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

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


Muse decided to have a little fun with this chapter... at Wufei's expense :-)


"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

January. 2008 ShenLong

Chapter 69

"Shit, shit, shit!" Wufei muttered, still rooted to the spot and staring at the princess.

"Don't just stand there, help me!" Relena screamed at the Captain.

"Errr, What do you want me to do?" Wufei asked, his tone a little high as the shock of the situation began to set into his brain.

"Ahhhh! It hurts so much!" Relena cried out again and promptly sank to her knees, arms still wrapped around her swollen stomach.

Somewhere in Wufei's panicked mind, logic began to push forth. "I'll be right back," he said to the princess.

"Where the hell do you think you're going? You're not leaving me here!" Relena sobbed.

"I'm going to get that help you're demanding," Wufei snapped and added a roll of his eyes. "Stay right there, I'll be back as quickly as I can."

"And just where the heck do you think I'm about to go?" Relena sneered. "In case it hasn't sunk into that head of yours, I'm having a baby here."

"I am not stupid! I can see exactly what the problem is and I intend to get some help just as soon as you stop arguing with me," Wufei sniffed.

"Problem?! You call giving birth a problem?!" Relena began to rant. "Ahhh... I'm being torn apart! Do something!"

Seeing his chance to escape, Wufei spun on his heel and began to charge full tilt down the corridor, leaving the screaming, cursing princess behind him. As he rounded the corner he was met by two guards and almost collided with them.

"Captain?" one guard queried, grabbing the Captain by his elbow to stop him from falling. "Is everything okay? We heard screaming and yelling, we were coming to see what was going on."

"Everything is fine," Wufei muttered. "The princess... I'm on my way to get the healer, she's giving birth."

"The healer's giving birth?" the guard questioned, clearly confused.

"I didn't know the healer was expecting," mused the other guard.

"No you idiots!" Wufei took a deep breath and concentrated on getting his words out clearly and concisely. "The princess is giving birth and I am on my way to fetch the healer to attend to her."

"Ah. Sorry, Captain."

Wufei's eyes suddenly lit up. "You two, go and stay with the princess until I return with the healer-"

"What?" squeaked one guard, a look of horror on his face.

"You heard me," Wufei growled. "The princess is back along the corridor there," Wufei indicated back the way he'd come with a jerk of his thumb. "Just follow the screams. She needs someone to stay with her and keep her calm until I can get back with the healer." When neither guard made any attempt to move, Wufei felt his patience beginning to wear out. "Move it soldiers!"

Neither guard really wanted to go and stay with the princess, but both feared the wrath of their Captain more. "Sir! Yes, Sir." Both guards took off at a run in the direction Wufei had indicated.

Watching them go, Wufei heaved a sigh of relief and took a moment to scrub his hands across his face. "Crap," he said to himself and broke into a run once more.

#

Duo was walking quietly along the corridor towards his master's chambers, tray of food in his hands when he heard the sound of pounding feet. Looking around he couldn't determine where they were coming from, but he moved closer to the wall just in case. Seconds later the Captain came hurtling around the corner up ahead.

Spotting the person ahead as he turned the corner, Wufei was relieved to see the slave pressed against the wall. He came to a stop before Duo and took a moment to catch his breath.

Duo wasn't too sure what was going on. He kept his head bowed and his eyes lowered, unable to drop to his knees with the tray he was carrying and hoping the Captain wouldn't report that disobedience to his master. Seeing the look of distress on the Captain's face when he peeked out from under his bangs, Duo's concern got the better of him. "Excuse me for speaking out of line, Captain, but is everything alright?"

"Duo, I need you to fetch your master immediately. The princess is giving birth. I'm on my way to get the healer now."

The tray almost hit the floor, only a quick juggling act from Duo preventing it from happening. Quickly he sat the tray down on a small table to the side. "Captain? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Wufei replied with a shudder at the memory of the water pooling at the princess' feet. "I was escorting the princess back from the Tower after her visit with her maid when she stopped and gave a scream of pain. The baby is on its way. I've left two guards with the princess in the hallway of the Tower whilst I fetch the healer. Let your master know I will meet him back at the hallway where the princess is with the healer as quickly as I can."

