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


AN: Thank you to all who commented on the last chapter and my apologies for not replying to each of you individually. I have wayyy too much going on in RL right now and not enough hours in the day to do everything; hence the delay in getting this part out. I do appreciate you all taking the time to comment and I will try harder this time to reply to you all. Meanwhile, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.


"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

Chapter 80

The words Duo spoke tore deep into Heero's heart. The pain he felt was unlike anything he'd ever endured before. After everything they had gone through Heero honestly thought that they shared a bond of trust, but it was clear to him now after all this time Duo still believed that Heero would sell him. The pain gave way to something deeper – anger.

The more he tossed Duo's words around, the angrier he became, not so much for his slave having spoken to him in such a manner, but more from the words themselves and what they meant. The prince hardened his heart and turned his icy gaze upon his slave.

Off to the side, both Trowa and Quatre remained frozen in shock. Quatre because he felt for the other slave, not just the words he'd spoken, but the manner in which they had been said. There would be some serious retribution for that. The blonde slave though, couldn't believe that the Prince would be so callous as to just simply sell Duo, not after all the other slave had done for his master.

Prince Trowa was desperately trying to come to grips with what had just transpired. He knew his brother wasn't all that good with words at times and that the prince could be quite blunt, but he hadn't thought things could go so wrong as quickly as they had. He could clearly see both sides of the conversation – his brother was simply trying to find out if Duo would be happy here at the holding, but he hadn't handled that as well as he should have. And now Duo had misinterpreted the prince's meaning and said his piece. Things were not looking up for either slave or master. Before Trowa had a chance to intervene and set the record straight, Heero lost his temper.

"How dare you! How dare you speak to me in that manner!" Heero snarled.

Duo visibly paled and began to shake. "I'm sorry master, I don't know why I said all those things," he hastily said and sank to his knees, hands protectively over his head as he waited for the blows to fall.

"You said all those things because that's truly what you feel inside," Heero snapped. "Ever since you came into my service I have tried to be a good master to you. I have granted you more freedom than any other master would, I have not punished you with beatings or floggings, I have never starved you or locked you away, I have only ever tried to be kind and compassionate to you; and this is what you think? Is the trust I thought we had completely nonexistent?"

"M-master..."

"It's clear to me now that you did not believe me when I gave you my word that I wouldn't ever sell you. To know that you have so little faith in me cuts me deeper than you will ever know." Heero took a deep breath, his eyes becoming pained as he spoke again. "I brought you here today to see what you thought of this holding, if this is a place you would be happy living at, working the land, raising crops and animals and doing all of that as the owner of the holding; not as a slave. Over the seasons you have been a good and attentive slave to me, going above and beyond your duties to King and Crown. This holding was a way to say thank you. I thought you trusted me, cared for me even, but it would seem I was totally wrong. You only ever did what you had to because it was your duty as a slave." Heero drew in another deep breath and swallowed hard, these next words would be some of the hardest he would ever have to say.

"I am a man of honor and despite your obvious contempt and mistrust of me and my word, I will not go back on that word." Heero pulled a couple of items from his tunic and tossed them to the ground in front of where Duo knelt. "For your services to me and the Kingdom of Colonia I grant you your freedom from slavery, the title of Lord, a sum of coin and this farm holding." Knowing he was about to break down, Heero couldn't say anymore. He summoned up the last vestiges of his anger to keep him from giving in to the pain and anguish in his heart, turned on his heel and all but ran to the barn and his horse. Seconds later he galloped from the holding, leaving the three behind in a cloud of dust.

Duo remained kneeling, the shock of his master's words sinking into his head and for the life of him, he just couldn't grasp them. It was only as the dust began to settle that his brain caught up with his ears.

"Shit!" Prince Trowa muttered as the scene unfolded before him. Realizing what was happening, Trowa began to move, but he was too slow to prevent his brother from leaving, almost being run over by Wing as Heero galloped from the holding. As the dust settled Trowa gazed about him with a sinking heart. "Dammit all," he growled and moved across to where Duo was still kneeling, a look of complete shock and abandonment on his face.

"Duo?"

Hearing his name being called, Duo slowly raised his eyes and found Prince Trowa crouching beside him, a look of worry on his handsome face.

"P-Prince Trowa?" he whispered.

