Until the End of Tomorrow
By: Starlight-x
Chapter 1: Stirrings of Change
Hilde moved gracefully through the water, enjoying the coolness against her bare skin. The sun shone down through the leaves of the trees that lined the pool creating dappled shadows on the forest floor. Hilde rolled over on her back and floated placidly staring up at the sky. She reached up a slender finger reaching for the faraway clouds and a circling bird of pray. The memory of auburn hair and a cheerful smile invaded her mind and she waved playfully. "Hey there Watcher, Catherine." She whispered.
The sound of someone moving through the forest caught her attention. "Well, he's finally coming back." Hilde pulled herself out of the pool and dried herself off before slipping back into her clothes. Moving away from the campsite Hilde chose a tree and scaled it easily; she rested on a branch to wait. In the year she and Duo had traveled together she had taught him to move more easily and quietly through the woods. It had turned into a game between them. Duo attempting to sneak up on Hilde while she foiled him every time. No matter how slow and cautious he was he had yet to fool her sharp hearing.
As Duo drew nearer Hilde held her breath, waiting as he began to pass underneath the tree she hid in. For a moment she thought he was going to keep walking. Suddenly he turned and looked up. "You thought I wasn't going to find you!" He grinned up at her. "Sorry, my little fire maiden, but you can't hide from me. I can sense you every time"
Hilde sighed and shrugged as she dropped lightly to ground. "Well, you can't sneak up on me, so I guess we're even."
Duo reached out and tugged one of her damp curls. "Swimming?"
"You should try it." Hilde flicked her curl out of his grasp. "The pool's very nice."
"I suppose I'll try it out when it's your turn to get supper." Duo recaptured her curl easily.
"You know something." Hilde said later when they were sitting next to a small fire finished with their supper. "If you couldn't sense me I would probably be able to surprise you."
"Probably." Duo broke a twig into small pieces before tossing them into the fire. He reached for another twig. "After all, I'm only a human. I don't have the wonderfully keen senses of an elf."
Hilde moved like lightening, kneeling next to him, eyes blazing. "Don't say that."
"What?" Duo asked startled.
"Only a human, don't ever say that again." Hilde reached up and cupped his face with both her hands. "You don't know how alive you are."
"I'm sorry." Duo said softly. He reached up and covered Hilde's hands with his own. He had often noticed her watching him with an avid expression of interest.
Hilde stared into his eyes for a moment longer before she pulled her hands away. "You're like a bright flame. You burn with an intensity I can't hope to match." Duo caught a hint of longing in her eyes before she turned, facing away from him. Duo began breaking his twig again in a thoughtful way.
"Duo?" Hilde had drawn her knees up and hugged them to her chest. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you for a while."
"Mmm?" Duo glanced over at her. "What?"
"Would you lifebond with me?" Hilde asked.
"What?" Duo froze at the unexpected question. He saw the tension in Hilde's back as she waited for an answer but none would come to him. "But I thought elves and humans… Don't your people frown on that?"
"So you don't want to ?" Hilde's voice was slightly muffled.
"No, no, no." Duo reached for her, gripping her shoulders with his hands. "I've often dreamed about what it would be like to be lifebonded with you. But, I mean, do you even know how to do it?"
Hilde turned to look at him and shook her head. "No, but I know someone who might."
"I see." Duo grinned suddenly. "I suppose it has been a while since we've seen Heero and the princess. It'd be nice to know how they've been doing."
"So, you don't mind?"
"Not at all." Duo hastened to assure her.
The smile Hilde turned on him was radiant. "Then we can start out tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow? Why not wait a couple days." Duo looked around. "This is a really peaceful spot and…"
"Okay," Hilde cuddled close, resting her head on his shoulder. "I guess we can wait here another couple days."
0000
Heero ducked a blow aimed at his head and brought his staff around in a counterattack. He could feel the strain in his muscles as he danced back on the balls of his feet before lashing out again. Months before Zechs had offered to spar with him. Heero accepted on one condition. That the elf not hold back ever. Zechs had agreed with a warning that Heero could possibly suffer more serious injuries then just bruises.
Heero had agreed. It would give him the drive to improve himself faster then he otherwise might. When he had first arrived with Relena back in the elfin city of Asthernell he had been met with hostility and suspicion. Most of the elves were not pleased with their princess' chosen lifemate. That hadn't changed over the months that followed. He had been subjected to veiled mockery and scornful comments by the younger elves while the elders refused to acknowledge his existence in any way, shape, or form. After suffering through many taunts about his supposed lack of physical ability in combat Heero had had quite enough and had been more then ready to accept Zechs' offer.
True to his word Zechs hadn't held back and Heero had bruises as well as several broken bones after quite a few of their bouts. But he had learned to compensate for his weaknesses, now he hardly ever walked away with anything worse then a bruise.
