"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

Written By: ShenLong

Disclaimer: I don't own the G'boys, I just borrow them from time to time to play with and return them a whole lot happier, ne?

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Sap, angst, bondage, slavery, Yaoi, Lemon, lime, het, violence, dark, fluff, AU, OOC.

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 1xR, 2xR

Archive: http://gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com

Summary: Heero is the eldest son of the King of Colonia. His 21st birthday is approaching and as tradition dictates his betrothed is soon to arrive. However he is also bound by tradition to select his own personal slave. The events that unfold lead him down a path that not only tests his sanity but his humanity and love as well.

Author's Note: This fic was started back in 2004 and has languished on my hard drive ever since, only sporadically being added to when I have the time (and the muse the inclination) . Updates will be far between, but rest assured, it will be finished. Feed back is most welcome as are honest critiques. Flames will be dealt with as I deal with all flames – with sarcasm.

Commenced July 2004 – published January 2008

"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

January 2008. ShenLong

 

Chapter 85

Heero closed his eyes and let the words sink in, his heart leaping as his mind savored the phrase. Duo had meant those words. His heart gave a small leap of joy and hope.

Having confessed his secret, Duo trembled slightly as he waited for his prince to speak, to scoff at his stupidity. When nothing was said, Duo raised his eyes and snuck a glance through his bangs at the prince. Heero's face was expressionless, his eyes closed and mouth drawn into a thin line. Without being able to see those expressive eyes, Duo had no chance of gauging the prince's reactions to his confession.

The pair sat in silence for a few moments. Eventually Heero opened his eyes and cleared his throat. “Thank you for being open and honest with me, Duo.” Seeing Duo about to speak, Heero quickly continued. “Before you say anything further, please, allow me the courtesy of explaining a little of my side.”

“As you wish, my prince,” Duo conceded. Knowing how his former master's mind worked, he knew he would need to sit and wait patiently for his prince to sort through his mind and form the words he wished to speak. Picking up his goblet, he settled a little deeper into his chair and waited.

“Having listened to all you have said I must admit I am shocked and a little hurt, but I now have a much clearer understanding of how things must have appeared to you; and I apologize for my outburst as well as my blindness. As you have explained things to me, I will now explain how my life has been to you and maybe you will also be able to understand my way of thinking too.”

Duo nodded.

“Many people would say I have been brought up in a life of privilege, not having to work, not knowing what it is like to go hungry or thirsty, to feel the cold or the heat and whilst some of that is true to a point, a lot of it is also untrue. Yes, I am fortunate enough to have been born a prince and live in a large castle with servants at my beck and call, but my parents have also insisted that both my brother and I were taught to respect all stations in life.”

Duo nodded again in encouragement.

“My father insisted we have the best of tutors and once we were old enough to understand properly, we were schooled in the ways of running a kingdom. Whilst our work may not have been of the physical sense so much, there was much to learn in regards to the kingdom itself. As the heir to the throne, my schooling was much more intense than that of my brother. As you may or may not appreciate, there is much more to insuring the prosperity and growth of a kingdom than just sitting on the throne and settling disputes between subjects.” Heero paused for a moment and looked at his former slave to see if Duo was following his explanation thus far.

“I do have some knowledge of what it takes to run a kingdom, Sire. I have spent many a candle-mark in your presence, watching and listening to you work, and from my observations, I agree, it is not an easy job,” Duo said with a soft smile.

“No, it isn't; in fact, it can be downright frustrating and annoying at times,” Heero said with a small chuckle.

“My brother and I were looked after by many of the staff at the castle, some of them paid staff, others were slaves, and as you know, we do not believe in punishing slaves through physical beatings and the like. Unfortunately, that also meant that I was naive enough to believe that all slaves were treated in a similar manner by their masters. On occasion when we would ride out to various holdings or towns, perform official duties and the like, the places we stayed at for the most part had slaves and all those slaves appeared to be treated fairly and well, thus I had no reason to believe slaves were treated otherwise. I was never exposed to any of the kind of masters of which you have spoken.” Seeing Duo about to speak, Heero got in first.

