|
"Ellion"Written By: Vega-Lume Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. This series
and all characters original to it are licensed by Sunrise and Madman
Entertainment. I claim no ownership, nor do I profit in any way from
this fan work Rating: R Warnings: A/U, Angst, non-graphic NCS (under aged
– early teens), Yaoi, MPREG, death (no major characters), smidge
of citrus (non-graphic). Maybe squik, depending on how you look at
it (non-graphic descriptions of child birth and genitalia). Pairings: 1x2x1, 13xUne Summary: Set in a world where one mad man tries to rule all and destroy the last traces of magic, one young man must overcome a life filled with war and death in order to save those he holds dear. Notes: Lack of grammatical contractions is intentional. "Ellion - Book 1" Chapter 4 “This is perfect milord,” Septum announced after reading over a parchment that had been delivered by carrier bird to the stronghold of the Ozlain army. “What now,” Quinze groused his attacks of the Hartou borders had not progressed as well as he had wanted and his soldiers were wearing down. They had been fighting against the Hartoun soldiers along the borders for eight years yet they never seemed to make any progress, it was as if his soldiers were not trying at all. Holding the parchment Septum read - To General Septum – we have managed to reach Capital City –city is snowed in - entire population forced to remain indoors –weather shows no sign of relenting- “Septum, how many men do you have available to send to Capital City?” “If we send birds immediately to inform the men hiding in the surrounding woods to move now, we can have over a thousand, sir. And they can all reach the city before dawn.” An evil smile spread across Quinze’ face as he said, “Do it now. Peacemillion will be ours by morning.” ~*~*~*~*~ “You did not eat much,” Duo commented as they
walked shoulder to shoulder from the dining room to the play room.
“I thought that veal pie was your favorite.” “For some reason I have a sense of unease,” Heero replied, then briskly rubbed his arms to chase away the gooseflesh that had suddenly covered them. “About me?” Duo questioned fearfully. Heero smiled for him, “Never about you my love, but it is like I have forgotten something important, very important but I have no idea what it could be.” He paused and rubbed his arms again, “no, that is not right; it is more like dreading something you know is coming but cannot stop.” “Like one of Noin’s tests?” Duo asked. Heero gave him a wan smile in return. “It cannot be that bad, and whatever it is I am sure it will come to you,” Duo assured him as he nodded to Trant, who was standing guard at the playroom door. Duo went through to his sleeping room to change for bed while Heero changed in the playroom then they sat together in a nest of pillows and quilts set before the roaring fire the pair continued the game of chess they had started earlier that day.
~*~*~*~* The large group of Ozlainian soldiers huddled amongst the trees not daring to light a fire for fear they would be discovered. Each cluster of soldiers had a bird and they had sent their bird out earlier that day stating their position. They expected the bird to return before nightfall but it was now well past it and without word from command they began to worry. The weather was unforgiving, snow becoming so thick in places that reached their knees. Finally with a flutter of wings the carrier bird returned and landed on the commanding officer’s shoulder. Removing the scrap of parchment he read what was written then announced to his awaiting command. “Move out! We attack Peacemillion tonight!” Despite the cold and the deep snow the Ozlainian soldiers managed to reach the city undetected and joined their comrades as they united to circle around the Palace grounds. A young soldier slipped away unnoticed by anyone who mattered and melted into the shadows. The girl, a spy for Hartou sped on silent feet towards the gates of Peacemillion, she had little time for warning and hoped she could be of some help. As the Palace came into view the harsh glow of torches filled the night behind her, stealth forgotten she ran shouting an alarm to the soldiers at the gate. “Ozlain attacks!” She screamed as she pounded through the snow, several Ozlain soldiers spotted her and stopped to draw their bows. The gates to the wall surrounding Peacemillion started to close before her as archers at the top began to fire on the soldiers behind her. The young woman felt as if she were not going to make and she gasped for breath as the frigid air burned lungs. Suddenly there was a Hartoun soldier on horseback riding alongside, an outstretched hand reaching for her. Her relief was paramount when she saw that the solider was her sister’s husband. She hardly had her hand raised when she was pulled onto the horse. They slid between the rapidly closing doors just as the first Ozlain arrows reached them. The arrows found the solid wood of the doors and nothing else. Panting heavily she rasped out the orders that had been relayed by the carrier bird and warned that Peacemillion would soon be surrounded by more than a thousand Ozlainian soldiers. “Alert the King!” Zechs shouted riding his horse down the length of the barracks then shouted “Doctor Po!” when he spotted the woman, and turned his horse towards her, he then helped the young spy down and left her in the doctor’s care before riding off to issue more orders. Men and women scattered to secure pre-assigned posts, many rushing into the Palace to reinforce the doors and windows. The Doctor, still paired with the young soldier hurried along hidden passageways that led directly to the main living areas of the Palace, raising the alarm amongst the servants as they made their way to the King. It was well into the night and most everyone had been
