Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cynehelme ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Cynehelme

by kmf

Rating: PG13

Warnings: AU

Standard Disclaimer applies

Chapter Fifteen

Heero and Duo were regarding the map when Quatre entered the room. The druid nodded politely to Duo, who grinned back at the holy man. They had all three known each other since they were lads and whilst in front of others Duo would put up at least a show of respect, in private Quatre was still his young friend ripe to tease whenever he could.

"How is she?" Heero asked, his eyes going back to the map after nodding his welcome. His attitude was one of indifference, but when Quatre did not immediately reply he looked up his eyes narrowed. "Is she worse?"

Quatre frowned a little, his eyes reflecting the worry he felt. "I will be honest. She is not well. She has ill humours on her chest, which is making it hard for her to breathe at times. It would be probably best to isolate her from the other women."

Duo looked towards the doorway. "Is it an illness that will spread?" It was his turn to worry as he remembered that Hilde had only just entered the Princesses room to help nurse her.

Quatre shook his head "No, I don't believe that it is infectious. But for her comfort and the comfort of those who look after her it would be best if she was put somewhere where there will not be a constant coming and going of women," he patted Duo on his shoulder, "Hilde is perfectly safe. Indeed I foresee a long friendship arising between both those women."

Duo rubbed the back of his head, his expression betraying that he didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Heero, however, grunted and turned back to his map. "See to it," he instructed Quatre.

Quatre again smiled, his blue eyes twinkling in suppressed amusement. "The best place for her to go would be..." he trailed off looking towards the sectioned off area of Heero's room where his bed was screened behind linen hangings.

Duo suppressed a snort of laughter as a look of shock came over Heero. Heero, in turn, glared at Duo crossing his arms and staring at him through his messy hair until Duo turned his head away to hide the grin that threatened to erupt over his face.

"You want her to be installed here," Heero stated rather than questioned and Quatre nodded.

"For her health, yes. It is the only chamber that is well and truly isolated," Quatre stated firmly. "If you want her to regain her health as quickly as possible, I recommend that you do this," he lowered his head so that he was looking at the ground, "You do not wish her to die do you?" he asked softly.

Heero's eyes widened for an instant, then narrowed again as he wondered just how much he was being manipulated. Duo, however, looked concerned.

"Is she that ill?" he asked, "Heero, if she dies..." he trailed off looking towards his foster brother.

"If she dies there will be war. If she lives there will be war," Heero said turning back to his map his fists clenching slightly as he regarded it.

"Perhaps," Quatre nodded, "But there are degrees of war. I believe that Relena has the power to bring longstanding peace again to the land. If she dies then we will definitely be plunged into a war that could span our lifetime and that of our children," he said before smiling broadly, "I will inform Catherine that Relena is to be re-housed here."

Heero did nothing more than nod as he continued to regard his map.

"No news yet of Trowa?" Quatre asked.

Duo shook his head. "The longer the silence the more likely it is that he is dead," he said.

Quatre looked sad. "I hope for Catherine's sake he is not. He is all the family that she has left. She is trying to keep her anxiety hidden and the task of looking after Relena helps. But I can see the worry in her eyes," he said.

Duo perked up a little and gave Quatre a slap around the back of his shoulders, which made the druid stumble forward a few steps before regaining his balance. "Do I detect a hint of love in those words little man?" he asked.

Quatre flushed and gripped his staff tightly. "Just friendly concern, Duo. Nothing more," he replied. "Why must you bring every utterance down to a base level?"

Duo smirked, placing his hands behind his head in a relaxed attitude. "There is nothing wrong with a little romance to brighten the day. Speaking of which," he turned to Heero, "hadn't you better fetch your lady in here?"

* * * * *

Noin had settled in easily into her life as a servant; Millardo expected her to do as he instructed and her own pride demanded that she perform to the best of her ability and not let her husband down. She had been placed in the kitchen, given food and drink to ease her aching stomach and the opportunity to nurse her son. Once that had been done, she had been put to work.