"I will inform my master immediately," Duo replied.

"Good. I will go get the healer." Wufei brushed past and began to run once more.

Mind whirling with thoughts, Duo left the tray where it was and sprinted for his master's chambers.

#

"Duo?" Heero questioned with a frown when his slave came swiftly into the study, almost sliding across the floor when he dropped to his knees.

"Master, you need to come quickly. The princess is giving birth."

"What did you say?" the prince questioned, unsure of what his ears were hearing.

"The Captain sent me to get you immediately..."

"The Captain?" Heero asked. "When did you see him?"

Doing his best to contain his frustration, Duo took a deep breath before speaking again. "I was returning with your tray when I ran into the Captain in the hallway. He said he was escorting the princess back from the Tower when she screamed in pain. He said to fetch you immediately as the princess is having the baby." Duo gave a sigh of relief, having finally gotten his message out.

"The princess is in labor?"

"Yes, master."

"Let me get this right, Duo," Heero said and shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind. "The Captain was escorting the princess back to her chambers when she went into labor?"

Duo nodded. "Yes, master, that is correct."

"He ran into you in the hallway and sent you to fetch me?"

"Yes, master."

"Where was the princess then? If you ran into him in the hallway here, then the princess shouldn't be too far from her chambers."

"The Captain was alone, master. He said he'd left the princess in the Tower hallway ."

"But the Tower is across the other side of the castle. What the hell is he doing leaving the princess there by herself?" Heero was starting to get really frustrated and angry.

"He said he has left two guards with the princess whilst he came to fetch the healer and you, master. When he saw me in the hallway he asked that I fetch you immediately and meet him in the Tower corridor while he went to fetch the healer."

"Then why are we still here?" Heero asked as he scraped his chair back. "Come, Duo. We need to get to the princess as quickly as we can." The prince made haste for the door.

Raising himself from his knees, Duo rolled his eyes and gave a sigh before tearing after his master. Sometimes his master could be quite dense.

#

"Hold your horses, I'm coming!" Sally growled at the insistent hammering on her door. Reaching the door she flung it open, intent on giving the person on the other side a verbal lashing for their abuse of her door. When she saw the Captain standing there with a worried and wild expression on his face, she changed her mind. "What is it?" she asked.

"Mistress Healer, you need to come quickly. The princess... she's having the baby," Wufei managed to pant out.

The words hit Sally square in the chest. "The princess is in labor?"

"Yes, she is."

"Are you sure? She isn't due for another week yet."

Recalling the fluid that had begun to pool at the princess' feet, Wufei gave a shudder. "I'm sure," he stated.

"Right. I'll just get a few things." Sally turned back into her chambers and grabbed her basket. Moving amongst the benches and shelves, she began to grab at various items, pots and containers, dropping them into her basket as she went. Satisfied she had all she would need, she aimed for the door once more. "Take me to her now."

"This way." Wufei spun around and made haste back along the hallway, Sally right behind him.

# # #

Warily approaching the princess, one of the guards asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Relena gave a low moan of pain. "No, I'm not alright. I'm having a baby and it hurts like hell," she snapped.

"Ah. Okay." The guard nervously shuffled his feet. "Is there anything we can get for you, anything we can do?"

"I want the healer, now!" Relena stated and then groaned again. "Ahhh, I can't take this anymore!" She clutched at her abdomen and began to rock slowly back and forth on her knees as the contraction swept through her.

"Errr... The Captain has gone to fetch the healer, Your Highness. I'm sure they will be here very soon." The guard turned to look at his fellow guard. "Go back down the hall a little way and see if you can see the healer or the Captain returning."

"No problem," the second guard replied and beat a hasty retreat. He was more than happy to play lookout.

"Try to relax, Your Highness. Help will be here soon," the remaining guard said in an attempt to soothe the princess.

