer did not fear the strange woman. He had claimed Squall as his own, and he would kill any who stood between him and his lover. 

Despite his weak legs and aching back Squall managed to get out of bed and move to the window.  He stood by the window, the bed sheet wrapped about his body, and watched the Prince as he vanished into the thick green.  Squall wanted nothing more to go with the beautiful young man, and for the first time since Edea had locked him within the cold, stone tower Squall thought of freedom.  He had never once considered escaping his dark prison because he had been far too frightened to ever think of resisting Edea.  Now, he almost felt as though he could do anything, and Edea's hold over him did not seem as powerful.  Squall turned from the window slowly and climbed back into bed.  He was very tired.  Right now he would sleep, but he would be ready to leave with the Prince by night fall. 

IX

If Edea had arrived but a few moments earlier, she may have seen the Prince ride away on his black horse. She may have even seen Squall standing by the window wrapped in the sheer bed sheet. Although she did not witness either sight, she knew as soon as she arrived at the tower that something was amiss. Edea cried out in the raven's song, but Squall did not come to the window.  Edea removed the rope of Squall's hair from her belt.  She had fastened a silver hook to one end of it.  She spun the rope above her head then tossed it up into the window.  The hook caught firmly on the stones of the window sill and after tugging slightly on the rope Edea began to climb upward. Edea grabbed on to the edge of the windowsill and hauled herself up and into the chamber.  

The fire in the hearth had gone out, and the chamber was cold and dark.  Squall was lying in his bed sleeping soundly, completely unaware of Edea's presence. Edea moved over to the bed and glared down at sleeping youth.  He cried out softly in his sleep, but did not awake.  Edea snarled as reached one clawed hand for the sheer fabric that covered him and snatched it off of his still form.  Her suspicions were confirmed when she saw the evidence of the boy's sin.  It was her greatest fear realized.  A crimson stain marred the cream - colored sheets and Edea could smell the foul odor of a man clinging to the youth's body.  Edea's rage knew no bounds.  Squall had ruined his innocence and beauty, he had given himself to a man, and Edea would punish him severely for that offense.             

The witched buried her clawed fingers in his thick hair and pulled.  Squall woke immediately, crying out as he did so.  Edea wrapped the lock of hair around her hand and pulled again.  She beat the boy on his face and neck all the while wrenching his hair from his scalp. 

"Mother, please!" Squall cried.

"Whore! Useless whore!" Edea screeched.  "How dare you let him touch you!"

Edea pulled a dagger from her belt and began to hack away at the long tresses.  Squall, much to Edea's surprise fought her back, striking out at her with his fists, but Edea anger was so great that she couldn't even feel the blows.  She sliced at Squall's hands with her dagger and the boy balled his fists in the fabric of her black gown. Edea continued to hack away at the boys hair as Squall struggled to get her off of him.  

"Mother, no! Don't!" Squall cried.

Edea growled.  "You filthy, disgraceful whore!  Tell me his name!  Tell me who has touched you!" she said as she continued to beat Squall and cut at what remained of his beautiful hair.  

"...Mother...please..." Squall breathed, but Edea did not hear him.  

"Ha!  Look at you!  Where is your beauty now, dog?!  Whore!  You are not fit to live!" Edea screamed.

Squall continued to fight and struggle, but there was nothing he could do against the woman's potent rage.  Squall curled his body into a fetal position and shielded his face and neck with his arms.  Edea continued to beat him and slash at his hair.  When she had severed the last of Squall's hair she wrapped her hand about his slender neck.  She took her dagger and slashed the youth between the eyes. She tossed the dagger aside and grabbed the rope of Squall's hair from where it had fallen beside the bed.  She wrapped it about his neck and pulled.  

Squall gasped loudly and clutched at the rope.  Squall stared up into Edea's face and could no longer recognize her.  He had never seen Edea so enraged, her face so twisted.  Squall tried to speak.  He tried to plead with his mother to spare his life, but when he opened his mouth no sound came out.  There was only blood.  Squall kicked out at the woman and continued to clutch at the rope, but his strength was failing.  Squall did not want to die.  He had finally found some reason to live, and he struggled to hold onto his life, but he could feel it ebbing out of him with each passing moment.  With the last bit of his strength Squall tried to push Edea off of him, but to no avail.  Squall's eyes closed and surrendered to the darkness.

X

It was late afternoon, and the sun had already began its descent toward the horizon.  The sky was lit with red and gold, and the woodland was heavy with shadow.  The stone tower was dark and quiet. There was no movement from within.  Prince Seifer spurred his horse on at a speedy pace when the edifice once again came into view.  The Prince had finally returned after spending most of the day in search of his men.  The small company of soldiers was amazed when they saw the gloomy structure.  Not one of them wanted to go anywhere near it, but they were loyal men, and so they followed the Prince toward the ominous structure.          

Prince Seifer jumped from his horse the moment he reached the base of the tower.  He shouted harsh orders to the stunned soldiers and they quickly hurried to join him.  One of the men handed Seifer a thick rope with a large iron hook on the end of it, and Seifer tossed the rope up into the window.  He quickly climbed up and hauled himself into the window.  The chamber was lit only be moonlight, and everything in the chamber was some shade of black or blue. Seifer turned toward the bed and noticed the still form lying upon it.  Seifer smiled and hurried over to the bed.  His smile vanished when he saw the boy's bruised and battered body.  