There was much to do in the great warm room that was central to the fortresses upkeep. A huge fire burned low over which were suspended a row of large cauldrons filled to the brim with stews and soups all of which would be consumed during the course of the day and would need replenishing for the next day. Winter stored roots had to be cleaned and chopped, dried meat added together with such herbs that were available. Grains were to be pounded and boiled to make thick sticky porridge to fill empty stomachs, beer barrels had to be broached and wine siphoned from its leas. Tables had to be scrubbed, soiled rushes removed and replaced, and bowls scoured.

It seemed to be a never-ending cycle; as soon as one meal was finished then the next would be prepared for. Lucrezia was fast learning a healthy respect for the work that kitchen staff performed. She had been so tired the first night that she had forgone going to the women's quarters, even though she knew that Relena would be there, but had instead fallen asleep by the low burning fire tired but content that she held her son in her arms.

Of course, that had proven a mistake for she was woken when it was still dark by the first of the kitchen staff preparing dough to bake unleavened loaves for the masses to eat. She was quickly told to help and had kneaded until her arms ached, her son tied to her back with a length of material, sleepy and content to be rocked as his mother worked. She had smiled wearily as she finished wishing that she too was rocked into a gentle slumber by one who loved her.

Instead she was granted a small rest; time enough to break her fast and feed the baby, and then she was once again put to work. Never a free moment was afforded to her alone and she began to wonder whether she would ever be able to fulfil her husband's instructions to seek out his sister and make sure that all was well with her. As noon went by Lucrezia thought that her only course would be to seek her out during the night if she managed to stay awake long enough.

Then God answered her silent prayer in the form of the head woman; Catherine. The girl bustled into the kitchen giving out instructions for mulled mead fortified with honey to be prepared for the ill princess whilst she busied herself thinning out soup for the girl to eat. Seeing an opportunity, Lucrezia immediately sought to aid the woman.

Catherine had looked at her puzzled for a moment, her brows frowning as she sought to place who the woman in front of her was. A small squawk of protest drew her attention to the babe that Lucrezia carried swaddled to her back and recognition brightened her eyes.

"Noin, isnt it?" she asked turning back to the soup, lifting the spoon out and letting the fluid drip so she could judge how thin it was. Satisfied she turned back to Noin, and looked at her closely. Her eyes travelled down to the baby who had located his fist with his mouth and was sucking at it hungrily. She lifted an eyebrow then smiled, "You will do. The child might brighten the girl's mood a little."

Lucrezia looked down at her son and smiled too. She hoped that Relena's nephew would bring a little bit of joy into her life, even if the girl would not know that they were related.

* * * *

Une felt warm and secure, her eyes half closed dreamily took in that her surroundings were changing so that she knew that she was travelling. Although the horse was travelling at speed, she felt safe and secure and looking down she saw that strong arms held her close to a chest that radiated heat.

For a moment she thought that it was Treize that held her, but as fleeting as that thought was, it disappeared with the realisation that it could not be Treize. He had never held her close and would never hold her. She was his priestess, his shaman, untouchable and remote. She would never know the pleasure of being embraced by him.

That sadness was swiftly replaced by curiosity. Who was this man who held her so firmly and so securely, his mind on both her safety and the speed and direction of his horse. She turned her head slightly, ignoring how her hair whipped around and stung her eyes. Looking up she saw the prisoner Trowa, his eyes narrowed concentrating on his flight. Feeling her movement, his eyes flickered down to her, his mouth pulling into a small smile.

Une felt confused. How was it that she was where she was. She recalled nothing, her memory hazy and confusing. She looked about herself trying to ascertain where her master was and was frightened to find that she could not see him, only the holy woman on a horse, her robes rucked up around her thighs, her face determined.

"What...?" Une began to struggle against the warm hands that held her and felt Trowa's arm strengthen his hold about her.

"Relax," he said, his voice barely catching her ear over the thunder of the hoofs and roar of the air. "I will do you no harm."

As they burst forth from trees into downland, the holy woman pulled up level with Trowa, and called to him her voice harsh.

"She slows us down, you must leave her!"

Trowa's arm once again pulled her close as if he could merge their two bodies into one. He did not reply and he did not stop their onward flight. Again the nun called.

"They will not follow if you release her!" She said, her face pulling into a frown, "We must warn of this war!"

