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?
Rating: NC 17
Warnings: Sap, angst, bondage, slavery, Yaoi, Lemon, lime, het, violence, dark, fluff, AU, OOC.
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 1xR, 2xR
Archive:
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
Apologies for the delay, this was a bitch of a chapter to write - hence the delay in getting it out. I'm over fiddling with it though.
"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"
January. 2008 ShenLong
Chapter 68
It had been two sunrises before Dorothy had the strength to examine her new prison. The healer had attended her twice each day, applying a salve to the welts on her back and insisting she drink down the foul tasting potion of herbs to help with the healing.
As much as she hated the liquid she had to admit it did help her to cope with the pain and must have been doing some good as her back was starting to feel better.
Along with the healer's attendance each morn, that gutter rat also appeared, bringing Dorothy's breakfast. The maid wasn't at all happy to see the bane of her life, but she didn't dare say anything to him either, not with the healer present. She was already on thin ice, knowing after the flogging she'd received that the King would put her to the sword should she cause any further problems.
Anything Dorothy needed to say was directed solely to the healer.
The room she now occupied was better than the dungeon cell, but still a long way below what she was used to. It was cold and sparse, the floor made from stone that insured the room remained cool. The window shutters were heavy, something Dorothy had found out when she'd tried to open them and only been able to move them slightly. The small opening she'd made had allowed the colder air from outside to seep in and steal what little warmth there had been in the room and after struggling for a candle mark, she had finally managed to close them again before collapsing back onto the bed, exhausted from her efforts.
She had been drawn to the fireplace and stack of wood sitting beside it. Examining the grate carefully she thought she might as well try to light a fire and get some warmth into the room.
Having limited experience with setting and lighting a fire, her attempts were not exactly successful. She struggled to get the fire to take and when it finally did, a lot of the smoke decided to remain in the room and not draw up the chimney. Dorothy had quickly put the fire out and struggled once more to open the shutters and clear the room of the choking smoke.
Fortunately for the maid, the healer and Duo had arrived just as she was ready to collapse from her efforts and quickly came to her aid. The room had been aired out as best it could and Duo had lit another fire in the grate, after having a guard come in and shove a long staff up the chimney as far as he could to dislodge what appeared to be an old bird's nest that had been partially blocking it.
"When can I see my mistress?" Dorothy asked the healer on the sixth sunrise of her imprisonment.
"That is not for me to say," Sally replied and continued to apply the salve.
"Can you ask my mistress to visit me... please?" Dorothy swallowed her pride.
"It is for the King to decide if your mistress can visit you."
"Oh."
Assisting the healer with her treatment, Duo had no choice but to overhear the exchange and despite all he had suffered at the hands of that maid and the princess, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "Permission to speak, Mistress Healer?"
"Permission granted, Duo."
"I could ask my master when I return to him if the maid may have the princess visit her?" Duo kept his head lowered as he spoke, unsure if he'd overstepped his boundaries or not.
"You would do that?" Dorothy whispered, the disbelief evident in her voice.
"Unlike some, Duo here is a kind hearted person who doesn't hold grudges," Sally couldn't help but snap.
Dorothy held her tongue.
"If you wish to ask your master that is entirely up to you, Duo," Sally said, turning to address the young slave beside her. "But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the princess to visit. As I said, it is the King's decision to make," she continued, addressing the last words to the maid.
"Then I will ask upon my return," Duo replied softly.
"Thank you." The words were spoken so quietly that both the healer and Duo almost missed them.
Moments later, Sally was finished and the pair left the Tower; Sally to return to her duties, Duo to his master's chambers.
# # #
A wide grin began to spread over Wufei's face and he paused for a moment. He rubbed his eyes and then returned to the parchments he was currently perusing. When the prince had explained about the princess and her maid leaving the castle and the marriage annulment once the child was born, he also knew of the dilemma facing the prince in coming up with a viable reason for keeping his child in Colonia.
