The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this and come to dust.
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust.
-Lyrics to 'Cymbeline' performed by Loreena McKennitt
Elements of Great Design Part 14
Following her long watch for the evening, Anna sighed deeply in her sleep as she burrowed deeper into soft, black fur that she was pillowed against.
Curled in a tight ball and nestling his back along the archer's side that was hugging him along with an arm that was draped across his long body, Wufei gave a soft sigh of his own as he remained lost to the world of slumber.
Watching the pair from across the fire pit as the skies brightened overhead, a certain White Mage tilted his veiled head and frowned in thought. To his left, Trowa was in his civilian clothes once more as he used a rough-edged rock to sharpen the end of his long spear. Gazing over to his blonde friend, he asked, "Something wrong, Quatre?"
"Not wrong, necessarily," the gifted replied softly, still lost in the middle of what he was mentally dwelling over. "Just... curious; with those two I can feel the intensity of the protectiveness that they have for each other."
Barton lowered his spear into his lap, chuckling, "Well, that is of no surprise. Aside from that wolf going off to hunt, where one is the other is close by. I have never seen a wild animal like that take to a human in such a way."
Shaking his head, Winner continued to stare at the thief and her furry companion as he commented, "It's not just that, though. I feel... love." Even as the words left him, he frowned deeper in confusion before adding, "Deep and profound between the both of them. The kind between lovers."
Nearly dropping the rock that he had begun to use again, the Dragoon was dangerously close to slicing his hand in the fumble of his weapon. His visible emerald eye blinking widely, he repeated in shock, "Lovers?"
Wufei's ear twitched and his long snout rose in a couple of loud sniffs before rolling deeper within himself to doze back off. Glaring at the entertainer, Quatre whispered harshly, "Shh! I told you that this whole thing is curious to me and I might not be picking up on these emotions correctly since I have very few dealings in reading the emotions of animals. What they have is likely no different between the love that a dog and his owner have."
Relieved by that suggestion, Trowa nodded. It was certainly a better thought than where his mind was going originally. Shuddering that notion away, he resumed his work just as Heero and Duo returned with their horses that had been tethered at the edge of their camp.
Their gazes settling on the sleeping pair, the Fighter and Black Mage chuckled softly. "Cute," Duo smiled.
Nodding, Heero dropped the reins in his hands and moved to Wing's saddle to free the morning rations of food while keeping the newest members of the Alliance in mind. Still full from their large helpings of meat the night before, a light meal was going to be more than enough to start their day. "You want to wake them up?" he asked his braided partner.
With a quiet affirmative, Maxwell rounded the fire ring and bent at the waist to gently shake the thief's arm with a gentle, "Anna. Fei. Time to get up." Stirring at the same time, the mussy haired pair raised their heads. A bit more awake than his human counterpart, the black wolf fixed their company with a fierce glare and a deep growl.
Half-stumbling back a few paces with his hands up, the Black Mage laughed nervously, "S-sorry. If you need more sleep-"
The redhead cut him off, her voice thick with sleep as she giggled up in reassurance, "I think it's the nickname he is reacting to." Turning to face her furry friend, she lightly slapped him in the back of his head, chastising, "Ease up, you. There is nothing wrong with Fei. Duo was just being nice."
Snorting, the wolf wrapped himself into a tighter ball with a deep sigh. However, his onyx only held adoration for his mistress through his begrudging compliance. The archer giggled once more and patted the top of his head of thick fur. Laughing in relief, the braided gifted of Death winked to the young woman.
Heero shook his head in amusement, only growing all the more endeared to Anna. Not only had she saved his life and transitioned into the Alliance with ease, but she treated Duo like an equal right away, to the point of defending him to her four-legged companion. For that alone, she was a person that the Fighter both respected and appreciated.
As much as he wished to know more about their story, Yuy had been warned by Quatre when they changed guards that prior night to not push the thief into talking so soon into their knowing the pair.
The empathic gifted had warned him that their bond was something she protected fiercely and any demands to understand it might only serve to have her pull away. And that was not something that he was willing to risk when there was a real potential for a strong friendship between them.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, the redhead sat up and stretched her arms overhead with a wide yawn. After a quick run of her hand through her long, fiery locks to straighten them into some form of order, she got to her feet and walked to the ring where her new allies were gathered, greeting, "Good morning."
Happily receiving their tidings of the same, she took up one of the free rocks for a perch and raised her hand to ignite the embers within the pit that had been dull for hours. The tall tongues of flame that sprang forth burned without sign of weakening, and fended off the early morning chill.