This time, after a small hesitation, Trowa nodded. He pulled the reins of the horse in and the beast slowed its stride, its head shaking from side to side and snorting in its irritation of losing its stride. As they slowed, Une wondered why she suddenly felt regret that the closeness to Trowa would soon disappear. She found herself clutching at his arm as his horse halted, and the odd sensation of tears forming in her eyes.

He looked at her, his hair flopping forward over one eye now that they had stopped, his one visible eye widening at the emotion in her eyes. For a moment Une believed that he would renew his hold of her and urge his horse once again into motion. But then the moment passed and he leaned to the side allowing her to slide to the ground.

She stared up at him, filled with an odd sense of loss as his hand caressed up her back, trailing along her neck to her cheek then away. They looked at each other, Une aware that the spell that was weaving between the two of them was growing stronger until suddenly it was shattered by the nun.

"Come on, Trowa!" she cried in concern, looking over her shoulder in the direction they had come.

"Wait here. They will come for you soon," Trowa said to her softly, before he pulled on the horses reins turning it slightly and urging it into a gallop.

The nun stared at Une for a moment, then followed the warrior. Une stood quite still, watching them go until the landscape swallowed them up. Still she stood still, listening to the wildlife returning to the land now that it was calm and quiet. Birds called as they flew overhead. In the distance there was the short sharp yap of a fox out foraging.

Une felt peaceful and calm and let the world flow over her as she stood tall, calm and serene. She felt herself connect with the spirits of nature that ebbed and flowed around her and felt herself float calm and happy, content to meditate as she waited.

Her wait was not long. Soon the calm eddies that flowed around her began to unwind, blown by strong emotions and effort. Opening her eyes she saw Wufei approach pushing his horse fast, his eyes narrowed and anger radiating from him. He saw her instantly and directed his horse towards her, pulling back on the reins to stop it mere feet away from her. The horse snorted in its protest, its forelegs lifting off the ground narrowly missing Une.

She did not move, but watched detached as the warrior slid off from his horse and took hold of her arm. She felt her own aura darken at his touch, reflecting the anger he felt and felt her mood thicken.

"Why did you allow yourself to be taken?" he demanded, looking past her to where he could see fresh hoof prints leading off into the distance. "You have caused Lord Kushrinada dishonour!"

At the name of her Lord, Une felt the calm that she had gained from her meditation start to dissipate at a faster rate. The familiar darkness that overtook her at times began to well up and her fists clenched.

"Treize…" she murmured her eyes lowering to regard her hands which seemed to move on their own volition.

She lifted her eyes to Wufei who regarded her with disgust. It was an unusual expression to be given to one so used to seeing fear reflected in the eyes of the men around her. She pushed her hair behind her ears, her eyes narrowing. The last clinging threads of the spirits of nature snapped from around her as she felt the comfortable dark shamanic powers settle across her shoulders enveloping her in their cold embrace.

"Enough!" she growled at Wufei, smiling at his sudden wary expression as he realised that she was no longer weak and compliant as she had been moments before. He was a fool, as most of the warriors were. Blind and trusting, following their leader no matter what the instructions were. Treize was a master of manipulation; there was not one among their band that he did not have some hold on. Wufei was no different. He trusted the one that had granted him freedom.

Une's smile broadened. How different it would be if Wufei knew the truth.

Wufei was staring at her unsettled by the myriad of expressions that she knew must be passing over her face. Finally she managed to settle on a scowl and made to climb up onto the horse that Wufei had ridden. She was interrupted by Wufei holding her arm to restrain her.

"My orders were twofold. Find you and kill the hostages," he said. "I am still to finish my mission."

Une looked at him closely. She saw the grim determination in his eyes, the desire for revenge and the open lust for battle. She understood these emotions and she should have supported him wholeheartedly; after all, it was Master Treize's desire. But something within her protested, demanded that she prevent Wufei hunting the fleeing couple.

"No," she shook her head, "They are too far gone ahead to pursue. We will return to Master Treize."

Wufei looked at the hoof prints in the snow; the edges were crisp and fresh firm evidence that the horses had gone through not so long ago. Footprints were evident next to Une that were not hers, prints that had stood remarkably close to her. She had not been tossed from the horse as it had ridden by, rather she had been placed gently on her feet and some time had passed before her captor had remounted his horse.

Une watched him assess the situation and turn to glare at her. She narrowed her eyes and asserted her own power. He was her subordinate and would not question her motives; only Treize could do that.

