Author's Note: At long last, a new chapter! The good news is that I have more chapters already written and ready to post, so I'll be posting two more this month. Happy Mermay! Reminders: Pilot!Trowa is referred to as Nanashi (for Reasons). When sign language is used, the quotes will be surrounded by brackets. For example, ["sign language"].

Quatre hated all this waiting. And he was so tired. It took effort to connect telepathically to any of his creatures, though his bond with Iria was strong enough that it took less of his energy than with the others. Even so, he was spending an unprecedented amount of time connected with her, and it was taking a toll.

But the waiting was even worse than the exhaustion. Every day Duo spent on land was another day his secret might be discovered. Quatre was sick with worry, especially because there was only so much he could glean by watching Duo through Iria's eyes. She couldn't follow him inside, and even when he was outside, she couldn't get too close too often lest she arouse suspicion.

Today, however, Quatre was hopeful. At Treize's orders, a small parchment with a message for Duo had been tied to one of Iria's legs. At the next opportunity, she would deliver the message, and Duo could take the chance to write a message back.

The opportunity came late in the day. Quatre had almost given up when Duo emerged from the palace by himself, headed along a trail into the forest. Quatre directed Iria to follow. Soon, Duo ducked off the path, and after venturing into the brush a ways, turned and looked at Iria expectantly. Iria landed on a log next to Duo, and Duo must have noticed the parchment because Quatre could feel it being removed from Iria's leg.

Soon Duo was reading, then turning the parchment over to write his response. There wasn't much space, but hopefully it was enough. Before long, Duo was tying the message back on Iria's leg. Then he waved, giving the bird a jaunty smile before turning and heading back toward the castle.

Quatre quickly pictured a small island in his mind, more like an outcropping of rocks than any real semblance of land, and then disconnected his mind from Iria's. She knew the place, and knew that the image was an instruction to meet him there.

Quatre sighed in relief, finally having his mind to himself. As tired as he was, though, he still had to swim to the island.

It didn't take long. It was out to sea, close to the capital of Khushrenada Provence but remote from human eyes. Quatre arrived before Iria, so he decided to stretch out on the rocks and rest.

A short time later, he awoke to Iria nudging him with her beak. He hadn't expected to fall asleep, but he shouldn't have been surprised, given his exhaustion.

Eagerly, he reached for the parchment tied to Iria's leg and unrolled it immediately.

/No sign he knows, but not certain. Will stay./

Quatre was both relieved and disappointed. Relieved the Prince didn't seem to have any knowledge of the mer, and disappointed that he wouldn't be seeing his friend anytime soon. But the mission was more important than his desire to see Duo.

Mentally, he reconnected with Iria long enough to thank her and let her know she was free to go. He received a feeling of warmth and happiness in return before Iria lifted her wings and flew away.

Now, to deliver the news to Treize.

It didn't take long for Heero to realize that teaching Duo to ride would be more difficult than he'd expected. In fact, it became clear almost immediately.

Heero had selected the horse that Dekim had loaned him for the hunt, Meteor. The gelding was intelligent and very responsive, attending to even the smallest shift in posture. This, it turned out, was not ideal in all situations.

"Relax, Duo. Let your arms fall to the side; don't hold them up so high."

For a moment, Duo complied. Heero was standing at the center of a small paddock, holding a lunge rein that allowed Duo to ride the horse in a wide circle around him. Except that Duo wasn't doing much riding. His posture was stiff, with legs pressing too tightly, a death grip on the reins, and a slightly panicked look in his eye.

"That's it. Now relax your hands a little… no, not like that!"

At that point, Meteor had apparently had enough. He came to a dead halt without prompting. When Duo kicked slightly to get him to move again, Meteor danced in place for a moment, shaking his head and snorting in response, resolutely refusing to move forward. Duo immediately dropped the reins and grabbed onto the pommel of the saddle, holding on as if for dear life as Meteor kicked and tossed his head.

Heero let out a breath in exasperation. They'd have to try a different horse, one that was a little less headstrong.

"Duo, why don't you dismount? I'm going to find a horse that's a little… easier for you."

Duo looked at him with wide eyes, and Heero was struck by how truly scared he was.

