Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ DragonLance - the Shinigami Rewrites ❯ Tarsis the Beautiful ( Chapter 9 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kenderlyn 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 08.31.2001 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 254 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 08.31.2001 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 254 | Status: Work In Progress
The Shinigami rewrites - DragonLance Chronicles.
Gundam Wing isn't mine. DragonLance isn't mine. Nothing is mine, not even my hair colour.
I thought that with all the descriptions of Duo, it would be funny to see Heero interact with a kender. Then I thought of this. Yaoi, X-over, AU. Duo as a kender... scary. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. Mangling of the 'song of the Nine Heroes'
/thoughts/
Part 9 - Tarsis the Beautiful
Heero sighed, they had fought long and hard to gain the Hammer of Kharas. Sturm was put out that they were handing over one of the keys to forging the DragonLances. Heero didn't care. /I want to go home. But Duo is determined to help defeat the Dragonarmies. I'll stay, for his sake./ He listened to the dwarven bard. The song was based on the exploits of the group.
@~@~@~@
From the north came danger, as we knew it would:
In the vanguard of winter, a dragon's dance
Unravelled the land, until out of the forest,
Out of the plains they came, from the mothering earth,
The sky unreckoned before them.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One from a garden of stone arising,
From dwarf-halls, from weather and wisdom,
Where the heart and mind ride unquestioned
In the untapped vein of the hand.
In his fathering arms, the spirit gathered.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One from a haven of breezes descending,
Light in the handling air,
To the waving meadows, the kender's country,
Where the grain out of smallness arises itself
To grow green and golden and green again.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next from the plains, the long land's keeping,
Nurtured in distance, horizons of nothing.
Bearing a staff she came, and a burden
Of mercy and light converged in her hand:
Bearing the wounds of the world she came.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next from the plains, in the moon's shadow,
Through custom, through ritual, trailing the moon
Where her phases, her wax and her wane, controlled
The tide of his blood, and his warrior's hand
Ascended through hierarchies of space into light.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One from the stars, called to the land,
The warrior bound to the kender and elf:
His strength and his silence hide his soul,
Seeming alone, yet bound by love,
His heart belongs to the world and his friends.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One in the heart of honour, formed by the sword,
By the centuries' flight of the kingfisher over the land,
By Solamnia, ruined and risen, rising again
When the heart ascends into duty.
As it dances, the sword is forever an heirloom.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next in a simple light a brother to darkness,
Letting the sword hand try all subtleties,
Even the intricate webs of the heart. His thoughts
Are pools disrupted in changing wind-
He cannot see their bottom.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next, the leader, half-elven, betrayed
As the twining blood pulls asunder the land,
The forests, the worlds of elves and men.
Called into bravery, but fearing for love,
And fearing that, called into both, he does nothing.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The last from darkness, breathing the night
Where the abstract stars hide a nest of words,
Where the body endures the wound of numbers,
Surrendered to knowledge, until, unable to bless,
His blessing falls on the low, the benighted.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
Joined by others they were in the telling:
A graceless girl, graced beyond graces;
A princess of seeds and saplings, called to the forest;
An ancient weaver of accidents;
A kender, a lord among elves;
The golden-haired healer of hearts.
Nor can we say who the story will gather.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
@~@~@~@
He sighed. This was important. The people would now get shelter through the winter. But Sturm seemed to be complaining still. /He'd be better off complaining about that ridiculous 'song'./ Duo still hadn't forgiven Sturm for taking Eben's part against him. Heero, Trowa and Quatre stood by him. Trowa and Quatre were now standing near Tanis. Duo lightly touched his shoulder.
"You alright quisalas?" Heero smiled at his love. Duo stayed by him now. They had agreed that they had quite a scare in Pax Tharkas, and Duo made sure he wasn't far from the rest of them now. /Good. I don't want to lose him. But what is it with this 'quisalas' business?/ Heero shrugged it off. He saw Tanis leading Sturm in their general direction, and they began to argue. Duo sighed softly. "Tanis is claustrophobic you know. I can't blame him. Even I feel cramped here, and we both know you aren't supposed to get claustrophobia in a Gundam's cockpit." Heero smiled, touching Duo's arm. He jerked his head towards the doors. Duo nodded. They could see that Raistlin had joined the two arguing. Heero shuddered when he heard Raistlin give out that awful laugh, as he and Sturm walked back inside. Duo sighed. They looked at Tanis, sharing a silent understanding.
