Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Maids of Silva ❯ Chapter Seven ( Chapter 7 )

The Maids of Silva

Written By Happily Ever After

Chapter Seven: By Goldberry

It was to J's consternation that Dorothy had not stayed at the

castle. Instead, one of the servants he questioned reported that she

had immediately returned to her own estates after finishing her

report to Treize. It was not an ideal situation. He had expended a

great deal of his magic to return to the castle where he had last

known Dorothy to be and now it appeared to have been in vain. He

would now have to travel the distance like any other human, a fact

that did not make him happy. He had more important matters to deal

with besides catering to a hard-eyed huntress who seemed to have no

idea of what she was getting herself into. That, of course, was not a

bad thing in and of itself. After all, if she managed to get herself

killed, so much the better for him. The girl was enthralled with

magical creatures but seemed to have no respect for the very powers

she kept under lock and key. One day that strength would rise up and

destroy her. Magic was to be respected, especially those who wielded

it.

Grumbling to himself, J made his way through the labyrinth of

hallways to his own quarters to pack for his trip. It would take a

good day's ride to get to Dorothy's estate but the journey would give

him a chance to think his plan through. The Heart lay within his

grasp if only he could see to pick it up. The Fairie Realm was magic,

and therefore, dangerous, especially to him. It would be better if he

did not have to enter himself or, if there was no other way, to bring

along someone who would guarantee to get him inside. Who that might

be, he had no idea, but [once] the Fairy Heart belonged to him, none of

them would dare stop him from doing whatever he wished. The Fairies

were bound to the Heart, as the Heart was bound to them. Legend told

him that it lay set in the silver crown of the Fairie King, a

gleaming gem that glittered with all the colors of the rainbow. If he

could only get his hands on it…

"I will have it," he muttered to himself, "Let Treize worry about the

troublesome princes. If my plan succeeds he will soon be bowing to

me."

Such was J's focus on his secret designs, he did not hear the

telltale footsteps behind him nor feel the dark glare that was

directed his way. Wufei Chang, Captain of the King's Guards, watched

as the new King's little henchmen disappeared into his chambers and

felt every muscle in his body tense as he replayed the man's words in

his mind. J knew something about the princes, that was clear, but he

also seemed to be neck-deep in treachery against Treize as well, not

that Wufei had many qualms about that, but he did despise people who

did not honor their commitments. Betrayers he would kill with his own

sword and feel no pity. For you see, Captain Chang had a peculiar but

deep sense of honor. He served the new king because it was his job,

but if Treize was involved with some plot that had disposed of the

former two princes, retaliation would be imminent. A false king would

never sit on the throne for long.

Not if he had anything to do with it.

* * * *

Night had fallen in the glen, lacy frost creeping around the small

window pane in the cabin. A fat moon rose above the horizon, cold and

silent, sending silver rays dancing over the snow-capped hills. The

enchanted forest, glittering with the moon's kiss, seemed to hum with

power as if in anticipation of some magical event only it could

foretell. Relena had never felt such strength before, but the

forest's song vibrated in her bones, a call to her very soul. It made

her feel weak and strong at the same time and when she glanced around

to see if Hilde felt the same, she found that her sister had

disappeared, probably to bring in a few extra cuts of wood for the

fire. The golden cat had gone with her and, surprisingly, the falcon.

Both animals had become very restless after the sun had set. It was

probably a good idea that they get some fresh air.

Just as Relena settled herself to listening to the forest again, the

door to the cabin swung open violently, a gust of frigid wind blowing

scattered snowflakes into the room. Relena jumped but luckily Peygan,

who was asleep in his chair by the fire, only snorted in his sleep

before sinking deeper into dreams.

"Relena! I lost them! Relena!"

Relena jumped to her feet, aqua eyes widening to their fullest as

Hilde tumbled in, cheeks reddened by the cold, her dark maroon cloak

covered in snow. She hurried to her sister, holding Hilde's frozen

fingers between her palms to warm them.

"What? Hilde, what happened? Where are Cat and Zero?"