A faint bell had begun to ring in the back of his mind, that niggling ring annoying him until he took the time to sit and think about the seriousness of the situation. The more he thought, the louder the bell began to ring until he was pretty sure he had the answer to the problem. A trip to the castle archives, searching through several heavy tomes and parchments laden with dust and several cobwebs later, and Wufei heard that bell clang as he hit pay dirt.
He'd been pretty sure there was something in the laws of Colonia relating to children being born in Colonia and now he had those laws and all the amendments to them sitting right in front of him.
The grin on his face grew wider as he thought about his prince and how he would take the news. Eager to share his findings, Wufei picked up the parchments and carefully carried them from the archives to present to the prince.
Arriving at Prince Heero's chambers, he knocked on the door and waited patiently to be admitted. When the door opened to the vision of his prince on the other side, Wufei couldn't help the surprised lift of his eyebrow. "Sire," he greeted.
"Wufei," Heero returned. "Please, come in." Heero opened the door further to admit the Captain.
"Thank you," Wufei replied and stepped inside, eyes glancing around for the missing slave.
"Duo is assisting the healer with that maid," the prince said, making his way back to his desk and sitting down.
"Ah." Wufei approached the desk.
"Is there something I can do for you?" Heero asked, curious as to the parchments the Captain had in his arms and the unexpected visit.
"Sire, forgive me for being forward, but I have something here that I think might assist in your need to have an explanation for your child to remain in Colonia whilst the Princess returns to Sanq."
Heero's head shot up. "You do?" he asked eagerly.
"Yes, Sire." Wufei stepped forward and placed the parchments on the desk. Before he could progress any further, a knock to the door was heard.
"Shall I answer that for you, Sire?"
"No need, Wufei," Heero said and then called out loudly; "Enter."
The door opened and a long haired slave slipped inside, closing the door behind him and dropping to his knees. "Master," he greeted.
"Duo, you have returned," Heero stated. "Did everything go alright with the healer?"
"Yes, master. The healer has dressed the maid's wounds and they are healing well. Master, may I ask a question?" Duo said in his quiet tone.
"You may ask."
"The maid wished to know if her mistress may pay her a visit."
"Does she now," Heero growled. "I will have to speak with my father in that regard as he is the one who has the authority to make that decision, not me."
"Yes, master."
"I will speak with my father shortly and ask him. Duo, come by my side."
Duo rose to his feet and made his way across the room to kneel at his master's side. A strong hand dropped to his head and gently caressed his hair, Duo leaning into the touch.
"Wufei, if you could please continue with this information you have found," Heero requested.
"Of course, Sire. I was pretty sure there was something in the laws of Colonia relating to the birth of children - especially heirs – and how it affects their residency in Colonia. I have been in the archives searching and what I have found is of great interest." Wufei opened one of the parchments and lay it out in front of the prince.
"As you are already aware, any child born within the borders of Colonia is an automatic citizen of Colonia. As such, they are free to move around the country at will, able to leave and reside in another country and return to Colonia without any issues. However, when a child is born to the monarchy, things become a little more complicated; even more so when a child is born to be the heir."
Heero reached for the parchments as Wufei spoke and began to scan them.
"There have been several amendments to the original laws over the years, but I think you will find this particular amendment especially interesting." The Captain passed over a parchment and pointed to a paragraph about half way down.
As Heero read, his eyes opened wider and a smile began to form on his lips. Having reached the end of the information relevant to him, Heero looked up to the Captain. "Thank you, Wufei. I do believe this will solve everyone's problem. I must admit, I wasn't aware of this ruling."
"I didn't think so and why would you? You are the heir to the throne and have every intention of taking that role so this ruling is not needed in your case."
Heero read over the paragraph again, only this time he recited the words aloud. "Should an heir to the throne be born and the marriage between the parents of that heir become dissolved due to the death of either parent, separation of the parents or annulment of the marriage, the heir is to remain in Colonia and take on their role of King or Queen when the time arises..."
The parchment did go on to cover such things as abdication, death of the heir and other related items, but the part that mattered most to Heero was there in black and white – no refuting it.
