Disclaimer: I don't own the G'boys, I just borrow them from time to time to play with and return them a whole lot happier, ne? Written for pleasure not profit.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Sap, angst, bondage, slavery, Yaoi, Lemon, lime, het, violence, dark, fluff, AU, OOC.

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 1xR, 2xR

Betaed by Karina *snugs*

Summary: Heero is the eldest son of the King of Colonia. His 21st birthday is approaching and as tradition dictates his betrothed is soon to arrive. However he is also bound by tradition to select his own personal slave. The events that unfold lead him down a path that not only tests his sanity but his humanity and love as well.

Author's Note: This fic was started back in 2004 and has languished on my hard drive ever since, only sporadically being added to when I have the time (and the muse the inclination) . Updates will be far between, but rest assured, it will be finished. Feed back is most welcome as are honest critiques. Flames will be dealt with as I deal with all flames – with sarcasm.

Commenced July 2004 – published January 2008


"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

Chapter 49

After talking with the priest for over a candle mark, Duo felt he had made his peace with whatever God was listening. With the departure of the priest, a young slave had arrived from the kitchens. Noin had sent a tray filled with all of Duo's favorite foods and the young slave had been touched deeply by the sentiment. Unfortunately he didn't have much of an appetite and barely touched the food.

A couple of guards had accompanied him from his cell to the bathing chamber where he'd taken a much needed bath. Despite the stinging of his wounds from the flogging, he felt more human for being clean. He hadn't realized just how much his life had changed since being brought to the castle. Before he'd never taken much notice of personal hygiene; but now...

With his bath taken care of, the guards escorted him back to the dungeons and his now familiar cell. Sally had visited soon after and treated the welts, bruising and cuts to his back, all of which felt a little better for her caring treatment. He'd obediently drunk the medicine she'd mixed up for him and found it had helped a lot with soothing his nerves.

He wasn't afraid to die, he'd made his peace and would meet his maker with a clear conscience, but he still felt unsettled. He ached to see his master one last time, but knew it wasn't possible and in one way he felt a little relief at that. He couldn't bear to see the look of disgust and hatred that would be in those blue eyes he adored so much. His master would be displeased, no doubt about that and as much as he longed to see the prince one last time, Duo would also prefer to remember those blue eyes and handsome face as they had looked at him when his master had last shared his bed with him and partaken of his body.

His heart lay heavy in his chest as he thought about his short time at the castle and the friendship that had blossomed between himself and Quatre. He had asked to spend a little time with his fellow slave before the inevitable, but Quatre had not shown up and Duo didn't know why his friend would desert him at such a time.

He'd thought they were close, Quatre had helped him countless times, they'd shared secrets and dreams together and as much as he didn't want to admit it, it would appear that Quatre had turned his back on Duo. Maybe the gentle blonde didn't want to have anything to do with a slave that had tried to rape their mistress, regardless of the fact that he knew he was innocent, hadn't done anything wrong.

That really hurt.

Drawn from his bitter thoughts by the turning of the lock, Duo looked up to see who was entering his cell. Noting the Captain stepping into the small room, Duo quickly got up from the cot and dropped to his knees.

"Duo, it's almost time," Wufei said quietly. "Do you have any last requests that I can fulfill before we need to leave?"

"Did you..." Duo began and then stopped and shook his head.

"Did I what, Duo?' Wufei gently urged.

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does. What did you want to ask?"

"Quatre." Duo left the blonde's name hanging in the air.

"I'm sorry, Duo. I have looked everywhere in the castle for Quatre, I've had the guards scouring the grounds for him, but we can't find him. One of the stable lads said he'd taken Rocky out and he has yet to return."

"I see." Duo's shoulders slumped even more.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find him for you, Duo."

"It's okay."

Wufei took a deep breath. "Duo, I need you to change your clothing. I've brought you what you will need to wear." Wufei picked up a bag he'd dropped to the floor when entering the cell and handed it over.

Duo took the bag and peeked inside.

"I will step outside whilst you change. Call me once you're done or if you need any help." Words said, Wufei stepped up to the door and knocked, the guard opening the door for the Captain to step out.

Once Wufei had left, Duo got up and placed the bag on the cot, pulling the clothing out from inside. He laid the black shirt and black pants on the cot. With a soft sigh, he began to strip himself of his current clothing and dress in the all black ensemble.

Once changed, Duo folded his discarded clothing and placed it in a neat pile on the cot and called for Wufei.

Wufei entered the cell once more, noting the slave kneeling beside the cot and the folded clothes. With a heavy heart he moved towards the slave. "Please stand, Duo."

Rising from his kneeling position, Duo kept his head bowed and eyes on the floor. The captain reached forth and ran a hand down the side of Duo's face, pausing at the slave's neck where the jeweled collar rested.

