Onto the Desert Kingdom Part 5
The rest of the week people began to gather. Governors of the Sultan's lands came to witness the boding. People brought gifts. Foods, spices, jewels, and animals were brought for the prince and his chosen. Some were upset by the fact that the prince had chosen a male to bond with, but the Sultan wouldn't let that interfere. Their advisors were happy, as were most of the governors. King Treize and his life-bond Milliardo came, along with Princess Relena and Lady Dorothy, much to Duo's displeasure.
The rest of the week, Duo took it upon himself to make sure his 'brother' would be fine. They spent the days together exploring the palace and even sneaking into the town. They spent one day in the garden talking. The day before the bonding, Duo and Trowa found little places in the palace no one went to. They talked and sat in silence.
In the evenings, Heero and Duo's lovemaking was slow and passionate. Duo would hold on to Heero and whisper words of undying love. The magic would flow through him and into Heero in almost overpowering waves. Heero was nearly knocked over by the magic. Not that it felt bad. On the contrary it felt good and it drove him wild with lust and love. When they were done Heero would hold Duo and whisper words of love into his ear. Duo would cling to Heero and try to hold back his tears. He was tore apart between his love for Heero, his life bond and Trowa, a brother. He would miss Trowa dearly. But he loved Heero with all his heart.
"I understand, koi." Heero whispered the night before the ceremony.
"What do you understand?" Duo asked. He couldn't see how Heero would even understand. The reason he tried to hide is tears was because he was afraid Heero would get mad and leave him. Even deep down, he knew Heero would never leave him.
"I felt the same way when Quatre first left, after we had first met I thought it was the end of the world. He's my best friend, at the time he was my only friend. The first and only person to treat me as such." Heero kissed the top of Duo's head. Duo was snuggling into his embrace and warm waves of magic were slowly washing into him.
"Does it get better?"
"Better? Maybe. It doesn't hurt as much. It's not like you're never going to see Trowa again."
"I know, but we've never been apart before."
"I know, koi, I know. But it has to be. Trowa needs to be with Quatre. And you need to be with me."
~*~
Trowa tossed and turned. He couldn't sleep. The ceremony was the next day. He had spent most of his time with Duo. Duo had thought it was a good idea for him to get used to being around other people. Duo had it down so that when they went out and about, there were a lot of people around, and Trowa was now grateful for his consideration.
Trowa turned over and his arm fell on something. Something that felt a lot like another person. "Go back to Heero, Duo." Trowa mumbled without opening his eyes.
"I'm not Duo."
Trowa's eyes snapped open and he stared into laughing aquamarine eyes. "Quatre!?" Trowa propped himself up on one arm. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't sleep." Quatre fiddled with the blanket.
"Why?"
"I don't know, nerves maybe. How are you doing Trowa? I haven't seen much of you."
"We spend most of our night under a tree Quatre."
Quatre sighed. "Not today. I missed you."
"So you snuck into my room?"
"Please don't be mad at me. I just... can we talk?"
Trowa raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"I was hoping you." Quatre brought his hand up and cupped the side of Trowa's face. "I want to know you better."
Trowa leaned into Quatre hand. He kissed the palm. "What do you want to know?" He couldn't believe he had just said that. But the look in Quatre's eyes was so loving and he really couldn't tell him no.
"Why don't you like people?"
"I like people. I just feel uncomfortable around a lot of people."
"Why?"
Trowa sighed. "I've never really been around them that much. It's a little frightening."
"What about your family?" Quatre traced patterns on Trowa's arm with his finger.
"Duo's my family."
"No, your real family. Your parents."
"I don't remember. I lost them when I was very young. I don't even remember what they looked like."
"Then how do you know you name?"
"I didn't. I was found on the side of the road by a circus troop. At first they called me Nanashi. And then one day they hired some new help. There was a girl named Catherine. She named me Trowa Barton."
"Why?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why that name?"
"I don't know and she never told me."
"Maybe you should ask."
"I can't." Trowa laid back down on his back. "The troop was killed. Catherine and I had gone to play on the edge of the forest. We were playing hide and seek. I guess Catherine thought it was cute to go hide back at camp. I don't know what happened. When I got back to camp everyone was dead.
"I turned and went back into the forest. I wondered around in the forest and came across a pixie that had been trapped. The poor thing was shaking so hard the trap was shaking too. I felt bad for it and set it free."
"How old were you?"