Hilde shook her head, clearly agitated. "I lost them! I was gathering

some kindling near the forest where it's easy to find and when I

looked around, they were both gone!"

Relena felt a fist of worry squeeze her heart. "Even the falcon? But

it's wing…"

"I don't know how they did it, Relena, but they both disappeared!

You've got to help me look for them. It's getting colder outside

and…" She trailed off as Relena reached for her white cloak, throwing

it over her pale nightgown and pinning it at her throat without a

second thought. Hilde nodded and, grabbing her sister's hand, pulled

her out into the wintry night. Once outside, the two girls split up,

each heading towards the enchanted forest but in different

directions. Peygan would sleep safely while they were gone and how

long could it take to find two animals, one of them lame?

Relena shivered beneath her cloak as she struggled through the snow

towards the forest. She wished she had bothered with more layers

before going out but she had been too distracted to think of

shielding herself against the cold. What if the falcon was hurt?

Breath misting around her, she kept her sights fixed on the forest,

so intent on her purpose that she was totally surprised when she

stumbled over a hidden tree root and fell heavily into the bitter

snow. Immediately, wet and cold seeped past her cloak and into her

skin, making her cry out from the shock of it. Snowflakes catching in

her long lashes, she tried to stand only to find that she had twisted

her ankle and any weight on it made her breath catch in her throat

with the throbbing pain. Calling herself a thousand kinds of fools,

she threw back her hood, releasing waves of sun-gold hair as she

looked around for the stain of red against white that would pinpoint

her sister's location. Unfortunately, she could not make out anything

in the darkness.

"My lady?"

She glanced up, startled, and almost a little fearful at the sound of

the deep, strong voice that echoed from seemingly nowhere. In front

of her, watching her with fathomless eyes, stood a young man, his

darkly handsome face emotionless except for the tiny tendril of

concern that lurked within his gaze. Looking up at him, her hair

gilded with starlight, she felt something come to life deep within

her, a flickering of a small flame that had thought never to burn.

Her breath quickened along with her heart rate and she suddenly felt

self-conscious, something she had never experienced before. But then,

she had never been around a man her age. Except for Hilde and Peygan,

she had never been around other people at all. This was a stranger,

and yet, there was something about him. That cold gaze…

Without a word, the man knelt before her, disregarding the snow as if

he barely felt it, and held out a hand towards her, everything about

him speaking of secrets and mystery. Without a hint of hesitation she

lifted her own hand and slipped it into his, a shiver that had

nothing to do with the cold and everything to do with the warmth of

his strong fingers closing around her smaller ones. With a movement

as sleek as ice, the stranger slipped his other arm under her knees

and lifted her free of the snow, her hair drifting around her face as

she locked her arms around his neck. In that moment, held close to

his chest, Relena had never felt more safe.

Neither of them speaking, the man carried her into the enchanted

forest, the warm tingle of magic driving away her shivers as they

crossed the threshold. In the supernatural light of the enchanted

wood, Relena looked up at her savior, locking his face into her mind.

He was young and handsome, with dark unruly hair and cobalt eyes that

missed nothing. He was carried himself like a young lord and yet he

was dressed as if he had been caught unawares and thrown out into the

night. He wore black breeches and white long sleeved tunic that lay

unbuttoned at his neck. He had no cloak or coat against the cold but

did not seem to need it. Was he enchanted even as the trees were? No,

he did not have the immortal glow of the fairies, but there was

something magical about him nonetheless. Even the sword he wore at

his hip, belted haphazardly as if he had been in the middle of

putting it on, seemed something out of legend, the hilt chased with

obsidian and silver.

"Who are you?" she breathed, mesmerized by his very presence. He

glanced at her briefly before stopping in front of a large maple to

set her down at the base of it, cushioned by the moss that clung to

the tree's roots. He stayed kneeling by her side, watching her face

as he laid a hand gently over her ankle, the intimate touch causing a

blush to rise to Relena's cheeks.

"Your injury is not deep. The forest will heal it."

Even as he spoke, a warmth bloomed under his hand and she knew his

words were truth. She smiled up at him, still taken away by his

strong aura.