"Come with me, Duo," Trowa coaxed and placing an arm around the slave's shoulders, he urged him to stand.

"Master?"

Trowa turned to see his blonde slave hovering beside him.

"Pick up the parchments and coin purse and follow me inside the cottage," Trowa ordered softly.

"Yes, master." Quatre was equally as confused by the events that had transpired, but he knew his master would have the answers. Obediently he picked up the rolls of parchment and coin purse that Heero had tossed to the ground and went to help his master assist Duo into the cottage.

Once inside the building, Trowa guided Duo into the small sitting area and sent Quatre to see if there was any wine, ale or water in the kitchen. With Quatre busy, Trowa sat the young slave down in a chair, pushed the bangs away from that sweet face and took a good look at Duo.

The slave appeared to be in shock, and Trowa couldn't blame him. Just how the hell had things managed to go so wrong, so quickly? This was supposed to have been a joyous occasion, not the fiasco it had suddenly turned into.

"Master?" Quatre appeared beside his master with a water skin and a couple of goblets. "There is only water available," he said quietly.

"That's fine, Quatre." Taking the water skin and a goblet, Trowa poured a generous amount into the goblet and handed the skin back to his slave. Gently he encouraged the shocked slave to sip some of the water.

Gradually Duo's brain began to catch up and as it did so the words his master had said before riding off finally registered. "My master... He was going to free me?" he whispered, looking to Trowa with confusion in his eyes.

"Yes, Duo. Prince Heero had no intention of selling you, he never would and he doesn't break his word," Trowa said softly. "Are you feeling a bit better now?"

Duo nodded. "I think so. But, I don't understand." Duo suddenly realized that he was inside the cottage and sitting in a chair. Hastily he scrambled to get out of the chair and kneel on the floor beside Quatre. A strong hand to his arm stopped him though. "Master Trowa?"

"No, Duo. You are no longer a slave and do not need to kneel to me. You are a free man. In fact, you are a Lord now."

F-free... A Lord? But, that's not possible."

"Duo, remain seated and get comfortable. I will explain everything to you, properly, as my brother should have done and avoided all this misunderstanding and upset." Making sure that Duo would remain in his seat, Trowa moved to sit across from him and took the offered water from Quatre. "Quatre, please pass me the parchments my brother left and then light the fire. This could take a little while."

As you wish, master." Quatre set to his assigned tasks, he was just as curious to learn what the heck was going on as Duo was.

With the fire lit and a warmth filtering into the cold room, Trowa began to speak. He quietly explained to Duo that his brother had wanted to show Duo just how much he appreciated the young slave's devotion to his care, the well-being of not just Heero himself, but the infant heir as well. The loyalty that Duo had shown to Heero and the Kingdom with his selfless act of bravery in saving the nanny and baby prince, the endless humiliation and near loss of his life at the hands of the vindictive princess for simply doing his best to serve and obey were all things that Heero felt Duo had gone above and beyond his duty to perform.

The prince was not one to show much in the way of emotion, he never had been, but his heart was in the right place and he was a fair and just man. The only way Prince Heero felt he could show how much he valued Duo, not just as a slave, but as a loyal subject as well, was to reward him with the greatest gift he could bestow...

Duo's freedom from slavery.

Prince Heero also understood that whilst giving the slave his freedom, Duo would need more than that. Having been a slave for all his life that he could remember, Duo would have nothing of his own in which to start out as a free man and Heero wasn't about to just toss him out with a parchment that said he was free and nothing else.

The holding had been purchased to give Duo a home and an income. The sum of coin would assist him in getting on his feet until the holding paid its way and kept him in a comfortable lifestyle. The parchments stated he was a free man and the title of Lord insured he would never be forced back into slavery ever again.

"So you see, Duo. It was never my brother's intention to sell you and I can quite understand why you would have thought that. Unfortunately, Heero has never been one to articulate some things very well at all," Trowa finished. With his explanation done, he sat back and waited for Duo to come to terms with all he'd just said.

Duo sat and stared straight ahead. His mind was busy turning over all the things Prince Trowa had just told him. Gradually all the pieces fell into place; the past several candle marks when his master had been demanding less and less of him all made sense now. His master hadn't been doing it with the intention of selling him, more so to 'wean' himself off his dependence on Duo as he'd known he wouldn't have Duo as his slave for much longer.