asleep, but the threat of attack woke them quickly. Some servants
and staff armed themselves to help protect Peacemillion while others
rounded up those that could not fight and led them to safety. Assured
that this group could handle themselves, the doctor and spy continued
to weave their way through the walls of Peacemillion but did not expect
what waited for them when they emerged into the royal family’s
private dining room. “Ah, Doctor Po so nice of you to join us,” The man said with a sinister glint in his eye, “And young Hilde, I never would have guessed that you were the spy.” There was a rustle behind them then a sudden sharp pain and both women dropped to the floor bleeding from blows to their heads. The Ozlain spies left them to bleed, they had more important prey. ~*~*~*~*~ Duo and Heero were asleep in their usual place, on the floor amongst the cushions and toys when the Ozlain soldier stormed into the Prince’s sleeping chamber. The clamber roused them, someone had put out the lamps and they sat in the dark staring at each other in a moment confusion and fear. “You have to hide!” Heero suddenly urged in a harsh whisper, standing to drag the other boy to the secret wall compartment in the play room, no one but the two boys knew of it, finding it by chance two years before. They stumbled over things as the glow from the fireplace did not reach the far corner. “What of you?” Duo asked frantically when he realized that they had grown so that they both could no longer fit into the space. “I will use the passage and hide in the library,” Heero replied in a breathless whisper. “I… I…” Duo tried unable to find words to voice his fear, reaching out of his hiding place he grasped the collar of Heero's nightshirt and pulled him close, crushing their lips together. “I love you,” He breathed when they parted then pushed the boy towards the other passage. “I love you more,” Heero’s whispered reply was barely heard over the crashing sound in the sleeping room. There was a sudden blinding flash through the window that caused Duo to turn away for a mere second to see the roof of an outside structure set ablaze under the assault of flaming arrows. When Duo looked again all he saw was the slight flutter of the tapestry that concealed the other passage. Pulling the door to his own hiding place closed the Prince prayed. Heero slid through the narrow passage and upon reaching the end, peered through a small crack that allowed anyone hiding a full view of the room, save for the place directly below the crack. This prevented them from barging into danger. To his horror, Duo’s father Howard sat sleeping in a chair near a roaring fireplace, an open book on his chest, oblivious to the danger he was in. shoving the door open roughly he lunged out, nearly falling on the King. “Your Majesty,” He shouted falling before the sleeping man and taking his hand to shake, “wake up!” The older man woke with a start then seeing the fear in his son’s companion’s eyes he stood and gasped, “What has happened?” “We are under attack, we must-” Before Heero could continue, the door to the library burst open with a shower of wooden splinters, and an alarming amount of once trusted men poured in, Dekim at the lead. “What is the meaning of this?” Howard tried when he saw Dekim but was cut off when Heero cried, “Run!” and roughly shoved him towards another hidden passage which to his surprise opened suddenly to reveal Zechs. The blonde soldier grasped his arm and yanked the King inside, slamming and bolting the heavy wooden door behind them. “That leads to the sleeping chamber,” Dekim shouted. “Head them off!” The other men rushed from the room and down the main hallway leaving their General alone with the boy. Dekim regarded the boy with a predatory gaze, licking his lips as he advanced. Heero backed up to the passageway door intent on keeping him back, blue eyes darting around for anything to protect himself with. Yanking the poker from its holder at the side of the fireplace he held it before him. Dekim laughed at the boy and took step forward. “No need for that, child,” Dekim said lightly, “I will not harm you.” Taking another step he reached out and with a cry of pain and anger jumped back. Heero had acted quickly, striking the man’s hand hard enough to shatter the bones. “I am going to kill you for that,” Dekim hissed and advanced again. He managed to dodge the next swing but stepped directly into the third. The poker hook raked down his face splitting the skin on his left cheek, taking the eye with it. Fueled by pain and anger, the larger man managed to grab the poker with his good hand, wrenching it from the youths grasp then turned it on the boy. As the anger bled away, leaving just the pain behind, Dekim looked down at the mess that once was a