The willow tree will twist
The willow tree will twine
I often have wished I was in the young man's arms
Who once had the heart of mine
-Lyrics to 'Seeds of Love' performed by Loreena McKennitt
Elements of Great Design Part 27
"H-Howard?" Quatre breathed as he lowered his twin curved blades at his sides. Blinking his enlarged aquamarine eyes, he asked, "You are Howard the Elder?" Slowly following his lead, his friends settled their own weapons down.
Opening his arms, the robed, balding man with tufts of silver hair that jutted out at either side of his head, laughed, "Well, Howard is my name and as for my Elder status, they do not get much older than me, my boy!"
Sunken, gray eyes scanned the lot standing below him as he addressed them all individually when his gaze settled on each of them. "Heero Yuy. Duo Maxwell. Trowa Barton. Quatre Winner. Wufei Chang," he addressed when he focused on the team's individual members Gesturing to the sleeping redhead on the cart that was shielded by the Monk, he smiled sadly, "And Anna Fraise."
Bowing his head deeply, the gifted smiled brightly, "Wonderful to finally meet all of you."
With the grace and agility of a teenager, Howard bounded down from his perch to stand before his surprised visitors. "Now, let's not waste anymore time," he urged, waving his hands towards the trail that lay ahead into the Epyon Ridge. "You are being tailed by a few rather nasty beasts and we need to move if we are going to shake them."
Instantly on alert, the travelers stiffened with panic-filled eyes. "So we have been arranged to lead Mariemaia to you," Heero muttered.
"Yes, yes, but that could not be helped," the Elder insisted, a hint of impatience in his voice as he lightly pushed the Fighter towards his steed. "They are nothing that I cannot handle, but I would much rather stall having to do so if we are going to have any chance of talking. I will show you the way."
Not needing to be told twice, the Alliance quickly mounted their steeds with Yuy pulling Howard up to share his saddle.
Turning towards the humming light on his right shoulder, Wufei whispered, "Hold on tight, love." The brilliant spark settled deeply into the fabric of his cloak. Lightly tapping Shenlong with his heels, the Earth Keeper kept close along the cart that carried Anna with Wing and Shinigami in the lead as SandRock and HeavyArms brought up the rear.
* * * * * *
"I-I cannot believe that King Treize and Lady Une are still alive," Noin whispered as she slowly lowered the spyglass that she'd had pressed against her eye. Looking back to her husband and the Commander that shared the branch with her, she shook her head in wonder, "After all of this time that has passed, I was certain that they would have been killed by now."
A bittersweet smile curled the corner of Firion's lips as he replied, "Their lives were also spared because of Mariemaia. Even though Dekim implored her to take into consideration that her parents would only fear her because of her gift, she still ordered that they only be contained."
His blue eyes narrowing as he slowly peered back through the thick leaves before him to gaze on the cliff formation where his leaders were being held captive, he added, "Though it was Barton's idea that they be moved with every progression of the darkness as a means of breaking them."
Under his breath, Zechs gritted through his teeth, "The more I learn about this Dekim, the more I detest him." Locking gazes with the White Fang founder, he asked, "Have there been any near successes in freeing the King and Queen?"
Sighing, Dissidia answered in a frustrated timbre, "More than a couple. Though my Sovereigns have been completely unaware of our efforts, there have been times when our goal to reach them was nearly reached."
He bowed his head to stare at the ground far below their dangling feet, murmuring, "Many a good soul had been lost in the attempts, but I know that those young men and women died without regret for their trying. And even still, more volunteer for the opportunity when the next such mission is announced."
Firion regained his composure and straightened himself. Rolling his shoulders back, he told his friends, "And those losses have not passed in vain. every strike was made at different times, at opposing changes in the army's tactics and because of that we have been able to discover when their guard around King Treize and Lady Une is the most vulnerable. I imagine soon we will have another very good shot at rescuing them."
Eyes blinking widely, Lucrezia leaned past her lover to inquire, "How soon should that be?"
"If they have not been informed yet, the monsters that are hanging back will be advised that Salamand has been completely abandoned," the silver-haired officer smirked. "Hearing that, they are going to move sooner than they had expected to secure the land as their own with as little trouble as possible."
Gesturing with his head over his shoulder, he continued, "Meaning we need to move everyone deeper into these woods before they come, but they will have to thin their numbers out to be certain that everything ahead of them is clear. That was why I ordered our troops to pack up and to be ready to move on a moment's notice before we came here."
