Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cynehelme ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Cynehelme

by kmf

Rating: PG13

Warnings: AU

Standard Disclaimer Applies

Chapter Four

Dorothy Catalonia sat close to the fire observing the comings and goings of the warriors around her as she considered her options. There was no way in hell that she was going to return to the Abbey and take up her life as a nun again, but she very much doubted that that was the intention of the men who had rescued them. She pulled at her distressingly short hair and made herself look blankly at the fire. In reality, she was assessing weapons, and discerning strengths and weaknesses.

She considered the men. By their clothes she would say that they came from Mercia; a black woven band of material that decorated the edges of their clothes and the way that they bound long strips of material in a criss-cross pattern over the lower leg of their trousers gave that away. They wore long narrow sleeved tunics, the seams at their wrists left undone so as to allow them ease of movement despite the snug fit. The tunics themselves were girdled at the waist with belts of leather, done up with large metal buckles. Hanging from the belts were various items: knives, scabbards, and fetels, pouches which contained fire starting equipment.

Dorothy's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched the dark warrior who had seemingly claimed Relena enter the campsite. He led Relena, pale and wan, his large hand curled around her forearm. Relena's head was bowed and Dorothy felt irritation that she could be so scared in circumstances that exhilarated Dorothy.

The men all showed deference for the young handsome warrior, with the possible exception of 'Helen' who followed them into camp at a distance as if he had been spying on the couple. It seemed like the leader of the warband also was attempting to avoid him, or maybe keep Relena away from him. It was satisfying that she was not the only person to find Helen irritating. Ever since he had let drop that he had heard a rumour about why she was a nun, she had avoided him. That he had been successfully able to hide his sex from her until the incident in the woods made her aversion for him even more pronounced. She hated surprises.

Dorothy followed their movements finding the scene very interesting. It had been a while since she had dabbled in politics, but unless she was very much mistaken the border on the men's cloaks signified the royal house of Mercia. Which meant that the leader of the little band of men would have to be someone of great importance to the Mercian throne.

Dorothy's grin widened further still as the warrior led Relena to them. Standing she tilted her head to one side and smiled gratefully at the man.

"I wanted to thank you for saving us Sir." she said, "May I know your name?"

"Heero." he murmured.

Dorothy's heart lurched at his name, her palms going damp and her breathing rapid. She felt rare shock tempered with anticipation. The man before her was Heero Yuy, Prince of the Mercian's and heir to their throne. He was the man who she had very much wanted to meet since the death of her grandfather. His name she associated with the start of her troubles and shame. If it had not been for Heero Yuy she would never have been sent away from her family to become a nun. How she hated his name! And now he stood before her within easy stabbing distance if only she had a sword or a knife to hand.

She had to remain calm though. To kill him now would serve no purpose other than getting herself killed. Instead she considered all her options. She knew who Heero was, she knew who Relena was but they had no idea who Dorothy was. She found herself considering all the possibilities as if she were playing a game of chess and as she did so her smile widened in the anticipation of the battle to come. Heero, however, ignored her smug look and instead turned to Relena

"Sit by the fire and warm yourself." He said, gesturing to a large log that had been drawn up so that they would not have to sit directly in slush of the fire melted snow.

Relena nodded looking slightly dazed and too pale. She sat as instructed looking towards the fire as if she could see her future there. Sally crouched beside her holding a hand to the girl's forehead to check for fever. Looking up at the warrior Sally asked eagerly "Will you be taking us back to the Abbey tomorrow?"

Dorothy resisted the urge to giggle. Of course he was not, she thought. Heero was silent, staring at Relena who sat almost at his feet. His hand gripped the pommel of his sword tightly before answering "If you wish to return to the Abbey we will point you in the right direction in the morning. You should be safe walking, there was no sign of others in the woods other than the slavers..." he paused looking away from them "But Relena Peacecraft will come with us.

