Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Battle of the Heart (formerly untitled) ❯ I'll Turn Her In ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: The second chapter to my medieval story. Don't get mad at me…I am soooo close to finishing chapter seven for Windows to the Soul. Be looking for it either today or tomorrow.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the characters. I guess I own Shang and Antwan who I made up. Oh yeah, and I picked the name Miguel for King Peacecraft…uh, well just because I didn't know what his real name is.

"I'll Turn Her In"

Hilde carried a huge pot of water, trying her best to hide her obvious struggling. The damnable pot had to weigh at least as much as she did. The young woman sighed; the walk back would be easier, considering she was supposed to empty this pot which had enough water to support a monsoon.

Hilde bit her lower lip: okay, now she was exaggerating.

The night closed in around her, darkness seeping into every crack and crevice, making things appear as though they were dipped in ink. The faint silver light the moon brought was enough to luminosity the path so the young woman wouldn't falter against a stray rock.

The day's events played their course through her thoughts. It had hurt her so much to see Duo getting beaten, and yet she didn't even know him. You can be sweet on someone you don't know, but how can you care so deeply about him?

In truth, she wasn't really mad at Sally for getting caught. It had to end sooner or later, but she just wished it could have been later rather than sooner. The worst part was, if anyone found out Hilde had participated in the escapades...she would be a goner. Sally, being the lord's daughter, was often given pardons where those of lesser birth were not.

Walking down the cobblestone alley silently, Hilde yelped in surprise when a shadow jumped in front of her. Fear pressed down on Hilde from all sides when she heard the shadow whisper.

"Greetings, sweetie. What are you doing out so late," a male voice whispered slimily. "And all alone, too."

Using strength she didn't know she possessed, Hilde flung the pot's contents at the figure. He cursed in surprise at the mucky water that drenched him. Before he could react, the smaller woman shoved the pot hard into his gut, and then turned heel and ran.

"Get back here, you wench!" the voice yelled, reaching to a shriek, as it got louder. The figure had blocked her way into the manor house, so she was forced to run away, deeper into the alley.

Hilde ran as fast as her slim legs would carry her. The night pressed around her, and she realized how utterly vulnerable she had been. She let out another scream as a second figure appeared in front of her.

"Slow down there, miss, what's the problem?" came a reassuring voice and Hilde stopped running, glancing up at the person before her. The moonlight lit the area well enough for Hilde to catch a pair of violet eyes.

A pair of footsteps clapped angrily on the stone as Hilde's pursuer met up with them. The man was still yelling at the "filthy wench" when he saw the man with her. Hilde couldn't help herself as she backed so she was behind the man with the violet eyes. Something inside of her snapped. "Duo?" she thought just as his voice broke through her thoughts.

"Trant, you bastard," Duo snarled. "What the hell are you doing?"

"What are you doing out of bed, Maxwell?" the man, Trant, sneered. "I thought after today you'd be afraid of running into Quinze."

Duo growled, barely checking his rage. "You set it up, and now you will pay the price."

"They'll never believe you," the other man said with a triumphant smirk.

"What do you mean?" Duo asked, feigning innocence. "I was merely helping out a damsel in distress!" Hilde was quick, and caught on easily.

"Yes," Hilde agreed, also feigning innocence. "You tried to hurt me, before Duo came to my rescue. Too bad he had to...ah, subdue you."

With that said, Trant turned tail and fled. However, instead of going after him Duo offered his arm to Hilde.

"I would be honored if I could escort milady back to the manor," he said, giving her a wink and a cheery grin. Hilde chuckled and took his proffered arm.

"Why thank you, milord," she replied, and the two walked happily back up to the manor, walking as slow as possible.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The golden rays of light that seemed only to appear in the morning shone through the windows of the young woman's room. The heavy curtains were pulled aside, and the room was filled with the light of morn. In a particularly large patch of sunlight sat Sally, who was basking in the warm glow almost felinely. She brushed her hair simultaneously, the sunlight catching the gold flecks of her hair and making them sparkle.

The door was thrown open and Hilde came running in, her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were flushed with excitement.

"Sally!" she squealed, plopping on the ground next to her friend. "You will never guess who I saw last night!" Sally dropped the brush, turning to her.

"Duo?" she asked bluntly. Hilde opened her mouth to speak, and then abruptly closed it.

"You're no fun," she pouted, and Sally laughed.

"All right, how's this: I don't know, my dearest Hilde, who did you meet last night?" the blonde woman asked, adopting a fake falsetto.

