'...' thoughts
One and Only Part 20
Pacing the length of the throne room as the remaining members of the elven nobility attempted to keep out of his way, Thomas fought unsuccessfully to calm his ragged nerves. It had been nearly fours hours now since the prince's chamber maids burst in during the court in a panic over finding his rooms empty when they had gone to clean them. Immediately, the frantic search to find the longhaired prince began, quickly throwing the entire palace into pandemonium. Unable to remain seated while the search continued, the elf king soon found himself at his current activities.
"Your highness." Thomas heard as he completed yet another circuit around the room and he turned to see one of Duo's servants running toward him. "Your highness, come quickly. They've found Prince Duo!"
Not waiting for another word or giving any thought to the others in the room, the king pushed past the servant and rushed toward his son's chambers. Reaching the door in no time, he barreled through only to stop short at seeing the seven healers that were rushing around the small elf's bed.
"What's going on?" he demanded, causing them to pause long enough for him to glimpse the still figure lying on the bed.
"Your highness." one of the healers stammered. "Prince Duo was found only a few minutes ago in the gardens near the pond. He was unconscious and barely breathing."
"What?" Thomas whispered hoarsely.
Seeing the barely controlled tension in the blue green-eyed elf's face, the lead healer, Malik, quickly gave instructions for the others to continue their work before walking over to the king and leading him back outside the room. "Your highness." the elf began softly, his face looking grave. "Due to the fact that the prince has not been eating or sleeping properly since his return, his health has begun to decline. And evidently, the walk he took in the gardens was just too much for his weakened condition to handle and it quite literally shut down."
"You can heal him though, right?"
"I can heal the damage that's been done to his body, yes, but unfortunately that's not the worst of it." the elf said with a sigh. "Because of his failing health, his magic, which from what I can tell had only recently healed from a previous trauma, has also begun to diminish. And for that, there's nothing we can do. I believe that, once he begins taking care of himself again, it will heal on its own. If he cannot be persuaded to do so however, I'm afraid there's not much I or anyone else will be able to do for him."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that unless something is done and I mean soon, Prince Duo will die."
Staggering back a step, Thomas leaned heavily against the wall to his right to keep his suddenly weak legs from sending him to the floor, his eyes slipping closed in anguish. "My god, why...?"
"I'm just a healer, your highness, and therefore have no right to tell you what you should or should not do." the elf stated in a comforting voice. "However, I'm also a father myself and, if I may be so bold to say, I believe it's time you started listening to your son and trusting in his judgment."
"But, the humans--"
"If I'm not mistaken, there was also an elf involved in his kidnapping." Malik reminded him. "Yet you don't keep him locked away from us."
"I just... I can't lose him, not like I lost Helen." Thomas whispered, thoughts of his wife, Duo's mother, circling through his head.
"Queen Helen was overjoyed at the thought of bearing hers and your child. Even then, though she knew the risks; that her own poor health would make carrying and giving birth to the baby dangerous, she would not be talked out of it, it was after all her greatest dream to be a mother." The healer said, a smile crossing his lips at his own thoughts of the violet-eyed and golden haired elf. "Losing her that day was one of the hardest things our people have had to endure, tempered only by the fact that our prince had been born. So please, your highness, don't let this be the second."
With that said, the healer bowed gently before turning back and entering Duo's chambers, closing the door securely behind him. Left on his own in the hallways, Thomas found himself staring at the closed door for a long moment, his heart twisting in his chest at the thought of the small elf he so dearly loved on the other side, fighting for his life. At that thought though, he frowned sharply, realizing it for the lie it was because not matter how hard he tried to convince himself otherwise, he had seen it in his son's eyes that day he had taken him from the human palace, he had taken the boy's will to live that day as well.
Pushing himself off the wall only a moment after that thought registered, he turned briskly and stalked back down the hall, intent on reaching his own chambers and taking whatever necessary steps he needed that would return his son to him.
********************
It was several long hours later, and only after nearly exhausting all their strength that the healers were rewarded for their hard work, when endless violet orbs blinked sluggishly open, indicating the prince's return to wakefulness. Using various potions and spells, they had managed to repair nearly all of the damage to the braided elf's body, leaving him now only needing a few more hours rest to complete the healing process.
