When she awoke the next morning, Midii noticed Trevor sleeping sitting up against the side of the hut. His hair moved gently in the light morning breeze, and his ear twitched ever so slightly. Apparently, he had kept his word and watched over her in the night. She smiled.
-
The castle was abuzz with activity as Relena took her morning walk. The outer gardens provided a more suitable arrangement for the elven princess, tended as they were by humble folk. Trees and flowers grew in abundance, and aside from the walkways themselves, the signature blossom of the lord of the land made no appearance. Each morning of her visit had been the same, though she most often walked with Pagan, the old mage understanding her great love of the beauty found in nature.
Today she was alone, at least, as alone as one can be with a shadowy escort. The princess sighed. He would have to do it by skulking around, instead of by her side as a visible deterrent. Granted, he had put in several appearances during his guard duty, but it made her feel more like a dog on a leash than a person.
She seated herself on one of the stone benches that surrounded an exquisitely carved fountain. Only the continual spray of the water droplets marred the clear surface of the shallow pool. A shadow fell across the water, and Relena looked up into Heero's face. "So, you finally decided to actually step into sight for a few moments. Have you silently dispatched all the assassins that are trying to kill me?"
Heero frowned, sensing that he had hurt the young woman somehow. Unsure of how to correct the unknown mistake, he knelt in front of her and narrowed his eyes. "How else can I fulfill my promise to protect you? What would you have me do?"
The princess sighed. Looking back at the fountain, she attempted to formulate a reply. "I don't mean to imply that you are not doing what you have promised, or that you should stop the way you do things. I merely wish to point out that you make me feel a beast in a cage, not a young woman protected. Not that I don't feel protected…" Her voice trailed off, as she clenched her fists in frustration. "I don't know how to explain myself so that you will understand what I'm saying!"
Heero stepped back away as tears slowly began to trickle down her cheeks. Shadow Lords trained to protect others, to hunt, and to deal with dangerous creatures. They never expected to deal with women's emotions. Heero mind raced as he attempted to calm her down. 'What? She doesn't want me to protect her the way that I'm doing it? No, she wants me to be near her… Oh.' It clicked.
Relena started as a finger brushed her cheek, clumsily wiping away her tears. The human looked slightly bewildered, a look that faded quickly to his ever-present stoicism. "Do not cry. I will walk with you, if that is what you wish. I had thought that you would desire solitude for your ventures into the realms of nature." He withdrew his hand and stepped back. "Of course, I must have been mistaken."
His eyes watched her closely even as he attempted to appear distant. Relena wondered if he were really as sure of himself as he sounded. Nevertheless, she dried her tears and gave him a wan smile. "Thank you. I would enjoy the pleasure of your company as I admire the simple craft of the gardeners here."
Heero sighed in relief as the elf resumed her pacing, and this time worked to keep himself at her side, despite his inclination to be out and scouting. That would happen in due time, he figured. Especially if this Lord Khush'Ranada was as dark as he seemed.
-
The gates opened with a well-maintained silence, save for the quiet scraping of wood on stone. Several heralds scurried into position, assuming a posture of greeting for the visiting nobles. Their coats were emblazoned with the Crimson Rose and Thorns, the emblem of the Lord Khush'Ranada. Carrying banners and trumpets, they waited for the first of the foreigners to appear.
The first horse to enter the city carried a single knight. He wore an iron mask that concealed most of his features. His overcoat was crimson, his breastplate of polished steel. A single sword hung at his side, the hilt simply adorned. Platinum hair streamed behind him as he cantered down the street. Pulling his mount to a stop, he surveyed the waiting party.
"Who here welcomes us? We have traveled far, with peace our aim."
One of the heralds stepped forward, his pace evenly timed to stop in front of the visitor. "We of the household of Lord Khush'Ranada welcome you to Ab Bortaan. Who seeks to enter our fair realm?"