"I will need to remove the collar, Duo."

The breath hitched in his lungs, Duo doing his best to stifle the cry of shock that wanted to leave his throat. "But, why?" he whispered. "My master placed the collar on me and only he has the right to remove it," he continued softly.

Wufei's heart twisted in his chest. "I understand that, Duo, but your master isn't here and we cannot proceed whilst you're still wearing the collar."

"I don't understand."

It tore Wufei apart to have to explain. "Duo, the collar... You are to be put to the sword and the collar will be in the way." As cruel as the words were, they were the truth.

The words sank home and Duo put the pieces together. He nodded and turned around, lifting his braid of hair out of the way. The Captain reached forth and carefully released the clasp, pulling the collar free and handing it to Duo.

The slave took the collar and gazed down at it. He ran his fingers over the smooth metal and raised bumps of the jewels that adorned it. He fingered the ring that sat on the front while tears began to track down his face. After a few moments, he stepped forth and placed the collar on top of the pile of clothing. Reaching a hand up, he scrubbed at his face, unwilling to let anyone see his tears of distress.

After handing the collar over, Wufei moved back a few steps to give the slave a moment. He knew this would be the hardest part for Duo and he didn't want to intrude on the slave and his memories. Noting the collar being set down and the slave managing to regain most of his composure, Wufei spoke again.

"It's time to leave, Duo."

"I know."

"Are you willing to walk freely? I do not wish to put you in chains."

"I will walk freely. Thank you." Taking a deep breath, Duo held his head high, but kept his eyes lowered and walked to the door of the cell. "I'm ready."

The Captain knocked on the door and the guard outside opened it. Wufei nodded to the guard, the young man moving to the side and allowing the Captain and the slave to exit the cell. Two more guards joined them, one leading the way, Duo with Wufei at his side in the middle and two guards bringing up the rear.

It was the longest and most depressing walk of Wufei's life.

# # #

"I still wish you would reconsider, mistress," Dorothy said quietly, still trying to dissuade the princess from attending the slave's execution.

"Dorothy, I have no intention of missing this, now be quiet and help me down the steps."

Obediently, Dorothy took her mistress by the arm and helped her down the stone steps and into the courtyard. They paused for a moment to study the platform that had been set up, noting the small block that awaited Duo's neck and the box that sat directly below the block.

There were a few seats set up to one side of the platform and Relena made her way towards them. "I think just here is a good spot," she said and proceeded to sit and get herself comfortable.

Several guards were standing strategically around the courtyard and platform, all of them glancing at the princess as she made her way to the seating. Although none would voice their thoughts, all were thinking along the same line – none could believe that the princess was attending the execution.

A small door off to the side of the courtyard opened and the King, along with a couple of his advisers stepped out. Two guards immediately moved to flank the King and escort him to the remaining empty seats.

The King's eyes widened a touch when he spotted the princess in attendance and her maid at her side. He frowned to himself and turned to speak to one of the guards. "What is the princess doing here?"

"I don't know, Your Highness. She arrived a short while ago and took a seat," the guard replied honestly.

"I do not think that an execution is a place for a princess to be. It's bad enough that we're having this execution in the first place," he muttered.

"Do you wish for us to remove the princess, sire?" One of the guards asked.

"No. I will speak with her."

King Treize approached the princess who looked up at him demurely before rising and offering a curtsy of respect. "Your Highness," she said softly.

"Princess Relena," Treize replied. "Forgive me for being forward, but surely an execution is no place for a princess, even more so for one that is so heavily with child," he stated.

"Sire, I am aware that my presence is unusual at such an event; however..." she paused and lowered her eyes, adding a forlorn look to her face and tremble to her next words. "Surely you would not deny me the opportunity to see with my own eyes that my attacker is dealt the justice he deserves for his crimes?"

King Treize chewed on that for a moment and really couldn't counter the princess' words. "Very well, you may remain, but you are to leave immediately after."

"Of course, sire. Thank you." Relena curtsied again and with Dorothy's assistance, retook her seat.

The King quickly moved to take his own seat before the princess could ask for the slave's head on a platter.

With the King present, the rest of the entourage that was required to witness an execution took up their various positions and waited for the sun to settle a little lower on the horizon.

Just as the skies were beginning to change to the blue hues of approaching darkness, the executioner himself stepped out from the castle and walked quietly to the platform. He was once again clad in a pair of black pants, black boots and mask that completely hid his face. His chest was bare except for two leather straps that crossed his torso forming an 'X' over his skin.

His muscled arms rippled and flexed as he carried his heavy sword, the last of the sunlight reflecting off the razor sharp blade when he swung it experimentally in the air.

