Betwixt Man and Angell

K/S Fanfiction
Title:	Betwixt Man and Angell (yes, spelled that way)
Author(s):	Elise Madrid
Date(s):	2006
Length:
Genre:	slash
Fandom:	Star Trek: The Original Series
External Links:	online here
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Betwixt Man and Angell is a Kirk/Spock story by Elise Madrid. It is a sequel to In the Season of Renewal.

It was published in Beyond Dreams #9 and later online.

Summary

"While on vacation in Scotland, Kirk and Spock discover a terrifying connection between the small town theyʼre visiting and the Kirk family."

Reactions and Reviews

In Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country, after Kirk and McCoy have been sentenced to Rura Penthe and Spock and crew are trying to figure out exactly how Kronos One was destroyed, Spock says, "An ancestor of mine maintained that if you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains - however improbable - must be the truth." Well, if you're a fan of author Arthur Conan Doyle, like I am, you'll recognize this saying as the standard by which his most famous creation, detective Sherlock Holmes, solves his cases. Now since it is established in an episode from Star Trek: The Next Generation that Holmes is a fictional character, one can only assume it is Conan Doyle to whom Spock refers when he makes this statement. And when it comes to the tragic, often inexplicable events that occur in this story, that particular saying proves to be very much true.

This story begins with Kirk and Spock, already in an established relationship, back on Earth at the end of their first five year mission. After spending some time at Kirk's home in Iowa, they decide to visit Aberfoyle, a small town in Scotland where one of Kirk's cousins resides. Before they leave, however, Kirk finds himself plagued by nightmares, the events of which he cannot remember, but leave him filled with terror. He tries to dismiss them and does his best to convince Spock to do the same. But as the disturbing dreams continue, both during their journey to and subsequent arrival at Aberfoyle, it is Spock who soon realizes that nightmares can be all too real and he quickly finds himself bereft and alone, dealing with legends and myths that have no basis in reality, yet it is those very legends and myths he must rely on as his only means of restoring what once was. In the end, a bizarre ritual that defies all logic or rationality represents the one hope he has of achieving that goal. Yet he soon discovers that even this may not be enough to bring back that which he longs for most and it takes the sacrifice of one Kirk for another before his own nightmare finally comes to an end. When reviewing this author's works in the past, I've often said she has the uncanny ability to take plot devices that usually do not appeal to me, yet due in no small part to her extraordinary skills as a writer, manages to keep my interest right to the end. Well, such is not the case here. I am a sucker for a good mystery story any day, K/S or not, and this one most certainly qualifies. Each page is filled with unexpected twists and turns, as well as lies and betrayals, yet at the same time the author constantly tugs at the reader's heartstrings with her sensitive portrayal of a grieving Spock. He has seemingly lost the one thing that matters most to him, yet he still comports himself with the same dignity and grace that is so characteristic of this man. Only the reader, and perhaps McCoy, is privy to what he is truly suffering as he strives to retrieve that which he so desperately needs.

Now with all the years I've been involved with K/S and with all the thousands of stories I've read, there are only a handful that are so powerful and so moving I will read them over and over again. This story has definitely made that list. It's difficult for me to put into words exactly how it made me feel, but I can say that it pushed every single K/S button I have. It is nothing short of incredible and is, I believe, this author's best work yet. It is simply not to be missed.

Oh yes, this is a top notch story in my opinion. The plot is involving, engrossing, moving and very well thought out. I think that writing a mystery story must be one of the hardest things, your audience needs to get enough clues but not too many. Elise handles this really well as events gradually unfold and things fall into place. Although the facts are never resolved this makes the story haunting rather than frustrating, and neatly absolves the writer of finding a mundane solution to the spooky plot! I’m guessing but I think this story must be based on a real folktale or ghost story, but borrowed or made up from scratch its equally good. This is one of those stories that succeeds in making me worry for the characters even though I know rationally that they must survive because its in a zine published by Jenna! This demonstrates the skill of the author once again, because immersed in the plot I can enjoy the story free from its context. Here too are a very real Kirk and Spock. Kirk is his devil may care heroic self, Elise does well describing his reaction to fear: “he almost screamed when something touched his shoulder” – this is like the most scary thing Kirk has ever faced and yet still he does not scream. He then blacks out in the bathroom and comes round to find Spock calling him ‘I’ll be out in a minute’ he manages to call casually. That’s Kirk, trying to cope, trying to sound casual, demonstrating bravery. But Elise also keeps this in proportion, Kirk may be a hero but he’s not an idiot , “Kirk knew when to wait to fight another day” as Elise puts it. Spock too is very believable here. He is desperately worried about Kirk even to the point of indulging in illogical hope, but he is no wimp. When Kirk is found against all odds Spock is emotional but rational, I like this section “Kirk’s hand disentangled itself from Spock’s hair and moved down to wipe at his cheek. “You’re crying.” Spock hadn’t noticed. All he could see was the man in his arms” That’s nice, I can see Spock’s strength and his weakness all at once in that simple passage. Other nice touches include, Spock’s grief at Kirk’s ‘death’ (he knows the pain will pass but he suffers so much without gratuitous excess), Spock growing credulity in the ‘fairy stories’, McCoy (who I usually think is really poorly written in K/S fic, but who is good here) and the scene in which Spock is clutching the ‘dead’ Kirk. My only problem with this story is what seems to me a hasty ending, I want to see their passionate re- union! Pardon me for being a pervert, but it is kind-a traditional at the end of a K/S story! Otherwise a haunting and satisfying read. One of those stories that reminds me that so called ‘amateur’ fiction can be every bit as good as book shop books!