The rider reined his animal firmly as the horse stamped one foot on the ground. Regally he replied to the question. "The noble lords of Abiara gather here to convince the lord of these lands of the foolishness of his endeavors upon our borders. May our words be resolute and truer than any blade."
A hint of a smile crossed the chief herald's face, and then disappeared. "Bid them enter, and may you find the peace that you seek within our walls."
Without hesitation, the knight wheeled his mount and galloped back to his party. Moments later, he returned, leading the vanguard of a long caravan of mounted riders and carriages. The heralds took up their posts along the column, guiding the visiting nobles straight to the stronghold. The streets that they followed were cleared beforetime by the city guard, backed by the Lord's decree. Few would think to defy the Crimson Rose. Many would fanatically follow what it dictated, especially those of the city guard.
No mishaps occurred anywhere along the path, and the captain of the escort nodded to the chief herald before releasing most of his men to return to their encampment. A token guard was all that Treize had deigned to allow the nobles for the duration of their stay inside of the city, even though he had not argued the considerable force camping outside of the walls. Handing the reins of his beast to a groom, the masked knight watched his charges being ushered to their rooms inside of the palace.
The chief herald approached him, a wicked grin upon his features. "Ah, just like rats into a trap! All the more is the pity that we must allow them to leave." He sighed melodramatically. "The lord wishes to dine with you this evening."
Cold blue eyes regarded him from behind the mask. Despite his best intentions, the herald found himself starting to sweat under that gaze. He was standing in the presence of the man rumored to be the 'Masked Knight', one of the Lord Treize's most efficient killers. He watched as the knight grimaced, then turned gracefully on his heel to enter the palace. "Very well, I will speak with him then. Give him my regards, Fronse."
The herald nodded once, his breathing just a little bit easier now that the man had disappeared around a corner. "I shall."
--
Dekim Barton stood inside a spacious suite of rooms in the palace, his gaze falling coldly upon the young woman who sat engaged in needlework, oblivious to his attention. A harsh grin turned up the corner of his mouth. 'Yes Leia, you shall provide me with the means to rule in Abiara. None shall stand against the tide, but my blade alone shall cause Ganwyng to sue for peace. You are the tie that shall bind empires, the claim of glory which I shall reap when I have them both firmly in my grasp.'
His attention was drawn to movement in the gardens below. A young woman walking with a single companion met his gaze, stirring his curiosity. He watched them wander among the flowers, stopping rarely, but never hurrying past the natural beauty tended there. It took the visiting lord a moment to realize that the woman was an elf. His eyes narrowed and he turned swiftly, considering this new piece of information. "Trieze, you are one clever bastard. A 'neutral' mediator, one that even I would not know existed in the plans." He laughed to himself, casting a wary glance at his daughter. "A master stroke, I will admit. The others will be quite overcome by her presence."
"But you will have to do better than that when my time comes."
This last was a mere whisper, hardly more than a thought given breath. The Duke turned again to the window, his thoughts set on the future that he envisioned for himself.
-
The evening dinner that the herald had referred to was of a private nature, held in Treize's private garden. The inner sanctum of the lord of the land was wreathed around with roses, though Zechs wondered exactly what the man saw in the flower, to plant so many in such a small space. Nevertheless, he dutifully seated himself at the table in the middle of the garden, ignoring the massive black hound sleeping in the corner. The creature lifted its head to regard the masked intruder before resuming its rest. Zechs noted the unearthly gleam in its eyes as it studied him.
'So, you are no common hound. Where did he get a fell creature, I wonder?'
Footsteps upon the grass brought him to his feet, and Zechs watched warily as Treize descended from his chambers. The lord was smiling, though his eyes remained cold. "So he thinks to have it all, does he? Alas for him, that I have already planned the outcome of this war." Turning to the knight, Treize addressed him directly. "Zechs, welcome! It has been far too long since you partook of any repast within my boundaries. Let us talk over dinner. Tell me how things have developed in your absence from the city."