The plan already working out in his own mind, the King's back straightened rigidly as he stated, "A diversion. Draw those first waves of demons forward while another pack hides in the wings to take on the soldiers surrounding the cave then slip out with the prisoners before the full force of their men return."
Unable to hide his excitement, Firion slapped Milliardo's back, laughing, "Exactly!"
Through the leaves that were beginning to redden beneath the changing sky in the late stage of sunset, he focused back on the cave waiting miles before them at the outer ring of the blackened sky. "I am not about to fail my King and Queen again. I will not allow those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for them to have their courage and selflessness fade for naught."
Grinning, Zechs suggested, "Well then, let's head back to what is left of our camp so that we can discuss this with the Fighters."
* * * * * *
Night had fallen thickly by the time the horses of the Alliance stepped into the hollow side of Epyon Ridge's taller peaks. Dismounting their tired steeds, their riders worked quickly to see that they were fed and watered before the steeds fell into a restful sleep. The cart carrying Anna was secured deep within the cavern by a fire that Howard had spelled to continue its low burn even during his absence.
Brushing his hands together before the flames, the Elder smiled, "Ah. Now, we will be safe here for at least the next three days before our unwanted company draws close and you all need to be on the move in search of those Elemental Stones. That will give us plenty of time to talk and discuss what we need to go over."
The first to approach the camp ring, Heero asked, "You have the ability to see the future the same as an Oracle?"
"Oh, that is just one of the many perks to being a gifted of my status, young Fighter," Howard snickered, winking to Yuy and gazing on the rest of the team as they approached.
Chang was the first to take note of the seven flat rocks that had been purposely set around the fire pit to serve as chairs. Frowning, the Monk gazed on the old man and inquired, "You are expecting another to join us while we are here?"
With a deep chuckle, the old White Mage's sunken eyes revealed the mischief and merriment dancing in them as he replied, "Well, Anna, of course. You certainly do not expect me to only be able to talk to one of you in your true forms at a time, do you?"
Freezing along with his comrades, Wufei's face paled as his eyes grew in disbelief. "W-what?" he breathed. He shook his head, only managing, "B-but... the spell."
The old man waved a hand in the air, snorting, "Please. I have had decades upon decades more experience in powers than that child could ever begin to imagine." Raising an eyebrow, he smirked, "I am an Elder, or have you all forgotten that already? This would only be a temporary cure, but it will be better than nothing."
Before any of his stunned friends could respond, he raised a hand and curled a finger towards himself as he called, "Come along, sweetheart. Back where you belong." Violet eyes glowing, Duo gasped sharply at the loosening of his hold on the redhead's soul.
Still humming, the twinkling spark on the Monk's shoulder floated on its own towards the sleeping thief on the cart. The moment it touched Fraise's forehead, it disappeared as her whole body glowed. Closing his hanging jaw, Trowa came out of his shock to quickly nudge his lover. Together, they leapt over the railings of the carrier to remove their fellow Keeper's restraints as she sighed in her first signs of waking.
Breath hitched in his chest, Chang looked down at his opened hands in awe at finding himself unchanged. Swallowing roughly, he took a few tentative steps back in his nervousness when his lover's blue eyes blinked open.
Peering up at her 'brothers' standing over her, Anna grinned, "'Morning." She pushed herself upright to close her eyes again with a wide yawn, arms stretched overhead. Slowly scanning around, she found Heero and Duo next and only then did she notice the stunned expressions of her 'brothers.' A deep frown marring her face, she peered from one face to the other, she asked tentatively, "What's wrong?" Fright flooded over in an instant and she moved to spring up, demanding, "Where is Wufei?"
Howard slipped back into the shadows to gently nudge the Earth Keeper, smiling as he urged softly, "Go on, son. This will only last for as long as we are in these ridges. Make the most of the time you have now. You have both waited long enough for this opportunity." Finally coming out of his growing tension, the Monk met the sunken eyes watching him and gave a small smile of appreciation followed by a firm nod.
Slowly stepping out into the open while Yuy and Maxwell stepped aside to have him in the redhead's plain view, Wufei cleared his throat and lowered the hood from his head. Grinning, he breathed, "Hello, Firefly." Already, the rest of the Alliance that were standing by were watching the cursed lovers through shimmering eyes as they slowly backed away to give them as much space as possible.