Strange and disturbing does not begin to describe this story or the sense of pervasive uneasiness it leaves behind. Reading of alien entities and forces intrigues but rarely frightens me. Reading of the bizarre and unexplainable occurring here on Terra Firma has a different effect, I’m finding. As I struggle for words to describe my own reactions to this unusual tale, I keep coming back to the same one: disturbing. There is a darkness here of the kind that causes an icy shiver along your spine and its coldness doesn’t leave you after the story ends. It lingers like the damp darkness of the grave, the dusky scent of rotting vegetation clinging to the very air you breathe.

Or does the story end? Perhaps that is the difference. We are accustomed to alien forces of even the most malignant and destructive nature being conquered in Star Trek. There is no conquering of the malevolent evil that pervades this seemingly charming and lovely piece of our own earth. Starfleet has no answers. Spock has no answers, but does have a primal fear of whatever lingers here from centuries past. I have no intention of revealing plot, only to issue a warning to readers not to choose this story as a companion for the dark of night. Do and you will be awake to greet the dawn because one never knows what the closing of ones eyes may bring.

Masterful and chilling.

This is a very long and involving tale with a different, intriguing theme. I never knew that Kirk had roots in Scotland, I thought it was Ireland. But I soon got into the swing of things. Mysterious things. It starts out with a terrifying nightmare Kirk experiences while in bed with his bondmate, Spock. These recurring nightmares are quite important to the action that takes place--on the Kirk family farm in Iowa and at his ancestral manor house near Sterling, Scotland. A fitting way to begin their vacation trip. I was plagued, as Kirk was, he by the disturbing dreams, me by wondering what we were facing here. Possession, black magic, satanism, reincarnation?! I pondered as I read on and was drawn into the forest of eerie events.

Kirk and Spock go through some dangerous, sad and scary events. It's Kirk who's in jeopardy here, Spock who's put through hell. It involves some interesting and well-drawn satellite characters; members of Kirk's extended family and villagers who aren't afraid to go into that dark, deserted "forest" to help the Kirk family. I liked most his cousin, who's the unsung hero of the day...or night. The title is taken from a quote by one Reverend Robert Kirk who lived in 1691 and he is weird and interesting to the max. At the end I knew one thing: I'll not be walking up the "doon" any time soon! This is a cleverly written, frightening yarn that had the hairs on the back of my neck on red alert. No fair me saying anymore. Readers will use their inner voices to get the lilt of the local language and picture the beautiful descriptions of Scotland and the shell of Sterling castle. One thing I wondered at the end: whether someday the Enterprise might travel back to that place and uncover the secrets of Doon Hill. I have heard that these ancient mounds could be doorways to alternate dimensions.

Fascinating story, invites all kinds of interpretations. Enjoy!

This is an extremely well written established relationship story, which is more than a little creepy and seemed to leave a chill rather like a cold finger down my spine. As someone who lives in the UK, it was gratifying to find a story where Kirk and Spock are visiting Earth and actually go somewhere other than either San Francisco or Iowa (although the story does start from there). The author did a very good job of setting the scene with the spooky old hotel where they stay when they first arrive in Scotland and the descriptions of the countryside all around and the rather gloomy weather adds to the atmosphere. Another thing I enjoyed was the description of their arrival at the hotel, where I also enjoyed seeing Kirk’s reactions to the somewhat old fashioned attitude there as evidenced by the fact that

they both have to sign a real paper registration book. Right from the first page, the atmosphere of brooding evil which hangs over the village where they are staying, creates a frightening atmosphere and a sense of impending doom, which is enhanced by the tales of what happened to one of Kirk’s ancestors there hundreds of years before. The characters are very well depicted especially Spock’s concern for Kirk who is being plagued by terrifying nightmares which he cannot remember next day and Kirk’s typical determination not to worry Spock with what he considers a minor problem. After passing out in the bathroom in Iowa, as a result of these nightmares, when he comes round he speaks quite casually to Spock to reassure him he is fine, although Spock is not convinced of course. Once they arrive in Aberfoyle, the home of Kirk’s distant ancestors, events quickly deteriorate and Kirk seemingly disappears without trace, just like his ancestor Robert Kirk did hundreds of years ago. Grief stricken and worried as he is, Spock still manages to function and finds himself fighting an unknown enemy like nothing he has ever faced before, something which cannot be explained by scientific investigation or logic. The ancient evil that exists in this place is beyond his comprehension, as is the bizarre ritual suggested by Cousin Brian, who has followed them to Scotland, which appears to be his only hope of putting things back to normal.

One of the things I liked most about this story was the fact that unlike other pieces of K/S fiction, this one has no real solution at the end. Although Spock is reunited with Kirk in a wonderfully emotional but at the same time, restrained scene, neither they nor Starfleet can really work out what happened and what the secret of Doon Hill is. Equally unfathomable is the real motivations of Kirk’s cousin Jessica and her role in the whole affair remains doubtful and mysterious. The author does a good job with depicting Dr McCoy here as well, he is clearly battling his own emotions while at the same time trying to support Spock and keep him from unraveling as they try to find out what has happened to Kirk and how to get him back, and he plays a pivotal role in establishing what is going on just as we would expect.