“Oh, I had heard what I believed to be rumors through various channels, but I didn't pay them all that much attention. From time to time I would overhear the soldiers talking about a holding or village they had visited and the sorry state of the slaves there, how some were half starved and beaten. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't take a lot of notice, I thought they were exaggerating, that no one would treat their slaves in such a manner. I wasn't stupid enough to believe that slaves weren't punished for whatever wrong they had committed, but I believed that whatever punishment had been dealt out would have been fitting for the discretion committed. I never dreamed that masters could be so cruel either. How wrong I was.”

“Life as a slave can be very harsh,” Duo whispered.

“I realize that now,” Heero sighed. “There were only a handful of times when I did see a little of what the soldiers spoke about, although nothing too bad. Whether my father or the royal guard deliberately kept me away from those places or distracted me when something wasn't right, I don't know. It is also possible that towns and villages that we visited could have hidden away the abused slaves, fearing reprimand for their treatment of their slaves. As you know, any places that the royal family visit are forewarned of our intended visitation.”

“That is entirely possible too, my prince,” Duo murmured in a sad tone.

“When I came across you on that forest track and the way that master was beating you, I was horrified. It was then that I realized that maybe the soldiers had been speaking some truth, that there were masters out there who didn't give a damn about their slaves and plied the whip mercilessly. I also knew I had to intervene.”

“And I will be forever grateful that you did,” Duo stated.

“From what you had explained to me of your life as a slave I thought it would only take a short while for you to learn to trust in me and my word that you would not be beaten and abused, that we did not believe in treating our slaves in such a manner. I also spoke with Wufei on several occasions in regard to the treatment of slaves within the kingdom.” Heero paused for a moment and reached for his goblet. He finished off the contents and resumed his words.

“Captain Chang opened my eyes a little more to what was going on regarding slaves and their treatment, but even he hadn't seen the likes of the abuse you have spoken of and I’m afraid to say that I still had no idea or proper comprehension of just how bad things could be and are for many slaves. Having now learned from you just how horrible life is for a lot of slaves has really given me food for thought and cause to investigate things further.”

Duo shrugged. “It is not your fault.”

Heero’s eyes narrowed and his voice deepened a little in anger. “Yes, it is. As heir it is my responsibility to know what is going on in my kingdom, and by that I don't mean just the profits, rewards and prosperity. I also need to know how the citizens are faring, not just the wealthy or titled or even the common farmer. I need to insure that ALL the people are treated fairly and that includes the slaves. My father has done a little in this regard, but I don't think it is enough by any means and I don't think even he is fully aware of just how badly a lot of slaves are treated.”

Both men sat in silence for a moment, the words sitting heavily in the air. Heero knew he had a duty to see that everyone within his kingdom was granted basic, decent living and working conditions, be they child, farmer, wealthy Lord or slave. Duo thinking of his fellow slaves - current and past - and how their fortunes had varied depending on what type of master they'd had.

“It is not something I can remedy overnight,” Heero began, mind turning over. “But it is something I have the power to change over the course of time; and I will change things.”

“I have no doubt you will do everything in your power to see that slaves are treated more kindly and fairly,” Duo agreed with a small smile. “It will not be an easy task to accomplish, but if anyone can see to it that slaves are treated more humanely, it is you, Sire.”

“Thank you.” Heero paused again, his eyes taking on a preoccupied look as his mind continued to work.

Duo took the opportunity to regroup and gather his own thoughts. He felt a warmth inside that he'd not felt in some time. He knew his master meant what he'd said, there would be change, albeit a slow one, but it would eventuate.

Heero raised his head and looked at his former slave. “I need to be completely honest with you Duo, just as you have been honest with me. As you are aware I am not always able to find the right words to explain things and when I brought you here and you spoke from your heart, I was deeply hurt and shocked. I was not angry with you for speaking as you did, it was more the fact that you thought I had sold you, that you had no trust in me. I had given you my word that I would never sell you and so to have you think I had done such a thing cut me to the core. I can now understand why you would have thought that, and whilst I am still hurt, I do not blame you for thinking that way. In one way you have done me a great favor, you have opened my eyes completely as to how deeply a human being can feel emotions; and whilst that can and does hurt, it is also very liberating in a sense.”

“I am deeply sorry that I said those things to you, Sire,” Duo reiterated and hung his head, the sadness and regret showing in those violet eyes.