beautiful young boy. Hissing in annoyance he reached down and was surprised to find the boy still breathing. Grabbing the edge of Heero’s once white nightshirt he ripped a long strip from it to dress his wounded face as best he could. Looking down at the boy again he froze, blinking to clear his one good eye, he knelt and touched. It was true what he saw. The way the youth had fallen had left a very clear view of private places and Dekim had just learned one of Heero’s secrets. ~*~*~*~*~ “Wait! We must go back for the child,” King Howard pulled back in effort to go back to the library. “I will go back for Heero but I must get you to safety first,” Zechs insisted, forcing the King down the passage. “There is a secret hiding space above us,” King Howard informed him. “I can wait there until you retrieve the boy.” “Sir, you must go to the prearranged place,” Zechs tried again. “Dekim knows of that place and will have his men waiting for me there,” the King stated, causing the other man to falter. Sighing Zechs relented and waited as Howard felt his way to the small hiding compartment. There was a slight indentation along one wall that signaled where the entrance was, reaching up His Majesty found the hidden latch and pulled the ladder down, which he then climbed. “Go back for him, now,” Howard ordered. The tone in which he used allowed for no arguments. “Yes sir,” Zechs replied but only turned back when the compartment was sealed again. Even with a torch it was hard to spot. The blonde soldier ran as quickly as he dared in the narrow darkness slowing only when he reached the door. Peering into the spying hole he saw Dekim speaking with several of his men, one of which glanced down at the floor then back up at the general. He nodded once then knelt to lift Heero’s bleeding, unconscious body from the floor. Dekim turned then to look at the spot where the youth had lain, the hidden soldier could see the bloody cloth the man had tied over his missing eye. He could not rescue Heero alone, not when he was so greatly outnumbered. Swallowing his anger he doubled back down the passage, sweeping past the place where the King hid, continuing on to the sleeping chamber. He paused near the other end listening intently; he heard nothing ahead of him, though he knew that the Ozlain soldiers were aware that this passage ended in the bedchamber. ‘Perhaps they do not know the exact location for the door’ The Lieutenant thought ‘or they would have broken down the door in the library and gone in through both ends to trap us between them.’ “Thank the Blessed Mother,” A voice breathed in the darkness. “Your Majesty?” Zechs knelt offering Queen Eliza his hand. She had been huddled in a recess low to the floor, nearly hidden amongst the shadows, dust and cobwebs in her red hair which was down for she had been brushing it out when the attack began. “My son and my husband, have you seen them?” “The King is safe Majesty, I am sorry; I know nothing of the Prince,” Standing before him, she trembled dressed in nothing but her sleeping gown. Removing his coat Zechs draped is over her shoulders and led her back to where Howard hid. “Majesty ?” the Lieutenant whispered loudly
as they hurried down the hallway. There was a faint creak above them
as the compartment opened slightly and the King peered out into the
dim. Upon seeing his wife he opened the door fully, not waiting for
the ladder Zechs simply lifted the slight woman into her husband’s
waiting arms. Zechs stopped to think for a moment, Heero needed help and the Prince needed to be found, but he was unsure of which way to go. The library held Dekim and a small handful of men, the bedchamber held Ozlainian soldiers, how many he did not know. The Library also held a passage that led directly to the Prince’s rooms. Sending a quick prayer asking the Blessed Earth Mother for help he took and deep breath and turned back to the library. ~*~*~*~*~ “Where in the Hells is he!” Dekim roared, throwing the Queen’s dressing chair across the bedchamber, he then grabbed a small cobalt blue enameled pot of white tallow and smashed the reflective glass of her vanity mirror with it. He knew the passage let out in this room however when they managed to locate the door, the passage was empty. The large man had pounded through it to the library and with a scream of rage found the door at the other end hanging open. He had gone back to the bedchamber in anger when his men had informed him that they had not seen where Howard had gone. Zechs had heard the other man coming and managed to get into the other passage before Dekim reached the main room, sending a quick thanks to those who looked over him he slipped through the passage to the playroom. Someone had bolted the door inside the passage then remembering Heero, figured that that was how the boy came to be in the library. Unbolting the door silently he peered into the dark room. It was clear that the soldiers had been there for many of the toys and cushions had been destroyed but it was empty of any sign of life. Stepping through the chaos he was careful not to make any noises, he peered into the Prince’s bedchamber and gasped at the destruction he found there. Furniture had been overturned and the bed coverings torn, the down filling spilling out so that feathers covered nearly every surface. He did not dare call out for the boy as the sound would draw the soldiers. He crept to the broken door and cautiously looked into the hall, it was empty however he did not expect it to stay that way for much longer, for he knew that they had yet find the King or Queen and if Those Who Watched over them were as merciful as he prayed, the Prince would be kept safe as well. Slipping silently into the hallway he hurried to where he hoped he would find anyone who was still loyal to Hartou. The Lieutenant was fortunate for he literally ran into Sally who, after waking from the blow to the head had managed to get Hilde into a safe hiding place and was now armed to ensure her charge stayed protected. Though she was a doctor, as a member of the army she