It didn't work.

Relena continued her moans and wails, her volume and pitch increasing when a contraction decided to sweep through her.

Unsure of what he could do to help and after suffering through several rounds of abuse from the princess when he did try to offer comfort in the form of words, the guard decided it would be in the best interests of his health to shut up.

Finally the words both guard and princess had been waiting to hear were shouted out by the second guard. "Help is here!"

Unfortunately for Relena, it wasn't the help she'd been hoping for.

Prince Heero and his slave came bolting along the hallway, skidded around the corner and almost collided with the guard waiting by the princess.

"Relena? Are you okay?" the prince asked as he crouched beside the distressed woman.

"Why does everyone keep asking me if I'm okay?" Relena snapped. "In case it has slipped everyone's notice, I'm having a baby here, I'm not okay and it hurts like hell! Aggghhhh!" she screamed a moment later as another, stronger contraction passed through.

Having come to an abrupt halt behind his master, Duo pressed himself back towards the wall and dropped to his knees. He flinched at the princess' words and resisted the urge to clamp his hands over his ears at the screech of the princess' voice and following scream of pain.

Placing a hand upon Relena's back, Heero rubbed soothing circles, ignoring the princess' outburst and waiting patiently for the contraction to pass. Feeling the woman starting to relax a touch, he turned to see where his slave was. "Duo, go and see how far away the healer is and ask her to hurry."

"Yes, master." Duo quickly rose to his feet and once more sprinted off along the corridor. He was more than happy to get away from the scene.

"You two," Heero barked to the guards.

"Sire!" the guards returned, both snapping to attention.

"Give me a hand here. We need to get the princess back to her chambers."

"Ah, yes, Sire. What would you have us do?"

Turning his attention back to Relena, Heero spoke in a soft voice. "Relena, do you think you can walk a little way? We need to get you back to your chambers for the healer to deliver this baby. The guards and I will help you and we can stop at any time." Other than carrying the woman, Heero couldn't really see any other way to get the princess back to her chambers and he really didn't want to carry her if he could help it. He knew he was strong, but looking at the size of the princess with the baby, he doubted his strength would be enough. There were a couple of rooms nearby they could use, but Heero didn't think they would be suitable as they hadn't been cleaned out, were dusty and damp – not exactly the ideal conditions to give birth in.

Not wanting to remain in the corridor to give birth, Relena grudgingly gave in. "I can try," she said.

"Good. Now, try to stand up, the guards and I will assist you." Heero slipped his arm underneath Relena's and gently pulled upwards.

Seeing what his prince was trying to do, one of the guards joined him on the other side of the princess. Between the two of them, lots of grunting and several reprimands from the princess, they somehow managed to half drag, half pull the woman upright. Pausing for a few moments to allow Relena to get herself together, Heero glanced down the hallway, hoping the healer wasn't too far away.

"Ready to try walking now?" Heero asked his wife.

"Yes, but take it slowly," Relena snapped.

With the support of her husband and guard, Relena began to take slow, wobbly steps forward.

#

Duo had sprinted as fast as his still healing body would allow. Luckily for him, he hadn't gotten too far before he spotted the Captain and Healer up ahead. "Mistress healer," he called out, coming to a stop and dropping to his knees before the woman.

"Duo, what is the problem?" the healer asked, stopping her own headlong rush.

"Master asked me to see how far away you were. The princess is in desperate need of your services and my master asked if you could hurry," Duo replied.

"Come, Duo, we're on our way now," Sally replied and began to move forward again, only this time she broke into a jog.

"How far away are they?" she asked as she jogged, thinking to herself that it wouldn't hurt the princess to experience a little pain herself after all the pain she'd caused others.

"My master was going to try to get the princess back to her chambers, but I don't know how far they have managed to get," Duo said.

The healer's question was answered a moment later when they heard a yell of pain and rounded the corner.

"Ahhh! Stop, stop!" the princess demanded. Immediately the guard and prince came to a halt, allowing the princess to sink to her knees as she grasped her belly, another contraction sweeping through her.