"Please, will you not tell me your name, sir, that I might know my

rescuer?"

Again, he brushed off her questions by looking away, a muscle moving

in his jaw. When he met her gaze again, there was a sadness caged

behind his eyes that made her take a breath. He seemed unaware of it

though.

"Do you not know me, lady of the snow?"

She blinked, feeling again the sense of familiarity in her heart.

Still…

"I have never met anyone like you before," she whispered truthfully.

For a moment, he simply looked at her and she wondered if she had

somehow offended him, but then a corner of his mouth lifted in the

barest of smiles. She smiled back in relief and wonder but was

surprised when he suddenly reached out to touch the shining strands

of her hair, his finger hesitant as if he wasn't sure she was real.

She blinked at the soft caress before smiling gently at him and

returning the gesture by reaching up to brush unruly locks of dark

hair out of his eyes. When her fingers brushed his temple she felt

him tremble very slightly before he was under control again. His dark

eyes whirled with feelings he did not, or could not, express.

"What?" she questioned softly.

"This isn't a dream," he replied, seeming almost surprised with

himself for answering. "I've been dreaming a very long time." His

bottomless eyes caught hers and she felt herself drowning. "But

you're real."

"Yes," she managed faintly, "I'm real, and so are you."

Minutes passed as they sat under the tree, simply basking in each

other's presence. It took a great surge of strength for Relena to

break the beautiful silence by remembering that she had come outside

for a reason.

"My lord, can you tell me if you have seen a falcon the color of ice?

I came looking for him and I'm afraid he might have gotten hurt. His

wing is healing from a bad break."

Next to her, the young man gave what she could only describe as a

shiver and he gripped the upper part of his left arm as if it pained

him. She frowned, ready to questioned him, but his gaze stopped all

words.

"I have seen no falcon but I can assure you that he will come back to

you before dawn. Rise from sleep and he will be by your side once

again."

"How do you know this?" she asked quietly. Perhaps this stranger was

magical…

He gave her an almost tender look. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded without a second thought. "Yes."

"Then trust that what I tell you is true." He stood then, looking

down at her with those beautiful eyes. "Now, it is time for you to

return. The hour grows late." He pulled her gently to her feet and

she found that her ankle was completely healed and it pained her not

at all. Together, they walked to the edge of the forest, Relena

pulling her hood up again to ward off the cold air during her walk

back to the cottage. The young lord looked out towards the cabin, his

voice distant.

"You must be careful on the way back." To demonstrate this, he

reached over and tugged her cloak tighter over her shoulders. She

smiled at his concern before stepping outside of the forest and into

immediate snow. Icy flakes drifted around her as she suddenly swung

back, half afraid he would no longer be there. He was though,

standing just inside the forest as if to watch and make sure she made

it back alright.

"Will I…" she trailed off, a blush rising in her cheeks again, "Will

I see you again?"

That mysterious half-smile crossed his face again. "Yes, my lady.

This is not the end for either of us."

Relena smiled brightly at his words and turned away once again, her

sights set on home. The young lord watched her disappear into the

night even as he acknowledged the presence that had stayed hidden

within the trees.

"You worry for her," he said, still watching Relena make her way to

the cottage. The voice answered from behind him.

"I worry for them both." Quatre answered, appearing from the shadows,

also watching the young maiden in the distance.

"Why?"

Quatre arched an eyebrow, his expression solemn. "Can you tell me

your name?"

The stranger closed his eyes briefly. "No."

"That is why."

"I would not hurt her," the other man replied stiffly. "I knew when I

saw her that she is special to me."

"And to me," the fairy answered, "but she cares for you. She could be

hurt by the plots that surround you."

"Whatever these plots may be, I will keep her safe," the lord snapped

angrily. "I vow it."

The fairy bowed his head. "Then rest here tonight. Stay near the edge

of the forest and in the morning I promise things will look

differently."

The stranger bowed his head, feeling the weight of his absent

memories. "Yes, perhaps they will."

Perhaps they would.

TBC