"Wufei, I cannot thank you enough for locating this. Now the princess will be able to return to Sanq without the child and no one will be able to question it."
"There's only one, minor detail, my Prince," Wufei said with a glint in his eye.
"Oh, what is that?" Heero questioned.
"You cannot have your marriage annulled until after the child is born for this law to be enforced."
Heero tossed that thought around in his head for a moment. "I don't think that will be too difficult. The Princess does not have much longer to go before the child is due to be born and I'm sure I can remain married until she does give birth."
"If I may ask, when do you propose to tell the princess of this ruling?"
"Good question. I will speak with my father and mother of this shortly. I have to speak with my father anyway in regards to allowing the princess to visit that maid of hers and I can discuss this with them both at the same time."
"As you wish, Sire. If the King allows the visit, would you have me escort the princess to the Tower?"
"I think that would be best. If my father allows the visit I will send Duo for you."
"If there is nothing else, I will return to my duties, Sire."
"Thank you, Wufei."
Duo scrambled to his feet as the Captain bowed to the prince. He scampered across the room to open the door for the Captain and once Wufei had left, he closed the door and returned to his place beside his master.
Heero stared off into the distance for a moment, his mind digesting the turn of events. Deciding he'd sat there for long enough and knowing he wouldn't get any further work done until he'd spoken with his father, he gathered up the parchments and strode for the door. "Come, Duo, we will have audience with my parents."
Duo rose and followed behind his master.
# # #
"You say that the Captain managed to track this information down, Heero?" the King questioned as he finished perusing the parchment Heero had handed over.
"Yes, he did, father."
"He is a very loyal and trustworthy man," King Treize stated, passing the parchment to his wife to read.
"That he is, father. One couldn't ask for a better head of the Royal Guards."
"I have to say this will make things a whole lot easier all round," the Queen mused, putting the parchment down. "I was beginning to wonder if we could come up with a strong enough and believable reason for your heir to remain here in Colonia. Seems the answer was right under our noses all the time."
"I must admit, I wasn't aware of this ruling," the King stated. "It would seem there could be more laws, amendments and the like that I am also not aware of."
"It is very possible, father. From what Wufei has told me, there are quite a lot of parchments and tomes in the archives, many haven't been touched in some time." Heero gave his father a small smile. "I think it might be time to rectify that."
"You have a valid point there, my son. I will speak with the Captain later in regards to this. I also think it would be a good idea for yourself and your brother to be present so we can make a decision between us as to the best way to go about familiarizing ourselves with anything new and updating any and all laws that need it."
"A wise decision," the Queen said. "Heero, have you informed your wife of this ruling yet?"
"No, I have not. I wanted to speak with you both before I do that."
"I'd suggest you take the parchment with you, that way she can see for herself that it is law here in Colonia and if need be I can have one of the scribes copy it out for her to take back to Sanq with her after the child is born. If she has a copy then no one can question or doubt her word in regards to leaving the child here." The King sat back in his chair, relaxing a little with the good news.
"I will suggest that to her when I speak with her. Father?"
"Yes?"
"Duo has been assisting the healer with her treatment of the princess' maid. The maid has asked Duo to request on her behalf that she may be allowed to have her mistress visit her. The princess has also expressed the desire to see her maid. Ultimately the decision is yours though."
The King closed his eyes in contemplation for a moment. "I will grant them one visit. The princess may go to the Tower to visit for one candle mark. However, she is to be accompanied by either the Captain or one of his trusted guards. I do not want them to be left alone together at all. I do not trust that maid after what I learned about her and her obvious dislike for Duo."
Kneeling beside his master's chair, Duo couldn't help but blush a little with the King's words.
"That would be most acceptable. Thank you, father." Heero stood up and collected the parchments. "I will take my leave now and speak with my wife in regards to the law and the heir. I will also advise her of your decision to allow her to visit the maid and arrange for Wufei to accompany her."
"Good luck, Heero," Queen Une said with a smile.
"Thank you, mother." Heero bent to give his mother a kiss to the cheek. Straightening up, he turned and walked to the door, Duo moving ahead of him to open it.