"Come!" she instructed climbing onto the horse before turning the animal and retracing their steps back to Treize's camp. She did not bother to check to see if Wufei was following; she knew that he would like the obedient slave he was.

* * * *

Heero entered the women's quarters without bothering to announce his presence by knocking on the old wooden door. All would be out gainfully employed around the stronghold and only Relena and the women who tended her would remain within.

He disliked the thought of taking her into his own quarters, not least because he would be giving up the comfort of his bed that he so rarely slept upon. He treasured his own private space; it was the one positive benefit of being Lord of his own stronghold. Whilst others made do with communal living he had the luxury of his own space in which he was free to do as he wished, when he wished. And with the prospect of war drawing ever closer he much desired peace and quiet in which to ponder it.

Perhaps that was why Quatre had suggested it to him. Quatre was well aware of Heero's tendency to over analyse and brood about situations. Perhaps the druid thought that he was doing Heero a favour by suggesting that he take a companion into his room. A sick companion at that.

Relena was lying upon her pallet, her face pale, her eyes closed. Her hair had been braided into two long plaits that shone like gold as it reflected the flames of the fire that warmed her. She was asleep, deeply so, as she did not open her eyes at Heero's approach. Even when he squatted beside her reaching a hand out to touch her warm hair she still did not stir.

"She has only just gone to sleep," Hilde said softly making Heero jump slightly and pull his hand back swiftly. He had not realised that she was in the room, so quiet had she been. He glared at her for catching him showing the girl any sort of affection.

Hilde smiled back at him, standing up from the shadows the fire cast to come and kneel beside him. She patted his arm in an understanding manner, which made his hackles rise even further.

"What do you want, Heero?" she asked.

"Relena," Heero answered looking down at the sleeping woman.

Hilde giggled, "Oh my!" she exclaimed, "You are direct!"

Heero glared again at her annoyed that she was not cowered in the least. "Quatre has instructed that I give my room over to her," he said bending down to the sleeping woman and gently sliding his arm under her back and knees and lifting her effortlessly.

She was lighter than he recalled now that she was not wrapped up in heavy cloaks and blankets. His hands, not encased in gloves, could distinctly feel her warm skin and contours as he shifted her slightly so that he held her more securely. She sighed a little nuzzling her head into his chest, her hands automatically grasping at the material of his tunic.

He stood still for a moment wondering why it felt so right to hold her close, allowing his finger tips to caress the edge of the swell of her breasts. Hilde gave a gentle cough, once again startling Heero.

"Shall I open the doors for you?" she questioned.

Heero stood still startled again, a little unnerved in the way that Relena seemed to absorb his very awareness of his surroundings. He tore his face away from hers and looked at Hilde and glared at her. She smiled in return and moved to the door to open it. Still glaring, he walked past her down the passageway towards his own room. Hilde made to follow, but Heero had had enough of her barbed observations.

"Inform Catherine that I have moved Relena," he said not bothering to look over his shoulder. A loud sniff and heavy footsteps alerted him to the fact that Hilde had obeyed, although she had not been overjoyed to do so. Heero allowed a small smile to grace his face; Hilde was becoming a handful and needed to be reminded of her place now and again. Although he loved her like a sister, it would not do for her to absently tease him in front of others.

He entered his room by kicking the door open with his foot and ignoring the startled looks on both Duo's and Quatre's faces, walked directly to his screened off bed. He laid Relena gently down upon the pallet and held a hand against her forehead when she did not wake. She was still hot and her breathing a little troubled.

Quatre watched her for a silent minute, then directed Heero to sit her up while he arranged bolsters so that she would lie in a more upright position. Heero sat on the edge of the bed holding Relena to his chest, uncomfortably aware of her chest pressed against his own, and her limp head resting on his shoulder. When he laid her back down, still she didn't wake.

"It is a good thing," Quatre said reassuringly. "Sleep is the best medicine for her at the moment. I am sure that when she awakes she will be much improved."

"And able to return to her own room?" Heero asked, leaving the bed without a backward glance and striding back to his map. He needed desperately to be distracted from the woman who lay so invitingly in his bed.

"If that is what you really desire," Quatre answered knowingly.

TBC