Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cynehelme ❯ Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

Cynehelme

by kmf

Rating: PG13

Warnings: AU

Standard Disclaimer Applies

Chapter Seventeen

King Odin had ridden long and hard to get to his son's stronghold. He had received word of Heero's mission being successful a few days before. He had been glad that Relena Peacecraft had been safely acquired and felt great curiosity as to what the girl was like. Her status, of course, was most important. As sole remaining heir to the High King's Throne, she was a prize beyond anything else in his realm.

The status of High King that her father had enjoyed had been an empty title. He had held little power, the county that he ruled over was minor in size, although it did contain several important ports that were vital to trade. The old High King had been a peacemaker rather than a ruler, carefully judging disputes between the lesser Kings who held, ironically, more wealth and power. The Peacecrafts had known and understood this, and had been perfectly content in their role.

But now that Peacecraft was dead and all that remained was his daughter, things changed dramatically. Here was an opportunity for a lesser King to claim the High King's role and back it with wealth and power. And Treize, having manipulated several kingdoms in his own quest for power, was striving to complete his greed by claiming the girl.

However, Treize had been too eager with his plan. He had struck before he knew exactly where the princess was and had let her slip through his fingers and into Odin's grip. And Odin would not lose her. Such an opportunity had never before come to Mercia. Whilst he would never have considered doing such a thing as Treize had done, he would not give up the opportunity presented due to Treize's deeds.

Odin was determined that Mercia would gain from Kent's loss and would become the new High King's realm. To this end, he would defend his country and the girl from Treize's army even if it meant spilling the blood of all his men. Treize would not have her back.

It had not taken long to organise his warband and ready them to ride to Heero's stronghold. A division had been left behind to gather able bodied peasants to swell his army's ranks. Whilst he hoped it would not come down to a case of winning the battle by sheer numbers, Odin would not leave anything to chance. He would use all the resources at hand to gain what he wanted.

His warband had travelled through the night to gain the stronghold at first light, and Odin had been pleased to see that Heero had taken the appropriate measures of bringing the surrounding population within its secure walls. Whilst it would appear that Heero was protecting the poorer people within his lands, Odin knew better. Peasants who knew the land and knew the strengths and weaknesses of the stronghold could not be left where they could be captured and talk.

The guards on the gates saluted as he entered the compound that was empty and quiet in the dawn light. Word was hurriedly sent that the King had arrived and by the time that Odin had dismounted, Duo was before him looking slightly dishevelled, but alert. He dropped to one knee, his fist clenched across his chest, in a mark of respect.

Tossing his reins to a soldier, Odin acknowledged Duo with a grin.

"Didn't take a fancy to wearing a dress then?" he teased referring to Duo's time pretending to be a nun before signalling that Duo should stand. Duo flushed and did so, and Odin embraced his foster son. "I am pleased that you are safe," he said, "Did you enjoy your mission?"

Duo embraced the King back, "It was an experience that I would like not to repeat," he said, before turning and leading Odin up the steps to the hall, "Heero still sleeps, Trowa returned during the night with information about Treize and there was much discussion."

Odin nodded, taking a cup of mead from a dark haired maid carrying a baby. He glanced at her thinking for a moment she looked familiar and wondered whether he had bedded her when last he was here. Perhaps he had another bastard son? The maid scuttled away without looking directly at him, her head bowed hiding her features. Perhaps not, Odin shrugged. If it were his then she would be sure to petition him for upkeep on the babe. Turning back to Duo, he tossed back the drink in one draught enjoying how the warmth spread from his belly to his stiff arms and legs.

"Get someone to prepare the bath, I will use it once I have seen Heero." Odin handed his cup to Duo who nodded and walked off to do his bidding.

Odin walked purposely towards his son's rooms, anticipating the roman bath. It was the thing he most missed since he had given up the stronghold to his son. Traditionally this place belonged to the eldest son of the King of Merica; the crown prince's residence once he reached the age of being able to lead a warband.

As much as Odin had been delighted when Heero had demonstrated that he had the prowess of a leader, he had also hated giving up his favourite residence. It made him feel old, his son old enough to lead men and sire children of his own. Odin did not like the feeling of mortality that it gave him.