"Prince Duo." Malik smiled, pushing the small elf's bangs back from his eyes affectionately. "You gave us quite a scare. How are you feeling?"
However, as was the norm since his return, the longhaired prince offered no reply and the healer watched in growing concern as large teardrops began to form at the corner of those luminous violet eyes before falling down the sides of the boy's face unnoticed.
"Oh, your highness." The healer breathed before sitting himself on the side of the bed and pulling the boy into his arms, rocking him gently while the others simply stared as they too felt their hearts aching for their crown prince.
"Please my prince, you have to start eating and sleeping; we can't bear the thought of losing you." one of them pleaded. However, the words that were meant only to encourage the violet-eyed elf caused him to cry even harder as his too thin frame was wracked by violent sob. Quickly shooing the other healers from the room, Malik pulled the small prince more firmly against his chest as he continued the gentle rocking. Several minutes later, the emotional outburst finally took its toll and Duo settled back into his much-needed slumber.
Over the next several weeks, with the coaxing and pleading of the members of the palace staff, Duo began to eat more regularly once again. Although still not nearly enough to begin replacing the weight he had lost, it was a promising start compared to his previous habits. The healers knew it would be a slow process to restore the prince to where he had been prior to his kidnapping and they were determined not to give up until it had been accomplished.
On a particularly bright and sunny day nearly a month following his collapse, Duo once again went to visit the small clearing. This time though, as was required by not only his father but Malik as well, he was accompanied by one of the elven healers who trailed behind him at a respectful yet comforting distance. Once again, the play of the light over the crystal water caused him to stop and stare for a moment as he passed through the strand of pines before he was able to continue across the open space to sit on one of the low, stone benches. For several long minutes, he simply allowed himself to enjoy the feel of the breeze on his face and the play of the various fish that inhabited the small pond.
He had been there for nearly an hour in blissful silence before the sound of approaching footsteps heralded his father's arrival. Emerging through the surrounding trees, Thomas also found himself mesmerized by the scene in front of him only with the added benefit of watching the sun reflect playfully off the reds and golds that highlighted his son's long braid of hair. Finally though, with only a brief pause to gather his thoughts and take a deep breath, he walked across the clearing and sat down on the bench beside the small prince.
"How are you this morning, Duo?" he asked, as he did every morning even though the boy had yet to answer. While Thomas was eternally grateful for Malik and the healers in managing to convince Duo to eat, the silence the boy exhibited was still more than his heart could stand. Finally turning to look at the elf that constituted the most important part of his world, the elf king could feel tears pricking the back of his eyelids and giving into his impulse; he wrapped his arms around the small boy and pulled him close as he squeezed his eyes shut against the tears. "I'm so sorry son, I'm so very sorry." he whispered brokenly, causing Duo to pull back a short way and look at him in shock.
At seeing the tears trailing down his father's cheeks, Duo's eyes widened and he raised a trembling hand to wipe gently at the moisture. Never in his life had he seen his father cry; he had always been the strong pillar that he based his own life on. Now however, he could feel his own tears, which did not seem to completely dry anymore, begin to fall once again. "Father?" he whispered and at his word, the first he had spoken since their argument before leaving Trasil, the king gasped and pulled the boy back into his arms.
"Oh Duo, I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you but the thought of losing you when you said you wanted to stay with him was just too painful; I couldn't let you go. Can you ever forgive me for being so selfish?"
Bringing his arms up to wrap around his father's waist, Duo allowed himself to burrow into the strong chest that had never failed to give him comfort before nodding his head in answer. "You could never lose me father."
"I love you so much, my precious little elfling." Thomas breathed, his heart soaring at the boy's admission.
"I love you too, papa."
For several long moments, father and son simply sat and enjoyed the comfort that only this type of closeness could give before Thomas finally pulled back, giving the violet-eyed elf a small smile. Then, reaching up, he gently wiped the tears from the cherub face and stood from the bench, pulling Duo to his feet as well before throwing a brief look over the boy's shoulder. With a smile, he made a motion for someone else to join them, before turning back to the longhaired boy. "Duo, I know I can never make up for what I've done, and I can only hope that one day you'll be able to forgive me for it."