too had to achieve an advanced level of combat training if she were
to go into the field with the soldiers. She needed to be able to fight
and protect herself and her patients if the need arose. Fully understanding her position, Zechs secretly sighed, he had known Sally since they were very small children and knowing that she had not betrayed them was an immense relief. Leaning close to her he whispered to her ear, “The King and Queen are safe. I do not yet know of the Prince. His rooms have been destroyed but I saw no sign of struggle. I believe he may have concealed himself in a passage or is hiding in a compartment.” Relaxing slightly, but not enough to fully lower her sword, Sally replied. “I have seen Noin; she has gone to the servant’s family quarters to help with the children,” Sally explained nodding her head in the direction the other woman had gone. “Heero is gone; Dekim and his men have taken him.
To where I do not know but I fear what they have planned for him.
I need someone to help me look for them.” “There was no other choice; I had his Majesty with me. I could not risk his life.” Tears welled in the woman’s eyes, not just for Heero but for everything going on around them. The adrenalin had begun to dissipate and gravity of the situation was finally sinking in. “Hartou is strong doctor, do not despair. The night
is not lost. Stay here, care for those whom you can help. I will find
Lucrezia and we will do what we can to find Heero and drive Ozlain
from our country.” Zechs said with such strong conviction that
Sally felt her despair wane as it was replaced with the strength she
needed. Whether it be luck or divine intervention the fates seemed to stay on his side and he not only found his wife but several other Hartoun soldiers as they hurriedly ushered Peacemillion’s staff and their families though several passageways where they could flee into the surrounding town and hide until the Palace was secure again. He quickly explained the situation and requested that
some of the soldiers come with him in search of the missing child.
Noin and two others volunteered leaving a handful of soldiers behind
to continue evacuating the servants and re-enforce the corridors to
ensure that no Ozlainian soldiers could return to this part of the
Palace. They did not look down, knowing that if they acknowledged their fallen they would want to stay and move them rather than let them lie with the dead of their enemy. They had a more important mission, they had to rescue Heero and any others the Ozlainian’s had taken. ~*~*~*~*~ "What!" Quinze roared as he read the report. "A child prevented Dekim from killing the king!" Quinze rose from his chair angrily, pushing a thick stack of parchment sheets onto the floor. "It is true milord," Duke Dermail said. "One of our spies who has not been compromised yet sent a bird as soon as the battle was over." King Quinze growled under his breath then moved to the desk to retrieve his flask, after drinking deeply he turned to Dermail again. "What happened?" Dermail pulled the parchment from his pocket and read "The royal family still lives - a child stopped Dekim from killing the king - Dekim has retreated - left men to die - I have not been discovered - will continue here until I receive new orders." "Who sent this?" Quinze asked taking the parchment from the Duke. "Trant Clark, he has been in Hartou for several years now." "Send him a bird; acknowledge that we have received his message and tell him to continue as he has been. You are dismissed." Dermail nodded once and turned towards the door but pause "Sir, what are we to do about Dekim?" "I will allow him one chance to redeem himself. Should he return to Ozlain while King Howard and his son live, I will kill him myself." "I will see that he knows this, sir," Dermail smirked as he left the room. ~*~*~*~*~ The sun had just begun to rise when the small group finally stopped to rest. Despite how quickly they had begun their pursuit, Dekim and his men had managed to slip into the nearly impassable, snow covered mountain range to the north that separated Capital City from the small province of Tropria, and disappear. Though Tropria was not a target for Quinze, a ravine running east to west in the mountains led directly to the dense forests of Ellion, and from there it would take just weeks to reach Ozlain. Noin slid from her horse and pulled a tree branch closer, studying the limb. With a sigh she released it and turned to Zechs. “Nothing,” She said sadly slumping against the tree’s trunk. “There is simply no sign of