He entered Heero's room without knocking and took in the maps that lay in confusion across the table. Heero had been studying the landscape and every possible line of attack open to Treize. Odin smiled in approval; a good leader had to be a good tactician. It would be interesting to hear just what Heero had planned.

Discarding the maps, Odin walked to the tapestry that sectioned off the sleeping quarters and pushed it to one side. He stared in confusion at the scene before him.

Heero lay asleep and next to him lay a woman, her pale blonde hair spread across the pillows. Heero held her around the waist, her back nestled against his chest, his chin resting protectively on the top of her head. Odin's first through was that he was glad that his son had finally taken a woman to bed. As he studied the girl's profile, however, his face became stony and his hand gripped the tapestry tightly.

She resembled her long dead mother closely, her features were delicate, her lips pale and slightly apart to reveal perfectly white teeth. Her hair she had inherited from her father, the famous blonde Peacecraft locks. Odin found himself wondering whether, when she opened her eyes, they would be dark like her mothers were or blue like her father's had been.

Odin bowed his head remembering long ago when he had first caught sight of the bride Peacecraft had obtained for himself. He had instantly been taken by the girl and had been filled with an overwhelming jealousy that she could not be his. It had been a hopeless love on his part and he had never spoken of his desire to anyone. It was a memory that he held secret and cherished in his heart, to be brought out and examined on the anniversary of her death each year, before being wrapped up and put away again.

Odin had never dreamed that her daughter would look so much like she had done in her youth.

Nor had he ever dreamed that he would find her lying in his son's arms.

He frowned trying to push down the overwhelming feeling of betrayal that gnawed hard against his soul. Of course, Heero was destined to take all that Odin had gained in his lifetime; this he expected. But here Heero was snatching the very High Kingship out of Odin's hands; could Heero not wait until Odin had done with this life? Odin's fist clenched harder still until his knuckles shone white in the soft dawn light.

"Heero," he murmured quietly.

His son stirred immediately, his eyes flickering open alert and aware. He frowned as he pulled away from the woman in his arms, moving gently so as not to wake her. When he succeeded in his task, a small smile tugged the corner of his mouth as he sat regarding her lying before him.

"Heero," Odin repeated.

Heero looked up startled, his face paling as he saw his father, his King, before him. He quickly moved away from the bed and knelt before the older man, his head bowed in respect. "My Lord," he managed to say before Odin grabbed him by the shoulder of his jerkin and pulled him away from the bed, around the tapestry into the other section of the room. There, Odin let his hand fall away from his son's shoulder and he folded his arms regarding him in barely suppressed rage.

"What do you think you are doing?" he demanded as quietly as he could.

Heero, after regaining his balance, sunk down again into a pose of submission. "I have not dishonoured her," he said, his voice cold as he looked up into his fathers eyes. "I am aware that you have first claim upon her."

"You are aware..." Odin repeated, his eyes narrowing further "And yet I find you sharing a bed! It seems to me that you have dishonoured all three of us!"

Heero paused, before grating out between clenched teeth. "I have not dishonoured you. She is intact."

"Why is she here?" Odin demanded.

"She has been ill and was instructed to use this room by the Druid," Heero replied, his head still bowed and submissive.

Odin's eyebrow raised, "Did Quatre also instruct you to sleep with her? Is that part of her treatment?"

Heero's eyes narrowed and he stood glaring at his father. Any words he was about to utter were interrupted by Relena, wrapped in a cloak, walking around the tapestry her face flushed with embarrassment, her eyes wide.

Blue, Odin thought as he gazed at her. She had inherited her fathers blue eyes. He felt oddly disappointed. Ignoring Heero, he walked towards her and took her free hand bringing it up to his mouth.

"Relena, I am Odin. King of Mercia," he stated before kissing her hand.

She nodded, her eyes travelling between himself and his son. He felt himself become mildly irritated that she was not paying him complete attention. Glancing at his son, he was satisfied to see that he was ignoring her and directing his attention to the maps. "I fear that you have been poorly treated so far. I promise that I will rectify that-"

He was interrupted by her soft clear voice so like her mother's that if he closed his eyes she could be standing before him.

"Please tell me what you intend my fate to be?" she asked quietly and directly. He opened his eyes and found himself staring into his old friend's eyes. He felt the years melt away and once again he was looking into the eyes of Peacecraft in his youth. He shook his head trying to dispel the image.

