The Swordbonding

Fanfiction
Title:	The Swordbonding (may also be "The Sword Bonding")
Author(s):	Jane Jones
Date(s):	1982
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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The Swordbonding is a Kirk/Spock story by Jane Jones.

the illo by Barbara P. Gordon which the story is based upon

It was published in the print zine Duet #6, and one of a series of fanworks based on a single illo..

Summary

"Kirk is forced into a bond to save Spock's life when both are called to Vulcan by its high council after Spock's divorce from T'Pring."

Reactions and Reviews

1984

'The Swordbonding' by Jane Jones is a novella length story which links Kirk's behaviour to Spock in the TV series to the fact that Kirk is forced to go through a swordbonding with his First Officer against his will. Kirk cannot forgive the fact that he was forced into this and, although he tries hard not to hate Spock for this, he doesn't always succeed. Spock, for his part, cannot and will not give Kirk his freedom. The swordbonding has its advantages and many times it saves their lives, but the outcome is inevitable and, eventually, it drives them apart. But they cannot be kept apart for very long...

1999

The Swordbonding picks up after the Amok Time episode. Spock is suffering from a lingering form of the Pon Farr, and he will die a slow and painful death unless he mates with his "chosen one." Unfortunately, his "chosen one," James Kirk, is unaware of Spock's feelings for him and feels only friendship in return. Spock is afraid to tell Kirk of his love, fearing rejection, so he chooses to slip away and quietly die rather than take another mate. In the meantime, T'Pau, determined not to lose Spock, decides to take the situation in hand. She invites Kirk and Spock to visit her on Vulcan. Once there, Kirk is taken prisoner and Spock is ordered by T'Pau to take the human as his bondmate. Spock, overwhelmed by his Vulcan biology, the power of T'Pau and his need for Kirk, reluctantly agrees to a Swordbonding.

In a Swordbonding, when one Warrior desires another who refuses him, the warriors are sent to the Valley of fire. Once there, the Warrior hunts down his chosen one, and if he defeats him, he then forcibly bonds with the captive. His mind taken, the defeated one is forced to submit and accept his captor as mate.

Once in the Valley of Fire, Kirk tries his best to escape from Spock. He is horrified at the thought of being given to Spock in this way. Unfortunately for Kirk, Spock's defeats him very quickly. The Vulcan then initiates within Kirk's mind a telepathic mind control called the Tasran. The Tasran controls Kirk's actions and movements, so that he is compelled to stay close to Spock and obey Spock's commands.

The next day, they arrive at a place called the Cave of Fire, and once there, Kirk is forced to submit to a humiliating bonding ritual. Later, still under the control of the Tasran, he is forced to submit to the consummation of the forced bonding.

The saying "marry in haste, repent at leisure" is very appropriate in this story. The rest of the story covers events that occur through the end of the five year mission and beyond. Bitterly resentful of his humiliating relationship with Spock, Kirk tries his best to adjust to the situation. He loves Spock in many ways, but he can't forgive him for forcing him into the bonding. He resents the control that Spock has over him and wants his freedom. Spock tries his best to help Kirk accept the inevitable, explaining that he had no choice when faced with the overwhelming might of Vulcan. Unfortunately, their situation goes from bad to worse as time goes by.

I enjoy stories depicting conflict between the two guys, and in this story, the conflict is ongoing for several years. Both men are trapped in an impossible situation, and it's hard not to feel sympathy for both of them because each suffers in his own way. As I watch the TV show, I find it easy to believe that this situation could be going on behind closed doors. The writer weaves several storylines from the show into "The Swordbonding," and this makes the story line quite believable.

It's interesting to see how Kirk tries to adjust. But, forever deprived of a free choice in the matter, he never really accepts it. The stubborn decisive part of Kirk that makes him a natural born leader won't allow him to submit willingly. And Spock suffers because he knows that he has lost the chance to win Kirk's love freely and willingly. Unfortunately, Spock has a tendency to be a "Super Vulcan" at times, ruthlessly using the Tasran to keep his hold on Kirk. Of course, this is very humiliating for the human, and in the end it makes things much worse between them.

I was a little surprised by the conclusion of the story. I'm not going to say how it ends, but It was hard for me to believe that Kirk could be so trusting of Spock after all that had happened over the years. I wanted to know more about the events that occurred after the end of the five year mission. In other words I felt as though the story ended too soon and I wanted more! But in spite of that, I still really enjoyed "The Swordbonding." In fact, I have already read it twice!

The above review includes a general outline of the story. "The Swordbonding" is ninety pages long and I believe that it is a British zine. Many things happen aboard the Enterprise after the bonding and I haven't really given away any big spoilers. The "Swordbonding" is a fascinating story and a very interesting read. It's one of those stories you don't want to put down until you have finished it.