Of course you want her Dorothy thought as she listened to the inevitable protest from both Sally and Relena. She said nothing herself, but listened intently to all that was being said a look of concern on her face. She noted that 'Helen' had come over immediately Relena had protested. Dorothy studied his face as he watched Relena finding what she saw extremely interesting. The man was quite obviously enamoured with the little innocent Princess.

Dorothy truly could not understand it; Relena was such a meek individual at the nunnery. It had come as quite a surprise to Dorothy when she had first realised whom her fellow apprentice was. It had been rumoured that the Peacecraft heir had been given to an Abbey somewhere on the Kent/Mercian border, but the exact whereabouts had not been well known. King Peacecraft had wanted to protect his daughter as much as possible and had only divulged the truth to very few people.

It had seemed to be fate therefore when she Dorothy Catalonia, disgraced cousin of the new Lindsay leader, had been given to the very convent that housed the woman that Treize Kushrinada sought. She had immediately dispatched letters informing her beloved cousin of Relena's location, and a letter in return had assured Dorothy that all would be forgiven if Dorothy could deliver the heir of the High King into his hands.

Of course, it had all gone horribly wrong since that letter had arrived. That Sally had managed to get them captured by slavers was bad enough, but to be then freed by Mercians was an absolute disaster. Dorothy knew what she must do though to get her wealth and status back; she had to try and stall until Treize finished his business with the High King and made his way to collect his bride to be.

The petty verbal protests of Sally and Relena continued causing Dorothy to almost roll her eyes in irritation. Instead she schooled her facial expression into one of polite concern as she watched her companions.

"Why on earth should I leave the Abbey?" Relena demanded getting to her feet despite looking as if she was about to collapse.

"Because it is not safe now that you are the last Peacecraft." Heero answered angrily, finally able to get a word in.

Relena stood stunned as she looked at Heero. Her face seemed to go even paler than before and she blinked a couple of times as her hands caught the material of her skirt and crushed the material.

"Jesus!" 'Helen' muttered, "Could you not have broken it to her more gently?" he asked glaring at Heero before squawking in pain as an irate Sally boxed him around the ears.

"Don't you dare use the Lords name as a profanity Sister Helen!" she said before shoving him away from Relena and wrapping her arms around the girl.

"Its Duo not Helen!" Duo protested, folding his arms in front of him, his eyes sulky "My name is Duo." he looked at Heero "And I will say it again, couldn't you have told it a little more gently?"

Heero's face remained emotionless but his eyes were stormy as he faced Duo. For a moment they both glared at each other until Duo finally lowered his eyes and turned to the shocked Relena. Dorothy raised an eyebrow. Again, this was interesting she thought. Duo was close enough to the young leader to question his actions, but knew when to back down even though resentment obviously swam in his eyes. Again, she thought to use this in the future.

Relena found her voice muffled from within Sally's comforting arms. "They are all dead? Even Lucrezia and the unborn child?" she asked. Duo came forward and patted her head awkwardly forestalling Heero's reply.

"Aye, we had news that they are all dead. I'm sorry Princess," he said.

Sally again bridled "Relena is not a princess, she has given her worldly life up and dedicated herself to God." she glared at Duo, who backed up a little, the deference he had given her the last few weeks as Sister Helen still apparent in his face.

"She has taken no oaths yet." Heero said firmly "And for the peace of Britain she must become a Princess again."

Dorothy lowered her head and smirked. Of course she must, she thought. And she must become Queen of the World too. Lifting her head she glared at Heero. But not at the hands of Mercia, she decided.

Not if she had anything to do with it.

* * * * *

Relena felt a roaring in her ears as she heard the words.

..."...Aye, we had news that they are all dead..."

Her father, her brother, the unborn child. All dead. All gone. Relena's eyes felt dry as she blinked rapidly trying to comprehend what had befallen her family. She closed them trying to recall what they had looked like. She had vague recollections of her father; a giant of a man, tall with masses of long white hair and a snowy white beard. Or was he a giant? Perhaps to a three year old when any adult looked tall and imposing. Nothing that she could recall of him was clear, rather the image of him was fuzzy and dreamlike. Except for his eyes. She did recall his eyes, blue like hers. They had been stern, proud, sad and loving all at the same time.