Placing his head in his hands, Duo gave a low sob as the implications of all that had just transpired rained down on him.

Kneeling to the side of his master's chair, Quatre had listened intently as his master had explained everything to his fellow slave. He felt overjoyed that Duo had been rewarded in such a manner, and yet he also felt quite sad and a tiny bit jealous as well. The jealousy was soon squashed though. As much as Quatre might envy Duo his freedom and all the trappings that went with it, Quatre adored his master and couldn't imagine life without serving his master – and that only intensified the feeling of sadness. Quatre knew how much Duo loved and adored Prince Heero – although he was now free and had all he could ever want, Quatre knew the only thing Duo really wanted was currently riding back to the castle in a storm of anger and hurt.

What a mess, Quatre thought.

# # #

The wind tore at his face and clothing as Heero pushed his horse as fast as Wing could go. The pain in his heart had increased tenfold and the tears he'd kept at bay would no longer be denied. An anguished cry tore from his throat to be snatched away by the wind, tears fell like rain against his cheeks only for the wind to chase them away too.

The anger had dissipated somewhat, but Heero could still not believe that things had gone so wrong, that Duo still doubted his word that Heero would never sell him. Wing galloped on, the thudding of the hoof beats keeping time with the throbbing in Heero's heart.

As Heero cleared the summit of the hill, the castle appeared ahead. Guiding Wing across the plains, Heero aimed for the entry and the sanctuary of his chambers where he could brood alone over the recent events.

Clattering his way into the courtyard and bringing Wing to a stop, Heero flung himself from the saddle, tossed the reins to a stable slave that had come running and raced up the steps and into the castle. The last thing he wanted or needed was for the castle slaves and staff to see him in this state. A future monarch stayed strong regardless of the issues at hand – unfortunately, his emotions had other ideas.

Reaching his chambers, Heero tore inside, wrenched his cloak from his shoulders and tossed it to a chair. Grabbing a goblet, he filled it with whiskey and downed it so fast it didn't touch the sides. He refilled the goblet, finally feeling the burn of the drink as it seared down his throat and lodged in his stomach. Filling the goblet for the third time, the prince slowed his drinking and place a hand on the small table. Head bowed, goblet in the other hand, his eyes stared blankly at the table surface as if it would provide him with all the answers he needed.

After a few moments, he raised his head and looked to the window. Moving across the floor, he stood and stared out at the castle courtyard, walls and plains beyond, only he didn't see them. A heart shaped face, luminous eyes and a soft smile played across his sight. Frustrated, Heero spun around and threw the goblet at the wall where it smashed, sending amber liquid spraying across the wall and floor. An anguished cry tore from his throat and he flung himself to his bed where he proceeded to sob out his heartache into the pillows.

# # #

Back at the farm holding, Duo's mind had finally accepted all that had gone on and he managed to dry his tears.

Across from the freed slave, Prince Trowa sat quietly in his chair waiting for the former slave to come to terms with all the information he'd been given. His fingers played with the hem of his tunic, mind going a mile a minute as his thoughts chased themselves around his head. He needed to get going back to the castle and soon. No doubt his brother was going through several emotions right now and whilst Trowa knew Heero would need a little time to himself to calm down, he also knew that once Heero had, the heir would hopefully start to see things a little clearer. Once that happened Trowa would need to be there to point out a few things to the prince and help him to pick up the pieces.

Scrubbing his face, Duo raised his head and cleared his throat. "What now?" he whispered to Prince Trowa.

Trowa gave a sigh. "I'm not too sure, Duo. I will need to return to the castle very shortly, I have many duties that await me." He paused for a moment and gazed around. "I would suggest that you maybe make yourself familiar with the holding, after all, it is your home now."

Sad, violet eyes looked around and then Duo gave a nod. "I suppose I should, although..."

"What is it, Duo?"

"I would much prefer to return to the castle to apologize for all the things I said and thank my master. I had no right to say or even think any of those things."

"I don't think that would be a good idea right now, Duo. Prince Heero needs to calm down first and think things through. Let him be for a few candle marks."

Duo nodded miserably.

Getting tiredly to his feet, Trowa motioned for Quatre to also rise. "I will take my leave of you now, Duo and let you settle in to your new home."

"Master Trowa?"

"Yes, Duo?"