Seifer uttered a strangled sound as he knelt beside the bed and pulled the youth into his arms.  A thick rope was wrapped about the youth's neck and Seifer ripped the offending object from around the brunette's bruised throat.  Squall's face had been scared and his beautiful hair had been hacked to just beneath his ears.  Seifer shook the boy roughly, but Squall did not awake.  Rage filled Seifer's heart, and he vowed that he would destroy whoever had done such a horrible deed.  Seifer reached out to lift the boy from the bed.  Nothing would keep him from having Squall, not even death.  Just as Seifer pulled Squall's body into his arms a menacing voice pierced the darkness.     

"You were a fool to come back for him."

Seifer turned and uttered a sound of surprise. His eyes widened when a pale woman dressed in a shimmering, black gown with large sleeves emerged from the shadow.  She was an imposing figure, but Seifer was brave, and although he had every reason to be he was not frightened.  Edea glared at the young blonde with hate - filled eyes.  The large raven that rested on her shoulder cawed loudly and stared at the blonde accusingly.  Edea's black lips parted into a smile.  

"What have you done to him?" Seifer said.  

Edea laughed.  "Stupid child." she said.  

"What have you done?!" Seifer roared. 

Edea snarled.  "The youth belongs to me, and you shall not have him. You will die first."

The witch woman screamed in rage and pointed a clawed finger at the blonde youth.  The raven screeched and hurled itself at the stunned Prince.  Seifer reached for his sword, but the bird was too fast.  Seifer threw his hands up at the bird clawed at his face.  Seifer stumbled backward and beat furiously at the vicious creature.  Edea laughed viciously as she watched Prince Seifer struggle against the winged demon.  Blood streamed from the cuts on his face as the bird's talons sunk into his flesh, tearing skin and muscle.  Seifer cried out in rage and grabbed the raven in a death - grip.  The animal screeched loudly as Seifer twisted its bloated body.  The bird pecked at Seifer's arms, drawing more blood, but the blonde wrapped his large hands tightly about the bird's neck and squeezed until he felt it shatter beneath his fingers.  Seifer tossed the lifeless body of the raven aside and drew Hyperion from his belt.  

Edea screamed in rage and raised her clawed hands as the Prince rushed toward her, his sword raised above his head.  Blue light flared in Edea's hands as she raised them and pushed them out before her.  The blue bolt of light shot forth from Edea's fingers and struck the youth in the chest.  Seifer cried out in pain and stumbled backward.  Edea grinned with malicious glee as she watched a thick streams of blood spill from his ears and mouth.  Edea moved her fingers again and another bolt of light slammed into the Prince's body.  He fell to one knee and clutched at his stomach as the blue light wracked his body.  Edea moved forward, laughing loudly as she went, more of the blue light dancing around her fingers. Seifer simply stared as she approached, and Edea was pleased by the hatred and loathing she saw in his eyes.  A deep laughed erupted from her throat as the blue light in her hands shot forward.  Seifer lifted his sword just before the magic could strike him.  The light danced around the edge of the metal blade then reversed its direction. 

"NO!" Edea cried before the light struck her body. 

Edea screamed loudly and fell backward, hitting the stone hard.  The light danced about her form melting whatever part of her flesh it touched until all that was left of the witch was smoking bone and the fabric of her dress. 

Seifer closed his eyes and sighed heavily.  He lurched up from the ground and stumbled over to the bed.  He collapsed beside it and placed his hand on Squall's bare chest.  Seifer closed his eyes and a single tear rolled down his cheek.  Moments later, the Prince's eyes snapped open when he suddenly realized that he could feel Squall's heartbeat beneath his hand.  Seifer pulled the boy into his arms.  He shook Squall roughly and slapped his face.  Seifer prayed to Hyne and all the heavenly hosts that the youth would return to him, and after several long agonizing moments Squall's blue eyes fluttered open.  Prince Seifer cried out in joy and held Squall close.  He moved back and gazed into Squall's eyes.  Squall looked him and blinked several times. 

"You came." he said, his voice hoarse.

Seifer grinned.  "I will always keep my promises to you." he said.

Squall closed his eyes.  "Mother...?" he managed.

"She is dead." Seifer said.

A tear cascaded down Squall's cheek. He nodded.  "She can be happy now." he said.       

"And so can you." Seifer said. "Come.  My men wait for us outside."

Squall smiled and wrapped his arms around Seifer's neck. Seifer wrapped the bed sheet around his body and lifted him from the bed. Squall held onto Seifer neck as the blonde climbed out of the window and down the rope.  Once outside of the tower, the Prince's men helped him get Squall safely to the ground.  Seifer lifted Squall onto his horse and climbed on behind the boy.  The left that place and began the journey to Seifer's castle.  Squall looked back at the stone tower only once.  That part of his life was ended, and now a new life would begin.  Squall pressed his face in Seifer's chest and let the comforting motions of the ride lull him to sleep.

From that day on Squall lived with Seifer in the Prince's castle.  Seifer took Squall as his companion, and he catered to the brunette's every need. Seifer's love freed Squall's soul and eventually Squall was able to forget most of his horrible past.  Squall was able to soften Seifer's coarse nature, and the two lovers lived in happiness forever.  Squall never again let his hair grow long, and although Seifer sometimes missed all that lovely hair, he had absolutely nothing to complain about.

END

If anyone can think of a better name for this give me a ring.  Something about the title bothers me.

Miss Dincht

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