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


And now for that twist the muse promised...


"Bound, Bonded and Betrayed"

Chapter 62

Having delivered his final blow, Heero sat down, a hand automatically falling to the top of Duo's head and stroking softly through the chestnut hair. Whether the act was to comfort Duo or himself, Heero didn't know or care.

Prince Trowa leaned across to his brother and spoke quietly. "Well said, brother. You have put forth a very solid defense for Duo and let the princess know you're onto her game."

"It's not over yet," Heero muttered. "We still have to wait for the elders to make their decision."

At that point the head elder stood up and addressed those seated before them. "Princess Relena, do you have anything further you wish to say in relation to this matter before my fellow elders and I retire to consider all the evidence presented and make our decision?"

Drawing on all her inner strength, Relena looked up through watering eyes to the head elder. Her voice held a pitiful tremble to it as she spoke and she made sure to rub a hand over her swollen abdomen as well. "What can I say? That slave tried to rape me and has done his best to convince everyone that he is the innocent one. I have had to suffer through the trauma of having a slave force himself upon me, endure the humiliation and degradation of not one, but two trials with all the disgusting details being made public knowledge. There are many people here in the castle that do not like me and that is now even more evident by those false statements. All I have ever tried to do is be a good wife to my husband and this is how I am treated." Relena dropped her head as tears began to fall, she added a pout to her trembling lower lip for good measure.

Kneeling beside her mistress, Dorothy tried to comfort Relena by placing a hand upon her knee. She didn't dare to do anything more considering where they were and the position they were in, and to make things worse, she wasn't at all convinced that her mistress would get away with anything this time.

"Thank you, Princess Relena. My fellow elders and I will retire to discuss the evidence and advise you all when to reconvene once we have reached a decision."

Everyone in the Throne room stood as the elders gathered together their various pieces of parchment and left for their discussion. Once the elders had vacated the King and Queen also left, the remainder of the people in the Throne room making their way out and back to their respective duties.

Once his parents had left, Heero quickly rose, gathered his pile of parchments together and turned to his brother. "I am going to my chambers, I need a drink. You are welcome to join me if you wish. Duo, come with me." Not bothering to wait for an answer, Heero spun on his heel and left the Throne room, Duo two strides behind him.

"Come, Quatre," Trowa said as he rose and made to follow his brother.

The abrupt departure of her husband left Relena sitting in stunned shock. No one had bothered to see if she was alright. She had expected her husband to check on her well being, or at least have had the healer check her over, but then again, Relena wasn't too sure she really wanted that healer around her right now, not after that statement she'd given.

"Mistress?"

Dorothy's voice drew the princess from her thoughts and she looked up to see her friend's blue eyes looking in concern at her. A quick glance around told her the Throne room was completely empty.

"Mistress, I think we should retire to your chambers until the elders send word that they have reached their decision. You need some peace and quiet," Dorothy insisted and reached forth to assist her mistress to her feet.

Managing to stand, Relena allowed her maid to help her from the Throne room and back to their chambers where she sank gratefully into a large, comfortable chair.

"I'll get you a nice cup of tea to settle you a little," Dorothy said once she had her mistress safely ensconced in the chair. Dorothy was a little worried about the princess, she hadn't said much at all since the elders had retreated to discuss the case. Once the tea was ready, Dorothy offered her mistress a cup, pleased when the princess took it. She picked her own cup up and sat opposite. "Are you alright, mistress?"

Relena frowned, took a sip of her tea and looked at her maid. "Yes, I'm okay in the physical sense, Dorothy, but I don't know what will happen now."

"Unfortunately, the decision is completely out of our hands," Dorothy replied. "I have a bad feeling about this too."

"I think I agree with you," Relena said. "I have a very strong feeling that gutter snipe will get off the charges, and with my husband saying he's aware of what we've been trying to do it will make things even more difficult."

"If that snipe does get off the charges we will just have to find another way to get rid of him," Dorothy stated.

"I don't think that will be possible, Dorothy. I'm afraid Heero will be keeping an even closer eye on him if he does get off."

