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"Ellion - Book 2"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: Angst, non-graphic blood, Non-Graphic
Violence, Mpreg, Romance, Action/Adventure, Aftermath of Violence,
Alternate Universe, Elves, Magic, Character Death, Implied/Referenced
Character Death, Implied Sexual Content, Fantasy Pairings: 2x1, 3x4, 13xUne, 5xR 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.
"Ellion - Book 2" Part 3
Mother Nature who had seemed so kind thus far suddenly turned a blind eye on them, sending down sun so hot during the day it blistered their skin and frigid torrential down pours that lasted all night. “By the Mother, where did this rain come from?” Odin grumbled loudly as he pushed his sodden hair from his eyes for the third time in as many minutes. “And it was so hot this morning too,” Quatre added taking care to not lose a boot in the deep mud. “I never imagined it would be so hot this late in the year.” “If anything we should be seeing snow not rain,” Kid added, “This far north it usually only rains in spring.” “Did the heat of the sun make it too hot too snow?” Trowa asked. “This rain is so cold it could be melted snow.” “I do not think so,” Wufei said. “This feels wrong somehow.” “I agree,” Quatre added, he had been feeling a growing sense of unease all day but held his tongue so not to worry the others. “I believe Ozlain may be trying to slow us down.” “Well,” Odin said. “That could be it. I have lived in the area most of my life and I have never seen weather such as this. Winters are usually cold and dry.” “I suppose it is a good sign then,” Wufei said. “If Ozlain is going through such extreme measures as using weather spells, then they do not know exactly where we are.” The others nodded and continued their slow, cold trudge through the mud. “We may have to wait for dawn before we can stop to sleep,” Odin announced some time later. “I do not know of any places that would be dry enough to sleep in, if we have the hot sun again then we could sleep under some brush or make some sort of shade with our ground covers.” “I cannot wait to reach Ga-tew where my little girl is waiting,” Kid sighed tiredly, “And the dry beds and hot baths.” “And food,” Quatre added, “Hot, fresh food, which is not splattered with rain and mud and does not need to be eaten while standing up.” Trowa smiled fondly at his husband while looking forward to the day they will be able to find some time alone together, they had been apart for so very long. He had know that Ozlain would not truly harm Quatre while he had been in captivity for he had been too valuable, but it was not enough to comfort him these many years. “Where is the moon?” Kid asked, suddenly stopping to look up. It was dark, much darker than it should be for the moon was supposed to be full this night. The canopy was not very thick; though the clouds were heavy there was no sign of the moon. Odin blinked up in the rain trying to see the glow of the full moon that should be clearly lighting their way, yet he could find no sign of it either. “How can Tsubarov be so powerful to hide the moon from us, yet he could not find Prince Heero without you?” Wufei asked slicking back his hair. “Jay was far more powerful than Tsubarov can ever hope to be,” Quatre replied. “He used every last bit of his magic to protect Heero and hide him from Ozlain. We made a key that can unlock the spell and release his magic, though I do not know where it is now.” “Can you break the spell without the key?” Wufei asked. “Yes, I believe I can, only because I know how the spell was done in the first place. Had I not been there to witness it I believe the task would be quite impossible.” “What is this key? Where can we find it?” Odin asked urging to group to keep moving, even though they had no moon to guide them; Odin knew the area well enough to keep them moving in the right direction. “Jay took the key with him when he left Ellion, I do not know where he may have hidden it but the key is a stone that holds massive amounts of Jay’s magic as well as some of my own. The key was made before the spell was even cast to ensure we had enough magic to left to make it,” Quatre paused to take a sip from his canteen before continuing. “They were sealed in a box that too needs a special key. If the box were to be opened the magic contained within would be so strong that there would be no way to hide it from Tsubarov.” “That is why we need to be in Hartou before you break the spell?” Odin asked. “Yes, where Heero can be kept safe after the spell is broken.” The mud was so thick and the rain so heavy that they were forced out of the woods and onto the road