Standing upon the platform, the executioner checked the block of wood awaiting Duo's neck and shifted the box in front of it a little to the left. Satisfied that all was set as well as could be, he stepped back, let the sword drop until the point rested against the platform, his hands holding the hilt loosely with his legs set shoulder width apart. He raised his head and waited.

# # #

Bursting through the tree line, Heero could see the castle ahead. Desperation clutched his heart as he pushed Wing forward. The sun was starting to set, the castle stonework bathed in the last of the days rays of orange, red and yellow.

Dusk was but moments away and the castle seemed even further. Never had the prince felt such anguish.

"Go!" he yelled at his horse, heels hammering at the equine's flanks. If sheer determination and willpower could have propelled the animal faster, Wing would surely have grown wings and flown.

Unfortunately that wasn't about to happen. Wing was tired to the point of exhaustion, drenched from the tips of his ears to the top of his hooves with sweat. His sides were going in and out like bellows, desperate to keep oxygen flowing to overworked muscles and remove the poisonous toxins produced by those hard working muscles.

The distance between the galloping horse and the castle closed and as he drew closer, Heero could start to hear the lone sound of a single drum beat pierce the air.

"NO!" he screamed and drove his heels harder against Wing's flanks.

# # #

The guard leading the small procession through the castle from the dungeons did his best to keep his focus on where he was going. Wufei had insisted they take the back hallways that led to the barracks, not just because it was the quickest and easiest route, but to spare Duo the looks he would have been bound to have gotten had they gone through to the upper floors and through to the barracks that way.

The Captain didn't think Duo would appreciate the rest of the castle staff and slaves all looking at him with sorrow, disgust or pity as he walked by.

As they neared the end of the hallway where the door to the courtyard awaited, they were joined by another guard; this one had a single drum sitting on his right hip, held in place by straps that went from the drum, over the shoulder, behind the back and back to the drum.

"Captain." The drummer saluted as the entourage came to a halt.

Wufei nodded in reply and leaving Duo's side for a moment, he walked to the small window off to the side of the door.

Dusk was starting to settle. With a heavy heart, he returned to his place beside Duo, took a deep breath and motioned to the guards.

The lead guard opened the door and the one carrying the drum stepped out, the lead guard following him and waiting a moment.

All eyes turned to the opening door, Relena trying hard not to smirk. She couldn't believe she'd finally managed to get rid of that gutter snipe. With him out of the way she would have Heero all to herself and held no doubt in her mind that the only reason Heero wasn't spending much time with her was because of that piece of filth.

In just a few moments he would be gone and Relena would have her prince's attention back.

The guard raised his hand and brought the drumstick down against the skin of the drum. A loud boom came from the drum, the noise causing most of the people gathered to jump slightly. The guard turned and began to walk slowly forward, the beat of the drum syncing with his measured steps towards the platform and waiting executioner.

As the drum sounded, Wufei gently urged Duo forward, the pair stepping together in time with the beat of that solitary drum. Behind them the other two guards followed silently.

Inside the castle many of the slaves and staff heard the drum start to sound its death knell and all shuddered in response. In the kitchens Noin had her hands full, doing her best to comfort Hilde, Cathy and many of the other kitchen maids and slaves whilst her own tears of despair ran free.

It was a similar scene in the stables, the stable master ignoring the soft whimpers of protest from the various stable lads and finding it very hard to keep his own emotions in check. One stable lad in particular turned his face to the horizon, tears running unchecked down his face.

"You didn't make it, Quatre," he whispered to the eve.

Walking out into the courtyard with Wufei at his side, Duo couldn't help but notice the princess and her evil maid off to the side of the platform. It appeared she was determined to make Duo's last moments even more miserable.

His heart was beating wildly in his chest, but Duo refused to give into the fear. He wouldn't give the princess and her snooty maid the satisfaction of seeing him tremble. Instead, he raised his head and eyes in defiance, squared his sore shoulders and ignoring the pain from his back, walked steadily towards his death.

The Captain had to admire the courage of the young slave.

Reaching the platform the lead guard stepped to the side and allowed Wufei and Duo to step up. They stopped in the middle of the platform, the drum falling silent as the King stood.

Treize approached the edge of the platform and cleared his throat. "You have been found guilty of touching a royal without permission and attempted rape of a royal princess. The punishment for such crimes is flogging and death by the sword. The flogging has already been dealt with. Do you have any last words you wish to speak before the punishment of the sword is carried out?"

Duo swallowed hard and drawing upon all the courage he could find, he turned his head and looked straight into the princess' eyes. "I have committed no crime other than to follow orders; and for that I am to lose my life. One day the truth will come out." The words were spoken clearly and loudly.

The princess scowled and squirmed under the intense gaze of the slave, but defiantly stared back at him for a moment. The words he spoke sent shivers of fear running the length of her spine and she had no choice but to look away lest the people around be able to see just how uncomfortable the slave's words made her and give rise to any doubts of her claims.

