Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Wing and the Men of Sherwood Forest ❯ Heero Goes to Court ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Heero Goes to Court

“Feeling a little rusty, Heero?” Trowa asked. “You seemed a little hesitant out there.”

“I hate trying to hold back,” Heero grumbled. “It throws my rhythm off.”

Quatre patted his shoulder. “I think you did all right. It looked like you only killed three or four guys. That's not too bad.”

“Yeah.”

“So, do you need us for anything?” Trowa lifted his eyebrows hopefully.

“No, I don't think so.” Heero looked around with a slight frown. “I've got everything I need and a couple of local kids have offered to bring me some lunch.”

“All right then, we're going to run back to the inn for a bite to eat ourselves.”

“You're going all the way back to the inn for that?”

Trowa grinned. “That and maybe a few other things.”

“Geez!”

“We'll be back in the stands in time for the single combat.”

“You better be.”

Trowa and Quatre strolled off.

At the castle, Treize and Zechs joined Lady Margaret for lunch after a brief interlude.

“My lady,” said Treize, “how did you find the morning's entertainment?”

“It was most exciting, my lord!” Lady Margaret exclaimed. “Your nephew is a most skilled knight.”

“Thank you. If you ask him, I am sure he would be glad to join us this evening after the day's events are concluded.”

“Oh, do you think so? That would be just wonderful!” Lady Margaret clapped her hands excitedly. “I would be so pleased to meet him.”

“I too would like to meet him,” said Prince John in a dry tone. “Although he is slight, his skill seems far beyond that of a simple knight.”

“Your praise does my family honor, Your Highness.” Treize bowed slightly to Prince John. “I will of course convey the invitation to my cousin this afternoon.”

“How do you think this afternoon's contest will conclude, Lord Treize?” Mayor DeBoers asked. He wore a rather unhappy frown, for he had been among those eager to flatter the prince by sharing in the bet on Gisbourne and Heero.

“Well,” Treize replied with a charming smile, “I must have faith in my cousin, so I must hope that he will emerge victorious.”

“Oh, surely he must!” said Lady Margaret. “He was so powerful in the melee!”

“My lady!” exclaimed Mayor DeBoers. “Have you forgotten that I have wagered against him?”

“What do I care about that?” Lady Margaret said with a wave of her hand. “Women do not indulge in such behavior.” She smiled at Treize. “I think it would be a fine thing to see such a handsome youth take the victory again.”

Mayor DeBoers face turned beet red. Lady Margaret ignored him.

After a pleasant meal, everyone returned to the arena to watch the single combat.

“There has been some attrition from the ranks of those signed up for the contest,” Lord Clark, the Registrar, informed Prince John and the others when they arrived at their seats. “A few are too injured from the melee to continue and some others have chosen to withdraw.”

“Are there still enough to make a respectable showing?” the Mayor asked.

“Aye, there are combatants enough.”

“I trust Gisbourne has not withdrawn,” Sheriff Mark said.

Lord Clark sniffed. “I should think not!”

“Well, we should have a good match then,” said the Sheriff. “Gisbourne will make short work of young Sir Heero.”

“Excuse me one moment,” Zechs said and he walked over to where Trowa, Quatre and Wu-Fei had returned to their seats. “Where are Duo and Roku?”

“We don't know,” Quatre said with faint irritation. “They should have been back by now. Duo better have a good reason.”

“Oh look, here they come.” Trowa pointed.

Duo and Roku came bounding up the steps.

“What ho, my friends!” Duo called as they neared. “I hope your day has been going as well as mine!” He flopped down on the bench beside Wu-Fei. “Drunks are crummy gamblers, which is a good thing for me. I cleaned up.” He jingled his purse with a happy chuckle.

“How much is Roku holding for you?” Quatre asked pointedly.

“Just a few more purses worth. Hardly anything at all.”

“How much?!”

“It's not that much, Mama. We just replaced all the gold Papa Duo gave to Papa Wu-Fei for the bets on Papa Heero.”

Everyone stared.

“All of it?” Quatre exclaimed. His voice was a little faint. “Feeling bad about parting with your coin?”

“Hey, I earned that!” Duo said. “It just felt wrong not having a little savings built up.”

“A little savings?”

“It's just a few gold coins.”

“Sounds more like a few hundred.”

“Maybe.”

