Treasure Found

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Rating: mature to be safe (I have no idea what is going to happen)

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 6x5

Warnings: mpreg, language, AU (well duh if its mpreg) bad grammar

Summery: AU The Gundam boys are wolfeans (they have a wolf form and a human one) in of world of Mercia that contains elves, fairies, and other fantastical creatures. Prince Heero of Dane is searching his lands for his mate. Will he find him before the Picts find the enchanted Jewel of Ludeca and seize war on all of Mercia?

Chapter 2

Four months, four long grueling months spent on the road traveling from town to town. The young chocolate haired prince did not think he could take any more. Never in his wildest dreams did he think so many people would want to marry him. Granted he knew most only wanted his fortune or fame in marrying a prince. He even expected that from his people, but not from the other races.

Shortly after their journey began, word spread about the wolfean prince and his quest to find his one true love. Not only now did the blue eyed boy have his own race to choose from, but elves, fairies, and even a centaur greeted him in every town. Plus, knowing that the prince was an alpha wolfean and thus able to breed with both genders, he had to contend with females from the other races.

Not accustom to being swamped by hordes of females, Wufei, the prince's lead guard was close to a nervous breakdown. Every town the prince stopped at, more and more people tried to win his hand. The first few towns were mild compared to what the subjects tried to accomplish to garner the blue eyed prince's attention. Girls decked out in lavish gowns, outrageous hairdos, and the swimming in perfume actually broke out in fights to prove their worth. Essentially it was a security nightmare.

The black haired guard and his prince were quickly approaching their wits end. Even resorting to only give the towns a day notice to gather their bachelors was enough to alert wannabe suitors of the next auditions to be the future king's consort. Tempers among the group rose, bickering and cold shoulders were abounded. It was only a matter of time before one of them snapped.

Of course the prince, being the center of all this attention and the focus of the crazed attention grabbing populace was the first to break down. After traveling and putting up with twenty seven towns, the chocolate haired prince broke down. It was one thing to go out and greet his adoring public, but to have to sit through and pay attentions to those who thought they were his soul mate was just too much. Following a dreadful display of an elf's attempt to sing, Heero couldn't stand it. Things had long ago gotten out of hand. It was like he was holding a talent show instead of finding his true love.

"Trowa, what is our next destination?" the prince curtly asked while turning in his saddle. After four months, the group was just leaving their twenty seventh town.

Tiredly, the long banged advisor replied, "Caledonii, we should be there shortly after dusk."

"Hn" Heero grunted "I'll meet you there." Squeezing his legs, he encourages his horse to gallop from the group.

As the prince disappeared from sight, Trowa asked his long time black haired friend, "Wufei, aren't you going to follow him?"

"He wants to be left alone, so let him." Turning his sour look to the advisor, Wufei continued, "He is more than capable of handling himself for a few hours."

"Wufei, I'm surprised at you. Before this journey began, you would hardly let the prince out of your sight, and now you're allowing him to roam the countryside without you." the green eyed boy sarcastically stated.

Huffing, the guard responded "After seeing him deal with crazed women for the last four months has renewed my faith in his ability to protect himself."

"You mean the way he picked up and tossed that one in the well two towns back?" Maddox asked from behind his boss.

"Yes" Wufei replied with a smirk. "That and when he dumped the pitcher of water on the mayor who kept flirting with him four towns ago."

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Knowing his horse could easily handle a harsh pace, Heero galloped for six miles. He had checked with Trowa the night before to learn the direction and distance of Caledonii from his last location. Not caring about leaving his friends and guards behind, the prince required some personal time. Slowing down to cool his mount after the grueling run, the blue eyed wolfean breathed a sigh of relief and let his mind wonder.

After four months of travel and seeming like thousands of applicant choices in suitors, Heero could not believe no one interested him. Sure, many of them were good looking and caught his eye, but none were able to captivate him. They all seemed, 'seemed like what?' He thought. The prince could not catalogue his feelings. Yet that was the problem. 'None of those would be suitors' invoked desires of love. I could not feel anything beyond a slight tingle of lust for only a handful of them.'

Still processing on how no one came remotely close to conjuring up his feelings, Heero noticed his horse's stride change. Leaning forward and looking down at the animal's right foreleg, the prince watched the appendage move and strike the ground. Then he saw an extra flash appear. Coming loose, the horse's silver shoe flashed in the afternoon sky. Nonetheless, it was still nailed in the front of the hoof, but gaped at the back.

