Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Change of Scenery ❯ Part Four ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

This is a cross-over story between the Valdemar Series books by Mercedes Lackey (based in the reign of Queen Selenay, around the Owl trilogy time) and Gundam Wing. But don't worry, I'm going to be making sure you don't need to know much about the Valdemar books to be able to follow and explain the books, I'll do my best to explain everything in the actual story so it's not confusing to you. Basically something happens and Wufei, and the rest of the guys - though none of them realize the others are also there, end up in the Valdemar world. It's set at the end of Endless Waltz but goes AU right before they destroy their Gundams... I did a lot of research to do this so hopefully you enjoy it!

Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 07.19.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 8.7K | Visits: 553 | Status: Work In Progress

A Change of Scenery: Part Four
by Kai

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Gundam Wing - and trust me - the boys are VERY thankful for that fact. I also, sadly, don't own Valdemar or anything in that particular world... that all was created by the wonderfully talented Mercedes Lackey and all her books should be read over and over again until you can recite them word for word in your sleep.

Ratings: NC-17 (sexual content and language) this will likely be happening in the future so it'll be the rating for the entire fic

Warnings: Yaoi and language, etc.

Pairings: votes were tallied... looks like a 2x3x5 and a 1x4 from here on out.

Summary: This is a cross-over story between the Valdemar Series books by Mercedes Lackey (based in the reign of Queen Selenay, around the Owl trilogy time) and Gundam Wing. But don't worry, I'm going to be making sure you don't need to know much about the Valdemar books to be able to follow and explain the books, I'll do my best to explain everything in the actual story so it's not confusing to you. Basically something happens and Wufei, and the rest of the guys - though none of them realize the others are also there, end up in the Valdemar world. It's set at the end of Endless Waltz but goes AU right before they destroy their Gundams... I did a lot of research to do this so hopefully you enjoy it!

A Change of Scenery: Part Four

by Kai

Trowa's POV

I wasn't able to hold off unconsciousness when the wave enveloped us, but I wasn't as shocked as I could have been when I wound up in the middle of a forest with pieces of three different Gundams scattered around me. Wing's head was crushing a tree and Heavyarm's mid-section was perched precariously on Deathscythe's right arm. I wasn't surprised because I remembered some of Dr. S's theories from the time I'd hacked into his database; before I had become Trowa Barton. I was smart but despite that I'd only been able to understand about a quarter of it. Of course, back then they had just been theories but something about that one machine reminded me about the inter-dimensional travel hypothesis I'd seen. I was 80% sure that when Quatre had bumped into me, I'd triggered something while stumbling forward. If I remembered correctly the radius of the field would have been about sixty feet, so all of us would have been transported. A very lucky break because of the feedback of power the device used would have destroyed the entire satellite; virtually vaporizing it. The only explanation for us not being in the same location that I could come up with though, was that the sphere of energy was some how fracture...

Gingerly I sat up, pain stabbing my side. At least three of my ribs on my let side were badly bruised but at least they weren't broken. I could only hope the others had been as lucky. I couldn't imagine what any of them would think or how they would react to the situation they found themselves in. I also had no way of knowing where any of them were but wherever I was there had to be a leader of some kind. If I could get to that leader and convince him or her to help me find the others... well, it wasn't the best plan but it was all I had.

I carefully rummaged through the parts around me. Wing's head and Deathscythe's arm didn't have anything that was salvageable except as scrap, though, surprisingly I found Wufei's sword buried under a few loose pieces of metal. That left Heavyarm's mid-section; climbing up to get into the cockpit would be dangerous because of the unstable way it was sitting on the arm, but I had no idea how far the nearest town was and I would need all the supplies I could recover. I didn't even have my gun on me and there was nothing useful littering the ground. Oh, I could turn a couple pieces of metal into very crude knives if I had to but their uses would be highly limited.

So the only thing I could really do was slowly climb up the rocking pile up and attempt to pry the cockpit open without sending it rolling and taking me with it. Being crushed by a couple tons of metal wasn't on my to-do list... could be on Heero's, though, right under 'self-destruct numerous times and miraculously survive'. Even as I smiled, I mentally shook myself; I'd been hanging around Duo too much. Though to be honest, both Wufei and I had dry senses of humor and being around Duo had only increased what was already there.