Such memorable eyes.

Her brother was equally evasive in her memory. Carefree laughter she recalled. Being pulled along by a boy with silky blond hair. Being given stolen pastries from the kitchen with laughed demands to swear an oath not to tell anyone of his most daring raid. Her only recollection was of a child; of the adult she knew nothing. What had he grown up to look like? Did he look like her father? Did he share those beautiful eyes?

Relena could not mourn them. She could not cry over the loss of her family; truth be told she did not know them. She felt sadness at their passing and an odd sense of loss. But she could not cry for those that she had not known for fifteen years apart from the odd dispatch of news. She pushed Sally gently away and looked at the flames of the campfire.

"How did they die?" she asked.

Heero had crouched down beside them and was cleaning his blade with an old scrap of leather. She watched the rhythmic movements as he stroked the blade, watching the metal gleam in the warm light of the fire and felt oddly calmed by it. He did not look up at her question, but continued to regard his blade.

"An attack by Lindsay. A massacre before their strong hold was burned to the ground." he said.

Relena's brows drew together trying to remember all that she had learnt about that realm "But they are peaceful; the King is a great friend of my fathers." she said in a puzzled voice.

"He was. But there is a new King on the throne of Lindsay - Trieze Kushrinada usurped the throne and attacked King Peacecraft for the title of High King." Heero still did not look up.

"How do you know it was Kushrinada?" Dorothy suddenly said entering into the conversation for the first time. Relena looked at her curiously and Heero stopped cleaning his sword to look towards the nun. "You are after all only hearing this from a man of Mercia." she continued blithely.

"It was Kushrinada of Lindsay." Heero said again before returning to his sword.

Relena looked thoughtfully at Duo who also sat regarding the fire. "And you suspected that there would be an attack against me so you posed as a nun to offer me protection." she mused.

"We do not think that your life is in danger, but rather that you are the key to the crown. If Kushrinada captures you he would wed you and have a rightful claim to the High Kings throne." Duo said, his eyes earnest.

Dorothy gave a little laugh at this, before narrowing her eyes "As would Mercia if she was to wed a Mercian prince." she said pointedly.

Relena bowed her head, her golden hair falling forward and shielding her face from the others. "I would like to return to the abbey." she said quietly, and Sally gave a relieved half laugh. "But would I be putting the abbey in danger if I returned there."

Dorothy again spoke "Any realm that wants you badly enough would attack an abbey. Especially one of the pagan realms." she said pointedly staring at Heero. Heero continued to clean his sword, even though it was gleaming, his hand gripping the rag tightly.

Relena's head remained bowed and she said nothing. Silence hung thickly over the group, only the cracking of burning wood filled the quietness of the night. She had nothing to say. What could she say? It was obvious to her that she could not return to the abbey and endanger those who resided there, and she was not sure that she really wanted to return anyway. Fate had dealt her a challenging hand and she needed to think long and hard on how she was to play it.

She wanted desperately to trust Heero and his band of men. They had, after all, saved them from the slavers. And there was something about Heero that demanded that she follow him; strength and a determination she had not encountered before. There was also that almost painful feeling she experienced in the very pit of her stomach when she looked at him or when he touched her. She had never felt sensations quite like them before and she yearned to learn more about them and to experience them again.

However, he had frightened her with his cold words out in the woods. He had said that she should get used to the responsibility of death. That was something that she did not want and would not do. Relena hated the thought of war and the thought that realms would be battling over her, killing over her, horrified her even more.

But what was the solution? If she was the last remaining heir for the throne, could she rule as an unwed maiden? It was unlikely that would ever be allowed to happen. A single woman was too vulnerable, she would be the target for any man who wanted to impregnate her to have his son as King. She would have to marry or she would have to give up her claim. And if she gave up her claim then would that just lead to even more civil unrest and more bloodshed that would be directly her responsibility.