and even then their boots slid and if they were walking on ice. “Love?” Trowa asked as Quatre groaned in pain, his body not use to being so active. “I will be alright,” the Mage replied softly. “My legs are just tired from all the walking.” “Not much longer now, my Grace. It will be dawn soon and we can make camp,” Odin called over his shoulder. “Thank the Mother,” Quatre mumbled and trudged along. They walked some distance farther when their path narrowed and soon they were walking single file on a muddy foot path along the outer edge the dense forest, a shallow gorge to the east preventing them from spreading out. “See there, Your Grace,” Odin called out and pointed to the kiss of the sun in the distance. “Soon it will be bright enough to find a place to camp.” Quatre smiled then turned suddenly at the sharp cry behind him. “Your Highness!” Trowa shouted as he lunged for the edge of the gorge where the earth had suddenly disappeared from beneath Heero’s feet. Quatre ran back to help only to see the muddy edge crumble and take Trowa over as well. “No!” Odin called and grabbed the slight Mage around the waist, preventing him from going over as well. Shoving Quatre back towards Wufei he carefully looked down over the edge, seeing nothing in the darkness. “We are alright,” Heero called up. “We did not fall far but I do not think we will be able to climb back up, the side is too slick.” “Are you sure you are unhurt?” Odin called back and Kid laughed. “That was a trip I do not fancy taking again anytime soon, but aside from some bumps and scratches I am fine.” “Trowa?” Quatre called. “I am fine as well,” Trowa called back for the benefit of his husband. “Well,” Odin said moving back from the edge to address the Mage and the Watcher. “There is no way Kid and Trowa will be able to find a way out until we get some light.” “You know this area, where does this gorge end?” Wufei asked wiping the rain from his face. “It spreads out and becomes less steep south of here towards the shore, it only gets deeper and narrower farther north,” Odin replied. “Then they must go back the way we came in order to climb out,” Wufei stated, sounding unhappy. “Unless we find a branch or a vine long enough to pull them out,” Quatre added glancing into the still darkened woods. “I suggest we wait here off the path until the sun gives us some light, then see if we can find something we can use to pull them back up. If we do not then I fear we may have to part ways,” Odin said loud enough that the pair in the gorge could hear him as well. “I agree,” Heero called back. “If we cannot get out here, we must go south; much time would be lost if you waited for us to rejoin you or if we were all to backtrack and start again. It would be best if Trowa and I turn back to Hartou from here and you continue on to Ga-tew.” “I do not like it but I agree,” Wufei said with a resigned sigh. As the sun filled the sky it was clear that it would not be possible for the pair to climb up, the sides in the particular area were very steep and slick with deep mud, and there were no footholds to be found. “I hate to say it but you are not getting out of there from here. You are going to have to go back the way we came and find a place to climb out where the sides are not as high.” Odin called down looking into Heero’s mud-spattered, upturned face. Though they all carried packs with food and supplies, luck would have it that the majority of their food supplies and the clothing for Jaylin had been with Odin and Wufei. Had Heero or Trowa been carrying those packs, the other three would have gone without enough food to sustain them for the rest of the journey to Ga-tew as there was no way one could throw a heavy pack up to them. Odin bundled a large share of the food in one of Heero’s tunics along with a few other items they would need and tossed it down to them, then they parted ways. Odin swearing to meet them in Hartou no more than three days after Heero and Trowa got there. The pair turned away once the trio above could no longer be seen and began their journey to Hartou. The bottom of the ravine was filled with rocks and branches that had been washed down the sides but thankfully did not have water rushing through it, just deep puddles of standing water, however not wanting to sleep in the ravine they decided to just keep going and it took the pair the better part of the day before they found a place to climb out. By the time they entered the woods the sun was setting and they were exhausted, covered head to toe with mud. Too tired to do anything about it they took a rest, dining on traveling cakes and water before catching a quick nap and moving again before dawn.