Frozen still when she had just finished climbing to her feet, Anna gasped sharply. Blue eyes wide and skin paling several shades of white, she stammered in a whispered, "W-Wufei? But... how...?" From the corner of her eye, she spotted the smirking old man in flowing robes and all of a sudden everything became perfectly clear. With another gasp, a hand came up to slap her mouth and all of her focus returned to her partner. "This is not just another dream," she whimpered in her realization.
"No," Chang chuckled quietly through his spilling tears. Every step that he took next came more surely to him as he said softly, "I was afraid of that as well." The sound of his voice was all the jolt into reality that the thief needed. A strangled cry escaping her, she bolted from the cart and closed the distance between them to fling herself into the arms that had opened to her.
The moment that their bodies touched, the couple clung onto each other with all of their might even as they shook. Fraise sobbed against the equally shaking Monk's shoulders, managing between her gulps of air, "Love... you.... so... much, Wufei."
Letting go of every overwhelming emotion that threatened to consume him at actually being able to feel his lover again, the Earth Keeper sniffled and buried his fingers into her thick red curls at the back of her head. "Dear Creator, you have no idea how much I adore you, Anna," he whispered brokenly by her ear.
Huddled close, their teammates wiped at their dampened cheeks as they took in the beautiful reunion between their 'brother' and 'sister.' Clearing his throat when he neared them, Howard gestured to the mouth of the cave as he suggested, "Come along. Let us give them some long overdue time alone like this. There is wild game afoot that we can hunt together for a nice meal by the time we return."
No one was about to argue against the notion. Smiling, Heero squeezed the Black Mage wrapped up in his arms and kissed his temple. Reluctantly loosening their hold around each other, their hands linked instead as the tearful pair led the way back out of their shelter with the others close in tow.
Pulling back just enough to rest their foreheads together, Wufei and Anna laughed as they instantly reached up to cup their lover's faces in their shaking hands. "Creator, you feel even more amazing than I had ever imagined you would," the thief giggled as her cheeks were dried with the pads of her soul mate's thumbs.
"I know what you mean," the Monk snickered, his head nodding in agreement. Biting his lip, he pause a moment before leaning in and pressing a kiss against the redhead's lips.
That simple brush of mouths ignited instantly when the Fire Keeper closed her own eyes and returned the gesture tenfold, automatically seeking out more than a simple chaste exchange. Sighing and moaning into the quickly escalating needs and wants that came from the deepened kiss, the lovers clawed onto one another anew as old passions quickly flared to the intense levels that they had left off at five years before.
* * * * * *
Sounds of grunts and snarls entering the cave where he and his wife were being held broke through Treize's light slumber. Blinking his eyes open, he raised his head the slightest bit to not alert his guards that he was awake. Two of the taller ogres standing near the mouth of the cave a few feet ahead were muttering amongst themselves.
"Are you certain that there was no one to be found in Salamand?" one of the gruesome beasts snarled lowly. Crossing his massive arms, he glared toward the outer world. "We have already had one close call with assuming that there was no opposition."
His particularly slimy counterpart replied in a lowly rumbling timber, "Yes, but that was before we knew about the rebels. Before we press on, we will send out half of our strength that is already here to search the forests around. If there is anyone to be found, they will be eliminated before they can be of any trouble. But as for the city, there is no question that the people who had lived there are on the run. I confirmed for myself that there is not a fresh drop of human blood to smell within the walls."
With his heart hammering in his chest, the King blinked widely to himself and held his breath. Salamand abandoned. Such declarations were the first bit of good news to reach his ears in a very long time. If the souls of this land were spared a terrible end, surely others would realize that escape was the only chance of survival in this world gone mad.
Rebels... that was something that had never been discussed before in Treize or Lady Une's presence. At least not that they were aware of.
So not only were the people of Gaia taking matters into their own hands by fleeing, but there were still those who were willing to fight against the darkness. Such courage was never realized in all of the lands before. And if there was a chance that they might know of the Sovereigns being held prisoner...
There was hope. For the first time since the fall of the Paramecia Empire, there was a light piercing through the pitch that had gripped Treize's heart.
A tiny start of a smile curled the Sovereign's lips as he remained lying on his side. Slowly straightening his head, his eyes drifted closed. With a silent prayer to those rising to defend all that was still good in Gaia, he drifted off into a rare, peaceful sleep.
* * * * * *
Two voices cried out in the deep recesses of Epyon Ridge.
All but collapsing at the end of his wracking orgasm, Wufei's sweat-soaked and spent body shivered in the aftershocks that were also working their way through Anna beneath him. Wrapping her heavy arms loosely around him as they caught their breath, the redhead closed her eyes and buried her face into a damp shoulder.