Duo and Heero were standing near Sturm at the council. They listened to his sarcastic comments. Duo sighed.
"He's just impossible Hee-Chan. They all are. Let's get out of here, before I lose my lunch." Heero nodded. They saw Quatre and Trowa walk over, and the four of them left the meeting. "We can get the basics from Tanis later." Duo noted wryly. They drew near later, to an argument between Tanis and Laurana. Duo scowled. "She's worse than Relena was!" With that complaint, he moved forward. As Tanis scolded her, he thoughtlessly said 'you elves'. Duo flinched as Laurana seized on that, and scorned him, bringing Kitiara into it. Duo finally broke into the heated argument. "Lauralanthalasa, stop being such a spoiled brat." The elven girl stared at Duo in shock. Duo continued scornfully. "When you talk like this, I'm ashamed to be elven. With an attitude like yours, it's no wonder the half-elves pull away. You make me sick." Then his voice grew quieter. "I've known someone else like you. A human girl, who thought she could have anything and anyone she wanted. At least a human grows up. I sincerely doubt you will. At least, not in the lifetimes of the people here." Ignoring Laurana's stricken look, Duo turned on his heel, and walked away.
The other pilots followed him. Tanis sighed as Laurana ran off into the mountain. /Duo's words appear to have hit home./ He walked towards the pilots. /In a way he was justified. Laurana hasn't done him any favours, even though he's backed Gilthanas up every turn. But still. I'll talk with him, see if he can let up on her a little. Otherwise it will be an uncomfortable trip. Especially since the other three follow Duo's lead with the others./
--------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
Heero glanced around him. Due to Duo's problems with Sturm and Laurana, they were walking away from them both. Quatre was talking to Elistan animatedly, while Laurana listened. /Just as well Quatre doesn't let Duo's mood affect him. And of course, he finds it impossible to be rude to a lady. He was even able to find a kind word for Relena at her worst./ Heero smiled. Duo's bad mood meant that they weren't near Tanis. Trowa was ear Raistlin and Tika. He was able to assist where Tika got told off. Between them, they managed to keep Raistlin moving. Then he glanced around, when he felt a snowball hit his head. To his relief, he heard Duo giggle. /Finally he's getting back to normal./ Then, he turned, walking backwards, to face Tas. He gave the kender a death glare. Tas just giggled. Then he picked up another handful of snow, and threw it straight at Heero's face. Duo glanced back, and grinned.
"Stop it Tas. I don't think that's conducive to a long life somehow."
"Why not?" Tas wanted to know.
"Cause Heero's strong enough to bend steel. I don't think breaking a kender's neck will be any problem, somehow." Tas giggled, then promised not to hit Heero anymore. Promptly, a snowball hit the back of Duo's head. Duo stopped for a second. Then, he fell forward. Heero glanced down, puzzled. Tas seemed worried.
"Duo, I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." then abruptly, he was hit square in the face with a snowball. Duo grinned.
"Gotcha!" Tas laughed. But they couldn't get into a snowball fight.
"Tasslehoff, Duo, please settle down." They gave mock sighs, and did as Tanis said. They shared a giggling promise to have a real snowball fight later. And Heero wasn't allowed to back out. They travelled in silence for a moment, then Sturm called out. They had reached Tarsis.
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Sally sighed. There had been no contact from the boys since they had gone looking for Heero. But then, Duo had said that. They were out of range of the radios, so they had to be patient. She glanced at the page in front of her. The trip to this planet took some time, even with the fastest shuttle, which the boys had taken, it took close to two months. If the boys needed help, no-one would know. She glanced at the others. Noin and Une watched her. Then they made up their minds.
"We'll go after them. After all, we have no idea how Heero, of all people, came to crash there." Lady Une nodded.
"That is a good idea. Should we take others with us?" Sally thought, then shook her head.
"We'll take Catherine, since she's so worried about Trowa and Quatre. Besides, Duo noted that the society there is little to no technology. That means we'd better not show the guns, since he didn't think it wise to upset the balance there. Catherine's knives will come in handy."
"Is there anyone else that we should inform?"