“No, Duo, you had every right to say what you did and as much as it pained me to hear those words, I needed to. You have also given me the push I've needed to investigate things further and make changes.” Heero twirled the stem of the goblet and pondered his thoughts for a moment before looking up and holding Duo's gaze. He swallowed nervously, these next words would be the hardest he'd ever had to speak, but he needed to say them.

“Duo, many things have passed since you came into my... service,” a deep breath was taken and Heero continued whilst he still had the courage to do so. “Believe it or not, you have taught me many things, opened my eyes in many ways to life in general. I owe you so much and not just in the material sense.”

“You don't owe me anything, Sire,” Duo whispered.

Ignoring Duo's comment, Heero pressed on. “Since releasing you from your slavery I have come to find just how much I had depended on you, how much I looked forward to your smile, your gentle nature, your caring touch. You brought forth emotions in me that I wasn't aware I could feel, you showed me how to care without losing my authority, how to appreciate the small and seemingly insignificant things.” Heero took a deep breath and still holding Duo's gaze, lowered his voice to an almost whisper. “You taught me how to love.”

The words his former master spoke had Duo's face reddening until he thought he would combust from the heat in his cheeks.

“The words my mother said - whilst hard for me to accept, and even harder for me to admit to – are true. I have allowed myself to sink into depression, I have no interest in the castle, the kingdom, the subjects or my son. I have taken to drinking to try to ease some of the pain I feel inside and I kept telling myself it was all your fault. I now know that is not true. My brother has tried on many an occasion to explain to me what went so horribly wrong on that day, but I wouldn't listen.”

“Oh, master,” Duo said softly, falling back into his conditioning as a slave, his voice sad as he understood just how much his prince had been suffering.

“Duo, somewhere during the time you were my personal slave, I fell in love. Knowing how much I cared for you and after all of your devotion to me and my family, I felt the best way to show you how much I cared for you would be to release you from your slavery and make sure you had all you would need to make a successful life for yourself. I had also hoped that we would continue to see each other...”

“And I had to open my mouth and say all of those horrible things to you,” Duo interrupted.

Heero gave a rare smile. “Duo, now that you know how life has been for me and I know just how life has been for you, can you see fit to forgive me for my lack of understanding and compassion?”

“My prince, there is nothing to forgive, if anything I should be asking for your forgiveness...”

“Duo, enough,” Heero said a little sternly. “Let us both just agree to forgive each other.”

Duo nodded and bit his lower lip.

Glancing to the window, Heero could see the sun had moved quite a lot in the sky and evening would be upon them soon. “I'm sorry, I have been keeping you from your work and eve will be upon us soon,” he said.

“It's quite okay, Sire. Anric and Marcus will have continued with the work.”

“I know they will, but it still isn't fair to you or to them. Duo, there is more I wish to say, but I don't want to hold you up from your tasks either. Would you mind if I -”

“My prince, I would be honored if you would stay the eve with me,” Duo interrupted. “Yes, I really should be helping with the evening chores, but we really should continue with this conversation too.”

The young prince gave his former slave a shy smile, one Duo had rarely seen and it made his knees go weak. “Thank you, I would be most happy to accept your offer of hospitality for the night, but only if you will allow me to help you with your evening chores.”

Opening his mouth to protest the prince doing any form of manual labor, Duo quickly shut it again when he saw the expression on the prince's face and the glint in his eye. “Thank you, Sire.”

Standing up, Heero stretched. “Then let us waste no more time. The sooner we finish up with the chores, the sooner we can continue to talk.”

“As you wish, Sire.” Standing, Duo offered his former master a smile and led the way out of the cottage and into the yard.

* * *

Anric and Marcus had managed to bring the rest of the crop in from the field whilst the pair had been talking and roughly half of that had been threshed. With daylight waning the pair had stored the remaining sheaves in the large hay shed to be threshed the following morn and started on the evening chores. Buster had been unhitched, fed and returned to the paddock, Casper had also been unhitched, given a good brush over and was now standing happily in his stall next to Lily with a manger full of chaff and grain. Marcus had just brought the cow in to milk when the Prince and Duo came striding into the barn.

“Your Highness, M'Lord,” Marcus said with a bow as he recognized the man walking in with his master.