"What would you wish?" he asked, noting that Heero was again staring in her direction, alert at her question and listening intently for the response.

"I would that there be peace," she said simply.

"Ah....a good Christian reply," Odin nodded, feeling oddly disappointed.

Her face flushed and eyes narrowed making her look more like her mother than ever before. "There is nothing Christian nor Pagan about my desire," she said, "I do not want people to die needlessly. It has nothing to do with religious principals."

Odin raised an eyebrow at her outburst, and she flushed again before lowering her head.

"Peace is not something I can grant you. We have you and Treize Kushrinada wants you. He will fight to obtain you. We will fight to keep you safe," he paused for a moment, casting a side look at Heero. "This room will now be hers alone. Heero, you will accompany me to the bath."

Odin turned and headed towards the door without waiting for Heero's reply. His son was obedient to his King and would follow his wishes. Odin had not yet reached the door when the girl's clear voice halted him.

"Is it your intention to wed me?" she asked.

Odin did not turn around, but could imagine her standing still and straight, her small hands grasping the cloak around her thin body.

"I will do what is best for Mercia," he answered before he and his son left her alone to contemplate his words.

* * * * *

Lucrezia had nearly panicked as she had served King Odin. She had met him once during the festivities celebrating her marriage to Millardo. Although the meeting had not been a long one, and she was sure that she bore little resemblance to the blushing bride she had been, she had not wanted to put her new appearance to the test. However, help was thin on the ground and when she had had the King's goblet thrust into her hands and was pushed out of the kitchen to serve him, she had little choice but to obey.

Odin had looked at her closely, his brow puzzled, and she had ducked her head and raced away as soon as she possibly could. A quick glance over her shoulder reassured her that he was not following her and she breathed a sigh of relief. Her identity appeared to be still secret.

She made herself look busy in one corner of the kitchen determined not to be put to use out in the hall again, and worked diligently until word came through that the King had left to greet his son and bathe. This was the moment that Odin and Relena would meet and possibly the moment that would determine her husband's sister's future. Would the old King want to wed her, or would he pass her over to his son?

Curiosity got the better of her and, making an excuse that the baby needed his swaddling clothes changed, she left the kitchen and made her way cautiously down towards the Lord's chambers. She was unsure what she would do once there; it was doubtful that she would hear anything even with her ear pressed up against the stout wooden door that marked the boundary to Heero's private room.

As she made her way along the corridors, she saw a lad also making his way in the direction she was travelling, his movements confident and assured. He glanced back at her and Lucrezia bent her head avoiding eye contact least he demand some task be done that would take her away from her desired destination. The youth said nothing, but continued on his way, past the Lord's door and away around the corner.

It was only when he had passed out of sight that Lucrezia thought about the shoddy state of his clothes. He wasn't a Lord by his dress and she had not seen him before around the villa. Her eyes narrowed wondering just what his business was down this close to Relena, but before she could follow and demand answers to her questions the door to Heero's chamber opened.

Lucrezia pressed herself back against a wall, her head bowed, and the Odin and Heero appeared. Odin looked angry, and Heero's eyes were narrow and grim. The King spotted her and nodded at her.

"Go inside and tend to the Lady Relena," he ordered, his eyes glancing down to her babe for a second, before he turned and strode off.

Lucrezia's heart leapt at her stroke of luck and she murmured her understanding of his orders. Heero followed his father without sparing her a glance, his face stony. From the look of them, neither of them had won the prize of Relena's hand.

Pushing the door open, Lucrezia entered and found Relena standing still and straight in the centre of the room, her cloak held tightly around her. She looked a little lost, a little upset and, unsurprisingly, a little angry. She focused on Lucrezia as she entered the room and forced her mouth into a smile.

"Noin, are you here to watch me?" she asked, her voice brittle.

Lucrezia stood still uncertain of how to proceed. As she looked at the girl, she suddenly saw Millardo's face staring up at her strained and unhappy and she reacted how she would with her husband. She reached out and embraced Relena.

