'...' thoughts
One and Only Part 8
Silence finally settled on the parlor as Treize and Wufei finished relating to Trowa everything that had been going on at the capitol along with the plan they had managed to put together to deal with their most immediate problem.
"So, you have no other choice but to take Duo back to the capitol?" Trowa asked from where he was stretched out in his chair, his hand rubbing idly at his chin while he tried desperately to find a loophole in the demands.
"Unfortunately, yes. The threat we received was very specific and while we highly doubt she'll carry through, we can't possibly take the chance she might." Treize sighed. "If we could find the messenger she planned to use, we could slow her down but then we'd run the risk of her sending the message anyway in retaliation for trying to spoil her plans. There is just no way we can risk a war with the elves right now; we've been working too hard to build good relations with them. As it stands now, we'll be lucky to stop one from happening anyways."
"And you have absolutely no proof that it was Relena that sent either of the notes?" Trowa asked as he sat forward in his seat, his chin resting in his hands.
"No, she used unknown channels to have them delivered. Not even the person doing the delivery knew who had sent it." the ginger-haired general explained with a sigh.
"Three days." Trowa pondered, his emerald eyes narrowed. "Just enough time for you to get here, get Duo, and leave for the return trip. Clever. It will take Heero at least eighteen hours to prepare for the trip, longer if an extended stay is expected. You are aware that getting either of them to agree to this will not be an easy task?"
"We know, that's why you and Winner will be staying with Yuy to keep him from doing something rash." Wufei offered ruefully.
"This is Heero we're talking about." Treize chuckled lightly.
"Don't remind me. Luckily Winner's influence should be enough to keep whatever he does do, low key." Wufei smiled. "Meanwhile, Sally and I will travel with Duo. He has known us from childhood so we should be able to keep him calm for the two days they'll be separated."
"I hope you're right, Wufei. I don't want to see him return to how he was when we first brought him home." Trowa said solemnly, a shadow passing over his features.
"Neither do I, my friend, neither do I." Wufei sighed before bowing his head as he too remembered the day in question.
"Well then," Treize began, breaking into their melancholic meanderings. "now that we have created a feasible plan, who gets the dubious honor of informing our young Lord Yuy."
********************
"Well, Milliardo, I guess we'll know for sure whether the little elf prince has been found or not once General Khushrenada returns the day after tomorrow." Princess Relena said haughtily as she picked over her dinner with a mildly disgusted look on her face; although whether it was the dinner that was causing her disquiet or the thought of the prince was not clearly seen.
King Milliardo Peacecraft, known as Zechs by his closest friends, gritted his teeth together to keep the angry retort from escaping. After all, she was his sister even if her actions at times belied that statement. Beside him however, his wife and queen, Lucrezia, had no such qualms about speaking up against her sister-in-law.
"Yes, and no doubt Lord Yuy will not be far behind him, just as you planned." she snapped.
"Why my dear sister, how could you think such a thing of me?" Relena gasped in horrified innocence. "You know I would never do such a thing that might cause a war just to see Heero."
"Lu." Zechs said softly as he felt her tensing up for another angry retort placing his hand over hers to forestall the comments. He knew as well as she that they could not prove Relena's involvement and thus any accusations would be deemed as a personal attack, giving the young woman ammunition to use against them with the people. Already he could see members of his own servants whispering among themselves on the far side of the room.
Over the last couple of years, the princess had become quite a respected figure among the inhabitants of the city and surrounding countryside. Her charismatic attitude and impassioned speeches that spoke to the common person were well received, even if her personal life and beliefs were the complete opposite of what she publicly projected; it was this ability to make them believe even a blatant lie that made her such a dangerous enemy. Of course, not every thing she said was a lie; she would use situations such as these to gather just enough truth to mix with the lies thereby insuring that no one questioned her word. Which led Zechs to forbid those of his closest confidants to straight out accuse her of the deeds that had been committed recently knowing that doing so could then be used to turn the very people he was supposed to be ruling and governing against him.
