Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, or associated characters. I wish I did. Besides, I have no money to be sued for.
Darlien was brooding in the castle garden. It was, in his estimation, the prettiest spot in the garden, and one of the few places where he could think. He heard many things in his position as ambassador to the Sanc kingdom, and some of the recent things he had heard weren't the sort that inspired confidence.
Ever since the completely unexpected death of King Odin Lowe Peacecraft, there had been worrying rumors from home drifting back across the diplomatic channels to reach Darlien. He sincerely hoped that his own king wouldn't decide to do something foolish; the diplomatic relations between Sanc and Century had never been better, and they needed the alliance. He wasn't worried about what Odin's brother would do; the new king of Sanc was a levelheaded man, and dedicated to peace. However, Darlien knew that the same could not be said of the king of Century.
At the moment, he was trying to decide if the rumors that he heard needed to be mentioned to King Peacecraft. On the one hand, Darlien despised gossip, and spreading rumors against his country was perilously close to treason. On the other hand, he was quite fond of the royal family, and if there was going to be trouble, Peacecraft needed to know.
He was distracted from his thinking by laughter. He looked up to see the king's daughter, little Relena, sitting a little ways off with her nanny, a butterfly perched on her nose. She giggled as it sat there for a moment. Then it flew away. She tried unsuccessfully to chase after it, but she wasn't quite a year old, and hadn't mastered walking yet. Darlien smiled as he watched her. He loved children, and would have been very pleased to have some of his own. But his wife's health was failing, and it seemed very unlikely that they would have children.
As he watched the little girl playing under the indulgent watch of her nanny, he came to a decision. He wouldn't tell Peacecraft of his suspicions until he had some evidence. There was no need to worry the king and sour diplomatic relations over rumors.
Milliardo was sitting up on a low roof of the castle, hiding from his tutor. It was such a pretty day, and they expected a normal, healthy eight year old to sit inside and study? As his father occasionally said, preposterous. (Heh, hearing that word would make Tutor know that he hadn't been wasting time. If he knew a big word like that, then surely he didn't need lessons.) He'd get an earful when he went back inside for dinner at dark, but no one would be too mad. He did wish that his cousin, or even his little sister was older, so he would have someone to play with, and someone to cut lessons with. But it couldn't be too long before they were old enough to play hide and seek, could it? His little brown haired cousin was already able to run (fairly fast too), and 'Lena was getting steadier on her feet every day.
Well, they weren't big enough to play today, and it was nice, lying on the roof watching the clouds. Sanc castle must be the prettiest place in the world. Of course, it wouldn't do for a boy to say that when there were people around. It was okay if girls said it though. Hmm… maybe he could get 'Lena to say that kind of stuff for him? No, she was still a baby, and might tell that he had said it first.
He flipped over onto his stomach and looked out at the scenery. You could see most of the valley from the roof of the castle. He grinned as he looked into the garden. 'Lena was out playing with Nanny, trying to chase butterflies. 'Bassador Darlien was there too, smiling. Generally speaking, Milliardo didn't like court officials; they bored him to tears. But he liked Darlien. Darlien was like a favorite uncle. He always had time to play with them, even the babies. He reminded him a lot of Uncle Odin before he died.
Milliardo frowned as he noticed a large cloud of dust approaching the castle. Riders on the road. He didn't know of any reason why a large group of riders would be coming. It probably had to do with some horribly boring grown up party that he didn't know about. But for some reason, he was suddenly scared. He didn't like this, not at all.
Darlien frowned as he became aware of the sound of horses on the road to the castle. There were a lot of them, and no good reason for them to be there. There was a bend in the road before it reached the castle, and he couldn't see anything beyond it. The castle gates were wide open; they always were. In fact, they had never been closed in living memory. In three years as ambassador, he had become accustomed to this; he rarely gave it thought. But quite suddenly, he started thinking about the castle from a defensive standpoint. And he knew that there was no way they would be able to defend themselves if this was a threat.
The bulk of the riders apparently waited out of sight around the bend. A single man rode up to the gate. "I have a diplomatic communication for Ambassador Darlien."
He was waved through with out much thought. Darlien had no desire to let the man set foot in the castle, so he called out before the messenger got to the large doors.
"I am the ambassador."
The messenger didn't look happy about being stopped, but walked across the garden to meet him. "His Highness wishes to inform you that your post is no longer needed. He instructs you to return home."
This wasn't right, not at all. "But there is a need to maintain the diplomatic channels between Century and Sanc. If I am to be replaced, may I at least meet my successor?"
"You are not being replaced. You are being removed." He lowered his voice. "The ambassador from Sanc has been executed for treason, and His Highness has declared war. Sanc will become a part of Century, therefore, an ambassador is no longer required. We have instructions to allow you through the lines."
Darlien's blood ran cold. So. The rumors were true. He had to get in, warn the king about this treachery. Maybe it would give them a chance. He started for the door.