Noting the movement up ahead, both the guard and prince gave a sigh of relief. Prince Heero left his wife's side to meet the approaching healer, Captain and his slave. "Sally, thank the gods that you are here," Heero said in relief.

With a nod, Sally spoke quickly as she continued towards the princess. "How far along is she?"

"I – I have no idea," Heero replied.

"When I left her with the guards there was a lot of water pooling on the ground," Wufei offered.

"Hmmm." Sally frowned. Reaching the princess, she gave the woman a brief examination, keeping it to the visual as she didn't want to embarrass the princess in front of all the men that were around. Noting the princess starting to relax a little, she gathered that the contraction was easing off. "Contraction easing?" she asked the woman.

"For the moment," Relena growled. "How come it took you so long? I'm in agony here and I need something to help with the pain!"

Biting her lip, Sally chose to ignore the rebuke. "Right, I need all four of you to carry the princess back to her chambers as quickly as we can. Duo, you go on ahead and have the princess' bed chamber prepared and ready for us. The maid will assist you," she barked.

The two guards, Captain and one prince looked a little stunned. Duo looked relieved and before anyone could say anything or change their mind, he turned tail and fled.

"What are you standing there for?" Sally demanded. "I need the princess back in her chambers now!"

Hastily the four men scrambled forward and between them they managed to lift the princess up and carry her along the hallway. It wasn't the easiest of maneuvers to perform and was a little undignified, but it was progress and a lot faster than having the woman walk.

#

Reaching the princess' chambers, Duo skidded to a halt, knocked on the door and without waiting for anyone to answer, he opened it and headed inside. He spotted Cathy ahead in the bed chamber, folding clothes and made a beeline for her.

"What the?" Cathy began to say when she noticed the slave.

"Miss Cathy," Duo began, keeping his head bowed and eyes lowered. "The princess is having the baby. The healer asked me to assist you in preparing the chambers for her," he panted out.

"The princess is in labor?" Cathy said, her hand flying to her mouth and dropping the dress she was folding.

"Yes, she is. My master, the healer and Captain are helping her get back here. The healer requests that we prepare the bed chamber for her as quickly as possible."

Despite the questions that were running through her head, Cathy understood the gravity of the situation. The slave before her was also shaking a touch which also told her this was something that needed to happen very quickly. "Right," she said. "I'll see to getting the bed ready, you go through to the bathing chambers and fill these jugs with warm water." Cathy handed over a couple of jugs. "See if there are any more in the bathing chamber and if there are, fill another three or four and bring them back too. Oh, grab as many drying cloths as you can and bring them as well."

"Yes, mistress Cathy," Duo replied, taking the jugs and disappearing through the door.

Cathy set about stripping the bed back, grabbing extra sheets and placing them to the side. As Duo returned with the jugs, she took them from him, placing them on the large dresser and waiting for him to return with more. The princess' nightgown was set out, the drying cloths Duo had brought placed by the water basin and awaiting jugs. Just as Duo was returning with the last two jugs of warm water, the healer, princess and men arrived.

Stepping into the chambers, the guards, Captain and Prince carried their burden through to the bed chamber.

"Thank you," Sally said, "You can all leave now. Cathy here will be able to assist me and if you do not mind, Sire, I'd like Duo to remain in the sitting area as I may need someone to fetch some more items should I need them."

"As you wish. I will remain with Duo in the sitting area," Heero replied. "Duo, come with me." The prince stepped out of the bed chamber, the guards and Captain already having beaten a hasty retreat. The door closed behind him and Heero gave a sigh of relief. Looking up he spotted the guards and Captain standing in the sitting room.

"Thank you for your assistance. Guards, you may return to your duties. Captain, I'd like a word with you if I may?"

The two guards bowed respectfully and took their leave. The Captain remained, facing his prince and raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you for assisting the princess, Wufei," Heero began. "I have no idea how long this birthing process will take, and as neither Duo or I can leave right now, would you be so kind as to inform my parents and brother of what is happening?"