"Probably Relena, and... do the other boys have relatives or friends that should be warned that they might need help?"
"Um, I don't think so. Wufei only has the preventers, and we already know what's happening. Duo and Heero... they have Relena, and Hilde, but no-one else. Quatre has his sisters, and Catherine. Trowa has Catherine."
"Maybe we should ask Dorothy." That was Noin. She had been silent so far.
"Dorothy Catalonia? Why?"
"She's good with a sword, Sally. If Duo is right about using low-tech weapons, then we'll need people who can use weapons other than guns, thus, Catherine's knives." The three women nodded. They would leave soon.
/Dorothy, Catherine, Myself, Sally, and Noin./ Une smiled slightly. /I wonder what this new world holds./
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Duo growled. Tarsis the Beautiful. Landlocked. They were stuck. Heero silently pulled him closer. He remembered Raistlin's words. 'you are wise to trust your feelings' He smiled briefly. That sounded like something that Heero would say. He gripped Heero's hand, as they discussed what they would do next. He noticed Tas slipping out the door. Lightly, he touched Heero's arm, and they rose to their feet silently. They made their way to the door to find Tas. They watched as he reached the end of the street. Then, the kender tilted his head to one side, and then he lifted the hoopak, and swung it. Heero already had his hands over his ears. He'd heard that thing often enough. They looked at each other, then at Tas, then at the guards heading their way. They waited only long enough for Tas to catch up, then raced back to the inn. They had to verify that Tas hadn't done anything, but then Tanis quickly took charge again.
"Laurana, you and Elistan go upstairs. Sturm, you and Gilthanas remain with me. The rest of you go to your rooms."
"Yes daddy," Duo responded cheekily. He tuned out most of Tanis' words.
"I know you four like to make your own decisions, so Heero? What do you all want to do?" The four pilots glanced at each other. Then Heero made the choice.
"Trowa, you go, and Duo. I'll stay here with Quatre. I'll be better at defence, while you two are better at remaining unnoticed." Trowa nodded, while Duo frowned.
"Okay Heero, but-" Heero nodded with a little smile.
"Only if you promise the same koi." Duo smiled.
"Alright quisalas." Then he handed Heero his scythe. "Take care, love."
----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
"That's them! There's the knight, like I told you. And the bearded elf, the dwarf, and the kender, the braided elf in black, and an elflord. Duo rolled his eyes, and whispered to Trowa.
"Kender and elves and dwarves, oh my!" Trowa shook his head.
"Stop it Duo." As they were led away, Duo glanced back. He saw Laurana and Heero, looking out. Laurana said something. /Most likely to Tanis./ And Heero just watched. Duo gave his love a sweet smile, and turned away.
------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
Duo smirked. The crowds had no idea what they were getting into. He knew the look on Tas' face. He'd worn it himself often enough. The kender was preparing to taunt. /Foul knight, elven scum. How unoriginal. If I didn't know Tas was going to answer for all of us, I'd be taunting them myself./
"Is that your nose or a disease? Can those fleas crawling on your body do tricks? Was your mother a gully dwarf?" Tas was in fine form. Trowa's eyes were a little wide. He whispered in Duo's ear.
"I thought that was just you! Are all kender like that?" Duo smiled slightly.
"More or less. Tas is obviously a master." If anything, Trowa looked more worried. The crowd by this time had turned into a mob. Duo smirked as he heard Tas call out again.
"Hey constable, you know what you could do with that whistle? You could-" Tas cut off. Duo frowned, and looked for the kender. He was gone. Then Duo stared.
"Tro, look over there." Trowa followed Duo's gaze. Then he gasped, as a solitary figure put his fingers to his lips, in an age old gesture of silence. Duo smiled in relief.
"Wu," he whispered.
------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
Well? Next chapter will see Wu-man joining the others. So now we have five cute little Gundam boys. I have had several scenes in my mind from the beginning. The scene where Duo is working in the bar; when Trowa gets to Solace; Duo's story; Duo getting captured and all the scenes with Duo and Tas in Pax Tharkas. I have a few more that I have to write. We will meet Nemesis again, and I know when and where. I will try to post more often, since I'm getting into the parts that I knew about from the start. Congrats to anyone who realised that Wufei was in Tarsis. Obviously he was meant to be there all along. I have a cute little surprise, regarding Kiri-Jolith... full marks to anyone who guesses what I have in mind.