"You have a remarkable handle on your ability," Quatre beamed, the admiration clear in his aquamarine eyes. "I am still coming into knowing what I am capable of and how to call that power forth."
Graciously accepting her serving of rations from Duo at her left, Anna bowed her head to the mage across from her as she chuckled, "Well, necessity is a great motivator. I was orphaned at a very young age and left with very unfavorable treatment from the caretakers that I had been handed over to so I learned to fend for myself."
Shrugging, she said to the Fighter in particular, "I know that the living is not the most honest, stealing from others as I have for most my life, but one does what one must to survive. So, I moved from town-to-town to keep a low profile so that I might not be caught by soldiers like you."
Her eyes clouding over with the memories of her past, she stared into the glowing camp fire while Wufei lowered himself atop her feet, resting his large head on her lap.
Unconsciously patting her friend as she went on, the redhead shared, "But I wasn't completely successful. When I was ten grown years, I made a fateful error that landed me in prison for a night. I never saw my day in court, nor another evening in that cell because I discovered that I could melt through bars by simply gripping them and willing it."
Smiling, she shrugged, "Needless to say I spent many days from that point on to learn what else I could do. But I only thought of myself as perhaps a mage until-"
That train of thought was cut off abruptly, Quatre's eyes growing along with hers when she stopped herself. Even the black wolf seemed to tense when his dark eyes shot up to watch her. Waving a hand in the air, she was quick to change that matter by commenting to her fellow wielders, "Well, I did not know that I was alone until I met all of you last night."
"Is it only necessity that brings on your best manipulations for fire?" Trowa asked, picking up on his veiled friend's silent urging that he allow this new topic.
It was one that had the two Keepers most interested as they had never *had* to survive on their own enough to require the aid of their abilities. Shrugging, he said, "My own experiences with using the wind have all been born out of that as well."
Anna opened her right hand and held its palm up towards the flames. In a flash, a cantaloupe-sized ball of fire flew forth to hover above her skin to the amazement of her captive audience. Now that I know how it feels to take hold of my power, I can call upon it at any time."
Grinning to the Dragoon and the White Mage, she offered, "I would be happy to help teach you how to reach that ability that resides deep within yourselves. Once you have a grip on that, you will be able to better understand the extent of what you can do." Unable to suppress their wide smiles, Winner and Barton nodded enthusiastically.
Moments later, their breakfast was finished and the warriors mounted their horses to complete their descent to the ground of Gaia's northern realms. Wufei slipped beside his mistress to have her slide easily onto the large wolf's back for her own form of steed. Taking the lead, Trowa urged Heavy Arms forward. And so the journey continued with the two additions.
* * * * * *
Too troubled to sleep, Noin stared up at the fabric roof of the tent that she and Zechs shared at the start of that same day. Feeling her husband stir awake, the Queen did not look over at him as she stated, "You wish to leave with the Fighters." The comment was made matter-of-fact, leaving no point in argument against it. His eyes growing, the King frowned deeply as he turned onto his side ,facing her.
After a long pause that was only filled with the sounds of the soldiers' preparations to set off for Paramecia, Merquise replied softly, "This war falls on every one of our shoulders... not only our Fighters'. It is not fair that they be the only ones expected to stand and fight when there are so many more of us that can do the same... that should do the same."
Swallowing roughly as she continued to gaze upward, Lucrezia felt the sharp prickle of tears in her eyes. "I know," she agreed in a breath. "And I completely agree with you, but that does not mean I have to like it."
A tight knot forged itself into the King's throat as he pulled his wife close. Instantly latching onto him, Noin did her best to stay strong even as tears silently fell down her face buried against her husband's shoulder. Giving her the time that they both needed in these last moments together, Zechs locked away the feeling of her and their overwhelming emotions for when he would need them in dark days to come.
"This thing is bigger than the two of us," Merquise whispered by his bride's ear. "It's bigger than everyone in this world and we need to make an example of that by having me go into the fight. You and Sylvia continue to rescue those in danger and bring more soldiers to us in the fray. This is the only hope we have to survive."
Nodding against him, the lovely Queen pulled back enough to gaze into his eyes with her own shimmering pair. "I love you... so damned much," she said softly, her voice cracking. "And I am so proud of you-" If there was more that she was about to say, both the sharp whimper and the harsh pressing of her lover's lips against her mouth silenced her.
Desperate for every second that they had to unite their bodies along with their minds, the Sovereigns tore their night shirts away and indulged in the opportunity to express their deep affections through action.