"Then we will have to be extra careful. The prince can't be with him all of the time and all we need is that one time for him to be caught alone... Accidents do happen." Dorothy shrugged her shoulders and gave an evil smirk.

"I don't know, Dorothy," Relena said, her voice resigned. "It all sounds a bit too risky to me."

"Look, mistress, let's wait until we get the verdict before we think any further on this. There's a good chance those elders will still find him guilty. When all is said and done, it's still just the word of a slave against that of a princess," Dorothy reminded her mistress.

"Yes, I suppose you're right, we really should wait until after we hear what the elders have to say and then go from there."

"Are you hungry, mistress? I can fetch you something to eat."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I really don't think I could eat anything at all until I know what the result is."

"As you wish."

#

"Pour me a drink, Duo," Heero ordered once he entered his chambers.

"Yes, master," Duo replied and quickly went to the cabinet to do as requested. Noting Prince Trowa and Quatre barely a couple of steps behind them, Duo took the initiative and poured a drink for the other prince as well. He handed the goblet to Quatre when the blonde approached.

The two princes took their respective drinks and sat in armchairs opposite each other, their slaves kneeling at their sides. After a few minutes silence, Trowa finally spoke.

"All things considered, I think that went extremely well, brother."

"I hope it is enough to clear Duo of all charges," Heero replied, studying the wine in his goblet.

"The evidence is hard to refute," Trowa pointed out, "especially the healer's comments."

"Yes, I concede that the healer's evidence should be more than enough to convince the elders of Duo's innocence."

Cautiously, Trowa brought up the topic both had been avoiding. "If, by chance, the elders do find Duo guilty, what will you do?"

Heero gave a loud sigh and closed his eyes. "I really don't know," he offered. "I can't bear the thought of him being put to the sword, he doesn't deserve that. I can't let that happen." A soft tug at his breeches had the prince looking down to where his slave knelt. "Duo?"

"Master, you and I both know I didn't do anything wrong, but I will go to the sword without protest if that is what is to be."

"No, Duo. I won't let that happen," Heero replied, his heart cracking at the look on his loyal slave's face.

"You won't be able to stop it, master," Duo said softly. "It's okay, at least I will go to my death having known there are good masters out there, ones that treat their slaves better than animals and I have been fortunate to have had a good, kind master as my last."

"If the result does not go in our favor, I swear to you, Duo, you will not lose your life. I will find a way to keep you safe." Heero's voice was hoarse with emotion. A hand landed on his arm and he looked through suspiciously bright eyes into the steady green of his brother.

"If the decision goes against Duo, I will help you in any way I can to keep him alive."

"Thank you, brother." Heero brooded quietly for a few moments. "If the decision is against us we will need to move fast, take Duo away somewhere safe until I can figure out what to do."

"I will be ready," Trowa promised.

The two princes fell silent then, each locked in their own thoughts of what they would do depending on the verdict from the elders.

A soft knock at the door a while later interrupted their quiet thoughts, Duo rising to open the door. A slave stood on the other side, dropping to his knees when Duo stood before him. "The King sends word to return to the Throne room," the slave said.

"Thank you," Duo replied. The slave stood and walked away, his message having been delivered. Duo took a deep breath and closed the door, returning to his place beside his master. "The King has sent word to return to the Throne room, master."

"I see." Tilting the goblet, Heero swallowed down the last of the wine and set the goblet on the table to the side. "Let us be on our way." Standing, he paused a moment while Trowa finished his own wine and then the pair walked out of the chambers and along the hall to the Throne room, shoulder to shoulder, determination in their stride. Behind them Quatre and Duo followed in apprehensive silence.

# # #

When the two princes and their slaves entered the Throne room they found everyone other than the King, Queen and elders already present. It surprised Heero to see his wife sitting up straight, her maid at her side and a determined look on her face. He couldn't help himself – he scowled.

The princess had made certain to be present before her husband arrived. She spotted Heero entering fro the corner of her eye and kept her attention focused on the table the elders would occupy and her features neutral. She had no intention of letting her husband or that scum of a slave know just how uneasy she felt.