"Eleven. I continued into the forest. I wanted to be lost. I had lost all my family and friends. I finally came across a lake and I realized that I was thirsty. I drank and then promptly fell asleep."
Quatre busted out laughing. "You fell asleep?"
"I was tired. When I woke up, I found myself surrounded by dozens of small pixies. And standing at my feet was Duo's mother."
"Was she pretty?"
"Duo looks a lot like her. She was full size and looking down at me. I wanted to say I was sorry but I didn't know what for."
"Mother's look."
"What?"
"A mother's look. All mothers have it and it instantly makes you sorry for whatever you may have done. My mother does, Heero's mother does it. All mothers do it."
Trowa chuckled. "Well, she looked down at me said 'What are you doing in MY forest human?' I just looked at her. Almost made her mad. Then she look really hard at me. She knelt down and pulled me into a hug. I don't know why but I just started to cry. She said 'It's all right sweetie everything will be all right.' I again fell asleep."
"You were probably exhausted." Quatre moved closer to Trowa.
"Yeah, when I woke Duo was staring at me. He smiled and started talking. At first I didn't know what they'd do with me. And then later Duo's mother said I could stay with them. She taught me how to care for the animals."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"That you had a hard time growing up."
"It's not your fault." Trowa leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"Trowa do you think I could stay here tonight and just be next to you?"
Trowa pulled Quatre next to him. "Of course."
~*~
The next morning, Quatre snuck back to his room before anyone knew better. Everyone in the palace was running around. Quatre had two of his sisters and their husbands in his room just after he got into to bed. They were forcing him up and into the bathing room before he knew what was happening.
Trowa awoke to a knock on the door. He looked to his side to see if Quatre was there. He sighed as he felt the cool sheets. "Come in."
The door opened and a woman walked in. "Good morning Trowa." She smiled.
Trowa looked over at her and blushed. "Iria....um... good morning."
"I had the servants bring you breakfast." She smiled at him and stepped aside to let a young girl in who was carrying a tray. She placed it on his lap, bowed, and left the room.
"Thank you." Trowa took a bit.
"Well would you like to know what will happen today?" Iria sat down in a chair.
"I am to bond with Quatre."
Iria giggled. "Well yes that's true. But there are other things to happen first. Like after you're done eating you need to bath. Then someone will be in with your bonding clothes. You didn't say what you wanted so we have chosen a traditional outfit for you. I hope you like it."
"Thank you. I guess I never really thought about what I'd wear." Trowa almost blushed.
"It's all right; we nearly had to tie Quatre down for him to chose. But he's family we can do that. Next time that you need a special outfit we will tie you down." She winked at him. Trowa nodded and made a mental note not to upset any of Quatre's sisters. "Now after you are dressed there will be some time for you relax a bit. The bonding will take place at mid-day. We assume you know about the proceedings of the ceremony and afterwards we will have a celebration. After that what you and Quatre do I don't want to know about."
Trowa nodded. "Thank you."
Iria stood up. "No problem. Just make Quatre happy."
"I will."
Iria left and Trowa finished up his breakfast. He got out of bed and headed for the bathing room. When he entered he smell something different in the air. It was jasmine. And it was coming from the bath water. Trowa sighed he had a feeling members of the castle would be doing stuff like this to him a lot. He pulled off his clothes and stepped into the bath water. It was hot. He flinched a little. He still wasn't use to hot baths. In the forest the water was cold or sometime lukewarm but never hot. He sat down and let the hot water sink into his skin. The water relaxed his muscles and laid his head back.
After some time he finished and climbed out. The water was getting cold. He wrapped a towel around him and went back to his room. On his bed was his bonding outfit. It was lying neatly on his bed. Trowa looked is over. Silk pants that were a light green and a vest like shirt that was a darker green. It was simple but then he looked at the dresser where there was jewellery and scarves. Trowa sat down in a chair. He didn't know how to put that stuff on.
"Morning Master Trowa." Trowa jumped and turned around. Standing in the doorway was one of the men that had gone with Quatre when he was looking for his life-bond. The tall man bowed.
"Um... morning Rashid."
Rashid stood straight. "Prince Quatre wasn't sure you would know how to put the clothes on properly. I am here to help."
Trowa grinned a little. "Thank you."
"And I'm here to keep you company." Duo bounced in and over to Trowa.
Trowa smiled up at the elfin pixie. "What about Heero?"
"He's with Quatre. Heero says I'm to ensure you make it on time."
"Unlike you at your bonding ceremony."
Duo frowned. "I wasn't that late."