Zechs also held no illusions concerning her feelings toward him or her ambitions for the throne. He had, up until two years ago, believed she was still the innocent little sister he had always known. However, following a failed assassination attempt against Lucrezia that he knew Relena had orchestrated, he lost all belief in that image. Since that time, he had tried desperately to marry her off to one of the neighboring kingdoms but all three had refused his offers and besides, Relena was set on marrying Lord Heero Yuy whether he wanted to or not.
Therein lied another problem, since he and Lucrezia had yet to produce a male child, there was no blood heir to the throne since women could not inherit. However, if Relena were to marry the young lord and then something happened to Zechs, Heero would automatically ascend to the throne with Relena as his queen, which they all suspected was her true goal. In truth, it would be the only way for her to become ruler of the country.
"Zechs, is everything alright?" Lucrezia asked softly from his left side, her voice full of concern.
"Milliardo," Relena said, emphasizing his given name, before he could answer his wife. "Surely you're not tired so soon in the evening? Perhaps you're coming down with something?" she inquired innocently.
The simple, seemingly concerned question however, immediately set Zechs' nerves on edge since it was usually right before something happened that she started throwing out these little barbs. After Lucrezia's accident, he plainly remembered how she had gone on and on about having the back staircases repaired before someone fell and was seriously injured. Zechs had stupidly ignored the young woman's words since he knew the stairs to be in good repair as both he and his wife used them on a regular basis. However, not a week after the comments began than Lucrezia was shoved down those particular stairs and even though no one saw it happen, Zechs knew it was no accident. Luckily for him, and Relena as well, his wife was not seriously injured but the event in combination with Relena's comments sealed her guilt in Zechs' mind and now she was insinuating that he might be ill. Beside him, he felt his wife tense as well since she knew the woman's method of gloating also. 'Of all times for Treize to be away from the palace' he thought, 'but then again, this was also part of her plan.'
"I'm sure I'll be fine, Relena. I just have some things on my mind is all." he answered simply but suddenly found he could not bring himself to finish his dinner. He noticed that Lucrezia had also put her fork down even though the meal was only just begun.
"Now, now, we must not waste." Relena castigated the two of them. "What would the people think knowing we have so much food that we simply throw it out when they go hungry at night?"
Forcefully stopping himself from turning to gawk at her stupidly or remarking on her ability to have entire meals thrown out and redone several times just because the colors did not suit her right, he stood from the chair and pulled his wife up with him. Catching the eye of one of the servants hovering nearby, he requested that their plates be taken up to their chambers where they could finish their meals in private. Then without another word to his sister, he led his wife from the room; neither one of them noticed the twisted smile that came to Relena's face as she finally began to eat her dinner.
"Do you think she was serious?" Lucrezia asked nervously once they were far enough from the dining hall that Relena could not hear, although she still kept her voice low in case one of the princess's spies was close at hand.
"I don't know, Lu. You know as well as I that we can't trust anything she says anymore. God, I wish that Treize was here." he answered, running his hand through his waist length blonde hair as he thought back to the meal and the way that Relena had not really eaten much.
"A day and a half." Lucrezia sighed. "Do you think we'll make it that long?"
"What, without her killing us or without us killing her?"
"Both I'm afraid." she answered forlornly.
********************
Approaching the closed door to Heero's bedroom, Wufei cursed his luck softly; he should have never agreed to play a hand of poker to determine who talked to Heero. He had of course lost quite easily and they had merely wished him luck on his way out the door. Now that he was here though, he was not sure exactly how to go about delivering his news. However, he knew that standing outside the door would not get him any further so, raising his hand, he knocked on the door and waited for it to open. Fortunately, he did not have to wait long and thus lose his nerve since Quatre almost immediately opened the door and allowed him into the room.
"Wufei, is everything alright?" the blonde doctor asked anxiously, seeing the pinched look on his friend's face. "Were you able to straighten everything out?"
Looking around the room, he realized that he would not only be explaining the details of their conversation downstairs to Heero but Quatre and Sally as well. Even the relief at seeing that Duo was asleep could not stop the dread he felt at the prospect. Unfortunately, his hesitation at answering the blonde's question caused Heero's apprehension to increase and he stood from the bed to confront his friend.