The King looked troubled at the slave's words, but the trial had been held and he was now bound to follow through. "Your words have been noted. And for what it's worth, I am truly sorry it has come to this," he said softly.

"So am I," Duo responded. "But it doesn't surprise me. A slave's word never has, nor will it ever mean anything. All I ask is that my end is as swift and painless as possible."

"As you wish," the King said and lowered his head before moving back to his seat.

The priest appeared from the side, stepping up the platform to Duo and administering the last rites, blessing the slave and then retreating back into the forming shadows.

Placing a hand on Duo's arm, Wufei gently led the slave forward to where the block awaited. Duo stopped at the block, took a breath and lowered himself to his knees. Carefully he bent forward until his neck rested on the block, chin over the edge and eyes looking down into the box below that awaited his soon to be severed head. He felt Wufei's presence beside him, a soft hand upon his back and his rope of hair was lifted up and placed gently over his shoulder and out of the way.

Kind of ironic in one way, Duo thought. Why spare his braid?

With Wufei satisfied, he stepped back and the executioner moved forward.

The big man paused and spoke quietly to Duo. "I am so sorry."

"I hold no malice towards you, sir. You have a job to do as well. All I ask is you be quick as you can," Duo replied in an almost whisper.

"I will."

With the Captain out of the way, the executioner rolled his shoulders and swung the blade experimentally in the air. The guard with the drum gave a short roll of the instrument again before a deathly silence fell over the castle, its courtyard and everyone within.

The executioner raised his sword.

#

The entrance to the castle stood open, Heero driving his heels as hard as he could against Wing's sides. The exhausted stallion gave one last, supreme effort and careered at breakneck speed into the main courtyard. The prince's eyes gazed wildly around when they entered and noted it was empty. Yanking hard on the left rein, he spun the stallion to the left side of the castle and where the smaller courtyard was.

Wing's hooves scrabbled against cobblestones to keep his balance as his master urged him left and forward. Legs slipped and slid in all directions, but the stallion managed somehow to remain upright and moving at a forward gallop.

They burst into the small courtyard, Heero's eyes immediately falling on the platform, a kneeling figure and the glint off a blade as it arced through the air.

"Noooooooooooooooooo!" he screamed.

#

The clatter of hooves against the silence of the courtyard had everyone there to witness Duo's execution looking wildly around. The anguished cry of 'Noooooooo' caused the executioner to falter and the blade swung down and to the side where it hit the platform with a sickening thud.

Heero threw himself from his horse's back whilst the animal was still moving, somehow managing to keep his footing and ran full tilt to the platform. In one fluid motion he swung himself up and ran to his kneeling and shocked slave, grabbing Duo and hauling him to his feet before enveloping the slave in his shaking arms.

One minute Duo had closed his eyes, waiting for the bite of the blade against the back of his neck, the next the scream that echoed through the courtyard along with the sound of hooves had Duo opening those eyes and turning his head to see what all the commotion was about.

His heart almost stopped when he saw his master, the look on the prince's face as he reached him and hauled him to his feet. Warm, strong arms surrounded him and Duo wasn't sure if he was still alive or dead and this was a cruel joke.

"M-master?" he whispered.

"Oh, god, Duo. Are you okay?" Heero managed to get out around a throat that was constricted with both fear and relief.

"M- master? You're here?" Duo said, ignoring the question.

"Yes, I'm here, you're safe and I intend to get to the bottom of all of this," Heero said, the shaking of his arms starting to settle.

"You're really here," Duo whispered and then gave into the emotions that had been running rampant through his body for the past day and a half and passed out

Heero tightened his arms around the slave, picking him up and cradling him close to his chest.

"Heero?" The King couldn't quite believe what he was seeing and had quickly stood up to approach the platform and his son.

"Father," Heero replied and was about to say more when the sound of more hooves against the cobblestones took everyone's attention for the moment.

Prince Trowa and Quatre galloped into the courtyard, their horses blowing hard. Bringing the equines to a halt, the prince and his slave dismounted quickly and ran across to the platform.

"Is he...?" Prince Trowa asked.

"No, I got here just in time," Heero replied.

Behind his master, Quatre dropped to his knees. "Prince Heero, is Duo okay?" he asked timidly. His master's hand dropped to his head and caressed lightly.

"He is alive, thanks to you," Heero said softly.

"Then that is all that matters," Quatre replied and succumbed to the exhaustion, passing out at his master's feet.

"Heero?" the King repeated, demanding to be acknowledged.

Turning back to face his father, Heero let his eyes lock with those of his wife as he directed his words to the King. "There is more to this than both you or I know about, father. It is time we got to the bottom of it all."

tbc...