* * * * * *
Her eyes growing with a sharp gasp, Dorothy's start was enough to bring her silver horse to a halt. Just beside her, Relena frowned deeply and gently pulled back on her reins to stop her tan steed. Well aware of the distant focus in her friend's eyes as the influence of her gifted sight, the young Queen bit her lip in anxious wait for the spell to lift.
Then, as quickly as it had come on, the scene that had been played out to the Oracle faded and she rapidly blinked to clear her vision in her return to the present. Only the opening and closing of her eyelids also revealed the shimmering droplets of tears. Panicked, Peacecraft felt her face pale as she urged, "Dorothy? What is it? What did you see? Is Heero alright?"
"It is not Heero I am worried about at the moment," Catalonia muttered, reaching up to absently brush away the wet drop that was running down her cheek. "And I have no way of seeing their fate... only their certain journey into the darkness."
Slowly turning her head to take in the worried expression on her long-time friend, she swallowed roughly and announced, "Zechs will not be joining us after all."
* * * * * *
Reemerging from their tent an hour later, Zechs adjusted his deep purple-and-gold robes that he had saved as his only official royal attire before fleeing Coneria. It only seemed right that his position be known by all watching so that word would be passed onto the other lands of how a King had stepped down from his exhausted seat of power to join the ranks of Fighters.
Already in stepping into the open, it was having the effect he wanted as every man, woman and child around that were assisting the soldiers turned to watch him with wide eyes.
Bending at the waist so that Noin could place the simple gold ring of a crown atop his head, he felt its weight fall in place and quickly swooped in to pull his wife in a tight embrace as he claimed her lips in a hungry kiss that she returned with every bit as much intensity.
When they separated, 'I love you's' were whispered. Then, with a heavy but ready heart, the King walked amongst the stunned faces as he moved for the long table at the center of the clearing that was covered with weapons.
"May I be fitted with a sword and armory?" Merquise asked with a small smile of amusement to the stunned Fighter across from him.
Quickly returning to his senses, Kevin closed his gaping jaw and stammered, "O-Of course, Your Highness." Running around to the other side of the table, he was quick to eye what gear would best work for the size and shape of the Sovereign. In little time at all, there was a full suit of armor, a long staff and sword placed for safe keeping amongst the rest of the equipment that was being transported.
Back at the tent Sylvia had hurried into the scene, speaking quietly with Noin to confirm that her sight was not betraying her. Embracing her dear friend, the young Queen moved to Zechs with watery eyes as she urged, "Do come back to us safely. I've already lost my family once. I do not wish to lose another father."
Deeply moved by that, the tall King fought his own surge of emotions and pulled her against him in a firm hug. "You already make a wonderful leader, child," he praised quietly, kissing the top of her head. "Make sure that your message reaches all who need to hear it. You will be the savior of countless lives by being their guide from the darkness." Sniffling, Noventa clung back and reluctantly released him when King Drake and Queen Gloria arrived.
"There is nothing we can say to convince you to stay with us?" the Peacecraft King frowned deeply, his wife gripping his arm with a distraught expression as she sobbed softly for their friend with whom they had already shared so much in so little time.
Zechs smirked, "Afraid not, though the wish to do so means more than you could ever know." Exchanged one-armed embraces and handshakes with his fellow Sovereigns, he looked up as Trent approached with a pristine white horse in his care. With a look of pride and appreciation that reached his eyes, he bowed deeply to his leader when he stopped before him.
Reaching out to squeeze her comrade's arm, Gloria whispered, "We will never forget this, Merquise. And we will not allow any other soul that we meet to forget you or the bravery that you have shown either."
The Coneria King nodded, "Thank you." focusing on Trent, he said, "But be sure to make it known that it was our Fighters who are the ones who should truly be honored for being the first to call this movement." Along with their fellow soldier, Mueller, Alex, Kevin and every armored man standing around straightened their backs and raised their head at the honor of such an acknowledgment.
Drawing a deep breath, Zechs took hold of the reins presented to him and mounted his horse. Once he was settled in comfortably, Noin stepped up with a lilac handkerchief that matched the dress she wore. Wrapping it securely around her husband's wrist, she was rewarded with another deep kiss. "Love you," she whispered with a brave smile.
As he smiled warmly to her, Merquise returned the sentiment in kind and righted himself again. Scanning the hundreds of men perched atop their horses, he announced in a loud voice, "Ready when you are, gentlemen!" A fresh wave of shock ran its course through the soldiers in being handed the power to lead.
Stunned for a few rapid blinks of his wide eyes, Mueller shook his head back to gather his bearings. "Right!" he called back to his allies, both the familiar and former Strangers. "For our homes, loved ones and all life in Gaia! Let's go, men!" A deafening roar and a sea of fists rose into the air as the Fighters urged their beasts forward.