After about half an hour I finally heard the sound of pressurized air being released. I slowly pulled the hatch open about halfway. Just enough to slip through and not have it fall shut once I was inside. It was a tight fit and there wasn't much light inside to see by. I found a glow stick and snapped it, shaking it until it lit everything in a dull green glow. Wires and circuitry were melted and fried but my duffle with a change of clothes, toiletries, small first aid kit, hunting knife, flint, blanket and an assortment of metal dishes designed for camping; had escaped any real damage. My flute case hadn't been so lucky.

Grabbing the duffle I slid it over my shoulder and moved slowly back to the hatch. No sooner had I crawled back outside than the entire thing tilted too far in the direction I was clinging to. If I didn't move quickly, it would pin me under its full weight, something I highly doubted that even Heero could survive. Using my both legs and arms I ignored my aching side, launching myself into the air and into a double-flip, landing painfully a few feet away from where the mid-section had crashed. It was almost sad to see our Gundams reduced to that, though in the end - despite what Duo and Quatre might say - they were only machines; and weapons at that. Everyone knew that in the end weapons only had one use and that's why we'd been about to destroy them. Still, that didn't say much for the five of us, did it? After all, weren't we weapons as well; flesh and blood weapons but weapons none-the-less. Not wanting to think about that I started walking, I didn't know where I was going but I knew my feet would take me somewhere; they always did.

******************************

I walked for the rest of the day, eating some saskatoon berries I found. It wasn't enough to make my hunger go away but it took the edge off and moistened my mouth and throat. Not long after building a smokeless fire, I sat down with the hunting knife and a smooth, straight piece of wood a little over a foot long.

I wanted to do something that would keep my hands and mind busy so I could avoid wondering where Wufei was and if he would be happy when I gave him his sword back, or what Duo was doing... I was worried about Heero and Quatre as well but my mind insisted on playing through the worst case scenarios, fixating mostly on Duo and Wufei. This was an expected outcome when you loved someone, or in this case two someones. I finished hollowing out the wood by heating a thin piece of metal and using it to burn a hole into it.

I'd been planning on asking each of them out after the wars, it didn't seem right to attempt a meaningful relationship with someone when you expected to die at any moment. When we had survived the wars I figured the possibility of rejection wasn't enough to keep me from trying. We survived a war and instead of having some small chance at peace ourselves we were thrown into a situation we knew nothing about.

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out before going back to work on the flute. Placing my fingers on the slightly warm wood, I used the knife to mark the familiar fingerings and slowly carved in the holes before working on the larger one for where my mouth would go. Music was something that always managed to help me focus or not focus, depending on what I needed. As far as I was concerned, the flute couldn't be finished soon enough.

It had been dark for over an hour by the time I tested the flute for the first time. The sound wasn't too bad, but I knew it could be better so I worked on it for a while longer. Then I cut a corner of the wool blanket off and used it to smooth out the holes a bit more after using the heated piece of metal to burn the holes. The blanket wasn't nearly as good as sandpaper, but it did the trick.

I didn't bother sleeping that night for a variety of reasons including the facts that I wasn't sure if it was safe, I didn't want to dream, I wanted to get used to my new flute, and I knew I could go without sleep for up to about seventy-two hours and still function normally.

As soon as it was light enough out to move confidently, I packed up and continued walking. The duffle wasn't quite big enough to hold the sword, so I tucked the blanket over the hilt to conceal it in case I came across anyone. I could use a sword if I needed to but I wasn't as good with it as the others were, except Duo; he'd never learned how to use a sword at all. However, I knew - from teaching him some gymnastics moves - that he could learn anything by watching it a handful of times as he has a photographic memory - so if he ever chose to pay attention to swordplay it wouldn't be long until he surpassed me.

A couple of hours later I came across a dirt road and turned left. It wasn't long until I came across a town. After questioning a local I found out I was in Traderest, about a three-day walk from the capital city of Haven. Apparently, I was in a Kingdom called Valdemar. If that weren't enough to convince me that I had been right about being in an alternate dimension, the way the town was would have. It was like I'd stepped back in time to around the 1800s or so. The main source of transportation was horses and wagons or your own two feet; they even had Inns and Taverns... things that had all but gone extinct in our world due to hotels and bars.

I found out about the Inns and Taverns when I told a lady that I was a musician and an entertainer looking for work. From what she said, I deduced that people who did both were called gleemen. She implied that a gleeman could find work at both businesses unless they already had someone entertaining there. If I was going to travel to Haven, I was going to need enough supplies for three days and in order to accomplish that, without resorting to stealing and maybe ending up as a wanted criminal, would be to earn enough of their currency.