Trowa chuckled. "No but you did manage to scare poor Heero." Trowa turned to Rashid. "Okay so where do I start?"
"The pants Master." Rashid picked them up and handed them to Trowa.
Trowa took them and slipped them on under the towel. "Okay next." He dropped the towel to the floor.
"What's that made of?" Duo looked at the pants and touched them at the knee.
"They are made from the finest silk. As is the vest. Which is embroidered with gold thread and jewels." Rashid said.
Trowa put the vest one. "Um... how do you button it?"
"You don't Master." Rashid walked over to the dresser. "Here this silk scarf goes around your hips. Here allow me." Rashid kneeled down and wrapped the scarf around Trowa's hips. The top of the scarf came an inch higher than the pants.
"Thank you."
"I am happy to serve." Rashid picked up a piece of jewelry. "This is a gold armband. It goes around you left arm." Trowa took it and slipped it up his arm. "This is for your right ankle." Rashid placed a small gold chain around his ankle.
"What is all this stuff?" Duo asked. He was down on his hands and knees looking at the anklet.
"The armband has the Winner royal seal on it. The anklet is what all males wear at the bonding ceremony. Women wear bracelets on both hands. This necklace also has the Winner emblem on it. It shows that you are to be a member of the family. With that anklet it means today you will become a family member."
"Boy am I glad Heero didn't make me do stuff like that." Duo said.
Trowa looked at him. "Duo you had a family that you wanted to honor at your ceremony. You wore clothes that were traditional for you people."
Duo's eyes lit up and smile graced his face. "Trowa I almost forgot. I wanted to give you something."
Trowa raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Um.. well I have something for you to wear in your ceremony."
"What is it?"
"I... uh I don't want to give it to you just yet." Duo glanced over at Rashid.
Rashid had seen the glance. "I am sure that whatever you add to this outfit will not offend any member of the Winner family. You are dressed now Master Trowa. I shall take my leave now if there is nothing else."
"Thank you for your help." Trowa told him and Rashid left the room. He turned to Duo. "So what did you want to give me?"
Duo winked and went and sat on the bed cross-legged. Soft glow became to form around him.
~*~
Quatre was just finishing putting his turban on. Everything else was complete he was ready to go. He turned to look at Heero. Heero staggered a bit and sat in the nearest chair to him.
"Heero, what's wrong?" Quatre rushed over to him.
"Nothing." Heero leaned back and closed his eyes.
"Please Heero you could hardly stand up." Heero opened his eyes and looked at Quatre. Quatre gasped. "Heero your eyes."
"What about them?"
"They're.... they're violet."
"Aa."
"Heero what's going on?"
Heero nearly sighed. He closed his eyes again. "Duo is using his magic to cast a spell."
"What does that have to do with your eyes?"
"He's pulling magic from me and then returning it. If the tree was here, the magic would go through it, but now there's no buffer."
"Is... is it painful?"
"No, just overwhelming."
"Will you be fine...."
"Yes Quatre. I'll fine before the ceremony." Heero cut him off.
~*~
"There." Duo opened his eyes and smiled at what he had in his hands.
"And what do you have?" Trowa asked from the chair.
Duo held up thick gold band. "It's for you. It's from the magical creatures of the forest. Before we left they told me to give you something that would show you are a member of the forest and its protector."
Trowa stood up and walked over to Duo. He took the band and looked at it closely. While it was mostly gold there were jewels on it too. Two emeralds were side by side just above what looked like an engraved pixie wing. The wing had tiny diamonds on it. There was amethysts an inch away from the emeralds. Several other jewels dotted the band.
"It's beautiful." Trowa said.
"You should wear it on your right arm."
"Thank you." Trowa slide the band on. It fit perfectly. "It's almost time you know?"
"Yeah. But um... Heero says it's all right. We'll see each other again."
"Of course we will. We have to go to the lake. Ask for children."
"I'm going to be so lost, Trowa."
Trowa looked at Duo and then drew him into his arms. "You have Heero now, Duo. He'll show you the way."
"I wish mother and father were here." Duo sniffled a little.
"It'll be all right, Duo. You have the tree, you have Heero."
"I feel alone."
Trowa hugged Duo harder. "You need to be brave. Everything will work out."
"Okay."
There was a knock at the door. Rashid's voice came through. "It is time, Master Trowa." The two broke apart and headed for the door.