Not wanting to injure his steed, the prince leapt off and stopped the horse. Running his hand down the leg to the hoof, he picked up the leg and examined the shoe. He gently pulled on the shoe to test how well nailed it was on the front only to have it fall off in his hand.

"Well that solves that problem." He mumbled to his ride. Making sure nothing else was wrong with his horse, he felt along the bottom of the hoof. Then gently set it down and ran both hands over the leg to check for any sores or lameness. Satisfied at not finding any other problem, Heero straightened and patted Wing, his horse, on the shoulder. "At least everything seems alright. But on the safe side I think I'll just walk with you."

Swinging the reins over the horses head, the prince smiled to his horse and walked to the other side of him. Next he loosened the saddle's girth allowing the horse more comfort. Then he began a slow walk to Caledonii. Watching the horse as they walked Heero checked to make sure again that the animal had no problems. So focus on Wing, the chocolate haired man jumped when he heard a loud bang of thunder. Looking to the sky the prince saw large dark storm clouds rolling in.

"Great, this is just what I need." He muttered to himself as he pulled out his hooded cloak. No sooner had he donned the apparel than the sky began to rain. Within minutes the sun disappeared behind the gloomy storm clouds. "Well Wing, at least I can see the town. We should make it just past noon."

Entering the town, Heero glanced around for the blacksmith or livery. Having never been to Caledonii, he had no idea where to go. People of all races were bustling around in a hurry going about their business. Luckily he spotted an attractive someone who was leisurely walking slowly in the pouring rain. At first hesitant to ask this stranger who acted like it was a bright sunny day instead of a gusting thunderstorm, the prince called out.

"Excuse me?" He paused to see if he caught the man's attention. As the man turned and approached him and his horse, Heero continued. "Hello, I was wondering if you could assist me."

Heero studied the approaching man from under his hood. He noticed that the man, really still a boy, was younger than himself. Also, in the little light from the stores along the street, the prince saw that the boy was shabbily dressed. His clothes, nothing more than rags, hung on his lithe frame. Most of all, Heero observed the long, wet, chestnut braid lying limp over the boy's shoulder.

"Sure I can help, what did you need?" The boy happily said with a smile as if he hadn't a care in the world. He freely walked up to the prince and greeted, "My names Duo, how can I help you?"

Taken back by the happy beauty standing him front of him, Heero hid behind his hood and stated, "My horse lost a shoe and I need a blacksmith."

Grin growing larger and eyes brighter Duo cheerfully said, "It's your lucky day my friend, I just so happen to work at the smitty. I'ma headin there now" He paused as he turned around and bobbed his head for the prince, "so'a just folla me."

"Thank you" the prince quietly stated.

As he headed home to the stables, the violet eyed boy kept glancing back to the stranger. Duo kept trying to get a glimpse of the man's face, but was unsuccessful. He was curious about the man, it was obvious the stranger had never been to Caledonii before; otherwise he would have known where the livery was. The Town as a whole only had one main street with around ten businesses and less than twenty homes surrounding the stores.

Trying to settle his curiosity, Duo began a series of questions. "So what brings you to Caledonii on a fine day like this?" He waited for a reply, yet only received the loud clanging of rain on the paved street. Not one to give up he tried again. "Are ya here for the big gathering for tomorrow?"

"Hn." was sternly given.

Taking that for a positive response the braided boy continued trying to coax a reaction. "Ya, lotsa people have been comin' in. The Inn has been booked for days. Didja already make a reservation? If not, you maybe sleepin with me in the stable." He chuckled a little as he took in the solemn stranger. Sighing at still no proper answer he went on to talk about the town and what its features were.

Heero was ecstatic. It appeared that the lovely boy had not recognized his royal clothing with the covering cloak. When the boy asked him if he was there for the gathering the following day, the prince couldn't help but grunt his reply. While he didn't want to lie to the boy, he also did not want the beauty to know he was the prince yet. Feelings Heero had never felt before were emerging and he truly felt that this boy, who he met only minutes ago could be the one.

It lifted the prince's indifferent heart at the way the braided boy freely walked in the rain. He could not understand how someone with barely any clothing walk around smiling while getting sopping wet. In addition, the boy smelled wonderful. Granted his nose wasn't as good in human form as the wolf one, but Heero could pick out the boys natural fragrance easily through the rain. As the boy continued to ramble on about his town, Heero smiled to himself. He was quite enjoying listening to the pleasant voice of the other wolfean.