Frustration began to build in the back of his mind. Relena Heero concentrated on blocking the feeling. He'd felt that feeling from her a lot since they'd arrived back. Her frustration came mostly from dealing with elves antagonistic towards him. Because of that fact he had learned quickly that his presence didn't help smooth matters over, so he soon gave up trying to help in that capacity.
Relena's frustration shifted, turning sharply into helplessness and slight panic. Heero froze for a moment and was rewarded with a solid hit to his ribs that sent him tumbling to the ground.
"You can't allow yourself to be distracted by anything during a fight." Zechs said coolly. "Not even what you sense through your lifebond. Concentrate on the foe in front of you otherwise you won't be able to help your lifemate if they need it."
Heero rose slowly from the ground, resisting the urge to cradle his abused ribs. "I'm done for now." He said shortly.
"Fine." Zechs turned and placed his quarterstaff back in the weapon's rack. Heero followed his example and then turned to go. Before he could leave the room Zechs laid a hand on his shoulder. "Give whoever it is what for."
"No problem." Heero let his lips curl up in a little smirk as he left to go find Relena.
00000
Relena moved through the halls of her race's ancestral home. Weariness lined her features and one slender hand reached up to grasp the medallion of truth that hung around her neck. The day had been long and filled with matters urgent and otherwise as well as continued pressure and disapproval concerning her lifebond with a human. The council of Elders meant well, she knew. But some of them were blinded by their prejudice and wouldn't listen to anything she had to say. Heero's very presence was anathema to them, even after a year.
"Princess, imagine running into you here."
Relena stopped walking. She knew that voice. Turning she saw Errandal, son of the Elder most vehemently opposed to Heero being her lifemate. She sighed inwardly, feeling her frustration rising up once again. She just wanted to return to her chambers for a nice relaxing bath. Was there something wrong with that?
"Greetings Errandal. Is there something you need?"
"Only for you to see the folly of your ways. Why continue with this nonsense regarding a human bondmate. He isn't fit for you Princess. You need someone more akin to yourself."
"Really?" Relena asked dryly. "And who would you suggest then?"
"There are many young males eager to take the pleasure of that responsibility. I myself would consider it a great honor."
"You would, would you?" Relena allowed a hint of coolness to drift through her words.
"You should dissolve your bond. I've heard that there is a way for you to do it." Errandal moved closer, backing her up against a wall.
Relena felt the first traces of panic. She didn't want to deal with this right now. She couldn't handle it. She wanted Heero. "I choose not to dissolve the bond." She said as steadily as she could manage.
"Why not? Don't you find me attractive? Or are your tastes so twisted that you must turn to rough humans to satisfy you?"
Relena flushed at the crude insinuations. "That is repulsive."
"No more then you lifebonding with a human." Errandal reached out and touched one of her ears.
Relena gasped at the intimate contact. "Stop, don't touch me." She tried to push him away.
"Tell me, does your human do this?" Errandal gently stroked her ear.
"Don't touch me." Relena whispered, trying to free herself even as her body responded to the pleasurable sensation. "Heero.'
Then he was there, bursting on her through the lifebond, strong and angry.
"She told you not to touch her." A male voice growled.
"And who are you to speak to me human?" Errandal laughed.
Heero didn't reply, only threw a punch that sent the young elven lord reeling. "Oh, I'm just her lifemate." He stood in front of Relena protectively. "Bother her again and you'll regret it."
"Why? You'll beat me up again?" Errandal sneered, wiping away blood from a split lip. "That was a lucky blow. I doubt you could touch me again."
Heero didn't reply to the taunt, just glared steadily at the elf. "I've given you the only warning you'll ever get. Don't bother my lifemate again."
Errandal opened his mouth to reply, but his gaze was drawn to the ball of conjured glowing light Heero held balanced on one hand. With a snarl he hurried away.
Heero waited to be sure he was gone before he allowed the magic to fade. Turning to Relena he pulled her close. "Are you alright?"
Relena managed a nod, knowing he could feel her relief through the bond. "Yes. Will they never give up?"
Heero didn't reply, only started walking. Relena allowed him to guide her to her personal chambers
"Mi'lady." Relena's maid greeted her. "Would you like me to run you a bath?"
"Yes please." Relena gave a weary sigh as she sank down into a chair and began to undo her hair. "Oh, yes." She looked up at Heero. "I brought something for you." She gave a nod toward several rolled parchments she had dropped on her bed. "Some of the more obscure elvin magic you wanted to look at."
"Thank you. I got the impression I wasn't welcome in the library." Heero lifted one of the parchments, unrolling it partially to glance at the flowing elvish inside.
"I'm still amazed you managed to learn how to read elvish so quickly." Relena gave her head a shake and ran her fingers through her hair.
"What can I say, I'm a quick study." Heero gave her one of his rare smiles that quickly disappeared when the maid came back into the room to announce the bath was ready.
"Thank you Mella." Relena stood up and preceded the girl into the bath.
Heero gathered up the parchments and headed for his own room.
00000
"I don't know how much longer I can stand this." Zechs lay on his back, staring up at the starlit sky.
