The Cathach

Chapter 5

Missie here again. I'm eternally grateful for all the feedback I've been getting, and I've found a fresh wave of inspiration for this fic. Usual warnings apply, I'm dreading writing the lemon later, I've never done it and am half thinking of commissioning someone to do it for me. In case anyone's confused (but you're a smart bunch so I doubt it) a Fenian is singular for a member of the Fianna.

I don't own Gundam Wing and I don't think anyone cares.





After two days of intensive evaluation, most of the soldiers who had strived to join the Fianna had failed and were forced to join the reserves of common cavalry to back up the new Fianna. Finally, everyone but Duo Maxwell was eliminated.

The tests were easy enough for Duo. He used incantations to perfect his aim in target practice, he invoked a temporary curse on those who faced him in combat, and the heightened senses that came with being an immortal made the stealth test simple. At one point, he and been ordered to spear a target dead centre while on horseback, but lost his concentration at the last minute. He had been about to scream with frustration at his failure when Quatre speared the target for him using his horn, then quickly disguising it again. For what seemed like the hundredth time, Duo thanked whatever higher power was up there that he had brought Quatre with him.

On the third morning, Duo was approached by J and given the final qualifying test.

" You have to go into the forest and return with enough meat to feed all of these soldiers.'

" No problem, sir."

" Without using any weapons."

" Aw, nuts."

" Giving up?"

" Not a chance, sir. Can I use my horse?"

" I can't see it being of much use to you, unless you're planning to kill it and feed us its carcass."

" No way, sir. That's gross."

" Fine then. Good luck. Be back by sunset."


Duo led Quatre out to the middle of the nearby glen and strained his ears for movement. Presently, he heard the sounds of something eating in the clearing up ahead. Quatre proceeded quietly through the undergrowth and they spotted their quarry. An enormous Red Elk (1) was pulling leaves off of a willow tree. It was nearly twelve feet from its feet to its antlers, which receded down towards its back. Duo gaped.

"An animal that size would feed the army for a month!"

/ I wouldn't go THAT far./
" It's perfect."

/ How are you going to catch it?/

" Huh? Aw, nuts. I hadn't thought about that. Well, just start chasing it, and I'll figure it out on the way."

/ Are you sure?/

" Yeah. Now GO!"

Quatre took off after the elk, which had reacted quickly to Duo's shout. In no time, he had caught up with it and was running alongside it.

/ What now?/

Spotting a tangle of furze beside the trail they were using, Duo quickly formed a plan.

" Knock it into the bushes!"

Quatre shouldered the huge beast straight into the thicket, and Duo's plan proved successful. The elk's antlers were caught in the thick branches so it couldn't move. Duo dismounted and approached it.

/ I almost feel sorry for it./

" This is no time to get emotional."

/ Quick and painless, right?/

" Yeah, whatever."

/ Duo!/

" Okay, relax, man. It won't feel a thing."

Duo grabbed the animal's neck and quickly twisted it, then got to work on freeing it from the briars. When he was finished, both immortals stared at the huge cadaver.

/ How are we going to get it back?/

" I don't know. I can't really sling it across your back, can I?"

/ Don't even try it./

" Okay, I'll think of something."

Finally, Duo had it all worked out. Using his cloak, he wrapped every part of the animal except for its antlers. He then tied some long, thick vines to the antlers and fastened a few to Quatre's harnessing.
He picked up the remaining vines himself and they pulled in the direction of the castle.




J tapped his foot impatiently and stroked his long, grey beard with his remaining hand. His soldiers were getting hungry and the anticipation of waiting to see would the Fianna have a new member always annoyed him. At last, the braided soldier appeared on the horizon, dragging a huge bundle behind him.

J himself unwrapped the bundle, and everyone's eyes widened when they saw the twelve-foot elk. Even Heero, who normally showed little or no emotion, looked vaguely surprised. The cooks immediately began carving up the carcass for cooking.

" Congratulations, my boy, you're a Fenian. Now come enjoy your catch with us."

" Thanks all the same, sir, but I'm gonna go check on my horse."

" We have servants that can look after that for you."

" He gets kinda edgy around strangers, sir. I think I'd better go myself."

" All right. Make sure it's well rested for tomorrow. We're marching into battle at dawn."

" Yes, sir."

Duo trotted out of the room, followed by cheers and thanks from the celebrating soldiers. He didn't pay any attention to the green-eyed stare he was receiving from one end of the room, or the icy blue eyes that followed his movements. Quietly, Trowa Barton followed him to the stable.