Kend
Gundam Wing isn't mine. DragonLance isn't mine. Nothing is mine, not even my hair colour.
I thought that with all the descriptions of Duo, it would be funny to see Heero interact with a kender. Then I thought of this. Yaoi, X-over, AU. Duo as a kender... scary. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. Mangling of the 'song of the Nine Heroes'
/thoughts/
Part 9 - Tarsis the Beautiful
Heero sighed, they had fought long and hard to gain the Hammer of Kharas. Sturm was put out that they were handing over one of the keys to forging the DragonLances. Heero didn't care. /I want to go home. But Duo is determined to help defeat the Dragonarmies. I'll stay, for his sake./ He listened to the dwarven bard. The song was based on the exploits of the group.
@~@~@~@
From the north came danger, as we knew it would:
In the vanguard of winter, a dragon's dance
Unravelled the land, until out of the forest,
Out of the plains they came, from the mothering earth,
The sky unreckoned before them.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One from a garden of stone arising,
From dwarf-halls, from weather and wisdom,
Where the heart and mind ride unquestioned
In the untapped vein of the hand.
In his fathering arms, the spirit gathered.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One from a haven of breezes descending,
Light in the handling air,
To the waving meadows, the kender's country,
Where the grain out of smallness arises itself
To grow green and golden and green again.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next from the plains, the long land's keeping,
Nurtured in distance, horizons of nothing.
Bearing a staff she came, and a burden
Of mercy and light converged in her hand:
Bearing the wounds of the world she came.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next from the plains, in the moon's shadow,
Through custom, through ritual, trailing the moon
Where her phases, her wax and her wane, controlled
The tide of his blood, and his warrior's hand
Ascended through hierarchies of space into light.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One from the stars, called to the land,
The warrior bound to the kender and elf:
His strength and his silence hide his soul,
Seeming alone, yet bound by love,
His heart belongs to the world and his friends.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
One in the heart of honour, formed by the sword,
By the centuries' flight of the kingfisher over the land,
By Solamnia, ruined and risen, rising again
When the heart ascends into duty.
As it dances, the sword is forever an heirloom.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next in a simple light a brother to darkness,
Letting the sword hand try all subtleties,
Even the intricate webs of the heart. His thoughts
Are pools disrupted in changing wind-
He cannot see their bottom.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The next, the leader, half-elven, betrayed
As the twining blood pulls asunder the land,
The forests, the worlds of elves and men.
Called into bravery, but fearing for love,
And fearing that, called into both, he does nothing.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
The last from darkness, breathing the night
Where the abstract stars hide a nest of words,
Where the body endures the wound of numbers,
Surrendered to knowledge, until, unable to bless,
His blessing falls on the low, the benighted.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
Joined by others they were in the telling:
A graceless girl, graced beyond graces;
A princess of seeds and saplings, called to the forest;
An ancient weaver of accidents;
A kender, a lord among elves;
The golden-haired healer of hearts.
Nor can we say who the story will gather.
Eleven they were, under the three moons,
Under the autumn twilight:
As the world declined, they arose
Into the heart of the story.
@~@~@~@
He sighed. This was important. The people would now get shelter through the winter. But Sturm seemed to be complaining still. /He'd be better off complaining about that ridiculous 'song'./ Duo still hadn't forgiven Sturm for taking Eben's part against him. Heero, Trowa and Quatre stood by him. Trowa and Quatre were now standing near Tanis. Duo lightly touched his shoulder.
"You alright quisalas?" Heero smiled at his love. Duo stayed by him now. They had agreed that they had quite a scare in Pax Tharkas, and Duo made sure he wasn't far from the rest of them now. /Good. I don't want to lose him. But what is it with this 'quisalas' business?/ Heero shrugged it off. He saw Tanis leading Sturm in their general direction, and they began to argue. Duo sighed softly. "Tanis is claustrophobic you know. I can't blame him. Even I feel cramped here, and we both know you aren't supposed to get claustrophobia in a Gundam's cockpit." Heero smiled, touching Duo's arm. He jerked his head towards the doors. Duo nodded. They could see that Raistlin had joined the two arguing. Heero shuddered when he heard Raistlin give out that awful laugh, as he and Sturm walked back inside. Duo sighed. They looked at Tanis, sharing a silent understanding.
