Title: A Light In The Darkness

Author: Karina

Rating: PG

Pairing: Pagan

Notes: Challenge 27. Baby Series 2 #37. Takes place approximately 40 minutes after If Fortune Smiles.

Spoilers: None

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.

Many thanks to Dulin for her work as beta.

A Light In The Darkness

It was hard going but at least they were warm and dry beneath the furs. Pagan glanced at the GPS suspended from his neck as he waded through the snow drifts. He found it difficult to handle in the heavy gloves but he could see the face and was assured they were on course.

The tether binding him to the man ahead was loose as they were close together and the pony behind him wuffled and the beast pawed the snow. The hardy Sanc ponies were the favoured means of transport in such weather. Machinery had a deplorable habit of breaking down or crashing into hidden obstacles. Ponies minded where they put their feet and generally had a sense of safe footing beneath the snow and their thick shaggy coats were proof against cold. Even their hardy tolerance would fail and they would need their handlers and the warmth of a stable but before then they must achieve their goal.

They could no longer see the column of flame he believed marked the position of those they sought, but with the wind now down he doubted the King would hesitate. That lantern flame had given a guideline and he expected to find the missing men along as direct a route to the palace as they could manage.

//When I have you safe I am going to remind you just how vulnerable you are. I don't care how big you grew or how old you are, I will still paddle your rump as I use to.//

Finally Sanc had a King more suited to the times than many of the past generations had claimed. He was only too aware Sanc was under world scrutiny but in his opinion Milliardo was the best option for the country. Having him rule was a two-edged sword as many feared him and expected trouble and grew more wary as time passed.

//You've given them the lesson you learned as a child, when your world was destroyed, not merely threatened. You have plans to ensure Sanc's future and they expect you to raise armies when you will be raising buildings and hopes for the future. Relena you give to the world as Ambassador as once you gave her to Sanc as Princess. I don't profess to know all you plan, but I understand enough to know you, like your sister, are a light in the darkness. A light much like the lantern you lit to guide us to you.//

The pony snorted and pulled against the reigns, knocking into him and he glanced at the beast noting it was looking off to one side. Suddenly hopeful Pagan paused in his shuffling progress and took the time to stare long and hard into the darkness and snow around him, slowly panning around until he spotted the flicker of a lantern off in the distance.

"There!" He slapped the shoulder of the man ahead of him, certain that that flicker of light was their goal.

End

Karina Robertson 2006