~*~
The Sultan sat in his place at the top of the platform of the main hall. His wife sat next to him holding his hand. Their daughters and their daughters' betroths sat in front of them. At the base of the platform stood Quatre and the High Priest. Heero stood off to one side. The hall was filled with advisors and other members of the court.
Duo walked into the hall and walked up to Heero. Heero placed an arm around Duo's waist and pulled him closer. Trowa stood at the door as all eyes turned to him. Butterflies formed in his stomach. He wanted to be with Quatre, that he didn't question. But was life in a royal family what he wanted? He shook his head mentally. He took a deep breath and walked into the hall. He stopped next to Quatre. He looked down at the smaller blond and smiled slightly. Quatre's fingers came up and touched the armband Duo had given him.
"Sultan, Sultana, Children of them and guest, today we Bond these two...." Quatre gazed at Trowa. He was gorgeous. Everything he wore brought out his best features. The greens of the outfit he wore brought his eyes. The armbands showed just how well-muscled his arms were. Quatre couldn't wait until later when those arms would be wrapped around him. Quatre's eyes lifted up to Trowa's face. He was looking at him. His eyes shining brightly and a small smile was gracing his face. Quatre smiled back.
Trowa stared at Quatre. He was listening to the priest but only with one ear. He watched Quatre's eyes wonder over him. The way his eyes shined with approval of how he looked. He saw the slight curiosity at his armband that Duo had given him. Trowa took in the way Quatre looked. He looked every bit the prince he was. Yes Trowa was glad he was here and he was bonding to Quatre. He wished the priest would finish so he good hold Quatre and kiss him. When Quatre looked up into his eyes he knew he had made the right decision. He smiled just enough for Quatre to see.
"...and let no one come between them. Seal your bond with a kiss and let all know you are bonded." Quatre blinked at and stepped forward. Trowa bent down and kissed Quatre. Neither was sure how long the kiss lasted but some one clearing their throat broke them apart. The priest smiled and turned to the Sultan. "Sultan, I present your son the crown Prince Quatre Raberba Winner and his life mate Trowa Barton Winner."
The Sultan bowed his head to his son and the room exploded with cheers. Trowa took a hold of Quatre's hand and held tight. This was the beginning of court life. Quatre smile reassuringly. Duo ran over and hug Trowa tightly and then Quatre, much to the guards and the Sultan's dismay. The Sultana however giggled at Duo's actions.
They moved to eat dinner in the great eating hall. The dinner was amazing. Duo's eyes widen at the sheer amount of the food. Trowa and Quatre laughed and chuckled at Heero and Duo. Heero was trying to calm his life-bond and Duo wanted to try everything. After dinner there was dancing and everyone lining up to congratulate Trowa and Quatre.
It was this line that the new life-bonds saw Princess Relena for the first time. Heero and Duo were sitting next to the happy couple. Relena walked right past Trowa and Quatre and up to Heero.
"Hello my love." She smiled.
Both Heero and Duo looked up. Duo glared up at her his eyes taking on a violet glow. Heero felt the raise in magic and took a hold of Duo's hand. "Hello Princess."
"Miss Relena." Dorothy spoke up. "It is rude not to talk to the new life-bonds. What would your father think?"
Relena turned around. "I hope you have a nice life together." She then turned back to Heero. Sitting next his son the Sultan glared. His son and his family had been dishonoured. The princess had treated them unkindly. And she was upsetting his son's friend.
"Relena go away." Heero said. "You are upsetting my life-bond."
"How are you doing, Heero? It can't be too great. I mean after all you're stuck with..."
"Don't." Relena blinked at Heero. "Don't you dare insult him. I am doing wonderfully. I have never been happier. Now leave him alone."
"Miss Relena." Dorothy's voice sounded annoyed. "That was rude. And you upset the Sultan. I think we should leave." She turned to the Sultan and bowed. "I am terribly sorry I don't know what's come over her. I will inform her father when we get back." She turned back to Relena and took a hold of her arm and led her away.
Quatre blinked. "She is one upset woman."
"Who?" Trowa looked at him.
"Dorothy."
"She's a witch." Duo whispered.
"Duo, that's not nice." Quatre gasped.
"I don't care. I felt the magic. It's dark. Gives me bad feelings."
The Sultan stood up and looked to his guests. The room fell silent. "My people today my son has bonded. And now it is time for him and his new life-bond to go and seal the bond."
Quatre smiled and stood. He offered his hand to Trowa who took it and stood. They walk hand in hand to the door and headed for Quatre's bed chambers.
OWARI
Want a lemon? Ya'll have to ask.
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