The lord seated himself almost carelessly, gesturing to the knight to do the same. For the second time, Zechs sat down, eyeing the dog again. "Why the creature here, all of the sudden? Will he not disturb the roses?"
Treize closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair as he appeared to contemplate the question. He remained in that pose for several minutes, while Zechs patiently waited for his answer. Finally the lord opened his eyes and glanced over at the beast. "Arwol, disturb the roses? I think not. He knows that I forbid him to do any such thing. He is well trained, don't you think?"
Zechs thought about the way that the creature had studied him earlier. It was well trained, intelligent even. And it most certainly was not from the natural world. It reeked to his senses of darkness and a grim evil. Silently he acknowledged the way the master had played the question. "Indeed he is, my lord."
"And yes, I have another surprise for you." The masked knight stilled at the comment. Treize's comments, while often seeming to come from out of the blue, rarely were as random as they seemed. Whatever was about to be revealed would not be pleasant.
"I brought your sister here to mediate the border dispute."
If he had been capable of the feeling, dread would have risen up in his heart at the thought of his fair sibling in the hands of such a ruthless man. As it was, there was only a slight discomfort before Zechs nodded, picking up his wineglass and sipping out of it. It was quite apparent that a response would be appreciated, but the knight despised playing his master's games.
Finally Treize sighed. "I thought that you might feel your family obligations and visit her. Perhaps I guessed wrong. Oh well, I'll just have to console her myself."
The silence that fell after those words was deafening. The eyes behind the mask gazed long and hard upon the carefree face opposite; finally, Zechs opted to speak.
"The partings that have come between us require no one to offer consolation, least of all you."
Treize's laughter followed him as the knight took his leave. There was a madness in the garden that had never quite been there before.
-
After the masked knight departed, Treize lifted his wineglass and saluted the empty doorway. "Ah, the joy of lost emotions. At least he retains some sense of connection to the living." His eyes turned to the hound. "It would be so unsporting if he did not."
The creature didn't respond to the words, but that failed to stop Treize from laughing aloud again. When he stopped, it was to drain the contents of his wineglass before setting it back upon the table. Rising, he spared a glance at the beast. It would be such a shame to waste the contents of the meal, but Zechs apparently had no time for frivolity. Sighing, the man dumped the food upon the ground before taking his leave of the garden. It was a waste, but Arwol would clean things up for him.
Some things just couldn't be helped.
Besides, it was almost time for another infusion of the power.
---
She was pacing again in the ambassador's quarters when Pagan finally appeared. The old man seemed refreshed by his walk, though slightly winded as he took his customary place in the window seat. Heat from the sun soaked into his bones as he regarded his charge with concealed amusement.
"So he is here then?"
Relena turned and glared at him. "Yes, Zechs is in the palace. However, when I tried to see him, they denied my request."
"I see."
It was to be expected, Pagan mused. While the princess might not accept it, her brother was trying to protect her from the debt that he had chosen to pay. Last goodbyes had already been said among the siblings, and Zechs seemed determined to keep things as they were, even if he had to go so far as to forbid her entry to his quarters.
Though it was strange that he had shown himself at the banquet the previous night. Even behind the mask and the crimson cloak, Pagan could see the straight form of his other charge, the prince who had given up life to save his sister.
Relena returned to her pacing. "I only wanted to see him. Was it too much to ask for?"
"My lady."
Noin stepped forward from the shadows, her form blurring into being. Dropping to one knee, she bowed before her princess. "Please, allow me to speak with your brother."
The pacing came to an immediate halt as Relena turned to stare at her shadow. "And what is it that you wish to speak with him about?" Her smile was sad, as if she already knew the answer to the question. "Nevermind that. Just answer me this, why do you wish to be the envoy?"
The shade glanced up, her eyes meeting those of her princess. "Because I am the only one who can speak with him, regardless of the fact that he does not wish to speak with anyone. No one else has the power to reach him in person, unless they use magic to do so, and that would attract attention that we do not wish."
Pagan nodded. "This is true."