At her side, Dorothy knelt, head lowered as people filtered back into the Throne room. Although her head was lowered, her eyes continuously swept the room, returning time and time again to the entry and awaiting the presence of the prince and that piece of filth. When the prince entered and took his seat, Dorothy watched as the slave knelt beside him. She shot a positively venomous look at him.

Kneeling beside his master, Duo kept his own head lowered, peering out from underneath his bangs from time to time. He could feel the cold stare of the maid on him but refused to look her way. He was already wound tight with apprehension and the last thing he needed was to see that nasty maid sending him murderous looks.

"Please stand," the Captain's voice ordered, sending the low rumble of conversation into complete silence.

The King and Queen entered, the occupants of the room bowing or curtsying in respect as the pair made their way to their seats. Once the royals were seated the rest of the room took their seats, only to stand once again a few moments later when the Captain announced the return of the elders.

One by one the elders filed back into the Throne room and took their respective places behind the long table. They bowed to the King and Queen and then sat down, the rest of the people following once the elders were seated.

Clearing his throat, the head elder stood up and glanced around the room. He shifted a few pieces of parchment in his hands before selecting the one he wanted and running his eyes across it. "Thank you all for returning so promptly," he began. Raising his eyes he looked to where Heero and Relena were sitting. "Princess Relena, would you please stand?"

With Dorothy's assistance, Relena got slowly to her feet, making a rather big show of how much effort it entailed with her being heavily pregnant.

"Prince Heero, would you and your slave, Duo, please stand?"

Heero stood, squaring his shoulders and doing his best to look relaxed, yet attentive. Duo also rose to his feet, staying slightly behind his master, hands behind his back and head lowered; somehow he managed to keep his trembling to a minimum.

"My fellow elders and I have looked at all the provided evidence, especially the medical reports which we have studied in great depth and find no reason to doubt the competency of the Mistress Healer. Having discussed all the evidence and the statements we have come to our decision."

The entire room held their breath in anticipation.

"After much deliberation we find the slave, Duo, not guilty of the crime of alleged rape of the Princess Relena."

The silence was deafening for all of a few moments as the words sank in; then everyone began to talk at once.

A slow smile began to work its way across Heero's lips. His eyes closed momentarily and a soft breath of relief left his lungs. Not guilty – he'd done it, he'd proven Duo's innocence and his lovely slave would face no further punishment.

"Not guilty?" came a soft voice behind Heero and the prince turned to look at his slave, those violet eyes wide as he tried to absorb the words.

"Yes, Duo. The elders have found you completely innocent of attempting to rape the princess," Heero confirmed, turning his body to embrace his slave.

"Congratulations, Heero, and you too, Duo," Prince Trowa said. Beside the prince, Quatre's blonde head could be seen nodding in agreement, the smile on his face going from ear to ear.

Across the room the Princess Relena had gone white. She reached for the edge of the table to steady herself before gentle arms wound around her shoulders and eased her back into her seat.

"Just sit for a minute, mistress," Dorothy said, her voice concerned for her mistress. With the princess sitting down, Dorothy took a moment to send a hateful glare in Duo's direction before returning her attention to the princess. "Should I fetch the healer for you, mistress?"

"No, no, don't do that. I'll be alright in a moment," Relena replied, still trying to come to terms with the verdict.

"Quiet, quiet please!" Captain Chang called out, adding a loud thump of his fist to the table for emphasis. The room began to quiet down a bit, the Captain re-enforcing the order a couple of times before complete silence was granted. "Thank you." He stepped back to allow the head elder to speak.

"The verdict of not guilty now brings this retrial to an end. My fellow elders and I have spoken on this matter and that will be the end of it. Thank you." Turning to his fellow elders, he nodded to them, the rest standing up and preparing to leave. The head elder paused where the King and Queen sat, exchanging a few words with them before being escorted from the Throne room by Captain Chang.

With the departure of the elders, many of the people also began to leave, again talking amongst themselves as they left the Throne room. Prince Heero managed to dodge his way through people to approach his parents. "Father, mother, thank you for allowing me to conduct an investigation into the allegations and for bringing the elders here for an unbiased result."