"Chang, I want to know what is going on." Heero demanded, making an effort to keep his voice low so as not to wake the sleeping elf.
Taking a deep breath, Wufei shifted his eyes to look anywhere but at the three people staring intently at him quickly finding himself looking at the small figure lying on the bed. "We've talked everything out and while I'd like to say that it's all been resolved, I'm afraid there are some extenuating circumstances."
Immediately, the other three began throwing questions and insinuations at him until he thought he would burst. "Enough!" he said just a little too loudly.
A soft whimper from the bed drew everyone's attention and Heero rushed back to the longhaired boy's side, grasping one small hand soothingly. The reassuring touch instantly calmed the elf, however; the damage had been done as sleepy violet eyes slowly blinked open.
"Heero?" Duo called softly.
"I'm right here, Duo." Heero said and tried to smile for the boy but the unease that Wufei words conjured made it difficult.
"What's going on?" the boy asked, his brows furrowed in concern.
"It's nothing for you to worry about." the blue-eyed man answered but added unconsciously, 'I hope.'
"Then why do you look so upset?" Duo said as he raised a hand and trailed his fingers along the creases in Heero's forehead before sliding down the side of the dark-haired man's face. The young lord was instantly transfixed by the elf's actions and words as he found himself unable to breathe. After an indefinite amount of time, he heard someone clear their throat behind him and turned to see Wufei smiling faintly at them.
"Heero, would it be possible to talk to you outside for a moment?" the constable questioned, not wanting to discuss the plan in front of the fragile elf.
"Talk about what?" Duo asked, noting the stricken look on Heero's face as well as his black-haired friend's nervousness. "Does it have something to do with the general and why he's here?"
"It's alright, Duo." Wufei reassured the boy. "I promise that everything will be fine."
"Then why are you trying to hide this from me?" the braided elf accused.
"Duo, I just don't think it would--"
"Please Fei; I need to know what's going on." Duo begged as he sat up on the bed and scooted back until he could lean up against the headboard, refusing to release Heero's hand the entire time. "I know you're trying to protect me, but keeping me in the dark's only making things harder for me."
With a deep sigh, the young constable turned to look at his blue-eyed friend, seeking his permission since it was ultimately his decision. Receiving Heero's reluctant nod of approval, he turned back to the small elf with a sad smile. "Very well, Duo."
Wufei looked toward Quatre and Sally before mentioning for them to gather around the bed as well in order to share in the conversation. Once everyone was settled, he began relating the earlier conversation between himself and Treize pausing now and then to answer the questions asked of him. By the time he was finished telling them their plan, nearly two hours had passed and everyone except Duo was looking more than a little exhausted. Duo, for his credit, was quite shaken up by the announcement that he would have to leave the manor without Heero and had begun to tremble once again. Heero had immediately noticed the young elf's distress and pulled him against his broad chest wrapping his arms securely around the boy.
"I think that's enough for tonight." Heero said, his voice soft yet forceful. "It's late so all of you are more than welcome to stay here if you would like. Just let one of the servants know and rooms will be made up for you."
"Thank you, Heero, that would be much appreciated." Sally said softly as she quickly herded the other two out of the room knowing the man wanted to be alone with the longhaired elf. Once they were gone, Heero looked down at the boy in his arms.
"Duo, perhaps you should lie down and try to get some sleep." the dark-haired lord offered.
"I don't know if I can." Duo whispered, his voice strained.
"Come on." Heero said placing his hands on the small shoulders and pulling the elf away from his chest. "You get dressed for bed while I take care of a few things then we'll both lie down."
"You're leaving the room?" Duo squeaked, the panic clear in his voice.
Raising his hands to cup the beautiful face before him, Heero smiled reassuringly. "Only for a moment and I'll only be on the other side of the door. I promise that I'm not leaving you tonight."
Even though the fear was still evident in his eyes, the braided boy nodded his head and released his grip on the older man's shirt. "Ok, just don't go too far." he said with pleading eyes.
"I promise." Heero said before brushing a kiss over the elf's forehead.