Noin was sitting next to him. She turned her head to regard him. "What, love?"
"The total idiocy of the council. They continue to refuse to see reason. Do they believe Relena is so naïve and weak to allow herself to be influenced by a human with evil intent?"
"I think they would've accepted the lifebond more easily if they believed it was engineered by Elai." Noin mused.
"I don't understand how it came out that Relena was the instigator of the bond anyway." Zechs grumbled. "Now they can't stop pestering her with demands to sever the it."
Noin leaned over her lifemate and ran her finger idly over his chest, tracing his ribs. "Zechs, you can't take on the entire elven nation."
"I would if it meant her happiness." Zechs turned to face his lifemate. "I didn't make a promise to my father to protect the nation. I made a promise to protect my sister. I will keep that promise even if it means going against our own kind."
"Hmm." Noin thought for a moment. "Zechs, do you remember when I cut my hair?"
"Yes," Zechs looked at her quizzically. "You gave your braid to me when we created our lifebond."
"Yes. I told you that it was the symbol of my promise to always be with you, by your side. I've kept my promise. No matter where you go, I'll follow, but you must remember something. Relena is now lifebonded to another. It is Heero first and foremost who must protect her even as it is our sacred duty to care for each other before all others."
"I know, which is the only reason I didn't go and break young Errandal's jaw when he bothered her today."
"I think Heero made it very plain to the young upstart that his attentions are not welcome." Noin smiled. "He's good for her."
"I know." Zechs reached out and pulled Noin into his arms. "If only the council could see that."
"They're trapped by their prejudices. Can you blame them? Ha'derkaath was a human once. Look what he became. I think they're afraid of what Heero has the potential of becoming."
"They should look closer to home. Something's wrong with this place Lucrezia. I can't tell you what it is but not everything is as it should be."
"I know." Noin relaxed against Zechs' chest. "I touch the earth and it feels like something died here long ago and is rotting." She gave a slight shudder. "What should we do Milliardo?"
"I don't know." Zechs admitted. "But perhaps we should investigate whatever's wrong."
"I'm almost afraid to." Noin sighed.
"Perhaps it's nothing more then stagnation. Our people have been hiding for so long they've forgotten freedom."
"If it were something so simple I would be grateful. But I have the feeling it's something beyond that."
"Whatever it is we'll be together for it."
"Together, no matter what."
00000
"Agnialla, what a surprise." Trowa turned and greeted his guest.
"Don't talk like that. You and I both know that you saw me coming." Agnialla chided, sinking wearily down into a chair.
"I apologize." Trowa gave a half bow. There was silence for a bit. Trowa broke it. "So, you've come to say goodbye." It wasn't a question.
"Yes." Agnialla gave a nod. "It has been a long time my friend."
"Yes, very long." Trowa absently held out his hand for a tiny bird to land upon. Gently he smoothed its feathers.
"Surely you've noticed." Agnialla continued. "It's drawing toward the end of an age. The death of Ha'derkaath only accelerated it, but it was coming. The lesser gods have been disappearing, their powers have waned."
"Soon mortals will feel the full effects." Trowa looked outside his cave.
"I feel the effects now." Agnialla looked weary, her face showing for just one moment the centuries she had been alive. "I can feel my own power draining."
"You've turned control over to Wufei?"
"Yes." Agnialla sighed. "He's a strong young one. He'll be fine."
"And his power as a platinum dragon?"
"I've taught him what I could in the past year. But to be quite honest I don't think what I know will be of much help to him. It is the end of an age. My era is over. What comes next will be entirely new. All who remain will have to find their own place." Agnialla turned a keen gaze on Trowa. "What about you, my eternal friend?"
"Will I still be eternal?" Trowa asked, a small smile playing about his lips. He gave the bird in his hand a slight toss and watched it fly away.
Agnialla gave a laugh. "I should've guessed. Not even the changing of an age will affect you."
"I've seen the changing of several ages." Trowa turned serious. "But do not think it doesn't affect me."
"I apologize." Agnialla said, hearing what he left unspoken. I mourn the loss and beauty of an age that was even as I welcome the age to come.
Agnialla rose suddenly. "So, I decided I would leave while I had some of my power and vigor. I refuse to live as a senile old dragon with nothing but a taste for gold and the occasional unwary traveler."
"Agnialla El Soriand Cgania, you would never ever become senile." Trowa responded, using her full name.
"Thank you for your confidence." Agnialla smiled. She approached him. "This is for you old friend." She held out both of her hands. Balanced on her palms was a dull looking grayish disc.
"Ah." Trowa took it carefully. "Thank you."
"I'd tell you it was to remember me by but you won't forget."
"I never do."
"Farewell my friend." Agnialla turned and exited the cave. Trowa followed her in time to watch her transform. Spreading her wings she threw back her head and let out a triumphant cry before launching herself into the sky.
"Goodbye Agnialla." The disc in Trowa's hand caught the sunlight and sparkled in the brilliant color of a platinum dragon, every color contained within the scale.