The messenger grabbed his arm. "I have instructions that you are not to communicate with King Peacecraft. As of the moment, he does not believe you to be traitorous as well. Do not change His Highness's opinion." The messenger put a hand on his sword in a meaningful way.
Darlien wanted to cut the man's throat. But he wasn't a fighter, and he knew that the messenger would cut him down if he tried. So there was nothing he could do. He looked up at the sky in frustration. "All right." He glanced back at the castle as he started to follow the messenger. A blond head peeking over the roof caught his eye. Prince Milliardo! He knew that the boy had a habit of hiding up there when he wanted to cut lessons. Judging by his frightened expression, he had heard everything. Risking it, Darlien mouthed up at him "Go warn your father."
The blond head nodded at him, showing he understood. Then he glanced over towards the other end of the garden. Darlien understood at once. Relena. Surely if Century was invading, they wouldn't want any of the king's heirs left alive, and the nanny wouldn't stand a chance. Darlien changed course. "Where are you going, sir? The gate is that way."
"Surely I'm permitted to take my daughter and her nurse with me?"
The messenger thought, and didn't look too happy. But if he didn't allow the ambassador to take his family, the king might not be pleased. And if he hadn't supposed to allowed the family, well, then it would be dealt with at home. "Fine. Hurry. And thank whatever god you hold dear that your daughter was out here with you."
Darlien nodded tightly, and went over to the nurse. She smiled at him, but the smile faded when she saw the expression on his face. "Whatever you do, keep quiet," he whispered. "I'm sorry, I've done what I can. There's going to be an army come streaming in here in a few minutes, and I can't stop it. I can't even warn the king. But I can get you and the little one out of here. The man in charge is under the impression that she's my daughter, and I beg of you to play along. We'll bring her back and get it straightened out after." If there's anything left to bring her back to.
The nurse looked frightened, but handled it marvelously. "But what about the king?" she whispered back. "Someone's got to tell him."
"They're not going to let you or me back into that castle alive. But the young prince saw, and he's going to warn him." He looked at her sadly. "This is all I can do. Please."
So she picked up Relena and followed him silently. They walked out of the gate unharmed and unchallenged. And a final glance back at the castle would prove to be the last either of them ever got.
Milliardo had watched the conversation between the strange messenger and Darlien with horrified fascination. He had very good hearing, and had heard every word. Darlien had done what he could, but he wasn't going to be able to warn anyone. And, with a rush of fear, Milliardo realized that Darlien was going to be taken away, and an army would come here. He didn't know much about affairs of state, but he did know that there wasn't an army here, and very few trained soldiers. Suddenly Darlien caught sight of him, peeking over the edge of the roof. "Go warn your father," he had mouthed up at him. Milliardo understood. He had to warn everybody, had to give them time to get out. A thought occurred to him. 'Lena! She was a baby, and a girl, which sometimes irritated the eight year old boy, but he still loved his little sister dearly. Darlien caught the look, and Milliardo watched, amazed, as the ambassador claimed 'Lena as his own. That would keep her safe for now, and then he would bring her back when the danger was past. It would have to do.
He slipped back inside as Darlien took 'Lena and Nanny out past the gate. He had to find his father, had to warn everyone. Fortunately he knew where his father was, this time of the day.
He ran down the halls of the castle as fast as he could, paying no heed to the servants and nobles he almost careened into. Somewhere along the way, his tutor caught sight of him, and started chasing after him, yelling at him to stop. Milliardo paid him no heed. Finally, he skidded into the library where he knew his father was reading. The king looked up, startled, as his son threw himself at him and started pouring out a rather jumbled account of what had happened.
So. Century was going to invade. He believed his son's story implicitly; Milliardo had an imagination but that was not the shape it took. He had to make sure of one detail before he roused the castle's defenders. "What about Relena? You said that Nanny had her out in the garden."
"'Bassador Darlien took her, he's gonna look after her. He tricked the bad man into think that he was her daddy."
The king felt relieved. He knew that Darlien adored the princess, and would keep her safe. He looked up at Milliardo's tutor who had rushed in during the middle of the story and was standing there stunned. "Take Milliardo and my nephew to safety."
The tutor stammered. "B-But your majesty! I should stay and defend you!"
The king interrupted him. "Get the children out." The tutor stammered again, swallowed, nodded once, grabbed the prince, and ran. The king watched them go. Maybe they could hold the invaders off long enough for the children to get to safety. Relena was safe as long as they thought she was the ambassador's daughter. And if the boys could get clear, then they would probably manage to survive this.
The king of Sanc did not cry. But his eyes were strangely bright as he went down the opposite corridor, bellowing for the castle defenders and the few soldiers he had. King Peacecraft was a very sensible man, and he knew that there wasn't much hope they could hold the invaders off indefinitely. Whatever happened this day, he had seen his family for the last time.