So I made my way through the streets to the nearest Inn, following the directions the woman had given me. It was easy to find; basically in the center of town. A few people looked at me strangely and at least one man looked at me as if I were lunch - considering he was extremely creepy, that only made me feel a bit alarmed. I didn't doubt I could handle a single man or ten if I needed to but that would attract unwanted attention and might even make it difficult for me to obtain supplies. I would just have to do my best to avoid situations that would put me at risk of having unwanted advances forced on me.

The Inn I came across was called The Cross And Clover and as I walked in through the door, I was greeted by a wave of heat, numerous voices, and the smells of hot food being served. Despite my best efforts my stomach growled in anticipation. I knew, before I could eat or sleep though, that I needed to find the owner and prove my worth.

I made my way to one of the free tables in the room. I wouldn't have chosen it if I'd had another choice as it was open on all sides, leaving me vulnerable in a room filled with fighters and laborers. But with no other choice, I sat and waited until the plump blond waitress with a nice smile on her face, swayed up to my table. "What can I get you for breakfast?"

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to the Innkeeper about a job."

Her friendliness remained but her eyes became calculating - business oriented. "What sort of job are you looking for?"

"Entertainment. I'm a gleeman of sorts."

Her eyes roamed over me, stopping at the bag resting on my shoulder. "And do you play an instrument or do you sing?"

"I play the flute." I could also play a few other instruments and sing but I rarely sang, I wasn't quite sure why, I didn't want to look at it that closely.

She gave me another look before nodded her head slightly and moving through the aisles back towards the bar and the kitchen behind it. "I'll see if he wants to talk with you."

I didn't have to wait long; about five minutes later a middle-aged man, who was dressed a bit better than most of the people in the dining area, joined me. He took a seat across the table from where I sat, looking me over in much the same way the young woman had. "I'm Fedoran, the owner of The Cross And Clover. My daughter, Lissandra, said you're a musician and that you're looking for work." I almost smiled at the warning behind the words 'my daughter' but didn't.

I met his honest gaze with one of my own. "Yes, sir."

After a moment he rubbed his slightly whiskered chin and nodded, "Tell you what, son. You go over to the fireplace and set yourself up on that little stage we have over there and show me what you can do. If I like what I hear, I'll give you three meals and a cot in the back each day you play for me, if not I'll treat you to a meal for this performance. That fair to you?"

It was a good deal but I needed supplies. "How about, if you like what you hear, you give me a cot, two meals a day and credit on some supplies for when I leave here?"

The man smiled wryly and stuck his hand out for me to take. As soon as I did he gripped it tightly. "If I like what I hear. Word of advice, no love songs unless the women outnumber the men, only a Master Bard could pull them off otherwise."

I gave him a half-smile in answer. "Of course."

When he released my hand, I got up and went to the stage, noting that he stayed where he was and every eye in the room was watching me in interest. Carefully I took my wooden flute out, making sure that no one was able to see Wufei's sword as I did. Once it was out I stood and faced the crowd, raising the flute to my lips and immediately started into a lively Scottish jig. It was early morning and the men present were about to start a hard day's work of manual labor, they needed something energetic and joyful to start the day - not something depressing or slow. I did my best to make them feel that and as I did I could almost feel their aching muscles and joints as well as headaches, so as I played I wished to soothe those aches as I did.

Music, I often believed, could do a great deal to soothe and heal the soul. It could encourage people to become romantic, sad, happy, depressed, or energetic. It could tell stories, help you think or help you not to think. Without music the world would be less than what it was. People would be less than what they were. Even if you weren't able to hear it you could feel it, see it, taste it, and smell it in the very air around you.

After the jig I didn't stop, instead I improvised a transition into a modern jazz tune; maintaining the lively, energetically joyful, up-beat atmosphere and doing my best to erase all the troubles plaguing them. I wasn't a strong empath like Quatre, but I had a touch of it that only seemed to appear when people dropped their guards while I played. It let me know that what I was doing was working. Using the two different styles, I twisted the melodies and the harmonies around each other, creating something old and new at the same time. I played until my lips were chapped and my mouth and throat were bone dry. Then I pulled the music to a close and opened my eyes to find that the atmosphere really had brightened and everyone, including Fendoran, was clapping in appreciation.

Scooping up my bag, I bowed to the room and went back to the table I'd left the Innkeeper at. He stood, clapped me on the shoulder and ushered me to the kitchen. "Well lad, I liked what I heard. If we get some food in you and let you rest, do you think you'd be able to play again tonight?"