Duo could only stare perplexedly at the taller elf since he was sure he had already said he would forgive him but his father merely smiled brightly at him before gripping his shoulders and turning him to face their approaching visitor. For a brief moment, the fall of the sun caused the boy's eyes to squint shut. When it faded though and he caught his first look at the dark-haired man that had entered the clearing, the braided elf felt his heart skip a beat and renewed tears burst from his eyes.
"Heero." He breathed and took a step toward the apparition that stood shimmering in the morning sun. Then, when the apparition raising his arms in invitation, the braided elf wasted no time in launching himself across the clearing and into his love's arms. "Heero."
"Yes, love, I'm here." The young lord breathed in return before raising his own teary eyes to meet those of the elf king, giving the elf a shaky smile and a brief nod before burying his face in the silky hair on the top of Duo's head and breathing deeply.
********************
The months following Heero and Duo's reunion brought renewed joy and laughter to the Aliashtir palace. The violet-eyed prince finally began putting the weight he had loss back on and sleeping with the man he loved beside him proved to be far more effective than any potion the healers had tried. Thomas also found a renewed sense of joy just from seeing the beautiful smile that lit the prince's face nearly all the time. In answer to that happiness he reopened the forest borders, once again permitting the dragon clan as well as many others inside the elven domain.
Walking into the village of his birth for only the second time in eight years, Wufei could not stop the smirk that crossed his face. It had indeed been an eventful few months. He would never forget the day the elven messengers arrived in the small town of Akrin and more specifically at Yuy Manor, nor the look on his friend's face as he read the entreaty from Thomas, begging him to save his son's life. Now, as he cross the place he had once called home on his way to find Sally, he truly felt that everything would be alright.
"Wufei?"
Stopping in his tracks, the young man brought his attention to his immediate right where one of the dragon warriors was standing and staring at him, shock clearly written on his face. The young man, evidently no older than himself was dressed in traditional clan clothing consisting of loose pants and a mid-thigh length tunic that buttoned up the front with softly soled slippers adorning his feet, however, whereas the ones Wufei was currently wearing were white, this man's were a deep red with black assents. Watching him with uneasy and confused, hazel-green eyes, the warrior slowly approached him.
"It is you, isn't it?" the man asked and the voice along with the long sway of loose black hair that reached to just past his shoulders finally registered in Wufei's mind and he allowed his own shock to show.
"Chin?"
"I thought I was seeing a ghost there for a moment." Chin laughed nervously as his eyes shifted around. "How did you get in the village, I though--"
"They didn't tell you?" Wufei asked, although the answer more than explained the man's choice of clothing; after all, the colors red and black were used to designate one of the elven royalty protectors.
"Tell me what?"
"That I've been reinstated." he said simply.
"What?!" Chin exploded. "But the elders--"
"The elders had nothing to do with this. Actually, they didn't even have a choice. The decision came from King Thomas himself."
"That's ridiculous. Why would he want someone like--"
"Wufei, there you are." Treize called just before he came up to stand at his lover's side, giving him a smile before turning to the man standing beside him. "Is this a friend of yours?"
"I thought so at one time." Wufei said softly then waved in Chin's direction. "Treize Khusrenada, meet Chin Wang. Chin this is King Peacecraft's general, Treize."
A slightly raised eyebrow was the only sign to belie the ginger-haired general's recognition of the name as he held out his hand for the man to shake. "A pleasure." he purred before turning back to Wufei. "Did you find Sally?"
"No, I haven't had the chance yet."
"Well, if we don't hurry we'll be late for the ceremony and Duo's already starting to bite his nails." Treize stated.
"Dammit, Yuy and I both said he couldn't handle a public ceremony yet."
"I agreed with you remember but it's too late to change it now." Treize sighed, his eye sweeping the immediate vicinity in hopes of spotting the clan healer. "Listen, I'll find Sally, you get back there and calm him down; beside Heero, you're probably the only one who can right now."
"Right, thanks love." Wufei nodded before kissing the tall general then hurried off back the way he had come, completely forgetting about Chin who was staring in shock as he left.
Smiling after the black-haired man fondly, Treize finally turned his attention to the young man still standing beside him, noting with satisfaction the look on his face. "Quite something, isn't he?"
The sound of his voice, instantly snapped the young man out of his shock and he quickly gave Treize the once over. "Who exactly are you and how do you know him?"