which passage they used to get into the mountains. No broken branches, no disturbed earth. We know they are headed to Ellion but we cannot head them off if we do not know where they entered from, and with a new storm brewing we cannot go wandering around in the mountains in hope of spotting them.” Zechs joined her there, placing his hands lightly on her shoulders. “We will find them, now that we have the sun on our side we will see where they have gone. I will follow them all the way back to Ozlain if I must.” Squeezing her shoulders lightly he added, “We will find them.” Managing a weak smile, she thanked him with a quick kiss to the cheek then she slipped past him to mount her horse. It was far too easy to travel east and gain undetected entry into Ellion once they reached the ravine. The group searched for several more hours, venturing as far into the mountains as they dared, and yet the trail remained cold. As it neared mid-day, heavy snow began to fall again covering up any hope they had of spotting a hoof print or snapped branch. “We must return now,” Zechs said quietly. “The King and Queen will not leave their hiding spot until I come to retrieve them personally.” Weary in both body and heart they returned to Peacemillion, their quest unsuccessful. Their spirits were raised only slightly when they returned to find that a very large portion of the enemy army lay dead or bound in the cold courtyard, and that Peacemillion was once again clear of any Ozlain soldiers, it was now secure enough for the Royal family to come out of hiding. ~*~*~*~*~ “My son?” His Majesty asked as they stepped from the passage into the sleeping chamber. “There is no sign of him yet, we believe he has concealed himself and is waiting until he knows it is safe.” “And the boy?” “It is my deepest regret to inform you that Heero has been taken. A search party has already been out to look for him but we were unsuccessful.” Eliza pressed a hand to her mouth as tears filled her eyes, in the eight years she had known him, ever since Treize adopted him, she had come to see him as family, as beloved to her as her own son. Embracing his wife Howard addressed Zechs, “We must find my son, then I want another party sent out to retrieve Heero and bring him home.” “Yes Majesty,” Zechs replied and followed the King as he led his wife to their son’s rooms. “By the Mother,” Eliza breathed, shocked at the utter destruction of her son’s sleeping chamber. Unable to contain her grief and fear any longer she screamed, “Duo!” A small creak was heard then a thump sounded from the play room, the small group of adults carefully made their way to the connecting door. They looked around and saw no sigh of life, and then there was another thump and a muffled voice. In the far corner, on the wall opposite of the passageway that led to the library was a crack in the wall, a hidden door that was blocked by a large trunk that had been pushed against it. The door moved again to thump against the trunk and Zechs hurried across the room, shoving the trunk aside. The door swung open and Prince Duo stood in the tiny space looking both exhausted and relieved. “My son,” Eliza cried, pulling her son into
her arms, crying tears of relief into his hair. They stood quietly from some time when a tap on the
door drew their attention. “I will see to it,” Howard said and pulled away from his family to follow Noin to the throne room where he could issue an address for his subjects. “Father, wait a moment,” Duo called out. “Where is Heero?” Before his father could answer Duo saw the look of profound sadness on his mothers face and felt his heart freeze in his chest. “Mother?” “I am so sorry, my darling,” She did not need to say more, Duo understood what she meant. If he had been killed they would have told him right away. Heero was gone, stolen from them, and they all knew what happened to those taken by Oz. Death would have been more kind for everyone. Duo’s face grew hard and he turned away from his mother. “I am going to dress,” he informed them, “Then I believe it is time to start cleaning up.” He strode from the room, suddenly looking and much other than his sixteen years. The King did address his subjects, letting them know that they had not lost the fight and that Hartou was still standing strong. Meanwhile his son, locked in grief took out his anger on what was left of the toys in the play room, shoving everything into barrels destined from the rubbish heap. He did not cry, or shout. Nor were his actions rough, he simply and methodically threw away his childhood. As he slowly removed everything, broken or not from the room, he got closer and closer to the corner where the compartment that had concealed him lay. The trunk that had once held the hand carved wooden soldiers now laid empty and overturned where Zechs had pushed it to let him out. Heero had loved playing with the toy soldiers, more than any other game. His younger friend had always shown great care when handling them and made sure they were put away properly when they were done. Moving to the trunk, he righted it and began placing the soldiers back inside. He faltered when his hand closed around a wooden horse that had been painted white. It had been Heero’s favorite of all the carved wooden toys; though they had outgrown playing with them