Relena stiffened at first then allowed herself to melt into the older woman's embrace. For a moment they stood in the middle of the room, Relena allowing Lucrezia to comfort her, murmuring reassurances in her ear that everything would be alright. Then, she straightened and pushed Lucrezia gently away, her hands lifting and wiping away the tears that had leaked from her eyes and down her cheeks.

Lucrezia could sense the barriers come up again as Relena schooled her face into a serene smile.

"Is it decided?" Lucrezia asked as Relena turned to walk around the tapestry, back to the bed. "Did the King say who you would marry?"

Relena's head bowed a little. "No," she said. Reaching the bed, she shrugged off the cloak that she had wrapped around her, and lifted up the plain dress that she had been given to replace her habit. Lucrezia hurried forward and helped her into it, tying a belt around her slim waist, and arranging the folds of the material.

The princess allowed her to fuss, her face blank and serious. Lucrezia watched her closely, familiar with the look. Old King Peacecraft and her own Millardo both wore such a look when they pondered a serious problem and it worried Lucrezia that Relena was giving so much thought to her situation. Shouldn't she just be doing what was best for her; King Odin was older but he would keep her safe and give her security. There might not be love between them, but that was not a necessity.

A protesting cry interrupted Lucrezia's thoughts as her son began to wake, his stomach empty. She smiled a little apology to Relena, before undoing the shawl that tied the child to her back. Pulling her dress open a little, she sat the on the bed before holding him to her breast.

Relena crouched down before her, a small smile on her face as she watched the baby's hands seek out and hold onto his mother's breast. She reached out a hand and stroked the baby's bald head and her face grew sad.

"If this war goes ahead, many mothers will lose their sons. Even though they are now men, I am sure their mothers always think of them as their babies," she looked at Lucrezia. "Noin, how would you feel if your son's life was threatened?"

Lucrezia blinked a couple of times. Her son's life was at risk; if it was discovered that he was in line to inherit the High King's throne, Treize would not hesitate in ordering his death. She tightened her hold around her child and he frowned in protest. Lucrezia was about to answer Relena's question when the door opened, heralding the arrival of arguing people.

Relena stood frowning and turned pushing the hanging back so that she could see who had entered. Peering around Relena's shoulder Lucrezia could see that it was a woman and a lad. The woman was dressed in a black habit similar in design to the one that Relena had been wearing when she arrived and Lucrezia supposed that it was the nun that had arrived during the night with Catherine's brother.

The nun dragged in with her by the ear the lad that Lucrezia had seen outside the chamber earlier and Lucrezia instantly stood defensively beside Relena. Had the lad been spying? Was he an agent of Treize?

"Let me go!" the lad gasped, reaching his hand down for his sword. The nun's eyes narrowed and she twisted her fingers viciously causing the lad to cry out in protest, his hands automatically moving up to defend his ear.

"Sally!" Relena exclaimed, then held a hand up to her mouth. "Dorothy..?"

"I found her outside your chamber attempting to listen to your conversation," Sally said, "which was a little strange as I heard a tale last night about her kidnapping you and trying to take you to Treize before disappearing."

Dorothy said nothing, but continued to glare at the nun.

Relena lowered her hands from her mouth and reached out and touched the nun's arm. "It is alright, Sister," she murmured, "Dorothy means me no harm."

The two women stared at Relena in surprise and Lucrezia found her own face reflecting a similar expression. The lad was, without a doubt, Dorothy Catalonia. The one Millardo had warned Lucrezia of. And yet Relena was supposing that there was no harm in that woman, that enemy, being in the same room as her. In the short time that Lucrezia had come to know Relena she had discovered several things about her. One was that she was not a foolish girl, but intelligent enough to realise that Dorothy was a political risk.

Sally seemed to think so too as she very reluctantly let go of the girl's ear and stood with her arms crossed and her mouth narrowed in suspicion. Dorothy allowed herself to massage her injured ear for a moment before turning a stunning smile at Relena; a predatory smile. One that made Lucrezia's heart miss a beat for a moment.

"So....it seems you need my help after all," Dorothy drawled.

Lucrezia stared at the young woman before turning to Relena expecting her to deny what Dorothy said. Instead, Relena looked directly back at Dorothy, her face strangely serene and determined and Lucrezia suddenly felt fear flood through her veins.

Just what did Relena have plans to do?

TBC