“Good eve, Marcus,” Duo replied. “I apologize for leaving you and Anric to carry on by yourselves.”

“Think nothing of it, Lord Duo,” Marcus replied and filled Duo in on where they were at with the harvest.

“What remains to be done?” Duo asked.

“Anric is feeding and locking up the pigs and poultry for the eve and I was just about to milk the cow.”

“I can see to the cow if you wish,” Duo replied.

“Thank ye, that will leave me free to give Anric a hand to finish up and we can check on the bullocks on our way home.”

“No problem.” Duo smiled as he took Marcus' place on the small stool beside the cow.

Dipping his hat to the pair, Marcus bid them good eve and left the barn, promising to be there early next morn to continue the threshing.

With the farm hand's departure, Heero moved closer to where Duo sat, head resting against the flank of the cow and hands busy underneath. “Is it hard?” he questioned, his curiosity having gotten the better of him.

Duo gave a soft laugh. “No, not really. Once you get used to it it's pretty easy,” he said, hands continuing to work the cow's udder and creating a steady 'swish swish' sound of the milk hitting the side of the bucket.

The laugh sent tingles down Heero's spine as he continued to watch Duo milk the cow.

“Would you like to try?” Duo asked shyly.

“Huh?” The question startled Heero for a moment.

“Would you like to try to milk the cow?” Duo questioned again, his violet eyes searching the prince's face.

“Um... okay.” Heero wasn't too sure, but decided it couldn't be that hard.

The pair traded places, Heero sitting on the stool while Duo patiently showed him how to clasp the teats and draw the milk forth. Heero gave a few tugs and got nothing.

“I think it's broken,” he muttered after several more attempts failed to result in anything coming forth.

Chuckling at the prince's words, Duo moved forward again. “It's not broken, Sire,” he said, unable to keep the smile from his tone. “It takes a bit of practice.”

“It looks so easy when you do it,” Heero grumbled.

“Here...” Duo placed his hand over the top of one of Heero's. “Just squeeze gently like this and pull down at the same time.” Keeping his hand over the prince's, Duo showed him once more how to squeeze and just how much pressure to apply. Much to Heero's amazement, some milk did hit the side of the pail.

“Wow.” Heero didn't know if the resulting warmth he felt was from actually getting some milk out of the cow or the feel of Duo's hand over his.

“There, you can do it,” Duo said with a smile. “Try again,” he encouraged and removed his hand.

Heero felt bereft when Duo removed his hand but didn't dwell on it. Instead he tried again, determined to get some milk into the pail. After a few more experimental 'pulls', he began to get the hang of it.

“I'm getting some milk,” he said in amazement, a broad smile on his face.

“See, I told you that you could do it, mas- my prince,” Duo replied with a grin. The smile on the prince's face made Duo's toes curl.

Heero continued to milk the cow for a little while before leaning back and vacating the stool. “I think I'd best leave it to you, Duo. I'm afraid if I'm to try to milk the cow properly we would be here until dawn.”

Duo couldn't help the chuckle. “I don't think it would be quite that long, but I am getting hungry and it will be dark soon so I think it would be best if I were to finish off the milking.” He stepped forward and took up residence on the stool once more.

Stepping to the side, Heero began to scratch the top of the cow's tail as he watched Duo work. He was mesmerized by the deft way in which Duo's hands coaxed the milk forth, the look of concentration on the young man's face and the rapid filling of the bucket. The silence between them was nice too. The prince had missed this, not the farm or milking, but Duo's quiet presence. He let his thoughts wander where they would, skimming back over their conversation from earlier, recalling different events and happenings when Duo was his slave and living at the castle. The more his mind wandered the stronger he felt the pull on his heart. He knew they still had a lot to talk about and discuss, and the more he pondered things the stronger one thought in particular got.

The bucket was almost full when the sound of hoof beats was heard. Duo raised his head from the cow’s flank, a frown on his face. Heero caught Duo’s eye and shrugged. “I’ll go see who it is,” he said and moved from the cow’s tail.

Stepping outside the barn, Heero was greeted by the sight of a castle guard leading his horse and his mother’s words from earlier came back to him.

“Sire,” the guard said as he drew rein and dismounted. Heero nodded, the guard bowing. “The Queen asked me to bring your horse,” he explained.