Wondering if the boy was a prospective mate, Heero took a deep breath catching the pleasing aroma of the violet eyed youth. 'Yes, he is a beta wolfean. And he wore no adornments to indicate he is bonded to someone' Heero thought to himself.

Finally reaching the large stable, Duo hesitated, turned, and looked at the stranger. "If you want sir, I can handle the horse for you. I'm the blacksmith's apprentice and work as the stable aid for the livery too. Howie won't be able to shoe him until tomorrow afternoon, after the big shindig the mayor is having."

"That will not be nec….." Heero was cut off as the boy just grabbed the reins and started leading the damp horse. Shocked that someone else was leading Wing, the prince was frozen and unable to move. At the castle and all through his travels, not once had his temperamental gelding allowed another to handle him. Here was this beautiful lithe boy handling the horse as if they were together forever.

"The Inn is directly across the street. Don't worry 'bout the horse, I'll brush him down and throw a rug on him. I'll then give him a warm bran mash and alpha to help keep the chill out." Duo called back over his shoulder.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, the prince stepped into the crowded stable. "His name is Wing. Are you sure you can handle him? He normally only tolerates me." The prince glanced around taking in that most of the stalls were occupied.

"Ya, he seems like a big ol' baby. The only stalls available left are at the very back, or did you have one on reserve?" Violet eyes turned towards the stranger. Still unable to get a full glimpse of the other wolfean, Duo could only see bright dark blue eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light from under the hood. Disappointed at not getting a view of the good smelling stranger he waited for a reply while removing the saddle.

Still not wanting to give himself away, Heero replied "I did not make any reservations." Which was true, he had left that detail for Trowa to handle.

"Alright, well, if ya need em, he'll be in the far back, if no one's here feel free to collect em yaself." With that he led the horse down the aisle.

Acknowledging the dismissal, Heero turned and walked back out into the rain. Lifting his head to look around the small town, he saw the Inn across the street. Not wanting to stay any longer in the rain, he head straight to it and entered. The entrance parlor was packed. At the desk, a horde of wolfeans, elves and fairies argued with the poor clerk.

"I'm sorry but all the rooms are taken. The only one open has been reserved." The clerk repeated over and over trying to get the agree mob to listen.

"The prince isn't here till tomorrow, I DEMAND you give me the room." A short fairy shouted.

"YOU, I was here first, I demand the room!"

"No I demand it." The crowd pushed and shoved each other.

Fed up with the seen, wet and miserable the angry prince's temper boiled over. "Shut up all of you now." He did not shout, but his tone was heard over all of the commotion and demanded the crowd's attention. "I will take the room and you all can go back to your homes."

"Who the hell are you to tell me to leave?" the boisterous short fairy demanded

Throwing back his damp hood and removing his cloak, the chocolate haired wolfean revealed himself. He narrowed his eyes to the pompous fairy, giving him a glare that sent chills down the rooms occupants' spines.

"I am the one who reserved the room." He sternly stated. Then he looked the fairy over from head to toe along with the rest of the occupants. "If you all are here trying to win my favor, I suggest you leave now. There is no point in any of you staying." With that, he strolled to the counter and held out his hand. Taking the hint, the clerk immediately handed him the bronze key with the attached room number.

Key in hand, Heero then headed directly to his room. He ignored the startled gasps and whispers as he passed the would be suitors only thinking of a long hot bath followed by a long nap in bed. Deciding better, he paused and turned back to the clerk.

"Can you spend some soup to my room please?" He asked in kinder yet authoritive tone. At the clerk's nod he resumed his course to his room.

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"Praise the gods, we're here" the soaked, miserable and grumpy lead guard mumbled. He, like the rest of the party was saturated. Unable to travel faster than a slow trot due to the weather, the group only reached the small town just after sunset.

Traveling non stop to catch up to their prince, the lot looked like starving drowned rats. All five were starving having chosen to not stop to eat in order to make up time to their chocolate haired prince. Having previously been to the small town, Galen led the group to the livery.

Seeing the barn's door already open, the group dismounted and led the horses inside. The stable was a commotion of noise and moving bodies. Horses whinnying from their stalls, others stomping the ground being brushed down and saddled standing in the aisles' crossties. Wufei turned and raised a questioning black eyebrow to his long banged friend.