“Why don't you go place a few more bets? There's probably time before the single combat starts.”

“No can do,” said Duo. “I have a card game lined up for after dinner. I figure I can double what I made this afternoon in one evening.”

Zechs smiled. “I hope you will consider sharing your bounty with Robin. Remember, unless he marries Maid Marian, he may well die a virgin.”

Duo shuddered. “That is too horrible to contemplate. Don't worry; I'll keep Robin in mind. Hey, you better get back to your seat Zechs.” He pointed into the arena. “It looks like the first match is about to start.”

Zechs returned to his seat just as the first two knights entered and bowed to Prince John. The combats proceeded quickly after that. Heero's first match was the sixth pair and his opponent did not look the least bit happy.

“I sure hope Heero doesn't kill him,” Wu-Fei said. “He looks young.”

“He's older than Heero,” Duo said.

“But still…”

Heero did not kill his opponent, but the young man was cradling a broken arm when he left the arena.

“That wasn't too bad.”

“There's still the next round.”

Gisbourne's turn came in the eighth and final pair. He swaggered arrogantly into the arena amid wild cheers. His opponent, an older knight with a resigned look on his face, entered the arena calmly. The two men bowed to Prince John and faced each other.

“Gee,” said Duo, “does it seem to anyone else that Gisbourne wastes a lot of effort when he fights?”

“Yeah,” Wu-Fei agreed. “I got that impression when I fought him on the road.”

Trowa nodded. “This fight should have been over by now, but he wastes so much time waving his sword about that he's missed at least three openings.”

“How did he get such a reputation as a great fighter?”

“Maybe he's just playing around,” said Roku.

“That's not very honorable.”

“I don't think honor is all that important to Sir Guy of Gisbourne,” Quatre muttered.

They watched as Gisbourne finally finished off his opponent with a dramatic flourish. He bowed to wild applause and marched from the arena.

“Well that was unimpressive,” Duo said with a yawn. He scratched his belly. “How long do we have to wait before the next round?”

“Not long, apparently,” said Trowa. Two fighters from the first round were entering the arena.

The next four fights went quickly, with Heero's ending the quickest because he was obviously getting bored. Treize immediately went down into the arena.

“Cousin! Lady Margaret has invited you to join us at the castle for dinner.”

“Do I have to?” Heero muttered. “Making nice with a bunch of annoying nobles will ruin my appetite.”

“Be nice, Heero,” Treize chuckled. “When you finish beating Gisbourne, go get cleaned up at the inn and come to the castle.”

“If I have to.”

When Treize returned to his seat, Prince John called out to him. “Were you giving advice to your cousin on how to graciously accept defeat at Gisbourne's hands?”

“No, I was conveying Lady Margaret's dinner invitation.” Treize smiled. “I'm sure my cousin already knows graciousness in defeat. It will be interesting to see if Gisbourne does.”

The Sheriff frowned. “Are you impugning Gisbourne's honor?”

Treize shrugged. “Hardly.” He sank gracefully into his seat beside Zechs. “I'm sure Gisbourne will show his true colors.”

Heero's match was the first of the final two. After bowing to Prince John, he faced the other knight with a stern expression. The other knight regarded Heero with obvious alarm. He was a survivor of the melee and he clearly did not relish the idea of fighting Heero. He closed his visor quickly, raised his shield and held his sword at the ready. Heero raised his sword and glided forward on the balls of his feet. He feinted left and when the knight shifted his shield to that side, Heero flipped his sword in a quick arc to the right and cracked into the knight's shoulder. The blow knocked the knight to one knee and Heero followed it up with a second blow to the side of the helmet that sent the man sprawling to the ground. The stands erupted into cheers.

“That was pretty well done,” Wu-Fei said. “Did you see how he turned his sword at the last instant so he hit with the flat of the blade?”

“Yeah, that was really cool,” Duo agreed. “He's quick with his hands.”

Prince John and Mayor DeBoers stared, flabbergasted.

“Lord Treize,” Prince John rasped out. “Your cousin seems to get faster with every match he fights. Does he not tire like a normal man?”

“Ah, the stamina of youth,” Treize replied airily. “I remember when I had such energy; where every hard effort seemed to energize me for the next.” He grinned at Lady Margaret. “These days, I seem able to achieve such feats only in the bedroom.”