“Thank you,” Heero replied and stepped forth to take Wing’s reins.

“If it pleases you my prince, I can wait and accompany you back to the castle.”

“No, thank you, but that will not be necessary. I will not be returning to the castle this eve. You may return and inform the Queen that I will return on the morrow.”

“As you wish, Sire.” The guard bowed again and remounted his horse, turning the animal’s head back the way he’d come and trotting out of the yard.

Heero watched as the guard departed.

“Is everything alright?”

The soft words startled Heero and he gave a small jump in surprise.

“My apologies, I did not intend to startle you, mas- my prince.”

“No, no, it’s quite alright, Duo. The guard has brought my horse as my mother said she would arrange.”

“Then let us take him into the barn and settle him for the eve.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Heero replied and leading Wing, he followed Duo into the barn.

Duo quickly forked some straw into one of the vacant stalls, spreading it around to make a thick bed for Wing. Whilst Duo was busy readying the stall, Heero took the time to unsaddle the animal. In no time at all, the stall was ready and Duo was fetching a feed of grain and chaff for the stallion.

“Thank you,” Heero said as he placed a bucket of water in the corner of the stall.

You are most welcome,” Duo replied. “I’m sure he will be comfortable for the eve.”

“That he will,” Heero said as he exited the stall and closed the door.

“It’s starting to get dark, Sire. I think we should go inside and I will make us something to eat,” Duo stated and turned to walk out of the barn, stopping to pick up the pail of milk on his way.

Following along behind his former slave, Heero couldn’t help the warm feeling he got inside just from being back around Duo.

* * *

Once back inside the cottage, Duo set the pail of milk down to cool in the small scullery and washed his hands, his mind running through what he had in the way of food he could prepare for his former master to eat. He wasn’t a great cook, but he had learned enough from his time spent around Noin in the castle kitchens to be able to prepare basic meals. In the end he decided to prepare a simple but hearty stew.

“Can I assist in any way?”

The soft words drew Duo from his musings and he turned to face the Prince. “I’m afraid I’m no fancy cook, but most of what I make is edible,” Duo replied with a sheepish smile. “I was going to make a stew for us and if you really wish to help there are vegetables that will need to be prepared.”

“Just show me what you want me to do,” Heero replied and rolled up his sleeves.

With a chuckle Duo fetched an assortment of vegetables from the scullery and placed them on the small kitchen bench. Passing over a knife, Duo quickly gave the vegetables a wash and then explained to Heero how he wanted them cut up.

“I can do that,” Heero said with conviction as he took the knife from Duo and began to show off his skills with a ‘blade’.

Smiling to himself, Duo left the Prince to his task and taking a bowl and sharp knife himself, he disappeared into the small ‘cool room’ off the side of the scullery. Hanging from a large hook and covered in a muslin sack was a beef hindquarter. Removing the sack, Duo cut several large chunks from it and dropped the pieces into the bowl. Securing the sack again, he picked up the bowl and returned to the kitchen.

The pair worked in companionable silence, the cut up meat and vegetables making their way into the large pot Duo fetched from its place over the fire. Water was added and once they were done, Duo set the pot back on its hook over the fire to begin cooking. With the stew happily bubbling away, bread that Duo had made the previous day was brought forth, broken into chunks and placed in a basket. A pot of butter made from the cream skimmed off the milk joined the bread along with two bowls ready for the stew. Just as darkness was completely enveloping the holding the stew was ready and Duo spooned a generous amount into both bowls, handing one to the Prince before taking his own and preparing to eat.

“Duo, this is simply delicious,” Heero complimented, dipping a chunk of bread into the stew and taking a large bite.

Duo blushed. “It’s just a simple stew, Sire, nothing fancy like Miss Noin cooks.”

“That it might be, but it is delicious and just as good, if not better than Noin’s stews.” Heero glanced up and took in the amused smile on Duo’s face. “And if you tell her I said that I will deny everything,” he said with a chuckle.

“I promise not to say a word to Miss Noin and I’m happy you like it, Sire.” The Prince’s compliments on his cooking skills warmed Duo to no end, and feeling more happy and content than he had in days, he continued to eat his meal.

Tbc...

 

Chapter 86

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