Her head started to spin from all the thoughts in her head and she breathed deeply trying to clear them away. She could see that her hands were trembling both in fatigue and with stress and she felt angry with herself. This was no way for the heir of the house of Peacecraft to act. She clenched her fists willing the unwanted movements to stop. A hand upon hers made her look up.

Duo was looking at her with a half smile upon his lips, his kind blue eyes reflecting the orange flickers of the flames. "Think more upon it tomorrow." he said, "Tonight you should rest."

Relena was about to protest that she did not need to rest when she saw Sally stifle a yawn, her eyes flashing an apology. Relena saw that Dorothy too had dark smudges under her eyes and sat with slumped shoulders. She saw the sense in Duo's words and nodded her assent. As soon as she did so, she felt the weariness wash over her as if having acknowledged it she allowed it take control of her. Thinking that they would simply sit beside the warm fire she was surprised when Duo took her arm and helped lift her to her feet.

"I hope that we give you kinder hospitality than the slavers did" he grinned, leading her around the fire and away into the darker night. Relena's eyes took a little moment to adjust, until she saw that a small makeshift hut had been made. A circle of branches had been pushed into the wet ground, leaving a little opening to the front wide enough to crawl into. A roof of branches had been placed on top, their twiggy ends woven into the upright branches and their thick stems bound with flax rope to form a dome. Snow had then been scraped back from beneath the trees and wet brown leaves gathered and tossed over the structure to cover it almost completely.

Duo bowed at the entrance and gestured for Relena and her sister nuns to crawl in. Inside skins had been placed on the cold ground as insulation, and blankets piled up for warmth. Relena felt amazement as she realised that the cold wet leaves sheltered the occupants of the little hut from the icy cold wind and that it was remarkably comfortable inside. There was little space inside; enough, though, for half a dozen men to lay down comfortably and ten if they huddled together.

Relena sat back looking at the blankets desiring nothing more than to burrow beneath them. Movement at the door revealed that Duo had crouched down and was about to enter the little hut. A hand on his shoulder prevented him getting any further in and Relena heard Heero say gruffly.

"They sleep alone!"

Duo pouted at the door and winked at Relena before standing up and protesting in a whining voice "But there is plenty of room. I have got used to sleeping indoors, I will freeze to death out here!"

Sally and Dorothy had already wound themselves up into blankets and lay cocoon like on the soft hide floor, their eyes closed. Relena picked up a blanket and draped it over her shoulders watching them, half-listening to Duo's protests outside. She half smiled as she heard Heero scold him.

"If you are cold, then put your nuns habit back on" Heero said and Duo verbalised his disgust of such a suggestion.

More movement at the door made Relena look up again. Framed in the door was Heero, his face averted in case the women were in a state of immodesty. His brown hair fell forward partially obscuring his face from her view, but she could still see his fine straight nose and his stubborn mouth. He coughed to gain her attention, and waited for her to acknowledge his presence.

Relena savoured the moment of being able to gaze upon him without him staring back at her, comfortable that his startling dark blue eyes were not upon her but strangely yearning for them to look at her. A sudden unbidden thought came to her head of him sitting next to her sharing the same blanket as her, sharing each other's warmth. Relena felt a little sharp jolt in the centre of her belly, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at her extremely worldly thoughts. Why was it this man made her feel such sensations that she had never felt before?

"Are you well?" Heero asked. He had lifted his face and was looking directly at her as she sat with a blanket half draped around her slim form.

Relena brought a hand up to her flushed cheek willing it to return to its normal pale colour. "I...er....yes, I am well." she stumbled over the words, and then lowered her own head to break the lock his eyes had on hers.

Heero nodded, although she could not see the gesture. "Sleep well. There are sentries up around the camp, and Trowa will guard this hut tonight so that none will enter. Trowa is a trustworthy man," he said

"Thank you." Relena looked up again, but Heero had gone. She sighed and looked at the other sleeping women. Tomorrow, she decided, they would have to return to the nunnery and she would go to Mercia and see what God had in stall for her.

TBC