Standing from the bed, Heero walked over to the door looking back briefly to give the elf a smile before leaving the room. As the door clicked in its frame, a shiver passed through the small form on the bed but instead of wallowing in his fear, he quickly climbed from the bed to change into his nightshirt.
Once the door was firmly shut behind him, Heero quickly called for one of the servants instructing them to pack a small bag for Duo with at least two days worth of clothing and then have Ms. Johnson and Hilde begin the preparations for an extended trip to Trasil. The young lord knew that even if the planning were started that night, he would not be ready to leave until the day after, which would leave Duo at the palace for about two days without him. It just could not be helped though since, as the lord of the area, he had obligations to tend to before he could leave Akrin. The thought though, of letting his longhaired angel out of his sight for that long was tearing him apart inside and his mind was trying desperately to find an alternate solution.
As soon as the servant hurried off to carry out the tasks he had been given, Heero turned back to the door and knocked softly before entering the room to find Duo sitting in the middle of the bed in his nightshirt waiting for the blue-eyed man's return. Then without a word, the boy crawled under the covers and onto his side of the bed turning his back so the dark-haired man could change in private. Moving quickly, Heero stripped off his clothes and slipped on his own nightshirt before joining the boy on the bed. Lying down on his back, he turned his head to look at the boy's back, which was still facing him.
"Everything will be alright, Duo. I promise you."
Turning over, Duo looked into the man's eyes searchingly before he sighed and moved a little closer.
"I know Heero, it's just that I've never been away from here since...." Duo swallowed, as he still could not talk about his stay with the slaver or the events that had transpired before being found by the man. Closing his eyes tight, he reached a hand toward the tall man beside him. "Would you hold me, just for a while?"
Heero immediately felt a rush at the braided boy's request and he wanted nothing more than to sleep with the small figure resting in his arms all night. However, the thoughts that were swirling through his mind and the possibilities they presented suggested it would be a bad idea to do so. "Duo, I don't--"
"That's ok." Duo said softly as he retracted his hand and rolled away, his back facing the dark-haired man once more. "I shouldn't have asked."
The rejection in the elf's voice was more than he could stand and Heero quickly slid across the bed wrapping his arms around the boy's waist and pulling him close, causing the boy to gasp in surprise. However, Duo was not about to complain as he felt the strong chest pressed securely against his back providing both reassurance and comfort. He allowed himself to wiggle slightly as he pressed himself more fully against the man behind him then as the weight of the day and the revelations it had provided pulled down on him, he settled into a deep sleep.
Sighing deeply as he acutely felt the warm and soft body pressed against him, Heero closed his eyes to try and fall asleep himself but every breath and twitch that Duo made brought his mind back to the beautiful creature sleeping in his arms and he soon realized it was going to be a long night. 'Besides,' he told himself, 'I have two nights of a cold bed to look forward to. Better to enjoy this while I still can.'
********************
Morning came far too soon for Duo's liking and he nearly let out a sob when he felt Heero remove his body from around him and leave the bed. Waiting a few minutes to insure that the young lord was fully dressed again, Duo rolled over and looked up at him as he moved around the room, memorizing every move. Finally noticing that his young bedmate was awake, Heero walked over and sat down on the side of the bed taking one of the elf's hands in his own.
"Good morning." Heero said softly. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." Duo said with a slight nod of his head.
"Would you like me to have breakfast sent up for us? I just remembered that you haven't eaten since lunch yesterday." Heero said contritely. "I probably should've had you eat dinner before going to bed last night."
"I'm not that hungry." Duo whispered as he averted his eyes from the taller man's.
"You need to eat, Duo." Heero said and reached over to brush the bangs from the boy's face causing him to look back up. "Please? For me?"
Sighing slightly, Duo nodded his head knowing he could not say no when Heero had asked so pleadingly. "But I want to go downstairs and eat with everyone else."
"Do you feel up to it?"
"I'll be spending the next couple days with them so I'd better get used to being with them." Duo said softly as he tried to wrap his mind around the fact.
"Two days, Duo, I swear. I'll be at the capitol in two days, no matter what I have to do to get there." Heero said with all seriousness.