"Easy, Duo. It's okay. I'll help you," Heero said, speaking as he would to a spooked horse. "Bring your leg over just the opposite of how you got up there. That's it." As soon as Duo's leg was over, Heero grabbed him by the waist and lifted him down.

An unexpected thrill went through Heero at their closeness. Heero could smell the slight hint of sweat on the back of Duo's neck and feel the warmth of the other man's body stood right in front of him.

After a moment, he realized his hands were still on Duo's waist, and he let go abruptly, stepping back and putting a healthy distance between them. What had gotten into him?

Duo turned around to face him, a pleading look in his eye. ["No more,"] he signed.

"Duo, it's important that you learn to ride. I know you can do this. I promise I'll find an easier horse. Okay?"

The other man's distress was plain to see, but eventually he nodded.

"It'll be worth it. You'll see." With that, Heero grabbed Meteor's reins and led him to the stable, handing him off to a stable boy and requesting the most sweet-tempered mare the stables had to offer.

Things started to go better immediately. Daisy might have been the most placid horse Heero had ever met, and it was exactly what Duo needed. She stood there without moving, head nodding low as though about to fall asleep, so it took Heero little effort to coax Duo back into the saddle. Twitching the lunge whip to tickle Daisy's hock, she set out at a plod on the same circle at the end of the long rein, chewing the bit with contentment and ignoring Duo's awkwardness.

Before long, however, Duo brought Daisy to a halt without Heero's prompting and dropped the reins long enough to sign, ["Let me do it."]

Heero's eyebrows climbed into his hairline. This was such a turnaround from the terrified man Duo had been less than half an hour ago. Still, Heero wasn't about to discourage him. He removed the lunge rein and stepped back.

"Just take it easy, okay?" Heero was both heartened and alarmed by the look of mischief Duo gave him, and was relieved to see Duo start off at a slow walk.

"Heero!"

Heero turned to see Nanashi approaching the paddock, and he walked over toward him. Nanashi immediately handed him an envelope with an elaborate seal on it. Heero looked up at his friend.

"Were we expecting anything from the Sanq Kingdom?" he asked.

"No, but it's hardly a surprise. Relena Darlian is also a contender for your hand in marriage, you remember."

"Of course," Heero replied, then opened the letter. He scanned the missive, not quite able to hide his surprise.

"Well?" Nanashi prompted.

"It's an invitation. To the coronation of Queen Relena Peacecraft."

Heero saw Nanashi's eyebrow raise just the barest bit. Apparently, his stoic companion was equally shocked.

"Peacecraft? But I thought they were all dead."

"Apparently not. Apparently she wasn't actually a Darlian, either."

"Then you can't afford to miss this, not if you want to maintain a positive diplomatic relationship."

"You're right," Heero conceded. It meant packing up and leaving immediately, a move he was sure Dekim wouldn't like. But then, Heero hadn't been about to commit to a marriage with Mariemaia without first considering Relena Darlian – Peacecraft, he reminded himself – as well. Dekim would have been disappointed either way.

He looked back at Duo to see that he was practicing stopping and starting, and then even as Heero watched Duo rein Daisy backwards. He seemed to really be getting the hang of it, and Heero felt pride swelling in his chest for his friend.

They were friends, weren't they?

"You shouldn't let him tag along, you know. To the coronation, I mean. We should leave him here," Nanashi said, interrupting Heero's thoughts. Heero turned back to his longtime friend and advisor, scowling.

"And why should we do that?"

"Because we don't know anything about him. He's an unknown entity. I realize he's been through a lot, having been shipwrecked like we were and probably lost everyone he was sailing with, but he's refused to give us any clue as to his origins or identity, and it's my purpose to question that. It could be a lie. Maybe he's working for someone..."

"You're right about all those things, Nanashi, but that's why we need to keep him with us."

"How do you figure that?"

"We'll never know the answers to any of those questions if we leave him behind."

"A cautious man would send him away," Nanashi says. "Unfortunate or spy, regardless, why should we show him so much consideration?"

Heero caught himself before he blurted out, "Because I care to!" For a moment, he stood there flabbergasted by the newfound knowledge that he did, indeed, give that much import to the relative stranger. Nanashi was looking at him shrewdly, however, and Heero didn't want to let him know just what he was thinking.

"Because it's too much of a coincidence that he washed up on shore so close to when we did."