Hilde rolled her cornflower blue eyes, but played along anyway.

"Well I was emptying out a large tub of water the cook had used," she explained, eyes shining with mirth. "When this young man jumped out and scared me senseless. He started acting really...slimy...so I dumped the water on him..." at this Sally laughed. "...and shoved the tub into his gut. I start running, and whom should I meet up with, but Duo Maxwell! He offers to walk me back, after frightening the other man...Trant, I think he called him." Hilde let out a wistful sigh. "Now that I've met him, I think I like him even more..."

Sally punched the other woman's arm playfully. "Don't be such a sap."

Hilde rubbed her arm in mock hurt. "You shouldn't hit a lady, ma'am." Sally clutched her stomach, erupting in laughter.

As the laughter died to chuckles, Sally wiped her eyes where tears had been squeezed out from the chortles. Hilde patted her arm sympathetically.

"Don't worry, Sal," she said in false sorrow. "I'm sure you will find a man soon enough. A nice fat one with lots of money." Sally scowled.

"I don't want a fat man," she said defensively. "In fact, I don't want one with money either. Hell, I don't want a man at all!"

"Language, dearie," Hilde scolded, mocking the nurse with exact precision, but then became serious after a few minutes.

"You know, Sally, not all men are evil," she told her friend, furrowing her slender eyebrows at her friend's impassive look.

"I have yet to find a man like that," Sally replied, and then raised an eyebrow dubiously. "I doubt such a man exists."

"You are impossible, Sally Lien Po!" Hilde cried with exasperation, standing up and beginning to walk out the door. But, before she got out, a pillow, courtesy of Sally, flew and bounced off Hilde's tiny behind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Quinze surveyed the group of squires with distaste. The squires held similar expressions, but theirs were disguised to look attentive. The hat the old knight wore did little to hide the patch on the back of his head. Duo couldn't help but smirk at this, but Wufei scowled. A female had bested his superior. A snotty noble female dressed as a boy...could it have gotten any worse?

"If any of you," the knight sneered, "see a boy in a hat, please report him to me." Wufei held back a snide snort. How many "boys with hats" lived in this manor alone? His thoughts were interrupted as Quinze continued.

"Until the culprit is found." Wufei narrowed his eyes. This was not going to be good...

"Your work will be doubled. If anyone is holding out on their comrades, I would advise they watch their backs..." His gaze traveled to Wufei, who fought against looking away, and insisted meeting the older man's gaze.

"Damn it," Duo cursed in annoyance. "Damn Quinze's stinky ass to hell! And may he burn forever!" He came over and glared at Wufei sharply. "We have to turn her in."

Wufei's obsidian eyes widen first in shock, and then narrowed in anger.

"She saved your sorry butt, Maxwell, it would be dishonorable," he said plainly, walking towards the stables. The braided man caught up with him quickly.

"Since your honor stops you, then I'll turn her in," he declared. The other man remained expressionless. "She's the lord's daughter, 'Fei!" he exclaimed, using the nickname Wufei detested. "They won't do anything bad to her!"

"I'm not worried about her, idiot!" Wufei growled. "Have you listened to anything I've said?"

Duo pretended to look confused. "Huh, did you say something?" The Chinese man's scowl deepened and he shoved Duo lightly.

Duo studied his friend critically. 'He never said I couldn't turn her in,' he thought, torn in two. 'It's either all the squires, or one woman.' Duo chuckled. 'And as Wufei would say, women are weak, anyway.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Prince Zechs stared out of the window listlessly. His father, King Miguel Peacecraft, was going more worried with each passing day. Two lords under him, Lord Shang and Lord Treize, were disputing, which is never a good thing. What makes it worse is that Lord Treize has a powerful vassal under him, Lord Antwan Noin, and Lord Antwan had good relationships with Lord Shang. This made things quite twisted, especially if Antwan's liege lord decided to call upon him for aid.

Zechs's ice blue eyes seemed bored, but inside he was an emotional turmoil. Accompanying Lord Antwan would be his pride and joy, his only daughter, Lucrezia. Zechs and Lucrezia had met twice before when the King and Lord Antwan had gotten together. The first time they had become fast friends. The second time he had given into defeat, and finally admitted it to himself: he was in love with the young noblewoman.

Oh, how had things gone so horribly wrong? It was impossible, in the feudal society, for him to take Lucrezia as his bride, for she was but a vassal's daughter, while he was the son of the king; the oldest son of the king. Zechs cursed his prince ship, he cursed Lucrezia's lower status, and he cursed everything.