* * * * * *
In reaching the ground beyond the Provaka Mountains, the horses that the Alliance had been riding for days through the treacherous paths over the range seemed every bit as thrilled as their charges to be on solid ground again. Once their hooves settled in thick, tall grass, their heads lowered to graze right away.
Placing their own feet onto the solid ground, the band of warriors worked together in setting up their tents, bedrolls and a fire pit for a new makeshift camp that was surrounded by open field for miles and miles. The only one with no lack of energy, Wufei ran off on another hunt for fresh meat while the humans split off to gather up their other necessities and settled into their new living arrangement.
After gathering water from a nearby brook, Quatre and Trowa returned to their 'home' with a pail in each hand at the same time that Heero lay the stack of long sticks he and Wing rode out to collect from the shrubs that they'd found for the campfire.
In hearing voices conversing quietly within one of the recently pitched tents, the Fighter peeked inside to blink in surprise at finding Duo and Anna seated with their knees touching as they sniffled and wiped away large tears from damp cheeks.
Through her tears, the redhead lunged forward to throw her arms around the Black Mage and kissed his temple. Gripping onto her just as tightly, Maxwell chuckled softly.
Swallowing roughly, Heero asked softly, "Is everything alright?" Slowly pulling away, his two friends snickered and nodded , drying the last of the wet trails from their faces.
"Just fine," the braided gifted reassured, winking to the soldier entering the small space. Lightly patting the thief's folded leg, he informed, "Anna was kind enough to give me audience in sharing my past. Our being the displaced pair of the team I suppose that we just have that connection and comfort with each other." Fraise smiled, nodding enthusiastically.
Relieved by knowing that he was not the only one with whom Duo could relate on such a level, Yuy felt his heart swell. For a time, he enjoyed being the only honored soul to know of the mage's painful upbringing. But there was just something about the redhead that was quickly becoming to her being a little sister that prevented the Fighter from feeling any jealousy... quite the opposite, in fact.
Clearing his throat, Maxwell announced, "I'm going to check on the horses and see that they've had their fill on food after their hard work today." On his way to his feet, he reached across to squeeze the archer's shoulder with a heartfelt, "Thank you for listening."
Anna grinned from ear-to-ear, replying just as sincerely, "Thank you for trusting me with such a precious thing, Duo."
With a wink, the braided teenager stepped quietly back out of the tent as Fraise remained behind to get her bearings before she reemerged.
Overwhelmed with a protectiveness towards the redhead, Heero sat in his partner's place. Just when he was about to ask if she was okay, he was stopped short when she turned her head to stare after at the closing flap of a door and breathed, "Duo is... without question the most amazing person that I have ever had the honor of knowing."
A stray tear fell from her shimmering blue eyes. Unconsciously reaching up to brush it away, the thief whispered, "He has been shown no love, no mercy, no kindness of any sort... and yet he only shows love, mercy and kindness of every kind to every soul he meets. He is called a Demon and a Monster when he just smiles and accepts the people who slander him so."
Slowly craning her head around to meet the Fighter's equally liquid gaze, Anna shook her head, "I cannot begin to imagine where one finds the strength and courage to be any bit like Duo." Shaking her head, she stared back to the door, muttering, "He is absolutely remarkable."
That was exactly how Heero felt about his best friend as well. Having someone else actually voice those feelings was a powerful thing... a wonderful thing to know that he was not the only one to see Maxwell in such the truest light.
A few startled gasps and the clanging of metal pales hitting the ground filled the air beyond the thin cloth of the tent. Heero jumped. Anna never so much as budged.
Clearing her throat, the thief met the concerned cobalt eyes watching her again. "I have not been completely forthcoming with the Alliance," she admitted, a deep frown of regret marring her lovely face. Not waiting for the soldier to do more than blink in confusion, she rose to her feet and walked to the closed off opening.
His questions kept to himself, Yuy followed close. Peering through the large opening that his ally made when she brushed the flap away, he saw the rest of their team on their feet and staring with wide eyes at the black wolf that was returning to camp.
Automatically gazing on what had startled his friends so, the Fighter's own eyes grew in disbelief with a sharp gasp.
It was the first time that there was flat enough ground in the open for the sun that was now setting to cast a clear enough shadow. And where the dark outline of the animal should have been, there was the clear and dark likeness of a young man walking on two feet instead.
"His full name is Wufei Chang," Anna breathed, a reverence both in her tone and shining through her shining eyes. "He is a Monk from the land of Eblan...he is also the Keeper of Earth."
TBC...
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