Lady Margaret flushed and giggled. “Oh Lord Treize! How naughty of you!”

Several ladies and a few gentlemen sighed wistfully.

Treize chuckled.

“Here is Gisbourne,” Sheriff Mark spoke up. “Now we shall see a real match.”

Gisbourne waved to the cheering crowd as he entered the arena. The other knight seemed annoyed. He slapped his visor down as soon as he completed his bow to Prince John and clapped his sword against his shield as he turned to face Gisbourne. The fight lasted considerably longer than Heero's had. Gisbourne's tendency for flamboyance prolonged the fight as his opponent tried to use Gisbourne's larger bulk against him. Eventually, Gisbourne landed a hard blow on the other knight's shield and knocked him backward. The knight landed heavily on his back and dropped his sword. Gisbourne stepped forward to rest his sword tip briefly against the fallen knight's throat before stepping back and turning to bow to Prince John again.

“Now that was a match!” Prince John exclaimed. “What a battle!”

“I agree!” Mayor DeBoers nodded. His voice squeaked a little with excitement. “Gisbourne is a powerful fighter.”

“Gisbourne must be tired,” Treize remarked casually. “I imagine there will have to be a short break before the final match.”

“Yes,” said Lord Clark. “There is always a rest period before the final match.”

“Perhaps there is time to get a glass of wine,” Treize said. “All this fighting has left me breathless.”

Zechs leaned close and murmured in Treize's ear. “I'll ask Roku. He always seems to have a bottle of something tucked away.” He strolled over to where the Gundam pilots were sitting. “I say, Roku, Treize is thirsty. Do you have any wine?”

“Sure, Mr. Zechs.” Roku reached under his left arm and produced a beautiful cut glass decanter filled with a deep red wine. He handed the decanter to Zechs. “I have some glasses that go with it.” He pulled two glasses out and smiled shyly as he handed them over. “Do you mind giving them back when you're through? I picked them up because they're pretty.”

“Of course. Thank you.” Zechs returned to Treize. “That boy can always be counted on to have just what is required.” He handed the glasses to Treize and removed the stopper from the decanter. He carefully poured the wine and replaced the stopper. He placed the decanter between his feet.

Treize handed Zechs his glass and took a sip. “This is an excellent vintage.”

“Yes it is,” Zechs agreed after taking a zip. “I wonder where Roku got it?”

“It's probably better not to ask.”

“Probably not,” Zechs agreed.

Duo leaned close to Roku. “What food have you got, Roku? I wouldn't mind a snack about now.”

“I have a roast chicken.”

“Mind sharing?”

“No.” Roku produced the chicken and he and Duo split it.

Quatre frowned. “Didn't you two eat lunch while you were gambling?”

“We had a couple of snacks,” Duo mumbled around a mouthful of chicken.

“Which means they ate more than the rest of us,” Trowa said. He smiled affectionately at Roku. “You shouldn't worry about Roku not getting enough to eat when he's with Duo, Quatre.”

“I don't, in all honesty.” Quatre shook his head. “It just makes my stomach hurt imagining how much they consume.”

“They burn it off.”

Many of the spectators used the break to get food and drink, and vendors worked their way through the stands selling meat pies, bread and cheese, and foaming tankards of ale. The crowd was feeling pretty good by the time the contest resumed. They cheered enthusiastically when Heero and Gisbourne entered the arena, with a few even jumping to their feet, which resulted in several other spectators getting showered with ale.

Despite the bulk of his armor, Heero looked slender and young next to Gisbourne's broad-shouldered bulk.

Prince John smiled confidently. “There seems little comparison between the two, wouldn't you say, Lord Treize?”

Treize lifted his wine glass in a small salute. “Would you care to increase the wager, Prince John? As your champion appears to be twice the size of my young cousin, perhaps we should double the wager.”

Prince John licked his lips.

“Single combat is quite a bit different from jousting,” Zechs said. “Perhaps there should be separate wagers for the two contests.” He stroked his fingers through his long hair, pulling the silken strands over one shoulder. “Sir Heero seems at a disadvantage here, but bulk matters somewhat less than skill in the joust.”

“I agree,” said Treize. “What do you say, Prince John? Shall we double the wager and split it between the two contests?”

Prince John stared at Treize with narrowed eyes and swallowed uncertainly. “Why not? Should they each take one event, our wagers would break even.”