"Come, Prince Zechs," a young guard said. "King Miguel wishes for you to help greet the guests." Taking a deep breath, Zechs stood, his long platinum hair falling elegantly to his waist. He followed the guard to a beautiful sitting room where his father sat at an ornate chair. Lord Antwan sat at a chair, which was more prosaic, but still quite lovely. At his side sat Lucrezia on a similar chair. The trio sat in a makeshift circle, an empty seat in between his father and Lucrezia, which is where he sat, keeping his face neutral.

"Greetings, Prince Zechs," Antwan said warmly. "Though it was but a year since I last saw you, you have indeed grown up into a strong man." The blonde man offered the lord a weak smile.

"Yes, too long to be parted from such friends," he replied, cringing inwardly at his choice of words, but Miguel and Antwan seemed not to notice. Lucrezia, however, turned her violet eyes to him, studying his face as one would gaze upon a beautiful puzzle. A look of both awe and confusion marred her features. The two broke away when Miguel's hefty laugh echoed throughout the spacious room.

"Yes, my boy!" he cried, clapping Zechs on the shoulder. "Why don't you take Lucrezia out to see the garden while Antwan and I discuss some important matters."

Zechs scowled slightly, his eyes hardening. He wanted to know more about the feudal dispute that had everyone so worked up, but the stern look Miguel sent him stopped his protests sharply. He sighed, quietly leading the raven-haired woman towards the gardens at the side of the castle. His steps lightened as he studied the small smile on her face.

"Is the beech tree still there?" she asked, walking the stone pathway aside the silent prince.

"You have a keen memory, Lucrezia," he stated. "Yes, it's still there."

"I'm nothing special," she said, sobering, and he had a sinking feeling that her statement held more than one meaning. "It was only a year ago, after all."

One year ago...

"What's wrong, Lu?" Zechs asked with concern, eyeing her from his seat in the crook of a tree branch. She was seated similarly beside him, trying hard to hide her tears.

"It's just..." she faltered. "I am a disappointment to my family." Zechs frowned in frustration...who was feeding her these lies?

"Why do you say that?" he asked, turning in the hollow he was nestled in so he was facing her, giving her his undivided attention.

"I just can't do anything right! My sewing looks like that of a three year old! Father has increased my lessons, but I just can't do it," she sighed. "I also tried weaving, but I can't do any of it. Especially since mother died, father has expected me to do everything she did. I have inherited none of my mother's traits," she smiled humorlessly. "Except her looks."

"Well that's not so bad is it?" he inquired. "Who cares if you can't sew?"

Lucrezia sighed. "You don't understand. Until I learn to do the things teacher says, I am not allowed to go horseback riding."

Zechs smiled sympathetically. Horseback riding was something Lu loved with a fiery passion. Not to mention she was an even better rider than he was.

"Teacher said, that if I can't do those things, that I am worthless to my family. She said I wouldn't get married because of my horseback riding skills. I must learn to be a good wife," she explained sullenly.

"If it helps ease your hurt," Zechs told her softly, "then you should know that I think you're perfect the way you are." The young man leaned over and brushed a kiss against Lucrezia's cheek. She blushed despite herself, but followed suit as Zechs hopped out of the tree.

"You're right," Zechs agreed. "But seems so long since I last saw you."

"Too long?" she questioned quietly, so it was almost inaudible. Zechs didn't respond, instead jumping onto a low branch of the tree they had just come up to. After seeing the skirts Lucrezia was in, he came to a lower branch and offered his hand. She looked at him challengingly, before climbing up swiftly without his aid. Zechs couldn't keep the elated smile from gracing his face. Gods, he had missed her.

A/N: I'm contemplating taking this off of ffnet (or mmorg)…Unless people are actually reading it. Actually the only reason I'm writing it is because it's an annoying plot bunny that won't leave me in peace until I have typed down my ideas. Please review!

Notes (Before You Flame…):

-I made up the names Antwan, Shang and Miguel. I know these are not accurate to the original Gundam Wing, nor are they accurate to this time in history. This is an AU, after all, which means I am making the majority of it up.

-I realize this takes place in medieval Europe, which means that Shang, Sally and Wufei are sorely out of place. As well as Duo, I suppose, since he is of American heritage. I am using all of these characters anyway, so if that's a problem…well…I don't know why it would be…

-This is non-yaoi. Now this is a stupid note, since it's clearly marked as non-yaoi in the summary, but I don't want to get flamed for my choice of pairings. I treat yaoi fans with respect and I expect the same treatment in return.

Thanks for reading, ja!