Duo and Heero were standing near Sturm at the council. They listened to his sarcastic comments. Duo sighed.
"He's just impossible Hee-Chan. They all are. Let's get out of here, before I lose my lunch." Heero nodded. They saw Quatre and Trowa walk over, and the four of them left the meeting. "We can get the basics from Tanis later." Duo noted wryly. They drew near later, to an argument between Tanis and Laurana. Duo scowled. "She's worse than Relena was!" With that complaint, he moved forward. As Tanis scolded her, he thoughtlessly said 'you elves'. Duo flinched as Laurana seized on that, and scorned him, bringing Kitiara into it. Duo finally broke into the heated argument. "Lauralanthalasa, stop being such a spoiled brat." The elven girl stared at Duo in shock. Duo continued scornfully. "When you talk like this, I'm ashamed to be elven. With an attitude like yours, it's no wonder the half-elves pull away. You make me sick." Then his voice grew quieter. "I've known someone else like you. A human girl, who thought she could have anything and anyone she wanted. At least a human grows up. I sincerely doubt you will. At least, not in the lifetimes of the people here." Ignoring Laurana's stricken look, Duo turned on his heel, and walked away.
The other pilots followed him. Tanis sighed as Laurana ran off into the mountain. /Duo's words appear to have hit home./ He walked towards the pilots. /In a way he was justified. Laurana hasn't done him any favours, even though he's backed Gilthanas up every turn. But still. I'll talk with him, see if he can let up on her a little. Otherwise it will be an uncomfortable trip. Especially since the other three follow Duo's lead with the others./
--------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
Heero glanced around him. Due to Duo's problems with Sturm and Laurana, they were walking away from them both. Quatre was talking to Elistan animatedly, while Laurana listened. /Just as well Quatre doesn't let Duo's mood affect him. And of course, he finds it impossible to be rude to a lady. He was even able to find a kind word for Relena at her worst./ Heero smiled. Duo's bad mood meant that they weren't near Tanis. Trowa was ear Raistlin and Tika. He was able to assist where Tika got told off. Between them, they managed to keep Raistlin moving. Then he glanced around, when he felt a snowball hit his head. To his relief, he heard Duo giggle. /Finally he's getting back to normal./ Then, he turned, walking backwards, to face Tas. He gave the kender a death glare. Tas just giggled. Then he picked up another handful of snow, and threw it straight at Heero's face. Duo glanced back, and grinned.
"Stop it Tas. I don't think that's conducive to a long life somehow."
"Why not?" Tas wanted to know.
"Cause Heero's strong enough to bend steel. I don't think breaking a kender's neck will be any problem, somehow." Tas giggled, then promised not to hit Heero anymore. Promptly, a snowball hit the back of Duo's head. Duo stopped for a second. Then, he fell forward. Heero glanced down, puzzled. Tas seemed worried.
"Duo, I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." then abruptly, he was hit square in the face with a snowball. Duo grinned.
"Gotcha!" Tas laughed. But they couldn't get into a snowball fight.
"Tasslehoff, Duo, please settle down." They gave mock sighs, and did as Tanis said. They shared a giggling promise to have a real snowball fight later. And Heero wasn't allowed to back out. They travelled in silence for a moment, then Sturm called out. They had reached Tarsis.
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Sally sighed. There had been no contact from the boys since they had gone looking for Heero. But then, Duo had said that. They were out of range of the radios, so they had to be patient. She glanced at the page in front of her. The trip to this planet took some time, even with the fastest shuttle, which the boys had taken, it took close to two months. If the boys needed help, no-one would know. She glanced at the others. Noin and Une watched her. Then they made up their minds.
"We'll go after them. After all, we have no idea how Heero, of all people, came to crash there." Lady Une nodded.
"That is a good idea. Should we take others with us?" Sally thought, then shook her head.
"We'll take Catherine, since she's so worried about Trowa and Quatre. Besides, Duo noted that the society there is little to no technology. That means we'd better not show the guns, since he didn't think it wise to upset the balance there. Catherine's knives will come in handy."
"Is there anyone else that we should inform?"
"Probably Relena, and... do the other boys have relatives or friends that should be warned that they might need help?"