Every aspect of Chang from how he smelled, how he felt to how he sounded was committed to Fraise's memory. Silent tears slipped through her sealed eyelids as she fought the sharp sob that stuck in her throat. Wanting nothing more than for their naked bodies to remain linked as they were... as they should have been, she knew that this was going to be one of few moments before they were separated again.
"Hey," the Monk whispered lovingly when he propped himself up on an arm to gaze down on his soul mate. Gently brushing away the wet trails from her face, he smiled sadly to her opening eyes, "I'm here. Let's just live in the moment for now, love. We will have countless more experiences like this in time."
Forcing a smile, the redhead nodded, "I know." She reached up to run a hand through his loose, raven-black hair as she sighed, "Considering how we were not expecting even this much, I am not about to complain." His own lips curling up, Wufei lowered himself back down to claim her lips in another passionate kiss.
When he finally broke away at their need for air, he panted and rested their foreheads together as their eyes opened once more. "I love you," he breathed, "...so damned much, Anna. What you have done for me all of these years... standing be me the way you have..." His voice hitched, forcing him to clear his throat before he shook his head, muttering through his watering eyes, "You will never know how much that means to me."
The thief shrugged, "I love you, too. And you would have done the same thing for me if I had been turned into..." She paused to think of something, a hand reaching up to make vague gestures in the air while she laughed, "A hawk or whatever."
"Without a moment's hesitation," Chang smirked. Lightly running a hand over his lover's soft skin starting from her pelvis, making its way up her tight abdomen muscles and fingertips brushing over her breast, he stopped at cupping the side of her face, declaring, "And you would make the most beautiful hawk Gaia has ever seen."
Sniffling at the sweet compliment, Anna's eyes filled up and she gave a gentle punch to the Monk's arm. "I was supposed to be finished crying," she chuckled along with him. Stretching her head up, she stole one last sound kiss.
Reluctantly looking over to their pile of discarded clothes at the parting of their mouths, Wufei commented softly, "I suppose that the others will be returning soon. We should make ourselves decent for them." Grunting in agreement, the thief shifted as he pushed himself away from her so that they could begin dressing themselves.
Once his brown cloak was closed and his hair was pulled back in its standard ponytail, the Earth Keeper took hold of his partner's short, tan sleeved jacket and held it open so that she could easily slip her arms through. Before he finished covering over the back of her purple corset, he pressed and held a kiss that she leaned into at the nape of her neck.
Shortly thereafter, the rest of the Alliance returned along with Howard. Each bearing a large bird of some sort to be cooked, the young warriors nodded in greeting to the reunited lovers. The moment the old man was in view, Anna sprang for him to throw her arms around in a tight embrace. "Thank you," she managed in a shaky whisper.
"My pleasure, dear one," the Elder snickered sincerely as he returned the hug and patted her back. "I only wish that I could actually break Mariemaia's spell. However, at least you can both have these next few days together." Nodding against his shoulder, the redhead pulled back just as Wufei stepped up to rest one hand on her lower back and stretched out the other for a firm handshake of appreciation for their rescuer.
Heero and Duo set straight to work in cleaning, feathering and splitting their dinner while Trowa and Quatre set out the team's bedrolls and gear to establish their camp. Before long, the lot was gathered around the fire pit in a ring with their respectable partners and engaged in light-hearted discussions as they finished their meal.
Then, when the last plate was cleared away and washed, the travelers set all of their attention on the old man sitting between Wufei and Heero. "Well, then," Howard grinned, rubbing his hands together as his gray eyes scanned the group around him, "now that all of the players are present, let us get down to this war business."
Gazing over to the boy at his right, the Elder's smile grew and he praised, "You handled your responsibility in bringing the Keepers and Death together beautifully, Fighter. But then, that much was expected given what you are."
Cobalt eyes widening, Yuy felt one of Duo's hands grip his calf as the whole team froze in surprise. "Y-you know what I am?" he stuttered in little more than a breath. Shaking his head, he said, "What is that? Why was I the one called upon for this mission?"
Patting the stunned teenager's back, Howard held a hand out face up to have it stretch out from his left to his right. As his outstretched fingers pointed to each member of the Alliance, he stated, "We have Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Death..."
Stopping at the soldier, the old man smiled while the rest of the team leaned close to be certain to not miss what he was about to say. With a deep breath, he announced, "And the rarest gem of them all. You, Heero Yuy, are Life."
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page