Trowa shrugged slightly and began to lead his horse down the less crowded aisle on the right side. Wanting nothing more than to get a hot meal Wufei quickly followed with his subordinates. They each found an empty stall and began untacking their mounts. The guard quickly fell into deep thoughts of his mate and how he missed him these long four months. Not paying attention to the world around him, Wufei unsaddled his horse and removed a brush from the saddle bag.

"Hello" a chipper voice sounded from outside Wufei's stall. Both he and his black roan mare jumped. He quickly turned and glared at the owner of the happy voice.

"What do you think you are doing startling my horse? Don't you know not to sneak up on a large dangerous animal?" the black haired wolfean demanded from the long haired man in front of him.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"Hn, you didn't scare me, only my horse you fool." Wufei retorted indignantly.

"Not true" the braided youth replied. "The horse saw me, she only jump cause you did. I thought you heard me comin. That's why I whistle when in the barn." All said with a large grin that only grew as Wufei became more upset.

"Who are you and what do you want?" was demanded. The guard was very upset by this "boy" who contradicted what he said. How dare this braided fool imply he was startled. By this time Trowa and the other three guards had stopped their grooming and was either standing in the aisle or their stalls watching the growing argument.

"Duo's my name and I'm the stable boy here." He looked over his shoulder quickly and studied the other members of the party. "Did you guys request stalls ahead of time?" Not waiting for a response he continued, "cause we're booked. Although from what I heard from the fat fairy, a lot of people are leaving shortly. Seems like something happened earlier at the Inn and many of the travelers were told to leave. But I…"

"Do you always talk so much?" an infuriated Wufei cut in. He looked over to Trowa and raised an eyebrow to get his take on the long haired wolfean. The green eyed man only shrugged and turned back to his horse to let Wufei handle the talkative man. Sighing, the guard refocused on the younger wolfean.

Duo raised his right hand and held his chin. He acted like he was giving the question a lot of thought before turning to the black haired wolfean and grinning like a mad man. "You ain't heard nott'in yet. I like to talk; it's how you learn things. Don' cha think?"

Wufei just stared, and then said lifting his chin "I am head guard, Chang Wufei, to his Royal Highness Prince Heero Yuy. You should have a reservation for six stalls."

Looking around again, Duo recounted then asked "Where is your sixth person. I only counted five?"

Shocked the braided talking wonder could count; the guard dismissed the question as if it wasn't worth answering. He just turned back to his horse and resumed the grooming process.

Receiving the cold shoulder and taking the hint to leave, Duo snorted and left to gather water for the new horses. 'Beside, I couldn't blame the horses if their owners had a stick up their ass.' he thought to himself. He only was doing his job.

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Completed with the task of settling the horses, the royal party made their way to the Inn. After taking to the frazzled clerk, they found their way to the prince's rooms. The group was lucky that the small town's Inn had a royal suite. Apparently it was just added on within the last year do to a wealthy frequent customer who visits often to visit his son. Even luckier was that it had a private large bath with running hot water.

Not bothering to knock, Wufei stormed into the room carrying his and the prince's luggage. Fortunately they both traveled light and had only one bag each, although the prince's bag was twice the size. Immediately the guard froze as a blade was pressed to his neck. Flashing his eyes over his nude attacker, he relaxed his tense muscles.

"My my my, Wufei, you appear to be slipping." The prince stated with a vicious smirk. He lowered his blade and flopped tiredly back onto the bed. He studied his guards and friends as they entered before remarking. "You lot look like drowned rats and stink like wet dogs."

"Correction, Trowa smells like wet dog because he insisted on traveling through the rain in his wolf form." the black eyed guard tersely replied. It was bad enough the long haired fool of a stable boy try to humiliate him; he was not going to let his friend do it, even if he was the prince.

Noticing his friend's attitude, the blue eyed boy decided to let him be. It wasn't worth it to further enrage the guard. "Have you eaten supper yet?"

"No" replied his green eyed friend as he set about changing into dry clothes.

The prince followed the example of his companions and also put on dry clothes. Once all of them were properly attired, they headed out. They asked at the desk where to eat and were told next door at the tavern. It was the only eatery besides the teahouse and as much as they loved tea, they wanted a filling meal to heat them up on that miserable day.