"Heero, it was a very bad storm. Another ship sinking in it isn't much of a coincidence."

"Just trust me, then, okay? My gut says we need to keep him by us. Besides, would you leave him here with Dekim? The man would probably put him out on the street with nothing. We can afford to be kinder than that."

Nanashi sighed, resigned. "Fine. But I don't trust him, and neither should you."

"Understood. Any chance you'd like to break the news to Dekim and Trowa that we'll be leaving?"

"Not a chance," Nanashi said, smirking. "It would be better if it came from you directly, don't you think?"

Heero glared at him, but there was no heat in it. He turned back to the paddock and beckoned to Duo, who promptly guided the horse in his direction, looking at him questioningly.

"Time to finish up the lesson for today, Duo. And I have some news. Walk with me to the stable?"

Duo nodded and dismounted, and Heero grabbed the reins to lead the horse away from the paddock. Duo fell into step beside him, and Heero felt his pulse pick up at the nearness of the other man. This was going to be a problem.

Senator James Darlian resisted the urge to rub his temples. Planning the coronation was turning out to be even more of a headache than he'd expected.

"And you're sure that will be enough security? I don't want there to be any risk," he insisted.

"I'm certain," Zechs replied. "You know I won't let anything happen to Relena."

"Of course. Forgive me if I implied otherwise. Noin, what about security for the visiting heads of state?"

"They usually bring their own guards, but we have enough extra people to supplement security if they desire."

"Very well," Darlian said. "You are both dismissed. Please inform me of any issues that arise."

"Yes, sir," the two chorused, saluting and then taking their leave.

Darlian turned to Pagan, the aging chief of staff of the Regent's household and, Darlian suspected, the would-be chief of staff of the royal court. He was like a grandfather to Relena, after all.

"Are the preparations for the ceremony in order? For the reception afterward? I know I've put a lot on your shoulders—"

"Not at all," Pagan replied. "Everything is organized as you requested."

"You'll let me know if there are any problems?"

"Of course, sir."

A knock sounded on the door. Pagan raised an eyebrow in question, then opened the door after Darlian nodded. A young courier entered.

"Forgive my interruption, sir. A letter from Prince Yuy." He held the letter out for Darlian to take.

"Thank you," the Senator replied, taking the missive. "You may go." The courier bowed and exited. "Pagan, will you please fetch Relena? She should be here when I open this."

"Very good, sir," Pagan said, and left.

Darlian hoped very much that the Prince of Wingaria had accepted the invitation. He hoped even more that he hadn't agreed to an engagement with Mariemaia Barton. An alliance between Wingaria and Ryuusei could be very dangerous to the Sanq Kingdom. Prince Yuy was young yet. Who knew what sort of influence Dekim would be able to wield over him?"

Darlian was pulled from his thoughts when Relena entered the room.

"You sent for me, Father?"

His heart swelled when she called him that. He hadn't been sure how she'd treat him after the revelation of who she really was, and that he was only her adoptive father. That she still considered him her real father meant the world to him.

"Prince Yuy has sent his reply. I thought you should be the one to open it."

"Thank you, Father. I suppose I should get used to being the one to deal directly with other heads of state, shouldn't I?"

"My thoughts exactly."

Darlian handed her the letter. She opened it quickly, breaking the intricate wax seal. As she read, her lips widened into a smile.

"It's good news, Father. He's coming. He'll be here within the week."

"Excellent," the Senator replied, relieved. "Is there any indication as to his intentions toward Mariemaia?"

"No. He doesn't mention Ryuusei or the Bartons at all."

"I suppose he wouldn't. They probably would have sent out a formal announcement if there were an engagement. We still have a chance."

"Must I really offer myself to him as a bride, Father?" Relena asked, eyes pleading.

"You know you must. I wish with all my heart that you could marry for love, Relena, but the kingdom must come first."

"Of course," Relena replied, shoulders slumping. "It's not like I'm in love with anyone else, anyway."

"By all accounts, Heero is a kind and fair ruler. He wouldn't be a bad husband."

"No, I suppose not. Don't worry, Father. I'll do my duty."

For the sake of the Kingdom, Darlian was relieved. But for the sake of his daughter, his heart ached. She deserved better.

tbc