"Of course, Sire. I will go to the King and Queen now. I will speak with your brother once I have informed your parents." Wufei gave a bow.

"Thank you, Wufei." With the Captain taking his leave, Heero moved across the room and sat down heavily in one of the chairs by the fireplace.

"Master?"

The timid voice drew Heero from his thoughts and he looked to the side of the chair where his faithful slave was kneeling. "Yes, Duo?"

"Is there anything I can get or do for you?"

"Actually, a goblet of wine would be most appreciated, Duo."

The slave got to his feet to do as bid, returning with the goblet moments later.

The pair sat quietly for a while, the only noise to be heard was the princess as she screamed, moaned and growled her way through the labor. From time to time, either Cathy or the Healer would come out and send Duo off on an errand. Prince Trowa and Quatre arrived after a candle mark to sit with Heero and keep the young prince company. None of the men had any clue as to how long it would be before Heero's heir would be born.

In the bed chamber, Sally did her best to calm and soothe the princess, encouraging her through the labor. It wasn't an easy task by any means. The princess was determined to scream as loud as she could and complain at every opportunity.

"The pain, it's too much," Relena cried out as another contraction made itself known. "Give me something to stop the pain!" she demanded.

"Your Highness, I have given you what I have for the pain, I don't have anything else. You're going to have to do what the rest of us women do when giving birth." Seeing the look on the princess' face, Sally stated, "You just have to deal with it, put up with it as best you can. There is nothing more I can give you for the pain."

"Surely there has to be something!?" Relena snapped.

There is one thing, Sally thought to herself, but she didn't think the princess would take to kindly to her suggesting she give her a whack to the head to knock her out. Pity, my ears could do with a rest, she thought. "I'm sorry, princess, but you're just going to have to bear with it."

Rinsing a cloth out and placing it back on the princess' forehead, Cathy gave the healer a long suffering look.

Returning the look with one of her own, Sally decided to check the princess again and see just how far off this baby was from being born. "It shouldn't be too much longer, princess. The baby's head is crowning," she said softly.

"It's what?! Ahhhhh..." Relena began and cried out as her body went into another spasm only this time it was a little different.

"That's it, Your Highness; push," Sally ordered and took up residence at the end of the bed.

"I am pushing!" Relena snarled. "Ahh... God it feels like I'm being torn apart!"

Sally declined to say that the princess had torn a little as the baby's head slipped through and into her waiting hands. The shoulders followed, Sally giving the babe a slight twist to help it to slide through the pelvis. "One more push and this baby will be here," she said.

"Nggg. Ahhhh..." Relena closed her eyes and pushed when the next contraction hit.

"Perfect," Sally whispered, gently drawing the child away and reaching for a cloth. She quickly placed a couple of clamps of sorts on the umbilical cord and cut it. A brief check of the baby to make sure all was well and Sally wrapped it in the cloth, the babe giving a lusty cry.

"What...?" Relena collapsed back into the pillows, exhaustion written in every line of her face.

"Congratulations, you have a son," Sally said and brought the baby to his mother's arms.

Relena took the child for a moment, eyes scanning the tiny form. "He's all bloody and covered in fluids," she said.

"Of course he is, he's just been born," Sally replied.

"I can take him and clean him up if you wish," Cathy said.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that," Relena said and went to hand the baby over to the maid.

"Before anyone does anything, I'll let the prince know he has a son." Without waiting for anyone to argue with her, Sally intercepted the maid, took the child and aimed for the door to the sitting room.

The prince and his brother looked up as Sally entered the sitting room, a bundle in her arms. The two slaves peeked out discretely from under their bangs. Heero stood and crossed the room to meet the healer.

"Congratulations, Sire. You have a healthy son," Sally said and handed the baby over to his father.

Taking the tiny bundle in his arms, Heero looked down on the small face. His eyes softened, his heart melted and a fierce protective feeling stole over him. "I have a son," he whispered.

tbc...