Stepping out into the hall, Heero paused for a moment and addressed his slave. "We will go directly to the princess' chambers so I can inform her of the law in regard to the child and also let her know she may visit that evil slave of hers."
"As you wish, master." Duo fell into step behind his master, wondering how the princess would take the news of the law and the heir.
# # #
"Your Highness," Cathy said and curtsied when she opened the door to the princess' chambers.
"I am here to have audience with my wife," Heero stated and swept inside the room.
"The princess is resting at the moment, Sire. I will inform her of your presence and wish to speak with her."
"Thank you. I will wait here in the sitting room." Hero moved across to sit in a chair beside the fire, Duo following and dropping to his knees beside the chair.
They hadn't been sitting long when Relena entered the room, accompanied by her new maid. "Heero, the maid said you wish to speak with me?" she said as she crossed the room to sit in the other chair. She couldn't help the disdainful look as she passed the slave kneeling beside his master's chair.
Heero rose slightly. "Yes, that is correct," he replied and took his seat once more once the princess was seated. "I have some news for you in regard to the child remaining here in Colonia when you return to Sanq."
"I see. And what exactly have you come up with?" Relena couldn't help the sneer in her voice.
The parchments were brought forth, Heero unrolling them carefully. "It would appear that there is a rule here in Colonia regarding the citizens of the country, a rule that neither I nor my father was aware of until now." Heero went on to explain the rule and how it related to the unborn heir, occasionally glancing to his wife to see her reaction to the news. When he'd finished, he sat back in his chair and watched his wife carefully.
The news left the princess a little stunned to say the least. She'd fully expected Heero to come up with some sort of lame excuse such as he wouldn't allow the child to leave Colonia, or he'd forced her to surrender the child or he wouldn't allow the marriage annulment to go ahead. She had never even considered the idea that there might be a law in place to prevent the child from leaving.
"May I see that?" Relena asked, extending her hand for the parchment. The scroll was duly handed over, Relena taking it and reading through it carefully.
"My father has offered to have one of the scribes copy the parchment for you so you can take it back to Sanq with you, that way no one will be able to challenge you in regard to leaving the child here," Heero stated.
Giving a soft sigh of resignation, Relena knew she was defeated. "That would be both appreciated and acceptable."
"I will have my father's scribe set to the task immediately," Heero replied and stood to retrieve the parchment. "I will leave you now, but before I go there is one more thing."
Relena raised an eyebrow.
"I have also spoken with my father in regard to you visiting your maid and he has agreed to allow it. I will have the Captain call shortly for you and escort you to the Tower where you may visit for one candle mark. I suggest you be ready and make the most of it as my father will only allow the one visit."
"I can visit Dorothy?" Relena said, the surprise evident in her tone.
"Yes, I do believe that is what I said."
"Thank you. I will prepare for the visit right away." Relena began to stand up, Cathy moving to her side to assist her.
With there being no further reason for Heero to remain, the prince tucked the parchments under his arm and walked to the door, Duo a few steps ahead of him.
# # #
Wufei unlocked the door and stepped to the side to allow the princess to enter the Tower room. Once the princess had entered, he had a quick word with the guard stationed outside before stepping inside himself and closing the door.
Raising her head from the pillow, Dorothy looked up to see who was entering her prison. "Mistress?" she said, the surprise evident in her voice once she recognized the person entering.
"Dorothy," Relena exclaimed and made her way as quickly as she could across the room.
"Mistress, it is you," Dorothy said, the joy shining in her eyes. Hastily she pulled herself up, intending to slide from the bed to her knees when she noticed the Captain also entering the room.
"No, Dorothy, stay where you are, you're still not healed enough," Relena insisted.
"But, mistress..."
"No, Dorothy. I can sit on the edge of the bed quite comfortably." Relena moved to the side of the small cot and managed to arrange herself so she was perched on the edge. It wasn't the most comfortable of positions, but Relena wasn't about to complain lest her time with her maid and friend be cut short.