"You are welcome, Heero," the King replied. "Come to our chambers a little later and we will talk more then. For now, you have much to do in settling your slave and talking with your wife."

Heero scowled at the mention of Relena. "I will do my duty and make sure my wife is taken care of. I will meet with you later to talk more." With a bow of respect, Heero left his parents and returned to Duo who was waiting with his brother and Quatre, the result still having trouble making it through his head. As he crossed the room he looked in his wife's direction and noted the paleness of her skin and the shocked expression on her face. Despite all she had done, she was still his wife and he still had obligations to her – especially as she was carrying his child and heir.

"Brother, is everything okay?" Prince Trowa asked, noting the slightly troubled look on his brother's face when Heero rejoined them.

"I need to speak with the healer, I feel the princess is in need of her services."

Prince Trowa darted a look across the room to where the princess and her maid were. He noted – as Heero had – the paleness of her skin and completely bewildered look on her face. "I agree," he said. "I think it would be wise if the princess were to return to her chambers and the healer pay her a visit there. She's had quite the shock." There was a slight smirk on Trowa's face as he spoke.

"Duo, please fetch the healer for me. I will be with the princess," Heero ordered.

"Yes, master." Duo reluctantly trotted off to find the healer.

With Duo fetching the healer, Heero turned to his brother. "I will see to it that she gets back to the chambers and the healer can take care of her there. I will meet with you in my chambers shortly, brother."

"Of course, Heero."

With a nod, Heero moved across the room to where his wife sat, the maid fussing over her. He also spotted the healer and Duo making their way towards him and he gave a relieved sigh.

Dorothy looked up when she noted a shadow falling across her, quickly dropping back to her knees when she saw who the shadow belonged to.

Ignoring the maid, Heero stepped up alongside the chair his wife was sitting in. When Relena's eyes turned to face him, he made certain to keep his voice low and gentle. "You have had quite a shock and I think it would be best if you were to return to your chambers to rest. I have already taken the liberty of notifying the healer and she will be with us shortly to check you over," Heero informed his wife.

It took a few moments for her husband's words to register, and when they did, Relena felt nothing but anger and irritation. "Of course I've had a shock, what did you expect?!" she snarled, the color coming back slightly to her cheeks as her anger flared. "You wouldn't exactly be feeling the best either if you knew your attacker had just gotten away with trying to rape you!"

"Relena," Heero warned.

"Oh, that's exactly what I would expect from you for you to defend that low life piece of garbage. You always side with him. I'm your wife, Heero, I would have expected a little more respect and consideration, especially after all I've had to endure," Relena spat.

"You only have yourself and your..." Heero sneered at Dorothy, "...slave to blame for any humiliation you feel. You have brought this on yourself, Relena."

Kneeling by her mistress' side, Dorothy felt her own fury beginning to rise as the prince spoke with contempt.

"I have done nothing wrong," Relena defended. "The blame lies solely with that piece of garbage. I know his sort, playing the part of perfect slave when you're around and becoming an insolent, disobedient cur when he thinks no one is there to see."

"Relena, hold your tongue, that is quite enough!" Heero's voice began to rise a little.

The few people that still remained in the Throne room began to quiet down when they heard the prince raise his voice and they began to sneak curious glances at the arguing couple.

"Why should I?!" Relena snapped. "Are you afraid that your loyal subjects will overhear that you prefer to bed that gutter snipe of a slave than be with your own wife? How do you think that makes me feel? Knowing my husband likes to stoop to getting his pleasure from a cheap, two bit whore?!"

Heero's face began to color with each word Relena spat at him, his anger beginning to rise along with the color to his cheeks. "Duo is not a whore," he hissed. "He's a loyal, hardworking slave, something that bitch of a maid of yours would know nothing about!"

"How dare you speak of Dorothy like that! She's always been loyal to me and looked after me properly; not tried to seduce me like that animal you insist on keeping around," Relena fired back.

Dorothy began to tremble with the effort of keeping her temper in check.

Meanwhile, Duo had located Sally the healer and delivered his message from his master. The healer had taken a brief moment to finish her conversation with the person she was talking to and then accompanied Duo across the Throne room to where the prince and princess were. As they neared so they could hear the slightly raised voices.