"I know, Heero." Duo said and sat up bringing their clasped hands up to his lips and kissing the blue-eyed man's knuckles softly. When he looked back up at Heero's face, he was shocked to see the man's eyes wide and staring at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean--"
"No, Duo, don't apologize." Heero said and grasped the boy's hand tighter as he tried to let go. Then he brought the boy's hand to his own lips and mimicked the elf's actions causing the boy to gasp. "I'm just not too used to such things."
The smile he received from that cherub face caused his heartbeat to quicken and his regret at being separated from the boy became much more acute.
"I have to go check on the guests." Heero explained regretfully. In truth, he would have preferred having a quiet breakfast with just the two of them that morning, but knew Duo was right and he would have to make himself accustomed to being in Treize's presence if he was to maintain his sanity during the trip to the royal palace. "Why don't you get dressed then meet us downstairs in the private dinning room."
"Alright." Duo said and reluctantly released the older man's hand watching him cross to the door and leave the room before climbing from the bed to dress.
********************
Breakfast was a subdued affair. Everyone but Trowa and Quatre had stayed the night but they had arrived as soon as they could that morning, not wanting either Duo or Heero to deal with their initial separation unsupported.
As soon as the meal was finished, servants were sent to ready the mounts that would be carrying the four to the capitol, while they retired to the parlor for the last minute discussions as both Sally and Quatre fussed over Duo the entire time. While the braided boy was occupied, Heero grabbed both Wufei and Treize before dragging them to a far corner of the room.
"I want your word, both of you," he stated quietly, looking both men in the eye. "that you will protect him at all times."
"On my honor," Treize said solemnly, placing his right hand over his heart. "you have my word that no harm will come to him as long as he's in my care."
"And you have mine as well." Wufei said with a bow. "I swear that I'll not leave his side until your arrival."
"Thank you both." Heero said with a sigh of relief before turning back to look at the longhaired elf as he tried vainly to fend off both well-meaning healers. "He may be an elf prince, but he's also my life. If something were to happen to him...."
Feeling a hand come to rest on his shoulder, he looked back to see Wufei's glittering eyes. "I know my friend and I promise he will be safe."
"Hn." Heero said as he once again gained control over himself before starting across the room to rescue the small boy. However, about halfway across there came a knock on the door and striding over, he answered it to find one of the servants there to inform him that the horses and supplies were ready. With a quick thank you, he closed the door and continued across the room to the braided elf.
"The preparations are complete." he said softly once he had reached the boy's side. Immediately, the elf's face turned deathly pale and Heero was afraid the boy would faint for a moment. Taking the boy's arms, he led him across the room and out the doors before pulling him down the hall and outside to the veranda.
Turning back around, he pulled the boy into his arms and held him tightly. "Everything will be alright, Duo. Wufei has sworn not to leave you until I arrive and I've known Treize for a long time, he's an honorable man and he'll protect you until you arrive at the capitol."
"I know. I'm just so scared, Heero." Duo said softly as the tears once again flowed down his cheeks. "I'm so afraid I'll never see you again."
"You will, I swear it Duo, I will be there." Heero said forcefully as he tightened his hold on the boy, fighting down his own tears. Pulling back, he gripped the boy's face with both hands and looked deep into those pools of violet he would gladly drown in. "Nothing will keep me away from you. Nothing."
Then, he gently pulled the angelic face closer and pressed his lips to the boy's in a chaste kiss before pulling him back into his arms and holding tight; the nightmare of the next couple of days without the beautiful creature running through his mind. However, he swore to himself that he would be there in two days, no matter what he had to do; he would not leave Duo alone any longer than needed.
********************
A half an hour later, Wufei, Treize, Sally, and Duo set out on their trek for the human capitol city of Trasil. Heero watched from the gates of his manor until he could not see them any longer before turning to Hilde who was standing beside him.
"We have twelve hours to have everything ready to go." he said tersely. "And whether it's ready or not, we're leaving first thing in the morning."
"We'll be ready, my lord. I promise." she said determinedly as she was equally uneasy about letting the small boy go. Turning back to the house, she stalked toward the front door and then inside issuing orders as she went. 'Two days.' she thought. 'We'll be there Duo, I promise."
TBC...
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