“Even so.” Treize saluted with his wine glass again. “Let the final match begin.”

Prince John faced the two knights and accepted their bows. Heero and Gisbourne turned to face each other.

“What do you think Heero will do?” Quatre whispered to Trowa. “With the way Gisbourne waves his sword about, Heero might very well skewer him.”

“He won't,” Trowa whispered back. “Remember, he wants to beat Gisbourne in the joust.”

“Oh, that's right.”

Gisbourne held his shield slightly to one side and swung his sword in a dramatic series of sideways figure eights. Heero watched this display without moving. Gisbourne abruptly broke out of his pattern and swung for Heero's head. Heero raised his shield and took the full brunt of the blow without moving. He didn't even shift his feet. Gisbourne used the rebound of his sword to make another swing at Heero's knees. Heero swung his shield out this time and swept Gisbourne's sword back with enough force to spin him out of position. Gisbourne pulled his shield up to protect his exposed side, but Heero didn't swing at him. Instead, he slid the edge of his sword underneath the lower edge of Gisbourne's shield and pushed up. Gisbourne's shield cracked into his chin guard, snapping his head back. Gisbourne took a startled step backward and his left arm flung up and out, carrying his shield completely out of position. Heero immediately crashed his sword against Gisbourne's exposed left side and staggered him. Gisbourne was forced to rest his sword tip against the ground to steady himself and Heero immediately cracked him on the right side of his head. Gisbourne went to one knee. He brought his sword and shield up, but in a kneeling position, he could neither maneuver nor put any force into his blows. Heero showered him with blows, preventing Gisbourne from regaining his feet and eventually disarming him.

The crowd was on its feet, roaring. “Sir Heero! Sir Heero!” they chanted, waving handkerchiefs and pounding their hands together in excited applause.

Treize stood up and toasted Heero with the last of his wine.

Prince John said nothing, but he could not have been heard over the crowd anyway. He dabbed at his sweating brow with his handkerchief and acknowledged Heero's final bow with a slight wave. Then he leaned over and whispered something to Mayor DeBoers. The two men rose and made their way out of the stands, followed by other nobles.

Treize and Zechs made their way over to the Gundam pilots.

“Thank you, Roku,” Zechs said. He returned the empty decanter and glasses.

Roku tucked them away. “You're welcome, Mr. Zechs.”

Zechs tugged Roku's braid. “Call me Zechs, little one. We're practically related.”

Roku grinned. “Ok, Zechs.”

“Heero is supposed to join us for dinner at the castle tonight,” Treize told the others. “Don't let him weasel out.”

“We won't.”

“I'll come with him,” Wu-Fei said, “to make sure he doesn't get `lost' on the way over.”

“Good idea.”

“Mama, may I go with Papa Heero and Papa Wu-Fei and have dinner at the castle, too?”

“Of course you may, my dear. But make sure you don't do magic in front of anyone and don't let anyone see you get stuff out of your storage space.”

“Ok.”

Treize and Zechs left for the castle and everyone else went down to look for Heero. They found him surrounded by adoring fans clamoring for a chance to touch the young knight and congratulate him. Heero looked like he was facing a gaggle of Relenas. The Gundam pilots forced their way through the crowd.

“Good job, Heero!” Trowa congratulated him. “You made that last a long time.”

Heero shrugged. “I did my best.”

“It looked great!” Duo said. “For a good millisecond there, I thought Gisbourne had a chance.”

Heero glared at him.

“Treize told us about dinner at the castle, Heero,” said Wu-Fei. “You're going.”

“But I don't want to!”

“No whining. You're going.”

Heero muttered something in Japanese.

“Don't repeat that,” Quatre said to Roku.

“Yes Mama.”

“Let's go back to the inn,” Trowa suggested. “Heero needs to clean up for dinner and I want to make sure we get a table.”

They returned to the inn.

Duo grinned mischievously. “I think Heero should take a bath. I'll help him.”

“Behave yourself, Duo,” Quatre said. “Roku is going with Heero so he needs a bath too. Wu-Fei can tend them if they need anything, since he's going as well. You can eat and go to your card game.”

“Oh fine! Take all the fun out of it.”

Later, as Wu-Fei, Heero and Roku walked to the castle, Heero kept muttering to himself.

“I don't see why I have to go!” Heero finally complained aloud. “I'm not a nobleman.”