Heero would still look on the horse fondly. He had often said that when he was sixteen Treize was going to buy him a horse and he wanted and white one, just like the wooden one. His fingers suddenly started hurting and the Prince realized he was squeezing the horse hard enough to splinter the wood. He placed the horse in the trunk with the other toys and closed the lid. Duo felt that these were Heero’s toys; they would stay. He did not have the heart to throw them away. As he stood to brush the dust from his legs something caught his eye, like a bit of faded white fabric on the floor. Crouching, he pushed a few scraps of paper aside, paper that had once been the pages in one of his many books. He picked up Roderick and stared at its miss-matched button eyes, the right having been replaced years ago by Dorothy when it had come loose and was lost. The Prince felt his heart constrict, the rabbit’s left ear had been torn off, a few feathers protruding from the seam. Intent on finding the missing ear Duo moved more of the torn pages aside and beneath the paper he found a thin chain that trailed off under the door to the compartment where he had hidden himself. He tugged the chain, only to have it catch on the door so he moved a few things to open it more fully, reveling the other end. And suddenly, as quickly as a candle being blown out the tears came and the Prince cried as he clutched Heero’s cross and Roderick to his chest. The sound of footsteps on the floor did not make him look up, nor did the gentle hand that was placed on his shoulder. There was a rustle of fabric as the person crouched beside the Prince. Duo turned to see the golden, compassion filled eyes of his friend Solo. The young blonde solider, only year older than Duo, had become a close friend and confidant to both of them as they had trained together with Noin for well over a year. He was the only person who truly knew how Heero and Duo felt about each other. “He really is gone,” Duo whispered, grasping the cross so tightly it dug into the flesh of his hand. “He is simply lost, Your Highness,” Solo replied, easing the cross from the prince’s hand. “I am certain he will find his way back to you.” He examined the priceless treasure he held and found that it was not damaged; the clasp had somehow come undone. With extreme care he slid the chain around Duo’s neck and fastened the clasp. “He knew it was going to happen,” Duo said to his friend, he sniffled and wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “Last night during supper and just after he told me that he had a feeling of foreboding, he felt something was going to happen and I told him not to worry.” “Neither of you could have known this was going to happen,” Solo replied and watched as his friend tried to pull himself together. After several moments Duo looked down Roderick then tuned to Solo, “Could you…” he tried to ask, turning the rabbit he held so Solo could see the tear. “Of course,” he replied and the two carefully moved things about until they found the tiny, tattered ear. After Roderick was set in a safe place, they worked together to clear away the rest of the things in the room, only this time Duo took the time to sort the ruined items from those that could still be used, so he could then give those things away, just as he had always done. The room looked bare and bleak by the time the servants removed the last of the toys and trash that Duo and Solo had packed up, but Duo thought it was fitting as that was how he felt inside. “Highness,” Trant called from the open doorway, “Major Une and Miss Dorothy have arrived, The Major wants to speak with you and your father but His Majesty is in a meeting and cannot see her right now.” “Where is my mother?” Duo asked as he followed Trant into the hallway, Solo a step behind him. “She is in the dining room having some tea.” Duo nodded in understanding and continued down the hallway, stopping at the entry to the dining room. “Collect Major Une and Dorothy, have them join us in the dining room,” Duo said to Trant then turned to Solo and added, "send someone to fetch Sally; I fear we will have need of her.” “Yes your Highness,” they replied in unison and turned to complete their tasks, leaving the prince at the door. Duo entered without knocking and joined his mother at the table. Eliza sat in her usual place with a cup of tea set before her; it was obviously untouched as it was still full, a small baked treat sat on the saucer beside the cup, also untouched. Her violet eyes met her son’s then another tear coursed down her cheek to be hastily blotted away with a soft white handkerchief. She looked down as a servant moved to serve Duo a cup of tea. “Mother, Major Une is here. I have asked Trant to bring her here as father is in a meeting with his guards and cannot see her right now. I know this is a lot to ask of you…” “I understand my darling,” she replied as
seemed to gather herself together before his eyes. Major Une would