I nodded, though I felt like I could use a nap, which was a bit strange but could easily be chalked up to the stress of the last twenty-four hours or so. "So we have a deal then?"

Fendoran grinned happily, "Oh that we do lad that we do."

*************************

I spent three days performing twice each day. In the time I wasn't performing I was listening and learning all I could about Valdemar, it's Heralds, Queen Selenay and her Consort Prince Daren, their twins - Heirs Princess Lyra and Prince Kris - both Herald-trainees about my age, and Selenay's eldest daughter Herald-mage Elspeth. While I listened I crafted a couple sets of pan pipes and a crude guitar that sounded good but looked less than stunning. Still, considering my limited supplies, I was actually impressed at how well they turned out.

I was just warming up to perform when they came downstairs and took a table on the fourth night of my stay. The older one was about fifty-years-old and dressed in a scarlet red outfit that drew the eye immediately with respect. I'd overheard his name mentioned when he first arrived; Bard Janus. Despite the obvious pain his body was giving him, his eyes had crows feet next to them from smiling so much and there was a look to him that implied he was good-natured if not a bit mischievous as well.

The person with him was a young boy, dressed in a red-brown outfit. He couldn't be more than ten and one look was enough to know he'd been abused, though not recently. From the way he hung on Bard Janus' every word and the adoration in his young blue eyes, so very close to hero worship, I knew that the Bard hadn't been the source of the abuse but the rescue from it.

Just as I was about to take my place and start, Fendoran caught my elbow. Luckily, as he had a habit of doing that when he wanted someone's attention, I'd become more watchful and alert so I wouldn't accidentally lash out and hurt him. He was a pretty good man and he didn't deserve to have his teeth knocked out just because I was a bit jumpy. "Trowa, since we have a Bard here, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind playing a couple of songs and then letting him have the stage. Our deal won't be affected by it, I swear. It's just a treat to have a fully trained Bard here to perform for us."

I shrugged. "No problem, I'm a bit tired anyway."

He smiled, clapped me on the shoulder and turned to leave, mumbling. "Good, good. I'll let him know you don't mind."

I drank a glass of water, stepped on the stage and lifted my pan pipes to my lips. The song was a mix of classical and a lullaby. The idea behind it was to soothe and relax after a long day of work, to let those hearing it let their minds unwind from the problems and failures of the day and try and bring to memory the good things that had happened to them instead. As with every time I'd played since I'd first arrived at The Cross And Clover, I did my best to relieve the aches and pains of the day; like a good massage. As I finished I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to find the Bard and the boy staring at me in amazement…something I wasn't entirely comfortable with.

Slowly I stepped down and grabbed my bag, since it held Wufei's sword inside I refused to let it out of my sight, and went over to bow to him. "You may have the floor now, sir."

He smiled and got to his feet easier than before. I couldn't help a brief flash of pride at that, but instead of politely walking by me to take the small platform he motioned to the chair he'd been sitting in moments before. "Please sit and listen. Once I'm finished I'd like to speak with you."

I shrugged slightly and sat down. I had to admit, I was a bit curious about why people watched him in awe.

His smile widened and he almost looked like a teenager for a moment, despite his graying hair. "Thank you. This is my apprentice Tuck. I'm sorry; I don't believe I caught your name, young man."

I spoke softly but clearly as I answered him “Trowa Barton.” He seemed awfully satisfied at the sound, something that puzzled me greatly.

"I'm Bard Janus. It's a pleasure to meet you... Trowa?" He hesitated over using my first name but I nodded, giving him permission. Beaming, he winked. "Good. I hope you enjoy the show." And with that he picked up a case and went to where I'd stood, removing a beautiful harp from it as he did, taking a moment to tune it before asking the audience for requests.

A couple of tables over a larger man shouted loud enough that he caused Tuck to jump slightly. Without thinking I put my larger hand over his and squeezed it gently, giving him a small reassuring smile before I removed my hand to focus on Janus. I'd missed the name of the requested song, but I couldn't miss feeling the song, not when Janus sang.

It was a comedic love song and it was difficult to put the experience into words. He somehow made me feel the meaning behind it, behind the lyrics and the music and a glance around the room quickly showed that I wasn't the only one. Somehow he was able to project emotions to his audience through his music. It wasn't obvious but it still seemed as if everyone in the room had expected it. His voice was deep and rich and his playing was flawless, but it was a little difficult to push past the feelings it invoked to the actual music and try to separate the two.