~*~*~*~*~
Early in the evening of the following day the Assassin, the Mage and the Watcher finally emerged from the woods onto an open field. They hurried across the large patch of land that separated the Temple from the wood; the vast, empty space greatly lowered the chance of anyone being able to sneak up on the Sisters. They could see the torches being lit for the evening and quickened their step. The Sisters never opened the gates after dark so if they did not reach the gate soon they would have to stay in the field or woods until morning. “Hail at the gate!” Odin called out loudly just as the gateway torches were being lit. Recognizing the voice, the older Sister placed a hand on the latch silently stopping the novice from closing the gates. “He is a most welcome guest,” The Sister explained. “Mother will allow the gate to stay open a few moments longer.” In the quickly fading light they could see the tall shape of the Assassin quickly guiding two others. “Thank you Sister Helen,” Odin said a bit breathless as he reached the gate. “This is Quatre and Wufei.” “Welcome back Mr. Lowe,” She greeted the familiar man formally due to the novice at her side, then turned to the two strangers as they slipped into the courtyard, the young novice quickly barring the gate behind them once she was sure they were all inside. “Where is Kid?” “We were separated escorting these two to the safety of Hartou. He has gone on ahead with a third from their party,” He paused and looked directly at the kind woman. “We have come to collect Jaylin; we will most likely stay in Hartou permanently.” “I understand,” The woman replied with a sad smile. She was very fond of the lovely, gentle child and would miss her dearly but Kid and Odin were her family and if they were going so far away it was best that she went with them. “Where is she?” Odin asked knowing that all the children were kept deep inside the buildings after dark. “Come,” Helen beckoned. “The children are just sitting down to supper, you can join them. I am sure you all could do with a hot meal.” The small group followed the older Sister and the novice into one of the large buildings and left their packs and cloaks with a Sister that was waiting at the door. After Helen instructed the other Sister to have the bags taken to the travelers quarters she escorted the group to a room where they could wash up then took them to the dining hall where several dozen children between the ages of two years and thirteen years sat eating their evening meal. So used to travelers very few looked up to see the strangers before turning back to their food. “Uncle Odin!” a sweet voice squealed in delight as a young girl scrambled away from the table, her deep chocolate hair flying behind her as she dashed across the room into Odin’s waiting arms. “Hey Princess,” Odin called brightly as he pulled her close. “Oh how I have missed you,” he ruffled the girl’s silky hair. She was growing so fast, she was still like a baby the last time they saw her, so small and chubby. But now she was a child, nearly reaching his waist and so articulate. Odin suddenly felt very sad, Heero had missed so much. “Where is papa?” She asked when she realized that he was not there. “He went ahead and is meeting us in another village,” Odin replied and the girl frowned faintly. “Will you be here tomorrow? Are you staying long?” “We will be leaving in the morning,” Odin said and her face fell more, “And you will be coming with us.” He added quickly, hoping to wipe that sad look from her face. “Really?” She asked a look of disbelief on her face, “I really get to go back home with you?” “Yes but we are not going back to where we used to live, we are going someplace far away from here, where your papa lived when he was little.” Odin explained as he lifted the child into his arms and carried her to the guest table so she could dine with them. Her brown eyes widened in excitement and threw her arms around his neck hugging him hard. Her only true wish was to be able to go back home and live with her papa and granny Jerusha again. She knew granny had gone to heaven because Sister Helen had told her so, but her papa was still alive and every night when she said her prayers she asked the Goddess to make it so she could live with her papa again. “May I ask how you are getting to Hartou?” Helen asked as she sat beside Quatre and ladled some of the rich, hardy stew into the bowls that were already placed on the table. “We will be walking,” Odin replied then mumbled a quick Grace before tearing a piece from the loaf of crusty bread so he could dip it into the stew. “Quatre is very important and we need to keep him as hidden as we can.” Continuing to fill the bowls Helen nodded in understanding, as Odin had grown up he had spent much time in Ga-tew and always supported the Temple, even after the old woman Jerusha who raised him moved away. She saw no reason not to trust what he said, but it worried her that they would be walking so far with such a young child on the verge of winter. She knew in good weather and with horses it could take six or seven weeks to reach Capital City. “How are you to manage?” she asked worrying her lip with her teeth, a habit she had ever since she was a young child. “Jaylin is so young and not use to walking so much and with winter coming…” she trailed off looking at each man hoping they took her seriously. “We have purchased warm clothing for her and when she gets tired we will take turns carrying her,” Odin explained. “There are many shortcuts through the woods, on foot we will reach the city much more quickly than if we took horses.” “It would be much easier to spot us on a road,” Wufei added remembering what Heero had told them. “We would be forced to use the roads if we had horses.” Smiling sadly at the man she had known since he was a young boy she asked, “Will you ever come back this way?” Leaning across the wide table Odin grasped the woman’s hand and smiled at her, “of course, you know me; I could never stay away for very long.” “Me too,” Jaylin added around a mouthful of