"Please, let me try." Noin hesitated, then looked down at the floor again. "He will listen to me. I know he will."
"Very well." Relena looked troubled, but gave her assent nonetheless. "But be careful and come back to me. I do not wish to lose you because of a hope that cannot be fulfilled. Your life is precious to me as well, my shadow."
Nodding, the shade vanished. Relena sighed and turned to her guardian. "So, what did Zechs say to you?"
Pagan blinked. His ward was becoming ever more perceptive as the days passed.
---
Swords flashed in the sunlight as the two participants in the duel measured each other's strengths. Footwork played back and forth as the combatants shifted their stances from attack to parry and back to the attack again. Finally the duel came to a halt as the knight stepped away from his opponent and sheathed his sword.
"You are stronger than I expected. Good." Zechs stared for a long moment at the human that he had been crossing swords with. "A veritable Mountain, I suspect. It is a good thing."
Turning away, the knight strode back towards his quarters, leaving Heero to sheath his sword and glare at the departing figure. While the duel had been a draw, it also made it impossible to obtain the information that he had been seeking. Such things left him mildly irritated. "Hnn."
Almost as an afterthought, Zechs turned and regarded the other warrior again. "For becoming the shield of my sister, I thank you. It means more to me than you may ever know. I salute you." Bowing deeply, heturned away and disappeared into the maze of hallways that surrounded the palace proper.
Heero turned away as well, his path taking him back to the elven ambassador's quarters. Perhaps he had learned something worthwhile today after all.
---
The opening of the outer door signaled that Zechs had returned.
With his thoughts far away, he wasn't aware of her presence when he entered the room and closed the door behind him. Hiding as she was in the shadows, it was unlikely that anyone could detect her. The knight turned away from her as he stepped over to the window. His attention seemed caught by some small drama outside...
Noin reared up then, emerging from the shadows to strike at his unprotected back. Warrior's instinct does not come lightly however, and Zechs' had been honed with the many skirmishes that he had participated in over the years. Her blade was stopped by his.
Not turning to face her even now that he was aware of the mortal danger, he spoke quietly and concisely as though standing in the middle of a diplomatic debate. His poise was ever that of a proper representative of his noble line.
"Why have you come?"
He knew her then. Of course he would; they had nearly been lovers once after all! Just as she had known that he would block the strike. Her voice spoke of passion repressed as she swung a blade with her reply.
"Do you not already know?"
He had turned to face her now, sword held firmly in two hands as he parried the attack. His movements were graceful as ever they had been inside the secret forest of Arbonath; the place where she had fallen in love with a prince.
The swords stopped, crossed at the middle of the blades. Zechs shook his head slowly as he recognized the look behind her eyes.
"It cannot be."
The firm finality of his tone was like a freshly opened wound. The shadow elf staggered backwards to lean against the wall. Agony was etched across her features as she raised her hand to ward off the unseen blow.
"I came for your sister's sake, though she knows it not! And also for my own; I would be your shadow." Her voice wavered, but strengthened as she continued. "Can you not turn your back on this war?"
Slowly and methodically Zechs sheathed his rune covered blade. Ice blue eyes peered with hollow compassion from behind the fortress of his mask. A sympathetic smile graced his lips even as he shook his head.
"I cannot; many will suffer if I do."
"But surely…!" His hand rose to still her argument.
"What does the Lord Treize wish from this war? I will tell you: He wishes the elves to invoke sanctuary now. And do you know why? Can you fathom his motive?" At the simple shake of her head, the prince continued on. "It is because Sanctuary will draw every elf out of this plane of existence."
His demeanor was grim as he announced one last fact to his assailant. "The only thing that he fears is the Master of Light. And the Master of Light is an elf."
-----
AN: Haven't updated this for a while, but hopefully you all haven't given up on it. Since I've finished 'Hidden Hearts', I might have some time and inspiration to work on 'Myths' again. Hope you all enjoy the chapter.
Read and Review please.
Trevor X