He played a few more requests, a couple were sad almost depressing while others were happy of silly. And everything the audience asked for he knew. I was confident I could play back a couple of them by the time he finished and returned to the table, but they wouldn't be as good as his. He didn't sit down when he got back, instead he smiled at Tuck and I. "It would be easier to talk in our room. If you're okay with that, Trowa..."

I just nodded, got to my feet - bag in hand, and followed the tow of them out of the room and up the staircase to the room they were staying in. Once there Tuck made himself comfortable, sitting cross-legged on one of the beds.

Janus motioned towards one of the chairs. "Please, have a seat." As I sat down he took the chair across from me. "You aren't from Valdemar, are you Trowa?"

I shook my head and waited for him to get to the point. He seemed to expect more of an answer from me but continued when he saw that I was done.

"Do you know anything about Bards?" I shook my head despite having figured out a few things. It would be best to have him explain it just to be sure I hadn't made a mistake in my deductions. "Well Bards are musicians who possess a gift; the Bardic Gift. It's a gift that allows them to manipulate the mood of an audience and is related to the Gift of Healing. Some have described it as a projective empathy. Such gifts are referred to as mind-magic and while there are a large variety of them, they're rare. Bards possess more than just the Bardic Gift, however, they must also have Creativity - the ability to compose or arrange music and Talent - the ability to perform vocal or instrumental music. Those who possess just those last two are minstrels and those who have a percentage of Creativity or Talent are often called gleeman. I am a full Bard, as can be seen by the scarlet color I'm wearing. Tuck, is a Bardic-trainee. Again, his status is indicated by the red-brown color he's wearing. He's on his way to the Bardic Collegium where students learn all aspects of music, including control and use of their Bardic Gifts."

I glanced over at the young boy and was thankful to see that he seemed really happy about that. To me it looked as if he were still amazed that he could actually be a Bardic-trainee. I was glad, it meant I wouldn't have to interfere. "I appreciate the explanation but what is the reason you wanted to speak to me?"

His smile widened. "That's why." I gave him a blank look and he continued. "You have the Bardic Gift Trowa. It's strong in your music, but it's even stronger in your voice. You didn't even notice it but when you talk you're using it to make people feel relaxed and safe. You're telling people they can trust you, that you're a friend... not a best friend, but a close acquaintance and not a threat. I can only imagine what you'd be able to do if you sang."

I blinked at him but what he said made sense. It explained why I was so good at infiltration and why I'd managed to gain Lady Une's trust so quickly but there had to be more to it than that. "Alright. Let's say I believe you, why bother telling me?"

That question took him by surprise. "Trowa, you've got skill... you're using crude instruments and you make them sound as if they were the best that money could buy. I didn't recognize the music you played, but I could tell you were making it your own, that it wasn't entirely the original piece. And you have a strong Bardic Gift... one that is more than anything I've run into before because you play away pain. There's only been on documented case of that that I've ever heard of and that was Bard Stefen, about five hundred years ago."

I watched him calmly. "How do you know for certain that I can play away pain?"

He laughed, it was a nice sound but there was nothing more to it than the sound. Ever since he'd mentioned what he could do I had been trying to sense something similar to what I'd experienced it the Inn's main room, but there'd been nothing so far. "I'm fifty-six-years-old, and though I may not act like it very often, my joints rarely let me forget. And I can honestly tell you I haven't felt this good in months! Trust me when I say I noticed when it changed."

"Okay, and that's all you wished to discuss with me?" I made a move to stand and his laughter cut off as he stared at me intently.

"Of course not. I wanted to get you to come with us to the Bardic Collegium. Bard Syren, the Head of the Collegium would love to meet you."

I finished getting to my feet, shaking my head as I did. "I'm sorry but I need to go to Haven."

Janus tilted his head to the side. "But the Collegium is in Haven, right on the Palace grounds."

That got my attention but I didn't let him know it. "I still have to gather enough credit for supplies. I might have enough in a few days, but I doubt you'll be here then."

"Well, if that's all that's stopping you don't worry because I'll purchase an extra horse and we already have enough supplies for all of us."

I paused. "How long does it take to get to Haven by horse?"

"A day or so."

"When do you plan on leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

I looked from him to Tuck and shrugged. "What do you want in return?"

"For you to come to the Collegium and talk to Bard Syren and the others."

"And that's it?"

Janus smiled again and I knew he meant what he said. "Yes."

I gave him a small smile of my own. "Alright. I'll see you in the morning." With that I left, thinking that maybe I might have a chance to speak to the Queen after all.