"Wufei and I are lovers and have been for several years now." Treize stated, not feeling the need to hide their relationship, least of all from Chin, before he sighed softly. "Of course, it was already hard enough to spend time with him while he lived in Akrin. Now that he'll be living in Aliashtir, it's going to be even worse."
"No human lives in the elven capitol." Chin snapped. "And only members of the dragon clan are permitted to enter the protected forest."
"Oh, and where exactly do you think the new ambassador and soon to be spouse of the crown prince is going to live? Or didn't you know he was human." Treize queried, looking smug. "And, as Duo's personal guard, Wufei will have to move into the palace as well."
"What?!" the young warrior screeched, doing a very good impression of Relena in Treize's humble opinion. "I'm the prince's guard; I was named to that position when he was banished."
"Yes, so I've been told." Treize smiled drolly. "Unfortunately for you, things change; Prince Duo has made his choice in the matter, and since he chose Wufei, I would suggest a change of wardrobe."
"No one mocks a warrior of the dragon clan." Chin snarled as he reached for the sword at his belt. However, before the blade cleared the sheath, he found himself on the end of Treize's sword, the general having beaten him to the draw.
"And no one threatens the king's general." Treize said smoothly, yet the dangerous glint in his eye reflected his anger.
"Well, I see the two of you've met." an amused voice said, causing the two to turn their heads only to find Sally smiling knowingly at them. "Although, I don't think Fei would appreciate the two of you fighting over him, especially since he could no doubt beat the both of you."
"Of that fact, I must most heartily agree." Treize stated as he pulled back a step and replaced his sword in its sheath. "I still wear the bruises from our last sparing match."
"What the hell's going on Sally?" Chin snarled, his eyes once again trained on the blue-eyed man and his hand firmly grasping the hilt of his sword.
"I'm sorry." The tall general said, although he did not sound the least bit apologetic. "But explanations will have to wait since the elf prince's bonding ceremony is about to begin and if we don't hurry, we'll be late. So, if you'll excuse us?"
Then offering his arm to the braided healer, the two of them turned and waltzed through the village, on their way to the elven palace, leaving a simmering young warrior in their wake.
********************
In one of the larger garden clearings, those invited to witness the bonding of the elven crown prince, Duo, and the former human senator now ambassador, Heero Yuy, were seated in the chairs brought from the palace just for the event. The only permanent structure in the clearing, a large fountain featuring the carved figure of the first elven king was decorated with thousands of white flower petals, which covered the crystal water and muffled the soft splash of the water falling from the bowl the elf carried. Various other flowers, all a shade of purple or light blue, were placed in large urns at various positions around the clearing and gauzy fabric, in the same shades, had been draped through the tree boughs.
However, despite the beautiful and romantic air provided by the decorations, the entire assembly only had eyes for the two standing before the fountain as they spoke their vows to be faithful and true to one another from this life into the next. Dressed in tight, low riding black pants with a high neck, long sleeved shirt also in black and a deep violet coat that was sleeveless and knee length, Duo was resplendent in the royal family's colors. Meanwhile, Heero was adorned in the Yuy family colors of deep blue and silver consisting of black pants and a deep blue tunic with silver trim. However, as was customary for elven bondings, both were barefoot.
Stifling her tears for not the first, nor the last time that day, Queen Lucrezia Peacecraft was eternally grateful for her husband, King Zechs Peacecraft, sitting beside her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his side, his other hand unconsciously rubbing across her rather swollen stomach. To her right, Trowa Barton, the newly named Akrin senator and his lover, Quatre Winner, were smiling in rapt delight at seeing Heero and Duo finally receiving the happiness they deserved. While directly in front, both Treize, as Zechs' protector and Wufei as Duo's, kept a close watch on their charges but still not failing to succumb to the emotions of the day as Wufei gripped the tall general's hand tightly with Sally, sitting beside him, smiling softly at their behavior. Finally, there was King Thomas who stood tall and proud behind the two taking their vows, his eyes glistening with pride and love for the small elf before him as he pledged his life to the man the king had come to respect in the last months. Knowing without a doubt he had done the right thing, he allowed the smile of joy to spread across his face, only just managing to catch the laugh that tried to escape when Duo slipped him a wink just as the vows were being completed. All in all, it was a good day.
TBC...
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