"It sounds like your master is having a little problem with his wife," Sally muttered to Duo.

Duo glanced across the room, keeping his eyes low as he took in the scene. "It would appear that the princess isn't happy, Mistress Healer," Duo replied and lowered his eyes again.

"Now that's an understatement," Sally said softly. "I'd say she's got her pantaloons in a real knot." Sally shot a hand out and grabbed Duo by the arm as the slave stumbled and almost fell over.

"Sorry," Duo said meekly, doing his best not to snicker at the healer's choice of words – it was bad enough that he'd almost fallen over, those words were the last thing he'd expected to hear coming from the well respected healer.

"Duo has never done anything of the sort," Heero fired back, his temper starting to get the better of him. "My slave has done nothing other than obey orders and carry out his duties. That is something your maid should learn to do." Heero shot Dorothy a nasty look.

"Dorothy always obeys orders," Relena retaliated. At her side, Dorothy was fighting a losing battle with her anger.

"She's also very good at giving them and making sure she gets waited on too." Heero glared at both Relena and Dorothy. "I know all about your schemes, how you have worked poor Duo into the ground trying to get him into trouble and get rid of him..."

At that point, Duo and the healer arrived, Duo starting to drop to his knees at the side of his master.

"I'm fully aware of how your so called trustworthy maid dirtied my boots after Duo had cleaned them, I know she's done nothing but cause trouble for him, threatening and abusing him. Well no more. Duo never attempted to rape you, Relena, you concocted the whole thing to get rid of him. You talk of Duo being nothing but gutter trash, a cheap whore or street rat. Maybe you should take a look at yourself and your maid..."

Unable to listen to anymore, Dorothy's temper exploded – along with her body. Seeing Duo dropping to his knees beside the prince, she saw red. That vile creature was the one responsible for her mistress' and her own misery and Dorothy wasn't about to kneel there and listen to anymore of it. She surged to her feet, lunging for the one she held responsible for all of this mess - Duo.

Duo didn't stand a chance. One minute he was dropping to his knees, the next he was assaulted by a wildcat. With a cry he fell back, doing his best to try and block the maid's flying fists, teeth and nails.

"You piece of filth, this is all your fault," Dorothy snarled as she let fly. Fortunately for Duo, only a couple of blows landed before Dorothy was being hauled off him. "You bastard," Dorothy snapped and swung her fist, satisfied when she felt it connect with flesh. The satisfaction only lasted a moment though, replaced by horror when she realized she was no longer looming over Duo but being held by a pair of strong arms, arms that belonged to the prince...

...and her fist had connected with the prince.

The sudden lunge of the maid towards Duo caught Heero off guard and it took a moment or two before he registered what was happening. In the time it took for him to move and grab the maid, Dorothy had managed to land a couple of punches to Duo's chest and rake her nails down the side of his face. As Heero's arms wrapped around the maid, a wayward punch caught him a glancing blow to his upper arm. Then the maid froze.

Within seconds Captain Chang was beside his prince, having just returned to the Throne room as Dorothy launched herself at Duo. He locked eyes with the prince, a silent message passing between them as Heero handed the maid over to the Captain of the guard. Relena had watched the entire drama unfold with a look of terror on her face.

"Take her to the dungeons," the prince ordered, his blue eyes like chips of ice.

"Sire, I'm sorry," Dorothy began to whimper.

"Take her out of my sight," Heero growled.

"Right away, my prince." Chang reached for a piece of cord and bound the maid's hands together behind her back.

"No, no, you can't lock Dorothy up in those horrid dungeons," Relena protested, tears running down her face.

"I can and I will," Heero snarled. "She attacked my slave without provocation." Heero's voice turned low and menacing, his eyes narrowing as he looked between his wife and the maid. "She also dared to lay a hand on me. I'm sure you are fully aware of the punishment for attacking a royal prince?"

Relena's face went chalk white.

"Yes, my dear. In case you have forgotten the punishment for attacking a royal prince is death by the sword."

tbc...