bread. “I can come back to visit too, right Uncle “Yes kiddo, we will bring you back for a visit. But you have to remember that it may be a long while before we can come back, alright?” “Yes Uncle,” the child replied softly feeling a bit sad at the idea of leaving Sister Helen, all the children and other sisters and knowing she would not be able to see them again for a very long time. As much as she loved her papa and dreamed of living with him again she had been at the temple for so long she could not help but feel sad about leaving. “What time will you be leaving?” Helen asked as she refilled Quatre’s bowl for the fourth time. “As early as we can,” Odin replied dabbing up the last bit of stew from his bowl with another piece of bread. “We need to cover as much distance as we can before it gets dark again.” With winter closing in on them so quickly the days were rapidly becoming shorter and shorter. With Quatre and Jaylin not being use to traveling on foot and after what happened to Heero and Trowa, Odin did not want to risk trying to move at night anymore. “I will make sure to have Jaylin’s things packed and some food for you to take with you in the morning, if you have the space to carry more.” “With as much as he eats we could always use more food,” Odin laughed nodding his head at Quatre who seemed oblivious to everything around him so long as someone kept putting stew in his bowl. Wufei on the other hand could not take his eyes from the tiny dark haired child that was babbling sweetly to Odin who in turn was watching her with shining eyes. Jaylin was so obviously Heero’s child; her features were that of Heero’s save for her eyes which were a warm brown. Wufei did not want to think she had inherited the eyes of her ‘father’ but instead remembered that Heero’s grandfather had brown eyes and firmly believed that the child had gotten them from him. He wondered if she were fully human because of the spell or if she would show some Elvin signs once the spell was broken, and would Heero stay physically the age he currently was or would he regress to the age he would be if he had been raised by his parents in Ellion? Glancing around he noticed they were mostly alone; the children had all been fed and were now away somewhere while a few sisters and a novice conversed at a table closer to the fire. Turning to Quatre to ask if he knew what would happen when the spell was removed; the corner of his mouth lifted when he saw the Mage had dozed off, his spoon still in his hand. “Come,” Sister Helen said when she noticed where the black haired man’s gaze had drifted. “I will show you to the travelers quarters where you can get some sleep.” Guiding them through the halls she left them when they reached a large warm room lined with several narrow beds. “Someone will wake you before dawn; I will see you at breakfast.” She smiled and then disappeared into the dim hall with Jaylin, quietly shutting the door behind them. Dawn came much sooner then they all wanted for it had been the first time in a very long time for all of them that they had been able to sleep inside, in a warm room in real beds after having a hearty warm meal. Despite still being a bit groggy Quatre was up and dressed first looking forward to breakfast much to everyone’s amusement. There was a tap on the door and Wufei, who was closest moved to open it, a Sister of the Temple stood there with a smile. “Breakfast is ready, Miss Jaylin is still asleep but her belongings have been packed for you,” She held out the traveling pack filled with the little girl’s things. “Thank you,” Quatre called out and the sister simply nodded and replied, “If you are ready to go I can guide you to the dining hall.” “We need a few more minutes,” Odin replied as he wiped the shaving soap from his chin, and then added. “You do not have to wait for us, I know the way back and we will be along shortly.” “Very well,” she nodded again then turned away while Wufei closed the door again. They quickly finished washing up and packing the few things they had needed, making sure all their bags were packed properly, Odin unpacked Jaylin’s pack and sorted through it dividing some of her things amongst the other packs so when he was done there was still only three packs between them with the exception of a smaller bag hanging from his belt that held Jaylin’s bonnet, a traveling cake and a canteen in the case the child got hungry before the next planned break. There had been several dresses and outer garments amongst her things most of which had been very bright in vivid colors that would stand out in the woods, he was thankful that Heero had bought the dark cloak, it was large enough that it should mask the bright clothes long enough to get them to another village where he could get her some darker things. Helen was waiting for them already when they stepped into the nearly empty dining hall where bowls of hot porridge, end of season fruit and more crusty bread awaited them. The mood was somber and Jaylin seemed to have no appetite as she sat silently, stirring her porridge. Helen stoked her hair and knelt to give the child a tight hug before leaving to fulfill her duties. Though she would miss the child her heart told her that Jaylin leaving now with her family was best, but that did not help stop the tears that came to her, nor did it give her the strength to say goodbye. By the time she returned to the dining hall for midday meal, they were gone.
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