need their support; there would be time for tears later. “Major Une,” Trant urged. “Her Royal Majesty Queen Eliza wishes you to join her in the family’s dining room for tea.” Brown eyes looked from the closed door to Trant, then the door again before releasing a gusty sigh and striding past Trant to go to the dining room. Motioning for Dorothy, who had been sitting near the window to follow him, they hurried after Anne who was striding purposely towards the dining room. The Queen and Duo rose to meet them when they arrived, Dorothy sat beside Eliza so the Queen could hold baby Mari but Anne just looked unhappy. “What is happening in that meeting and why was I not included, am I not third after Dekim and Treize?” “There was something you needed to hear privately and not in the presence of a group of battle charged soldiers,” Sally said gently from where she stood near the sideboard. “Dekim turned on us, he is an Oz spy and personally tried to attack His Majesty last night.” “That cannot be, Dekim has been the head of the King’s guard for almost ten years. He trained me, he trained all of us!” “I know and now King Howard has the difficult task
of trying to figure out which of us to trust now and I am sorry that
the trust did not extend to you this morning but that is only because
you were not here last night to prove your loyalty,” Solo said. “Anne, wait!” she called, “It is not what you think, none of us feel you would betray us so please, please stay.” Her anger bled away and she dropped into a chair burying her face in her hands. Dorothy leaned in wrapped her arm around Une’s waist. “Anne, there is something else you need to know,” The face with tired eyes rose to look at her Queen. “Dekim took Heero when he fled,” she took a shuddering breath; “He stole him from us.” Dorothy made an indescribable, heart wrenching sound of grief, delicate china falling to the floor as her hands slammed against the table in anger and sadness. Anne rose from where she sat and stormed towards the door again. Hands reached for her as stopped and turned back to the table only to spin and face the door again, as if she could not think of what to do. “He cannot be gone,” she finally wailed as her legs gave out and she crumpled to the floor while Dorothy sobbed on the table. Eliza, still holding Mariemaia did her best to comfort the young woman beside her while trying to control her own tears. Sally and Solo helped Une from the floor and led her from the room. Several long moments later they returned for Dorothy and led her to a room where she could rest with the help of some strong sleeping herbs in her tea. “Has Treize been sent for?” Duo asked Sally as she stepped from the room, leaving the two women sleeping inside. “Yes, Zechs sent a runner after him right after he and Noin returned with the search party.” “Good, he should return before Anne wakes up.” It was just past the midday meal when the door to the small dining room opened and Solo stepped aside so Treize could enter. He was still dressed in his winter wear making it clear that he had come straight there when he arrived. “What has happened?” He asked, his eyes darting from face to face before settling on his daughter who lay sleeping in the Queen’s arms. “Where is Anne? Where are the other children?” “Major Une and Miss Dorothy are in the next room sleeping,” Sally said from where she stood near the window. She paused, unsure how to tell this man that his son was gone, but was spared the news when Queen Eliza passed Mariemaia to her son and rose to stand before the Colonel. “Dekim betrayed us, as a spy for Ozlain he was able to attack us within Peacemillion’s walls. Heero managed to alert both my son and my husband, allowing them to get to safety but he was unable to get to a safe place and Dekim stole him away.” Varying emotions ran across Treize’s face, ranging from blinding anger to heartbreak and finally settling on despair. “Has any gone looking for him?” He choked past the constriction in his throat. Solo answered him, “Merquise and Noin took two
men out before sunrise to search. At that time they were not fully
prepared for a long search. They found nothing Though grief and pain were clearly seen in his eyes, Treize kept his face neutral as he quietly sat, deep in thought beside his wife as she and Dorothy slept on the large bed in the room Relena favored when visiting. When Anne stirred awake a few hours later, he had come to a decision. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Two days later, just after Zechs and Noin returned from another unsuccessful search, Dorothy climbed onto a horse’s back, seated behind Zechs, Mariemaia bundled securely to her chest. “I do not want to leave you,” She said to the stony faces of the only parents she ever remembered having. “And I do not wish for you to go, but for now this is what must be done,” Treize said to her then turned to Anne. “I wish you would go too, for Mari.” Une closed her eyes, fighting off the emotion that threatened to her mask crumble, when she opened them again all her fears, doubts and sadness were buried behind her now cold, dark eyes. “No, I am needed here, as are you. We lost far too many of our men through betrayal and death. I trust Dorothy to care for our daughter while we protect them from here and fight to ensure they will have a home to come back to.” In secret it was arranged for Dorothy and Mariemaia
to go to Sanq, the castle in Tropria where Mareen, Queen Eliza’s
sister lived with her husband and daughter. There were no goodbyes at their parting, they did not wave and they did not cry. Nor did they know if they would ever see each other again. TBC
|