Having gotten herself comfortable, Relena noticed the Captain standing just inside the room and she narrowed her eyes as she looked at him. "Why are you still here?" she asked, her tone frosty.
"I am under direct orders from the King to remain with you for the duration of your visit," Wufei replied tartly. "If you have a problem with that I suggest you take it up with the King himself."
Relena resigned herself to the fact that the Captain would have to stay. Turning her back as much as possible to the Captain, she did her best to ignore him and concentrate on catching up with Dorothy.
The usual questions were asked and answered; Was Dorothy being looked after? Was she getting enough to eat? Were her injuries from the flogging healing up okay?
Similarly, Dorothy asked questions of her own. 'Was her mistress being looked after? Who was taking care of her? Was everything okay with the baby?
Relena brought Dorothy up to speed with Heero's reason for the baby to remain in Colonia and whilst both women knew the Princess didn't really want to have a child demanding her attention all the time, it also annoyed them that there was no way they could get around that law and make things even more difficult for Heero and that slave.
As they chatted, Relena couldn't help but glance disdainfully around the room her maid was imprisoned in.
Whilst it was an improvement on the Dungeon cell, it was still well below what Relena determined to be suitable for her maid, especially since her maid was injured."I can't believe you are stuck in a filthy room such as this," she said.
"It's not so bad," Dorothy replied, choosing her words carefully. She was well aware of the Captain's presence and held no doubt the man would be reporting back to the King on what had transpired during the visit. The last thing Dorothy wanted was to be put back in the Dungeons.
"No, it's not good enough, Dorothy. You're hurt and recovering, you should be in a clean room with a better bed and facilities than this. You could catch anything being in here! I'm surprised that you haven't already come down with some sort of infection. It's not warm enough either."
"Mistress, it's okay. The room might be colder than I'd like but it is better than before."
"I disagree. I will be having words with Heero about this when I return. If Heero is so determined to keep my child here then it's only fair that he sees to it that you have better accommodations until it is time to leave. This is inhuman, I wouldn't let an animal live in these conditions," Relena snapped.
"Mistress..."
"No, you leave it to me, Dorothy. I will soon have you moved out of here and into a much better room."
Having listened to the conversation going on between the pair, Wufei felt himself bristling with the princess' words. The maid was here to be punished, not enjoy a holiday! She should think herself lucky that the King had relented enough to move that maid here and not leave her in the Dungeons. Come to think of it, the Princess was also lucky that the King had not ordered her to be incarcerated too for the things she'd done! A glance to the side let him know the candle mark was up and he moved forward, clearing his throat. "The candle mark is up. It is time to leave," he stated.
Both women looked disappointed at that, but Relena rose slowly to her feet. "I will be going directly to Heero from here and speak with him in regards to these awful conditions."
Knowing there wasn't anything she could do to change her mistress' mind, Dorothy managed to push herself from the bed and gave a sigh. "Thank you for coming to see me, mistress."
Relena embraced her maid and whispered in her ear, "I will have you moved from here, Dorothy, just as soon as I can."
"It is time to go," Wufei stated firmly.
With one last hug, the two women separated. Wufei opened the door and escorted the princess from the room, the guard locking the door as soon as the visitors were clear of it.
Walking back through the Tower corridors, Relena began to vent her anger and frustrations at the appalling conditions her maid was being kept in. Wufei did his best to ignore her.
"I insist you take me to speak with my husband immediately," Relena ordered. "Dorothy cannot remain in that room, it's not clean enough."
"I can always have her transferred back to the Dungeons," Wufei growled, his patience wearing thin.
"How dare you!" Relena sputtered and then grasped at her abdomen. "Ahhhh!" she cried out, coming to a halt and doubling over with pain.
"Princess?" Wufei came to an abrupt stop, turning to see what on earth was the matter with the woman.
"Ahhhh... It hurts!" Relena screamed, clutching at her stomach.
His face paled as he took in the sight. At first he wasn't sure if the princess was putting on an act, but a sudden flow of water that appeared at the princess' feet told him this was no act.
"Shit!"
tbc...