"Would it... Could Quatre..." Duo wasn't comfortable at all with what he wished to request. Luckily for him Trowa had an idea of what the former slave was trying to ask.

"Quatre may visit you whenever he wishes to and when I can spare him," he said with a smile.

"Thank you," Duo whispered and bowed his head.

"Take care, young Duo. I will leave you alone with Quatre for a few moments to say your goodbyes." With a ruffle of the ex slave's bangs, Trowa stepped out of the small cottage.

With his master gone, Quatre moved across the room to embrace his former, fellow slave. "I'm going to miss you, Duo," he said softly.

Wrapping his arms tightly around the blonde, Duo buried his face in the crook of Quatre's neck. "I'm going to miss you too, Quatre. I'm going to miss everything," he said with a hitch in his voice.

"I know, but don't fret, Duo. I will come and visit you as often as I can and once Prince Heero settles down I'm sure you will be allowed to visit the castle and me too. You have a very rare opportunity here, Duo. Very few slaves are ever given their freedom, so that in itself is wonderful, but... To be given your freedom, a title and somewhere to live and survive, well..that's just exceptional."

"I know," Duo whispered, "and that's why I want to apologize to my master for all the horrible things I said. Oh, Quatre, what am I going to do?"

Quatre rubbed the ex slave's back soothingly. "Give the prince some time to calm down, Duo. I know in my heart he didn't mean what he said either. As you know, Prince Heero is never good with words and once he calms down I'm sure he will see why you said the things you did and that you did not mean them."

"I hope so, Quatre. I really hurt him and I'd give anything to take those words back."

"Hush now, Duo. You have a new life to forge, time to think about your future and what you're going to do with it. This holding seems to be well cared for and prosperous, make a good living for yourself from it, make me proud." Quatre pressed a kiss to Duo's temple.

"Thanks, Quatre. I will do my best." Duo pulled away slightly and then leaned in close to press a kiss against Quatre's lips.

"I had better be going before my master comes looking for me."

Reluctantly, Duo let the blonde go and wiping away the tears, he followed Quatre back out into the yard.

"Fetch the horses, Quatre," Trowa instructed, the slave obeying immediately.

"Master Trowa?" Duo began.

"Yes, Duo?"

"What about Lily?"

The prince gave a soft smile. "Lily is yours to keep, Duo. My brother gave her to you and she shall remain here."

Once more Duo felt the tears rising. The generosity of his master hitting him hard and tearing his heart even more when he thought about the harsh words he'd spoken. "Please tell my master, thank you."

"I will, Duo. Just be patient and work your holding. I will speak with my brother and get word to you when it is okay for you to visit the castle." Giving the former slave a pat to the shoulder, Trowa turned and approached his horse that Quatre held ready for him. Swinging himself into the saddle, he nodded to Duo, turned the horse's head and rode out of the yard.

"Bye, Duo," Quatre called and waved to his friend, turning Rocky to follow his master.

"Bye," Duo called back, waving as the pair left. He stood in the yard until long after the pair had disappeared from sight, his mind whirling with thoughts. Giving a deep sigh, he thought he'd better move himself and take a good look around what was now his new home and property. A neigh from within the barn drew him from his mind's wanderings and he thought he'd better start by looking after Lily first.

# # #

"Heero...? Heero...?"

The calling of his name and a gentle shaking to his shoulder woke Heero from the uneasy slumber he wasn't aware he'd fallen into. "T-Trowa?" he rasped out, rubbing crusty eyes as he tried to engage his brain.

"Yea, it is I, brother.," Trowa chuckled. "I've never known you to sleep during the day before," he added as he sat himself down on the edge of the bed.

Heero yawned and began to push himself up. He opened his mouth to call for Duo when the truth sank in and he was made aware of the deep pain in his heart and the reason for it. Sighing, he shoved himself into a sitting position and rubbed his eyes once more.

Trowa was no fool, he could clearly see that his brother had shed more than a few tears and he wisely refrained from mentioning that fact. "Have you calmed down now?"

Turning to look at his brother, Heero scowled. "I have every right to be upset," he growled.

"Yes, in one way you do, but if you'd handled things differently and properly, all this upset and misunderstanding could have been avoided."