“Yes you are,” Wu-Fei assured him. “You're Treize's cousin, remember? And you're a knight, which makes you a second-tier nobleman at least. So suck it up and put on your snooty face. This should be fun.”

When they arrived at the castle, Heero was immediately greeted with excitement.

“What a wonderful performance, Sir Heero!” one young lady gushed. “I have never been so excited!”

“You are very skilled, Sir Knight!” another gentleman exclaimed.

Heero accepted these accolades with a reasonable amount of grace. But then Lady Margaret saw him. She clasped Treize by the arm and pressed one slender hand to her plump bosom.

“Oh! My Lord Treize! Pray introduce me to your wonderful cousin!” Her breast heaved as she drew several deep breaths.

Treize smiled magnificently as he led her up to Heero. “My dear Lady Margaret, please let me introduce Sir Heero Yuy, my cousin.”

Lady Margaret curtsied prettily. “It is such an honor to meet you, Sir Heero. It was thrilling to watch you today. I swear my heart simply stopped during your last fight.”

Heero bowed slightly. “Thank you, my lady.”

Lady Margaret looked at Roku, who was standing next to Wu-Fei behind Heero. “Is this handsome boy your brother, Sir Heero?”

“Um, yes. I hope you don't mind me bringing him along. He wanted to see the castle.”

“He is most welcome!” Lady Margaret said. She held out her hand and Roku shook it solemnly. She looked at Wu-Fei. “Have we met before?”

Wu-Fei bowed. “No madam, but I have been honored to stand in your court before. I serve Lord Treize.”

“Oh yes, I remember you.” She turned back to Heero and looped her arm through his. Heero suppressed a pained expression. “Sir Heero, perhaps you will sit beside me at dinner tonight. I would love to hear more about you.”

“Of course.”

Zechs stopped next to Wu-Fei. “He looks constipated,” he whispered to Wu-Fei.

Wu-Fei chuckled. “He'll survive. He's putting on his `Relena' face.”

“Ah.”

At that moment, Prince John entered. His thin face looked even more sallow than usual. His eyes immediately fell on Heero and his expression became sour. “I see our hero of the hour has arrived.”

“Do you suppose he made that pun on purpose?” Wu-Fei whispered.

“I doubt it,” Zechs whispered back. “I haven't noticed any tendency toward wit in Prince John.”

Treize put his arm proudly around Heero's shoulders. “Is not his achievement even more impressive when you see him without his armor?” he said brightly.

Prince John's lips pinched together like he was sucking on a lemon. “I should not want to make the mistake of equating size with valor.”

“Of course not,” Treize agreed. “Come, let us dine.” He turned toward the tables.

“You don't wish to discuss our wager?”

“Not now,” Treize said. “There will be time enough after the joust. As you said, should Gisbourne emerge victorious there, we will break even.” He favored Prince John with a gracious smile. “I would never insult Your Highness' honor by implying you might not make good on our wager should I win.”

Prince John managed a sickly smile and he inclined his head. “Of course.” He waved a hand toward the tables. “Let's eat.”

Much later, when dinner was consumed and most of the diners were well into their cups, Zechs looked around.

“I don't see Roku.”

Wu-Fei looked around too. “He probably wandered off to explore the castle.”

“I hope he leaves something behind.”

“He's not as light-fingered as Duo,” Wu-Fei chuckled. He yawned and stretched. “I'll go look for him. It's time we went back to the inn anyway. Why don't you tell Heero to meet me out front?”

“Will do.”

Wu-Fei found Roku in the hall outside the dining room. “Ready to go?”

“Um hmm,” Roku yawned. “The castle is really neat.”

“Did you find anything interesting?”

“A few things.”

“You might not want to mention to Mama Quatre what you picked up.”

“That's probably a good idea.”

Heero appeared out of the dining room wearing a look of tremendous relief. “Thank god! Can I please go kill someone now?”

Wu-Fei laughed. “No. Let's go find Duo. I'm sure he'll be glad to help you work off some of that nervous energy.”

Heero lifted an eyebrow at him. “You're not interested?”

“Sure, but I think I'll wait until you're not talking about killing people.”

“Fine. Let's go. If I can't kill anyone, I sure as hell am gonna fuck somebody.”

“Watch your language.”

“Sorry Roku.”

“It's ok, Papa Heero.”