"Um, I don't think so. Wufei only has the preventers, and we already know what's happening. Duo and Heero... they have Relena, and Hilde, but no-one else. Quatre has his sisters, and Catherine. Trowa has Catherine."
"Maybe we should ask Dorothy." That was Noin. She had been silent so far.
"Dorothy Catalonia? Why?"
"She's good with a sword, Sally. If Duo is right about using low-tech weapons, then we'll need people who can use weapons other than guns, thus, Catherine's knives." The three women nodded. They would leave soon.
/Dorothy, Catherine, Myself, Sally, and Noin./ Une smiled slightly. /I wonder what this new world holds./
---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Duo growled. Tarsis the Beautiful. Landlocked. They were stuck. Heero silently pulled him closer. He remembered Raistlin's words. 'you are wise to trust your feelings' He smiled briefly. That sounded like something that Heero would say. He gripped Heero's hand, as they discussed what they would do next. He noticed Tas slipping out the door. Lightly, he touched Heero's arm, and they rose to their feet silently. They made their way to the door to find Tas. They watched as he reached the end of the street. Then, the kender tilted his head to one side, and then he lifted the hoopak, and swung it. Heero already had his hands over his ears. He'd heard that thing often enough. They looked at each other, then at Tas, then at the guards heading their way. They waited only long enough for Tas to catch up, then raced back to the inn. They had to verify that Tas hadn't done anything, but then Tanis quickly took charge again.
"Laurana, you and Elistan go upstairs. Sturm, you and Gilthanas remain with me. The rest of you go to your rooms."
"Yes daddy," Duo responded cheekily. He tuned out most of Tanis' words.
"I know you four like to make your own decisions, so Heero? What do you all want to do?" The four pilots glanced at each other. Then Heero made the choice.
"Trowa, you go, and Duo. I'll stay here with Quatre. I'll be better at defence, while you two are better at remaining unnoticed." Trowa nodded, while Duo frowned.
"Okay Heero, but-" Heero nodded with a little smile.
"Only if you promise the same koi." Duo smiled.
"Alright quisalas." Then he handed Heero his scythe. "Take care, love."
----------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
"That's them! There's the knight, like I told you. And the bearded elf, the dwarf, and the kender, the braided elf in black, and an elflord. Duo rolled his eyes, and whispered to Trowa.
"Kender and elves and dwarves, oh my!" Trowa shook his head.
"Stop it Duo." As they were led away, Duo glanced back. He saw Laurana and Heero, looking out. Laurana said something. /Most likely to Tanis./ And Heero just watched. Duo gave his love a sweet smile, and turned away.
------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------
Duo smirked. The crowds had no idea what they were getting into. He knew the look on Tas' face. He'd worn it himself often enough. The kender was preparing to taunt. /Foul knight, elven scum. How unoriginal. If I didn't know Tas was going to answer for all of us, I'd be taunting them myself./
"Is that your nose or a disease? Can those fleas crawling on your body do tricks? Was your mother a gully dwarf?" Tas was in fine form. Trowa's eyes were a little wide. He whispered in Duo's ear.
"I thought that was just you! Are all kender like that?" Duo smiled slightly.
"More or less. Tas is obviously a master." If anything, Trowa looked more worried. The crowd by this time had turned into a mob. Duo smirked as he heard Tas call out again.
"Hey constable, you know what you could do with that whistle? You could-" Tas cut off. Duo frowned, and looked for the kender. He was gone. Then Duo stared.
"Tro, look over there." Trowa followed Duo's gaze. Then he gasped, as a solitary figure put his fingers to his lips, in an age old gesture of silence. Duo smiled in relief.
"Wu," he whispered.
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Well? Next chapter will see Wu-man joining the others. So now we have five cute little Gundam boys. I have had several scenes in my mind from the beginning. The scene where Duo is working in the bar; when Trowa gets to Solace; Duo's story; Duo getting captured and all the scenes with Duo and Tas in Pax Tharkas. I have a few more that I have to write. We will meet Nemesis again, and I know when and where. I will try to post more often, since I'm getting into the parts that I knew about from the start. Congrats to anyone who realised that Wufei was in Tarsis. Obviously he was meant to be there all along. I have a cute little surprise, regarding Kiri-Jolith... full marks to anyone who guesses what I have in mind.
Kend