"I don't think so," Heero replied. "It is completely clear that Duo has only ever served me because it was his duty as a slave. Despite everything I ever said to him, the promise I made to never sell him, all the ways I tried to show him he was valued and that I would never allow him to return to the miserable life he led before, he still did not trust me or my word. That much was evident with the words he spoke. No, Duo meant every word he said and in that case I am far better off without him."

Trowa frowned. "I cannot deny the words he spoke, but those words were not truly what he believes in his heart. Those words were spoken out of fear. Think about it, Heero. He was convinced you had sold him. Given the way you went about asking him if he would be happy at the holding, how else could he interpret the meaning?"

"He should have trusted my word!" Heero barked.

"Yes, he should, but he is but a slave, has been a slave for as long as he can remember, and you know yourself how many slaves are treated. A slave finds it very hard to trust, to believe what a master says. In a slave's mind they are nothing more than a piece of chattel, an item that can be bought or sold at any time, and to trust that a master would not sell them is foolish."

"He knew I wouldn't sell him, especially after all he'd endured here with the princess and that conniving maid of hers. If I had had any intention of getting rid of him it would have been then!" Heero snapped. Deep in his own mind he knew that wasn't true, he knew that Duo had issues with trust and when he ran the whole mess of earlier through his head, he could see some logic there. But it still remained that Duo's words, even though they had been spoken in the heat of the moment could only mean that Duo didn't trust him, never had and still only served him as it was his duty to do so.

Trowa shook his head, the frustration building inside him that he couldn't get his brother to see the situation for what it was. "I can see that you're still upset and not thinking clearly..."

"I am thinking perfectly fine, Trowa. Duo did not trust me at all, that much was made perfectly clear with his words. However, despite what he may think I stuck to my word and I have granted his freedom. At the end of it all he is now free to do as he pleases and that is the end of it." Heero rose from the bed. "There will be nothing more said of it." Moving across the room, Heero fetched his things. "Unless there is anything else you wish to discuss, that does not pertain to Duo, I would appreciate it if you would leave me alone. I need to bathe and I have work to attend to."

Knowing how stubborn his brother could be, Trowa knew there would be no further discussion relating to Duo today. He would simply have to bide his time and wear his brother down. Standing, Trowa crossed the room to leave. He paused at the door, turning to send some last words to the prince. "You are a fool, Heero. You are letting your stubborn pride blind you to what is the truth." Before Heero could reply, Trowa left, shutting the door behind him.

"What would you know of it, brother?" Heero growled under his breath and savagely grabbed his change of clothing. In his heart though, Heero knew his brother was right.

# # #

Duo petted the mare as he turned her out into one of the grassy fields close to the cottage, watching her for a moment as she settled to graze. With a soft sigh, he left the mare and walked back to the cottage. Time to explore his new home while there was still a lot of daylight.

Entering the cottage again, Duo took himself for a wander through the rooms. Whilst it was not overly large by any standards, it was still quite roomy inside. He gathered that the furniture must be his too and with that thought in mind, he pulled the parchments Trowa had given him from his pocket. He took a seat in the large kitchen, unrolled the parchment and did his best to try to understand what was written there.

His reading skills were limited at best, a slave having no need to learn to read or write, but when Heero had learned of this, he'd arranged for Duo to have some measure of instruction in learning to read and write. In the short time he'd been tutored, Duo had managed to pick up on the basics and it was enough for him to make out the main points in the parchment.

He was now the owner of the farm holding which included the cottage and its contents, several acres of farmland, all animals and any machinery on the property. He also noted there were two men employed to assist him in working the land. Idly he wondered who they were, where they lived and if they were slaves or free men.

He sincerely hoped they were free men, somehow he couldn't see himself being a master to a slave when he'd been a slave for so long himself.

Exploration of the cottage resulted in Duo learning he had three comfortable bedrooms, a sitting room, bathing chamber, kitchen and eating area along with a scullery. The kitchen had also been stocked with many of the foods Duo would need. A side of lamb and a hind quarter of beef hung from large hooks in the cool room attached to the scullery.

At least he wouldn't starve for a while.

Having checked the cottage from top to bottom, Duo moved outside into the warm, afternoon sun to see what the buildings and fields held. Walking across the yard, he could see a couple of figures off in the distance walking towards him and wondered if they were the two men that worked the farm.

Feeling very shy and nervous, Duo waited for the men to approach. He would have answers soon enough.

tbc...