InsaneJournal

"Favor," Ulster Cycle (Cu Chulainn/Ferdiad)
Title: Favor
Author: Laylah
Fandom: Ulster Cycle (Irish mythology)
Pairing: Cu Chulainn/Ferdiad
Rating: PG-13 for teenage foster-brother UST.
Word count: 585
Prompt: body-painting - in the dark hours before the dawn, on the morn of battle


Ferdiad mac Daire woke in the dark hours before the dawn, on the morn of battle: the fire had cooled to red embers in the hearth, but it was not the chill that woke him, for his blood brother slept at his side, warm beneath their furs. Rather it was the thrill of battle-joy that bade him rise, and cast away his sleeping furs to sit up, and seek light from the window to the east. Naught could he see there but the stars, yet the moon was setting, and the first stirring of the sun could not be far behind.

"Rise, my brother," Ferdiad murmured, resting his hand on the sleeper's shoulder, "for we join in battle today with our master's kin and rival." But there was no movement, beside him; his brother slept still, as if he had drunk too deeply of the mead their master poured for them the night before. "Rise," Ferdiad bade him, "for I shall slay a hundred of Aife's warriors this day, and shame thee back to Ulster if thou sleepest here still."

At that his brother stirred, turned to him and opened his shining eyes: "If thou wouldst slay a hundred, then Cu Chulainn shall slay two hundred, and Aife's forces break like a wave against the black walls of Dun Scaith."

Ferdiad smiled. "Shall I contend with thee, then, for the champion's portion? We are well-matched in feats and valor, and strength of arm."

"Indeed," Cu Chulainn answered, "there is but one feat known to me which is not also thine."

"For that," Ferdiad said, "there is but one spear like to the Gae Bulg, and thou art not quick to use it."

Cu Chulainn cast aside his furs, and sat up, fair limbs bare to the chill air. "I swear to thee I will not throw the lightning-spear today. Thus are we matched, my brother, and thus shall the greatest claim the prize."

"Thy words are fair as thy countenance," said Ferdiad. So lovely indeed was Cu Chulainn that all the women of Dun Scaith, from the scullery-maids to Scathach herself, would welcome him to lie with them, and thus did Ferdiad's praise make him smile.

"And thy tongue as nimble as thy blade," Cu Chulainn said, offering his brother a right courtly bow. "I would go ready into battle. Wilt thou aid me?"

Ferdiad offered his hand, to help Cu Chulainn rise. "In all things, brother, for as long as I draw breath."

They rose together then, and stoked the fire to new dancing life, and Ferdiad took up the woad to paint the fair skin of his brother. Right deftly did his fingers move, for Cu Chulainn's comely shape was near as familiar as his own, and lovely as a maiden's: his cheeks still beardless, his voice clear and bright.

"Wilt thou wager with me, on this battle?" Ferdiad asked, as he set the paints aside. "Not only for the champion's portion, but for the other's favor?"

"The other's favor?" his brother replied. "What favor wouldst thou ask of me, that is not already thine?"

"Should I win the right to ask it, I shall tell thee," Ferdiad promised. "When thou art honor-bound not to refuse."

Cu Chulainn laughed, and took the paints to mark his brother's skin. "I will not stay my blade to learn thy mind, my brother."

Ferdiad bowed his head, offering his flesh to Cu Chulainn's hands. "Then I shall best thee plain," he swore, "before this battle's done."